Connect-IMCAZ

The Benefits of an IMC Membership

For our June meeting we had the pleasure of a visit from Dr. Drumm McNaughton, CMC, the President and CEO of IMC USA.

Drumm shared with us the variety of members-only benefits. 

While too numerous to mention here, those benefits are listed on the National website, IMC USA Member Benefits  including a Personalized Webpage - Personal IMC Member Profile  and a significantly reduced Annual Membership to Rain Today

Cheers,

Sylva Leduc
Programs Chair, IMC-AZ
www.SylvaLeduc.com

Do you have a Social Networking Strategy?

Last week, Dave Cooke, aka the Sales Cooke, filled our brains with even more information about Social Media.  In his presentation, though, Dave talked about developing a strategy instead of jumping in blindly. 

I’m glad he that was the focus of his presentation because I've been telling my own clients to do the same thing.  Blogging, LinkedIn, Plaxo, Facebook, Ryze, Ning, Xing, YouTube or Twitter or anything else is only as good as your plan.  

Dave sent his PPTs, which will be forwarded to those who attended the meeting.  He also asked me to share the following recommendations for anyone grappling with what to do next:

1. Define what your business.  What do you provide your clients, the value your clients get and the real problems or issues that you solve for your clients.
2. Determine what people would be looking for if they would be looking for the solutions that you are providing.  Is it better hires, teamwork, increased revenues, etc.
3. Defining what businesses are looking for and what your business solves is your marketing opportunity.  Develop a plan or a vision for how you would promote this combination.
4. Determine how you would like to best communicate your message – written, audio, video, etc.
5. Start capturing your thoughts and ideas in the selected medium from above as it relates to your expertise and share them.
6. Use Twitter.com to promote your postings. 
7. Use a social networking site (Facebook, LinkedIn, Plaxo) to increase your contacts.
8. Link Twitter, Social Networking and your chosen medium together and get busy.

 If anyone has questions, please contact Dave via www.purecooke.com

Sylva Leduc, follow me on Twitter @windowsyl
www.SylvaLeduc.com

More on social networking ...

On Friday, Colleen Carmean from ASU presented info on "all things Web 2.0".   One point she brought up is whether all the free Web 2. 0 tools will survive the economic downturn.  Hmmm, food for thought. Especially if you have lots of information stored on one those free sites.  When my partner and I owned our software company we were constantly forewarning our customers to back up their data.  Hadn't thought about doing the same for social networking sites. 

During Colleen's presentation/discussion, one of the questions posed was "how do I decide what to do in Web 2.0 and where do I place my time?"

Great question and one I'm sure is one the minds of many consultants.  Fortunately, Dave Cooke, aka The Sales Cooke is going to address that question in May when he discusses developing a strategy for social networking.

Personally, I can hardly wait.  I am on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Plaxo,  I know what a time soak they can be.   I have evaluated (and ignored) Twitter for a very long time. 

A couple of weeks ago I set up my Twitter account and people can now follow me  @windowsyl

I am following some interesting people and made a few "tweets" of my own but, I'm still not convinced of the utility of Twitter.  To me, too many people on Twitter write so much stuff that is not relevant to business. I know it was initially a way for friends to connect and now there is a blurring of how it is used for personal/business information.

In a brief discussion with Dave after the meeting I said that the type of leaders/executives I coach don't use Twitter and that it does nothing for search engine ranking.  Dave's answer made me pause when he said that maybe right how there's not an algorithm for Twitter, but who knows what will happen in the future.  And that those who are on Twitter now (with a healthy following) will become better known in their field, long term.

If you are wondering about what social networking tools will be helpful for your business and to become better known, then consider attending next month's meeting.

Even though I am the VP of Programs for this year where it's important for me to show up for the meetings, this is one I will definitely attend.  I don't want to be left behind AND I want to use my time effectively.

Cheers,
Sylva Leduc
www.SylvaLeduc.com

Web 2.0 - Is it the next big thing or the newest waste of time?

