Archive for the ‘General’ Category

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If you are a Tweeter, you can be a Heck of a Blogger

Posted May 23, 2013, by

Seems like many people are always hesitant of becoming a regular blogger on a website they are affiliated with because of that fundamental fear factor of running out of topics/content to blog about.

Fear no more!

I used to have the same fear – but that fear was totally eliminated when I finally realized I just need to tap into some of my Twitter tweets I might have posted within the past several months. What a great resource at your disposal, and it is ALL YOURS (copyright-free). Yes indeed, “repurposing content” is a wonderful way to go, because there is always room to expand on thoughts (that Twitter does not allow with their 140 character limitation).

The only requirement I suggest you maintain is to use the same “rule” for blogging that you should adhere to with your Twitter content – educate your readers with relevant content that they will benefit from. And I recommend to be aware of a few “Don’ts::

  • Don’t sell your products/services with your blog (regardless if the medium is Facebook, Twitter, blogs – this a great way to be un-friended/un-followed)
  • Don’t self-promote yourself with your blog (that’s flat-out “tacky”)
  • Don’t bore people with your blog (in other words, try to “info-tain” them with your verbiage – educate and entertain at the same time)
  • Don’t waste people’s time with your blog (make sure your content is relevant to your target audience)

So, for me personally, besides tweeting/blogging a lot about sports (as a longtime sports talk radio co-host), I also like to share my ideas from 30 years of experience as a professional communicator. Admittedly, there is typically a “sports-related analogy” I can’t resist with my tweets/blogs because I am so passionate about sports and I find it easy to get my point across. I share some motivational stuff … some common sense stuff …and some “stuff” just to get people thinking and reflecting.

For example, here are some tweets I made that are ideal, in my opinion, for expanding the topic into a relevant 400-500 word blog:

  • I have never talked to a successful person who picked up the phone with a “defeated” tone to their voice.
  • If you are feeling “hesitant” or unsure today, just do the “opposite” (like George Costanza of Seinfeld once did) – be confident and go make it happen.
  • You can have all the skills and experience in the world, but it is only “your network” that is going to take you where you want to go.
  • I disdain PR term “spin.” As a professional communicator, my priority is being transparent & deliver the message in a professional manner.
  • Business is no different than coaching college basketball – no shame in plucking an idea from an opposing team and running with it.
  • Tackle your workday today with an aggressive “take it to the rim” approach. Get things done every trip down the court.
  • Thought for the day: Remember to have way more fear of regret than fear of failure.
  • A good leader makes everybody following him feel 10 feet tall.
  • Every business conversation, every personal conversation – no matter how seemingly irrelevant or annoying – always brings me value.

Please take my advice, and tap those tweets of yours for the ultimate resource for blogging topics. And for that matter, if you ever run out of thoughts to tweet about, go out to your blogs to access a ready-made 140 character tweet. It’s a classic example of “one hand feeds the other.”

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Marketing Yourself: Interviewing 101

Posted May 2, 2013, by

‘Tis the season. It is getting warmer, school is coming to a close and summer will be here in one month. Students, college graduates in particular, will be going on interviews and starting down their career path. Working as an account executive, and prior to that, a property manager I have been in sales for the better part of a decade, meeting with a prospective client/resident is similar to being interviewed, you always want to place your best foot forward.  

Below are a few tips/life experiences I hope will help to prep and overcome those interview butterflies.

1)      Appearance:  An opinion will be formed of you before you even open your mouth to say “Hello I am…” The first thing I do before walking in to meet with a prospective client is check my teeth, pop a mint (preferably enroute to the meeting, no gum, no need to show off your chewing skills), check clothes and hair. Walk in with a confident smile no matter how hard your knees are knocking.

2)      Preparation/Presentation:  Knowledge is power: never a truer statement. Have you done your homework on the company? For all prospective clients there is research to be done prior to meeting.  In order to sell them a product I need to know how it will benefit them. In order to land the job, you need to know how you will benefit the company. Make sure you have all the necessary tools at your disposal, a note pad, pen and updated resume will be helpful, no cell phone, leave that in the car. The person in front of you deserves your undivided attention.

