Hello Dear Friends
Today I was at the Hirsch Networking Breakfast and my good friend Warren put up this video which he described as the most motivational video he had seen. I have to agree. I'm going to just put it up here
and let you watch it. Some inspiring stuff.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Speaker - Social Media Consultant - Business Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com
call or email to book Fred for one of his Social Media Talks Countrywide.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
10 Tips To Get You Started With Google Plus
Welcome Readers
In this article we shall have a look at the new social networking tool Google Plus.
Many of my clients are asking me about it and what is it and how do you use it.
So here are 10 Tips to help you get started with Google Plus.
1. Keep it simple
When you start using it keep what you post simple. Start to see what people are posting and start using that
+1 button to like people's status updates or pics or videos.
2. You can adjust your home screen
On your home screen you can adjust the news stream you get so you can either see everyones stream or just your friends or just your family or just your workers. So you can use it for what you want. If you just want it to chat to family then adjust, if you want it as a business tool adjust, the choice is yours.
3. Those Circles
Now I get plenty of clients asking me about those Circles, what are they? Are they crop circles? What is going on. Here is a simple definition for you. With the Circles Google has allowed you to move people you add into various circles. Those being Friends, Family, Acquaintances, Following. However here is a nice option you can also add your own circles. So some you could add if you are a businessperson or salesperson you could add a circle for leads. You could add a circle for inspirational people, the list is endless.
What kind of circle could you create for yourself? Think it through and add it. Play around with it.
4. Status Updates
Google has a somewhat different status update section to Twitter or Facebook. On the Google one you have a stream, you can update with text, photo's, videos, links, locations and you can also direct those updates or streams to everyone or just to friends or to a select circle. The choice is yours. Do you see the opportunity for a project management here, think tank work amongst work colleagues, friends etc etc.
5. That Google Plus Toolbar
For those of you who use Gmail you will find that your name with a + appears on the top left and as you open emails or surf Google sites or within Gmail you can also share status updates. So maybe you see something in an email or see something in a group or get a brainstorm you can share it immediately and target it at who you want to share it with.
6. On The Right
On the right at the top you will see notifications in red which signify you have notices or messages and it will have a number the more numbers the more messages. You will also see a little cogwheel and from there you can send feedback and look at your history.
Google will also show you suggestions of people to add once again it is up to you who you want to add.
Hangouts are little fun things where you can start a hangout with your live webcam think of it as a meeting of your friends or business colleagues online. No need to meet anymore. Depends how valuable your time is. Would you rather go out and see people or just start a hangout online.
There is also a mobile version for Google + and you can also invite more people.
7. Sparks
Sparks lets you search for things that might interest you on the net, the idea being you can save them or share them with friends, work colleagues etc.
8. Play around with your Profile
What are you going to use Google + for? Think it through and then adjust your profile. What does your profile pic say about you? What does your about page say about you?
Here you can show any email or websites you want to share and any other contact info you care to share.
9. Your +1 History
In your profile section you will also see a section that says +1. Every time you share something with
that +1 button it will reflect here. It's always great to look at it now and again and see what you are sharing.
Relevant info that you share is always appreciated.
10. A valuable networking tool
Google + is a valuable networking tool for friends, business people and families. The choice is yours.
As with all social networking tools, it's a tool, it's up to you how you want to use it and what you want to use it for.
Enjoy it.
If you want an invite to Google Plus let me know.
What do you think of Google Plus? Like it? Hate it? Love to hear your comments.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Social Media Consultant - Biz Analyst - Keynote Speaker
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for a talk or seminar countrywide
In this article we shall have a look at the new social networking tool Google Plus.
Many of my clients are asking me about it and what is it and how do you use it.
So here are 10 Tips to help you get started with Google Plus.
1. Keep it simple
When you start using it keep what you post simple. Start to see what people are posting and start using that
+1 button to like people's status updates or pics or videos.
