Grow Your Business Network is an education-based marketing company that creates and produces on- and off-line third-party endorsement and content for Fortune 500 companies as a way to gain more meaningful connection and brand loyalty with their target audiences.

Founded in 1990 and based in historic Concord, Massachusetts, President and CEO Nancy Michaels has worked with companies such as Office Depot, WalMart/Sam’s Club, AT&T, UPS, Alcatel-Lucent, Constant Contact, Avis/Budget Rental Cars, among numerous other clients.

In addition, GYBN teaches small business owners how to land large corporations as clients and leverage their unique message out to millions of people via these corporate client relationships.

Grow Your Business Network is THE place to find all the latest and best ways to grow your business through marketing, publicity and low-cost initiatives.

Clients and prospects often ask how we’ve managed to land so many Fortune 500 companies as clients and created unique and first-of-its-kind educational programming that increases the lifetime value of our client’s customers and individual spend. It’s simple. It’s our job to make our clients look stellar in the eyes of their prospects and clients.

GYBN’s collective background in television production, publicity and on-line marketing in the retail and service industries brings a unique blending of ingredients to our client base.  We have an ability to position our clients as providing exceptional value in unexpected ways to their respective target markets that allow for unwavering loyalty and increase profits and sets them apart from their competition through these innovative marketing initiatives.

Each of our strengths have resulted in loyal marketing programs produced with cost efficiency and maximizing return on investment on behalf of our clients in mind. In fact, here is what only a sampling of our clients are saying about GYBN:
 
Click here to see video testimonials and CEO endorsements of Nancy Michaels
 
GYBN has always been well-known and respected for providing quality on-and off-line content, educational programming and endorsement programming to our prestigious client base. If you want to see what we're up to, be sure to connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook!

We recently posted a blog on The Business Skinny entitled Celebrate Weird Holidays (Even Ones You Never Knew About). In this blog post, we talked about getting noticed – at no cost to you – by honoring these fun, kooky holidays.

Speaking of celebrations, did you know that today is National Hug Your Plumber Day?

Yes, it's true.  And Duluth Trading Company in Mt. Horeb, Wisconsin, is saying thanks to all of the American Plumbing Heroes that do our dirty work and keep us really happy a flush at a time.

Duluth sells clothing – business and rugged – for both men and women, power tools and accessories for the average hard worker.  Duluth has provided step-by-step instructions on how best to hug your plumber here.

Why would Duluth want to dedicate their resources to this cause?

Well, it's the exposure, of course.  And their results proved it.  Let's take a look at why this was a brilliantly executed strategy for a smaller company:

1.  Duluth first won the hearts of the public and generated a ton of energy when they launched their contest to find America's Greatest Plumbing Hero.

They offered a grand prize of a $250 Duluth Trading Gift Certificate and Lifetime Supply of Longtail Ts.  The Longtail T, according to Duluth, is the cure for (ahem) a well known plumber "wardrobe issue."

2.  People from all of the United States wrote in to nominate their favorite plumber, which created extra buzz and web traffic.

3.  They used a funny, 30-second video to promote their content, Longtail Ts and overall brand. Watch it here.

4.  They made us laugh!  Anytime you can "crack" a joke it helps people remember you and increases your likelihood of going viral.

We salute you Duluth Trading Company, for building a superb campaign.

This is dedicated to all of the plumbers out there who are "flush" with great skills.

A lot of people think budgeting, numbers and accounting are boring – and oftentimes confusing – subject matters.  But that's only because they've been too afraid to try it or have the wrong idea about numbers. Numbers mean everything in your business.  Let's face it – at the end of the day, if you don't have dollar signs hitting your bank account, why are you in business? Numbers define whether or not you have a hobby or a business.  They represent your retirement, which can bring about a great deal of peace of mind. Numbers also let you know if you are on target for reaching your goals. I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but accounting and tracking can be fun and even plain addicting if you understand that numbers don't lie – they are your best friend! They always tell the truth about whether you are on track or not.

The Numbers Tell You Where Your Business Really Is.

Perhaps the first – and best – benefit of accounting is that it tells you, clearly and in number form, where your business stands. If your business is doing well, you'll know. If your business is failing, you'll know that as well. You can make EDUCATED adjustments along the way – not hunches and "I-hope-this-one-really-works-out-so-we-don't-go-under!" projections. Many business owners make the mistake of "not wanting to know" the facts, thinking that if they realized they were in the red, they'd have a heart attack or be forced to make a tough decision – maybe even closing those doors. But trust me, the nasty shock of finding out the truth is still easier to deal with than a business that fails unexpectedly in the end! And when you face the facts, there is still hope that you can grow your business, or salvage it if it's in trouble. Do you have accounting mindset stories to share?  Post your comments below!

