Office to Office

e c i f f O o t e c i f Of Volume 20, No. 1

January 2013

AROUND THE WATERCOOLER Business Success Unlimited

Wow – it’s January already. Where has the time gone? I look back over the past 365 days and wonder, what did I get accomplished? But then I realize that I got a whole lot accomplished. This, our first newsletter of 2013, is all about SUCCESS: what we have, what we want, and how to go further.

Inside this issue: Customer Service—How 2 is Yours?

The Dream Keeps Rolling On

3

Marketing/Events Internship

4

Tips and Tidbits

4

Are We Ready for Success?

5

Hidden Opportunities 6

What the Heck is Coworking?

7

Upcoming Events

8

First, as I’m sitting here in my new office building, I look around and see all the wonderful possibilities that await.

Thanks to the new location, we are going to be able to start Phase 2 of operations – the business incubator. SW Michigan is known for its incubator programs. There is the research and technology program through Western Michigan University, the new retailers incubator in downtown Kalamazoo, and the food preparation incubator. But, the largest number of small businesses in this geographic area don’t technically fit into any of those categories.

So, starting now, we will be accepting applications for the BSU small business incubator. The program will include office space, use of office equipment and staff as well as monthly meetings with a CPA, a business coach, and other business resources. Financials will be followed and goals set for monthly review as we watch the business grow through this hands-on program. Interested? Call us for more information.

We have been running a very successful mastermind program for small business owners for the last year (this is an international group, with several members

being from Canada), and each person in the group can testify to the fact that they are growing and learning because they have made contacts, built relationships, and found new ideas to support their small businesses. Now, as well, I have become a Certified Mastermind Facilitator and am running both online and on-site mastermind programs. If you’re interested in this program, call me at 269-221-2220 for more information.

A lot of our business is taking place in the Michiana area (including South Bend, Niles, Benton Harbor, etc.) In January we will be kicking off our Entrepreneurial Forums in South Bend when we talk about Marketing on a Shoestring. This is a three month program that includes networking, round table discussions, and training packages. At the end of the three month program those who have attended all three sessions receive a certificate of completion and a badge for their websites, brochures or wherever they want to put them.

There’s much more going on as well – check out the calendar and the website for upcoming events. As we all know, there is a direct correlation between putting effort into coming to events, being active on the website, and moving up the success ladder of your business. Hopefully, with that in mind we’ll see you at upcoming events.

Remember, refer your friends and colleagues – the more active we all are, the better it is for us all!

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CUSTOMER SERVICE – How is yours?

If you know me, you know that I’m a stickler for customer service – both giving it and getting it. It drives me crazy when I walk into a business just after the customer service walked out the door. Now, especially, there are so many companies out there that we really need to make sure we offer the best we can or our customers will move on to the next, and our business will be hurting.

A lot of it is really easy: a quick “hi” when someone walks in, “We’ll be right with you” is good for starters. Or, if you’re answering the phone, take a minute to put a smile on your face (yes, this really works), and then answer the phone with a “good morning, or good afternoon.

This is X,Y,Z company.

How may we help you today?” If a person is a repeat customer, greet them

by their name if at all possible.

Make them know that you care that they are there.

Another way to make sure that your customers know you appreciate them is to send them mail. When was the last time you actually received something in the mail besides bills? Emails are great to get quick information out to people, but getting a card – especially a thank you card – is something that just doesn’t get done much any more. There’s a great new service out there called Send Out Cards. It’s a super way to let your customers know you’re thinking about them. While it is done on the Internet, it comes (in your signature) to their mailbox and even has a real, honest to goodness stamp attached. Several of our members work with Send Out Cards and will be happy to talk with you about them. Talk to Gail Turluck (Connective

Marketing and ViSalus – Body By Vi on Facebook) for more information about this great way to connect with your customers.

With good customer service you’re well on your way to success and a higher level of income

Testimonials Business Success Unlimited provides the building blocks needed to achieve long-term profitable relationships. I personally have received new business along with acquiring friendships that have proven to be an integral part of my professional center of influence, making membership a strategic win-win alliance. I learn something of value at each meeting

and in the first few weeks I have already made important contacts that have resulted in the type of strategic relationships that drive successful businesses!”

Henri Johnson Account Manager Business to Business Products, LTD.

It’s a Win-Win

Volume 20, No. 1

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The Dreams Keep Rolling On With it being the beginning of a new year, one of the things most of us do is set goals for the next -- at least -- few months. But, I’m sure, if you’re like me, after a few weeks, our plans seem to fall by the wayside and we’re right back into the same old habits we have been practicing. It is a “fact” according to the Internet, that in order to get a new behavior to become a habit, it takes at least 30 days of practicing that behavior over and over. Yet, for me, I tend to get busy, to forget, to then realize, “oh, darn. I haven’t done this or that for a couple of days,” and it starts all over again. So, here are a few tips and ideas to help you set your goals.

