Biz Talk - Business Blog Roanoke and Beyond

We live in changing world. Businesses are constantly facing change at an accelerating rate. I was browsing slideshare.com and found that one of the most viewed shows was Shift Happens.  About a year ago I watched the video on YouTube.  If you haven't watched it, take a look.  It will make you think about the impact on businesses and how technology has changed us all. The video is full of facts regarding the current state of global competitiveness and emphasizes how we can continue to expect Shift in the future.  How will this impact your business?  How will it change your marketing strategies for the future? 

Most people don't understand the power of social media.  They don't understand how blogging and other forms of social media can impact the business environment.  Viral Marketing is a marketing phenomenon that facilitates and encourages people to pass along a marketing message voluntarily.  Let me show you direct proof of how an ongoing internet conversation can effect a topic or situation.  Imagine if this were your business and why you have to be cognizant of the affects, good or bad, it can have on your business.

I found this article in the Washington Post regarding the rage over the new drivers fee's invoked by the Virginia Legislators.  Marc Fisher reported…

Since when do ordinary people take up the cause of offenders such as the 5 percent of drivers who are eligible for abuser fees because of their bad records? Since when do Virginia's supposedly hard-core anti-tax voters slam their lawmakers for avoiding a general tax increase by slipping in fees aimed at some small group?
Well, since the Internet changed the speed and power flow in politics, says Del. David Albo, the Fairfax Republican who finds himself the target of much of the popular rage.

Fisher added..

In the wild world of Virginia political blogs, that made Albo Public Enemy No. 1 — accused of concocting a dishonest way to raise money for transportation projects, making it extra unfair by exempting out-of-state drivers from the fees and topping it off by working in a field in which he stood to profit from an increase in court battles over these fees.

Social Media is changing the landscape of our politics as well as how we do business.  This is what we call viral marketing.  Several months back Roanoke Biz2Biz hosted a social media workshop where I explained about the Power Of Blogs. (see my white paper Blogs - Your Power Marketing Tool) 

You can accept it or not, but this is a part of your future.  Five years ago, few took a serious look at a Google search as a marketing tool.  Look at them now!  If you don't have a top ranking in Google you can bet your competitor does!  

Blogging has grown into a powerful venue for businesses to gain valuable exposure.  Companies now use various forms of social media marketing to introduce new products and services, announce events and generate leads for their business.

It's YOUR choice, you can be pro-active and an innovator in incorporating social media into your marketing strategies or you can lag behind as your competitors evolve.

Last week I was asked to provide a letter of recommendation for a service I had received.  I immediately responded that I would be happy to write a testimonial because I was very pleased with the service.  A week has now passed and I still have not written the testimonial I promised. Why am I procrastinating?  …because it takes my valuable time and that is unfair to the this service provider. 

Many businesses use testimonials as part of their marketing strategy.  But that being said, getting a written testimonial can be a tedious and exhausting task.  Is there an easier way to get a recommendation? 

LinkedIn is a fast growing social networking platform that provides online networking for business professionals.  If you are not already a part of LinkedIn, you have probably been exposed or received invitations to join a colleagues LinkedIn network.  Success Magazine says if you're not already linkedin "Chances are your competition is".

LinkedIn members have an opportunity to recommend service providers, colleagues, and business partners.  You can make a personal recommendation for a contact that can be viewed in their profile.  You can actually request a recommendation from your network of connections.  The more recommendations you have the higher placement your profile will have in the search results. In other words, in my earlier post about your online identity, when you are googled you will be a stud not a dud.

Here are some other ways to use LinkedIn.

A successful business owner is always looking for ways to improve marketing strategies and business development.  The Virginia Economic Bridge is a great resource for Virginia businesses.  It is a non-profit organization focused on creating an environment for economic growth in today's technologically advanced society.  The VEB promotes economic vitality and external competitiveness of the Commonwealth by fostering business, industry and educational relationships between Southwest Virginia, Northern Virginia, as well as other areas of the Commonwealth.

Carl Mitchell, President of Virginia Economic Bridge, shared many tools his organization has made available to the southwest Virginia business community at the Roanoke Biz2Biz Leaders Forum "Creating a Regional Presence". 

The VEB has recently partnered with Center/Council for Rural Virginia and the Virginia Association of Counties in organizing meetings in all southwest Virginia planning districts.  Accessing New Markets and Enabling Rural Business Growth, the meeting for Roanoke-Alleghany district is scheduled for July 26 at Virginia Western Community College.  To learn more about these meetings and to see a complete schedule with locations, check out OurValley.org. 

More on Creating a Regional Presence and Strategic Marketing Opportunties

How many times have you said to yourself, "If I knew then what I know now"?  What would you have done differently?  Looking back at your business, what would you do different today than you did 5 years ago?    I recently read a post at ProBlogger and they challenged their readers to comment on what they know now that they wished they had known when they started their blog. 

This exercise reminds me of how important it is for a business to re-evaluate their branding and marketing strategies by applying lessons learned over the past several years.  Ask yourself a few simple questions…

1. Is my brand clear? 
2. Who are my competitors? 
3. What are my competitors doing that I'm not? 
4. How has technology changed and how can it help my business?

Read more from Ira Kaufman on Integrated Marketing Strategies.

This is a continuation from our recent post about the Biz2Biz Leader's Forum Creating a Regional Presence.   Attendees learned of the challenges and opportunities facing business owners desiring to expand their business throughout Virginia and North Carolina. 

During the second segment of the forum, speakers shared marketing strategies and tools available for expanding to a new marketplace. 

Ira Kaufman, President Roanoke Biz2Biz and Online Advantage, talked about creating a regional brand where he emphasized 8 Steps to a Branding Strategy.

