LinkedIn is a professional network of 85 million members in over 200 countries and there is a new member joins LinkedIn every second. Unlike other social networks LinkedIn is geared for business professionals. Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members.
How businesses can leverage LinkedIn for business purposes?
LinkedIn is one of the most trusted and secure communication channel available for businesses. LinkedIn has many features that businesses are leveraging to generate leads, however LinkedIn is still somewhat under used.
Because of the way LinkedIn hierarchy of networks, other businesses can find your services when they are searching for your products.
Here are the top 10 ways businesses can benefit from social media platform LinkedIn and increase their brand visibility,
1. Relationships matter – This is LinkedIn motto, you can create a company page for your business on LinkedIn, add businesses services and promotions.
a) Get recommendations from your clients about your products and services. You can recommend other businesses you have dealt with.
b) This is a great way you can showcase your company offerings which in turn creates new opportunities.
c) Keep in touch with your current, past clients and create opportunities for new clients.
2. Promote your business using LinkedIn Ads. You can target specific audience by age, industry company size etc.
3. LinkedIn polls – Use LinkedIn polls as a great market research tool. This is reliable and valuable business information form experts in your industry.
a) You can also share & test ideas with your peers.
4. Generate sales leads by participating in public and private groups discussions.
5. Answer questions in Q&A sections to build an expert professional image, brand about your business.
6. Find business partners and employees, Use advanced search to find current and past history before you even communicate to them.
7. Get some business answers when you are stuck. Post questions to get expert answers from your network connections.
8. Post industry updates right into your profile to show authority and expertise in your field.
9. Learn about your clients and your competition by following their companies. Get updates right into your inbox.
10. If you want to invest in businesses get industry updates and find the ideas that are worth investing. This is your early opportunity to be proactive to invest in great businesses start-ups.
If you have tried any other ways of using LinkedIn for business purposes please leave your comments.
Scott Huyghebaert our attorney and a partner at Morelli Chertkow joins us in the studio to offer up some great legal advice and tips for entrepreneurial business start ups. It’s not often that you get one person who is both a lawyer as well as an entrepreneur so we’re grateful to Scott for making some time to peel back some business legal layers and explain some of the intricacies of sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations. What does it all mean and when should each type of business structure be used?
What are some of the biggest mistakes that entrepreneurial start ups make? Scott says it’s usually a lack of clarity with their business model and better business planning. Don’t just believe your friends and family when it comes to your ideas. Get advice from some professionals.
Well here you have it folks… I had said that I would eat my hat if they got the online store for Deals Von Mastermind up in time … and it appears at some point in the near future I’m going to have to do just that! Team Nexus has launched their online store and the deals look absolutely amazing! Check it out yourself at www.dealsvm.com
Time for a Race Update from The Race To A Million teams. Team Nexus is down a little (again) after purchasing software for their online store… Pete says “I’ll eat my hat if the site is up in time”. Team Matrix hasn’t yet moved from their $755 mark. They’ve lost a couple of members but they’re in the process of adding replacements. Matrix assures us, however, that they are getting ready to move forward with their strategies. Third place has Team Genie who also has lost a member but they are very excited about their upcoming product launch. In second place is team Alpha who has added their first sponsor, Brian from Home Pro Inspections Service and they’re dropping the cost of the car they have for sale. In first place is Team TRU still meeting weekly… still innovating… the business community seems to really buying in to this team while they leverage all of their ideas.
Dean Pierson interviews Kellie Auld for this participant spotlight on Kellie and her company in the Race To A Million. Kellie tells us it’s all about the people you have in your business in order to succeed in business today… you need to keep it simple and communicate clear and well. Everyone’s perception is not always what you think it is and that is one of the places that Kellie’s company, Simply Communicating, can help.
Here’s an EXTENDED team updates video from October 25, 2010 with members of each Race To A Million Team checking in via video to tell us what’s happening in the race.
Regan Hayes from Team Genie talks about their upcoming plans to launch something VERY BIG and include their charity in an equally BIG way.