 On April 10th, Dr. Colleen Carmean will talk with the AZ IMC members about Web 2.0 and how it can be a useful tool for consultants.

Colleen is providing a guided tour of Web 2.0.  Not just a PPT presentation, but a live online tour of some of her favorite social networking sites.   Colleen is a Digital Knowledge Architect at ASU, so she knows how social networking and social media can benefit us in our work as consultants. 

Read more about Colleen HERE

What do you think:  is Web 2.0 the next big thing or the newest waste of time?

Sylva Leduc, MEd. MPEC
Leadership Strategist
www.SylvaLeduc.com

11 Keys to Ensure Your Company Survives, Even Thrives, In Uncertain Times

To say we are in uncertain times is a gross understatement. Investors are in a quandary trying to decide what to do. Employees are ringing their hands as they watch their 401k and retirement funds dwindle. And business owners are wondering what the future holds and what actions they should be taking.

As a consultant, the last thing any of us can afford to do is allow our own practice and/or clients to play "turtle." Success will not come from pulling heads into shells and wishing for the best. It is crucial for us to face the reality of the situation and continue to carefully move forward.

IMC AZ member, Joel Strom, identified 11 Keys to Ensure Your Company Survives, Even Thrives, in Uncertain Times.

For the March '09 breakfast meeting, his interactive presentation for IMC AZ members and guests  addresses how to help yourself and your clients get through these tough times in one piece, and maybe even grow a little.

About Joel Strom
Twenty-five years ago Joel founded his consulting practice with a commitment to help business owners harness their entrepreneurial passion and create successful business growth and personal wealth. As an entrepreneur himself, having grown his own manufacturing company, he knew his clients and audiences would demand direct and realistic solutions that worked...not fads or gimmicks. His consulting practice, and the demand for his presentations and seminars, grew along with his reputation for providing real solutions that businesses and organizations could actually implement.

To learn more about Joel's 11 Keys, visit his website.

Where to Brainstorm to Generate the Best Ideas

Here's an idea for successful brainstorming. Your goal is to create unique processes so your customers talk you up to their associates, right? Yeah, so, you'd better do some brainstorming to come up with those ideas.

Just make sure when you invest in the time to brainstorm -- either by yourself, or with a group of peers, customers, or friends -- that you find a creative place in which to do it. I'm talking about a space that takes your mind to another place. Someplace outdoors. . . In an office you've never met in before. . . How about an 'off-the-wall' environment? The Zoo? A museum? How about a room designed specifically for brainstorming?

There are special rooms across the country where employees, executives, organizations, customers, or other groups can get out of their 'square room/square table/square mentality' and enjoy a unique space. A fresh environment creates new mental synapses which contribute to generating highly creative ideas for work and living. 

Check out these creative spaces in Chicago: Catalyst Ranch and The Solutions People's 'Thinkubator'. And look into the environments found on this creative spaces list from Idea Sandbox in Seattle.

You'd be amazed at how unique environments like these can help you generate chat-worthy concepts you'd never think of in a boring room.

.......................................................

Ann N. Videan, APR

Videan Unlimited, LLC, marketing connections

avidean@videanunlimited.com

www.videanunlimited.com

Want to Grow Your Consultancy? Listen to Clients.

Listening to your clients is vital to your marketing success. No one knows better than a client how you should reach them. They're your top marketing experts.

So, all you have to do is ask them what they read, where they hang out, what radio and TV shows they watch, what key words they'd use to find you online. Mark down their responses and focus your marketing in the places mentioned most often.

Plus, they'll be honored you asked!

Ann N. Videan, APR

Videan Unlimited, LLC Markering Connections

www.videanunlimited.com

Create Wow! moments for clients

What are you doing in your practice to help your clients say, "Wow!" at certain points during their experience with you? Look at your client-related processes. Brainstorm a couple of ideas that will make you stand out from your competitors. Implement an idea and see what happens. I bet you'll be surprised at the response.