3)      Communication/Speech:  Be sure to annunciate all words, making sure to use yes and no in place of yeah or naw. I am not suggesting that you sound like a robot by any means, but you do want to be aware of your audience.  Practice with a friend and if you are able tape yourself, we are our own worst critic. You will be able to see if you are fidgeting or generally look uncomfortable. Proper speech and confident body language speak volumes, no pun intended.

4)      Follow up/Follow through:  There is a debate on whether you should send a thank you card, or a thank you email. I am more old fashion and prefer to send thank you cards to my prospective clients. I think it is great to receive items in the mail and I feel others have that same opinion. Although convenient and more utilized, a thank you email does not give you the same warm fuzziness as a card.

5)      Social media:  As a professional who wishes to be taken seriously that is the image I wish to project. Make sure your Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and LinkedIn accounts are all family appropriate.  Most employers are going to Google you to see what pops up and most likely it will be prior to your meeting, what image are they are going to see?

I hope these items are helpful and keep in mind a rejection isn’t finite, it just means not at this moment.  If a prospect tells me “no,” I follow up with them in a couple months.  Situations change and there may be an opportunity at a later date.

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Digitize your To-Dos

Posted April 25, 2013, by

As a follow-up to my last blog, I thought it would be appropriate to dive a little deeper into list-making and how it can jump-start your progress and keep current and future projects organized.

Earlier this month, I discovered a list management app called Trello.

With Trello, you create boards to organize lists, then create your lists within each board. In my case, I created a separate board for professional projects, personal projects and reminders.

Upon opening a board, you will see cards, one each for ‘to do,’ ‘doing’ and ‘done.’ As with any list, you add actions to these cards, things that you need to do, those that are in progress and those that are completed. When you’ve finished a task, Trello’s intuitive drag-and-drop interface allows you to simply drag an action from its current position onto the ‘done’ card.

Beyond standard list-making, Trello allows you to add itemized checklists to actions as well as attach images. You are also able to network with other members, add them to boards and send out reminders.

Developing lists are extremely helpful for those all-too-frequent times when it seems like there are a hundred things to do and not nearly enough time to accomplish them. A list helps to visualize tasks at hand as well as easily identifying tasks that have already been completed.

Trello has allowed for a more streamlined and portable method for managing to-dos.  What usually involved scraps of paper and rogue Post-It notes, is now collected and organized on my Trello page. Even more helpful, Trello is always at hand when you download their app for the iPhone, Android or Windows. Anywhere you can access Trello.com or the Trello app, you can access your lists.

Check out Trello and you’ve already conquered the first step in boosting productivity!

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Intern-al Affairs

Posted April 23, 2013, by

Internships can provide invaluable real-world experience to anyone looking for a head start on their career path.

Going into the first day of my internship at M3 Group, I wasn’t sure what to expect. My older brother gave me one piece of advice for the first day, “Don’t mess anything up,” he said. After four years of college and two years of graduate school, that is the advice he gives me. But he was right–for the first day all you can do is soak everything in and hope to not step on any toes.

That is how to survive the first day, but to get the most out of the rest of an internship; here are a few do’s and don’ts.

 

Do

Branch out
When you have time, ask around the office if someone needs your assistance. It can be nerve racking to talk to someone you do not often work with, but you never know who will assign you a task that can help you grow as a person or in your career. Branching out will also help you find out activities you do or do not like and introduce you to things you have never tried before.

Keep organized

A day in the office can be chaotic, especially if you don’t stay on top of things. Staying organized will help keep you focused and productive when you need it.

Network

Shake hands with as many people as possible while you have the opportunity. An internship is a chance to get your name out in the world and make positive impressions on possible future employers.

Dress the part

Like football legend Deion Sanders said, “Look good, feel good, play good.” The same goes for an internship. Always dress for the job you want and someday you’ll have it.

