I try to go to a number of networking events a year. It’s a great way to meet people. As a networker and connector, I enjoy meeting new people and seeing who in my “rolodex” would be a good business connection for them – not to mention getting myself some business!

After each event, I send out a quick thank you email, along with a PDF we produced called 10 Tips on Using Social Media for Lead Generation. I don’t want anything in return; it’s my way of saying Thanks and it’s good to meet you. I love the idea and of course, it’s not mine. BNI, the largest networking group in the world, calls it Giver’s Gain. Gary Vaynerchuk wrote an entire book on it called The Thank You Economy.

So, I’m still rather amazed when a brand new connection contacts me and asks “Hey, we met last week. Do you have a good lead for me?” without offering anything in return – or even asking me what a good lead for me is.

To quote the Amazon.com summary of Gary’s book:

The Thank You Economy offers compelling, data-driven evidence that we have entered into an entirely new business era, one in which the companies that see the biggest returns won’t be the ones that can throw the most money at an advertising campaign, but will be those that can prove they care about their customers more than anyone else.

EVERY networking group I’ve been to, or been a member of, thrive on the Giver’s Gain philosophy. It may be those words (BNI) or a similar thought-process, but the idea is the same. Reaching out to me and flat out asking for a lead (especially before we meet 1-on-1, before we have any in-depth conversations, etc.) simply turns me off.

Networking is a great tool – when used correctly. The “me me me” approach doesn’t work – at least not for me .

Bell Canada has been handed down a $1.25 million (CAD) fine after its employees posted fake reviews of Bell apps. The carrier “encouraged” staff members to post glowing testimonials of the MyBell Mobile and Virgin My Account apps on the App Store and Google Play. Unfortunately, these overenthusiastic write-ups neglected to mention that they were written by people on Bell’s dollar.

Read the full article on Engadget by clicking HERE

Zara actually started selling this shirt. Gee, and then they had to pull it from their shelves.

If your marketing folks approved this and actually did any kind of marketing for it, please call us. You need our help. Desperately.

You can read the entire article HERE.

The New York Post has a story that the Union Street Guest House in Hudson, NY, fines couples $500 for every negative review posted online (on any website) by one of their guests. And, it will also fine you $500 if you’re staying there to attend a wedding at another venue in the area, but leave a negative review about your stay.

The hotel has supposedly had this policy on its website:

Please know that despite the fact that wedding couples love Hudson and our inn, your friends and families may not.

If you have booked the Inn for a wedding or other type of event anywhere in the region and given us a deposit of any kind for guests to stay at USGH there will be a $500 fine that will be deducted from your deposit for every negative review of USGH placed on any internet site by anyone in your party and/or attending your wedding or event. If you stay here to attend a wedding anywhere in the area and leave us a negative review on any internet site you agree to a $500 fine for each negative review.

Gee, this couldn’t possibly backfire – could it???? (Current Yelp reviews HERE)

Read the entire article HERE

Wow – seriously?

Ice cream company’s flippant Facebook post tastes a lot like bigotry.

“A Muslim customer posted on the Wilcoxson’s brand Facebook page to ask if the gelatin listed in the ingredients list was made from pork (if so, it would be a no-no). The company president — PRESIDENT! — Matt Schaeffer flippantly responded, “We don’t deliver outside of Montana, certainly not Pakistan.”

Read the rest HERE