Managing a business is hard work, because nothing ever stays the same for long. But change CAN be easier, especially if you spend the right amount of time building and expanding your business's network. Here's how smart networking can help you manage change much more easily in the future.

The Two Kinds of Change

First of all, there are two kinds of change that affect your business. The first one is change that just happens to you, outside of your control. The second one is change that you actually bring about yourself. Which of the two is easier to manage? Easy – it's the second kind of change, the one you bring about yourself. And in your business, change becomes more manageable when you're in control!

Proactive Networking

The two "types" listed above also apply to networking. Networking happens to you whether you choose it or not – family, friends and colleagues introduce you to new people and businesses all the time. If you're not used to networking, this by itself can be pretty stressful. So why not CHOOSE to expand your network? When you actually go out there and meet new people, you're basically bringing about the change yourself, instead of waiting (and dreading) for it to happen to you. It puts you in CONTROL.

Expanding Your Network

Expanding your network can be difficult, especially if you feel like interacting with other people isn't your strong suit. It's easiest when you start with your existing network — friends, family and colleagues — and expand slowly and steadily. Many of us are afraid of networking because of the sheer stress of it. But fear is simply a symptom of something else – ignorance. We naturally fear what we don't understand, after all! But that's why it's important to simply DO IT – the best way to learn about networking is to jump right in. Later on, as you build more and more relationships and generate more and more business, you'll realize that networking isn't so bad — or hard — after all.

I ran into my local Lowes last week to get a light fixture and two ceiling moldings for my home office and master bedroom. I hate to say that this is not a chore I love doing. I enter the store fraught with worry about whether or not I’ll get the right item, if there will be anyone on the floor to help me, how long will I have to wait for a knowledgable sales person to rear his or her head and be of service – you get the picture.

To make matters worse, I had three children waiting at home, two of whom had upcoming doctor’s appointments in my town – 18 miles away. Lo and behold, as I entered the designated “lighting” department, Errol – my soon-to-be hero, emerged. Errol looked to be in his late sixties and asked if he could assist me with the list of items I was holding in my hands.

“Absolutely,” I said, and proceeded to explain my list of wants/needs to him. In less than five minutes, Errol had assisted me in finding a two-light sconce to enlighten the descent into my finished basement/family room, and found two of the same ceiling moldings that we both agreed were better looking than the rest. As I thanked Errol profusely for helping me navigate the home super store, he told me it was his first day on the job. I said if things didn’t work out for him at Lowes, to give me a call and I’d hire him.

Conversely, I recently popped into my local bakery here in Concord, MA to buy the most delicious bread I’ve ever tasted – Olive Bread! Before me in line was a woman who was purchasing a sampling of pastries and desserts in clear containers. The array of delectable treats sat on the counter until it occurred to the 16-year-old girl who was waiting on this woman to ask her if she wanted a bag. Of course she did – how else could one woman manage 10 individually packaged treats from here to her car? The young girl began stacking them up so high in a plastic bag that the woman had to stop and request she give her a bag with a handle. Otherwise, the pastries would be sure to tip over and ruin the beautiful presentation that, no doubt, had something to do with the fee she was paying. The girl obliged with a ripped paper bag with a handle and, exasperated, the woman left the bakery.

Common sense is anything but common, I agree, but with age and experience comes wisdom. Fortunately, Lowes is a company that values maturity and in making the investment in people over the age of 60 – is making a sound business decision as well. I know the next time I need to pop into a home improvement super store, I’m going to look for Errol to help guide the way.

What's your customer service experiences based on age?  Please share your stories with us!

Though networking has changed throughout the years, there are still many similarities between networking yesterday and today. After all, networking is fundamentally based on building new relationships with the people you meet, and later leveraging those relationships to build your career or business. But here are some differences that you may not be aware of, and which you can use to boost your networking efforts.

The Internet

With the Internet, finding relevant contacts is much faster — and removes the need to meet the person face-to-face (at least in the beginning). Networking, as a result, has become faster and easier as well. It's also easier to keep track of your network with the tools the Internet offers. The Internet has also allowed individuals and businesses to network in a more focused manner. Back in the day, the best way to network was to join groups and events, which while random, was quite effective. But with the Internet, you can now build a network that isn't only broad, but also focused and responsive.

