http://www.socialmediaexaminer.com/

Tips for Facebook & Website:

-Engage your Audience on Facebook

• Provide Tips
• Useful Information
• Incentives
• Contests (through an application-3^rd party)
  • Photo or video contest
• Ask Questions

-Add your website address in the About section (first thing) on the Left Sidebar

• Website address will be seen more
• Have good content on your website that will make visitors want to come back
  • Blog: Helpful Information – Answer questions, Give tips
  • Post your blog link on your Facebook page each time you blog

- Give Resources – Helpful information

• Frequently asked questions
• Special Articles
• Examples of your work
• Testimonials
• Free services
• Webinars

- Advertise on Facebook: Can reach target markets based on key words (age, gender, location, etc)

-Measure your traffic on your website: Analyze the data to see what works

• Google Analytics

- Create a Landing Page on your Facebook page through a Facebook Application – will help capture leads

• Landing Page: First page non-subscribers will see
  • Facebook Application Example: Lujure
  • Try to get email addresses
    • Provide an incentive to giving their email: Freebies, Rewards

-Establish a deeper relationship with your fans through email

• Have fans subscribe to your newsletter: provide incentive
• Announce your product, service, expertise
• Give useful information (not just a sale)

Made in America Video

If you want the list the video talked about or want to support the cause here is a link to the list of companies who are making goods across many industries. Made in America Company List  

The first presenter to get the conference kicked off was Michael Kerr presenting “Putting Humor to Work”. He was absolutely hilarious, enthusiastic, upbeat, and made you feel very energized and excited.

Here is some information Michael Kerr’s gave in his presentation at the Summit Business Conference to help you energize and excite employees to become more productive with the end result of making your business more successful. To learn more about motivating and inspiring employees visit Michael Kerr’s website: http://www.mikekerr.com/

Michael Kerr tells us a way to release stress could be to tap into our own since of humor. A work culture that creates fun and humor will reduce turnover, increase productivity, create a good work environment, and be more successful. When people are having fun they will like their job more resulting in being more productive for their employer. Business owners and managers need to strive to create a work environment that they would want to recommend to their children or best friends.

Providing humor does not mean you have to be comedians, but rather using what works for your organization to balance stress. To add humor to the work place and lighten the atmosphere, organizations can have a funny: bulletin board, signs, mascots, humor first aid kit, rituals, and traditions. Happy STAFF makes HAPPY Customers.

Michael Kerr gives the 3 R’s:

            Relax: Humor helps people relax. It may help one to relax mentally and physically. When people are relaxed and enjoying work that attitude catches on and lowers tension.       

            Reward: Rewarding employees shows that you appreciate the work they do. You may have to turn bad situations into good situations. One example: a business is by train tracks which makes it really noisy and shakes the office when a train goes by. Instead of complaining about this nuisance, the business provides chocolate to their employees when a train goes by. By doing this the business has turned the bad situation into a good one and boosts morale.  

            Reframing Challenges: Stress is in the eye of the beholder. No matter what’s going on, you have 100% control of how you react. It is human nature to have negative thinking instead of positive thinking. However, negative thinking never produces success. It takes a lot of positive thoughts to reverse the effects of negative thoughts.                               

Michael Kerr’s Books: Inspiring Workplaces – Creating the Kind of Workplace Where Everyone Wants to Work and Putting Humor to Work.

 A QR code is a neat technology tool that was created in Japan about a decade ago but has only been in the United States for over a year. A QR code resembles bar codes that are on retail products which are used to track their merchandise.  This QR code holds more digital data than a bar code. The digital data could be a link to a website, video, or email address. There are a number of things you could use a QR code for. This could help get people to visit your business website because they are curious what the QR code connects to. You can learn more about QR codes on www.qrstuff.com.

Sheila Roberts from Sign Solutions states, “They really work. You can put whatever information you want in them. Possible media ideas: direct mail, newspaper, flyers, email, T Shirts, caps, signs, business cards, text messages, mobile apps, facebook, twitter, linkedin, vehicle graphics, promotional items. If you have a QR code, it can be placed almost anywhere. Smartphones read them and store the information!”

The Discover Phillips County Semi Trailer wind skirt is receiving a QR code that links to the PCED website and the Track the Trailer Facebook page!! Be looking for this addition!

After graduating high school, I went to FHSU and earned my degree in Business Education. During college, I enjoyed coming back to visit family and to be in this area. So when trying to decide where to do my student teaching at, I choose Norton because I could live with family, be back in the area, and knew the teacher who would be my mentor teacher. After graduation, decisions needed to be made on what to do and where to live. In making this decision, I knew I wanted to stay in this area because I really enjoy the rural lifestyle and want to raise a family here someday. I like the friendly people, the values they have, the culture and traditions.

