vote - it’s your responsibility

The responsibility and privilege of voting is something that I hold near and dear to my heart. While I was born stateside, I had the great opportunity to live overseas in a nation, that then, was under martial law. All of those little things like: running water, the right to go to the store, the right to walk around in public, the right to have your own opinion, the right to VOICE your own opinion were not given - in fact, there, they were often punished.
I witnessed the first democratic vote of this country as it emerged from the suppression of martial law and even had an uncle assassinated on his way to the polls. As bombings of polling places, sniper attacks and threats to life and family were made, people proudly exercised their right to vote.
How often to we take for granted or even disrespect those who have given so much for us to have the right to vote? How often do we discount our rights with some sort of bull about “I’m just one and I don’t count.” Give it up - it’s a poor excuse for laziness and disregard. In fact, go live in a third world country and tell them of the things that you are “owed” as an American. Tell them of the rights that you have that are God given? When you get back stateside, I would love to hear of your experience.

Bless everyone today who behaves like a responsible American citizen and goes to vote!

As for our household, today we support JERRY MORALES for City Council. Jerry is a father, an entrepreneur and a hard worker. Having worked alongside him on the Midland Hispanic Chamber Board, numerous non-profit events and several projects, I’m confident this is a man who doesn’t just “see” what needs to be done - he rolls up his sleeves and DOES WHATEVER IT TAKES. There will be committee(ing) to death nor will there be delegation without accountability. He is a true entrepreneur who is not just a big business baby, nor has he just made wealth in the oil business - he has grown his business in one of the hardest most demanding service industries of our time. If anyone of the ballot today knows, lives and breathes the life and the trials of service, it’s Jerry Morales. Good luck today, Jerry! And, now GO VOTE!

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

business spotlight: midland concierge

Today, our business spotlight shines on Midland Concierge. This company offers touchscreen kiosks connected to the internet that allows the general public to buy something or get something done while waiting. Midland Concierge has devised a way to kill boredom of waiting customers, provide business establishments a new and thrilling way to advertise their product and attract customers through these kiosks. Imagine people being able to get what they want right at their fingertips. It’s like having a real concierge only it’s fully automated.

The Things To Do. MidlandConcierge.com showcases two great things that your target customers and even you (yes, you!) can do while on the go. Remember the touchscreen kiosks we were talking about earlier? Hollywood Theaters and Ranchland Golf Club decided to advertise and sell their products the Midland Concierge way. These high-tech and easy to use “electronic concierges” are distributed around town so that people can access various products and services available in Midland. Say, you need to know what’s showing in the Hollywood Theaters or you want to schedule your golf tee time in Ranchland Golf Club, all these are available in the Midland Concierge kiosks. What’s even cooler is that customers can pay for these services through the kiosks.

Homes for Sale section. Jeaneen Pruitt of I Sell Midland, for instance, has a running ad and search bar for people who are looking for a house that fits their needs and budget. If you check it out, interested buyers can pick a home based on prize range or size of the home they want. One can easily sort the search results from the most expensive to least and vice versa or when the posting was added, etc.

The Business Members page. Check out Midland Concierge’s business members: Classic Carpets, Meet Midland, Fusion Power Lab’s VBS Plus, Advance Kwik Lube & Kar Wash, and Midland Memorial Hospital. These business partners enjoy the following: their banner ads displayed multiple times an hour in 20 different locations, detailed information about the establishment through the touchscreen kiosks, and credit card capability to capture sales immediately.

Don’t you just love technology!

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

powerful presentation - technology and power points

Not using power point powerfully?

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

piercings and the workplace: talk isn’t cheap

Piercings In The Workplace: The finale (episode 5)

