billcoughlin

In this episode Neal Schaffer explains that marketing through social media may take a lot of effort, but that every business MUST take advantage of it. Social media is where customers are spending an increasing amount of their time, and no company can ignore that. Even better, socal media provides opportunities for business intelligence and lead development that never existed before. For an example, Neal shares tips on how LinkedIn can be an incredibly powerful marketing tool when properly utilized. Not all social media venues will work well for all companies, but a good marketing strategy, tailored to your business needs, will pay off handsomely.

You can check out more of Neal's social media marketing advice at: http://windmillnetworking.com/

NOTE: Check out the complete podcast directory of discussions with entrepreneurs. If you would like to be a guest on Entrepreneurs Northwest, to talk about your business venture, contact Michael Surkan.

In this episode Bobby Bakshi explains that unless your employees are fully engaged, and inspired, by the mission of your company that they will only be living up to a fraction of their real potential. It's the mark of a true business leader that they can find ways to have each team member play to their unique strengths, and strive to achieve excellence. Luckily, these management skills can be learned and there are lots of new tools that make it easier than ever to uncover the hidden talents of your staff.

You can check out Bobby's ideas for building inspired work teams here: http://resonantinsights.com/

Micheal Surkan Enterpeneurs North West

"Entrepreneurs of the Week" nominee Menno Koehoorn of Techmist & Rocky Mountain Landscape is master researcher a real solution provider to major industry problems.

He points out how Pride, Fear and Greed are the biggest problems in being a successful entrepreneur and that every failure is a step forward to the solution.

Menno has founded many industry solutions by leveraging the expertise of many and fabricating working models.

Opportunities abound as never before. Solving world problems are limited to current knowledges. He points out that when the world's knowledge doubles every 12-18 months then these solutions are just around the corner, one just has to do the research and connect the dots.

Successes have been large scale projects;tree disease prevention programs, interior greenhouse glass cleaning, and converting plastic waste into crude oil and green solutions to sterilizing large  environments such as poultry, dairy, granaries.

Menno's companies are soon to scale solutions world wide.  Listen to his inspiring interview.

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Entrepreneur of the Week interview Mann Farms (berries) A happy Groupon experience

The Maan Farm is owned and operated by Divinder Maan and her husband. They are leading the way in marketing their 30 acres berry farm in Abbotsford, BC.

They have been nominated  "Entrepreneurs of the Week"  because of their Groupon promotion, Facebook functions, active website and twitter to market their critter corral petting zoo, their home made berry pies, and their blueberry and raspberry u-pick events. The Maan's have been very innovative in adding more value a traditional berry farm and it has worked for them. They have also been voted the #1 Berry and U-Pick farm in Abbotsford for two years.

Their Groupon experience was a raging success for the Maan's  and they plan to do it again next year. In summary: They advertised 50% off on their $8 critter corral petting zoo entrance fee. A total of 315 Groupon tickets were purchased. The Devinder felt that near 90% of the people that purchased these tickets actually came to their farm. She felt that most all these people represented new customer introductions. Most of the customers were from the big city with only a small portion from the local area.

There are many things the Maan's will improve on next time, namely more client retention.. Of the possible 290 customers that came they did not end up with any method to remind them to come back next year.  Devinder does feel that 50% could come back next year and that they did promote the u-pick events where families can pick their own healthy blueberries or raspberries.

Based on this years successes the Maan's will take their marketing to yet a higher level next year with encouraging customers to stay in touch and to become more aware of their healthy berry pies, making berry picking  a  a "family event" and of course encouraging bringing the kids or grand kids to enjoy the petting zoo.

They are planning to open a 3,000 sqft building to help sell fresh berry pies. Listen to the podcast that demonstrates the Maan's entrepreneurial leadership and look forward to their next season and their next nomination for "Entrepreneur of the Week"

Congratulations of your successes! Bill Coughlin

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Neil MacLennan Andmac Consulting Interview New directions for SEO: Back links with Social Networking, Blogs, Forums, White Hat criteria

A discussion on the decimation of the SEO old school postings with Googles latest algorithm changes and Neil recommendations on "SEO strategies and the value of backlinking"

He explains new solutions on how to develop a new social networking marketing focus by  joining forums, participating in blogs with helpful tips on building relationships. By being more involved then you earn the right to do business with them. Bottom line; Neil recommends that you need to get out in the community and participate and build a name that supports community.

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