 

Don’t

Be afraid to make mistakes

An internship should be a learning experience, so treat it like one. There is no harm in answering a question wrong in class, so don’t take it too hard if you make a mistake. Focus on never making the same mistake twice.

Be forgotten

Flying under the radar will not land you many jobs in the future. Even if you may only be remembered for restoring a flaky printer to its former glory (like me), people in the office will have something to remember you by. Think about this, if you are forgotten soon after your internship, how can they hire you for a job?

Forget to ask questions

If you don’t ask your supervisor questions, they will not know what it is you want or need to learn. Asking more questions will always be better than asking none at all.

Give up

Often in an internship, you will be assigned menial tasks. But they aren’t pointless, these jobs need to get done and they make other people’s lives easier.

Follow these tips to avoid having an internship horror story.

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Happy 40th Mobile Phone

Posted April 18, 2013, by

Happy 40th Birthday to the now ubiquitous mobile phone. Actually, it’s a belated birthday by two weeks, April 3rd 1973. According to Lee Rainie and Barry Wellman in their book, “Networked: The New Social Operating System” Motorola engineer Martin Cooper wandered the streets of Manhattan calling a longtime rival from Bell Labs, John Engel. The phone weighed in at a whopping two pounds and it took a year for the battery to recharge.

Needless to say, we’ve come a long way in those forty years, a truly mobile society. The statistics from the Pew Internet and American Life Project underway by the Pew Research Center back that premise up. Here are just a few findings from their surveys:

  • 87% of American adults have a cell phone, along with 78% of American teenagers ages 12 to 17
  • 44% of adult cell owners have slept with their phone next to their bed
  • 67% find themselves checking their phone for messages, alerts, or calls even when they don’t notice it ringing or vibrating
  • 29% describe their cell phone as “something they can’t imagine living without”

Although, as ground breaking as those first phone calls were to Martin Cooper, little did he know that in today’s world, talking on the phone isn’t even the most used function. Photo taking, texting, accessing emails and searching the internet all rank above having a conversation on a mobile device. See there, most of the time we don’t refer to them as a “phone” but rather a “device”.

And these devices are changing how people conduct their business, here’s an example:

Last week here at M3 Group we had a conference room filled with some clients. One of the topics we had to cover was a new logo design we had created for their organization. After presenting the group with a handful of options it was narrowed down to one logo, but the client wanted a slight color change.  While the meeting continued on with the multiple topics, a text was sent to our graphic artist sitting one floor above us. Direction was given for the color change and the revised logo was presented to the client while the meeting was still in progress. That’s one of many examples of how the world is doing business today with mobile devices.

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What the Font App Review

Posted April 16, 2013, by

As a designer, I know that a font choice can make or break any project. It’s important to constantly be expanding your font knowledge, but with so many fonts available, it’s nearly impossible to know every font off the top of your head.

There have been many times where I have come across a font that I was unable to identify. However, since I have downloaded the free mobile app What the Font, I have not had that problem.

I recommend this app to any designer that has a smart phone.

Check out the video below to see how it works!

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Heeb! Wood Road

Posted April 11, 2013, by

Welcome to the north side of Lansing by way of a north to south journey down Wood Road. To the north, Wood Road starts at Round Lake Road and ends south at East Grand River Avenue. Nowadays, I have a beautiful home off of Round Lake Road and Grand River Ave. takes me west to downtown Lansing working for the best employer on the planet, M3 Group.

In 1974, my family moved from Mason, Mich. to the north side of Lansing, Mich. on Boichot Road near what was once the Erberhard supermarket (currently The Mega Mall). Our tri-county neighbors remember Boichot Concrete.

A new home meant attending a new school and it was huge (come on, to a little girl it was huge). Gunnisonville Elementary School (at present Gunnisonville Meadows) is west of Wood Road. Congratulations to the Gunnisonville Historical Community Preservation for voting on a Mission Statement.

A mission statement is to guide the actions of the company and articulate the purpose for which it exists. M3 Group knows the sky’s the limit in solidifying a mission statement and we can assist you with creating one for your business.

