I LOVE Joe Connolly!

How can you not love a guy who reports so well on all manners of global, national and small business topics?? Mr. Connolly’s succinct insight can be heard every day via WCBS 880, a New York City based radio station. But the best stuff from this Wall Street Journal reporter comes to light in the slick, jointly produced Small Business breakfasts and lunches that he regularly hosts.The topics are always pertinent and new networking opps abound with attendees from the tri-state area.

I recently attended the last one (held in White Plains) and as usual Joe picked the brains of several successful entrepreneurs, getting their spin on what it takes to thrive in a down market. The room was packed, with active audience participation. Though the industries represented could not be any more diverse (there was a mover, a business management consultant, a nutritionist and a limo company owner) the common thread was about taking action. Through a pointed Q&A’s, all these entrepreneurs shared a brief overview of their firms, their unique challenges and how they are navigating through a sluggish economy.

Here’s the scoop: They all invested in their respective businesses – whether it was by taking over another competitor, marketing their expertise, or diversifying services (in reaction to client or market needs). Bottom line these folks were on the panel because they had salient points that other business owners could benefit from.  Joe keeps the conversation on point and is not shy about pressing someone to qualify broad statements. The energy in the room is always electric, and the model that WCBS is using (carefully timed events, great topics, assorted vendors with giveaways, in various locales in NY, NJ and CT) are helping newbies and established business owners alike.

My advice to all entrepreneurs – find the time to attend your own version of a WCBS Small Business Network function. Because whether you are reminded about stuff you already know, learn a few new tricks or make a valuable new contact, vibrant forums can absolutely help you become more productive and successful!

Ringing In the New Year with Gusto!

Greetings Fellow Success Enthusiasts!

From all that I’ve heard and seen at various networking functions, client meetings, training sessions and net spots, it’s been one heck of a year! Despite the wizardry of an increasing amount of “time-saving” techno-gadgets, almost everyone is still breathless at the end of the day…

Kinda ironic, don’t you think?

While I like most of the the “new-fangled” stuff, and begrudglingly admit that many of these widgets serve a purpose – it’s becoming a full-time job to keep up with it all! The lingo, the “Terms of Agreement,” the instruction manuals. . .

My suggestion to all – take a deep breath in 2006.

Get down to the nitty-gritty of what makes your business hum. It’s the people, the relationships, the shared glances of comraderie between peers when some goofball at a gathering acts out of place, the shoulder you offer when a client vents his or her frustration in a phone meeting … these moments are what are important. Your attention to these details are what make you stand apart from the competition.

Not the gadgets.
Not the gizmos.

They can actually hinder you (but that’s fodder for another post!) So – make it a Top Priority for 2006 to sweep away all the clutter, and boil your business down to the essense – start with turning your attention to three things:

-Determine what makes you valuable to your clients
-Haul away the garbage and do what you need to, to improve your performance and hence, your VALUE to your clients and prospects
-Take measured steps to insure that your employees help you achieve your goals

Set some simple, ACHIEVABLE goals within a sensible timeline; like “I’ll read more about what other industries are doing,once a week” or “I’ll get to one new networking thing a month,” or most importantly, “I’ll make the time to refresh, and encourage my employees to do the same.” You’ve heard it all before, but it’s worth repeating: some of my best ideas come to me when I’m NOT at my desk!

Like many, I’ve taken a lot on this past year, and will be doing what I can to trim and refine my initiatives, while balancing more “stuff to do” – like posting to this Blog, interacting with and producing new educational tools with more of my peers, publishing my first book, doing more radio & TV “Success Segments”. YIKES! It DOES sound like a lot, and I will post my progress (and setbacks) in smaller chunks in the New Year.

I’m wishing you all great success in the New Year, with more balance (I will NEVER give up my quest for that!!) and of course, personal and professional growth that helps you drive more business to your door!

Here’s to a Joyous Holiday Season,
Pattie