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President's Message
"The road to happiness lies in two simple
principles: Find what it is that interests you and that
you can do well, and when you find it, put your whole
soul into it -- every bit of energy and ambition and
natural ability you have."
- John D. Rockefeller III
We've heard it said many times, "Do what you love
and the money will follow." As business women, we
have all experienced many career paths, pursued
various ideas, or tried our hands at several tasks. But
have you found the one thing that is your true
passion? Sometimes, on the journey toward
success, we will begin projects that eventually lead us
toward a previously undiscovered talent or interest. I
believe that along the journey toward the success we
seek, our careers will take several paths, each
building upon the other.
Some business people began their careers in
corporate America where they discovered they are
good at something they could do on their own. Others
run a family business, work independently, or began
something special from the ground-up. We can take a
lesson from those who have succeeded before us:
Work at your craft with everything that you have inside
of you, and you will find the happiness you seek. This
does not mean that the road will be easy. Doing what
you love still requires a lot of work and commitment on
your part. According to Arland Gilbert, "When we
accept tough jobs as a challenge and wade into them
with joy and enthusiasm, miracles can happen."
WBO is committed to supporting women in business
who have found their passion, or are still in the
process of discovering what that passion is and what
to do with it. Through education, referral, networking
and support, WBO provides the perfect foundation for
business people at every level. WBO meets on the
second Tuesday of each month at Café Marie from 6-
8pm. Join us! You'll hear wonderfully inspiring
speakers, learn more about each other's businesses,
and network with some of the finest women business
people in the greater Ann Arbor area. Meeting with
other like-minded individuals will help to keep you
inspired to "put your whole soul" into whatever it is you
aspire to do. Go get your miracle!
Yours in the pursuit of success,
T.Rose
2008 WBO President
| In This Issue |
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| Meeting Update - Be A Total Marketing Spud! |
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BE A TOTAL MARKETING SPUD
Marla Booth, Oo La La Presidente of Foursight
Creative Group, presented an upbeat, invigorating
discussion about marketing. We used Mr. Potato
Head figures to illustrate the points a successful
marketing plan needs to cover. I won't forget this
presentation because of the good message, but also
because of the creative strategy of using a familiar toy
to teach a lesson. This is exactly the power we need
in marketing business.
Marla's goal for the group was "Don't be a ˝ baked
spud", she explained how to develop a marketing
message using the 5 senses. Marketing is everything
that anyone hears, thinks, or sees about your
company.
Sight: These are the things easily seen
(brochures, business cards, clothes, cards, how you
respond to emails, etc). The visible representation of
your company and the values and practice standards
that you use. These together form your "brand".
How are you seen or recognized in your market? How
do you want to be seen?
Sound: This also includes listening. "You
need to listen to your customers", avoid assumptions,
ask your customer what they need, and then be quiet
and listen. "If you are talking with a potential customer
or referral source and you are talking more than 20
minutes of an hour meeting, you are talking too
much.
Ask clients what they need, get feedback on how you
are doing. Stop and express thanks for their
continued support and participation with your
company.
Speaking: Take your time to speak seriously
and make the points brief and oriented towards the
benefit you can provide your customers. To have
greater impact, your message needs to be less about
you and more about the customer and how they will
benefit from your service or product.
Take 15 minutes to piece together "This is who I am"
in a benefit oriented approach. Be clear and concise
and be able to get this message out everywhere.
Touch: Those things people can pick up and
hold, or that encourage action: Brochures, interactive
websites, handwritten notes instead of computer
generated responses, birthday greetings, lunch
meetings, etc.
Action helps to further establish your message.
People learn by reading, hearing, and also by doing
(tactile learning). You can stand out in your field with
marketing items or actions that encourage
participation and movement.
Smell: "The sweet smell of success" Get
started with these steps:
- Develop a Marketing Plan
- Work the plan
- Measure the success and impact your plan is
having
- Evolve your plan constantly - set up measured
times to do this (quarterly, monthly, yearly)
Marla suggested brainstorming to determine tactics to
reach your target audience. Get creative and have
fun. This enthusiasm translates to the potential
clients and your passion for your product or service
will create greater interest in your company.
Questions from the group:
Q: How does one develop the budget for marketing?
A: Marla said to determine what your sales or profit is
now, and what your goal is for the following year. How
much of that assumed profit are you comfortable
spending now in order to reach your goal? 2% is a
small investment, 20% is a big investment.
Q: Of all the marketing sources available, what are
the most effective?
A: This depends on your target audience. For
younger groups: online with U-Tube, videos, facebook
and interactive webpages. For older groups, like
senior care: Print based material.