2. You can adjust your home screen
On your home screen you can adjust the news stream you get so you can either see everyones stream or just your friends or just your family or just your workers. So you can use it for what you want. If you just want it to chat to family then adjust, if you want it as a business tool adjust, the choice is yours.
3. Those Circles
Now I get plenty of clients asking me about those Circles, what are they? Are they crop circles? What is going on. Here is a simple definition for you. With the Circles Google has allowed you to move people you add into various circles. Those being Friends, Family, Acquaintances, Following. However here is a nice option you can also add your own circles. So some you could add if you are a businessperson or salesperson you could add a circle for leads. You could add a circle for inspirational people, the list is endless.
What kind of circle could you create for yourself? Think it through and add it. Play around with it.
4. Status Updates
Google has a somewhat different status update section to Twitter or Facebook. On the Google one you have a stream, you can update with text, photo's, videos, links, locations and you can also direct those updates or streams to everyone or just to friends or to a select circle. The choice is yours. Do you see the opportunity for a project management here, think tank work amongst work colleagues, friends etc etc.
5. That Google Plus Toolbar
For those of you who use Gmail you will find that your name with a + appears on the top left and as you open emails or surf Google sites or within Gmail you can also share status updates. So maybe you see something in an email or see something in a group or get a brainstorm you can share it immediately and target it at who you want to share it with.
6. On The Right
On the right at the top you will see notifications in red which signify you have notices or messages and it will have a number the more numbers the more messages. You will also see a little cogwheel and from there you can send feedback and look at your history.
Google will also show you suggestions of people to add once again it is up to you who you want to add.
Hangouts are little fun things where you can start a hangout with your live webcam think of it as a meeting of your friends or business colleagues online. No need to meet anymore. Depends how valuable your time is. Would you rather go out and see people or just start a hangout online.
There is also a mobile version for Google + and you can also invite more people.
7. Sparks
Sparks lets you search for things that might interest you on the net, the idea being you can save them or share them with friends, work colleagues etc.
8. Play around with your Profile
What are you going to use Google + for? Think it through and then adjust your profile. What does your profile pic say about you? What does your about page say about you?
Here you can show any email or websites you want to share and any other contact info you care to share.
9. Your +1 History
In your profile section you will also see a section that says +1. Every time you share something with
that +1 button it will reflect here. It's always great to look at it now and again and see what you are sharing.
Relevant info that you share is always appreciated.
10. A valuable networking tool
Google + is a valuable networking tool for friends, business people and families. The choice is yours.
As with all social networking tools, it's a tool, it's up to you how you want to use it and what you want to use it for.
Enjoy it.
If you want an invite to Google Plus let me know.
What do you think of Google Plus? Like it? Hate it? Love to hear your comments.
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Social Media Consultant - Biz Analyst - Keynote Speaker
email: falconscove@gmail.com
email to book Fred for a talk or seminar countrywide
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Interview with Durban Entrepreneur Fiona Wainwright Publisher of Coffee News Bluff & Surrounds
Greetings Bloggers & Readers
3. Tell us about Coffee News?
6. What happens in the day in the life of a publisher of Coffee News
Today we are starting a new section where we will be interviewing famous Business Personalities
from all over. Look out for some more in the next few months.
For our first one we will be interviewing Fiona Wainwright.
She is a Entrepreneur and Publisher of the Coffee News Bluff & Surrounds Publication.
We asked her 10 questions, let's see what she has to say.
1. Where were you born?
I was born in Sunnyside, Pretoria and lived there for almost 8yrs before moving to sunny Durban and have been here ever since.
2. What encouraged you to become an entrepreneur?
I was looking for a business that I would be good at, could work from home, set my own hours and still be able to go out and meet new people. Networking is a big part of a successful business and working for myself allows me the freedom to do a lot of networking and enable me to grow my business successfully.
