Breaking Through Growth Barriers

How do you motivate employees to embrace change and take on new challenges? Check out this great video from Ink from Chase and Inc. Magazine who have partnered on a mission to help small business owners break through growth barriers.  

Not only can you harness the resources you already have, but you just might make them happier and help them grow. 

Three benefits of Marketing Lagniappe

You are probably familiar with the Purple Goldfish Project, but did you know there are two more colors in the goldfish spectrum? The three benefits and types of marketing lagniappe: Purple, Green and Gold.

And at the center of it all... service, sales and marketing.




















Learn more: www.MarketingLagniappe.com

Lan-what? The Purple Goldfish Project #1

As many of you know, I co-hosted a video podcast with Stan Phelps called The Purple Goldfish Project. I have always been passionate about great client relationships and exciting marketing, so it was a no-brainer and an honor to get on board with it.

The goal of the project was to gather 1001 examples of marketing lagniappe. The little something extra a business does to surprise and delight you. That way of going above and beyond that inspires loyalty and word of mouth.

The project was a success and Stan has even published a book called What's Your Purple Goldfish? How to Win Customers and Influence Word of Mouth. It was an amazing experience to be a part of this grassroots effort. Imagine... over 1000 user submitted entries with proven examples of successful tactics for better marketing, customer service and sales. I certainly learned a lot and met a lot of great people along the way.

I have decided to post the episodes of the podcast here so you can catch up and find out just what a Purple Goldfish is, and how you can make your business into one. Hint... it starts by thinking outside the bowl.

You can find Stan's blog here. The project lives on, and you can learn about the next phase: The Green Goldfish Project.

Social CRM - It's All About Your Customers

Last night I was honored to be one of the panelists discussion Social CRM, along with Craig Lambert of The Lambert Group and Tim Lynch of FocusVision. The event was hosted by OMG, the Online Marketing Group. One of the most interesting things about this topic is that Social CRM means different things to different people. It all depends on who you are, what business you are in, what your goals are and most importantly, who your customers are.

I'll post a more thorough recap of the event, but I wanted to quickly get this picture posted today. The meeting was at the Stamford Innovation Center, which used to be the court house. As you can see, the panelists got to sit up at the bench. I felt a bit like Judge Wapner from the People's Court. Thanks to some dim lighting, a stoic set and some Instagram effects, we look kinda like we are running the Salem Witch Trials. Except I don't think they served beer at those.

That's Tim and I in the photo.

Social CRM Panel Discussion

I am happy to announce that I will be part of a panel speaking on Social CRM for OMG - ¡The Online Marketing Group!

When: 

Thursday, June 7, 2012 6:30 PM

Where:

Stamford Innovation Center located at 175 Atlantic Street, Stamford, CT 06901 

Description:

Let's explore how we can use CRM's in a new way.

To ME, Social CRM is not just about who to call, but how to connect. If you take the old axiom to heart...

“All things being equal, people will do business with and
refer business to, those people they know, like and trust.”

And how do you get to know (and like for that matter) someone? By knowing what they love! And how do you learn what people love? That's right, social media.

So, having a social component to your CRM is critical in this day and age, and certainly increases the chances of connecting with more people at a deeper level over time.

Isn't that what we all want?

Join us! - Gregory, YFL.