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Businesses Helping Other Businesses: Unlocking Success Through Collaboration

Introduction

Throughout the month of June, we have been focusing on how businesses can help other businesses succeed. In today’s competitive landscape, businesses often strive to find unique ways to gain a competitive edge. One effective approach is through collaboration and cooperation among companies themselves. In this blog, we delve into the concept of businesses helping other businesses and explore how collaboration can unlock success for all parties involved. From sharing resources to joint marketing efforts, we’ll uncover the various strategies and benefits that arise when businesses come together to support one another.

Businesses Helping Other Businesses: A Pathway to Success

Collaboration among businesses has become an increasingly popular strategy for achieving growth and overcoming challenges. By leveraging each other’s strengths, companies can foster innovation, reach new markets, and build mutually beneficial relationships. Masterminds are an excellent resource for collaboration. The key is to find one that best meets your needs as a business owner, where you are now. We are launching our SMB Mastermind Council on July 27th. The following are several ways in which businesses can support and assist one another.

Knowledge Sharing: The Key to Collective Growth

Knowledge is power, and when businesses share their expertise and experiences, it paves the way for collective growth. Through mentorship programs, masterminds, industry-specific workshops, or online communities, companies can actively contribute to each other’s development. By exchanging best practices, insights, and lessons learned, businesses can elevate their operational efficiency and avoid common pitfalls.

Resource Collaboration: Leveraging Strengths

Collaborating on resources is a win-win situation for businesses. From sharing equipment and facilities to pooling research and development efforts, resource collaboration helps companies optimize their operations while minimizing costs. For instance, two software development companies can share access to specialized tools, reducing expenses and accelerating product development. By tapping into shared resources, businesses can enhance productivity and ultimately boost their bottom line.

Strategic Partnerships: A Synergistic Approach

Strategic partnerships between businesses can unlock a world of opportunities. By combining complementary products or services, companies can access new markets and expand their customer base. These partnerships often enable businesses to offer bundled solutions, providing added value to customers. For example, a web design agency and a content marketing company could join forces, providing clients with comprehensive digital marketing solutions. Through strategic alliances, businesses can enhance their competitiveness and create new revenue streams.

Joint Marketing Efforts: Amplifying Reach

Marketing campaigns can be costly and time-consuming, particularly for small businesses. However, by collaborating on marketing efforts, companies can amplify their reach and maximize the impact of their campaigns. Co-marketing initiatives, such as joint promotions or cross-branding, allow businesses to tap into each other’s customer bases, exposing their products or services to a broader audience. This approach fosters mutual growth and generates a sense of camaraderie among businesses.

Supplier and Customer Relationships: Strengthening Bonds

Businesses helping other businesses can extend beyond partnerships and collaborations. Establishing strong supplier and customer relationships is equally crucial. By nurturing these connections, companies can foster loyalty, gain valuable insights, and secure preferential treatment. Timely payments, referrals, or discounts are just a few ways businesses can support their suppliers and customers, building trust and long-term partnerships.

Networking and Referrals: Expanding Opportunities

Networking is a vital aspect of any successful business, and when businesses help each other, networking opportunities expand exponentially. Through referrals and recommendations, companies can refer potential clients or partners to their trusted associates. This reciprocal relationship facilitates growth for all parties involved. As the saying goes, “It’s not just what you know, but who you know.”

Conclusion

In an interconnected business world, the concept of businesses helping other businesses has emerged as a powerful strategy for driving success. Whether through knowledge sharing, resource collaboration, strategic partnerships, joint marketing efforts, or nurturing supplier and customer relationships, the possibilities for collaboration are endless. By embracing a cooperative mindset, businesses can unlock new opportunities, accelerate growth, and create a thriving ecosystem where all participants thrive. Remember, when businesses help each other, everyone wins.

