Archive for October, 2011

Social Networks: What are They Good For?

Social Networks: What are They Good For?

Posted on 27. Oct, 2011 by .

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Does social media make you feel like you’re shouting in crowded room, yet no one seems to be paying attention? Perhaps it’s not you, but instead the medium. About a year ago I wanted to better understand (anecdotally) how people reacted to various social mediums. I posted the same message on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn, [...]

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What Makes Family Businesses Thrive? The Family Business Infographic

What Makes Family Businesses Thrive? The Family Business Infographic

Posted on 26. Oct, 2011 by .

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Is your family the type that’s close-knit and supportive? Or is the dynamic more like something out of a daytime soap opera? Even if it’s the former, and Thanksgiving dinners don’t ever result in bodily injury, that doesn’t mean you have what it takes to go into business as a family. Working with family can [...]

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The Results Are In!

The Results Are In!

Posted on 18. Oct, 2011 by .

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The results of the first ever Semi-Local Business Survey are in! Everyone who completed the survey really opened up and shared some great information, and we can’t wait to share all the rich details with you. Thanks to all who participated! Tomorrow we will be releasing the anonymous results to all the blogs who helped [...]

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5 Ideas for Eliminating Startup Funk

5 Ideas for Eliminating Startup Funk

Posted on 14. Oct, 2011 by .

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Let’s get real – startups are not for the faint of heart. With any startup, there will be plenty of triumphs and challenges along the way. Your biggest challenge might be not being overly confident in successful times, and not becoming too despondent when facing setbacks. You’re bound to, at one time or another, get [...]

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6 Keys for Branding Success

6 Keys for Branding Success

Posted on 12. Oct, 2011 by .

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It’s very important to realize that your brand is one of the most important aspects of your business. It can differentiate between visitors and buyers, and can also be the determining factor for success or failure. As with any other project, there are several things to consider when building a successful brand for your company. [...]

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Please Take Our Survey

Please Take Our Survey

Posted on 10. Oct, 2011 by .

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Do you make some of your money locally, and some of your money remotely, or online? If the answer is yes, then we would like to ask for a moment of your help. Do you ever wonder how many people and businesses out there are really Semi-Local? How many of them really earn some of [...]

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That Little Something Extra

That Little Something Extra

Posted on 07. Oct, 2011 by .

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In Louisiana there is a common word, “lagniappe” (pronounced “LAN-yap”), which means giving a little something extra to a customer’s order to build good will, and most of all, return business. A baker’s dozen is a good example. The French also have a similar PR technique called “amuse-bouche,” meaning mouth amuser. A chef presents a [...]

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5 Common Entrepreneurial Mistakes to Avoid

5 Common Entrepreneurial Mistakes to Avoid

Posted on 05. Oct, 2011 by .

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There’s no mystical secret when it comes to being a successful business owner. There is certainly no definite set of rules to follow, either. However, you can learn a lot from entrepreneurs who have tried, failed, and finally succeeded before you. We are all bound to make mistakes along the way, and there’s so much [...]

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The Ever-Present Brand

The Ever-Present Brand

Posted on 03. Oct, 2011 by .

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Whether you’re in startup mode or have been in business for a while, your focus has likely been on developing your products and services. You probably have also designed a logo and a website and joined social networks. But how much time have you spent planning and promoting your brand message? Even if you have [...]

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