Sharing Is Now The Norm

The Internet has also introduced us to a side effect that's either welcome or unwelcome, depending on how you look at it — information overload. These days it's easy to find information, and the norm is to share your expertise with people who may need it, often for free. It may seem counter-intuitive to share so much of your information, but time has shown that it's a very effective networking — and marketing — activity. It would seem that the old proverb of "You get what you give" applies in today's networking scene.

The Fundamentals Of Networking Are Still Strong

No matter how technology and other developing trends may influence our networking habits, the fundamentals of networking still remain strong and in place. For instance, networking is still more effective when your primary intent is to build relationships with the people you meet, instead of trying to make a quick buck. It also pays to remember that you can't spend all your time networking! There's also the matter of actually sitting down and getting work done. And when it comes to building a career or a business, your network won't do it for you. It's still, for the most part, up to you.

One of the biggest reasons so many people hesitate to get into business — or why many existing businesses fail suddenly — is the business owner's fear of accounting. If that sounds familiar, this article is for you! We'll talk about how to keep track of your business finances — and have fun doing it, too!

Why Most Business Owners Fear Accounting

As the saying goes, "people fear what they don't understand." Naturally, when you don't know how accounting works and why it's so important to the survival of your business, you'll avoid it like the plague! That's why it's crucial to know how proper accounting can benefit your business, if only to dispel the misconceptions most of us have about it. The most obvious benefit keeping track of your business finances gives you is that in the end, you'll know where your business stands financially.

You'll know if it's sinking or swimming, and you'll know what's slowing down its growth. Accounting will clue you in on whether your business is charging too much or too little for its products and services, whether you're marketing too little or too much, or whether your target market is focused and sizable enough. And, yes, accounting will tell you what needs to be done. If you really want to be a money-maker in the future, you'll have to learn how accounting works. You'll have to know how money flows in and out of your business. And fortunately, it's easier than it sounds!

How To Get Into The Accounting Habit

If you REALLY hate numbers, you can avoid the problem by hiring a REALLY good accountant. Get someone who's helpful, available and communicative. And assemble a good financial team who keeps you updated on anything and everything involving your business finances. If you think you can handle it, it's a fact that it's always better to roll up your sleeves and get your hands dirty in accounting. The more you keep track of your business finances yourself, the more control you'll have over your business, and the better and more easily you'll steer it toward the goals you have for it. For many of us, simply keeping a balance sheet of assets, liabilities, and equity is enough to get us bitten by the accounting bug.

Why don't you start there?

What do you YOU do to better manage your accounting habits?  Share your thoughts here!

It's not like everyone that starts a business gets approved for some massive loan where you can hire a big time marketing agency (which I wouldn't recommend), a publicist, an amazing personal assistant, stellar staff and social media manager.



No, most businesses start just like mine did – on a dime.



On a hope and a dream and a "I really hope this works.  God I hope this works.  It's going to work. It's GOT it work!  Please let this work…."



Did you study business in college?  Because I didn't. 



I did, however, study marketing, which I think in the long run was a far better choice, although I didn't know it at the time.



Not that a masters in marketing meant I actually knew how to APPLY IT to the real grown up world of business.  But at least I had a clue.

The truth is I started my business 20 years ago charging $25 an hour to businesses that didn't have their own internal marketing department. 

I got tons of practice and then I moved on to



• Landing big corporate Fortune 500 clients

  
• Teaching small business owners HOW to market on a tiny budget

  
• Teaching small busines owners how to LAND big client
  

My friend and business coach Robin Samora said she sees people like me everyday – on a hope and prayer and a tiny budget.



And you want to know something?  Just because I've been successful doesn't mean I've changed!  I STILL market on a dime.  If it's not broke, don't fix it!



Robin will be interviewing me next Monday and I really want to invite you because it's going to be PACKED with goodies and strategies that you can implement right now – for free or low cost.

And this teleclass won't cost you a dime either!



Marketing on a Dime

10 Steps to Increase Your Visibility – On a Shoestring Budget








Tuesday, March 22nd


8:00pm EST



*All calls will be recorded, so free to sign up and listen in later.



http://letsmakeyoushine.com/freeteleclass/



If you have questions, please send them to monaica@growyourbusinessnetwork.com or post them to my Facebook Page!



