December 2009 Articles (45)

Strange, Peculiar and Unrelated Questions I Received in 2009

Like many of you, I’m reflecting on this past year and thinking about all the fortunate opportunities I've had and those that I didn’t foresee a year ago, including the creation of this blog and its readers. It seems only fitting that I end the year by answering some of the random, lighthearted and personal questions that readers have asked.

How do you handle criticism?

When criticized, I usually try to gain something positive from it. Not everyone is going to… Read More

Added by Geralin Thomas on December 31, 2009 at 10:20am — No Comments

Change for the new year

I want to wish you all a Happy New Years! I hope you all had a great holiday season.

With the new year upon us, many of us will reflect on the year that has just passed. Some of us have had to make changes, in both our professional and personal lives. The rough economy presents us with some unique challenges. It forces us to re-invent ourselves and find ways to do more with less.

A little info about myself. I have been in the carpet cleaning business for over 20 years and… Read More

Added by Fred T. Gruber Jr. on December 31, 2009 at 9:21am — No Comments

Book Review: Networking with the Affluent

This is an excellent book that provides in-depth analysis of eight different networking models designed to help the affluent as well as the sales professionals that employ any or all of these models. Give before you receive is the underlying message. To be more specific, this book outlines what to give, how to give it, who to give it to, how to introduce the opportunity, and so on, in detailed, step-by-step instructions.

Model types

The Talent Scout helps find suppliers… Read More

Added by Steve Hand on December 30, 2009 at 10:23pm — No Comments

Share something about yourself!

Greetings:
I have no idea who may be reading this. I wonder whether this may be an exercise in futility. So if you are taking the time to read it, please respond. I would like to read something about you. I was born and raised in the suburbs of St. Louis, Missouri. I am married to Susan and my children are boy/girl twins born on Christmas 2000. I am a very blessed and lucky man!

Added by David Heckel-Funeral Director on December 30, 2009 at 4:59pm — No Comments

Getting STARTED on Inside919? Step 1: Videos

Hey Everyone

If you know me for 2 seconds, you know how much I LOVE Inside919! It has absolutely revolutionized the way I do business, and has been a valuable tool in creating valuable local business and personal relationships! And yes, I have made money with Inside919 as one of my marketing tools!

I am often asked: How do I get started on Inside919?

If you can give yourself 15 minutes a day to… Read More

Added by Angel Lebak ~ Virtual Assistant on December 30, 2009 at 12:24pm — 1 Comment

Personal Branding- Second steps : Brush Off Your Brand:

In the first article in this series, we examined the first six steps for 2010:

1. Review the Past

2. Clear the Decks

3. Share Your Passion

4. Refine your Message

5. Re-broadcast Your Message

6. Review Your Use of Social Media

To complete the process,

7. Reload Advertising

Where do you need to be seen to be successful? Based on your reviews in Step 1 and Step 4, seek out sources your audience will see. What do they read?…

Added by Drew Becker on December 30, 2009 at 11:00am — No Comments

Social Media Etiquette

Recently I may have made a social media mistake that has me puzzled. I require some assistance from all you social media experts in order to see if it was I who made the mistake or the person who responded to me who was unrealistic.

Recently I tried to friend someone on Facebook with whom I share 15 common friends. I do not know this person but I believe I had met him at some networking event. I looked on the abbreviated profile of this individual and clicked on his website and saw that he… Read More

Added by Bob Butler on December 29, 2009 at 2:21pm — 2 Comments

12 Personal Branding Steps for the New Decade: Brush Off Your Brand

When you look back at the last year, you evaluate many aspects of your life and your business, but one overlooked and critically important component is brand. Your brand in a word is your “promise.” How well have you kept your promise and what can you do to polish your promise for next year?

1. Review the Past

To brush up your brand, you need to review your customers shifting wants and needs, your offerings and how the two can be presented within your brand to attract…

Added by Drew Becker on December 29, 2009 at 7:30am — 1 Comment

Massage Heights Crossroads' January Mission: Helping Pets and Vets

In the month of January, we are doing a donation drive for items the NC State Veterinary School needs to support the animals they serve.

Here is a list of a few of the items they need:

* Cat Toys (new)

* Cat Scratching Posts (new)

* Cat Beds (new), Covered Litter Pans

* Dog Basket Muzzles (sizes 2 – 12)

* Zuke’s Mini Dog Treats (REI or… Read More

Added by Karen Bernard on December 28, 2009 at 8:00pm — 2 Comments

Keeping my FOCUS in 2010 - How About You?

As I am planning out the next year, there are a lot of amazing opportunities for myself and my business this year: (powerful classes, seminars, networking groups, meetings, blogs to read, people I want to connect with, etc.) The question is HOW do I know which OPPORTUNITIES I should take, and which I should wait on?

