Lip-Sticking

The Google+ Factor

by Yvonne DiVita

On Google? On Google+? Know what you're doing? Me, neither. I'm still learning Google+ and not doing
very well at it. I just don't seem to have time.

When people say that to me, I look them in the eye and ask, "Do you have time to market your business online...other ways? Why not experiment with Google+ instead of LinkedIn today? Why not make it your business to figure this out...and THEN you can decide if it's worth your time or not."

And then, I go off and don't take my own advice. Sigh.

Here's a great chart to help you get started... and if you're a Google+ Diva, please share some insight with the rest of us. What are we missing? What should we do first? Is this worth our time...or not? Is the graphic here any help at all? What's up with the Circles thing and the hangouts? What are the rest of us missing?

How to spot a blogger at ten paces...

by Yvonne DiVita

Who remembers the good old days of blogging? When blogs and bloggers were scary to big and small businesses, everywhere? Blog? Not them! They didn't want anything to do with those loud-mouthed, obnoxious, gossip-mongers who were cluttering up the web with their 'chatter'. 

I remember them well. I remember arguing with many a CEO about blogging - shortly after Lipsticking was launched. I saw the power of the written word being used to communicate beyond telephones, TV, ads in magazines, and more. I realized that forming personal relationships online was a good thing, not a scary thing. Those who were willing to listen, and try it for themselves, often found my teaching to be truthful. Others, who didn't much like the whole online communication thing, did not.

Death by Powerpoint

Couldn't resist sharing this. He doesn't mention "reading" your slides, but I bet that's one of the "do not do" points. If you can laugh at this, there's hope for you. If you see yourself in this, well... step back and learn. Powerpoint is a tool - learn how to use it effectively. 

This is a must-see if you have a speaking engagement coming up. Or, if you aspire to speaking in public.

Great video by Don McMillan, "Life After Death by PowerPoint 2012" thanks to Theresa Frischette for sharing on LinkedIn.

 

Getting Women To Sit At The Table: Friday Musings Out Loud

by Yvonne DiVita

Well done TED talk on women and accomplishment by Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. It's an age-old question - why aren't there more women CEOs or leaders in politics?

Who's fault is it? Is it our fault - those of us who are ambitious and aggressive, but still not willing to bring those skills to the boardroom because... we're pretty sure we'll be shot down by the men in the room? Is it our fault because as women, we are the child-bearing gender and it's still our responsibility to care for that child until the age of majority? Or, is it society's fault because it refuses to give us the same chances it gives men? 

You decide. 

  

America's Got Talent - Lots of It

by Yvonne DiVita

Who isn't waiting for America's Got Talent to return? I know I am. I'm not thrilled that Howard Stern in replacing Piers as a judge, but I'll reserve my comments on that for after I see a few shows. 

In meantime, there was one talented group of folks from last season that rocked everyone's socks off - iLuminate - and I admit they were among MY favorite groups, also. 

Lenovo Social Media was fortunate enough to interview the founder of iLuminate, Miral Kotb, and share it with us at Lip-sticking. Remember, Kotb is a cancer survivor (those who watch the show remember that, I'm sure) and she's so talented in so many ways, she gives renewed energy to everyone around her. I'm delighted to share this interview - I hope it helps other women see the power they have in themselves... power that is waiting to be tapped, as Kotb tapped into hers.

One of the fantastic things about iLuminate is their dance focus - regular readers will know that I'm a big supporter of a dance/performing group right here in Denver/Boulder called Art as Action. So, dance is near and dear to my heart (also because... I can't dance - sorry, I'm no dancer and never will be one).

Here's the interview - enjoy!

Facebook Timeline 'Getting Started' Tips

Guest post by Blog Manager Robbi Hess

The time's they are a changing', right? With Facebook those changes seem to happen from the time I turn my computer off at night to when I get up in the morning. I don't take change well, in fact I keep rejecting Gmail's offer of the "new and improved look" for my inbox. No,thank you. They do keep warning me that eventually I won't have a choice of accepting the new look, sigh. 

And now here comes Facebook with its new Timeline feature. I rejected it for my personal page as long as I could but decided to be proactive in changing my Facebook business page. I mean I even have a new cover for it and am playing around with the other features. 

The New Business Loan: Crowdfunding

by Yvonne DiVita

It's not really new. It's been around a bit - certainly, smart, innovative thinkers recognized the value of tapping into your community/network for funds, long before they decided to call it CrowdFunding. (aka crowdsourcing) Think of it as American Idol for small businesses - who loves you enough to vote for you by sending you $$?

Crowdfund your way to success describes it like this: Let’s say you want to fund a sandwich shop. You’d list your business on one of the various crowdfunding sites (see below) and offer to name a sandwich after someone for a month in exchange for, say, $100. Do that 50 times, and you’ve got $5,000. A filmmaker looking to finance his movie might offer a credit at the end in exchange for an investment of, say, $250. One woman in need of a new boat hull for a trip around the world promised investors a postcard from each of her many stops, and even that worked.

Facebook for Places from Mari Smith

Professional Facebook expert, Mari Smith, shares insight into the way businesses can use Facebook Places. Do you use this tool? How is it working for you?

 

Passwords - The Future of...

by Yvonne DiVita [for 2012, like us on Facebook and share your Wednesday Widsom]

From a Great article in the NY Times (may require a registration) "Passwords are a pain to remember. What if a quick wiggle of five fingers on a screen could log you in instead? Or speaking a simple phrase?"

When I saw the article above, it caught my eye immediately. I don't know about you, but I have at least a dozen different passwords. Some I use over and over, until it's time to change them. Yes, I try to change them yearly. But, it's annoying, it's time consuming, and it's frustration, because I can't remember which passwords go to which account sometimes. 

A good many of us write out passwords on sticky notes and put them around our computer monitors. I don't see anything wrong with that (although I don't do it - I have tons of phone numbers on sticky  notes around my monitors, but no passwords). Seriously, isn't your actual, physical monitor less likely to be breached, than your harddrive, or online account?

Dear *insert name of bank* Who Needs Ya?

by Yvonne DiVita

Banks have money to loan - for small businesses. That's what I hear on the news and read in the paper and have even been told by my bank. "We want to help America get back on its feet," my banker said. "We have money to lend... especially if you'll be hiring."

We showed how eager we are to hire - and how we're making a profit, almost unheard of for a company as new as we are, and still... we were turned away.The only money banks have to lend is money they're hiding under the table and expect a solid 500% return on. I guess. They've proven they aren't lending to "start-ups" or businesses that "need" money. We're not the only ones being turned away. Or, they're offering an SBA Loan - as long as you can invest a ton of your own money, first.

If you're established and you don't need a loan, they have LOTS of money to lend. Ain't that great?