Slammed - In a PR crisis, act NOW!

By Jennifer Wang | Entrepreneur Magazine - August 2010

Q: How do I deal with a PR nightmare?

A: There are times when you can get away with burying your head in the sand, but a business crisis isn't one of them. You need to drop everything and fix it. Now.

"Small-business owners think they can put their heads down and outwork everything," says Ronn Torossian, founder of 5W Public Relations, based in New York. "But you can't outwork crisis. For the people it impacts, it will feel like the end of the world."

Torossian has seen major corporations, small businesses and celebrities through a fair number of troubling times (Lil' Kim's perjury case and financial scandals of a Fortune 100 company). By now, he's got a few standard rules for managing crises of any scale.

First, he says, come up with a message that addresses what went wrong and how you'll handle it. Don't wait to apologize.

Then communicate that message to everyone who's been affected--in person, if possible. A newsletter won't cut it, and letting the media provide updates will make matters worse. And don't pass things on through lawyers or spokespeople. Delegating raises the probability of more disaster. Warns Torossian: "It won't keep your employees from all walking out or vendors from suddenly saying, ‘We want immediate payment because we don't know if you're going to be here next month.'"

Work on your delivery, too, because how you say things in public can be more important than what you actually say. (Wrong: Tiger Woods' 13-minute ramble of an apology. Right: Bill Clinton's direct, sincere four-minute apology.) "Americans are very forgiving, but they need to believe you actually care," Torossian says. So leave the script at home and be prepared for scrutiny, because if you're uncomfortable, it will show. Do everything you can to make yourself and your audience more comfortable--grab water, enunciate, avoid jargon and fancy words and be ready for discussion. "Speak compassionately and honestly, and don't pretend to be on a higher level than your audience," he advises. "It's the best way to put people at ease."

In the end, be resigned to some fallout. Not all will be forgiven, but you can minimize the damage. Fortunately, Torossian says, small-business owners can move faster than big companies, and they should take advantage of that.

The Global GE ecomagination Challenge: Win $100,000 for Your Business

The challenge is open to business, technologists, entrepreneurs and start-ups from across the globe. Entries will be evaluated for both a commercial relationship, as well as a $100,000 innovation award.

GE ecomagination Challenge

ecomagination is GE's commitment to invest in a future that creates innovative solutions to environmental challenges and delivers valuable products and services while generating profitable growth for the company - in essence, making "green", green.

One way to participate is through the GE ecomagination Challenge: Powering the Grid, announced on July 13 by GE, leading venture capital firms, as well as Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine. The challenge is an open call for breakthrough ideas and technologies that will help create a smarter, cleaner, more efficient and economically viable grid, and to accelerate the adoption of smart grid technologies. Collectively, GE and its venture capital partners have committed $200 million to help bring these new ideas to market.

The challenge, which runs through September 30, is open to business, technologists, entrepreneurs, start-ups, students and groups from across the globe. It's open to anyone aged 18 years or older and all legally formed entities. Read all the details here and submit your ideas at http://challenge.ecomagination.com/ideas

There are three categories for submission:

* Challenge 1: Create Power - Renewables
* Challenge 2: Connect Power - Grid Efficiency
* Challenge 3: Use Power - Eco Homes/ Eco Buildings

The challenge is open now at http://www.ecomagination.com/challenge, and you can read the full press release here. Get your family and friends involved - members of the general public will be able to view streaming video of the entrants presenting their ideas and vote for the idea that they believe will have the most impact on the smart grid of the future.

Join the conversation on Twitter too at @ecomagination.

* Use the #ecochallenge hashtag to talk about the challenge specifically
* Use the #ecomagination hashtag to talk about all ecomagination topics

By using these hashtags GE and its partners hope to connect the discussion between your Group and the larger ecomagination community.

The opportunity to change the world is in your hands, so join the challenge, submit your ideas, vote for the most promising teams and help change the way the world uses energy in powerful new ways.

The Power of Positive Failure

by David Simms

Positive failure: Isn't this an oxymoron? What good can come from failing? The answer, it seems, is "a lot."

I recently moderated a panel of nonprofit leaders titled, "So You Want To Be a Nonprofit Executive?" At one point, I asked each panelist to share a failure from which they had learned a valuable lesson. Believe it or not, they did so eagerly.