Tom Markiewicz, President of EvolvePoint, spoke on Accessing Social Media to Develop a Regional Presence.  Tom focused on using blogs, feeds and other social networks to market and brand a business for expansion. 

Fred Burke with Patterson Partners in Greensboro spoke on Public Relations and opportunities for growth in North Carolina and Kaithe Clark, Sound Ad-Vice Advertising, shared how traditional media can be used when expanding to a new region or marketplace.

MARKETING OPPORTUNITIES GALORE in VIRGINIA AND NORTH CAROLINA!  That's what those attending the Biz2Biz Leaders "Forum Creating a Regional Presence" learned at the Wednesday event. 

Matt Martin, Economist, Federal Reserve Bank in Charlotte, NC and Carl Mitchell, CEO, Virginia Economic Bridge shared facts and figures supporting the opportunities that Roanoke area businesses can tap into. 

Matt Martin outlined the characteristics that made North Carolina an attractive area for Roanoke businesses to expand to.  He presented some impressive charts showing the growth of North Carolina cities compared to that of Roanoke.  Roanoke was behind in the population and employment growth, however, homeownership in Roanoke was among the highest in the metro cites he compared which shows the stability of Roanoke residents.  I found it interesting that the percentage of Roanoke adults 25+ with BA degrees was the lowest of the cities.  I have uploaded Matt's presentation for those who would like to review his facts and figures.

Carl Mitchell showed how the Virginia Economic Bridge has developed resources to help businesses in southwest Virginia create a regional presence.  He outlined many tools that are available to Virginia businesses.  One website, www.SWVAonline.org shows statistical data for each southwest Virginia region.  Carl noted how new businesses to southwest Virginia are using this site to attract and recruit employees.  Virginia Business Pipeline is also a great marketing tool for area businesses.  It is an online business directory for Virginia businesses to market products and services throughout The Commonwealth.  To see other tools and resources available through the Virginia Economic Bridge see Carl Mitchell's complete presentation.

I will continue this post later with some additional tools and presentations from other speakers at the event, including marketing and branding solutions when expanding to a new market area.

Do you want to create a regional presence for your business?  Are you interested in marketing  your business beyond Roanoke?  Would you like to expand into North Carolina? 

Matt Martin, Economist for Federal Reserve Bank in Charlotte, NC, will discuss "Business Expansion and the Explosive Growth in the Triad and Triangle Regions of NC" at the Roanoke Biz2Biz Leaders Forum June 6, 8:00 - 10:00AM at the Salem Civic Center.

Matt Martin's career as an economist spans nearly a decade.  He received his bachelor’s degree in economics from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, NY and his Ph.D. in economics from the University of Delaware after completing his military service.

North Carolina has one of the most dynamic economies in the country right now. 

Did you know?

• Employment growth in North Carolina is currently the fastest growing among all states east of the Mississippi
• The population growth of the Piedmont Triad is currently about twice as fast as Roanoke
• Charlotte and Raleigh have a population growth rate nearly four times faster than Roanoke

To learn more about this explosive growth in North Carolina and how you can tap into it, register for the Biz2Biz Leaders Forum.  Seating is limited and admission is free.  There will also be a free continental breakfast.  Register NOW!  Call 540-563-2249 or register by email info@roanokebiz2biz.com.

Expanding your marketplace is an important step in growing your business.  Learn more about  Growing your Business, read Entreprenuer's 10 ways to Grow Your Business.

Do you want to expand your business outside of the Roanoke area?  Would you like to market your products and services throughout Virginia and North Carolina?  How about putting into place a marketing strategy to include northern and central Virginia, the Triad area of Greensboro and the Raleigh Durham Triangle Area?  

Roanoke Biz2Biz will sponsor an event you cannot miss!  Biz2Biz Leaders Forum - Expanding Your Business Beyond Roanoke.  Enjoy a FREE breakfast at the Salem Civic Center on Wednesday, June 6 from 8:00 - 10:00AM and learn how you can grow your business by expanding your market area. 

Ira Kaufman, President of Roanoke Biz2Biz has put together a powerful agenda that includes speakers from the Virginia Economic Bridge and Federal Reserve Bank.  The format includes Q & A and Tools for Expansion breakout sessions.

Topics will include:

• Creating a regional presence within a 2 1/2 hour radius
• Making the Commonwealth of Virginia your market
• Opportunities and challenges facing businesses expanding to the Triad Area of NC

Registration is required to attend this FREE breakfast event. Seating is limited so don't wait, reserve your spot now! For information and to register call 540-563-2249 or register by email.

How many times a day do you Google?  Yes, I mean Google not giggle.  With today's technology when you are inquiring about someone or something you are most likely to Google them to find out everything you can.  You want to identify their online identity. 

Just how important is an online identity?  An employer may research a job applicant using a Google search.  He may find his Facebook or MySpace identity or find him on the blogosphere.   Wall Street Journal reporter Sarah Needleman recently wrote How Blogging Can Help You Get a New Job.  Needleman shared how corporate recruiters are "surfing blogs to unearth job candidates, expanding their talent pool and gaining insights they say they can't get from résumés and interviews."

What about your company's online identity?  When someone Googles your business name do they see a stud or a dud?  How are you branding your online identity?  Your webiste can reflect your brand as well as a corporate blog.  Debbie Weil, author of The Corporate Blogging Book, and quoted in the above Wall Street Journal article writes in her blog "No matter how big your brand, you have a better chance of controlling the online conversation around it by hosting your own blog."

Here's a challenge!  Google your company's name and evaluate the search results.  This is your Online Identity or Brand.  If you are not satisfied, here are 8 Steps to a Branding Strategy.