How To Take Your Business To The Next Level

Forbes ^ | 11-5-09 | Christopher Steiner

[Dysart]

Excerpt:

Master the soft sell. Intoxicating as rapid growth is, don't let the urge to sell to everyone, everywhere, every time get the best of you. Stan Steinreich, founder of Steinreich Communications, says 90% of his company's $10 million in revenue comes through networking and word of mouth--but that doesn't mean barging into a room and shaking as many hands as possible. "The over-aggressive guys are quickly labeled as creepy," says Steinreich. The best strategy: Let prospects do the most of the talking, and sprinkle in bits of relevant advice every so often. If they liked what you had to say, you'll hear back. "Very few people listen to anybody," adds Steinreich. "They just talk."

Excerpt:

Getting From $1 Million to $5 Million in Revenue

Embrace social media. Companies at this stage don't have a lot of extra dollars to throw at large marketing campaigns. That's where viral online networks like Facebook and Twitter can help--but only if you really know how to use them. Jennifer Abelson, owner of an eponymous marketing firm with $1.5 million in sales, only looks for potential hires with solid social media chops, and not just because her clients are looking for those skills. "We always look at what people are up to online," says Abelson. "It's not a background check, it's a sociability check." (For a comprehensive guide on using Twitter for business, check out

[Dysart]

Worthwhile article from Forbes about a steady, conservative approach to business growth. Also, some good links to related discussions, particularly social media leveraging from small business expansion thru networking. (It's not just for Buffy and Tad anymore)

Silly time waster? Sure. Powerful business tool? You bet.

Full article or, if you prefer, slideshow at link.

[GoDuke]

Bfl.

[TheConservativeParty]

Hell I think I’ll just close the doors and retire. Why bother? Der Fuhrer will take everything I earn anyway.
(sarcasm in neutral)

[Dysart]

I’m betting on his departure in 2012. More people who voted him in will vote in him out—enthusiastically.

[snowrip]

bttt

[Glenn]

I didn’t grok Twitter for the longest time. Seemed like it was a thing for teenagers.

That’s all changed. I have a million dollar consulting team working for me and it doesn’t cost me a dime. The less than 20 people I follow are the best at what they do and offer advice regularly and for free to their audience.

[jla]

Do you know why I can access Twitter via Blackberry but the ‘reply to’ tabs don’t appear? This occurs in mobile and standard mode.

[Dysart]

Excellent. You get it.

[Reeses]

Let prospects do the most of the talking

That's good advice for job seekers during a job interview: get the interviewer to do most of the talking. More people talk themselves out of a job than into one.

[Roses0508]

Bump to show to my partner.