Steve Pratt, the CEO of My Turn, jumped right in and shared a great example of accepting a CEO job that, in retrospect, could have been done only by Superman. "There were too many stakeholders with competing agendas and different definitions of success," he said. "I convinced myself that my track record had given me superpowers that could overcome the fundamentals of effective strategy — no consensus means no strategy."

Ben Mahnke, the CFO of Facing History and Ourselves, described a situation in which his tendency to advocate strongly for his favored solution to a problem excluded others (and their ideas) from the debate. It once led him to "win the battle but lose the war." He said he placed too much emphasis on getting a particular course of action launched; the resulting program didn't have the necessary buy-in from his colleagues.

Panelist Amanda Fernandez, the vice president for diversity and inclusiveness at Teach for America, said she joined an organization early in her career without first assessing its culture and whether it fit her values — only to discover too late that it didn't.

Bridgespan's own Karen DeMay recalled working on a critical board search. Karen had a senior-level contact who had a relationship with a CEO that her client had targeted as a good candidate for board chair. When the contact offered to help with the search, Karen agreed, assuming that he would simply discuss her client organization and tee up an introduction. However, instead of connecting the two parties, the contact directly asked the CEO if he would be the organization's board chair. The CEO declined without ever learning about the client organization. Karen had failed to confirm with her contact how she wanted him to approach the CEO and the strategy she was taking for teeing up conversations with her client. As a result, the client lost out.

The panelists' experiences provided valuable insights for the audience of potential nonprofit leaders. But failures are often a taboo topic. When was the last time you talked about one of yours, even in private? Most nonprofits don't discuss individual or program failures, perhaps because they fear a loss of funding. Few foundations admit to supporting programs that don't work out, but we know there are thousands of grants made that don't achieve their desired results.

When we avoid discussing failures, we deprive both ourselves and our colleagues of the lessons we've learned from them. In Steve's and Amanda's cases, they learned important lessons about what to look for in a job. Steve had been too sure of himself and his ability to make things right when the structure of the job, viewed through any objective assessment, was clearly set up for failure. Amanda vetted culture and organizational values very carefully at Teach for America with CEO Wendy Kopp before accepting the new position. Ben learned the hard way the importance of building relationship capital and not always "being right." And Karen learned not to make assumptions about relationships when critical outcomes are at stake.

I didn't offer my own examples for the panel, but I could have shared the painful consequences of hiring a senior salesperson without first doing reference checks. He was essential to our revenue plan, but it turned out he couldn't close a sale! We also once added someone to a nonprofit board who had a stellar CV but little commitment to the cause. He ended up making no discernible impact on the nonprofit before leaving three years later, all the while occupying a valuable board seat and depriving the organization of the ideas and actions a more-engaged person might have brought to the table.

Whatever the consequences, the painful lessons you've learned, if shared appropriately, can certainly benefit someone else. I'm challenging myself — and you — to be willing to share those stories that have less than happy endings. We can help others, and maybe even learn something more about ourselves in the process.

So what about you? What have you learned from failure? Does your organization tolerate failure? Does the culture allow you to share lessons openly?

David Simms is a partner at The Bridgespan Group. He leads the firm's Leadership and Careers initiative.

Backtalk with Daymond John

The "Godfather of Urban Fashion" shares key lessons on branding and entrepreneurial success."

Article written by Sonia Alleyne.

Businessman and self-made millionaire Daymond John is best known for his ’90s clothing line FUBU—“For Us, By Us.” Most recently, the New York City native appeared on ABC’s popular reality series Shark Tank, where he listened to investment proposals from budding entrepreneurs. The “Godfather of Urban Fashion,” who offers his marketing expertise to some of the world’s leading companies as well as celebrity and business figures is also the author of The Brand Within (Display of Power Publishing; $14.99) and Display of Power (Thomas Nelson; $24.99). John joined Black Enterprise in Atlanta at this year’s Entrepreneur’s Conference and provided attendees with tips on the importance of branding.

You’ve invested in several businesses. What should business owners keep in mind when they’re looking for money from an investor? I’m here to invest in you, not to train you or teach you. We judge you within the first minute of seeing you—we brand you—whether we’re going to do the deal or not. If I’m going to be a partner with someone for the next year or the next 40 years, the first thing I want to know is, “Do I want to be in business with this person?”