Living in Phillipsburg and working at Phillips County Economic Development for over a month, I have enjoyed it very much. I was surprised at the progressive attitude the community and PCED have. I feel like community members and leaders have passion for this town and county which leads to constant improvements. I feel improvement is very important because if you are not improving you are probably dying. There are so many great projects going on that will help the community greatly. Some of these projects I have noticed are: Majestic Theatre Renovation, Wellness Center, Aqua Park, Discover Phillipsburg Main Street, Community Reinvestment Program and Discover Phillips County. Phillips County has great businesses and commerce. If Phillipsburg and Phillips County continue to have passion and being progressive, it will continue to be a big success.

-Andrea Lowry: Office Manager

Jon Schallert, the founder of Schallert Bootcamp, was fortunate to have got to know seven (7) individuals from Phillips County last year that attended his camp.  The knowledge and expertise shared during the bootcamp was quickly applied by the business owners from Phillips County upon their return.  The Discover Phillipsburg Main Street organization with financial assistance from Phillips County Economic Development (PCED) last year sent these seven individuals, including Michelle Jacobs (the community coordinator) for the Community Reinvestment group of Phillips County. 

The growth and impact by Schallert bootcamp on these businesses was so great, that the PCED made the committment to the Schallert Group to reserve a place each year for six businesses for the next three (3) years.  This was a $45,000 dollar committment for the Bootcamp by paying for business owners boot-camp reservation fees.  This type of committment was the first ever for Schallert across the entire nation.  It was because of this involvement with Phillips County, that Jon had a special article created to put in some national magazines. 

Payback to the community comes from the growth of these businesses (because of the application of the education learned at Schallert).  Every business is different in what it does and the impacts received.  One of the business owners stated it helped increase their revenue by at least 400%, another 100%, another was seeing 50% increases, where others forecasted future growth potential.  These impacts are all great, but vary depending on the business and its involvements in applying ideas it has learned. 

The biggest challenge most businesses see upon returning (if they are making large expansions or changes) is financial.  Phillips County, Kansas is very unique as the PCED has a local grant program, called the EBEP.  It is one of only about 4 counties in the State of Kansas which has a true grant program for entrepreneurs.  Along with the grant, if approved, they can apply for a low to no interest loan up to 60% of the cost of the project.  If they happen to fall into the Discover Phillips Main Street district in Phillipsburg, they could as for additional zero interest loan funds.  This pro-active atmosphere being created and fueled by businesses attending Schallert, is one of many reasons which lead Phillips County to be designated an Entrepreneurial Community (E-Community) by Network Kansas in 2010. 

Every business is unique, just like every person is, that runs a business.  The key to growing our communities is through visionary concepts created by our entrepreneurs.  Stepping out of the box (mindset) from our rural mainstreet (traditional marketing) into creating a place (business) that visitors and shoppers will travel more than 200 miles to purchase items because it is (a destination).  This concept may sound strange, but consider what you (everyone) does for a vacation.  They make a special trip to go somewhere unique.  

Phillips County has had it challenges, but as residents and businesses we have great potential.  Jon Schallert and many other visitors which shop here as a regional point, see this.  If we are to continue to stay strong and grow, we must be pro-active and postitive, and see ourselves (our county) as a regional point, just as many people across the state and nation see us already. 

Let’s Discover Phillips County’s potential!!!!

Posted by Jeff Hofaker

Although the PCED 5-member board is appointed by the county commissioners, these individuals are all community and business leaders.  Well, it is hard to believe, but the County Department of Economic Development in Phillips County, a.k.a. (PCED) has been established for more than five years now.   Passing through an invisible time benchmark of 5 years on October 24, 2010, PCED board and staff have been continuing their efforts toward making Phillips County a better place to live and to establish businesses.  This economic improvement and stability has been done on many fronts.  PCED has created (piloted) many local programs which exist in very FEW other places in Kansas, let alone the nation.  These programs include the EBEP, SRP, and GAP.  They have sponsored a new agreement with Jon Schallert for Destination Business Boot Camp training for interested local (Phillips County) business owners.  Registration for six (6) businesses per year for the next (4) years will be paid for via this agreement on a first-come-first-serve basis.  Jon Schallert stated this is the first time ever (nationally) that a county has committed in an agreement for more than one year.  With that being said, Jon stated,”He is continually impressed with the activity Phillips County businesses that attended his 2010 classes are conducting, leadership for entrepreneurship in the area and always tries to mention these Phillips County businesses as examples during his on-line discussions, seminars, and university.” 

Although PCED board and staff have worked behind the scenes in many respects, some of the most notable attributes in assisting the economy and businesses over the last five years have been put together in a short summary, which was recently shared during their 2010 open house.  As I stated to everyone at the open house, many thanks has to be given to our nameless, volunteer community leaders (commissioners, city councils, mayors, foundation representatives, business leaders, community organizers) and especially the citizens of Phillips County.  Development occurs because of teamwork, willingness to change, and good communication.  No system is perfect, but community’s knowing and wanting to make improvements for the future helps the entire process.  Thanks to all for your support and continued encouragement for a stronger Phillips County in the future.

