Marketing for March

Are you in the middle of a marketing slump? Summer tends to be a slow time for marketing and public relations efforts. This is why I tell all my business owner friends to re-evaluate marketing strategies during the summer. It is a slow time and there is plenty of space to review, plan and strategize.
Facebook and social media marketing efforts during this time are easy to A/B split test. You can review what times of day and what types of posts actually work and don’t work. You can also see what posts work on certain social media mediums vs. what doesn’t work.

Reviewing customer research is important during this time, too. When you launch your company, reviewing and studying your customers seems to be pretty important. Once customers start to roll in, revisiting your customer demographic, their buying trends, etc. seems to fall by the wayside. Don’t let this happen!

If there are two things to take away this weekend, understanding your social media efforts and who your customers are is essential and should be the main thing to revisit when it comes to marketing.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla Garrett

Protecting Your Identity During the Holidays

As Halloween arrives tomorrow, the holidays are going to arrive fast and furious this year. Are you prepared to protect your identity during the shopping season? Most are not. People get involved with shopping lists, family politics, work parties, and school events and concerts for the kids. Identity protection seems to be the last item of concern on a long holiday 'to do' list. So, as we head into November this weekend, please remember to turn your clocks back an hour on Saturday and take the following identity protection tips into consideration.

1. If someone bumps into you, don't assume it was an accident. Clutch your purse close to your side or in front of you, and keep your wallet hidden at the bottom, or for men, in an inside coat pocket.

2. Don't let your credit card out of your sight. Unscrupulous clerks or waiters can skim the information from your card into a second machine and later make a new credit card for themselves. Worse yet, they can sell your information to an organized crime ring.

3. Lighten your wallet. Remove anything from your wallet that you don't absolutely need to have with you. That way, if someone is successful in stealing it, they won't get as much. And 'no', you don't need your social security card in your wallet!

4. Consider signing up for a credit monitoring service. Such services alert you via email anytime there is an inquiry or other activity to your credit report.

5. Be safe when shopping online. Criminals can make dummy websites look like the real thing. Make sure that the website you are shopping on is the company's real website. If you have any doubt, conduct a new browser search and contact the company to verify. Also make sure that any website you make purchases on is secure. Secure websites will have "https" instead of "http" in the website URL.

I'm going to skip a blog tomorrow and celebrate Halloween with my dedicated office staff!

I'll be back with everyone on Monday. Until then, have a safe and happy Halloween holiday.

Twyla N. Garrett

HireIME.com

Goodbye W. Africa... For Now

The headline out of Detroit today reads as follows; "Congresswoman Candice Miller: Temporarily suspend visas to west African countries impacted by Ebola." Is this move too little, too late? Should this order come from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)? Well, yes on both!

I fudged the truth with Congresswoman Miller's statement. You see, she has formally noted a filing with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, Secretary Jeh Johnson, and Secretary of State John Kerry to make a temporary suspension come to life. Right now, there are 13,500 visas out there from the three impacted countries plagued with Ebola right now. So, yes- with Ebola now in the USA- it is a little too late and the DHS should have jumped on this sooner rather than assuming we had everything under control.

Either way, do you know what the symptoms of Ebola are? I've listed them below. Keep coming back, however, as I cover this subject more on the day-to-day blog. I'm sure once Congresswoman Miller obtains the suspension, we will have a lot to discuss!

Nausea and vomiting.
Diarrhea (may be bloody)
Red eyes.
Raised rash.
Chest pain and cough.
Stomach pain.
Severe weight loss.
Bleeding, usually from the eyes, and bruising (people near death may bleed from other orifices, such as ears, nose and rectum)

Ebola is usually transmitted from animal meat to the host. From there, infected people typically don't become contagious until they develop symptoms. Family members are often infected as they care for sick relatives or prepare the dead for burial.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Traveling - Homeland Security & Ebola

Should I say that is seemed obvious our DHS (Department of Homeland Security) should have been on top of the Ebola "US outbreak" all along? Well, I wish it was all so simple. I've spent the morning reading critical article after critical article and I don't think the reporters understand that the DHS doesn't have a magic wand. It can't snap its fingers and have trained and designated employees on the front line. Does this mean mistakes weren't already made? No, but I think the DHS does need to be cut some slack.... Here's why;

1. The one incident in the USA so far was because of a lie and the home country didn't catch it. This wasn't completely our fault. In fact, it was a Houston hospital who released the patient first, which was a security risk on its own.

2. The Homeland Security Department ordered agents at airports (and other ports of entry) as of TODAY so its staff can observe everyone coming into the United States for potential signs of Ebola infection. We had to coordinate people, training, procedures, etc. to ensure the DHS was meeting both the obligations of our security and its budget. Sending untrained staff to a location doesn't do anyone any good, in fact- this could have put more people in harm's way, so it did take some time to respond.

3. The Obama Administration has to make the final call. The DHS can't write unlimited checks, it needs approval and it needs a signature to perform certain actions. While it is easy to blame the DHS, it isn't as easy for the Department to get initiatives passed.

