The Bridge Networking Group, Inc.

  

MARKETING VIEWS

Business people need to maintain focus and review the disciplines necessary for continued success. This "spaced repetition" keeps you on track, alerts you to disciplines you overlook from time to time and helps the whole marketing phase of your business.

Let’s review some of these disciplines. Note the ones that need emphasis and any you have overlooked:

We can help you develop a Vocal Value Statement. Use for networking, prospecting, interviewing. It’s Free and there is no obligation. Call toll free (800) 732-8076.

Joseph J. D’Andrea CPBA, CRC.

D’Andrea Business Solutions

WHO WANTS TO CHANGE? 

Change is Always Necessary to Keep your Business Successful!

By: Joe D’Andrea, D’Andrea Business Solutions, Inc.

If you understand the fact that change drives and motivates our personal development you are well on the way to business success. What are you doing now that wastes time and what are your plans to change that? Are you eliminating tasks that do not produce revenue?  Do you fully realize that change is the key to a brighter future? John F. Kennedy said, "Change is the law of life, and those who look only to the past and the present are certain to miss the future."

How about the world around us and the rapid change taking place? It’s almost impossible to keep pace with all the news. As business people we must be alert to changes that affect our taxes, employees, affiliates and customers. New devices, new electronics and new discoveries are coming at us at a bewildering speed. Should we change our systems to be more effective?

Change tests our comfort zone, but it is so necessary because without change we stultify our growth. So resolve today to check all your processes and make changes where necessary. Here’s a partial check list:

 

·                         Are you changing any self-serving networking and instead adding value and conveying trust?

·                         Have you started to learn the relationship building process?

·                         Do you email too much when a phone call would be more productive?

·                         Are you pro-active in making appointments?

·                         Are you a center of influence?

·                         Do you follow up and give feedback?

·                         Do you have office procedures that need change?

Do you really know how to network, or should you pause and reflect on the famous quote of Zig Ziglar that states "You can get everything you want in life by helping others get what they want?"

Have any questions? Give us a no obligation call. Our advice is free.
D’Andrea Business Solutions, Inc. (800)732-8076  Networking Tip #113 -
Change is Always Necessary to Keep your Business Successful!

Bridge View -

I Can’t Afford To Advertise Now – Sales Are Too Slow!

Is this what you are saying?

By Jodie Andre

Marketing Dazzle

www.marketingdazzle.com

This is a false statement and actually it’s just the opposite. It’s when you need to advertise more frequently. Still, I can’t afford to advertise now because sales are too slow, is what you hear from some businesses now. It sounds crazy when you think about it. Could it be sales are slow because you did NOT advertise? Truth is – you can’t afford NOT to advertise when the economy is sluggish!

What do you think is the first thing most companies cut in their budget? Right, you guessed it…advertising! But think about this, with less competition when you advertise, your potential customers will definitively think of you more often.  The most important thing to remember is advertising is less expensive now.

Businesses can have bigger and better ads for less. When you place ads, you give permission for customers and potential customers to do business with you. People are reminded that you’re still in business. You’re one of the many survivors of the times.

Good attitudes are contagious and we all need to stay positive more than ever. So get you companies name out in front of as many faces as possible while advertising is a bargain. You’ll be glad you did. Remember, track your sales to see where you need to focus on putting your advertising dollars. What are you waiting for? This sluggish economy isn’t going to last forever and neither are the low advertising

prices.

March Notes from The Bridge View Edition

Bridge View - Your Opinion

The BBV is giving our readers the chance to voice his/her opinion.  Just email your opinion to Editor@thebridgenetworking.com .

We are currently taking opinions on the following question:

What is your opinion on off shore drilling?

Your opinion on the Cuba Travel Ban being lifted:

The Freedom to Travel to Cuba Act

The tourism dollars spent in Cuba would only help the dying Castor regime.

Unless you were a Cuban American with family there, why would you really want to visit knowing you would be spending your hard earned dollars helping Fidel Castro Regime?

We have bigger problems to be concerned about now! If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. Some things are better left alone. Move On.

Bridge View - Your Opinion

The BBV is giving our readers the chance to voice his/her opinion.  Just email your opinion to Editor@thebridgenetworking.com .

We are currently taking opinions on the following question:

How do you feel about the Cuba Travel Ban being changed?