So, you brand people almost immediately. How important is your personal brand to the success of your company? You’re a brand from the day you’re born. Even before you get to be in a corporation or a business, people invest in your personal brand. Your mind is your product, your actions are your packaging, and the results and your history are how you advertise what you are as a person. Branding is made up of four components—well, three—and you’re lucky if you can get to the fourth. Everything starts out as an item, then it becomes a label, then it becomes a brand. And if you’re lucky enough, it will become a lifestyle.

When did you realize that you could start a clothing line that could potentially be its own brand? We are faced with opportunities every day. You have to have your antennae up and be ready for them. I grew up around Russell Simmons, Salt-N-Pepa, A Tribe Called Quest, LL Cool J, and Run-DMC. I would go on tour as their roadie and I would be wearing a product that I had bought and had tailored, and the kids wanted to buy the clothes off my back. I said [to myself,] “I could sew a straight line, I could make this.” In 1992, I stood out on the corner of Jamaica Avenue in New York and sold about $800 worth of hats that cost me about $70 to make. So I created this idea of FUBU and made 10 shirts. I sat on video sets and got the product in 15 videos. I started realizing that this was hip-hop. It was something you did, something you lived.

But fashion is notoriously fickle. What happens when your brand falls out of favor? The lifespan of a brand is three to five years, and from 1995 to 2004 people had about 10 years’ worth of FUBU in their closets. It was the brand that your uncle or dad wore, so you don’t want that to be your brand as you grow older. We understood that. So we pulled it out of the market and started concentrating overseas. It became the No. 1 brand in South Korea and Saudi Arabia—they really loved our culture. During that time I acquired Coogi, DrunknMunky, Willie Esco--about 10 brands. Now all the kids are requesting FUBU because the ’80s and ’90s styles are coming back, so we’re slowly bringing it back into the market.

What has the process taught you? It’s a learning curve, and the only thing that costs more than education is ignorance. At my first trade show in Vegas I got $400,000 worth of orders for FUBU. It was amazing, but you have to understand the ignorance. I had suitcases ready to pack my money. But it was just an order, not cash. I had to figure out how to fill these orders, fund them, and ship them. I had to go back home and take out a second mortgage on my home. If you don’t invest time in learning the business, you will make grave mistakes that you may not be able to get out of.

The Art of Business Seduction

Executive coach and author Mark Jeffries delivers a compelling and informative message in his latest book, The Art of Business Seduction (Amazon.com; $16.52).

Jeffries pitches a personal program to develop behavioral changes over 30 consecutive days, and ensure they become a daily part of your business routine. Additionally, he goes on to state that one's power to attract, entice, and win over others can be the difference between success and failure in this current business environment.

Quote: "They say that a healthy diet -- one that keeps the weight off -- is a lifelong commitment, a revolution in the way that you select and eat food. Business seduction is the same. You cannot seduce for a month and then return to your old ways and hope for the success to continue."

"Every interaction--sharing information, exchanging ideas, guiding opinions, and influencing direction--is an opportunity to be seductive,” he states. "Seduction is consciously putting the needs of your audience first by understanding what they want and giving it to them," he adds.

So, how do you do allure your business target?

You have to be STRATEGIC...execute the "L-WAR".

L-WAR (Listen—Watch, Anticipate and React) are the tactics behind all business seduction activities. Jeffries suggests, “[It] enables you to be persuasive in a way that is not offensive or imposing.” Outlined below is his four-step method:

• Listen: “It’s not about what you have to say; rather, it's about using what the other person has to say in order to get what you want,” he writes. He suggests listening for meaning and paying attention to tone, pace, speech pattern, and choice of words.
• Watch: “When it comes to your audience, their actions speak louder than their words.” Watch body language, such as eye contact, posture and “nods per minute” for helpful insights.
• Anticipate: “Being able to foresee a problem or challenge before it presents itself is the sign of a sharp thinker.” Anticipate needs and objections by conducting due diligence and putting yourself in your audience's shoes to see the interaction through their eyes.
• React: "This is the culmination of the three previous steps and proof that you not only recognize what someone wants, but can give it to them.” React with an individualized response to what your audience has requested.

Overall, it's about wooing your target oppose to wowing them. Never come across as self-absorbed, instead be accommodating towards others. Demonstrate to your audience how your skills will support their objectives and make their life better, suggests Jeffries. “The smartest pitches contain a core of facts that are surrounded by a flexible, dynamic set of sell ideas that can be altered to appeal in exactly the right way to the right person at the right time."

