The Men of The Hour


On April 29, 2010... Charlotte ETP Network had the pleasure of having two Great Guest Speakers, Mr. Carl E. Reid Founder, CEO and President of a successful technology consulting firm NetTECH Systems. Mr. Reid is publisher of the Library of Congress recognized newsletter blog "Savvy Intrapreneur" and is engaged by companies as a professional blogger and social media consultant, as well as COO of ETP Network.

Our Guest Speaker for the evening was Mr. Rod Colon Empowering Today's Professionals (ETP) Network Founder and CEO Rod Colón, and Author of Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs: Put CEO Power Into Your Job Search and Your Career.

A good time was had by all as the ETP Charlotte networking meeting. It went off with great success the attendees were intrigue by both Carl and Rod’s backgrounds as well as their enthusiasm for leadership.

The group’s responses to both Carl and Rod were as if they were eating up their knowledge of valuable information. Their energetic speaking style not only motivated the group but provided them with the ability to feel apart of a wonderful team. Rod made the meeting feel as if it was just a regular family gathering. The group had many questions pertaining to the CEO of Me, Inc.

Rod's also pointed out the need to grasp, master and integrate four critical skills:

1. Exceptionally effective networking
2. Thinking and acting like the CEO of a large corporation
3. Developing a bulletproof value proposition to make you as attractive as possible to decision-makers
4. Expertise at following a precisely-targeted 7-step job search methodology that leads you directly to an interview

Rod and Carl both provided us with creativity, leadership, teamwork and knowledgeable information this held the group’s attention and kept us involved throughout the evenings event.

We had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Carl & Rod on a one on one bases. The training and the coaching that these two men of the hour provided us with was an experience that no one could have imagined unless they were in ear shot.

We had the opportunity to network after the meeting was over with the rest of the attendees. While Rod autographed his book Win The Race for 21st Century Jobs. We also had a drawing for Rod’s book and the winner was Ivy Sanchez.

I would like to thank all the attendees for coming out and spending the evening at this great networking event. Look forward to seeing everyone and out next monthly event.

I would especially like to thank Weeping Willow AME Church, for allowing Charlotte ETP Networking Group to be able to utilize the fellowship hall for our monthly meetings.

10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business Cards - Global Edition



This article was first published in 2004. According to Google, it went viral onto thousands of web sites, blogs and social media networks.

Many thanks to the Los Angeles Chinese Learning Center, Rod Colon Consulting, Net-Temps, EzineArticles, iPower Global Solutions, Asian Business Cards and Scott Ginsberg for being prominent champions to publish the original article. 

The world has become smaller. Developing personal and business networking relationships requires acting local, but thinking global.  The changing world landscape of diverse cultures now surrounds us down to your next door neighbors. Career and business survival dictates learning savvy approaches and etiquette for using business cards in various situations. 

Whether you are looking for a job or running a business, giving out business cards is crucial to marketing your skills or services. Even as a job seeker, develop the mindset of running the  business of ME, Inc. Business cards speak volumes about who you are, what you offer and how serious you are marketing ME, Inc. as a business. Oh! So, you have a resume and don't need business cards. Can you carry 10 resumes in your wallet? Do you or can you carry your resume everywhere you go? A church bell ringing lets people know they are open for business. Your business card is your bell. Here are some proven tips using business cards to increase your chances of landing a job or creating a business opportunity.

1. Never leave home without them. Before leaving home, your checklist should be expanded to include business cards, as part of "do I have my wallet/money, house keys, driver's license'" Any 'per chance' meeting is an opportunity to give out a business card. A morning run or a quick trip to the local store could be an opportunity to network. My wife and I always ask each other 'do you have business cards', before leaving the house. Make it a habit to carry business cards.

2. Use proper business card etiquette. In the United States, Canada and the UK business card etiquette is less formal.  Whenever you give a business card, ask for a business card. When given a business card, don't just take it and place it in your pocket. Make the person feel important by looking at their card for a few seconds. You might see something that could be a topic of discussion. Write comments on the card such as date, location and common points of interest. These comments will prove valuable when following up with that person. This also demonstrates a sincere interest in the other person. Then place it in your wallet. 


This lets people know they reside in a special place with you. Skill with People by Les Giblin is a book that expands on this approach.  Make people feel important, in order to make yourself important to them.  In other countries like India, Japan, China and Korea there is immense ceremonious formality or protocol associated with exchanging business cards. Make sure you do your homework to understand the cultural nuances when meeting with a particular group of people.

3. Be generous. Give business cards out to everyone, including family and friends. Don't let vanity stop you from giving out your last business card or giving 2 at a time to each person. I have met many people who have totally missed the purpose of a business card. I once asked a person for a second business card, so I could refer his services. His response was "I only have a few cards left and I need them", as he looked again at his name on the card. Hoarding your business cards only makes your wallet feel full, not your bank account.

4. Ask for referrals. When giving a business card, people feel more comfortable when you ask; 'I would appreciate a referral, if you know anyone that could use my services'. Don't make people feel like they are on the spot. This approach disarms people much better than asking them, "is your company hiring" People naturally like to do favors for people. Saying 'could you do me a favor by referring my services to someone'. This always places you in a better position with them.  They will feel better about helping you. Give them 2 cards.