Your Opinion about the Current Stimulus Package:

I personally think the government is investing good money after bad.

The banks do not want to lend. They are making loans, but the guidelines change on a daily basis. Good people are being punished for those who have made bad financial decisions. What are they doing with the billions of dollars that they have already received? There needs to be accountability.

First it was the problem with too many subprime loans, the housing bubble burst in our area, thus creating a trickle down effect on our economy. There is not a business or person in Southwest Florida who has not been affected.

The banks are not doing enough to keep people out of foreclosure. There is way too much red tape. I get calls on a daily basis from my past customers regarding lenders that won’t help them.

On a positive note, the only thing that I’ve seen so far from the Stimulus package is  that anyone who has not owned a home in the last three years are eligible to a tax credit of up to $8000 if they purchase a home from January 1 thru Nov 30, 2009.

I’m sure we will come out of this. There is progress. Homes are being sold and not to coin a phrase that is often used “It is a good time to buy!”

What do I think of The American Recovery & Reinvestment Act of 2009? Is it the Stimulus Plan or Stimulus Scam? The Bill is a joke. What was the BIG rush for? President Obama’s chief of staff said “you never let a serious crisis go to waste” because you can get things done you never otherwise could.

You can find the Bill on http://thomasloc.gov/. Check it out. Someone should read it since our representatives didn’t have time to! Margaret Thatcher said “Socialism works until you run out of other people’s money to spend”.

Have you picked out a new car to buy with your $13 a week yet? Or maybe looking for a new home to purchase with all the help from the Stimulus Plan. Most Americans hope to keep the job they have, pay their mortgage and have enough left over for food and clothes at the end of the month for their families. Others that are not fortunate enough to have a job, are just trying to survive day to day. Oh yes, unemployment was extended and a BIG $25 a week more and no taxes on the first $2400 from January 1, 2009. Have you looked at what unemployment pays in Florida? Once your savings is depleted, if you have any; no one could survive a month on unemployment benefits! It’s scary and it’s sad.

Why didn’t they just give equal amounts of the 787 Billion Dollars to American Citizens that pay their taxes? They could pay for their homes, buy cars, food, clothes, etc. and the economy would be fine in 2 years.

Like many others, I saw the news item in the local paper, then read your web site, which generated a few questions.

The various reports I have read suggest (for the past 2 years) Lee County was either # 1 or # 2 in foreclosures in the nation, and unemployment here is above the national average. Also, our gas prices are well above the national average (which is probably due to ripping off the snow birds).

If generating business in our town is becoming more difficult, why do I never read about businesses, civic organizations or web sites (such as yours) promoting marketing tools outside our region, or even our country?

The dollar is in the toilet and it will go lower, (as will real estate prices as foreclosures increase this year). Other countries currencies have certain difficulties, but not as much as ours.

In fact, as I write this letter, there are plane loads of Chinese visiting Los Angeles (my former home) and San Francisco on a buying junket of purchasing homes.

I stay abreast of Asian news because, I lived in South China 3 1/2 years prior to coming to Cape Coral Dec. 2007.  During that time, I visited 6 other Asian countries and Japan several times.

We left a sizable amount of money in the Bank of China (which I believe is one of the safest banks in the world).

While living in China, I was privileged to visit most of their largest cities and dozens of smaller ones where I have friends and contacts.

My wife returned to China last month (for an extended stay), and I plan to join her next month for 3 months and we will return together.

I don't claim to be an expert at anything (except my former profession before retirement), but if I know anything that would help any of our local people, I would be happy to share that knowledge at any time.

Some states have started charging parents for each child that rides the bus.  That helps to offset the cost of fuel and staff.  Even if Lee County charges a small percentage of the total transportation cost, it could help the bottom line of the budget.

Use volunteers to teach subject such as music and art.  The area art and music college students need to have so many volunteer hours each year.   The volunteer teachers would bring much needed creativity to the class room. 

Schools should find the local businesses that give discounts to Schools.   Many local companies give large discounts to non profits and schools.  They need to take advantage of them.  Schools and non profits:  If you are looking for a discount on a product or service, send your request to Editor@thebridgenetworking.com.  We will let you know which local companies give discounts to schools and non profits.

  

Send your business news, press releases, new services, people on the move, business articles, classifieds, etc. to Editor@thebridgenetworking.com