First of all, carefully think about what you want to accomplish during the next year or so, and then move backwards. Think about what can be accomplished in say six months, or a month, or a week, or daily. And then, WRITE THEM DOWN. It is much easier to hold

yourself accountable Dream the Work, to these goals, if they Work the Dream. I are written and “in need to have that your face.” You need completed by the first to set your goals out of March. So, how do as SMART goals: S – I do that? I spend at Specific; M – least 3 hours a day Measurable; A – working on it. The Attainable; R – first thing I need to do Realistic; and T – is figure out what to Timely. I even put into the book, and Reach for the Sky! include my daily Tohow many chapters its Do list, looking at going to take. I need what things are to write an outline to Important, what things are Urgent include everything that needs to go (not necessarily the same as the into the content. I collect resources previous one), what things are Not to include; I need to actually write Important, and what things can be the various chapters. Get the idea? discarded altogether. And, here’s By my putting these all down, I the most important part – as you have a guideline to focus on, and a accomplish something, cross it off trail to follow. I love the statement the list (if at all possible, do it in “If you don’t know where you’re RED ink). going, any road will get you there.” I don’t want to meander The same type of process needs to through the woods, I need to be done with your longer term follow the road map, and it needs goals. As an example, one goal I to be clearly marked. have for 2013 is to finish my book,

Great Marketing Potential!

Social Media is the new way to market your business, but many of us don’t really understand what is involved. Does someone really care whether we had oatmeal for breakfast? What about providing information on sales, new products or services? To me, giving people something they find valuable is very important. According to MarketingSherpa, Facebook is the top

social media platform used by marketers with 84% of social marketers having some form of presence there. If you’d like to know more about how you can use Facebook in your marketing arsenal, I’ve got two sources for you: the first is the Marketing On a Shoestring series of events being held at National College in South Bend in January, February and March. Call Nancy at:

269-651-3555 for more info on that.

The second source is a wonderful business called Your Business Needs Fans and is run by Karen Bachert.

She is an expert at Facebook business pages and will not only help you set one up, but will provide you with ideas on what to put on your posts, how often and where. Karen’s email is karenkenterprises@sbcglobal.net

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Marketing/Events Internship The chosen person will work with the Director to develop written materials, find venues to hold events, create topics and talk with potential speakers, draft letters, emails and other documents, set up, attendance and clean up on event day, postevent follow up, other duties as required.

Semesters needed: Fall, Spring and Summer

Hours per week: A minimum of 15 hours per week is required; scheduling is flexible.

Credit/Compensation: This is a non-paid internship, but there are many perks such as free parking, use of the cowork space for studying (FREE wi-fi, FREE coffee, and more), attendance at educational and networking events to market Business Success Unlimited, etc.

Desired skills and qualifications: Major in Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Communications, or other business related areas Familiarity with Microsoft Office software Excellent verbal and written communications skills Ability to work independently For more information, contact Nancy Becher at 269-651-3555 or nancy@success4biz.biz

Tips and Tidbits There are an overwhelming number of places on the web that toot their horns saying they’re here to help with business questions and concerns. Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn are ways of connecting with other businesses, Klout is also a similar website that is worth taking a look at. And then there are those sites that provide useful information both from article publishing and from posting questions and answers. One of the sites that I think is great is called Idea Café (businessownersideacafe.com).

Here you can find places to get help on business plan writing, grants, you can ask questions of others, answer others’ questions, and much, much more. It is definitely, in my opinion, a great place to hang out. SCORE and SBA also have good websites for

getting information necessary to run your business. I highly recommend both sites as well.

Where do you go for resources and business support?

I think that reading business material is also an excellent way to increase your knowledge about the newest and latest (as well as some of the best well-known) ideas and views. I highly recommend if you only have time for a little reading, that you focus on magazines like INC. and Success. They are filled with encouragement and the kind of stories that show you that YOU can do it too if you have the perseverance, the passion and the right circumstances. One book in

particular that I read recently is called “The Risk Takers: 16 Top Entrepreneurs Share Their Strategies for Success”. It’s a wonderful book about men and women who have started businesses such as Kinkos, and Curves, and Geek Squad. All very successful businesses that weren’t always that successful. I think every business person should look this one over. In fact, we’re going to be starting a book club in the next couple of months – and that is going to be the first book we read.

I encourage you to find information out there that is helpful and share it with others who could use the knowledge themselves. The more we share and give to each other, the better off we all are.

Volume 20, No. 1

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Are We Ready for Success?