5. Maximize every "per chance" meeting. You never know when you might meet someone who can help you. Family or friends social events could produce unexpected encounters with people. Don't discount those events. So you're going to a birthday party for your friend's kid. You never know who you might meet.  At a family holiday gathering, I met someone that has been instrumental in developing our business. Who would have thought this could happen by giving him a simple business card.

6. Place yourself at the right place at the right time. Have you been to a job fair or business conference and been disappointed with the networking results? Turn the tables around. Consider volunteering to help out at the job fair or other types of events. This puts you in a better strategic position for presenting your resume or business card. Company representatives might view you differently, if they know you are willing to go the extra mile in helping them make their presence easier to manage. 


Get involved by visiting the event calendars on LinkedIn, Networking Event Finders, FullCalendar, Craigslist, Speakers & Sponsors or Empowering Today's Professionals.  This provides you with opportunities for giving out your business card. Volunteering for events has been a very successful resource for my business partner and me to expanding our business. Zig Ziglar, one of the most successful sales trainers in the world says "if you help enough people get what they want in life, you will get what you want in life".

7. Use email as your electronic business card.

An email sent to just 2 people, who know you, can exponentially get the word out about your business. That single email to 2 people could potentially go out to 2,000 people in less than 1 hour. It's a natural phenomenon inherent to email, called viral marketing.  Your Email Signature is THE most important advertising area for you. This area is your billboard. It's also your electronic business card. This is the area where you tell people about your business.

Insert your [business] name, logo, tag line or slogan, telephone number, web site, email address and maybe your snail mail address. www.WiseStamp.com provides an awesome tool to create email signatures.

8. Use "In Your Face" follow up. After a business card exchange, ideally you want to follow up 24 to 48 hours with the new person(s) you met. Pay attention to global time zones when making follow up phone calls. This is especially crucial with sending emails. To increase the chances of your email getting noticed, read and a response, the best times to send email is Monday through Thursday 10:00AM to 2:00PM LOCAL TIME FOR YOUR CONTACT. 

Although times may vary, after 2:00PM the siesta is a traditional midday sleep or time off in many countries, like Spain and many Latin American countries. Brazil stands in cultural contrast, as an exception. Afternoon sleep is also a common habit in the Philippines, China (called wujiao), Vietnam, Bangladesh (bhat-ghum meaning "rice-sleep"), India, Southern Italy, Greece, Croatia, Malta, the Middle East and North Africa. Islam suggests an afternoon sleep between Dhuhr and Asr prayers. So follow up emails may not get read during this time. Keep your note short so your email signature (tip #7) shows on the same screen.

Did you ever have a job interview or meeting with a recruiter, potential client or employer and wonder why they never called you back' 'Out of sight, out of mind' is the operative phrase to remember. Today's economic climate dictates you might be competing with 20, 50, 100 or more other people for the same position or contract. It's quite a task for people to keep track of each individual meeting.

So it's up to you to give a person a reason to call you back. Immediately after a meeting, snail mail a hand written note thanking the person for their time. Insert your business card. Now you're in the driver's seat in standing out from other people. If you get no response, do it again. Patience and persistence pays off.

9. Leverage staff promotions to promote ME, Inc.. Newspapers often have stories of people being promoted to high levels in different organizations. This is an opportunity for you. Consider getting some invitation size blank greeting cards. Use the Internet's search capabilities to find out the address of the company's executive offices.

Send the blank invitation type card with a hand written note sincerely congratulating a person on their promotion. Insert your business card. For the cost of a stamp, you have just made person's day and may create an impression that makes a person feel compelled to respond back to you. Make it a habit to do this once a week. Remember '6 Degrees of Separation'. You just never know . . . People open invitation type envelops faster  than any others.

10. Brand yourself with a slogan. Print a slogan or on your business card that answers the question 'What is in it for me, if I hire you' Or ‘What makes you different from your competition’.  A catchy tag line or slogan insures people ALWAYS associate you or your company with your product or service. People remember even after the commercial is over. That's called branding.

Companies invest huge amounts of money to advertising agencies to come up with these lasting slogans. Consider doing the exact same thing on your business card. This is your insurance people remember you, after you meet. Don't just put Hortence Smiley, Accountant on your business card. Add something like "Financial Services With Integrity". A slogan makes all the difference between getting hired or not, because people will remember you long after a meeting.

Social Media Business Card Tip:  Prepare a business card signature for online Internet encounters.  Similar to your email signature, add the same contact information at the end of comments made to blog or news articles. Be sincere and make sure your comment stays on topic.

This can also be done when answering questions on LinkedIn. When it comes to Facebook, comments with your business card signature on business pages is acceptable, but be very careful on personal pages.  If a person is asking for help related to your expertise on their personal page, contact information may be appropriate with your comment.

Happy trails networking . . .


About the Author: Carl E. Reid, CSI
"Success Synergy thru Intrapreneur  Savvy, Human Capital and Tech Strategy"
With corporate travels from the mail room to the board room, Carl E. Reid knows what it takes to be successful. He has over 40 years of business experience, including 27 years as a technology expert, 16 years as a business career coach and 18 years as a successful entrepreneur. Carl has been a professional blogger and social media strategist since 2004.  In addition to being a sought after speaker and published author, he has coached and inspired hundreds of people to land jobs and start successful businesses. Carl is Chief Operations Officer for Empowering Today's Professionals and "Foreword" author in fast selling book Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs.  *** Tel: 201-222-5390  - Email: CReid3005[AT}gmail.com ****

CONNECT WITH CARL
Tel: 201-222-5390
http://Facebook.com/SavvyIntrapreneur
http://Youtube.com/SavvyIntrapreneur
http://Linkedin.com/in/CarlEReid
http://Twitter.com/CarlEReid
http://CarlEReid.com

Being Nimble is Key to Survival in Job Market

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Being Nimble is Key to Survival in Job Market
There is a difference between nimble and flexible. After landing a job, employees must be flexible to daily management priorities. Whether employed or in a job search, being nimble requires continuous forward thinking to respond quickly to dynamic company or economic shifts. One organization provides education programs that teach members to be nimble thinkers.


