N O R T H
A L A B A M A ' S
P R E M I E R E
MORNING A Publication of
N E T W O R K I N G
G R O U P
BREW
R.I.S.E.
OCTOBER 2020 / ISSUE 14 / VOLUME 2
THIS ISSUE
BUSINESS INSIGHTS EMPOWERMENT IS NOT TELLINGIT IS ASKING
7 TIPS FOR BUSINESS
NETWORKING WITH PURPOSE
CONTENTS NEWS
05 LETTER FROM THE EDITOR 07 EVENTS & INFO 09 RISE SPEAKER SERIES FEATURES 13
5 TIME MANAGEMETN ROUTINES
17
NETWORKING IS ABOUT RELATIONSHIP BUILDING.
18 22 28
FEATURE STORY
NETWORKING - THE IMPORTANCE AND VALUE FOR YOUR BUSINESS BUSINESS INSIGHTS EMPOWERMENT IS NOT TELLING. IT IS ASKING
7 TIPS: NETWORKING WITH PURPOSE PERSONAL BRANDING NETWORKING - THE IMPORTANCE & VALUE
31 BUSINESS INSIGHTS
33
PHOTOGRAPHY: HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS UTILIZING THIS TOOL
35
NETWORKING IN A VIRTUALENVIROMENT
38
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & WEALTH
7 TIPS YOU NEED
NETWORKING WITH PURPOSE
WWW.THERISEGROUPHSV.COM
A LEGACY OF HEALTH & WELATH PART 9 - MIND AND MOOD
Contributors
Regional Innovators Sustaining the Ecosystem
Dr. Kreslyn Kelley-Ellis Certified Human Capital & Leadership Coach Dr.
Vicki Morris
Kreslyn
grew
up
in
Huntsville,
AL,
receiving a B.B.A from Faulkner Christian University.
She
went
on
to
receive
her
Master’s Degree in Special Education from Alabama A&M University and a Doctorate in Education Administration & Supervision from Tennessee State University.
Demetria Horton
Maike DeMaria Demetria Horton
Rick Makrowski Wellness Advocate Rick
Makowski
Advocate
and
is
a
uses
Wellness natural
Dr. Kreslyn Kelley-Ellis
methods extensively. If you have
Vicki Morris
more EO information, he can be
Rick Makrowski
questions
or
are
interested
reached
in
at
info@promoworkssolutions.net
Rachel Eubanks Mike Moorer Photographer Capturing
stunning
images
that
help professionals and their brand
Face To Face Marketing, LLC
stand out on social media is my passion.
I
am
dedicated
to
producing content that allows their message to be heard.
Morning Brew is a publication of R.I.S.E. by Face To Face Marketing, LLC. We are located at 515 Sparkman Drive, HSV, AL 35816
Maike DeMaria Capabilitix Maike DeMaria has attained multiple degrees and certificates in many
We publish this magazine every month. We are always accepting ads for the next month's magazine, and content submissions. Email us for more information at Hello@FaceToFace-Marketing.com
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disciplines including: Business, Healthcare, Management, Training, and Human Resources Management. During her 35-year international professional career, she worked in large corporations, non-profit organizations, and small businesses.
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SUSTAINING SUPPORTERS EVENT MANAGEMENT BY This event is brought to the North Alabama Entrepreneurial community by the team at Face To Face Marketing, led by Vicki Morris, president and founder. A Public Relations and Project Management firm. Want to connect with them, click the logo for a link to their website.
VENUE & ACCOMODATIONS
Invention to Innovation Center at UAH
HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology
Accommodations for several morning events have been graciously provided by the brand new I2C Center at UAH and the wonderful team at HudsonAlpha Institute for Biotechnology. Click the images for a direct link to their websites.
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A MESSAGE FROM Vicki Morris
the Publisher Networking is a crucial component of every growth
strategy
during
the
life
of
a
business. We’ve all gone to a networking event, found a few friends to congregate with, and at the end of the event, we leave and head back to the office. now all is not bad with this scenario. You did leave the office, you mingled with other professionals and you may have been introduced to a couple of new people that are friends of your friends. So there are benefits to casually approaching the act of attending networking events. If you’re anything like me, the initial thought of networking and being social in a professional setting is a bit terrifying. I’m a
"I’m a high functioning introvert, but still very much an introvert."
high functioning introvert, but still very much an introvert. The thought of small talk, and thinking of something to talk about with people I didn’t really know well, makes my heart race! I had to recognize my fears and balance that with the benefits of a successful networking event and how that could positively impact the direction of my
This is why I chose NETWORKING as a prominent theme for this month’s issue of the magazine. I hope you will take time to dive
into
the
articles
that
focus
on
networking and see how you can add some of these techniques to your business mix!
career. I chose to fully embrace this concept
of
intentional
networking
and
decided to build my entire career around the power of networking.