In short, with nearly 15 million Americans out of work and unemployment at 9.5 percent, job seekers must stand out these days. Jeffries, a business coach and communications consultant to major corporations, shares tips on how to get an edge whether it's landing a job or a promotion. As the title suggests, Jeffries emphasizes many of the same skills that can also help attract a mate. For example, there are tips on honing your "elevator pitch," the business world's equivalent of a pickup line in a bar. Other advice focuses on how to own your image, speak persuasively, and translate subtle cues from others' voices, body language and handshakes.

- Jamar Freeze

NYC SOUP Hosts Monthly Professional Networking Event

NYC SOUP (Society of Urban Professionals)

Monthly Meetup

On WEDNESDAY, July 28, 2010 at 6:00pm, NYC Society of Urban Professionals (SOUP) will be hosting thier monthly networking meeting.

This meeting will be focused on "Next Level Networking" strategies.

The founders of NYC SOUP, Steven Morris and Cynthia Peacock motto: It's not just who you know and meet but how you can offer one another the best possibilities for growth.

During this networking event, the goal will be to strategically connect you to your next referral, potential partners or business deal. The invitation is open to those who are currently employed by a company, own their own businesses or are looking to start a business in the next few months.

All NYC SOUP events are the last Wednesday of every month!

Event fee is $10 + business cards for admission (includes appetizers)

For more information contact:

Steven D. Morris @ 917-981-9940 or smorris@goxenex.com
or
Cynthia G. Peacock @ 347-262-6589 or cynthia@bizvirtuoso.com

You can join NYC Society of Urban Professionals click the link below:

NYC SOUP Meetup page: http://www.meetup.com/NYCSoup/

NYC SOUP Facebook Page:

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108316666172&v=wall

A The NYC Business Networking Group (NYCBNG) Event - "MONEY MATCH"

NYC FINANCIAL "MONEY MATCH" NETWORKING: SEEKING FUNDS? HAVE FUNDS TO LEND?

Are you seeking funding for your business?

Are you a business or individual with funds to lend or invest?

In this current economy it’s difficult for small businesses to find funding so NYCBNG is hosting a financial matchmaking event to provide businesses with more funding opportunities.

The Business Money Match networking event will deliver a unique opportunity for entrepreneurs and investors looking to be in the right place at the right time. We are bringing you the ultimate opportunity to network with your “Money Match,” if you are looking for funding or a qualified business for investment. We are inviting our exclusive group of entrepreneurs, business owners, venture capitalist, angel investors and other lending institutions to come, network and meet their “Money Match.”

The matchmaking portion of the event will take place in the form of a “speed-networking” format, with 3 minutes allocated for each meeting between money lenders and business owners. After the allotted time each participant will switch partners for the next round. The evening will conclude with informal networking to follow up and touch base with your potential “Match.”

Space is limited to the number of participants on the investor side. Therefore, we strongly suggest you RSVP and secure payment early to guarantee your admissions.

Do you have “The Money” or “The Big Idea”? We are looking forward to helping you meet your MATCH!

COST: $20 prepaid till noon 7/26 or $30 cash/door (if space available).

The Evening's Schedule:

6.30 - 7.00 PM: Registration, Informal Networking, Refreshments
7.00 - 8:00 PM: Speed Networking
8:00 - 8:30 PM: Informal Networking

For more info check out the link below:

http://www.meetup.com/The-NYC-Business-Networking-Group/calendar/14045853/

Top 10 Inc.500|5000 Black-run Companies

1. Harley Stanfield - Real Estate

2. 1 Source Consulting - Government Services

3. Instant Tax Service - Financial Services Services

4. Solvern Innovations - Government Services

5. World Pac Paper - Business Products & Services

6. DMS International - IT Services

7. Celestar - Government Services

8. Dirt Pros EVS - Business Products & Services

9. GS5 - Government Services

10. Battle Resource Management - Government Services

For a complete listing, go to the Inc.com site.

An Excellent site for Young Entrepreneurs

Under 30 CEO

http://under30ceo.com/

About Under 30 CEO

Leading Gen Y to stop doing sh*t they hate. Under30CEO develops young people who have the hunger to think outside the cubicle. Our job is to make you uncomfortable enough to do something with your life. We give you the resources, community, and inspiration to do it. Lifestyle + Business= Under30CEO

We are Gen Y, we do stuff different. We do it our way. Screw your boss, start doing something your passionate about. Turn what you love into cash and make a difference in the world.