Charlotte, NC April 28, 2010 -- Developing interdependent network relationships is a learned skill to remain agile in keeping your business options open. With networking as a core foundation to accomplish this, Empowering Today’s Professionals (ETP) Network has established quite a track record helping hundreds of people land jobs in the last 12 months.

With much success holding “self empowering” career management meetings in the New York and New Jersey area, ETP Network is expanding south into Charlotte, NC. Led by ETP Network member and CEO of Gala Affairs by AtUrbest, Amanda Sherman, the ETP Charlotte Network Group will hold its 3rd meeting on April 29, 2010 at 6:00PM at Weeping Willow Fellowship Hall 2220 Milton Rd Charlotte, NC 28215. “The fact that professionals and business owners are taught to be their own CEO of ME, Inc., success is more assured in the current economy. This is why I’m proud to be associated with ETP Network. I look forward to hosting ETP Network CEO, Mr. Rod Colon as guest speaker at our meeting” says Ms. Sherman.

Beyond college and MBA programs, knowing the approaches and etiquette for properly developing network relationships positions professionals to stay poised for reacting to unknown business changes. “To empower our members to hit the ground running, our member services team bundles our book Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs as part of every membership package”, says Rod Colon, Founder and CEO of Empowering Today’s Professionals Network. Rod further states “combining our weekly job search training calls with our proprietary 7 Step Job Search © allows members to multi thread advocates to facilitate scheduling job interviews quicker”.


So being ready to adjust at a moment’s notice is really what nimble is about. This can only be achieved by aligning oneself with a global organization, such as ETP Network. The synergy of a network supporting each individual to succeed makes all the difference for ongoing success, no matter how economic factors impact corporations. “Our secret weapon for keeping members nimble is our newly implemented ETP Network Angel program. Our angels inside companies help ETP Network members to get placed at the head of the line for interviews. Our benefits package has proven to work for both career professionals and business owners. No other organization teaches members how to network. We do.” states Carl E. Reid, ETP Network Chief Operations Officer.

About Empowering Today’s Professionals (ETP) Network
The mission of ETP Network is to encourage, train, support, mentor and advise fellow CEOs of ME, Incorporated in all aspects of defined responsibilities to their personal Board of Directors. ETP's proven education programs and methodologies guide each member through "HOW" to specifically land a job and develop self empowering career management goalsWeb: www.etpnetwork.com Tel: 732-367-5580

Contact
Phyllis Shelton, Public Relations Director

iPower Global Solutions
Tel: 646-201-6597
Web: http://www.iPowerGS.com
####

About Empowering Today's Professionals FAQs



1. What does
Empowering Today's Professionals
really do?
Whether in transition, currently employed or an entrepreneur, ETP Network empowers its
members to be in control of all aspects of their business environment. This is accomplished by encouraging, training, supporting, mentoring and advising fellow CEOs of ME, Incorporated in all aspects of defined responsibilities to their personal Board of Directors. After all, your career your business and your business is your career.
Related FAQ topics: What's In It For Me | Education | Networking
| Member Goals

2. Does Empowering Today's Professionals guarantee I will find a job?
No one can guarantee their services will help you find a job. If you review the success stories, in the words of other
members, the "7 Step Job Search" methodology is proven to help many members land a job quicker.
Related FAQ topics: Education | Success Stories

3. How can I minimize my transition time to land a job quickly?
Register as a
member, follow the "7 Step Job Search", attend ETP networking events, dial in to training calls and connect with other members. Active participation is the hallmark of Members who land jobs quicker.
Related FAQ topics: Member Benefits | Education | Networking

4. Where are all these great documents located, that I hear and read about?
The
member lodge contains document, audio and video libraries.
Related FAQ topics: Member Goals | Education

5. I went to a meeting – nice; Now what?
Consider becoming an ETP Network Platinum member. Speak to other
members you met at the meeting to get their feedback. Then answer the question "Do I want to continue playing with my career or do I want be in control of owning my career with a warm trusted network to support me?".
Related FAQ topics: Member Benefits | Education | Membership


6. Does Empowering Today's Professionals provide career coaching services?
Yes. Career management coaching provided in group teaching settings. Our networking meetings are designed so an educational topic is included to improve the self management of your career. If you require one-on-one career coaching services, ETP Network can make recommendations to resources.
Related FAQ topics: Education | Networking

7. How can I leverage the 7-Step process?
Career management and business management require a business plan to be successful. Being disciplined about following the "7 Step Job Search" daily has proven to help many members, who are career professionals or entrepreneurs, meet their bottom line.
Related FAQ topics: Success Stories | Membership | Networking


