Recently, I was invited by my alma mater’s placement office to attend an career connections fair. Being back on campus for the first time since graduation gave me a chance to reflect on just how far I’ve come in the last 12 months; what I had learned about myself and my industry.

The event provided students with an opportunity to talk to alumni about their careers and respective industry.  I enjoyed sharing my experiences with  students who were where I was just a year ago.

The most surprising thing about the experience was how easy it was for me to answer most of the questions the students had about the marketing industry. I told them when I graduated I was excited to jump into the field I had studied. I thought I knew what I was getting into and didn’t think I would learn as much as I did in just one year.

Here are just a few of the things I told them about my first year as a business professional:

1. Realize you know nothing-I started January 10th, 2010. In the11 months since then, I have realized all the theory in the world means nothing if you can’t follow through with execution. Web design, writing for search engine optimization, and crafting press releases are just a few of aspects of my job, I had studied in theory, but had no real experience with till I came to Roundpeg. My degree may have gotten me in the door, but my willingness to keep learning is the reason I’m still here.

2. Build a network-Getting out and meeting people isn’t just beneficial on a professional level, but also helps personal development. Creating connections leads to valuable relationships, and these relationships will benefit you for the rest of your career. Many new grads probably don’t realize, their first job, next may not come from filling out an application. It may come from an introduction and a handshake. ( This is also true after you land the job, as you look for your next sale, customer or project.)

3. Surround yourself with passionate people-Passion creates an energy which can’t be replicated. When I come to work every day, I feel that passion. It drives us to be better than we were yesterday. Start-Up Weekend was a great example of how groups of passionate people can turn the wheels of innovation.

4. Value culture-A company culture can make a job tedious or something so much fun you look forward to it on Sunday night. Adventures in Dining, Photo Shoots, RoundpegRadio, Beer-Thirty….over the last 12 months, the people in this office have created a company culture, influenced by our unique personalities.  And while I appreciate my time off, I really look forward to being at Roundpeg.

5. Speak Up-Don’t be afraid to give your opinion. The good bosses and coworkers will value it. Give it humbly, but don’t discount your own viewpoint. Speaking up and seeing your ideas integrated into a project, program or company policy or system,  invests you in the company, giving you a sense of ownership, which can be hugely motivating.

6. Play to your strengths-It would be easy to spend all my time focused on improving my weaknesses, but that’s not the best way for me to benefit the company. It’s good to work on weaknesses, but you should always focus on your strengths. Odds are if you’re great at something, you enjoy doing it. And, believe me, it makes you a much more valuable employee.

Do you have all the answers?

If you think the correct answer to that question is yes, you are either incredibly smart, incredibly naive, or you are a small business owner. The need to know all the answers seems to come with the job.

Unfortunately, there is no “rule” book for the job of small business owner.  Every day, your employees, customers, and partners look to you for answers, so you have to have all of them, right? .. Wrong!

The key to success often lies in learning to ask questions, admit you don’t know, and occasionally following  someone else’s advice. It turns out, asking for help can also be a great web traffic building strategy.   In an article entitled, Three Instantly Effective Social Media Ideas, Alexandra Samuel, describes the Suggestion Box.

What is the Suggestion Box?

It is an invitation to your customers, supporters or employees to submit their ideas and suggestions for new products, services or improvements. More then just a place to post comments and ideas, an  interactive suggestion box allows community members rate submissions so the best ideas rise to the top.

The challenge, is if you do this, you actually have to implement some of the ideas suggested.  Giving up control can be scary, but rewarding.  We have actually done this with a few design projects indcluding the redesign of both the Roundpeg and Indy-Biz websites.

In both of those cases, we have a basic concept, and asked for feedback.   (Sometimes we got more than we wanted).  The input from our readers helped shape the final project.  After reading Alexandra’s article, I am going to look for a more open ended project to try  this on.

What do you think?  Have you had good results with suggestion boxes of your own?

Yesterday, I wrote about the personal connections small busienss owners need, with peers who challenge and encourage you to do more, do bigger and do better.  Today,  I thought I would look at the other types of relationships a successful small busienss owner needs.