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EVENTS & INFO Information about networking events, business seminars, and other opportunities to grow your business. Please contact event organizer for more details on tickets, dates, locations, audience.
SBDC - BUSINESS PLANNING 101 Writing your business plan can be a daunting task on your own. In Session 3 of this 6 part series, you will learn how to tell the story of your business. Please join us for this fun and interactive workshop. Bring your questions! Oct 11, 2020 Point of Contact: Katherine Zobre (201) 503-5927
R.I.S.E. GOES VIRTUAL Due to the government advisory following the outbreak of COVID-19 R.I.S.E. is now being presented LIVE on Zoom, Facebook, and YouTube.
Catch us Friday Oct 2nd and Oct 16th at 9am!!
SCORE HAS COME TO HUNTSVILLE Join us for Virtual SCORE presentations THURSDAYS at 10am! SCORE is proud to have the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors. They help thousands of entrepreneurs start and grow their small businesses every year. Our volunteers give back to their communities and pass on their knowledge to the next generation of entrepreneurs. Morning Brew Magazine
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RISE GOES VIRTUAL All RISE Events will be brought to you virtually! Tune in on our Facebook & YouTube Platforms October 2 October 16 November 13 December 11
Be sure to like our Facebook and LinkedIn pages, and stay up to date on all RISE news and events.
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ABOUT
PeggyLee Wright is a former US Army UH-60 Blackhawk pilot, having served at the 82d Airborne Division, Honduras Central America, and Fort Lee, Virginia. Following her military career, PeggyLee used her experience in DoD, logistics, leadership management, behavior analysis, and education to create a new approach to business development and solutions providing. Just prior to turning 50 years old, PeggyLee started THE COMPANY YOU KEEP, a Woman Owned, Veteran Owned Small Business located in Huntsville, Alabama. THE COMPANY YOU KEEP brings expertise in Organizational Leadership, Business Development, and Program Management to enhance Operations & Logistics, Training, and Engineering capability for customers across the Government, Military, Academic, Non-Profit and Industrial Enterprise. THE COMPANY’S DoD Contracting & Industry clients include RippleWorx Inc., LINC Research, Innovative International Technology, Systems Planning Analysis, DCS Corp, Transcend: The Fearless Company & LSINC. Within the Academic arena, THE COMPANY is leading development for the Alabama School of Cyber Technology & Engineering (ASCTE), a state magnet school that is being hailed as a national model for the rest of the country. PeggyLee is active in several non-profits within the Huntsville community. She is on the Board for Huntsville SOF Network, an affiliation of Huntsville's unique abilities, technologies, facilities, labs, programs, academia and government, all motivated to connect cutting edge solutions with Special Operations Forces across DoD/USSOCOM, National Intelligence Programs and Interagency. Bullets, Bourbon, and Barbeque is the non-profit’s annual fundraiser, having raised over $50K this past summer, and donating it to Still Serving Veterans. PeggyLee is Dancing for H.E.A.L.S. this year in order to help provide medical, dental and optometry services to children in our local school systems. She is also a mentor for WEDC Foundation, providing academic and professional guidance to young women in our area. PeggyLee is the President of the Executive Board for Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theatre & Academy. Mother of 4 incredible kiddos, PeggyLee has been with her husband, TJ Wright, for 25 years.
plwright@thecompanyteam.com
Mr. Tom Todt (pronounced “tote”) has been the Director of the US Small Business Administration’s Alabama District Office since June 2008. In his role as District Director, Mr. Todt oversees a professional staff of 7 in the delivery of SBA’s Financial Assistance, Entrepreneurial Development, Business Training, Government Contracting and other marketing and outreach programs throughout Alabama’s 67 counties. This delivery network includes 10 Small Business Development Centers, 8 Procurement Technical Assistance Centers (PTAC), five SCORE chapters, 3 Women’s Business Centers and dozens of lending institutions. Thomas received his marketing degree from the University of Alabama, and is a former small business owner. Tom has worked in a variety of sales, marketing and management positions for different types of large and small firms, and nonprofit organizations. Todt also has twelve years of economic and community development experience, as well as nearly twelve years of active duty military experience.
thomas.todt@sba.gov
MARKETING BACKED BY DATA
SCHEDULE YOUR FREE CONSULTATION TODAY
www.facetoface-marketing.com hello@facetoface-marketing.com
Vicki Morris Marketing and Communications Strategist
5 TIME MANAGEMENT
Routines You can implement today
Time is one commodity that we always run out of. Everyday we have to reset. If you don’t get it all done, and the end of the day comes, you’re done, you’re just done. Time management is a skill very few have mastered. Many have dreams of mastering it, but rarely do the masses ever get a firm handle on effective time management.