Marketing is like an exercise program, if you do it
consistently, you will get results.
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| Upcoming WBO Events |
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Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, May 13,
2008
"Hiring employees that work for you!"
Speaker: Donna Ware, Service Solutions Institute of
Michigan
Time: 6:00-8:00
Sponsor, Sara Brintnall, Juice Plus
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| Opportunities |
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New Website Opportunity
The new WBO website is about to roll out. Every
member can have a photo and logo listed on the site.
Please send copies of your picture and/or logo, in a gif
or jpg format, preferably no larger than 200px on a
side, to hillaryh@ix.netcom.com.
Hillary is willing to resize these images if you can't.
While you are at it, for our records, please let us know
the year you started your business and if it is a sole
proprietorship, Partnership, LLC/LLP, C Corp, or S
Corp. Thank you!
The OPPORTUNITES section of this
newsletter provides you, the membership, with
the chance to announce
opportunities that support you as a business or
benefit our members. See the Newsletter
page for more information and feel free to send
Opportunity information to info@wbo-mich.org.
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| Spread the Word - Showcase Your Business Here |
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Each month, a WBO member can showcase her
business in the "Spread the Word" column by signing
up to be a newsletter sponsor. Contact Hillary
Handwerger at hillaryh@ix.netcom.com to check for
available dates.
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| Business Challenge |
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This month, take the time to talk with at least 3 other
business owners and share ideas about your best
and worst marketing moves. See what you can learn
from each other or better yet, how you can collaborate
and market together.
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| New Members - Please welcome |
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Laurie A. Jarski, Broughton Music Center
Rebecca J. Fleckenstein, VM Direct
Denise Held, RN, Certified Reflexologist
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| 2008 Member-to-Member Discounts |
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Helping Hand Computer Solutions, Computer
training & troubleshooting, purchase & setup. 10% off,
734-995-6875
TLCI, Website Design, Development,
Consulting, SEO,
Marketing, Updates 12% discount, 662-0154
Healing in Motion, $20 discount for
Myofascial Release and Exercise (Wellness
Program), 913-4816
Cafe Marie of Ann Arbor, Breakfast/Lunch
Cafe, 20% off, 662-2272
Strickfaden Photography, Complimentary
Professional business
portrait session $150 value. 734-996-4030
Instant Imprints, 10% discount,
734-929-0577.
J'spaa at Eastover, 10% discount,
734-827-9775
Genesis Service Associates, LLC,
10%
discount off first graphic design project.
Call Sue Stoker, 734-994-3900
Juice Plus, Free canister of
plant-based Complete Shake with order of
capsules or gummies. Contact Sara at 734-369-
8893
Rubenfeld Synergy, Complimentary
Introductory Session, contact Peggy at
734-994-3719
I Sold It, 5% off on first $500,
(734) 761-6187
Julie Battjes, 15% off any Arbonne
purchase, (734) 765-6905
SKO Enterprises, Complimentary
Website Critique, valued at $100, (734) 426-3613
1-800-Got-Junk? , 10% off any junk
removal service. Please be sure to mention
this discount when scheduling your
appointment.734-904-1992
Theresia Radtke, Shaklee is
offering 15% off all products, 734-646-0793
Cynthia Hagan is providing
10% off a Staging & Design Solutions
consultation, 734-483-9555
Geraldine Markel, PhD is offering a
20% discount on all services or products from
Managing Your Mind Coaching & Seminars.
Mary Seibert, RN, BSN, CHTP, BC-HN
Healing Touch Practitioner, 10% off
services, 734-323-2520
Friends 4 Paws, LLC, 10% discount on
all services, 734-328-6035
J and T Ultimate Cleaning Inc, 10%
discount and more, 517-651-5891
Amy's Elegance by Design, 10% off
alterations, 517-851-4627
Town and Country Errands, LLC, 10%
discount on all services, 734-761-8431
World Wide Stitches, 10%
discount on all services, 734-272-1849
DOLEV LLC - Food Coach, 10% -25%
discount on services; call for details. 734-276-
1317
Denise Held, RN, Certified Reflexologist, 20%
discount on one hour session. 734-973-8290
Broughton Music Center, 10% off of new
instruments,
sheet music & accessories. 248-374-1920
AFFILIATE OF
NAWBO
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WBO members meet monthly, on the
second
Tuesday of the month. Our
meetings take place at Cafe Marie, 1759
Plymouth Rd, in the Courtyard Shops at North
Campus. Please join us. Meetings start at
6:00, a light meal will be provided.
Find out more....
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