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Advice Leadership Networking

The Motivation Show meets Gianni Russo who played Carlo Rizzo in The Godfather

Gianni Russo is a colorful character in real life as well as in the numerous movie roles he played.  Best known for his role as Carlo Rizzi in the original 1972 film The Godfather, Russo sat down with me for a chat about his tell-all book Hollywood Godfather: My Life in the Movies and the Mob which describes in vivid detail his dual life in the movies and in the real life mob as a mafia associate.   Wait til you hear about some of the incredible people he palled around with including some of the infamous ladies he was…well…let’s just say he was associated with. 

When asked what it is what like growing up and how did he get involved with the mob, Gianni says he grew up on Mulberry Street in Little Italy and in 1949, he became bedridden and quarantined with polio for five years. Who was Gianni’s nurse in his ward at Bellevue?  Carlo Gambino’s niece he says!   Destiny?    His primary source of entertainment and distraction from his distressed and depressed state was a transistor radio. When he turned on the radio, he discovered Frank Sinatra was born the same day.   He says Sinatra became his mentor and singing teacher.   Gianni met a guy Sinatra knew by the name of Frank Costello (not to be confused with Lou Costello), the infamous mob boss of the Luciano crime family.   Gianni used to sell ballpoint pens in front of the Sherry Netherland hotel and Costello would go there every morning for a shoe shine.   “He gave me some money, some words of advice…and never took a pen (I’d hate to think where that pen may have eventually ended up if he did).  I stuck with Costello til the day he died in 1973.”  Right behind Gianni as we spoke on Zoom was a dining room table that can seat 16 people.  As a different kind of wise guy that I am, I quipped about “if only that table could talk,” oh what interesting tales it can tell.   Gianni found that amusing and said jokingly “I would be indicted again.”   Oops.   I asked Gianni to further elaborate on what exactly a Mafia Associate actually entailed.  “That’s why I never got locked up. Carlo Gambino and Costello made sure that I was only a messenger.”    He said he was even registered as a bona fide messenger and courier registered with Lloyd’s of London…pretty clever if you ask me.    

What about this famous code of silence and why did wise guys start signing like canaries, I ask?  The new RICO laws (The Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act) enacted in 1970 changed everything.  “The feds were allowed to take all of the assets you acquired while being in the mob.  Omerta went out the window.  Everybody became singing canaries.  That’s why these guys started flipping.” 

What were the rules that Gianni knew to live by to keep Frank Costello on his good side?   “Don’t lie to me.  Be on Time.  Talk to Nobody.”   In the late 1990’s, I once flew Don Miguel Ruiz, the author of “The Four Agreements” to New York to promote his mega bestselling book.  With these new rules, I can now write a new book destined to be a bestseller called “The Three Agreements: A Mafia Guide to Not Getting Rubbed Out”…bada boom! 

At the age of 25, Gianni came out of nowhere and was cast in the original Godfather movie as Sonny Corleone’s brother-in-law.   How did he feel about getting that plum role?    “I am making a couple of thousand dollars a week already.  I just wanted to do it for ego.”   Gianni says that after 45 minutes of rehearsal one day, Brando tells Coppola he has to rethink the part.  Gianni puts his arm around Brando and says dead seriously “You get me fired, I will suck on your heart.  You will bleed out here right now.”  Brando’s reaction?  Gianni says Brando told him “That was brilliant!”    To Gianni’s amusement, he says Brando “thought I was acting.”    I ask Gianni who is the most interesting person he worked with in his film career.    “Brando!  He was so generous.”

Then there’s the famous nightclub Gianni owned in Sin City, and the night where he shot and killed in self-defense, unknowingly, a henchman of notorious Columbian drug lord Pablo Escobar and had to survive the hit that was put out on him.   Perhaps the most remarkable revelation among many, was his relationship with Marilyn Monroe.   What became of his dalliance with Hollywood’s most glamorous starlet of the day?  You will have to listen to my podcast to find out in an ending that even Hollywood couldn’t come up with!