Gregg Murray from Team Matrix speaks to some of the challenges their team has faced but believes the members of the team are still “game” for the game.
Lisa Ottenbreit from Team TRU feels confident that their team is increasing their social media following and is embracing the lead that her team has over the others cautiously but also with optimism. They are enjoying the opportunities to try different business ideas and they are excited about what’s to come. Lisa tells us a little more about their TRUly Fresh Personnel strategy and their partnership deal with Kamloops Night Out. They are also looking for more partnership opportunities with other businesses in town.
Team Nexus tells us to remember, remember, the 5th of November… DealsVonMastermind.com is launching on that day! A one stop shopping portal for electronics, vacations and lots of great deals on many other items. These guys are hilarious and entertaining!
And don’t forget Team Alpha who speaks to us about their ups and downs and the way they are turning things around… The Car, Star Wars collectibles, Mosaic picture software and a contest that has something to do with counting noodles.
Join us to listen to Peter and Dean speak about the concept of Masterminding. What is it and how do you form a group?
Our dynamic duo first read about the concept in a book published by the late Napoleon Hill titled “Think and Grow Rich”. In it Napoleon Hill revealed years of research he had conducted from his interviews and study of the great business leaders of his time. These included people like Henry Ford, Thomas Edison, Andrew Carnegie and many others. One of the concepts Mr. Hill spoke at length about what Masterminding. It involves surrounding yourself with people you aspire to be like that have stronger skill sets than yourself in their diverse areas of expertise.
Peter and Dean will be starting up more Mastermind Groups in January to help even more entrepreneurs create new businesses and accelerate their business growth.
In the following short 7 minute video Napoleon Hill explains how you can “Think and Grow Rich”. He explains the steps you can follow to begin the process. Please enjoy.
How To Think and Grow Rich:
Procure a neat pocket-sized notebook.
On page 1 write down a clear description of You Most Desire in Life.
On page 2 write down a clear statement of what you intend to Give in Return.
Memorize both statements.
Repeat a dozen times daily.
Statement Expression of Gratitude:
“O Divine Providence, I ask not for more riches but more wisdom with which to make wiser use of the riches you gave me at birth, consisting in the power to control and direct my own mind to whatever ends I might desire.”
Join us in the studio and watch Peter Cameron-Inglis speak with Daniel Dallaire from Investor’s Group. A VERY nice person who has finished first in the community of Kamloops. Daniel offers some sage business tips and advice for entrepreneurs everywhere and the contestants in the race.
Daniel speaks about focus days, free days and buffer days as being the secret to organizing a successful entrepreneur’s life and achieving balance.
Daniel also offers us some great feedback about commitment, focus, drive, determination and sacrifice to attain the goals we set for ourselves.
He has some great feedback for business people and the contestants in the Race To A Million. Daniel believes the teams can reach their goals but maintains that they have to speak to other successful business people for advice. People who have a proven track record in the community are more than willing to share the secrets of success – you just need to ask them. Daniel says that success is achieved when people don’t underestimate their own abilities and when they set a definitive time frame to hit their goals.
With some sacrifice, creative thinking, consulting experts, and commitment Daniel sides with the Race To A Million teams and says the nay-sayers are just incorrect; they can do it.
On the home page of Team TRU’s website at www.teamtru.ca they write that they “are a group of young entrepreneurs seeking to win the Race to a Million by taking a truly fresh approach to business”.
At Dictionary.com an entrepreneur is defined as “a person who organizes and manages any enterprise, esp. a business, usually with considerable initiative and risk.” Team TRU has definitely organized themselves and managed their business endeavors thus far very well. They’ve shown the initiative and taken the risk. These are not just your average academic students. They are clearly showing the drive and determination that it takes to succeed in business today but will they succeed? Can they continue their sprint to the finish line of this marathon entrepreneurial contest? Time will tell. One thing seems certain; while there are a lot of zeros in $1,000,000 there are more heroes than ‘zeros’ on this team.