8. Is ETP Network for the unemployed? I am happily working and see no value in joining.
Empowering Today's Professionals not only teaches proper reciprocal networking etiquette, it provides a ready made network of members with thousands of connections willing to help you. The reality these days is 2 years of working at a company job is lifetime. If you were dropped from your company today, could you maintain the life style your family currently enjoys? Do you have a warm trusted network that you can tap to be up and running within 30 days?
Related FAQ topics: I'm an Entrepreneur | Education | Networking


9. I’m from Missouri – Can you show me your successes? Don’t tell me.

In 2009 alone Empowering Today's Professionals helped hundreds of professionals land opportunities.
Related FAQ topics: Success Stories | I'm an Entrepreneur


10. I agree running my career as the CEO of ME, Inc is important but I do not see a program that will guide me in this transformation process?
The video, document and audio libraries located in the member lodge will provide a foundation. Regularly participating in one of monthly networking events will guide you through the process. You can associate with other like minded CEOs of ME, Inc.. The first Monday of every month we have a member advanced training call.

11. I go to the website and is chock full of information but really no easy guide or “user friendly” appeal – information overflow
Take another look at www.etpnetwork.com - We just streamlined our menu system. Click on the "Frequently Asked Questions" menu option. This will provide a guided tour.

12. The 5 Core Goals are nice but no curriculum to achieving each – do you have any success stories on all 5 goals?
When you become a
member, you will have access to the member directory and the ETP Network LinkedIn group. This will allow you connect with many members willing to share their success stories.

13. Love the mission and the well placed intention. Your services and technology are clunky on the web site.
How can I maneuver around your web site better?
Refer to FAQ #11 above.

The Goal of Networking


Since the Internet boom of the mid 1990s, there has been an explosion of books and articles about networking due to its increasing importance in achieving success in the 20th century jobscape. While many of these articles seek to clarify the true meaning of networking, some actually muddy up the waters even further. What’s a novice networker to do?

Let’s put networking squarely in the crosshairs and get a good look at its true meaning. First of all, the entire purpose of networking is to build connections with others based on areas of mutual interest. As routine conversation and interaction continue over time, connections generally morph into relationships — as long as both parties view them as being solidly grounded in trust and reciprocity.

There are those who claim they do not know how to network. Let me assure you: If you can pose the question "How can I help you?" to someone and your offer is straight from the heart, you DO know how to network. The reason is simple: The desire to help others achieve their goals is at the heart of all productive networking. As you become recognized as a person who seeks to help others (while benefitting from help they offer you), you‘ve branded yourself as an individual of great value … the kind of person that anyone would love to have as part of their own "trusted network."

As many new networkers discover, a great deal of network-building begins with something as simple as "small talk." You meet someone, strike up a conversation, and within a few short minutes discover that you both share some common interest, e.g., football, classical music, rock climbing … whatever. Think of "small talk" as the initial "spark" that has the capacity to ignite a genuinely worthwhile relationship.

As experienced networkers already know, there are some unspoken ground rules about networking. If you approach a budding relationship in terms of what you can get out of it, it‘s unlikely the relationship will last long. A "me, first" attitude will poison almost any relationship on which it‘s based.
Put another way, you need to avoid SELLING (i.e., prematurely marketing yourself, your products or services PRIOR to establishing a solid relationship with someone). People who tend to forget this bit of networking protocol are often referred to as "networking jerks." And that‘s a label you clearly want to avoid at all costs!

As healthy relationships grow and mature, good networking techniques now include the ability to ask for things you may need from your network of trusted contacts. As disciplined as you were in avoiding this in the early stages of a relationship, you must now gain the confidence that others know you well enough and respect you highly enough that they will not be surprised or offended if you approach them for help. In short: You need to be comfortable in ASKING — appropriately, of course — within a stable, mature relationship.

To really gain an understanding of networking, it‘s helpful to think of it in terms of a gardening metaphor. In gardening, there is a principle that says "Seed, Feed, and Weed." First you plant the seeds, and then you nurture those seeds with great care and attention. And from time to time, you may need to "prune out" certain shoots that are not contributing to the overall health of the garden.

There‘s really no need to explain the metaphor with regard to networking: it‘s practically self-evident. But when you do find it necessary to "weed" certain contacts from your network, don‘t view this as a personal failure; it‘s inevitable that in any group of new relationships, a certain percentage of them will not develop as planned, hoped, or predicted. That‘s the law of averages. Just remember that leaving the defective relationships in your network exposes you to some significant risk if you should ever decide to share your network of trusted contacts with others.

In the end, networking is what you make of it. Put a lot of effort in and you can be assured of developing a strong and fruitful network.

About the Author
Rod Colon
Contact Rod
President, Rod Colon Consulting, LLC
Founder,
Empowering Today's Professionals (ETP) 
Author of the ETP Network’s first book, Win the Race for 21st For Century Jobs
http://RodColon.com
http://twitter.com/rodcolon
http://www.linkedin.com/in/rodcolon
732-367-5580

10 Powerful Tips to Become an Instant Expert

This article was written by Carl E. Reid after conducting a training program for myself and Lisa Ontell, Saturday, April 25, 2010. Carl is a fabulous coach. He has many years of training under his belt.


I recently I had the opportunity to conduct a training session entitled Leveraging Your Writing Skills to Brand and Market Yourself. Amanda Sherman, CEO and founder of Gala Affairs by AtUrBest and Lisa Ontell, successful project manager and aspiring entrepreneur, were 2 sharp and ambitious attendees. Their engaging questions inspired me to share some of the topics below, which were covered in the session.