Wasn’t there a TV show once upon a time called “The Comeback Kid”? Google says that in the 1980s it was a show about a mediocre ball player that got a new start on life when he started coaching high school kids. John Ritter and Susan Dey (of the Partridge Family) starred in it. I don’t remember the show, but the name seems to resound with many people. There’s a Canadian band, called The Comeback Kid, and you can find many other iterations of the term. Even a recent issue of Success Magazine is all about a comeback for businesses.

small businesses everywhere; we just need to get them off the ground and running. It is good for them, for the community and for the economy.

and most important issues – forget those others. But I’ve recently been doing a lot of soul searching and have found that the grass really isn’t all that much better on the other side, but when we work together, we can get the seeds planted and the grass growing for us all.

Melissa Balmain writes (Success Caption describing picture or Magazine) about graphic. bouncing back in her April 2012 article. As I sat there reading it, tears streamed down my face. Even What are some ways to be more though I’ve had a rough couple of resilient in your life and business? years, I have to thank God for all Figure out what your core values So many small business people His blessings. I am nowhere near are and then set written, attainable have worked so hard to keep their facing the situations of some of (but not too easily gotten) goals, heads above water (they’ve lost these individuals who pulled keep a journal and check back their jobs, their homes, and are themselves together, took control with past writings periodically, living on a dream and a prayer and moved ahead with their lives talk to your spouse or significant right now), hoping that the and their businesses. other (or join a mastermind group) economy is going to turn around in We all have our challenges in life about issues and decisions you’re the near future. Out of necessity or and in the business world. And to making, post affirmations around resilience, people are starting us, I know, they are the biggest your desk and read them daily.

Know that you can create any environment/attitude that you want Want to get your name out to hundreds of businesses in the – why not create a happy one.

Michiana metropolitan area? Become an event sponsor for Business Don’t let others bring you down: Success Unlimited. Your organization will be recognized on our smile at others, offer a kind word website, in the newsletter, and in emails, as well as thanked at the to someone, listen when others events. You can bring your handouts to the events and have them share (you don’t know what kind displayed there, as well. of a day they’re having, why not make it a bit better perhaps). And All this for the donation of $250, which helps cover fees, materials, most of all, thank God for all the and refreshments, while keeping the attendance fees low. blessings He has bestowed on you yesterday, today and tomorrow.

If you’d like to become a BSU Event Sponsor, please give us a call at 269-651-3555 or nancy@success4biz.biz.

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Hidden Opportunities This came as a repost from a friend on Myspace and there was no one's name attached to give authorship to.

However, I think what it says is worth reading and taking away ideas from.... Enjoy.

------------------------------I cringe when I hear people complain about limited opportunities in business. Opportunities in business and life are plenty when your awareness is high and you're looking in the right places.

Where are you looking?

How do you find hidden opportunities?

Why is it some people seem to uncover the best opportunities and other never do? Answer. Because the ones who do understand if it appears on the surface to be a great opportunity, it's probably not. The best opportunities are the ones that are there the entire time, but not everyone sees them.

Have you ever said I wish I had thought of that idea? The website YouTube came about as a result of wanting to satisfy a need. And it sold for hundreds of millions of dollars.

How did the creators see that opportunity? If you think they're just "lucky," you're wrong. There's a discipline associated with finding the best opportunities. You need to understand how to discover the unknown and be ready to do the hard work to make it a success.

Here are a couple of strategies to help you find hidden opportunities: Having keen awareness. Without looking away from your computer,

name five things that are green where you're sitting. Now, take a quick look around. Chances are you'll find several items that were there the entire time, but you weren't looking for them. Opportunities are no different. If you're not looking, you'll never find them.

believe "showing up" is good enough.

Take each opportunity you are given as the "chance of a lifetime." When you do, you will find your level of intensity will go up ten fold. That intensity will transfer into passion.

And that passion will turn into success.

When you meet people, think about how you can help them. Discover ways to refer business to them.

Introduce them to someone you know that can help them in some way. The lesson is simple. When your awareness is about finding ways to help others, opportunities show up.

YouTube was created so people could share their home videos in an easy manner. The result was a $1.6 billion sale. They couldn't share their own videos online the way they wanted to and assumed others felt the same way.

This awareness of a need uncovered an opportunity that turned into real money. The best part is, they weren't looking to be bought out; they were helping fill a gap on the Internet and the sale was the bonus for uncovering an opportunity that hadn't yet been discovered.

Life is full of opportunities if you're willing take a closer look. Being aware is the first step to unlock those potentials. Everywhere you go you'll find potential customers, lifechanging relationships, and opportunities waiting to be found.

They could be right in front of you, but if you're not looking they don't exist. Don't worry about how crazy an opportunity may look. If you had been approached to invest your time and money into YouTube before it launched, would you have? Don't waste your time thinking about all of the opportunities you lost or missed.

Instead, start focusing on all of the hidden opportunities around you right now. You can have everything you want and everything you deserve if you're willing and eager to find hidden opportunities.