There is a common misconception that the secret to time management is multitasking. This is not the most effective vehicle for time management. For that matter, if that's the vehicle you choose, you will be broken down on the side of the road before you know it.
Take care of the MINUTES and the HOURS will take care of themselves. _Lord Chesterfield
Being focused on the task at hand, and limiting distractions will allow you to accomplish multiple things in a shorter amount of time. Here are a few simple things you can do today that will allow you to be more focused and effectively manage the rest of the time you have TODAY:
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Say NO to things that divert your attention from what’s important People are always going to ask you to help them with something, or ask you to volunteer for one awesome event after another. Learning to set parameters for decisions about helping with events, organizations, or additional tasks, will help you stay focused. Ask yourself, does this new request of my time propel me toward the attainment of my goals? If the answer is NO, then the answer is NO.
Set Deadlines for Tasks Setting deadlines can really help us manage our time. Consider when someone, like your boss, asks you to do a certain task.
If they give you a deadline for completion, you know that you need to make allowances in your day to complete this task on time. You do this because of your own inclination to want the reward of knowing you met the deadline. ost people want to be rewarded, even if it's just telling yourself, “great job, you met the deadline!!” We all want to minimise reprimand and increase reward. So why not set these deadlines for yourself?The best method for setting deadlines is to set them a little ahead of when you need to hand off the project or task. You have time to review and make edits and also to absorb unforeseen deterrents to meeting the deadline. theRISEgrouphsv.com
Block out distractions Many things can be sources of distractions for people. The sound of silence can be distracting. Having to work at home on the kitchen table with the entire family all there in the house can be a great source of distraction. Being accessible to the public at all times can be a distraction. Don’t check your phone, email or social media for a dedicated block of time. Let your family and colleagues know that you are unavailable for a certain period of time. Put a limit on your unavailable time, so you don’t become offensive and antisocial :) Having dedicated time of hyper focus without distractions can help you more effectively manage time.
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A friend once told me she told her children, “don’t bother me unless you and your brother are on fire.” Of course emergencies can happen, but this was just a fun example I heard from a stay at home Mom, who just wanted a few minutes of uninterrupted time for herself. If you know that you tend to ‘go down the rabbit hole’ when you visit social media platforms, then set things in place that you don't engage on social platforms until a pre set time. Sometimes music in the background can help you stay focused on the tasks at hand. Whatever helps you get in, and stay in the zone, add that to your routine. Before you know it, you’ll be done with this task and are ready to move on to the next one!
Take breaks Our bodies need a break from things every now and then. Our brains are no different. Ever heard of the phrase, ‘a fresh set of eyes to look at something?” This can be true of our brain’s ability to effectively process information. Get up and take a quick walk around the office, or down the hall at home. Or better yet, take a quick walk outside. Something I used to do was take a ‘smoke break’. Now I don’t smoke, but making a plan to take that 10 - 15 minute break to give my mind a chance to recalibrate, always helped me regain focus. Spending too long on one thing can cause some to become increasingly distracted. When this begins to happen, stop and take a break! theRISEgrouphsv.com
Group similar task together If you have several articles to write, some graphics to design, and social media calendars to plan; set time-blocks in your schedule to manage each type of task. If you know that you do your best writing in the evenings after the office is quiet, plan to write all your articles at that time. Look at the days or weeks ahead of you and determine what articles will need to be completed over that time period, and set aside time to crank out this content all during one time block. Set a dedicated time block each day to check email, and make sure everyone knows that you are only checking at certain times so that you can remain focused on the tasks at hand at any given time. This same principle can also apply to returning phone calls. By far this is not an exhaustive list of all the best time management tools, but these are some techniques that can be easily implemented that will yield immediate results.
Remember, time is a commodity that does not replenish. Once it’s gone, you can never get it back. Manage it wisely!
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WE ARE LOOKING FOR A STAR
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THE LINK BETWEEN SMEARED MASHED POTATOES AND NETWORKING By Rachel Eubanks
Before I was a business owner, I was an elementary school teacher. My lunches were filled with overturned milk containers, lost lunch money, a smashed taco stuck to the bottom of someone’s shoe and spilled lunch boxes. If you’ve ever been to a school cafeteria, you know about this beautifully terrifying scene of students eating and enjoying each other’s company. (Of course, COVID-19 has tamed the lunchroom some with social distancing measures and all.)