The tips below expand on my previous article Expert is Ultimate Earning Power.

1. Writing promotes more authority than a college degree
A person can acquire as many degrees, licenses or certifications as the job market or business arena demands. People are only perceived an expert in their field, if they are published. I went to college, but I don't have a degree.

Having articles published in magazines and blogs augmented my career and income well above most of my peers in the technology information and business arenas. This is clearly explained in the article "Become a Recognized Expert" by Steven Van Yoder.

2. Acquire Some Writing Tools.
Certainly, you will need a word processor for its spell checker and thesaurus. Consider two (2) books to add to your writing reference library. The Elements of Style by William Strunk and E. B. White is a quick read, but is the best book on English usage. It is a powerful reference book for keeping your writing tight. It teaches how to say more with less. The Writer's Market [just the book] or The Writer's Market Book Deluxe Edition with Online Access is updated every year. It provides contact information of magazine or industry periodical editors. Also included are article submission requirements with author payments.

You can get writing and marketing tips with their free newsletter at www.writersmarket.com. One of the best ways to increase your vocabulary is reading the NY Times Book Review. Have a dictionary handy to look up unknown words the book reviewers use in their articles. Reading the NY Times Book Review also gives you a feel for different types of writing styles. You can incorporate these styles in your writing. In terms of vocabulary, writing kept at the 6th grade reading level is widely appealing to people.

Adjust your writing vocabulary as the reader audience dictates. As an engineer, you may use more technical jargon in your articles. The key is knowing your audience, before proceeding to write.

3. Write articles in your knowledge space that have general appeal
Think of processes or procedures you or a team improved. Have you helped a client resolve a problem, which you can share in an article?

Have you written a training manual, which can be repurposed into a book or series of articles? "How to" and "Step" articles sell the best. People are always hungry for new information. So these types of articles have the most general appeal and are widely accepted. Since 2004, "10 Powerful Networking Tips Using Business" has been published on 10,000 web sites. These distribution results for my article are due to its general appeal with business owners, entrepreneurs and career professionals. This article has paid big dividends with business opportunities and speaking engagements.

Writing "How to" and "Step" articles are best for creating residual income. Write once. Get paid many times.

4. Where to Sell Your Articles?
Again The Writer's Market lists the latest target trade periodicals and magazines where you can sell your writing. Don't discount online Internet venues, like Ezine Articles. Although you may not get paid for articles published on the Internet, your expert authority is still established for branding and marketing you and your business. Every article you publish on the Internet feeds the search engines.

When someone types you name into Google, your articles [and your name] will pop up front and center.

5. How to Get Your Article Published
Before approaching an editor, make sure you are familiar with the magazine readership. Reviewing articles of recent magazine issues will provide you with business intelligence for providing a solid value proposition to the editor. The easier the you make for Editors to respond, the faster they will respond. Although email is easier, using snail mail has a higher impact with editors. Send a query letter with an overview of your article. Pre-print postcards with your mailing address on one side.

On the other side print the magazine name [for response tracking] and give the editor 3 options to check off:_ This article is of interest to our readers. Send article_ Send article for further consideration_ This article is not of interest to our readersAdd a stamp and attach the post card to your query letter. You've made it very easy for the editor to just check a box and drop in the outbox for mail room pickup. Editors appreciate writers who understand their time is short.

6. Get more mileage and money out of each article
Once you have an article published and you get get paid, you're not done yet.

There is a potential to get paid 2 or more times with the same article, as you make yourself slightly famous. Consider flipping your article into other magazines or industry newsletters. Verify the paying magazine's author requirements. As long as you still own the copyright for your article, flipping an article is usually okay.

7. Always give your readers a way to contact you
Editors will usually print your article as is, with minor grammatical changes. This means it's up to you to include a tag line with a 2-4 sentence bio and your contact information at the end of the article. Make it easy for readers to contact you by email and business telephone. Add your web site or blog, as well.

8. If you can write an email, you can blog
A blog becomes a powerful public relations platform. It continuously feeds the search engines way better [and faster] than web site keywords. Why? Because new content is king on the Internet.

Every time you publish an article on your blog, the search engines index your name. All the words in your articles are also indexed by search engines, such as Google or Yahoo. Consider hooking a blog into your web site. Every article published attracts more visitor traffic to your web site. A blog establishes a platform for "1 button publishing".

When you publish an article on your blog, you can automatically have each article distributed to your Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn accounts. This minimizes time spent on all these sites, while maintaining your "expert authority". Friends and business associates think I'm on Facebook an LinkedIn all the time, when I actually spend very little time on either site. I set timers for my articles to publish at future times.

Leveraging the marketing power of Twitter, my published articles appear on the other social networking sites. This creates instant "turn key" social network presence, while being absent most of the time. This allows me to focus on business opportunities generated from the articles I've published. Visit www.CarlEReid.com for ideas or assistance with setting up a blog.

9. Engage ghosts to help you write
Maybe you don't like to write or don't have the time. Ask for help from friends or associates to write for you. Work out a deal to split the writing fees with your ghost writers. They write for you and get paid. Your name is published as the author of the article and you get paid. This creates a win-win-win situation for you, the ghost writer and the magazine.You can have up to 100 people on your blog posting articles for you. So consider that option as well. Although there is no pay, each writer becomes an expert with each article published.

Your blog and web site get promoted, through each article published by your writers.

