Social Media Revolution 2: A Fascinating Video!

Please watch the following video if you have yet to embrace social media, if you still think social media is a fad or if you currently utilize social media, but want to take your efforts to the next level…

Winners or Losers: Choices Are Made Everyday

The Winner is always part of the answer; The Loser is always part of the problem.

The Winner always has a program; The Loser always has an excuse.

The Winner says, “Let me do it for you”; The Loser says, “That is not my job.”

The Winner sees an answer for every problem; The Loser sees a problem for every answer.

The Winner says,” It may be difficult but it is possible”; The Loser says,” It may be possible but it is too difficult.”

When a Winner makes a mistake, they say,” I was wrong”; When a Loser makes a mistake, they say,” It wasn’t my fault.”

A Winner makes commitments; A Loser makes promises.

Winners have dreams; Losers have schemes.

Winners say,” I must do something”; Losers say, “Something must be done.”

Winners are a part of the team; Losers are apart from the team.

Winners see the gain; Losers see the pain.

Winners see possibilities; Losers see problems.

Winners believe in win/win; Losers believe for them to win someone has to lose.

Winners see the potential; Losers see the past.

Winners are like a thermostat; Losers are like thermometers.

Winners choose what they say; Losers say what they choose.

Winners use hard arguments, but soft words; Losers use soft arguments, but hard words.

Winners stand firm on values, but compromise on petty things; Losers stand firm on petty things, but compromise on values.

Winners follow the philosophy of empathy: “Don’t do to others what you would not want them to do to you”; Losers follow the philosophy, “Do it to others before they do it to you.”

Winners make it happen; Losers let it happen.

~ Author Unknown.

Originally posted on franchisEssentials August 2009

Franchise Candidates: A Changed Mindset

This article was originally posted on August 13, 2009 as Franchise Candidates: A Changing Mindset. Well, I guess we can revise the title slightly to reflect candidates’ current views – A Changed Mindset. Nevertheless, the article may be even more relevant today as franchising attempts to rebound from the economic downturn and continues to explore more viable lead generation strategies that will attract today’s franchise candidate. Many continue to explore social media and have realized its position as an integral and effective component of these strategies… of course, when utilized according to a plan.

A look at today’s franchise candidates will reveal they are more sophisticated, better educated, and more technologically advanced than ever before. In addition, and even more so because of the economic downturn, they are extremely cautious.

Today’s candidates are spending more time researching opportunities, and doing so at a much slower pace. In order to be diligent in the process, more time is spent online pouring through page after page of information, constantly bookmarking, and moving back and forth from new information to saved information. They’re comparing notes with other franchise candidates on social networking sites. As well, they’re gaining invaluable insight monitoring online discussion groups and forums.

Ultimately, today’s franchise candidate desires, needs, to be certain the franchise opportunity is as close to perfect for his or her situation, as humanly possible. In the past, and especially after previous recessions, franchise candidates took their capital gains and invested in a franchise opportunity. Many times leaving the principal investment untouched. There was a sense of throwing caution to the wind because they were investing profits. Many times ungodly profits, at least by today’s standards. Does anyone remember when money markets kicked out 17% profit margins?

Unfortunately, many individuals looking at franchise opportunities today are looking at things differently. They have to. Many are transitioning corporate executives staring at the back end of illustrious careers trying to squeak out just ten more years before retirement. Facing the challenge of younger talent, new technology, and a rapidly changing business environment, many opt to “buy” a job and explore franchising and small business ownership.

What Changed?

Here’s the difference between today’s recession, and of those in the past. As huge fortunes have been lost, and large gains have not been realized in current financial markets, today’s candidates are forced to invest all or part of their remaining nest egg in order to enter the world of business ownership. Of course, everyone knows and fully understand the risks involved in owning a business. But in yesterday’s business environment, many franchisees and business owners were “gambling” with profits.

Certainly, no one wanted to lose money in a business venture. But, many had fallback positions with funds still in retirement accounts and of course, if they had to, employment. For many of today’s candidates, failure is not an option because fallback opportunities are fast becoming non-existent. Actually, I believe many of today’s candidates might not have even considered franchise or small business ownership in the past.

So, as many individuals explore their options, they will focus more and more of their efforts online. Franchisors must embrace this fact, and dedicate more resources to the internet and look to social media to complement, not replace, their traditional franchise marketing strategies. By doing so, they’ll realize multiple benefits for their entire system including:

- Creating or further developing brand awareness with franchise candidates and consumers alike
- Generating franchise leads that are genuinely interested in exploring what franchising and small business ownership has to offer, and how a particular concept may be the vehicle to achieve their goals and objectives
- Establishing an interactive environment of communications and information sharing that will become the backbone of future franchise relationships throughout franchise systems

Last, it used to be that many franchise candidates viewed franchising and small business ownership as a way of achieving their wishes, hopes and dreams, regardless of what they may have been. Today, it’s more about goals and objectives, and necessities. We, as an industry need to fully realize this, and understand the mindset of today’s franchise candidate.