You can listen to the Gianni Russo interview on The Motivation Show C-Suite Network Radio https://c-suitenetwork.com/radio/shows/the-motivation-show/ or any podcast listening platform     To contact Eli, email motivatea2z@gmail.com.

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Advice Best Practices Branding Entrepreneurship Growth Marketing Networking Personal Development Skills

The Power of Personal Branding: How to Build a Strong Online Presence

 

 

 

Introduction:

In today’s digital age, building a strong online presence is critical for individuals and businesses alike. One of the most effective ways to do this is through personal branding. Personal branding is the process of creating a unique identity and image for oneself in the eyes of others, whether it’s online or offline. It involves showcasing one’s strengths, expertise, and values to build a strong reputation and attract opportunities. In this blog post, we’ll explore the power of personal branding and how you can build a strong online presence.

 

Define Your Personal Brand

Before you start building your personal brand, it’s important to define who you are and what you want to be known for. Begin by identifying your unique strengths, skills, and values. Ask yourself questions such as: What sets me apart from others? What do I want to achieve in my career or personal life? What are my core values?

Once you’ve identified your unique attributes, it’s time to create a personal brand statement. This statement should capture the essence of who you are and what you stand for. It should be short, memorable, and easy to understand. Use your personal brand statement as a guide when creating your online presence.

When creating your online presence, make sure to use consistent branding across all platforms. This includes using the same profile picture, bio, and visual elements such as color schemes and fonts. Consistency is key when it comes to personal branding.

 

Create a Strong Online Presence

Now that you’ve defined your personal brand, it’s time to create a strong online presence. This involves using social media platforms, blogs, and websites to showcase your expertise and build your reputation.

Start by choosing the social media platforms that are most relevant to your personal brand. For example, if you’re a photographer, you might want to focus on Instagram and Pinterest. If you’re a business professional, LinkedIn might be the platform for you.

When creating your social media profiles, make sure to optimize them for search engines. This includes using keywords related to your personal brand in your bio and posts. Use high-quality visuals that reflect your personal brand and engage with your audience regularly.

Blogging is another effective way to build your personal brand. By sharing your knowledge and expertise, you can establish yourself as an authority in your industry. Use your personal brand statement as a guide when creating blog content. Make sure to promote your blog on social media to reach a wider audience.

Finally, consider creating a personal website. This is a great way to showcase your portfolio, share your story, and connect with potential clients or employers. Make sure your website is easy to navigate, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines.

 

Engage with Your Audience

Engaging with your audience is crucial when it comes to building a strong online presence. This involves responding to comments, asking for feedback, and creating a sense of community around your personal brand.

Make sure to respond to comments and messages promptly. This shows that you value your audience and are interested in their feedback. Ask for feedback and incorporate it into your personal brand strategy.

Creating a sense of community around your personal brand can be achieved through various means. Consider starting a Facebook group or hosting a Twitter chat related to your industry. This allows you to connect with like-minded individuals and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field.

 

Conclusion:

Personal branding is a powerful tool for building a strong online presence. By defining your personal brand, creating a strong online presence, and engaging with your audience, you can establish yourself as an authority in your industry and attract opportunities. Remember to be authentic, consistent, and engaged to build a personal brand that truly reflects who you are.

For more information visit tylerhayzlett.com

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Entrepreneurship Growth Industries Marketing Networking Sales Strategy

Get Ahead in Business: Discover the Top Networking Groups to Join Now

 

Introduction

Are you a business owner or entrepreneur looking to expand your network and grow your business?

Joining a business networking group can be a great way to connect with other like-minded professionals, share ideas and insights, and potentially gain new clients or customers. However, with so many different networking groups out there, it can be challenging to know which ones are worth your time and investment. In this article, we will explore some of the best business networking groups to join and why.

 

C-Suite Network:

The C-Suite Network is a community of influential business leaders. The network is designed to provide its members with exclusive access to resources, knowledge, and connections that can help them grow and succeed in their roles.