10. Generate buzz as your best public relations person
Creating link backs to your articles increases the volume on the expert posture you have created. Get in the habit of posting comments on other articles or news stories you're probably reading anyway. Similar to an email signature include your name and the Internet link address to your article or blog at the end of the comment. Include http:// as part of the link address to insure the search engines index your comment. Offer to write articles for friends on their web sites or blogs. Just make sure their sites are aligned with the expert posture you are developing.Happy trails with your writing . . .

About the Author
With corporate travels from the mail room to the board room, Carl E. Reid knows what it takes to be successful in the business arena. He has over 40 years of business experience, including 26 years as an information technology expert, 16 years as a business career coach and 17 years as a successful entrepreneur. He is Chief Operations Officer for Empowering Today's (ETP) Professionals and CEO/founder of NetTECH Systems Reid & Associates, Inc. Carl has been a professional blogger and social media expert since 2004. In addition to being a sought after speaker, he publishes Library of Congress recognized newsletter blogs www.SavvyIntrapreneur.com and www.iTechSpeak.com . Carl has been published in "Network World" and "Computer Monthly" magazines. Email: MyCompass@Success4U2.net Web: www.CarlEReid.com Tel: 201-222-5390

Charlotte-area unemployment falls

Unemployment in the Charlotte metro area fell to 11.9 percent in March from 12.8 percent in February, according to the N.C. Employment Security Commission.

The ESC says 102,809 residents were unemployed in March in the Charlotte-Gastonia-Concord area.

The Hickory-Lenoir-Morganton area recorded an unemployment rate of 14.5 percent last month, down from 15.8 percent in February. The ESC says 24,472 residents in that metro area were unemployed in February.

Mecklenburg County’s jobless rate fell to 11.1 percent from 11.8 percent in February.

Orange County had the state’s lowest county unemployment rate in March at 6.4 percent. Graham County had the highest at 17.2 percent.

The N.C. counties receiving the highest amount in unemployment benefits in March were Mecklenburg, $22.8 million; Wake, $18.1 million; Guilford, $11.4 million; Forsyth, $7.2 million; and Gaston, $5.8 million.

Here are March unemployment rates for counties in the region, followed by the February rates:

•Alexander: 13.6 percent, down from 14.4 percent.

•Anson: 15 percent, down from 17 percent.

•Cabarrus: 11.9 percent, down from 13.3 percent.

•Catawba: 14 percent, down from 15.3 percent.

•Cleveland: 14.3 percent, down from 15.5 percent.

•Gaston: 13.4 percent, down from 14.5 percent.

•Iredell: 12.8 percent, down from 13.8 percent.

•Lincoln: 13.5 percent, down from 14.7 percent.

•Mecklenburg: 11.1 percent, down from 11.8 percent.

•Rowan: 12.9 percent, down from 14 percent.

•Stanly: 12.9 percent, down from 13.8 percent.

•Union: 10.8 percent, down from 11.7 percent.

Job Fair - Concord Mills



Find your next career through the power of the WBTV Road to Recovery Employment Expo!
Whether you're new to the job scene or considering a career move, you need to attend this event!


What is the WBTV Road to Recovery Employment Expo? An Event to help job seekers meet the key employers in the Charlotte area who are currently hiring. Meet directly with hiring managers. Learn about local career opportunities.


Job seekers attend for FREE.When is the Road to Recovery Employment Expo?
Wednesday, April 28, 2010The event opens for job seekers at 11am and will conclude at 3pm.
Where is the event located?
The event will be held at the Concord Mills Mall, Concord, NC.


What do I need to do to prepare?
Be sure to log into carolinajobtracker.com and create or upload your resume to the data base.If you don't have an account you can create one here Bring printed and digital copies of your resume with you to the event.

Upcoming Job Fair - May 4, 2010

Upcoming Job Fair @ South Park Mall ) sponsored by LocalJobs.com May 4. Questions about the event should be directed to Kelly Bowman at 888-681-8975 ext 111. Link to the Job Seekers and registration page:

IGNITESpring Job Fair 2010 : www.regonline.com

Posted by Sherrell Smith

CPCC Institute for Entrepreneurship

Seminars Are Free



Start Your Business Now SBX 7525-501
What do you really need to start your own business? Much more than luck! This popular seminar is packed with valuable information to help you start o right and increase the odds of your business being successful. Learn the key aspects of marketing, sources of financing and legal issues. Free.

Date: Monday, May 17
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Central Campus


Choosing Your Legal Structure SBX 7812-501
Which legal structure is best for your business - sole proprietorship, s-corporation, partnership or LLC? Choosing the right business entity is an important step in setting up your business. Know the right questions to ask when choosing a legal structure and understand the benefits and disadvantages of each. Free.
Date: Wednesday, May 19
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 p.m.
Location: Central Campus


Business Plan Basics SBX 7805-501
Turn your business ideas into a solid plan for financing and long-term success. Attending this seminar will only be the start of a process that will help commit your great ideas to paper. It will provide you with a good general overview and basic understanding of the components of a typical business plan, how marketing, operations and finance are inter-related and more. Free.
Date: Monday, May 24
Time: 6:30 - 8:30 pm
Location: Central Campus


To register for seminars please call 704-330-4223 or register online.