A couple of ideas:
How about calling clients once a quarter to give them an idea, free of charge?

How about sending a Fairytale Brownie as a thank you for business along with your invoice?

How about listening to the things your client talks about and getting them a special gift related to that interest? (For example, I sent a photo of all the NY Yankees uniforms over the years to a baseball-loving client.)

Wow! moments build word-of-mouth marketing. Give it a shot.

IMC Success Story: Be Part of It

Once in the Valley of the Sun, an IMC chapter emerged with 60 members. They met every month in person or through technology, shared ideas through Mastermind Groups, supported an active Web site and blog, and made a difference in their members’ practices.

One day, an opportunity presented itself. The national IMC organization bestowed a grant upon them. The members envisioned bringing even more life and value to the group by using the funds to attract additional consultants. So, they decided to begin a quest to find consultants making a difference in the economy, in their clients’ lives, and whom others admired as role models.

One obstacle stood in the way of the quest’s success: the involvement of each member to identify and bring these exceptional new consultants into the fold. So, the leaders of the group scheduled a New Membership Reception at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, and a subsequent Member Benefits Breakfast during the regular chapter meeting at 7 a.m., Friday, Oct. 10, 2008; both at the University Club in Phoenix.

The leaders heralded their local chapter members with the declaration, “We can only enhance our chapter if we have the support and participation of our existing members. We’re hoping each member will attend Oct. 2 and/or Oct. 10, and bring along at least three respected consultants to meet current IMC-AZ members and learn more about the IMC-Arizona Chapter. Bringing three or more guests to the reception or to the regular chapter meeting allows everyone the opportunity to really Get Smart, Get Known and Get Business.”

If you’d like to create a happy ending to this story, please join us at either the reception or the breakfast meeting with at least three prospective members. At both events, invited guests’ attendance is complimentary, and both members and guests can enter a drawing for future IMC AZ breakfast meeting complimentary admission.

Evening Reception
Hosted hors d'oeuvres
Cash bar
Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008
5–6:30 p.m.

Breakfast Meeting
Complimentary breakfast
Friday, Oct. 10, 2008
7:15–7:45 a.m.: Registration, networking, breakfast
7:45–9 a.m.: Get Connected!! A Social Networking Analysis
9–10 a.m.: Introduction to IMC membership benefits

Location for both events:
The University Club
39 E. Monte Vista Road
Phoenix, AZ 85004

RSVPs required.
Please email us at membership@imcaz.org to register for both the evening reception and/or breakfast meeting.

Members:

We’ve enclosed email verbiage below for you to use as a template to invite three or more associates to explore IMC membership at our Oct. 2 Membership Networking Reception, or the Oct. 10 chapter meeting.

………………………….
My membership in IMC AZ over the past ___ years helped me expand my business and improve my offerings. I’d like to share that success with you. IMC provides access to consulting best practices, gathers together management consultants from around the world at our annual Confab conference, and serves Arizona members through a monthly breakfast meeting where both peer networking and lively programs deliver value you can use.

In addition, IMC provides resources well worth the cost of membership. You will meet and interact with thriving consultants who share ideas, insights, and opportunities. Our chapter sponsors monthly Mastermind group sessions, a consultant’s blog, a Web site directory giving you national exposure, and many money and timesaving tools and templates to improve your practice.

Please join me for a free evening on Thursday, Oct. 2, 2008, at 5 p.m. at the University Club of Phoenix, 39 E Monte Vista Rd., Phoenix, for our Membership Networking Reception (free hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar). Or, if more convenient to your schedule, please join me for a complimentary breakfast meeting (our regular monthly meeting), Oct. 10, 2008, at 7 a.m., also at the University Club.

I’d like to introduce you to our family of professionals, and add your ideas and experiences to our organization. I can assure you both a good time and a profitable experience.

Who knows a good IP lawyer?