3. Tell us about Coffee News?
Wow...... Coffee News has an amazing concept. It is a free, weekly paper and is a franchise which started in Canada in 1988. It very quickly spread to all over the world with it being published in 50 countries and in 7 different languages. We distribute from restaurants, coffee shops, take aways and waiting areas of businesses. It is the worlds largest restaurant publication.
It is printed on an A3 creamy yellow paper, is printed double sided in black only. Coffee News is entertaining, with amazing facts, interesting trivia, comical stories, horoscopes, competitions and a special "What's Happening" column for local events..... something for everyone.
We also advertise solely one business per business category which means that competitors are locked out.
4. Your advice to other entrepreneurs and salespeople in the world
It takes a lot of hard work to start your own business. The trick is to persevere and stick with it, market yourself properly and widely. Do not give up because at the end of the day you will reap the benefits of your hard work and make it all worthwhile.
5. What do you do for fun and to relax?
It's quite simple actually. To relax I love going to the beach and watching the sea. I like taking time out to go for a weekend away to a beach resort or somewhere close to the sea. The sea is so mesmerizing and washes all ones troubles away.
For fun, I love to dance. It helps to motivate the body and mind to carry on and it's good exercise to.
Each day is different but in a week, I go from putting an edition together, to meeting with prospective advertisers, to networking and compiling adverts, which plays a huge role in a successful Coffee News, as they have to be structured correctly for each business. Delivering Coffee News to all the distribution outlets is a big part of the week too. It is great to catch up with all the restaurant and coffee shop owners. It is very important to have a good relationship with them. You never know when they will through some business your way.
7. Are you a member of any networking groups? If so which one's?
Yes, I belong to two different networking groups. On a Tuesday I meet up with the members of our BNI Chapter (Business Networking International) for a breakfast networking meeting. BNI is an international networking business which helps people grow their businesses through referrals.
I belong to another networking group which is called BBA ( Bluff Business Alliance). There we also network and pass referrals. We are also aimed at improving the Bluff, making our status known and helping out the charities on the Bluff. At the same time we help each other grow their businesses. With both groups, it is like having breakfast with your friends at the same time as giving each other business or referrals.
8. What makes a good advert?
A good advert is one that stands out and attracts the readers attention. We do that by using eye catching graphics, a good catch phrase, a solution to their needs and if possible we offer a discount too.
9. Do you also design adverts and business cards and if so what does that entail?
Yes, I design the adverts myself. This is where my creative side comes into effect. I just love being creative and in today's age of technology, it seems this is the way to do it. It is the same for the business cards that I design as well. It just gets the creative juices flowing. The business cards are a side line that I provide which includes designing the business cards and having them printed all at one cost. Of course, I put together a few drafts of both adverts and the business cards for the client to choose from and once I get the go ahead then I can proceed to complete the job. It is all very exciting and rewarding.
10. A little birdie told me you also do photography tell us about your love for photography, what pictures do you take?
Hahaha...... I wonder who told you that? Yes, I love photography. It is absolutely exhilarating to see what you can capture in a single photo. I have loved photography since my school days but never followed dream as the equipment at that time was too expensive and you needed your own to take courses in photography. I have since been able to set myself up with a very good SLR digital camera.
My favorite topics to photograph are wildlife and still photographs. I love the concepts you can come up with and the amazing colours one can achieve too. I also enjoy photographing people as there are so many different expressions one can pick up and also so many different angles one can capture too.
Well that was a very interesting interview Readers. What an inspiring lady.
Well if you need any advertising or business cards you sure know who to call.
Coffee News is also on Facebook so why not visit their Fan Page and Like It
Just click on the link here - Coffee News Bluff & Surrounds
Fly high, Fly free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Keynote Speaker - IT Consultant - Biz Analyst
email: falconscove@gmail.com
cell: 076-977-5788
twitter: @fredfelton
email him for one of his Social Networking Seminars or Talks which he does countrywide
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
5 Things To Do At A Networking Event
Good evening Bloggers and Readers from a chilly Umhlanga. At the start of this month
I thought I would give you some networking tips. I hope you will use them well.