No Matter How Complete Your Business, You are Not a One Stop Shop

Your customer, has needs beyond what you can provide. Understanding those other needs may lead you to cross promotion opportunities with strategic partners in your circle!     As you think about your target customer, think about other products and services they purchase on a regular basis. The providers of those products and services can be ideal strategic partners for your company.

As a small business consultant, I surround myself with other professionals who offer services my customers needs. The group includes an accountant, lawyer, printer, computer expert and human resource professional.  I make time to meet with these key individuals on a regular base, and frequently exchange referrals or share clients.

Competitors in Your Inner Circle
In addition to these complementary services, I have a number of marketing professionals, web service and social media consultants  who compete with me in one or more areas of my business, who I consider part of my inner circle as well. Why???

• Capacity! – If I get overloaded (or if they do) we pass projects back and forth. There are times a client is a better fit with someone else because of their style or specific talent. In either case, I want to refer them to someone I trust if I can not complete the project myself.
• Complementary Services – As my business has grown, I have focused more and more on the things we do best, and I outsource the things which add value, but take us too long to do.

Building Your Circle
Building a solid business circle takes time. Make time for your strategic partners. Stay in touch with your partners through emails, phone calls and the occasional face-to-face. Find out what is new in their business and share what is new in yours. The more you know about each other, the easier it is to share clients.

The other day, I heard Ken Johnson, the chaplain for the Indianapolis Colts speak to a group of business owners.  While he had many valuable, inspirational and funny things to say to the audience, there was one quote which resonated with me.

He said: “If you are the smartest person you know, your circle is too small!”

And the more I thought about it, the more I knew he was right.  We all like to feel “smart”, we like to be respected, and valued for what we know and what we do.  But, particularly as small business owners, we need to surround ourselves with people who will push us, ecourage, and challenge us to do more, to do better, to change!

This idea of circles, and the roles other people play in your life, will be the theme of my upcoming presentation for the  Southeastern Indiana Women’s Conference later this month.

It is easy for small business owners to feel alone, and isolated, but it doesn’t work very well if you are.  Seek out other business owners, who will be good sounding boards, and perhaps have gone through many of the same challenges you are facing.

And remember it is a two way street, and sometimes, you have to be the one listening, supporting and suggesting too!

Later this month I am giving a key note presentation at the Greensburg Chamber of Commerce Women’s Conference. My presentation is entitled ” Who is On Your Front Row, and Other Strategies for Developing Creative Solutions.

The title comes from the short presentation below, based on my experience giving a presentation with friends in my front row. The lesson I learned? When I give a presentation, or work on a problem, I want friends in my front row.

Why? They give you the encouragement, support, motivation, and nurturing you need to find truly creative solutions.

Thanks to Dave Anderson and Pinpoint Multimedia for the production of this video

I have a confession, it has been an incredibly busy few weeks, and I am running a bit behind.  So I haven’t had a chance to do as much writing as I usually do and therefor,  I am recycling an old post today.  Originally published in January 2008, before most of you were actually reading my blog is is still one of my favorite networking tips.

You return home after a networking event and empty your pockets, putting the business cards you collected onto the desk. What comes next? If you are one of those people who organize them in neat piles, tied with a rubber band and a promise to get to them someday, just toss them in the trash! Why – because people have a short memory.

What did you have for lunch? Be honest, do you remember what you had for lunch three days ago? I bet you don’t. And yet the interaction you had with you lunch was significantly more intimate, than the conversation you had at the networking event. So if you can’t remember what you ate three days ago, how can you expect someone to remember you a week later? When you come home from a networking event, you have 24 – 48 hours to follow up. After that it is too late! No one said this was easy. Networking is work!

Choose a few Great Connections If you have met quite a few people, sort through the cards, select one or two with whom you want to follow-up. Send an email or better yet a hand written card within 48 hours. The note does not have to be long. It should however, remind the person where you met, and open the door for a future conversation. When evaluating with whom you want to follow up and stay in touch, think about what you can do for them. Be fair, if you can’t see yourself ever referring any business their way, don’t waste their time or yours cultivating the relationship.