Fast forward several years, and now my understanding of networking, and even lunches for a small business owner (i.e., nonexistent some days!), has changed drastically. Gone is my perception of a “dog eat dog world, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours” idea of networking.r.
When I was a teacher, I always wondered what people did in the business world for lunch. And all I knew about networking was what I saw on The Real Housewives. Kiss, kiss on the cheek. Champagne in one hand and caviar in the other. Perfectly styled hair and flawless makeup.
The very first thing my brother-in-law told me to do when I started my copywriting business was to meet people.
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I’ve replaced that misguided notion with one of connection.
I was confused. I thought perhaps he would say to create a website or to open a business bank account. Nope. He said to go meet other business owners.
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Of course, now I understand why he gave that advice. Being a small business owner himself, he knew the power of networking. The power of connecting. The confidence that comes with not going it alone. The power of community. A significant side note here - Vicki Morris was the first person my brother-in-law suggested for me to contact almost 4 years ago. So, my fresh-out-of-the-elementarycafeteria-self wrote an email to Vicki Morris (who happens to run this publication and is an all around superstar). She graciously agreed to meet for lunch. You can imagine my excitement and trepidation. No more cleaning up smeared mashed potatoes. I was good at that, though, cleaning while consoling a sobbing 4th grader who just tilted her lunch tray 3 degrees too far. I was comfortable with that task. But, what did I know about networking? What would we talk about, she a seasoned entrepreneur and me a newbie to the small business world?
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It didn’t take long, though, for Vicki and me to find common ground. She had worked in the education field earlier in her life, and both of us are mothers to 2 (wonderful!) boys. So, why these tales of elementary cafeteria antics and my first networking lunch as a business owner?
We’re looking to connect with other owners who get us. They know what it's like to run a business in 2020. We’re looking for a community to offer a virtual hug as we make tough decisions. We’re looking for a link. We’re looking to not be alone.
The two are not so different. They’re both about connection. Finding a link between one another so we don’t fly solo.
So, we meet over Zoom or venture with our masks in place to the local coffee shop. Otherwise, it’s just too dang hard; it’s a solitary existence.
School lunchrooms are loud. Because they’re full of conversations. You ask most children what they’re favorite parts of the school day are, and they’ll say lunch, recess and P.E. (even during COVID times).
Networking is about connection. Whether it be over a styrofoam tray of tacos and chocolate milk or a Zoom meeting where someone’s computer will inevitably freeze at an awkward time or a piping hot cup of coffee, we’re just looking for a link between ourselves and another dear human.
Why? Because they get to network. They connect over Doritos chips. They find common ground with Minecraft. And although we small business owners try to show a little more decorum when we “network,” we’re doing the same thing as these little guys.
BUT, WHAT DID I KNOW ABOUT NETWORKING? theRISEgrouphsv.com
Final Fatal; Courage
SUCCESS IS NOT
FAILURE IS NOT
IT IS THE
TO CONTINUE THAT COUNTS.
-WINSTON CHURCHILL
7 Tips
NETWORKING WTIH PURPOSE
Successful business networking requires you to implore a variety of techniques. Networking in business is about creating trusting relationships and friendships with other professionals. It entails making connections not only with likely customers or clients, but also with other individuals who might refer business to you, or mention your name in some positive way to people they know. It also involves making contacts with people who provide information or training, and can be an excellent way of locating reputable vendors to hire for your own business.
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7 Tips
NETWORKING WITH PURPOSE
A key part of effective networking is helping other professionals with their needs. That’s why you’ll find that the best networkers are often connectors who help others by referring customers, providing testimonials, or helping to promote events and other businesses in some way. We have compiled a list of 7 tips for effective networking.
1
SET A GOAL
It’s hard to get what you want out of your networking endeavors if you don’t start with a clear goal. Before attending meetings or events, take the time to determine what your goals are for the experience. For instance, you might want to make new connections, donate your time to the community, or simply learn about the latest developments in your business or industry. Having a goal in advance can help you plan for more successful networking connections and outcomes.
COMMUNICATE YOUR GOAL
2
We all need help now and again. If you want your networking efforts to be a success, you have to be bold enough to ask for assistance. Before attending that next meetup or event, make sure you can articulate what it is that you’re seeking. Then, when someone asks how they can help you, tell them the truth.
3
ATTEND THE RIGHT NETWORKING EVENTS
Networking in all the wrong places is the same as not networking at all. Don’t waste time and resources networking with professionals that can not aid you in your industry or line of work. Take time to research events and attend events at professional associations and societies related to your field. While any local business event can be helpful, a useful resource is usually your city’s chamber of commerce.
