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Google’s Me on the Web

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (3)
Thursday, June 16th, 2011

As use of social media and the web continues to grow, it is becoming increasingly important to manage your online reputation, including monitoring what is being said about you on the web. Many people have used Google Alerts for this task. Google recently made it easier to set up these type of alerts with the introduction of their “Me on the Web“. It may take you longer to find how to access this new tool than it will to use it, so I thought I’d provide a quick walk through.

Start by going to your Google account -

https://www.google.com/accounts/ManageAccount

Once there, in the Personal Settings area (to the right of your photo), click on the View data stored with this account link

 

This will bring you to your dashboard. The second section down is the new “Me on the Web” section.

The left hand column shows you links from your Google profile. The right column contains links to information on how to control what third-party information is posted about you on the web. The top link (marked by the arrow) is a link to help quickly set up a Google alert that will notify you when someone posts your name or email address(es) on the web.

If you haven’t already set up Google Alerts for you name, I recommend checking out this new tool as an easy way to get started.

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Categories : Misc., Web/Tech

Information-based organizations rest on responsibility

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Monday, June 6th, 2011

“Traditional organizations rest on command authority. Information-based organizations rest on responsibility.”

That is my favorite line from today’s The Daily Drucker entry. Drucker goes on to explain that the information based system can only function if each individual accepts responsibility. Responsibility for what? For our relationships, our goals and priorities, and for our communications. It is this responsibility, not just the information, that makes fast decisions and quick responses possible.

In order to be successful, not only do owners need to communicate their vision and plan, but they must also provide mutual respect and hire/promote those who accept responsibility. As an owner, do you demonstrate that you accept responsibility? Or do you spend most of the day complaining about “those customers”, “those vendors”, or “those employees” who “just don’t get it”?

I know I can improve, so today I’m going to follow Drucker’s advice and accept responsibility for myself, my goals, my relationships, and my communications.

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Categories : Misc.
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Roger Ebert’s Ted Talk

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Monday, April 18th, 2011

Today’s post has nothing to do with marketing – I just found this recording of Roger Ebert’s Ted Talk to be a great story and wanted to share it.

When film critic Roger Ebert lost his lower jaw to cancer, he lost the ability to eat and speak. But he did not lose his voice. In a moving talk from TED2011, Ebert and his wife, Chaz, with friends Dean Ornish and John Hunter, come together to tell his remarkable story.

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Categories : Misc.

On Advertising Case Study Awards

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Sunday, April 10th, 2011

An amusing “case study” from the folks at john st about case study awards and metrics

If you can’t see the preview above you can view it on Youtube

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Categories : Marketing, Misc.

Creating a Goal Setting Contract

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (2)
Tuesday, January 11th, 2011

I know there is a lot of information about goal setting available already, but I recently sat through a goal setting session in my Sandler Sales President’s Club that was very helpful for me, so I thought I would share the main components of what we did.

We wrote our goal down in the form of a contract. Much has been written about the importance of writing your goals down and I’m a big believer in this. We gave ourselves a date specific deadline to achieve our goal. We also signed it, just like a contract, which helps (at least me) solidify the commitment.

We described the benefit achieving this goal would provide us. This is another way of visualizing the outcome. Visualizing is something I picked up during my competitive tennis days and I use it today to help prepare for presentations and meetings.

We selected accountability partners. Our contract language stated that we committed ourselves to communicating with our chosen accountability partner on our progress toward accomplishing our goal.

We had a consequence for not working on our goal. As part of our commitment, we agreed to donate $100 to the charity of our accountability partner’s choice if we failed to communicate with them about our progress. Notice, the consequence is not related to achieving the outcome, but is based on my behavior. I may not be able to control the outcome, but I can certainly control my behavior.

Go back and take a look at your marketing goals for 2011 – would adding any of the above elements help you achieve your goals? Have you visualized a clear picture of what your business (and life) will be like when you achieve those goals? Do you have an accountability partner? If you need an accountability partner, drop me a line or give me a call. If you are willing to commit, I’m willing to help.

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Categories : Marketing Strategy, Misc.
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Help Women Fight Poverty With Entrepreneurship

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Saturday, January 8th, 2011

[Hat tip to Tim Berry of Planning, Startups, Stories]

FITE officially launched around the world late last week. FITE stands for Financial Independence Through Entrepreneurship – I love that. Through FITE, you can  help women worldwide start or grow a business.

From the FITE website:

Our mission is to provide women entrepreneurs access to small loans that will help them start or grow a business; and to help educate the public at large about the benefits of empowering women entrepreneurs so that they “can hold up their half of the sky.” In just the first 2 years, we aim to help at least 25,000 women in this capacity.

In addition to pointing out a wonderful cause, this video is also a great example of how small businesses and organizations can use video to get their word out.

To learn more and get involved, visit the FITE website

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Categories : Misc., Small Business Marketing

Last Day To Apply for a Free Google Chrome Notebook

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Tuesday, December 21st, 2010

Today is the last day to get your application in for Google’s pilot program for their new Google Chrome Laptop. The program is open to individuals, businesses, schools, non-profits and developers based in the U.S.

The laptops will run the Chrome operating system. It is designed for people who “live on the web” and only runs web-based applications, so if you business runs primarily on Google Apps and other cloud based programs, these notebooks may be a good choice for you. You can apply here.

I’ve applied for a Chrome Notebook, so if I’m lucky enough to get one, I’ll post more reviews here.

If you get accepted into the pilot program, I’d love to hear about your experiences as well.

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Categories : Misc., Web/Tech

David McCandless’ The beauty of data visualization

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Monday, December 6th, 2010

David McCandless’ TED presentation about data visualization demonstrates some interesting examples of making data easier to understand by making it more visual.

As both marketers and professional service providers, we are bombarded with data every day. Did you see any ways you can make this data more meaningful to you and your customers in this video?

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Categories : Misc.

Extreme Payroll Contest–Win 1 Year Free Payroll Service

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

My friends at SurePayroll recently announced a fun contest they are calling "Extreme Payroll Stories,"  where you can win free payroll services for a year just by sharing your stories about processing payroll under extreme circumstances.

Entering the contest is easy – just go to the "Extreme Payroll Stories,"  website and submit your story. Then, encourage your family, friends, colleagues, customers, people on the street <g>, to visit the site and vote for your story. Get the most votes and you win! Second place wins free payroll service for three months.

Submissions are due by December 15, 2010, and voting ends on December 17, 2010.  Make sure to let me know if you submit a story by leaving a comment here.

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Categories : Misc.
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Happy Thanksgiving

By Bill Brelsford · Comments (0)
Wednesday, November 24th, 2010

Happy Thanksgiving and safe travels!

wild turkeys

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Categories : Misc.
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