I recently presented this topic to my colleagues at the Oakville Networking group, and they found it very informative and helpful, so I thought I would repurpose it and share it with you – not to mention it’s a long overdue blog post for us at Sydcam! Here is Part 1 of a two part series on this topic.

The Customer is King

So what has changed so much in marketing to make it such a different playing field that it has been historically? Simply, the consumer has evolved into a position of power, if not even control by many of the developments in the last 10+ years. The era of the internet has provided consumers with something they never had before – easy access to a plethora of information on virtually every topic under the sun.

From product information to customer feedback and ratings on products and services to direct feedback loops via social media to retailers and manufacturers etc., the consumer has real influence over the marketplace and the products and services offered to them for consumption.

Being “Social” is more than Social Media

Many who read this blog’s title may assume that I was just going to talk strictly about social media and its influence on marketers. Wrong! While social media is an integral part of the many ‘social’ changes affecting society today, it isn’t the only one.

Being social touches on social media but goes much farther. In general, it influences marketers in its ability to enable active engage with your customers, the ability to add value to this relationship on a regular basis, and to broaden the reach of your marketing and communications messages – both on social networking platforms along with other mediums.

Use this engagement to learn more about your customers, and what they need or want from you. Encourage  them to collaborate with you to build better products and services, and to share any ideas and unfulfilled wants they might have.  You’ll build brand awareness, customer loyalty and a whole lot more!

Part 2 of this blog post will follow shortly in February, so stay tuned!

I recently launched a survey and the preliminary results are in. In response to the question what is your preferred learning format – 75% of respondents said In Class Training.

In answer to your request I have organized 3 dates for In Class Training of 
Set The Stage – Business Development Training That Turns Leads Into Sales

This foundational class outlines the Follow Up Business System and The Business Growth Strategy and is the same material I use to show corporate sales representatives at Investors Group, Verico Mortgages and new entrepreneurs through The Learning Enrichment Foundation and Enterprise Toronto how to follow up so they do not feel like they are being a pest.

Never feel like a pest again when you follow up after meeting people at business networking and trade show events!

This course will show you how to build a system that turns those business card leads into sales!

Set The Stage – Business Development Training
3 hours of training – $89.00

February 14, March 27 or May 8

from 10 am – 1 pm in Burlington Ontario.

Sign up for your preferred date

If you would prefer this training at your location, just contact me.

It really bothers me when I hear that people attend networking and trade show events as a route to find new clients and grow their business fast, but end up off course, lost in voice mail jail, frustrated and feeling like a pest.

Did you have a chance to pick up your FREE Business Growth Strategies Report? You Have Worked The Room – Now What?

Or take the survey ? Link to Survey surveymonkey.com/s/VDG78R9

This year will you be attending business networking and trade show events to showcase your company and prospect for new clients to grow your business?

Traditionally the beginning of the year is the time when small business and big business alike plan for the coming year. My business growth strategies for 2012 include combining online follow up training with mentor coaching.

Is business networking and trade show events in your market your company and prospect for new clients plans?

My goal is to help you turn more of those business card leads into sales. Would you please take a moment to answer a few questions so I better understand where you are today and how I can help you move forward and grow your business into 2012. As a Thank You you can sign up for a free Breakthrough Coaching Session.

Link to Survey surveymonkey.com/s/VDG78R9

As a fellow entrepreneurial business owner, I know it’s essential to put business systems in place to maximize efforts. It’s never easy navigating challenges, but it is so worth it when you see your business grow with less effort.

I love what I do! After receiving so many wonderful emails expressing thanks for the information I share, I know the positive impact my work can have in growing your business.

If you have any questions about any of the information I have shared, please just drop me a line. If I can help you – I will.

PS Make sure you pick up your FREE Business Growth Strategies Report – You Have Worked The Room -Now What?

Business Growth Strategies

Please join us for our first business networking meeting of 2012 -  Friday January 6, 2012.

The networking meeting starts at 8:45am and the venue is e-Spot, 353 Iroquois Shore Road, Suite 200 (above Artisano’s), Oakville, ON L6H 1M3. Your $10 guest cover charge includes coffee and muffins.

Our speaker this week will be Cheryl Scoffield, The Follow Up Specialist and she will be presenting – An Overview of the Business Growth Strategies – one of the episodes from her recent 4 part  Tele Seminar Series – Maximize Your Business Networking And Trade Show ROI

So if you missed the series, or you prefer live presentations, here is your opportunity to see a live business development training presentation during  an Overview of the Business Growth Strategies.

Whatever name you give it – working the room, prospecting, new business development, lead generation –
57% of business say they attend networking and trade show events for 2 reasons;

1. to showcase their company
2. find new prospects to grow their business

You probably already know – attending business networking and trade show events is one of the best way to find new prospects to grow your company.

But if you simply collect business cards and never follow up to connect and turn those leads into sales, then you will fail to turn those leads into sales.

Attend this Overview of the Business Growth Strategies and then plan to attend

GET HELP – Create Your Own System

Follow Up Mentoring Program & Business Development Training
Create Your Own Follow Up Business System In 8 Sessions

Starts January 2012

If you’re looking for complete step by step business growth strategies to grow your existing business, plan to attend this online business development training program where you will learn how to follow up and build the tools you need to have prospects looking forward to hearing from you. Now there is a shift!

This training includes one on one mentoring with Cheryl Scoffield, The Follow Up Specialist, a Scholarship + 2 BONUSES.

Pick up your FREE Business Growth Strategies Report at GrowthPositioningSystem.com.

Looking forward to seeing you this Friday.