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7 Tips
4
NETWORKING WITH PURPOSE
UTILIZE CONVERSATIONAL ICEBREAKERS If you want to overcome initial awkwardness and make a good first impression, consider opening with an icebreaker. For example, start with a compliment. You might tell the person sitting next to you at an event that you like their shoes or tie. Similarly, asking a question gives contacts the chance to talk about themselves. Ask how they got into the field or what they think of a recent development affecting your industry.
5
KNOW YOUR BUSINESS
It’s not enough to provide your clients with a great product or service. If you can’t articulate what it is you do, then you can’t hope to convey that information at networking events. Whether your goal is to generate referrals or simply build your contact list for the future, you should take time to generate an elevator pitch that conveys what you do, for whom you do it, and why customers should choose you over your competition.
6
OFFER WAYS TO HELP
Whether you’re chatting at a chamber of commerce event or attending an informational meeting, it’s important to remember that networking is about give and take. If you’re always the person asking for favors, the relationship is unlikely to last. For best results, look for opportunities to help your networking contacts prosper in their own careers.
ALWAYS FOLLOW-UP
7
Making connections is only half the battle; you also have to take steps to keep the relationship going. Even if you aren’t currently job hunting, strive to reach out to your contacts a few times a year to follow up. You could forward a relevant article, invite them to a seminar or event, or even just send a friendly note during the holidays.
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B.Y.O.B. RADIO SHOW Be Your Own Boss
a Bi Monthly segment featuring Vicki Morris
TUNE IN
2ND SUNDAY IN OCTOBER
CATCH ME ON KENNY ANDERSON'S 2ND CHANCE RADIO SHOWÂ ON 90.1FM & FB LIVE SUNDAY OCTOBER 11TH @ 2PM
PERSONAL BRANDING:
HOW TO STAND OUT IN A HIGHLY COMPETITVE ENVIRONMENT
By Dr. Steven D. Carter Photos by John Adams
To an entrepreneur or employed professional, there probably isn’t anything more important to your growth strategy than building a personal brand that is first in mind when people want the attributes, services, or products you provide. In the workplace, having the right professional brand shines a spotlight on your potential for promotions or increased responsibilities. For entrepreneurs, it’s the secret sauce for attracting and retaining the client base who support your longterm goals. For the beginning entrepreneur and entry Morning Brew Magazine
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level professional, establishing an enduring brand is an early rung on the ladder to your success. Your personal brand is the cornerstone of your company like nothing else. Your brand is the face of your business and the symbol of its values. Whether you know it or not (or like it or not), ou have a brand that others identify you with — so you had better make the most of it. How closely do you associate the brand of Apple with Steve Jobs? Does it make you think about what kind of man he was and how he shaped the products and company? theRISEgrouphsv.com
What Personal Branding Is All About Personal
branding
is
essential
for
any
influencer, thought leader, or a person who wants to share their story with the world. It is the ongoing process of developing and maintaining the memorable impression and reputation of an individual, group, business, or organization.These are the four “Must Have” components for your brand:
The name Oprah Winfrey is a brand of its own with many different entrepreneurial businesses. Each began as an unknown person with brand and vision that, with time, the world came to view as aynonymous with the individual.
1. Be focused. First and foremost, decide what your key message is and stick to it. Don’t try to be everything to everyone. 2. Be genuine and authentic. You need to manage your brand daily. You can only do this if your brand is who you really are.
Done properly, your brand transforms you from attracting modestly desired or less desired clients to attracting high paying clients.
3. Tell a story. A brand is much more than a logo. You must have a story surrounding your brand that your audience wants to engage with.
“Personal branding is about
4. Consistency is essential. Your personality,
managing your name — even if
written word, and visual images all need to
you don’t own a business — in a
carry the same message. It can be a totally fun brand or a conservative brand but it must
world of misinformation,
be consistent. This is where a logo or tagline
disinformation, and semi-
at the end of every message can be very
permanent Google records.”
powerful.