The network offers a range of services and benefits to its members, including networking opportunities, educational events, and access to business resources such as whitepapers, podcasts, and webinars. The network also provides a platform for members to share their experiences and knowledge with one another, helping to foster collaboration and innovation among the business community.

 

BNI (Business Networking International)

BNI is a global networking organization that provides members with weekly networking meetings to share referrals and build relationships. Members are expected to bring referrals for other members and are also given the opportunity to give a weekly 60-second pitch about their business. BNI has chapters in over 70 countries, making it a great option for those looking to expand their business on a global scale.

 

Chamber of Commerce

Most cities and towns have a local Chamber of Commerce, which serves as a hub for business networking and advocacy. Members of the Chamber of Commerce have access to networking events, educational workshops, and resources to help grow their business. Additionally, many Chambers of Commerce offer discounts on products and services to their members.

 

Meetup

Meetup is an online platform that connects people with shared interests and hobbies. While Meetup is not specifically designed for business networking, it can be a great way to meet other professionals in your area who share similar interests or work in a similar industry. Many Meetup groups also host events specifically geared towards networking and professional development.

 

Rotary International

Rotary International is a global service organization that brings together business and professional leaders to provide humanitarian services and promote goodwill. Rotary has chapters in over 200 countries and offers members the opportunity to network, develop leadership skills, and make a positive impact in their local communities.

 

SCORE

SCORE is a nonprofit organization that provides free business mentoring and education services to entrepreneurs and small business owners. In addition to one-on-one mentoring, SCORE also offers webinars and workshops on a variety of topics related to business growth and development.

 

LinkedIn Groups

LinkedIn Groups are online forums where professionals can connect and share insights on industry trends and best practices. Joining LinkedIn Groups that are relevant to your industry or area of expertise can be a great way to connect with other professionals and potentially generate new business opportunities.

 

Industry-Specific Associations

Depending on your industry, there may be industry-specific associations or organizations that offer networking opportunities and resources. For example, the National Association of Realtors and the American Bar Association both offer networking events and resources for professionals in their respective industries.

In conclusion, there are many different business networking groups to choose from, each with their unique benefits and advantages. Whether you are looking to expand your business on a global scale or connect with other professionals in your local community, there is a networking group out there that is right for you.

For more information visit tylerhayzlett.com

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Body Language Branding Capital Networking Sales

EMPOWER YOUR WORKFORCE: PROMOTE INFORMED FINANCIAL DECISIONS, SAVING HABITS, AND WORKPLACE EDUCATION

Many people may lack the basic math skills and financial know-how to make decisions. One of my favorite books, which I reread from time to time, is the 1988 book Innumeracy by John Paulos; he coined the book’s title from people being slow in math as compared to illiterate. Math and money are very different, and learning the differences is crucial to building wealth securely.

Even though many adults across generations were functioning with medium levels of financial literacy, too many workers today possess low levels of Personal Financial Proficiency (PFP) and have difficulty applying financial decision-making skills to real-life situations.   

Here are a few general questions about everyday financial situations that stumped so many:

  • Determining wages and take-home pay, 
  • Questions about investment types, risk, and return, 
  • Understanding specific risk economic outcomes risk
  • Understanding that 401(k) are not pensions

This is where Americans exhibit the lowest scores, with less than one-third answering correctly.

Lack of financial understanding affects all ages and socioeconomic levels. The result is those who fall into the limited PFP category, even though financially literate, may not manage their financial resources effectively and may feel intimidated by retirement, budgeting, tax planning, and Social Security topics.

One way to help everyone become more confident about their personal finances is by building a solid foundation with Financial Proficiency. 

Financial literacy dark secret

People with higher levels of financial literacy “fluency bias.” are more likely to build weak foundations to support their financial houses. Sadly, in this case, a little knowledge is dangerous and prevents many from developing a strategy that works and won’t leave you in a pickle as you get to retirement age.