Going forward, I believe the DHS will do a great job of protecting our citizens from exposure to Ebola through airport and other entry point channels.

Until tomorrow,

Twyla N. Garrett

Simple, Great Customer Service Defined.

I can define customer service in three words. What are they? Above the curve. That’s right, now ahead of the curve but above it. Keeping clients happy is as simple of anticipating their needs so much that you are not only ahead of them with the anticipation, but you are flying so far above them that you start to meet their needs without being asked. You aren’t there to simply respond immediately to a request, you provide the service / product before the request can be made.

Being above the curve is easier said than done. You have to first gain the client’s trust, get to know him or her to develop and then predict their needs, then you have to have the resources to perform the magic of implementation without being asked. Time, effort, and attention to detail are all required to perform not only in anticipation of your client’s needs, but as answer to your client’s needs before the need even occurs.

If you can master this art, you will become in disposable to your clients. What else is better for your own company’s growth and job security? Nothing! So, it is worth putting the time, effort, and attention to detail into your client relationships. I hope this inspires you to reconsider your customer service tactics this weekend.

Until Monday,

Twyla N. Garrett

The Most Common Business Mistakes

You're a new business owner. You're making a profit. Things are going great, or so you think! Business owners often make major mistakes during their first few years. I've listed some of the most common ones to watch out for. If you know about them, chances are you will not make them.... saving yourself face and money!

#1. Not knowing your demographic. This happens many, many, many times. Business owners project who their target audience is. However, the projected demographic and who is actually buying can be two different audiences. So, set up some testing groups to ensure your sales will hit the right audience immediately out of the gate.

#2. Spending too much money. Yes, it takes money to make money. This doesn't mean you invest all your money on every pitch (and you will get a lot of pitches) during the first two or three years. Save your money. Only buy what you need and what has been tried and praised by other business owners.

#3. Deciding against your intuition. Your gut will always be right. Don't try to convince yourself otherwise. If something does feel, smell, taste, or look right- run like hell. Your in business because you have guts, don't be afraid to listen to them!

Twyla

Top 3 Business Mistakes --- EVER!

We all make mistakes. It is human nature. But, there are some mistakes that will harm your business. What are they? Well, I've listed them below. Read them, share them and be sure to stay clear of them!

#1. Horrible financial management. Yes, it does take money to make money. And, if you are making money and mismanaging it, there is a huge problem with your business' long-term survival. Have a great financial plan going into all things business. Consider conservative, expected, or extraordinary performance scenarios. Also, develop an exit plan.

#2. Not considering the customer. I've seen this happen too many times. Business owners who think their products or services are untouchable often fail to invest in ongoing competitor research. These people also believe they don't have to respect their customers because the customer will always be around...... Wrong on so many levels. Know your customer, appreciate your customer and then stalk your competition- and you will ALWAYS have competition.

#3. Hiring employees and not team members. This is a big mistake because employees collect a paycheck, team members help grow your business. The people you hire are your company's best or worst ambassador. Chose wisely!

Have you made one of these mistakes? I would like to hear from you and share your story. Find me on Twitter.

Have a great weekend,
Twyla

My top 5 tips for running a business.

So many people ask me for business advice on a daily basis. As my holiday present to you, I am offering up my top five tips for running a business!

# 1 -Don't just offer what you know. Expand and find out what your competitors are offering that you don't know- then learn it! Be competitive not complacent.

# 2- Don't be afraid to ask for help. Find a good mentor in your field and ask him or her to identify your weaknesses. This will offer you insight to your business' short comings.

# 3 - Never hire friends, unless you don't value the friendship. Hiring friends is worse than hiring family. Friends can become vindictive, expect favors and usually don't consider holding themselves accountable for mistakes. Hiring friends is always a bad idea.

# 4 - Try to promote from outside. If you promote from within it can cause desertion in the office and between co-workers. You may have a really good, trustworthy employee that deserves a promotion, but you also have to consider the climate of the office. Ask yourself if the person is promoted could other employees become jealous? What are the benefits and the risks?

# 5 - You are running a business. Understand this! Many people think just because they started a business that the business and the employees will run it for you. You need to be present and take the task seriously, if not- you will fail.

Twyla

What is your business marketing mistake?

Marketing mistake... the biggest one most companies make!

Did you know many businesses create their brands based on their products? Did you know this is a huge mistake? It is true!

Businesses shouldn't brand based on product. Instead, businesses should brand based on a customer's emotions. Think about Starbucks. Their coffee is expensive, yet many of us go there a few times a week- if not every morning. Why? Can we don't make our own coffee? Is their coffee really THAT good at $4.00 a cup (around $100 a month)? Or, is their something personal about your visit to Starbucks? Maybe they call your name? Maybe your order is personalized to reflect your taste? Maybe the music your listening to in line is inspiring and comforting...

Hmmm - sounds like Starbucks sells more than just coffee. The company sells an emotional experience that brings you back day in and day out!

When you brand don't ask yourself about the products/services features. Ask how you feel when using the product or receiving the services. If you can connect your products/ services to an emotion then you will have a brand!

Need more info?
Contact me!

Twyla