~ Tim Ferriss Morning Brew Magazine
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“Identifying what makes you different and unique from other subject matter experts in your field of expertise becomes the cornerstone of your personal brand. Communicating that differentiation consistently, across all of your communication platforms: email, social, web and print collateral is the key to launching, building, and maintaining a memorable personal brand.” Ramon Peralta, Founder and Chief Brand Officer, Peralta Design
Tips for Building Your Personal Brand Among the most desired benefits that a personal brand brings are generating revenue, hiring successful employees, and creating customer loyalty. All are true motivators for starting to build your brand today. Number one is having a unique and special brand that makes you stand out from the competition. Coca-Cola has maintained the same values of joy, experience, community, and happiness for more than 100 years. It’s about a type of lifestyle that people want to be associated with. Here are the key questions to answer when building your brand: What’s your niche or core specialty? And what makes you an authority? How will people feel about your brand (emotions)? What are your core beliefs and values? What makes you different? Who are your ideal customers? What problem(s) do you solve? Morning Brew Magazine
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What should people know about your company culture? What makes you influential within your specialty or niche? How
will
your
services
or
products
transform people’s lives? How do you wrap it all into your message? Once your message is established, you need good brand-building habits. Brands are about repeated exposure to a core message that resonates with people. This can be as simple as regularly posting videos, social media messages, and blogs online. You always want to provide value to customers and this can be enhanced in the early months by giving away
eBooks,
articles, or white papers to tell your story. The best source for new content ideas is asking people what problems you can help them solve.
Personal branding can be about selfpromotion or about giving back to the interested community. Tips for Sustaining Your Personal Brand Always keep in mind that that business isn’t based solely on the products and services you deliver. Just as important are your character, integrity, and the personal relationships you build with others. People don’t buy products and services; they buy YOU! Consistency is crucial to maintaining your brand. Customers your success. Morning Brew Magazine
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Personal branding can be about selfpromotion or about giving back to the interested community. 4. Keep the message out there. If you find yourself strapped for time consider getting help from an experienced content marketer.
buy products to make them feel good about their purchase. Personal branding is never separate from your core business — it’s the continuous path for growing your success. Today, almost all businesses understand the importance of building a brand online and maintaining a presence on social media. But as your brand matures, consider other channels for communicating your brand. Social media has not replaced human interactions. The higher the cost of your services or products, the more human touch points that are required. Are you ready to take your business and brand to the next level? Here’s how: 1. Keep the focus. Nurture it and take care of it. 2. Repeat your story and add new success stories — with a focus on clients. 3. Creating and repeating positive impacts is the best way to make our brand grow. Morning Brew Magazine
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5. Review your target audience. Know when your clientele changes or when the needs of your existing clientele change. Products and services can change and mature to meet these changing needs but still carry the same core message. 6. Be a thought leader. Don’t fear competitors stealing your fresh ideas. You want to be the person people come to when they need new ideas about your specialty.
Your personal brand is a lifelong project that constantly evolves and grows. There are no hard-set rules for creating a personal brand other than there must be a core message. theRISEgrouphsv.com
BUY A MUG SHARE PIC ON SOCIAL with you holding the mug, tag RISE and you'll be mentioned in the next magazine!!
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NETWORKING The Importance and Value for your Business
Everyone is talking about networking. What does that really mean and why is it so important?No matter what you do in your business – you depend on other people. It may be as partners, clients, supporters, and other constituents.As an Entrepreneur you need to connect with other people. Here are some reasons why you need to network and give back: Other people help you keeping an open mind and inspire you to advance your businessIncrease your, networking gives you the opportunity to contact diverse individuals and professionals.
Written by
Maike DeMaria
You are developing connections.
Get motivated by business professionals in a similar situation and learn how you can support each other. Morning Brew Magazine
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Learn to be aware of the community around you – the community might offer opportunities you have not known about prior to connecting with others. Listening to the needs of others and matching it with your skills will increase your opportunities. Generate referrals – while talking to other professionals they start knowing about you, your business, skills and will support with generating referrals.
Where and how should you network? The opportunities of networking are limitless. As an individual you are networking in your private environment, church, friends, or in your neighborhood. Social gatherings and events of all kinds give you the opportunity to talk to others and widen your audience. Participate in professional meetings and trainings to exchange in dialogues with other business owners and professionals. Be part of the community – giving back is very important.
Find a cause close to your heart and support it, be active, show that you care and want to support others. Also, our community wants you to participate and make a difference. Volunteerism is networking for a higher purpose. It is important to consider networking communication recommendations: Listening to others is one of the most important factors. Explore what others think and do. Networking is about building lasting relationships. Explore the other individuals’ specific interest and niche. What do you have in common with the other individual? It is not about you; it is about the other person and how you can connect. Remember what you talk about with the other person, remember their name and special details about them. When meeting others a second and third time reconnect let them know that you listened to them. Networking is an ongoing conversation and it is positive – join a group when you are at a meeting, yourself and ask questions. As Iintroduce was alwaysed asked we said before when you start networking it is not about you, it is about what you can do for others, explore their interest, and then connect.
