How else can I help you?

A current client emailed me asking to help his sick family member raise money for hospital costs, asking if my services could provide fundraising.

No, I replied, unless you have a 501c3 and a bank account, and, and, and...

But back in my memory I had filed away www.chipin.com as a way nontraditional fundraising could be handled for needs that are too small for formal organizations. This was a great application, I thought. So, while I hate turning away an existing client who comes to me asking for fundraising help, I was able at least able to refer him to ChipIn.

I touched base with him this morning and asked how it was going.

His reply:

I am using Chipin.com...and have raised over $5000 in 48 hours…unbelievable and a renewed sense of the American spirit.

I am glad to be able to help in another way!

Speaking of LinkedIn...

I am speaking a lot about LinkedIn these days. A lot. Everywhere I can, in front of groups, teaching in small virtual classes, and offering suggestions to those in my leads groups. LinkedIn, for me, is a PROVEN a way to access any number of the 55 million businesspeople around the world seeking community from the expertise that people truly engaged in social networking can provide.

And what's in it for him? you might ask, why the heck does he spend the time speaking about LinkedIn?

Because it opens lots of doors to generate new business and get my brand out there. As an example, a large nonprofit umbrella organization asked me to teach my hour-long "LinkedIn for NonProfits" to its member organizations and as I spoke and showed my LinkedIn profile, they saw the types of work I do.

The next week they called me in to advise on a much-needed redesign of its online donation and class registration, a project I won in December. Finished on time and within budget, they were thrilled with the end result. So much so that they referred me to a couple of other potential clients.

That's reason enough to evangelize on LinkedIn. The network grows...

BTW my LinkedIn profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/marchalpert

Good news?

U.S. Economy Lost Only 11,000 Jobs in November

This headline from the New York Times today, seems like good news.

Only 11,000?

But ask any one of the 11,000 people how they feel to have lost their job during the holidays, "Isn't this great news for the economy?"

Stay focused, folks, reach out to those who have lost their job and try to help them connect with a staffing company or employer you know. It's one more way to help others by using your network!

Have a happy holiday season.

What to Say When You Are STILL Talking to Yourself

When I first started in business for myself I was given the book "What to Say When You Talk to Yourself" by Shad Helmstetter.

It was perfect for me at the time: I had just left the big corporate culture in which people to speak to, and conversation with them, were abundant.

On my own, new in business, what do you say to yourself in the deafening silence?
"How do I keep my focus, outlook, and attention without any sensory inputs?"
What was I saying to myself?

Now, over 7 years later, yes, I still talk to myself. In between, the phone rings a lot, I speak publicly (next one 11/19 at AFP CT Philanthropy Day conference in Waterbury) and now I also give webinars.

Thanks to my colleague Geri Stengel at Ventureneer in NYC, I am giving my third free webinar on Wednesday November 18th from 2 to 3:15 pm ET, this time "LinkedIn for NonProfits."

As of last night we have 134 people registered. Wow. We may have hit a nerve out there: nonprofit social networking tips and techniques seems to be a hot topic, based on the registrations.

So as your webinario, I am ready to speak to the attendees that afternoon directly from my office, speaking into my headset and showing my presentation slides from my desktop. Right on your screen and into your speakers or phone.

Without the benefit of ascertaining facial reactions when I teach or make public presentations at conferences, the webinar will be the latest chapter in my continuing habit of talking to myself: 134 new colleagues will actually be listening to me as I talk to myself, no one else in my office, about something that may help them.

And...even if you cannot attend on the 18th, the webinar will be recorded and available on my LinkedIn page and Ventureneer.com. Funny: in that situation I will be speaking without even being present: my presentation coming at you 24x7x365 and I am not even talking to myself!...ah technology...

This is it (?)

I have to marvel at the irony of Michael Jackson's unwittingly apt title for his last album and movie, "This is it."

I have to think the flight attendants who were rude enough to interrupt the "spirited" discussion going on in the Northwest Airlines cockpit thought: this was IT for them too: had the pilots all died?

No, the pilots were just brain dead-victims of getting lost in time and space behind their laptops.

Somehow I doubt they were just looking so intently at their workschedules...

So, finally please tell me, how come I am not supposed to use my cell phone behind the wheel of my car YET pilots can overshoot their destination while flying a multi-ton jet through US airspace, ignoring radio commands, while using their laptops?

Don't they have anything else to do up there?

Will paper check acceptance at retail locations become a thing of the past?

Whole Foods is a leader in the retail food industry They may stop accepting checks at the point of sale-does this mean checks will become a dinosaur someday? This story in the LA Times may predict our future.
What do you think?

Now a few words from guest blogger Doug Campbell

As a CEO Coach and Business Owner, I am constantly looking for ways to make businesses more efficient and easier to operate. About 9 years we began accepting credit cards for our tutoring business (Sylvan Learning Center in Darien CT). It seemed like a big step at the time, and it was also potentially costly because our average charge is $100+. Nevertheless, it has been widely successful. Within 6 months 70% of our clients were using credit cards, and it is now close to 85%. The time spent preparing bills and mailing each month has been cut by 6 hours. The money is in the account almost immediately each month. Cash flow is less of a worry, and the rent check can go out on the 3rd of the month.

If you are a small business and still not using credit, reconsider the benefits in time, administration, and cash flow when you think through your strategies. If you are using credit, you should also periodically review your vendor – we lowered our fees substantially after 3 years with the first vendor and now receive better service. There are also incredible new tools to help you with cash flow and profitability in your business that are constantly being developed. Don’t let your competitors get a leg up on you. Make the time to talk to a credit expert – you will be surprised on the upside.

All the best.

Douglas Campbell III "The Success Coach"
203-975-0320 cell 203-952-1161
www.thesuccesscoach.com

Speaker * Author * Entrepreneur * Executive & Career Coach

Coaching Top-Performing Executives & Business Owners to Achieve Even Higher Levels of Success

The Success Coach on Networking (7) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=boKH8yfYFNk

Business Conference Speech http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b61rV19JAk

The Success Coach, Business Expert, for Wells Fargo Bank on Onboarding New Employees

https://wellsfargo.imaginationdigitalmedia.com/business-insights/?episode=C7 (5)

Author Where To Go From Here: Reinventing Your Career, Your Business, Your Working Life (2009). It is available through Amazon, at Barrett Bookstore (Darien), Elm Street Books (New Canaan), and through the author as a book or ebook.