I remember Leslie Flowers saying “If something is NOT taking you toward… Read More

Added by Angel Lebak ~ Virtual Assistant on December 26, 2009 at 8:00pm — 3 Comments

What is a Poken?

What is a Poken? / Do you Poken? :) By Martin Brossman

A Poken is electronic business card sharing device and much more. It is a fun way to share your social media and contact information with someone you meet who also has a Poken. It can include your photo, all your social media sites, your websites, phone, address..whatever you wan to add. All links are active hyper links AND they don't have to type your contact info into their computer. You can have it on… Read More

Added by Martin Brossman on December 25, 2009 at 3:12pm — 27 Comments

Novel May Be More Fact than Fiction

Anthony S. Policastro

I just received an email from Dirck Storm, who confirmed that journalist Vic Livingston from Philadelphia, has in fact been harassed by some of the… Read More

Added by Anthony S. Policastro on December 23, 2009 at 8:18am — 1 Comment

In the Spirit of Christmas - Our Old Family Fruit Cake Recipe

Not to take anyanything away from Miss Taffy Cakes, but my family also has some wonderful old desert recipes. Since it is Christmas, I'm inspired to share our family Fruit Cake recipe. I'll cook along as I remember all the ingredients and steps to a GREAT holiday desert! Enjoy!

Uncle Otis Campbell's Christmas Fruit Cake Recipe

Ingredients

1 cup water

8oz. mixed nuts

2 quarts of bourbon

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter

1 tsp.… Read More

Added by Tim Moore on December 22, 2009 at 8:19am — 1 Comment

The Year 2009

12-22-09 Apex

Perhaps since the Great Depression or at least since any of us can remember, 2009 rates right up there as the biggest mixed bag of hope, soap and dope we have ever witnessed. Now, we do not have bread lines or apple sales on street corners, that was 1934 not 2009; but we have very similar situations. Every one of us knows at least one person out of work. Most of us know of a business that has gone under or is teetering on the edge.… Read More

Added by Jim Vogel on December 22, 2009 at 6:30am — 2 Comments

So this is Christmas…

I was driving recently listening as my radio played holiday Christmas carols. One of the songs that stuck in my mind was the song that John Lennon wrote in 1971 called “Happy Christmas” the song begins something like this:

So this is Christmas

And what have you done

Another year over

And a new one just begun

And so this is Christmas

For weak and for strong

For rich and the poor ones

The road is so long

Listen to the… Read More

Added by Tim Moore on December 21, 2009 at 9:46pm — 1 Comment

3 Tips for Ensuring a WONDERFUL Massage Experience

The purpose of the massage experience is for you to relax, rejuvenate and let your body rehabilitate. The more comfortable you are, the better results you will have.

Here are a few points to consider when making your massage appointment:

1) What are Your Needs?

Do you have pain or simply in need of relaxation? Be honest when making your appointment. Discuss what your expectations are and what you are hoping… Read More

Added by Karen Bernard on December 21, 2009 at 9:50am — No Comments

Harm Reduction Method

Recently, I was able to help a client whose hoarding had been adding a significant handicap to her life. Because she was living without heat, she contacted me, requesting my organizing services in getting the heat in her house turned back on. She clearly stated, however, that she did not wish for me to help her with her hoarding disorder.

This was the perfect chance to implement the “Harm Reduction” method.

You may already be familiar with Harm Reduction, a strategy… Read More

Added by Geralin Thomas on December 21, 2009 at 9:01am — No Comments

Even on paper, you can still find ways to shine.

It's not always easy to talk about yourself, let alone describe yourself, in a social profile. Sometimes it can be downright intimidating.

Here are some tips and tricks to help you put your best foot forward here on 919--your profile.

ABOUT ME

This is where we talk about our favorite subject: ourselves! You don't have to write a novel here. But this is the spot to give us that snapshot--are you a sports nut? Married with children? A new transplant to the area?…

Added by Michelle Gower-WordPress Mentor on December 20, 2009 at 3:00pm — 1 Comment

Christmas/Holiday Party Collection

Just wanted to take a minute and let inSiders know that we collected $338.00 at our End of Year Social.

Thanks to all who contributed and everyone who attended. It was a lot of fun and from my view folks were making connections and re-connections. A good time was had by all.

I had shared that the Trustees of inSide919 were going to get together and decide what organization would received these… Read More

Added by Pat Howlett on December 18, 2009 at 12:30pm — 7 Comments

Poken Raleigh, Cary, Durham Facebook Page ...Share Photos of You with your Poken

There is now a "Poken Raleigh" Facebook Page for anyone in RTP area that has purchased or is considering buying a Poken. Click here to go to the Poken Raleigh Facebook Page. Upload and share your photo with your Poken and make sure to add your website in the photo's description (self-promotion--with your Poken, of course--is not only welcome but encouraged).

Just for the fun of it (and because I love… Read More

Added by Martin Brossman on December 17, 2009 at 8:39am — No Comments