Networking stops
it
never is
an
ongoing process
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Networking is an ongoing “event� no matter where you are - you network. Make it a regular activity. As mentioned before, the significance in the communication with others is listening, remembering facts, and be prepared when you go to events and professional/social gatherings. Prepared means to keep an open mind, mingle, do not be too aggressive, take notes, and do not just give out your business card. Be ready to ask a lot of questions, be honestly interested in other professional opinions and ideas. Follow up after you meet someone, write a personal note, connect on LinkedIn (add a note when you connect), keep in touch. Networking never stops it is an ongoing process
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EMPOWERMENT IS NOT TELLING. IT IS ASKING. By Dr. Kreslyn Kelley-Ellis | Certified Human Capital and Leadership Coach
I remember receiving the acceptance letter. Only teaching two years, the selection committee of the new administrators’ academy gave me the opportunity to join my colleagues from all over the district. We all aspired to one day become administrators. I was so excited. I already knew what my first question to be: “How do I empower others?” As an educator and community servant, I had a plenty experience helping and motivating people, but the heartache came when they could not maintain the lessons and resources given them. There is a saying attributed to Confucius, “Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day, teach him to fish and he will eat for a lifetime.” Morning Brew Magazine
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In service, that has always been my aim, but there was still an issue; how to move people from knowing what you have taught them to doing what you have taught them. That is where empowerment becomes relevant. I would always feel deflated after motivating people to action, but once I left all work ceased. Therefore, I set out on the mission to empower people to close the gap between knowing and doing, for knowledge is not power if behavior does not change. This has not been a simple journey, but for those of you tired of the endless cycle of motivation with your children, youth groups, employees, teams, and organizations, here are a few lessons I have learned about empowering others. theRISEgrouphsv.com
My lessons as a coach, consultant, and community servant: 1) I only have control over myself and I cannot make or coerce people to do what I want them to do in a way that is lasting and impactful.
2) People are smarter, more talented, and motivated than we give them credit for. The key is sometimes as simple as asking; “What do you want?”
"For, tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today"
3) People will not do what you want when they leave your presence. They will do what they want to do.
4) Show high levels of interest by asking thought-provoking questions. This may cause them to dig deep and find clarity in their desires and help build the momentum they need to move from knowing to doing.
5) Ask the questions; “What is your plan?” and “How can I be of service?” Then be of service.
6) Tell people how worthy and equipped they are to realize their goals and dreams, while emphasizing integrity as a necessary behavior to maintain them.
7) Trust and release them to do what they said they wanted and would do. Give them back their power.
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THE POWER OF THE ELEVATOR PITCH IN AN DIGITAL FORMAT We aren’t doing in person networking events with 5070 business professionals in attendance, or rather, no one should be doing these kinds of events this during this time. However, the need and benefits of quality networking are still just as important today as they were 10 months ago.
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The point of any networking event is to ultimately develop and build strong business relationships that can lead to possible client contracts or collaboration opportunities for your business down the road. There are several aspects to successfully navigating the everyday networking event, whether in person or online. However, one thing remains constant, you have to be a master at the elevator pitch! First things first, do you have a firm understanding of the solutions your company offers? Another way to look at that is, do you understand the pain points your company solves for its clients? The Elevator Pitch is the central to any successful networking event. No matter what style of networking event you are attending, your mastery of the elevator pitch can determine the success of the event for you.
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Here are a few important facts to understand about your elevator pitch. Do you understand your company’s offerings, services, products and how they help customers? What pain points do you solve? What are some top clients I can share relevant stories about? Can I tell effective STORIES about how we help in 60 seconds or less?? Practice covering a few key points about your company and yourself in about 45-60 seconds. When people have to spend too many mental calories digesting what you are saying, you will be forgotten. Pick out 3-5 facts about your company and its service that you want to focus on for this event. Make the selection based on what you know about the people that will be attending. What aspects of your business will be MOST attractive to the audience in general?
If you notice, in our list of tips on the elevator pitch, we did not say memorize your ‘speech’. Networking is about relationship building. Make sure you honor the people you encounter by giving them the authentic you. A very important fact to remember, people do business with people they know and trust. Your authentic self is the persona that will be central to building relationships. This does not happen with a ‘canned elevator pitch, that you clearly have memorized. Let your personality shine through when you discuss your offer. Do a really good job of listening to what they are telling you about themselves and the issues they face in their business.
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PRO TIP: Once you hear someone you are engaged in conversation with, in person or virtually, mention a particular struggle they have, or an issue they face in their business or industry, begin to pay very close attention to what they are communicating to you. Carefully digest what you have heard, and craft your response to meet the needs they have just laid out before you. Most of this information is centered on networking during an event or following up from a previous event. There are many other forms of networking that are very important for any serious business owner to have a comfortable mastery of.