For more Healthy Money Tips Listen to our PodCast “Money 911”

Sign up for a Financial Fitness Strategy Session:  Meet with Kris Miller – Financial Fitness Strategy Sessions

You can reach me at Kris@HealthyMoneyHappyLIfe.com, (951) 926-4158

 

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Branding Leadership Networking Women In Business

Crack The Code and Glide!

Susan K Younger Personal Brand Origin Story:

“Susan, you are shy, smart, and tall which means people are going to mistake you for being conceited, stuck up, and arrogant. You will need to reach out to people, don’t assume they’ll come looking for you.” This was mom’s sage advice for as long as I can remember.

I was also a klutz.

Constantly tripping over my size 11 feet with an awkward gait. Yet on cold winter nights, when cars circled around our neighborhood baseball diamond to illuminate a sheet of ice, I became calm and graceful. Gliding effortlessly through a crowd of peers, skating backwards, and doing twirls in a blue and white parka. My skates had baby blue pom poms with bells, and I wore earmuffs to match. It was the only time my younger brother Fred – who thrived in all sports and in all social settings – did not mock me for being uncoordinated. Now in scholastics I had the upper hand, every grade Fred entered he got compared to his older sister, the smart, straight A-student.

“If I hadn’t been there for your birth, I wouldn’t know you were mine. You have a mole on your arm in the exact same spot as I do, and you look like your dad and act like him too.”

Mom called me her little Harold. It didn’t matter. Both of my parents loved us the same and encouraged us to become whoever we wanted to be. For me, from a young age that was an architect. Whenever we moved to a different house, which we did rather frequently, I’d sketch plans to solve problems my parents described in each home we considered. I was enthralled at the idea of being able to design a room.

Emboldened with this desire, in my junior year of college I walked into a local architectural firm, introduced myself, and asked if I could work as their summer apprentice. The position didn’t even exist but because I took the initiative and made a good impression, they created the job for me.

Taking this one bold step launched my career.

After that I managed teams of architects and drew plans for retail stores throughout the country, often finding myself as the only gal in the room. Quickly, I learned I needed to face my own ignorance and ask clarifying questions, even at the risk of sounding silly. Additionally, I had to understand what motivated people and how they made decisions. For a long time, I did this intuitively feeling the energies of a room or conversation, and then naturally was able to process what was needed to succeed. However, I had no way to communicate my process with others.

Once I got certified in BANK personality profiling – a simple, scientific methodology that takes less than 90 seconds to complete and reveals the primary way a person interacts with the world – I became empowered with a language to discuss the various energy dynamics happening at work and at home.

There are four personality types – Blueprint, Action, Nurturing, Knowledge – and each one is listed on a card with several values.

A person reads through and organizes the cards in the order of what is most important to them. I am a NAKB. Nurturing is my primary orientation backed by Action and then followed by Knowledge and Blueprint.

When I know people’s codes, I have key insights on how to communicate with them in their preferred style which is motivating to them, increases trust, and reduces a lot of friction and frustration. For example, when I managed two colleagues – one a Blueprint who thrives on structure and checklists, and the other an Active who enjoys freedom and creative control – I passed projects off to them differently to set them up for success.

For the Blueprint she wanted clear directives, so I’d encourage her to make a workflow that we could review together before she began. For the Active, this same approach would have stifled his creativity, so his projects were given with broad instructions and ample opportunity for him to make it his own. It’s also applicable in our personal lives. Looking back, it’s now easy for me to know that both Fred and my mom were Actives. They were vivacious, go-getters full of stories and always having fun. Often people will associate ‘architect’ with Blueprint but what fulfills me is designing a space that nurtures the people who are occupying it. How form can foster community.

Learning these codes enables me to dance among various personalities and feels akin to being back on that ice, gracefully gliding through the crowd.

If you are interested in ‘cracking your code’ you can do so for free here. Afterwards, feel free to reach out and have a conversation with me. We’ll discuss how this information can be immediately utilized to increase workflow and strengthen interpersonal communications either in the workplace or at home.