Here’s some of the “considerable initiatives and risks” being managed by Team TRU.
This coming Thursday, October 21, 2010 Team TRU will once again be on the air with 98.3 CIFM at 1:40 in the afternoon.
Team TRU made a substantial financial commitment this week in securing a spot this coming weekend (Friday Evening through Sunday, October 22-24, 2010) at the Interior Savings Centre for the Fall Home Show. The event is free to attend and is one of the most widely attended shows in the interior of BC. In previous years, this particular Home Show is usually attended by 20,000 to 25,000 people. The Team Tru booth will be located in the middle of the main floor of the Home Show. Team TRU will be offering some great products for your home including:
Home furnishings and decor
Heating solutions they claim “will blow your mind” including some great fire places and in-home heaters
AND, One-of-A-Kind original works of art starting at only $650 including beautiful wood relief carvings and canvas paintings. The local artist will be on hand to answer any questions about her pieces.
This Team has already done very well signing advertisers for their own website and as a result of this and other demonstrations of their business savvy Team TRU has announced that they have been hired to ramp up the advertising sales for Kamloops Night Out. They will be using some of their students from their TRUly Fresh Marketing and TRUly Fresh Personnel to hit the pavement and sign new clients for the Kamloops company.
And finally, on Tuesday Novemeber 9th, 2010 Team TRU will be hosting an ART Design – Wine and Dine at The Commodore Grand Cafe and Lounge. Team TRU has been commissioned by a local artist Carly Mercer to help her create a name for herself in the art community of Kamloops. Carly is a Fine Arts Graduate of Thompson Rivers University and is looking to Team TRU to help her pave her path to success. This event is created to showcase work from this particular local artist. Come and support Team TRU in their Race To a Million while they help Carly get her career off to a great start. You might even find that you’ll want to add to the individuality of your home with one of these beautiful and original paintings.
Thompson Rivers University and the Thompson Rivers University Foundation (Team TRU’s charity of choice) should be proud of the great work, drive, dedication and enthusiasm that has consistently been shown by this amazing team of students, alumni, and faculty. Great work Team TRU you TRUly are a “Fresh Approach To Business!”
Team Nexus unveils more of its Von Mastermind marketing strategies and products. This time four of Nexus’ members join us for the second video from the Team … They tell us that their online store is on schedule for launch and is almost here. So far they claim to have over $30,000 in total gross revenue booked for sales… and it hasn’t yet launched for public access… For more about the Deals Von Mastermind Electronics Online Superstore… Von Mastermind Dollars… Von Mastermind Vacation Property Bookings and … Von Mastermind Gorilla Marketing Opportunities … watch the video.
Before you start your next marketing or advertising campaign we’d like to share a few useful tips about the importance of defining your brand. Our very own Kimberely Eibl, Canada’s Mastermind Development Corporation Director of Marketing & Social Media, joins us in the studio to discuss three very important questions you need to ask yourself. These three questions could very well help to define your entrepreneurial success or failure.
Do you have a business related question that you think other people would also like advice on? We’re looking for ideas for our next Business Tips Video. As always we’d love to hear from you. Please send your feedback… drop us a comment or send us a message through the contact us form on this site.
Team TRU is widening the lead they have over the other Race To A Million teams this week as they add another $1000 to their total and break the $3000 mark. This weeks gains are a direct result of adding two more sponsors through team TRU’s Truly Fresh Marketing strategy which provides advertising services to local businesses on Team TRU’s website located at www.teamtru.ca. This week The Commodore Grand Cafe & Lounge located at 369 Victoria Street in Kamoops and Wholesale Furniture Brokers located at #103 – 1366 Hugh Allan Drive in Kamloops, BC have stepped forward to support Team TRU as website sponsors.
Here is a video update from the second investment cycle for the Race To A Million. What strategies are the teams using to turn their $500 into $1,000,000 by July 2011? Watch the video to find out!