On the southeast corner of Wood and Clark Roads is the Gunnisonville Historical Site with its southern neighbor the Gunnisonville Cemetery. Heeb is a resident in this burial ground. He was truly loved by his family; he must have been, he has the most unique gravestone front and center to three family members. He is forever marked with a statue of himself. Heeb is a dog! Heeb rides down Wood Road, in my mine of course, everyday as I drive in to work. Here’s our daily drive.

Heeb and I pass the Woodside Golf Course on the west, a Gunnisonville childhood friend’s father started building his 9-hole golf course. Congratulations Hawk Hollow Golf Properties on their latest acquisition of this course. Three additional holes are currently under construction and slated to open Fall 2013. This will make Woodside one of only a handful of 12-hole courses in the country.

Then a cob’s throw to the east is the Reese Farms. Sweet corn, need I say more – hello summer grilling. Michigan loves its corn growers.

We slow down for the adorable farm house on the west selling fresh eggs, honey and maple syrup.

Over the hill to more hills, to the west is the beautifully landscaped entrance to Granger Meadows Park. Granger built and donated a 76-acre recreational facility in 2005 and is open year-round. Right beside the park is Granger, family-owned and operated since 1960s. I love the aesthetics of the boulders, pine trees and old fashion lampposts that scape the property. M3 Group assisted Granger in their rebrand and logo conversion. I love Granger and all they do for the community. Congratulations Granger on your rebrand.

Speaking of boulders, Schlegel Sand and Gravel, north of Granger, and positioned on the east side of Wood, recently reshaped the front of their ingress with a stunning rock wall. I saw the entire project to completion – nice work Schlegel. I see the most stunning sun rises over this property.

Without question, the mention of the Eyde development throughout Eastwood Towne Center. I cannot wait for their summer music series every Tuesday in the early evenings from June 18 to August 20.

Crank your bridezilla noggin back to the west and all brides drop their jaws, Fantastic Finds. Congratulations on their massive building expansion.

The fabulous Groesbeck Municipal Golf Course swanks its difficult 18-hole game. Designed by Jerry Matthews, with whom I had the pleasure of being his office manager for six years.

Living in the Lansing area for 40 years and proudly working in Lansing for 30 years, Lansing has provided me with a grateful, supportive and healthy mission statement of my own. When I need the guidance of decisions and activities, I simply say aloud “Heeb.” As I grow and live my life branded in Lansing so too has Wood Road. If just one country road can make a difference in one human life, and one dog life, I know Wood Road is branded in hundreds of live-long residents as well.

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2013 CAWLM 80s Flashback Fundraiser

Posted April 4, 2013, by

For the third straight year, M3 Group hosted the most radical party in town – the CAWLM 80s Flashback Fundraiser.

The proceeds from the event went toward a great cause in the Lansing Promise.

The event wouldn’t have been possible without our sponsors – thank you to each and every one of you!

And a big “thanks” again to Starfarm, who, as always, rocked it and kept the dance floor shaking all night.

Last but not least, thank you to each and every one of you who came out and helped make the night as wonderful as it was.

We can’t wait to see all of you rock stars again next year!

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Why We Love the 80s!

Posted March 13, 2013, by

When you look up from your desk and see boxes full of ring pops, a Michael Jackson cardboard cutout and a Breakfast Club poster, you know the CAWLM 80s Flashback Fundraiser is approaching.

This 80s themed fundraiser is the raddest party of the year and benefits a great cause – the Lansing Promise!

With just over a week until the big day (March 23), we here at the M3 Group and CAWLM office couldn’t be more excited. Check out what some of our co-workers had to say about the upcoming event:

Sean Stead: I’m excited to experience time travel. I was born in ‘88 so it will be my chance to take part in the wild times people had in that decade.

Kyle Dowling: I’m looking forward to the big table of candy and the room of retro games. It was the best last year.

Julia Kloeckner: I enjoy seeing folks dressed up in 80s appeal. Hard to believe we thought all that hot mess made us look so fine!

Kathy Anteau: I like the clothes.  They were very colorful.