Being ready to take action. When you uncover an opportunity you must do something about it. If not, it's a wasted chance. It's like knowing the winning lottery numbers, but being too busy to buy the ticket. An opportunity without action is nothing.

When you find a hidden opportunity, will you be prepared to do something with it? You have to believe you can achieve and be willing and ready to take the right actions to make the opportunity a reality. Sometimes people are given a chance to make something happen and do nothing with it. They blow it because they

Volume 20, No. 1

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What the Heck is Coworking?

Wikipedia tells us that “coworking is a social gathering of a group of people, who are still working independently, but who share a common working area as well as the synergy that can happen from working with talented people in the same space. Coworking facilities can range from shared space in formal offices to social areas such as a coffee shop.”

Coworking spaces are springing up all over the world: from cities such as New York and LA, throughout Japan, the Middle East, and various countries everywhere.

They are even coming to more rural communities such as Three Rivers, MI (just 25 miles south of Kalamazoo, MI). The people using these spaces are also widely varied – often the more creative and/or IT businesses find their way to these spaces. But, in fact, anyone can – and does – utilize cowork centers.

This is a picture of Citizen Space in San Francisco, CA, one of the foremost spaces in the US. For companies such as this, there is generally a waiting list for people to become members. However, in smaller, more rural locations, the situation is somewhat more complicated and needs to be explained in more detail for potential members to “get on board”. Especially in the Midwest, where the economy is still in flux, people are not willing to step out of their comfort area and try something that might be new and/

or more edgy – something they don’t understand.

many cases) work out of their homes (often at a kitchen desk, in the bedroom, or the At least that is the basement). They are belief for many of isolated and alone those who are trying with no one to talk to to open this industry throughout the day, to the rural and no place to hold communities of the meetings. In many US. Since this cases, these homes are This is a picture of Citizen industry is really only located outside of Space in San Francisco, CA approximately 10 town, and have years old, there has limited or no high been little research done; and most speed Internet access which makes of what has been done, pertains to it difficult to conduct business. the larger groups. However, the link below does look at how a few rural centers operate http:// www.deskmag.com/en/rural-wayof-coworking-small-cities-186.

Coworking in Rural Michigan Sturgis, MI is located in the middle of farm country in a community that knows best the auto industry where the big employer is American Axle.

However, with the economic situation the way it is here, many people have lost their jobs in the last few years, and have started their own entrepreneurial endeavors in order to pay their bills. According to records coming out of Centreville (the county seat of St. Joseph County) there are between 15 and 25 businesses on average each month who file for DBAs (doing business as licenses).

Many of those businesses are homebased, meaning that the owners (the sole employee in

They focus on the “work” of the business (whatever it is they are selling; ie, their particular widget) and often know little about the running of the business. They are the technicians, not the owners.

They don’t have major connections and they are not aware of new marketing techniques and tips. So, they open their doors and sit and wait for business to come their way. This would be the perfect venue for a business owner to look for support and guidance – both in terms of business success knowledge and a place to go to create energy, productivity, accountability and, yes, even fun.

If this sounds like something you might be interested in, check out Business Success Unlimited, http://www.success4biz.biz.

Business Success Unlimited

701 Prairie Street Sturgis, MI 49091 Phone: 269-651-3555

Motivate - Collaborate -SUCCEED

Like us on Facebook at htt p:// www.facebook.com/bsuconne ctor Our Linkedin connection is: http:// www.linkedin.com/

And Twitter is: We’re on the web at: http:// www.success4biz.biz

Upcoming Events Bodyguards in training. Actors, musicians, politicians, and others. Want to be part? Check out http:// www.thebodyguardacademy.com.

Our Mentorship Project (members gain support, encouragement, and advice essential to their success as entrepreneurs) will continue on January 2, 2013. The Group serves as an informal Board of Directors or sounding board for your business and it meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of each month.

Interested in starting a small business in St. Joe County, but not sure what you need to do first? We’re going to be starting a 6 week program on the ins and outs, dos and don’ts of

starting a business in this county. It will be geared for the Hispanic population, but if you’re in business already or thinking of it (but not part of that community), come on down anyway – a large number of our customers are Latino and it’s always good to understand and network with those from that community too!

Entrepreneurial Forums:We’re starting our Roundtables again this January with guest speaker Kelly Knutson of Launch LLC. She’ll be talking with us about marketing on a shoestring, and how important it is – especially for the very small businesses – to have a brand identity, and how to create and maintain that identity.

The Bodyguard Academy is also hosting women’s self defense seminars where you learn awareness and how to use the things that you carry with you on a regular basis. A book, a magazine, your purse, keys, a water bottle, etc. Did you know that only 6 pounds of force on the top of someone’s foot will break the foot, causing the attacker to stumble and let you go. This and many more interesting facts will be shared in these 2 hour personal protection programs.