Our Next Meeting is April 29 at 6PM

Guest Speaker: Rod Colon, author of our book "Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs" and CEO / Founder of Empowering Today's Professionals
Location:
Weeping Willow Fellowship Hall 2220 Milton Rd Charlotte, NC 28215
Time: 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM EST - REGISTER NOW - Get directions

This networking meeting is for both career professionals and business owners.  So Don't keep this event a secret.  Share www.etpnetwork.com so others in your network can register for this limited seating free event, which is filling up fast.

We look forward to your attendance on April 29, 2010 for this high impact networking and educational event.  From the New York City area,  Empowering Today's Professionals (ETP) Network is flying in CEO, Rod Colon and COO, Carl E. Reid to be guest speakers.  They both bring over 50 years of combined experience in the human resource, staffing and business career coaching arena.
Rod and  Carl will share proven strategies for landing job and business opportunities, despite the economy. 

In 2009 ETP Network helped hundreds of people land jobs and close business deals. The results of the strategies and methodology ETP Network teaches have been so outstanding,
Rod Colon wrote a book about it called "Win the Race for 21st Century Jobs". We will have a free drawing for this new book and Rod will personally sign any books purchased.  

Go Red For Women Luncheon

Non-Profit
Date: May 12, 2010
Time: 9:30 am

Ritz Carlton Uptown Charlotte
201 East Third Street
Charlotte, NC 28202

Contact: Simone McDowell
Phone: 704-208-5587
Email: simone.mcdowell@heart.org


The Go Red For Women Luncheon, chaired by Sue Gormen will expand awareness, promote education, and build passion among Charlotte women to take charge of their heart health and beat heart disease. Tickets are $85.00 before April 1, 2010 and $100 after April 1st.

9:30am: Registration
10:00am-11:30am: Breakout Sessions; CPR Anytime Training & Interactive Nutrition Forum
11:30am: Networking & Health Expo
12:00pm: Heart Healthy Lunch and Keynote Speaker Diana Jordan, on "Healing Power of Laughter, The Power of a Happy Heart"


Call to reserve your tickets.

What's the ETP Charlotte Networking Group About?

By being associated and supported by Empowering Today's Professionals (ETP) Network, the ETP Charlotte Networking Group distinguishes itself in 6 ways:
  1. 1. Members have access to a huge global network of professionals and business owners willing help each other succeed. 
  2. Our organization actually teaches members the proper form, approaches and etiquette for developing reciprocal networking relationships. That's right.  We actually teach people how to network.
  3. We helped hundreds of people land jobs and business opportunities in 2009, despite economic conditions. This is a result of our "7 Step Job Search" (c) and networking educational programs teaching members how to connect directly with decision makers, hiring managers and staffing recruiters
  4. The Charlotte Networking Group encourages and embraces entrepreneurs or small business owners to become members. 15% of our membership is comprised of very successful entrepreneurs.
  5. We position members for success by teaching them how to run their career as a business, by being the CEO of ME, Inc.
  6. Our recently published book, "Win The Race For 21st Century Jobs" by ETP Network CEO/Founder Rod Colon, shares our winning educational programs and networking methodologies with the rest of the world. 
  7. We are open to developing partnerships with other community organizations to create win-win-win opportunities.
  8. Once members land an opportunity, their next goal to develop a career backup plan to insure ongoing continuous financial solvency for themselves and their family.  
Click here to read more on ETP Network member goals and our result oriented action plans.

Depending on your situation or personal interest, we encourage you to align with other local Charlotte networking groups to expand your sphere of influence.  Below you will see programs recommended or run by the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce, religious organizations, as well as other special interest groups.  There are obviously many caring people and organizations that provide these resources to help you succeed in Charlotte, NC and surrounding areas.

Charlotte Young Professionals (CYP)
Focused on providing social, philanthropic, and career networking opportunities for Charlotte-area young professionals aged 21-39.

Morris, Manning & Martin, LLP launched Technology Networking Group in Charlotte - The TECh Roundtable lets successful technology executives network in a smaller, more intimate setting with contemporaries who have a number of non-proprietary business issues in common.

Small Business Strategy Group (SBSG) - Charlotte, NC
The SBSG-Charlotte is about Entrepreneurs coming together for focused training on business strategies that produces results and special events for collaboration opportunities.

Charlotte I-O Networking Group
Professional organization that seeks to connect all interested in the advancement of industrial-organizational (I-O) psychology and related disciplines within the area surrounding Charlotte, North Carolina.

Red Carpet Monday 
Sophisticated, Invitation-Only  social business network, featuring Charlotte's most successful business owners, professionals and entrepreneurs.
 

The Financial Executives Networking Group (FENG)

Mountain Island Business Leaders Networking Group
Located in the northwest Charlotte, NC area, MIBL business networking group targets Mountain Island Lake, Coulwood, and the local surrounding areas.

Social Media Club, Charlotte, NC
Social Media Club Charlotte is maintained by Jason Keath, Social Media Consultant ... Group to discuss pros and cons of various social networking software.  Organizing and providing resources for Social Media Marketing and Events in Charlotte, NC 

Central Piedmont Community College also recently launched as a resource for displaced workers in Charlotte and Mecklenburg County. 

Charlotte Business Network
Community of local business professionals in Charlotte, North Carolina and the surrounding areas.
Business Leaders of Charlotte
Dedicated to helping our members grow through business networking opportunities, support for professional development efforts and providing an avenue for members and local businesses to get "plugged into" the community through our various outreach programs & partnerships.