Neele Churchill: Excited to see Starfarm and see how the whole party comes together!

Ami Iceman: My favorite part of the 80′s party is definitely all the cardboard cut outs of famous 80s stars! It just brings back the best of the 80s and cardboard or not they still totally rock it!

Emily Caswell: Seeing nearly 500 people dressed in their finest 80s gear is always my favorite part. The creativity always inspires me (and reminds me why we loved the 80s so much – that fashion! There’s nothing like it.)

Manny Garcia: Awesome atmosphere, great music and you get to dress up as a character from the 80s.  It is fun getting into character and it puts you in the mood to kick off your Sunday shoes and everybody dance footloose….VIVA LA KEVIN BACON!

Tom Crawford: This is my first year, but I figure I will like the 80s party because it celebrates vibrancy … good times … the 1980s was a pretty good decade of prosperity after a slow start …. and the music from that era was upbeat and dancing was BIG. The CAWLM 80s party reflects that vibrancy. Can’t wait.

Jake Paquin: It’s easy to have fun when you’re surrounded by a room full of (80s styled) people smiling, laughing and dancing the night away – and that is exactly the type of people that the 80s party gathers.

Jennifer Hodges: I love the CAWLM 80s party because I can hear all my favorite tunes from my high school years!

Kelly Mazurkiewicz: I LOVE the big hair, makeup and, of course, the music!!!

Peter Ruffing: Watching people have so much fun.

Mary McElgunn: Re-visiting iconic advertising from the 80s to find creative costumes — last year’s was the Wendy’s “Where’s the Beef” star Clara Peller. This year, look for another iconic 80s commercial character that tops last year’s grey wig…

So come and enjoy a night jamming to 80s music in a totally 80s atmosphere! Buy your tickets online (early bird pricing) or at the door (The University Club) on Saturday, March 23, 2013 at 7 pm.

See all of you rock-stars there!

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5 More Tips to Help Your Business Facebook Page

Posted February 19, 2013, by

I recently wrote a blog that shared five helpful tips on taking your company’s Facebook page to the next level. And I’m here again to share five more helpful tips to enhance your business’ profile page.

TAKE OFF “RECENT POST BY OTHERS” BOX

You can give your fans the option to write on your wall, while at the same time assuring that their comments won’t easily be visible to other fans.

This is a nice option to have if you aren’t closely monitoring your fan’s postings or if you don’t want others to view what has been posted to your page by other fans.

To remove the “Recent Post by Others” Box:
- On the top right of the page, click ‘Edit Page.’
- In the dropdown menu, select ‘Manage Permissions.’
- Uncheck the box that reads, ‘Show the box for Recent Post by Others on the top of COMPANY NAME.’

EDIT BOXES

The boxes beneath your cover photo aren’t set-in-stone. You have the option to rearrange and add boxes; as well as the ability to change the name and image associated with the box.

To edit boxes:
- Click on the down arrow to the right of the boxes.
- Mouse over the box you wish to edit and click the pencil icon.
- The dropdown menu will provide you with a list of editable options.

HIGHLIGHT A POST

You have the option to make a post stand out more by highlighting it, which stretches it across the entire width of your wall.

To highlight a post:
- Mouse over the post you wish to highlight.
- Click on the star icon.

SHARE ANOTHER FACEBOOK PAGE TO YOUR PAGE

You can share another company page for your fans to see on your profile. This would be beneficial to those who have pages related to their own.

To share another page:
- Navigate to the page you want to share.
- Click on the cog icon.
- In the dropdown menu, click ‘Share’.

FEATURED LIKES LIST

As a company page, you not only have the option to LIKE other pages, but you can highlight your likes for your fans to see. You have the option to choose up to five pages to feature on your profile page.

To create a featured likes list:
- On the top right of the page, click ‘Edit Page.’
- In the dropdown menu, select ‘Update Info.’
- On the left sidebar, click ‘Featured.’
- Click ‘Create Featured Likes.’
- Select up to five pages that you would like to feature on your profile page.
- Click ‘Save.’

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