  Posted by Jeff Hofaker – 12-29-2010

Today, more than ever before, it’s critical to get and keep customers! Most of the businesses in the United States generate the majority of their revenue by maintaining and cross-selling to their existing customers.   Having a website makes you an international company, so keep in mind you may have customers anywhere in the world. 

Studies show that a mere 5% increase in customer retention can result in minimum profit increases of 20% but could be as much as 80% for most businesses.  Using these increases in your projected cash flows, this should help everyone understand that customer retention is very important.

Here are the seven keys to customer retention and cross-selling.

    1. Know your customer’s world: What makes them unique? What are their specific needs? What causes them to take action, to buy?  What would keep them from buying?

    2. Deliver flawless results: To establish long-term customer relationships it is critical that you flawlessly deliver every benefit and value you promise. That is the key to a customer’s respect, trust and loyalty.

    3. Develop a proactive plan: Understanding your customer’s world and doing first-rate work are essential for creating a loyal clientele. In addition, you must develop a proactive, customer-specific plan that implements how you will retain and grow your customer base. Without a plan, you’ll drift from project to project, relying mostly on luck.

    4. Uncover “needs”: To retain customers, you must focus on driving customer satisfaction. Rather than just making a sale and then moving on to the next customer, savvy salespeople are turning themselves into “account managers” in addition to being salespeople.

    5. Manage expectations: You need to manage expectations. This means from both a positive (proactive communication) and negative perspective. Let me give you an example.  Customers with unrealistic expectations with regard to what they want and/or what you can deliver will never be satisfied. They’ll just waste your time and then ultimately take their business elsewhere.

    6. Keep your name in front of your customer: Maintain communications. Reach out to the customer four times a year at a minimum. Send them a note, call them, drop by, take them to lunch, etc.  Make sure you use technology (i.e., email, social media, etc.) to proactively manage your customer contact.

    7. Assume nothing: No matter how good you are, never assume you’ve got a loyal client.  Complacency never fosters loyalty.  A client’s trust and loyalty can be lost, if a salesperson gets over confident or lets performance slip . . . even on just one interaction.

 Remember:  “You don’t need to provide excellent customer service to all your customers . . . just the ones you want to keep!”                                     American author

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In the same manner, a new idea (tool) has been forming over the last year for Kansas.  It is new to Kansas, but you will be hearing a lot more about.  It is called, “Economic Gardening”!  Economic gardening embraces strategies that help grow existing “Second Stage” businesses.  Second stage businesses are commonly defined as having these traits:  1) five (5) or more to 100 employees, and 2) gross reciepts of $750,000 dollars to 50 million dollars.  Economic Gardening is an innovative entrepreneur-centered economic growth strategy that offers balance to the traditional economic practice of business recruitment, which often is referred to as “economic hunting”. 

Phillips County has seen the loss of employees from corporate layoffs and a closing of a major corporate business in 2009 which employed 208 people.   Most recently, an out-of-state business wanting to hire at-home employees asked Kansas Commerce to conduct a survey across 33 counties to investigate the availability of workforce.  There were four counties (including Phillips) out of 33 counties, which stood out with having a large amount of viable workforce, but for what the corporation needed immediately, the total amount still fell short of the desired application to hire (4 to 1) ratio of which most corporations diligently follow before making a move.  This shows a very important point toward development leaders in rural areas.   The focus of our time, energy and resources should be spent on start-ups and expansions of existing businesses.  This happens when the an entrepreneurial atmosphere is nurtured.  Just like a garden needs prepped, tended, watered, and fertilized; so does our businesses need this type of nurturing.  Historically, rural businesses feel it is the SMALL vs. LARGE businesses; but this growth method (tool) provides businesses the concept of SMALL into LARGE businesses.  When this happens the entire economy is lifted higher and increases in size. 

The economic gardening concept was pioneered by Chris Gibbons in 1989 in the city of Littleton, Colorado, a community that is the ensuing 15 years saw a 136 percent increase in new jobs.  Whileit was introduced as a demostration program to deal with the sudden erosion of economic conditions following the relocation of the largest employer in the city at that time, it has emerged as a prototype for a rapidly expanding movement to generate truly sustainable economic growth for communities, regions and states.

Network Kansas has formed a statewide economic development task force to assist with the development of a Kansas pilot economic gardening program for businesses in rural communities.  If you think you might be interested to be the first of forty (40) chosen to participate in this tool through Network Kansas, fill in the on-line application at the Network Kansas website.  If you want more face-to-face information before  applying or you want more of your questions answered, consider attending the Kansas Economic Gardening Entrepreneurship Forum on November 15, 2010 at Dodge City, Kansas.  The forum agenda has Chris Gibbons and Mark Lange (Edward Lowe Foundation) discussing the particulars on this subject.  Otherwise, you can call Steve Radley at Network Kansas or the PCED office directly.

Jeff Hofaker

10-6-2010