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Growth Leadership Negotiations Networking Personal Development Skills Strategy

The Art of Networking – Bedros Keuilian’s Masterclass Video

Long John Silver’s is the #1 fast food seafood restaurant in the United States.

But, they’ve been struggling for decades. Long John Silver’s has lost over half their franchises since their peak.  Here’s why…

The Real Reason Long John Silver’s is Struggling:

The original premise for the chain sounded good, at least on paper. During a family, vacation, businessman and restaurateur, Jim Patterson had a flash of inspiration:

Bring the sunny seaside fish and chips eating beach experience from the coast, to families nationwide.

When the chain first started, Long John Silver’s made an effort to impart each location with a seafaring theme reminiscent of the company’s vacation-inspired roots.

The company’s heyday was a ten-year period from about 1979 to 1989, during which it grew from a footprint of one thousand units to an all-time high of 1,500 locations.

Watch the full story on this episode of Company Man.

WATCH:

 

Then a String of Devastating Decline in Market share…

The chain has been on a decline since at least 1989 when, in response to mounting debt, it first took its business private. In the three decades since, it’s been handed off from one unhappy owner to another.

They’ve also been plagued with bad marketing (often self-inflicted).

For example, in 2017 they’re marketing team posted a video of a hostage being beheaded with a swordfish in an attempt to “go viral”…

They were forced to issue an apology:

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On top of some marketing flops, probably the biggest failure is their lack of vision against the original mission to bring people into a coastal dinner experience.

 
Long John Silver's

You know that feeling you get when you have a craving for fried cod, but you also  want a root beer float and a chili dog? Apparently, not too many other could relate either…

In addition to loosing half their franchises since their height, they lost 300 locations over the last 5 years alone and another 60 during the 2020 COVID lockdowns.

While millions of Americans enjoy the convenience of fast food, it appears for Long John Silver’s target audience, they preferred the original quality experience and cheap burgers over fish sandwiches.

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Marketing Networking Personal Development Strategy

The Rise of Thought Leaders

Business is booming! The knowledge-based service industry is now a $355 million dollar per day business. $129 billion billed annually to subject matter experts, trainers, consultants, authors, coaches, speakers, masterminds, webinars, e-courses and more.

The good news is the demand for information and thought leaders is at an all-time high. The bad news? So is the increasing supply and it’s becoming difficult to stand out from the crowded room of other experts.

There’s a growing rate of increase in competition for subject matter experts.

Seriously, subject matter experts are everywhere. Based on a simple search on LinkedIn based on titles, there are:

  • 12 million authors
  • 6 million Experts
  • 550,000 Consultants
  • 300,000 Coaches
  • 300,000 Trainers
  • 40,000 Speakers

That’s a lot of competition!

Just think, if you started a retail business you would have just a handful of competitors in your space. In the knowledge field, it’s fair to say that competition is high.
But where are they all coming from? Why are there so many experts right now?

The rise of professional services & knowledge delivery:

Ever since the 1970s, the American economy moved from a manufacturing to a service-based economy. Today the service business in the US represents 80% of the US private-sector GDP at $10 Trillion annually. The professional service sector consists of agencies, consultants, and specialists championed by individual industry experts.

As the service businesses emerged the brand promise transferred from product quality to specialized knowledge expertise and skill. This led to the rise of individuals as brands.

The Brand Called You! You Can’t Move Up if You Don’t Stand Out!

In 1997, Fast Company recognized the necessity for individuals to develop individual personal brands to compete in the cut-throat digital economy. The key to getting ahead in the services market is directly linked to establishing your personal equivalent of the Nike swoosh. “It’s that simple, that hard, and that inescapable.” At least that’s how Tom Peters put it in this classic branding piece.

Fast forward to today. Because anyone can be positioned as an expert. Everyone is.

 

For more information visit tylerhayzlett.com