Relationship Marketing | Build Your Online Business

A clump is a knot or tight cluster of people or things.  It's a natural tendency in humans to want to stay in groups with   whom they feel comfortable – either people you already know or those with whom you share similar interests.

There are times when staying within your clumps or tight cluster may not be a good idea.  Business events like large training groups, business functions and local networking events usually create opportunities for exposure, networking, building connections and, of course, taking advantage of learning opportunities from others.

If you congregate with just your known circle, you are not allowing yourself to make (more…)

In my previous post I revealed 7 principles that I got from a review of Chapters 1-5 of The Mary Kay Way: Timeless Principles From America's Greatest Woman entrepreneur.”  Today my review continues with timeless principles that can benefit small business owners, leaders in direct sales, entrepreneurs who outsource tasks, and every thought-leader who works with people; all from Chapters 6-12.

1.  Giving criticism: Criticism will most likely be made at some point but Mary Kay felt that a good manager should direct criticism to what's wrong; not who's wrong.

Managers must be strong and speak in a straightforward way, but should sandwich that criticism between praise – before and after.  Doing so lessens anger on the part of the recipient.  When people (more…)

In Part I of this topic I introduced the bumblebee as well as featured one of it's characteristic: it's wings in relation to it's body.  You may read Part I on how home-based businesses can benefit from the bumble bee by clicking on this link.

Another characteristic of the bumblebee is that it’s a “social insect.” Like honeybees they form colonies, only smaller.  Their colonies typically have anywhere from 50 to 200 bees at the max.

How can entrepreneurs who work from home in offline businesses be part of a colony or group?  Like the bumblebee, entrepreneurs need the association and support of like-minded groups.  In fact, groups do not have to be like-minded because these can open horizons and provide a different perspective on your business, therefore enhancing your current business and introducing other opportunities.

Even in small towns there are business groups like the Chamber of Commerce, Rotary Clubs, the Jaycees, Business Network International (BNI), one of the most supportive business networking groups.  There are also other local networking groups, which are not to be confused with meetings for a particular MLM or direct sales group. These are meetings attended by entrepreneurs and small business people  (more…)