Rules of Engagement within the Social Web

Recently, I posted, With Social Media Comes Great Responsibility, which included text from Brian Solis‘ new book, Engage! Solis talks about establishing guidelines before jumping blindly into social media. In essence, a plan of action must be developed before taking the plunge.

Today, I will take establishing guidelines a step further, and refer to Solis’ Rules of Engagement. In the We Are Champions section of Engage!, Brian lists 23 suggested rules of engagement that when defined, and in conjunction with establishing policies and procedures, will “help shape proactive and reactive dialogues to benefit the business, brand, customer, peers, and prospects.” But, so as not to cause any confusion, he does puts a fine point on this in stating that these rules are “not the same as implementing and managing rules of conduct.”

Rules of Engagement
from Engage! by Brian Solis
Chapter 17 – Pgs 201-202

1. Unveil the communities of influence and discover their choices, challenges, impressions, and wants.

2. Participate where your presence is advantageous and mandatory; don’t just participate everywhere and anywhere.

3. Consistently create, contribute to, and reinforce service and value.

4. Concentrate participation where it will offer the greatest rewards for both sides.

5. Assess pain points, frustrations, and also expressions of contentment to establish emotional connections.

6. Determine the brand identity, character, and personality you wish to portray – and match to the individual persona who’s in front of it when online.

7. Adapt predefined personalities with the voice of the community in which you engage.

8. Observe the behavioral cultures within each network and adjust your outreach accordingly.

9. Become a true participant in each community you wish to galvanize.

10. Don’t speak at audiences through messages.

11. Dig deeper to connect what transpires in the Social Web to your business objectives.

12. Learn from each engagement.

13. Ensure that any external activities are supported by a comprehensive infrastructure to address situations and adapt to market conditions and demands.

14. Establish a point of contact who is ultimately responsible for identifying, trafficking, or responding to all things that can affect brand perception.

15. Act, don’t just listen and placate – do something.

16. Earn connections through collaboration.

17. Empower advocacy.

18. Embody the attributes you wish to portray and instill.

19. Don’t get lost in conversation or translation; ensure your involvement strategically maps to objectives specifically created for the Social web.

20. Establish and nurture beneficial relationships online and in the real world as long as public perception and action is important to your business.

21. “Un-” campaign programs and ensure they’re part of a day-to-day cause.

22. “Unmarket” by offering solutions and becoming a resource to your communities.

23. Give back, reciprocate, acknowledge, add value, and contribute where it makes sense.

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Is The Internet Super Highway Destined to Become a Toll Road?

Could the the flow of traffic on the internet frequently slow down or come to a stop like traffic on I-95 during rush hour? Will the internet continue to be a free digital highway or will it turn into a turnpike of sorts, complete with tolls and speed limits? What’s next, internet troopers giving out speeding tickets? To learn more I suggest you read the following article and keep an eye on the mighty Federal Trade Commission Board, consisting of only five people, that is the ultimate decision-maker. However, I cringe at the thought that just three decision-makers (majority vote) can control the future of internet traffic. God, I hope they value the internet as much as I do…

FCC at Crossroads of Internet’s Future
By David Hendricks, San Antonio Express-News

When a federal appeals court in Washington ruled last month that the Federal Communications Commission lacked the authority to regulate Internet networks, many operators thought at first it was great news.

The networks could continue to grow in size, flexibility and applications as fast as they had the past 15 years or so without government interference.

Then the networks realized the court ruling could backfire. The FCC has the option to reclassify Internet networks. The agency could declare the networks a public utility and then regulate them with rules similar to landline telephone services.

All it would take is a majority decision of the five-member FCC board.

If you care about the future of Internet speeds and accessibility, then you should watch what the FCC does next.

The FCC wants to stick to a good, but ultimately harmful, goal called net neutrality. Net neutrality calls for equal access to all websites, which restricts network operators, such as AT&T Inc. and cable companies, from favoring some website traffic over others with better access.

Large-traffic websites such as Google, eBay and YouTube favor net neutrality. They pay the same low rate for Internet network access as the smallest users.

The FCC tried to stick to the net neutrality concept with a hands-off approach. The agency two years ago, however, slapped sanctions on Comcast after the cable giant slowed traffic to BitTorrent, a file-sharing site that used a vast amount of broadband capacity at the expense of other Internet users.

The federal appeals court said March 6 the FCC never gave itself the authority to issue sanctions.

Now the network operators fear the FCC will give itself the authority. They have a solid concern.

READ MORE HERE

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