Networking is about relationship building. Make sure you honor the people you encounter by giving them the authentic you.
Our team at Face To Face Marketing can walk you through several tips and techniques to help you master the art of networking events. Contact our office at hello@Facetoface-markeitng.com or visit our website at www.FaceToFace-Marketing.com. We can help you craft your elevator pitch points and help you develop the perfect list of points to include about your business as you plan for your next networking event.
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A legacy of Health & Wealth A
R.I.S.E.
ARTICLE
SERIES
WELLNESS THE NATURAL WAY MIND AND MOOD PART9 BY RICK MAKOWSKI
This is the ninth in a series on Wellness, the Natural Way – Mind and Mood. The previous two articles addressed handling stress and chronic stress. Our current situation with the PANdemic compounded by the FEARdemic and election season with too much civil unrest, further adds to the stress on top of our daily jobs and routine. We are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of mental and emotional wellness on our physical health, as what begins in the brain does not necessarily stay in the brain. When we address and improve our emotional wellness, we can also improve our physical health. For a minute, reflect on the impact lockdowns had on your emotions and resultant changes in your physical health. Post “holiday blues” are another example, though many may not even realize the cause and effect.
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Cortisol is a hormone produced by the body to maintain blood pressure, blood sugar, metabolism, and respond to infections and stress. It provides an energy boost in response to stress and in higher levels of stress, what we know as the “fight or flight” reflex. Over time and with an excess of Cortisol, we may experience symptoms such as fatigue, irritability, tension,intestinal and digestive issues, weight gain, changes in blood sugar and/or blood pressure, low libido or menstrual cycle, slower recovery from exercise or exertion, poor sleep, and poor concentration. So, maintaining proper control of our emotional stress is extremely important to our overall Wellness. Essential Oils (EOs) can support our emotional wellbeing as we manage life’s demands. Of our five senses, the sense of smell has a significant and rapid influence on our emotions.
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How aromatics effect our emotions requires a quick overview of our Olfactory System. This system makes smelling possible and is made up of several key components. The Nasal Epithelial is located in the Nasal Cavity and is special tissue with nerve receptor cells designed to detect and interact with aroma molecules. They are tied to the Olfactory Bulb which is a neural structure that collects information and sends it to the Olfactory Cortex of the Brain. This Olfactory Cortex is also a component of the Limbic System responsible for processing our emotions, survival instincts and formation of memory. By smelling a quality EO out of the bottle or from a diffuser or placing a drop of an appropriate EO on a reflex point, one can immediately receive the benefits of the aromatic compound. This is especially true if there is an immediate need or trigger, or just a feeling of discomfort with a situation. EOs work quickly; the organic compounds in the EOs travel through the neural olfactory pathways directly to the Limbic System, so that we can feel the effects almost instantly. Lavender EO is steam distilled from the flower and is noted for reducing anxious feelings and promoting peaceful sleep. It’s been used for centuries; in ancient times, the Egyptians and Romans used Lavender for bathing, relaxation, cooking, and as a perfume. Topically, it helps to soothe skin irritations. [We’ve used Lavender in a blend made with several other EOs for our son who gets poison ivy almost by just looking at it, and it helps to calm the rash and reduce itching. We also use the natural anti-inflammatories orally to reduce the systemic inflammation in his body vs a visit to the doctor for another steroid pack or shot.]
The previous two articles highlighted the Bergamot EO and several blends that include a variety of other EOs to help reduce anxious feelings and provide a balance to our emotional well-being. Taking advantage of the beautiful and natural gifts of the earth may be able to reduce or eliminate the need for over the counter or prescribed pharmaceuticals. If we make our emotional well-being (mind and mood) a prioritized aspect of our Wellness along with good nutrition, diet, and exercise, we will also feel and see improvements in otheraspects of our overall health.
This article is intended for your personal use and informational purposes only. You should consult with a physician before beginning any exercise, fitness, diet, or nutrition routine, especially if pregnant or have pre-existing health conditions. Nothing contained in this article should be considered as medical advice or diagnosis. Rick &; Betty Makowski are Wellness Advocates and use natural methods extensively.
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R.I.S.E. THANKS OUR COMMUNITY SPONSOR
Don Daniel, founder and creator of The P.I.L.L. Method International, has written a top-rated financial book and it is available now on Amazon. Mr. Daniel is a resident of Huntsville and has been in business with The PILL Method for many years. He has traveled all over the world teaching people this better way of thinking about debt cancellation.
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