I will be sure and try to include as many as possible.



http://letsmakeyoushine.com/freeteleclass/



See you on Monday!  Let's go!!!


Fortunately Yours,

Nancy


Nancy Michaels 
America's is America's Most Sought-After Fortune 500 Consultant and leading women's small biz expert.  She is the CEO/Founder of www.GrowYourBusinessNetwork.com 
and Co-Founder of The Business Skinny – how to grow your business on a shoestring budget! 
You can connect with Nancy on Twitter or on Facebook.

Tom and I were craving pizza last weekend while rushing to catch a movie, so we called ahead to the local pizza joint in Concord (as we know they take 25 minutes). We told them we'd love to enjoy our pie at the restaurant when we arrived. 

Before I could even place my order with the adorable, 16-year-old young woman who waited on me, I was put on hold twice.  Finally, I was able to place the order and we were on our way. Shortly thereafter, I received a call from the manager (or owner, I can't remember which), stating that we couldn't pre-order a pizza to eat when we arrived.  Being that it was a call-ahead order, they'd have to package it in a to-go box.  Does this defy logic to you?  It certainly did to me.  I simply replied, "ok, that's fine, we'll eat it out of the box at the restaurant."  Everyone was happy.

However, It occurred to us in a discussion later on that this was not a customer-centric approach to accommodating your clientele.  For a place that has to put you on hold twice just to take your order, does it make sense that the top dog would have the time to call you to tell you that they can't accommodate a simple request of eating your pizza when you arrive?  And going as far as telling you you'll have to eat it out of the box?  Don't these people know they operate out of Concord, MA?  Just ask Don Henley how green we are.  It seems to me this is an insane way to allocate resources of time and pizza boxes based on the principle that you can not call ahead to order your pizza.

Unfortunately, we also didn't make it in time for our movie, "True Grit."  And true grit was something we needed that night for sure!

Oh, the cat and mouse chase.  How do I get more leads?  How can I get more referrals?  Who can I talk to?!?

Everyone wants new customers.  If you don't have a steady flow of new customers or clients you won't have a business.  Because at the end of the day, if you're not making sales or providing services for a fee, you don't have a business – but you might have an expensive hobby!

There are ways, tips, tricks and tools – low-cost ones – that can help you bring in a steady flow of leads.  Over the next few months I am going to reveal how I've managed to maintain that steady flow of getting new clients and customers, as well as email subscribers to my newsletter for over 20 years.

To kick it off, I want to give the first 36 people who read this a first shot and 50% off at promoting your business and services to my email list of 33,000 small business owners. 

But – only to the first 36 who can PROVE they have a product or service worth promoting! 

We get emails WEEKLY from people who are begging us to promote them, and most of them we have to turn down.  Now is your chance to reach thirty-three thousand new potential clients or customers.  Announcing:

Project – Reach 33,000!

Not just any 33,000.  We are talking thirty-three thousand small business owners who are looking for ways to grow their business.

Imagine your message being sent through the virtual airways with my stamp of approval on it! Here are your ad options and my one big catch to this all –

GYBN Newsletter Advertising 50% (One time only) – $100 (normally $200)

With this option you will:
 

• Reach 33,000 targeted business owners

• BONUS: Get mentioned on my Facebook Page

• BONUS: Get Tweeted

GYBN Newsletter Advertising 50% (4 consecutive weeks) – $375 (normally $750)

With this option you will:
 

• Reach 33,000 targeted business owners FOUR TIMES for a total of 132,000 reaches!

• You will be following the Laws of Marketing – consecutive marketing is proven to greatly enhance your reach and help you to become memorable.
  

• BONUS: Get mentioned on my Facebook Page

• BONUS: Get Tweeted

• SUPER BONUS: Get blogged about on our popular business blog!
  

But – there is one catch.  You have to apply to be accepted.  We want to be sure that the products and services we promote are top notch and are helpful to growing your business.

If you are interested in getting your message out to 33,000 small business customers and would like to take advantage of my 50% off sale, please send an email to monaica@growyourbusinessnetwork.com with your interest including your name, company, website and your potential offer.  We WILL be providing best practice advertising tips to the first 36 people! 

See you later this week for more on how Google is changing everything…and how you better be playing close attention to your online marketing efforts!

Fortunately Yours,

Nancy

P.S. -  I am only extending the 50% for the first 36, so be sure and be one of them!  I will make an announcement when we are have filled all 36!