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We have moved

We have upgraded and moved this blog site to here.

Please adjust all your RSS feed and iGoogle links to accomodate the new address of http://www.ei.co.za.

The new site offer a combined blog and site with lots of links and interesting tools, tips and toys.

Please migrate now to avoid loosing out on new articles, E-bear info and our new Entrepreneur TV shows.

Small Business Preparation for 2010

Are you prepared?

EI helps you face the storms

My Social Media Network

Now I know that I am often a bit slow on the learning and trends when it comes to the Social Media thing but I do put effort in and learn from trial and error. The good thing about the web is that it is very hard to break so experimentation is encouraged and is often the best way to learn. So, let me explain what I have been able to do for those who are still on the learning curve.

I have 3 different blogs: Entrepreneur Incubator blog, E-Bear blog and Entrepreneur TV blog. All these are under on WordPress account. I have one Facebook account, a Twitter Account and one at LinkedIn. Lets leave it at that for this exercise. I also have a cell phone with a camera and email capabilities.

With all my links and networks the following happens:

• I can post straight from my phone to either Twitter or Facebook with text.
• I can post straight from my phone to Facebook with a photo or video.
• Every Tweet on twitter is automatically sent to my Facebook to update my status.
• When I post on any of my 3 blogs, an automatic tweet is generated on Twitter that updates my Facebook account with a link to the blog.
• All blog entries are also automatically added to my LinkedIn profile.
• All my Delicious tags are also posted on my Entrepreneur Incubator blog for our members to read.

I am slowly finding my way in the quagmire of new technology.

If you need any assistance for these functions or can suggest a few more, then please comment or email me.

Actual Marketing Opportunities

I have recently observed different scenarios in the everyday business world that created huge marketing opportunities for the businesses involved. Here they are. Let me know what you think should have been done by each business owner.

Story 1: A small coffee shop along Route 62 in the small Karoo just outside Barrydale. A group comes in to order take away home made soup and rolls to drink in the car. They were in a hurry. They relax in front of the log fire and wait for their order. When it comes the soup is steaming hot and smells divine and the bread rolls have just come out of the oven. They pay for the food and get up to leave. The one lady slips and drops her cup on the floor next to our table sending the contents flowing across the floor. She was so embarrassed by her actions that she scoops up the cup with no more than a 1/3 of the original volume and hurries out of the store.

What does the shop owner do?

Story 2: We were standing in the queue at the Kite Festival this past weekend waiting to pay our entrance fee. The family in front of us was not aware of the fee and did not come financially prepared. They have enough for the 3 adults and two of the four children. They are short just R10.

What does the cashier do?

Story 3: I was sent to the shop today to buy some sliced sandwich meat from the local supermarket. Me in my ignorance and lack of sliced meat purchasing experience buy a precut pack with a variety of meats. The lady at the till has some problems with the till slip and I fail to bring one home. My wife identifies the meat as not the type the children like so we need to take it back. I arrive at the store with the package but no slip or proof of purchase.

What does the store manager do?

Let me know your thoughts. Actual answers later this week.

Social Media Trends for 2009

Ok for all those still wanting to get onto this way of thinking and branding your business, take a look at this video to see how far behind you may be in the social media way of life. Then consider jotting down a few pointers like:

1. Need to get a new phone
2. Need to create or update my Face Book account
3. Need to learn to use Youtube, Twitter, Google, Vimeo, Picasso, Veoh, Viddler, Blimp.tv, Spike, My Space, Gump Delicious and maybe even WordPress as starters.

Take action today for tomorrow may be just too late to catch the bus.

Exclusive Books Help Entrepreneurs

E-Bear at the Peninsula Hotel

Today a small yet exclusive group of people gathered at the Peninsula Hotel in Sea Point to listen to author, speaker, accomplished businessman and entrepreneur Eric Parker. This event sponsored by Exclusive books was a first in what we hope will become an annual event by the book shop to promote our local authors and entrepreneurs.

Eric shared with us the story of the birth of Nandos and other businesses that he has been involved in. We also heard from Guy Le Ray Cook director of Kauai and consultant to Nandos. Even though the talks had a distinct franchise flavour to them (not the main focus of EI) we were all inspired and informed by what was said and shared.

Many thanks to Maryanne Hancock, events manager from Exclusive books for putting on the event and to Eric and his team for sharing some trade secrets and good solid business information with us all. We look forward to the next event.

Also found a great marketing watchdog site to add to our list of ones to read. The House of Marketing

Experience The Chocolate Moose

We have been speaking about moving your business into the experiential market as part of the Blue Ocean Strategy. This is not an easy one as so many of us are so entrenched in the commodity way of life and spend copious amounts of time each day battling it out with costs, margins and profits.

Take a moment to browse the new look Chocolate Moose website. Lara together with NB Media have put together a forerunner in the market. This site offers a full five sensory experience that includes awesome photos, great descriptive copy “decadent handmade chocolate truffles, indulge your senses from a variety of flavours” and even places for the kids to play while the parents decide what to order and eat next.

The Chocolate Moose are the preferred suppliers of individually designed cakes in Cape Town. Their offerings are a product all on their own, and so now is their website. Well done to both Lara and Nic.

We look forward to so great content on your blog.

Healthy Body, Healthy Business

David Cotriss from Small Business Trends has put together a list of healthy foods that business owners can use to snack on and eat to keep the mind and body in the tip top condition for running a business. And do not forget to do the gym thing at least 3 times a week. Need help on that click here.