Do what you want, when you want, how you want. Live your life the way it was meant to be lived. Join the tribe.

Get Motivated and Learn:

The stories and secrets of the mega successful in our young entrepreneur interviews.

Take a peek at the next million dollar corporation in our young entrepreneur startups.

Check out our startup advice from experts and entrepreneurs in the game.

Connect:

Fan on Facebook

Follow on Twitter @Under30CEO

NYC ART SCENE GETS A THIRD WORLD EDUCATION

New York, NY, March 26, 2010 – In the spirit of promoting third world educational awareness, the Santi School Project and St. Art Gallery & Design have collaborated to produce a silent auction of intriguing and captivating art. This charitable event, held on April 25, 2010 will benefit the Santi School in Nepal. The auction will feature creative works on a traditional Nepalese medium from the imaginative minds of first & second-grade students at the Shree Santi Primary School in Ramche, Nepal. In addition, pieces from local artists in the New York metropolitan area will be on display and available at the auction. The theme of the show, entitled 'Higher Learning', is meant to bring attention to the cycle of poverty that only education can end in economically oppressed countries across the world.

As enthusiastically stated by co-founder and President of the Santi School, Christopher Heun, "We're excited about the auction and extremely thankful to Dave Perlman for allowing us to utilize his venue, Essex Restaurant, to provide the New York community a glimpse into the lives of the children of Nepal. They are the next generation of their country and The Santi School and St. Art are pleased to be able to provide an environment upon which to share their artistic talent.”

Creating a new Nepal, one child at a time

The Santi School Project was founded by Christopher Heun after backpacking through Southeast Asia. There, on a Kathmandu street, he met a Nepali man who took him to his native village. Located high in the mountains near the border of Tibet and accessible only by foot, the village is a 90-minute hike up from the nearest town. This very spot became the future site of the Santi School Project’s first school.

"This event is all about making education accessible for this small community in Nepal.” announced St. Art Gallery & Design owner Nathanael Holley. “The young boys and girls there deserve free schooling that's close to their homes and full of materials and teachers that spark their creativity and expand their knowledge and thusly the community's knowledge. St. Art would like to thank the Santi School for making this collaboration possible, and we promise to continue to be a resource for all non-profit entities making truly meaningful contributions to mankind.”

Silent Auction Details

• Auction to be held at 9PM on April 25, 2010 at Essex Restaurant, located at 120 Essex, New York, NY.

• Artwork from the children of the Shree Santi Primary School in Ramche, Nepal along with local NYC artists will be available for auction

• Proceeds raised at the silent auction will go towards books and operating expenses at the Santi School in Nepal

For more information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Christopher HeunCo-Founder & Exec. DirectorSanti School Project

info@santischool.orghttp://www.santischool.org/

ABOUT THE SANTI SCHOOL PROJECT
The Santi School Project gives children in Nepal, particularly girls and those from disadvantaged ethnic minorities, a chance for a quality education by training teachers and building and renovating primary school buildings. The organization built its first primary school in 2008 and repaired another in 2009. http://www.santischool.org/

ABOUT ST. ART
St. Art Gallery, founded by Nathanael Holley, has become a home for all those who enjoy the creative experience. The gallery specializes in bringing attention to philanthropic endeavors and uses art to uplift those in need. St. Art acts as a design studio, art gallery, consulting firm and talent agency for the everyday person with great ideas and the passion to see them brought into reality. St. Art’s motto is: fine art should be accessible to all; everyone gets to take part in the creation of art, forever changing the relationship of creator/viewer into one of mutual collaboration and passion. http://www.etsy.com/shop/startgallery

Small Business: Tips for Practical Planning and Budgeting | The Network Journal

Useful small business advice thanks to our friends over at The Network Journal

Small Business: Tips for Practical Planning and Budgeting The Network Journal

Small Business 101: How to innovate: A step-by-step guide

• Do you consider yourself an innovator?


• Have you executed a innovative concept that has driven favorable results for your company?


• Do you believe innovation is key for a business in the global market?
  

If you answered yes or no the the above questions, this informative guide to innovate should provide some guidance in your quest to stay ahead of the game.

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