What Makes Good Follow Up? If you were asking good questions and really listening during your brief networking conversation, you probably have a few ideas. Consider an article on a topic of interest or an electronic introduction to someone you think they should meet. Do not use this first contact after a networking event as an opportunity for a sales pitch:

“Hi, I enjoyed meeting you and by the way if you are looking for____.” That not-so-subtle approach says “I am not really interested in you, unless you want to buy something.” An experienced networker knows it may take a few conversations to move to the sale mode, but when you get there, you have a greater chance of success.

Want to learn more about networking? Order a copy of Confessions of a Networking Junkie

Have you ever been at a networking event and politely asked a small business owner what what he/she does, and their answer goes on, and on and on?

When ever that happens to me I am reminded of an old story about an impatient young man who went to visit an old scholar. He demanded the the old man tell him everything he needed to know about the bible standing on one foot.

The old man smiled, stood on one foot and said, “Do unto others, as you would have them do unto you! All the rest is commentary”

What Would You Say?

If that same impatient young man came to your business, could you meet his challenge? Could you boil down the description of your business to a simple message, deliverable standing on one foot?

Say Less … Listen More When someone at a networking event asks “What do you do?” Treat the listener like an impatient young man. Avoid a long, detailed description of your products and services.   Instead, give a brief, but compelling description that leaves the listener wanting more … and watch what happens!

I am a networking junkie.  I attend quite a few events each month, and am always looking for a few great connections.  It is fun to see old friends, and renew acquaintances as well.  And some times, it is just fun to sit back and watch the room.

• There are the Rabid Sellers:   The people who come to the event with brochures, and portfolios in hand, forcing them on anyone who will stand still long enough to get one thrust into their arms. If this is your approach, you are probably wasting your time.  The majority of your brochures will be left on the table, or in the trash on the way out.   Instead of pushing your product on everyone is sight, strike up a conversation, and listen to what the other person is talking about. Then follow up with a few qualified prospects
• There are the Rookies:  They move around the room, with a “deer in the headlights” kind of stare, hoping someone will talk to them.  If you are a rookie, stop waiting for others to talk to you, and jump in!  Introduce yourself to someone else and watch what happens.are
• There are the Regulars:  These folks seem to know everyone in the room.  If you are a Regular, don’t forget to welcome the Rookies.  It is nice to catch up with old friends, but don’t forget to widen your circle too!

Recently I met someone at a networking event that didn’t fit any of these categories, or any other category for that matter.  I approached him, welcoming him to the event, as I often do.  I politely asked what he did, and who he wanted to meet.  He proceeded to tell me – at great length, how he had all the business he needed, and didn’t want to meet anyone at the event.

While I should have let it go, but I couldn’t so I asked if he didnt’ need to meet anyone why he bothered to come, it clearly wasn’t for the stale chips and dip? While he explained he had come as a favor to a friend, I had already checked out.  Mentally I moved on to the next person, especially when he it was obvious he clearly wasn’t interested in finding out anything about me.

He left early, and I doubt anyone will remember he was even there.  Perhaps he really didn’t need to be there, was showing off, trying to make himself seem important or maybe  he was just a jerk.  If you are in this last category, stay home. If you don’t know why you are at the event, don’t want to be there, don’t want to meet people, stay home, and I will send you a few stale chips and dip. Stay home, and let the serious networkers find each other!

When I entered the workforce, way too many years ago to mention, I was surrounded by people who had worked for the same company for 25, 30, and 35 years.  This was expected.  If you worked hard, the company would take care of you, and you would have a career for life. And I imagined, I would climb the corporate ladder, and still be there 25, 30, maybe 35 years later.

But it isn’t that way anymore.  Recent college grads expect to change jobs every few years, and even completely change their careers a few times along the way.  While this type of turnover wrecks havoc on a business, and companies complain about it, I think they do relatively little to prevent it.

If you want loyalty, you have to earn it! Create opportunities for growth, and expansion of skill.  This is often challenging for small business owners.  How do you grow in a company of five employees?

I don’t have the anwer to this one.   I would love your input.  I have lost a few very talented employees in the past ( mostly becuase they were moving out of the city).  And would really like the keep the one’s I have now.  Any suggestions?  Any tips..

What is your secret for keeping employees loyal!

Mike Magan stopped by the other day to talk to Andy and I about why we will be attending Smaller Indiana Bigger Ideas.  Here is just a little of what we said.

It is going to be an amazing event.  Will you be there?