Scott D Jones - Staffing Consultant - Toledo, Ohio

I am sure by now everyone has seen the Pants on the Ground guy from American Idol.  General Larry Platt performed for the Minnesota Vikings yesterday before there game with the Saints.  Unfortunately with 4 turnovers and numerous opportunities to win the game and play in the superbowl the Vikings must have felt this was going to be appropriate for their performance.  General Larry Platt is an amazing story of "Social Media" and videos going "Viral".  Regular everyday people that most of us would not give the time of day becoming celebrities overnight with some sort of performance via YouTube or some other form of Social Media.  I find it very ironic the Vikings chose to have him come sing this song as I think the Vikings can relate to having been caught with their pants on the ground.

Scott

Today I am talking about someone I have known for about 6 months now.  He is an entrepreneur starting a web development company called BounceHost.  His name is Zach Ferres he recently presented about Social Media in your Business.  http://www.slideshare.net/zcferres/social-media-in-your-business Here is a link to the SlideShare presentation on Social Media.  Be sure to check out his site as he also has a blog similar to this one speaking about Social Media and important news in the business world.

This week I have decided to focus on leads.  Now that we have noticed some movement in clients purchasing habits what do we do?  So many companies have been stagnant for so long I am seeing to many opportunities missed.  How can we use this recession to our advantage and grow our business?

First thing to do is give some of your old clients a call.  Every company has reorganized in some way or another (Hired, Fired, Laid Off, etc) take that as your opportunity to speak with someone new.  If you had a employee (gatekeeper) that has been difficult in the past maybe they have moved on?  Their predecessor may not be as bad and they may be open to hearing what you have to say.  Some companies have even went as far as laying off the gatekeeper to help reduce cost.  This gives you the opportunity to reach out to old clients or potential clients that you may not have had contact with before.

Second do your homework!  Many companies in different sectors are receiving grants and government assistance which opens spending on products or services that they may be in dire need of.  Focus on how you can provide exactly what they need and how you will make it the best expereince possible for them. 

Customer service is extremely important!  Not only has the client cut their staff but most likely so has your competitor.  This means that your potential client may not be getting the attention they need right now.  Provide that attention and a great product and there will be no reason for them not to switch.  Utilize new Social Media practices in your customer service approach.  Post blogs that show how you had solved a clients problem quickly and that they were very satisfied with the result.  This is key because that potential client wants the warm fuzzies that your current client received.  

Do you have a way to show that you can save a client money?  Your client would like to be able to show their boss how they saved money in this tough time make sure you point this out!
 
Overall many people are saying that we are starting to emerge from this recession.  This is your time to build your clientele and take whatever marketshare you can from the competition before this recession is nothing but a memory. 

-Creator of Destinies

I am very intrigued by the interest that all other generations have taken in Gen Y.  Are we so different than all the generations past?  Or is it just a fact that we have changed processes that have been in place for decades?  Look at the way we communicate and for some of us that are older in the Gen Y the way that we bring that into business.  For example Facebook, Twitter, and many other Social Media sites have been created by our generation for our generation.  Maybe that is why we have all the other generations a little worried about how to handle, manage, and motivate us.  Regardless our processes are a product of their upbringings.  It makes you wonder a little bit what will the next generation, generation Z hold?

_Social Media Architect