Archive for the ‘Q&A’ Category

I got the idea for this blog from a lady that I met at a networking event on Tuesday who makes and sells these adorable nappies. Thanks for the lovely email  Tasha.

You said you'd love some strategic alliance ideas for your nappy business.  So here we go with 20 ideas not just for baby products.

First have a think about distributors or channel partners..

Read the rest of this entry »

Today's Ask Brenda Question is one that I am asked really often so I thought it was time I put the answer into print.

What's the difference between a Strategic Alliance and a Joint Venture (sometimes referred to as a JV)?    It's a bit like asking what's the difference between a dog, a Pug and a Great Dane. 

Let me explain.

Read the rest of this entry »

I am asked at least once a week by someone or other.. "Which networking group should I join?"  or "What networking groups do you recommend?"  So I thought it was time to dig out an old article and answer the question in my Blog.

Successful networkers suggest that if networking is a key part of your marketing strategy then you should join at least three quality networking groups which are right for your networking goals. In addition you should attend at least one new networking opportunity every month. However one of the first problems facing new or growing businesses seeking Networking opportunities is “Where do I go?” or "Which group should I join?"

Read the rest of this entry »

This week's question came from Jessica and it's a VERY important question every business owner needs to know the answer to.

Jessica asks
"With a small business, I don't have time to constantly monitor twitter for what people are saying about my business. I. e. When someone twitters something negative about Vodaphone there is someone monitoring to counter the criticism all the time. I don't have these resources, so is there a risk in using twitter where being time poor means not having the time to address any negative comments and therefore no one to counter twitterers false or damaging comments (if they choose to make them)?"

 Unfortunately what many business owners don't realise is  that it doesn't matter whether you have a Twitter account or not, people can still make false or damaging comments about your business.  The good thing is that they can also rave about you, and they can ask their friends for recommendations that might be relevant to you.

The risk with not using Twitter is that you don't see the false or damaging comments, or the positive ones, or the ones that could bring you business. So you can't do anything about them.

And it takes less than 5 minutes a day to monitor what is being said on Twitter to see if people are talking about your business or about things that are important to your business.

 I ran a test through my demo account, which has no friends and no followers,  to show you what I mean. See what happened ...

Read the rest of this entry »

Julie is the owner of a small driving school. She writes: "We are currently struggling to stay in business. I have read with interest your posts about the benefits of forming strategic alliances, but no matter how hard i try, i can't think of who would be a suitable alliance partner for us, or how such an alliance could work to benefit both of us. Your thoughts and ideas would be very much appreciated."

Thanks for writing Julie. Here are a few ideas to help you get started.

You don't mention who your target market is however I am going to assume senior high school students and their parents in a particular geographic location.

Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Read the rest of this entry »

This week I have had dozens of “Ask Brenda” requests around social media: Blogging, Facebook, Linked In and Twitter.. (I guess that’s because I asked you for your questions and I have been blown away with the response).
I’m going to be answering those questions in a special series of blog posts over the next couple of weeks.
In the meantime please can I ask you a question instead.
How would you most like to get help with social media?
Here are some suggestions.  Please take the poll to tell me which idea you like best or feel free to suggest other ideas by placing your comments and suggestions in the reply box below.

Your feedback is very much appreciated.

Today’s Ask Brenda came as a result of a Q & A call I ran during the week. A lot of people on the call were interested in how to think of who could be potential alliance partners for their business.

So here are 7 questions to ask yourself that will quickly generate an endless list of potential alliance partners.

Read the rest of this entry »

Angela from Melbourne asks:
    
    "Is there a tool that I can use to direct message new follows on Twitter and follow them back?"
    Hi Angela,
    Absolutely! I use www.socialoomph.com It's FREE, really easy to use and allows you to:
    
    1. Send direct messages to new Twitter followers - you can even rotate the messages so that you are not sending the same message to every new follower.
    2. Follow back - however I generally recommend AGAINST this.
      
    Why?

Read the rest of this entry »

This week’s Ask Brenda was prompted by a suggestion in response to yesterday’s blog about the new LIFETIME Networking World/Strategic Alliance Success Club membership. Thanks Jenny for suggesting “a star system that people who have used their services can go in and rate and make comments. Then when you are thinking of referring someone you would know what other people thought of their services.” That would certainly be a great help in determining whether or not to refer someone. Kind of like the rating system on E-Bay. Definitely food for thought.

But how do you get ratings and consequently referrals if you are brand new in business?  Here are five ideas..

Read the rest of this entry »

I have a removalist business and wonder how I can use strategic alliances to get referrals for my business?

Les (Newcastle)

Hi Les,
Absolutely!

Your first step is to work out who are the other people who share your target market. There are the obvious ones like real estate agents, mortgage brokers and settlement agents. But don’t stop there.. make sure you dig deeper and think about ALL the other businesses that people who are about to move house or have just moved house might need.

Your second step is to work out things that you might be able to do together to support each other.  You asked about getting more referrals for your business.  Remember that strategic alliances are a two way street. It’s not just about you, what do your potential alliance partners want or need, how can you help them to grow their businesses as well.

And remember they may not need more leads, they might be looking for other things such as improved conversions, increased average dollar sale or perhaps finding a way to support a cause that they are passionate about.  You’ll never know until you ask. The main thing is to ask the question.. “How can we work TOGETHER to help each other?”

So here are some ideas to help you get started...

Read the rest of this entry »