1. Know what you want to do before you get there
That may sound quite odd but basically what I am saying is before you go to the event you want to
have 3 or 4 people that you want to meet at that meeting. People that might be able to benefit from your
business. So at the meeting make sure you meet those 3 or 4 people you wanted to meet. Don't be the person who just goes to the meeting for the coffee and donuts.
2. Have your business cards at the ready
I have said it before and I will say it again. Make sure you have your business cards before you head out.
Get yourself a nice business card holder so when people ask for your card it looks neat and professional.
Always ask for the other persons business card and right down some notes on their business cards. Right down who they are, where they live, notes you have learnt about them. How they can help you.
3. Make sure you go to the right meetings
Over time you will discover which meetings are working for you and which meetings are not. No point going to a meeting where you are getting no leads. Avoid meetings that you do not enjoy. Your aim is to find a networking meeting or group where you have fun and where you enjoy the people who are there. Also look for one's where they have good speakers. The best networking meetings are one's where you get referrals. Make sure you return the favour with those in the network.
4. Start going to conferences
Now some people are intimidated by conferences. Some people feel there are too many people there. However you will be amazed at the people you meet there. So choose one that you feel might interest you and head off to it. Start speaking to people, say hello, ask them why they are there.
You will be amazed how this pays off.
5. Thank the host
One of the mistakes you sometimes make is after the meeting to just speed off to your next business meeting.
Wait. Are you not forgetting something? That's right. The host. Make sure when the meeting starts you greet them and when the meeting ends you thank them for the meeting. Send them an email afterwards as well and start to build a relationship with them.
Hope those networking tips help you out when you head off to your next networking meeting.
Fly high, Fly Free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Keynote Speaker - IT Consultant - Biz Analyst
Book Fred for one of his Social Media Talks or Workshops Countrywide
I thought I would give you some networking tips. I hope you will use them well.
1. Know what you want to do before you get there
That may sound quite odd but basically what I am saying is before you go to the event you want to
have 3 or 4 people that you want to meet at that meeting. People that might be able to benefit from your
business. So at the meeting make sure you meet those 3 or 4 people you wanted to meet. Don't be the person who just goes to the meeting for the coffee and donuts.
2. Have your business cards at the ready
I have said it before and I will say it again. Make sure you have your business cards before you head out.
Get yourself a nice business card holder so when people ask for your card it looks neat and professional.
Always ask for the other persons business card and right down some notes on their business cards. Right down who they are, where they live, notes you have learnt about them. How they can help you.
3. Make sure you go to the right meetings
Over time you will discover which meetings are working for you and which meetings are not. No point going to a meeting where you are getting no leads. Avoid meetings that you do not enjoy. Your aim is to find a networking meeting or group where you have fun and where you enjoy the people who are there. Also look for one's where they have good speakers. The best networking meetings are one's where you get referrals. Make sure you return the favour with those in the network.
4. Start going to conferences
Now some people are intimidated by conferences. Some people feel there are too many people there. However you will be amazed at the people you meet there. So choose one that you feel might interest you and head off to it. Start speaking to people, say hello, ask them why they are there.
You will be amazed how this pays off.
5. Thank the host
One of the mistakes you sometimes make is after the meeting to just speed off to your next business meeting.
Wait. Are you not forgetting something? That's right. The host. Make sure when the meeting starts you greet them and when the meeting ends you thank them for the meeting. Send them an email afterwards as well and start to build a relationship with them.
Hope those networking tips help you out when you head off to your next networking meeting.
Fly high, Fly Free
Fred Felton
Falcon's Cove Consulting
Keynote Speaker - IT Consultant - Biz Analyst
Book Fred for one of his Social Media Talks or Workshops Countrywide
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