Charlotte Chamber of Commerce Job Support Group Resources includes: 
Career Transition Group
Church at Charlotte Employment Network
Christians in Career Transition
Careers in Transition
Calvary Crossroads
Job Search Club
Charlotte Professionals
Job Hunters Support Group
Economic Downturn Support Ministry
Career Assessment Class
Carmel Baptist Church Employment Ministry
PRONET Charlotte
NRHC NetWorking Group
Golfers in Transition
Mint Hill Christian Job Search Ministry
St Gabriel in Transition
Job Seeking Skills Class
Career Connections
Saturday Seminar + 8-week workshop
Job Transition Sunday School Class, Christ Covenant Church
Career Crossroads Network
Career Transition Ministry
Ministry at Work
Thursday Night Special Seminars
Church at Charlotte
Sardis Presbyterian Church
Engineering, Manufacturing & Quality Assurance Roundtable
Cornerstone Career Development Center
e4myjob’s Wednesday Support Group
Job Seekers Support Group,
sponsored by Jewish Family Services and Temple Israel

April Upcoming Events

Michael Baisden’s One Million Mentors Tour

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte, BBBSGC has partnered with popular nationally syndicated urban radio personality Michael Baisden for his One Million Mentors Campaign and Save Our Kids tour. Baisden’s seven month, 72-city national bus tour stops at Johnson C Smith University on Saturday, April 10 from 12 pm – 1:30 pm.

Business/Commerical Writers Can Be Creative, too!"  April 13, 2010  7:00 p.m  to 8:00 p.m.

"Business/Commercial Writers Can Be Creative, Too!" featuring Clifford Hebard, Principal, Hebard & Associates Corporate Learning Systems, LLC. Cliff has helped clients in two key areas; designing and delivering customized training in communication, leadership and decision-making, and providing business/commercial writing that produces manuals, booklets, articles, promotional and related written materials. Tickets are available at www.ccacpineville.org. Admission is $10 for the public and free to CCAC members.

(Historic Downtown Pineville)  
The Civic & Cultural Arts Center of Pineville
316 Main Street, Pineville, NC 28134



Taste of the Nation!

Join V 101.9 for the Taste of the Nation Wednesday, April 14th from 7p-10p @ The Atrium in Uptown Charlotte [401 S. Tryon St.]!
An evening of tasting elegant and succulent specialties by Charlotte’s finest restaurants and culinary schools.
Shake, Stir & Pour your own drink with mixologists, bid on tantalizing live and silent auction [...]


SHOE CARNIVAL

Join Chirl Girl on Saturday Apr. 17 from 12p-2p at the Shoe Carnival located 9733 Northlake Center Pkwy inside the North Crest Shopping Ctr by Northlake Mall…Come for your chance to win a family 4 pack to Carowinds

March for Babies

Join V 101.9 Saturday, April 24th @ 9am for the March of Dimes Walk to benefit March for Babies! The walk will take place in Uptown Charlotte on Trade and Tryon Streets! We’ll see you there!

How to Tell if it's Time to Change Careers

If the thought of returning to work in the new year gives anyone the dry heaves or shakes, without the benefit of the night before, it's probably time to consider options to a new career path. Burn out and boredom from the present work load are both stress inducing; at least considering and researching other options gives a sense of doing something and taking control.



Is it Burn Out, Boredom, or Something Else?

The first step is to decide if it is the job, the employee, or something else that is causing those knots in the stomach and that panic feeling upon arriving at work. Is the work situation and/or environment a healthy one or one filled with put downs and anxiety? Is the job challenging or just stress inducing? Is the workload OK but the co-workers not? Is the stress from home life seeping into the job stress area and causing more harm?



It might be easier to decide what it is not. Eliminate external factors first. Loss or conflict within family may be the cause of added stress at the workplace rather than the workload or career itself. If the work itself is still comforting or provides a sense of accomplishment, then most likely a career change is NOT in order. Consider getting help for those problems outside of work.



Burn out and boredom both present their own challenges. Burn out is the body and mind's way of protecting itself; too much is going on and shut down is the mode of choice (unconsciously). The line of work may be too much for one now: for example, being a Paramedic may be great at first, but the hours and emotional roller coaster of trying to save lives will eventually catch up to these workers. Many move into other healthcare related areas to utilize their experience without the day to day stress.



Boredom means the worker is not putting forth his best effort. While not all jobs can be exhilarating at all times, see if there are ways to combat feelings of lethargy with new projects or a new attitude. Or starting thinking about the jobs that do raise anticipation levels.


By  Paym Bergson

Feature Writer - Career Advice
Suite 101

Verizon Wireless hiring 100 customer-service reps

Verizon Wireless said it’s hiring more than 100 full-time customer service representatives for its Matthews call center through the remainder of this year.

Customer service representatives handle billing and technical questions, troubleshoot customer issues and make price-plan changes. The Basking Ridge, N.J., mobile phone carrier said job requirements include one year of customer-service experience and strong computer, communication and problem-solving skills. A college degree is highly desirable.
Verizon Wireless is already reviewing applications for the company’s next training class, which starts May 13. For more information, see www.verizonwireless.com/careers, and select “Search Careers.”

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/04/01/1350159/verizon-wireless-hiring-100-customer.html#ixzz0jxDesrqG


By Rick Rothacker

rrothacker@charlotteobserver.com
Posted: Thursday, Apr. 01, 2010