How design affects credibility on the web
I hate ugly websites. I realize that I have a particular bias as a result of what I do so I’m sure that is to be expected. In fact, people often have fun with me by sending me links to ugly websites just to see how much I cringe. All fun aside, however, how often do we really think about how design affects our credibility as businesses? Do ugly websites hurt business? Turns out, the answer is yes. Many studies have been done on this topic, including this one from Stanford University. In these studies, we find out that there are a number of design factors that influence how your website...
Read MoreHow an insurance agency generates business using Facebook
I always enjoy hearing stories of small business owners using social media to generate leads and connect with new clients. As much as I encourage people to give social media a chance, it’s the real-world case studies that speak the loudest. Jim DeWitt is an owner at DeWitt Insurance Group and is a member of my BNI chapter. Jim’s agency offers life and health insurance (both business and individual), as well as property and casualty insurance. During our BNI meetings, Jim sometimes shares with us how he finds new clients. Frequently his clients come from Facebook as a result of his...
Read MoreMy Tour of Gleaners Food Bank: An Awe-inspiring Example of Giving in Indiana
I had the pleasure of touring Gleaners Food Bank today with Victoria Petersen. Victoria’s title is “Major Gifts Officer” and she is responsible for working with donors to keep Gleaners stocked with enough supplies to feed the hungry in Indiana. Touring the facility was a humbling and awe-inspiring experience and I would like to share it with you. First, some facts: 83% of IPS students qualify for a free lunch or reduced lunch program Every dollar donated to Gleaner provides 6 meals to a hungry person There are 83,590 children living in poverty in the food bank’s...
Read MoreIs Indianapolis the Networking Capitol of the U.S.?
I realize this is a pretty bold headline and a rather dramatic statement to make but I’ve been thinking recently about my home city of Indianapolis and how active this community is in networking. My blog post was prompted by a recent whiteboard session I attended with Tony Scelzo in which we covered all the great networking opportunities we have in this city. For example, we have one of the most active, progressive BNI franchises in the country. Hazel Walker is truly a community leader and a progressive networker and has done great things for BNI in this city. We are also the birthplace...
Read MoreUse a System for Making Referrals
As a member of networking groups like BNI and Rainmakers, I have a strong commitment to producing quality referrals for members of my network. The “givers gain” philosophy is alive and well and I have seen it work wonders many times over for me and for my referral partners. Staying consistent is tough, however. It’s easy to get busy and distracted and therefore forget to make referrals or even miss opportunities that come up in daily interactions. For this reason, I am careful to capture referral opportunities in my productivity system just like any other action. It...
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