Dean: Welcome to the new and improved Race to a Million video updates. I’m Dean Pierson
Peter: And I’m Peter Cameron-Inglis…….Like Dean says ….. we’re happy to unveil our new format for your viewing pleasure! Faster pace…..more diverse content and information that you can use…..
Dean: Every week we’ll be giving you 5 to 6 minute segments that will have themes like business tips, feet on the street, celebrity interviews and of course…..our Race to a Million updates……which is where we begin this week……with an update on where the team’s sit this week! Oh…..and remember……if you miss the video updates…..can follow along by hitting the Leaderboard tab at www.racetoamillion.ca……
Peter: From last to first…..here’s where the teams stand…….
Dean: Team Nexus is currently in 5th place with a total bank account of $401.01. They have used some of their original $500 investment to set up their on line electronics store. Deals Von Mastermind will be open for business on Nov 5th…..just in time for this year’s Christmas shopping. Check them out at www.dealsvm.com. Oh…..by the way,…..If you haven’t seen the first video from Team Nexus….. click this link to check out the update from Professor Investor…….it’s good for a laugh!
Peter: In 4th place this week…..is Team Matrix.
Their first money making strategy was to spend a day at a local flea market……and they accomplished their goal of getting a positive influx of cash. They currently sit at $755 and are continuing to gain sponsors for their website and are in negotiations with many local businesses to get some sponsors……and they have been doing a lot of work on their website……check them out at www.mastermindmatrix.ca
As a sponsor at www.mastermindmatrix.ca,you’ll Have your logos included on the web site on the static sidebar……You’ll be featured as a corporate sponsor…..you’ll also secure video banner ads on a rotating basis for the duration of the contest…..Will have business logos, name mentions featured in all traditional media ….Will have top of page banner ad on a rotating basis for the duration of the contest
Team Matrix has some exciting offerings coming to their website which will include not only sponsorship opportunities but will also include some great deals on some exciting heath care devices and we’ll be able to tell you all about those very very soon.
Dean: In third place smack dab in tn the middle of the pack……it’s Team Genie!
As a result of their first strategy of using the time and talents of computer specialist Michael Koehn…..Team Genie also moved in a positive direction for the first investment cycle and currently sit at $850.
Team Genie is also conjuring up some new ideas that they are not yet ready to unveil……but by our next video we’ll be able to tell you how you can help Team Genie and their great charity the Make a Wish Foundation. Check out the latest from Team Matrix at www.openthebottle.ca
Peter: In second place after the first investment cycle is Team Alpha……Team Alpha put their back’s into it with some good old manual labor in Prince George last weekend. After the job and after deducting their expenses, Team Alpha sits at $1187.98.
Alpha is looking to add to their total by a couple of grand this week by brokering a deal to sell a car on line. The car is a 1996 Mazda Millenia S. It’s supercharged with a 2.3 liter engine, full leather interior in great shape, sunroof, air conditioning and everything that you’d expect in a $45 000 MSRP luxury sport sedan. It’s also been cleaned by our crack team of car cleaning RTAM racers and looks like a million bucks.
Buyers can drive it as is, or put a few bucks into it to fix some of the expected quirks a car of this age acquires. The price of the car is $2000 The car can be viewed at www.thealphateam.ca
Dean: Alpha team member Mike Harrison from Royal LePage real estate is lending some of his expertise to the cause as well.
If you are looking for real estate in the Kamloops area……call Mike and tell him that you want to support Team Alpha……just say the word Alpha and you can help the team and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation too!! Here’s how it works….On the completion of transactions below 300,000 will result in Harrison contribution of 500.00. 250.00 to charity and 250.00 to our team account.
Completion of transactions over 300,000 will result in Harrison contribution of 1,000.00.
500.00 to our charity and 500.00 to our team account.
Peter: Team Alpha has allowed us to tell you about some of their other upcoming strategies as well. They will be unveiling their new software development company……..a go to place for your company’s specific software needs. This team of “geeks” are some of the best in the world at what they do and very soon you’ll be able to take advantage of their skill set. Also…..without giving away too much……if you are a fan of Star Wars and Star Wars collectibles…….you will soon have a chance to bid on a one of a kind Star Wars collectible on E-Bay ……more details on that coming soon at www.thealphateam.ca
Dean: And the leaders after the first investment cycle are Team TRU. This group of students is doing exactly what we expected them to do. That is to enthusiastically come up with creative ideas and to put them into action fast!
Team TRU has not only launched sponsorship opportunities with their marketing arm of www.teamtru.ca they are also unveiling a new employment service as well! It is called Truly Fresh Personnel and they are acting as agents to help TRU students put some jingle in their jeans. They already have buy in from many local employers and invite you to post a job at www.teamtru.ca . Whatever the job is…..the TRU students can “git’er done” and Truly Fresh Personnel can get you the help you need.
Also…..Team TRU is continuing to raise awareness by starting their radio interviews on 98.3 CIFM……you can catch them in the Kamloops market this Tuesday the 22nd at 11:40 am and for fans outside of the market……you can listen on line at www.98.3cifm.com
Team TRU has become the first team to break the $2 Thousand dollar mark and currently sit at $2382.42
Peter: Also…..keep watching these videos and our website www.racetoamillion.ca for details about how Team TRU is generating ideas and enthusiasm with some creative new ideas as………I tell you…..there are some great things coming up from TRU and all of our teams!
Team Alpha has acquired a very nice, clean 1996 Mazda Millenia S and wants to offer it to you. The car has a bunch of fantastic features, including it’s supercharged 2.3 liter engine, full leather interior in great shape, sunroof, air conditioning. This car has everything that you’d expect in a $45,000 MSRP luxury sport sedan.
It’s been detailed by our crack team of Team Alpha car detailers and looks like a million bucks.
Buyers can drive it as is, or put a few bucks into it to fix some of the expected quirks a car of this age acquires.
The price? $2000.00 (CDN)
The car can be viewed at 1225 Harrison Place, Kamloops, British Columbia on weekends, at noon or after 5 pm.
Team Alpha is announcing a Real Estate Sales Deal with Mike Harrison today.
Do you need to buy or sell your home or property? Let Team Alpha help.
Realtor and member of Team Alpha, Mike Harrison is offering his time and effort to support the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation and Team Alpha. Mike has lived in Kamloops for over 20 years, and has developed strong relationships within the community. Mike has been a Licensed Real Estate Professional (UBC) since 2006 and a recipient of the “President’s Gold” Royal LePage Sales Award. Mike also serves as Vice president of the Kamloops Community Football Society ans is a proud major sponsor of the Kamloops Sr. Rattlers lacrosse Club.
To help Team Alpha and the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation Mike is offering a portion of the commission for any property bought or sold through him that was referred by Team Alpha.
Mike has formatted his support like this: On completion of transactions below $300,000 will result in Mike contributing a total of of $500 – $250.00 will go directly to CBCF and $250 to the Team Alpha bank account. On completion of transactions over $300,000, Mike will contribute $ 1,000 with $500 going directly to CBCF and $500 to the Team Alpha bank account.
Please help Mike support the CBCF and Team Alpha by contacting him regarding buying or selling your property and telling him “Team Alpha sent me”.
Mike can be reached at 250-374-3022 … Tell him Team Alpha sent you!
Race To A Million is the 1st ever "Social Reality" TV show - where Social Media meets Reality TV. Our goal is to prove that business can be fun, socially conscious, environmentally responsible, and sustainable while still profitable. We say "Nice People CAN Finish First!"
This a 1 of a kind money making contest highlights innovative and strategic business ideas. It's a contest with 5 creative teams of business people, entrepreneurs and students competing to see who can parlay $500 into $1 Million by July 1st 2011. Fans can also win prizes (up to $10,000) by submitting their creative money-making ideas.
lakkineni | Posted in Business Strategy, Business Tips, technology | Posted on 30-11-2010 
Peter Cameron-Inglis