9. Consult a legal counsel regarding more complicated issues
It is better to ask an expert if someone feels discriminated because of the dress code. There are laws that protect both the employer and the employee. Knowing is winning half the battle so being knowledgeable about the company and employee’s rights is one of the keys in sorting this one out. Also, this matter should be taken seriously as these situations were already seen in court in the past. Remember that not only lawsuits cost money, losing an employee and replacing them is a cost to the company, as well.
10. Value diversity and have respect for the individual
Imagine a workplace where everyone is the same. If everyone were cut from the same cloth (same educational background, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic standing, etc.), then where would new ideas come from? There are actually some advantages in having unique employees. There are things that we can learn from people who wear piercings. Maybe that sounds weird but it’s true. Have you tried asking for their opinion about your company’s recent marketing strategy or what they think about the new company logo? Also, if they are following the policies and are doing extremely well in their department, isn’t that a proof that their appearance is not getting in the way in making the company a success? Their appearance should not stop us from recognizing a job well done. Valuing diversity and having respect for the individual not only increases employee satisfaction but it also lessens employee turnaround.
If you will notice, most of the tips are about communication between the employer and its workers. It is really best that we maintain an open communication among our employees as it helps resolve conflicts, reduces confusion, minimizes attrition, and strengthens work relationships. This just shows that talk is not cheap at all!

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

the E’s (ease) of personal branding

Click here for the podcast on the E’s of Personal Branding

EXTRACT: (you have a brand - what is it?)

EXPRESS: (do you communicate your brand - with and without words?)

EXUDE: (how do you deliver on the company brand promise with your authentic brand?)

ENGAGE: (do you connect with those who build or tear down your personal brand?)

EXCEL: (do you compel others to speak positively on your behalf?)

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

business lunch etiquette, part one

Click here to listen in on the 2-minute tip!

TOPIC: BUSINESS LUNCH ETIQUETTE

• The one who invites is the one who pays
• If you are paying, then inform the wait staff before your guest(s) arrive
• Dress for business
• If it’s with a client, pick them up and drop them off
• Avoid difficult to eat food
• Follow the leader in regards to dessert and alcohol
• Avoid the battle of the sexes

Book Recommendation

This is the “must have” definitive book on the professional and profitable way to do lunch.

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

expos, shows and business showcases

Part Two

• Representing efficient staff: Employees with efficient networking skills should represent you at the tradeshow. Individuals with a positive outlook, updated business knowledge, a zeal to attract the best customers and with an aim to target markets encouraging business by referral should be representing your company at the tradeshow. It’s advisable not to over crowd the booth with too much of staff lest you may lose important prospects who may avoid too many over enthusiastic staff. An important networking tip is to have fun loving employees who have an inherent desire to combine work and fun, who are infectious in their positivity and have networking skills to understand any kind of clientele.
• Important periphery at the booth: An important networking tip to make your tradeshow a booming success is paying attention to meticulous details. For example, you should be well informed about the target audience and accordingly cater for their demands. Chairs to sit, tables to display, electricity plug points to highlight your presentations should all be well taken care of , well in advance. People usually do not carry their business cards at tradeshows but you should be prepared and carry enough sheets and stationary to gather all relevant data from each individual who visits your booth. This little effort would be extremely useful in conference follow-up later when you need feedback on your performance at the tradeshow.
• Decorate your booth with visibility: To be remembered by potential customers who come to your booth, an important networking tip, is to decorate your booth with enough visibility, giving your business ample exposure. With distinctive banners, fliers, colourful pamphlets and brochures giving business by referrals, one can attract good marketing prospects, thus encouraging business further. The motive behind organizing a networking event is to make sure the customers who visit your booth once, remember and register what they saw and learnt there. Once they return to their busy lifestyles, your presence and presentation at the tradeshow should be in the back of their mind. The visibility of the booth and the professional networking skills of the staff there should lead to effective sales.
• Emphasizing on first impression: As the saying goes, the first impression is the last impression. An important ingredient of business etiquette is making a powerful yet lasting impression on others. Representing yourself or your company at the tradeshow in a good, professional manner will go a long way in creating a lasting impression which will enable them to return to you , thereby promoting sales.
• Indulging in Conference follow up: After the tradeshow is over, important business etiquette remains to indulge in conference follow up. Grasping the data and following it up effectively, is the most important part of a successful networking event. A means to capture information, follow the leads of prospective customers who showed a bit of business enthusiasm is the essence of conference follow up , which is a vital key to successful networking events.

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

success at a tradeshow, business expo, or showcase event

Part One

Networking events and tradeshows are often organized by companies to do successful marketing of their products and services to encourage personal promotion of employees as well as gather new clients and sales. Tradeshows are often the ideal platform to polish the business etiquettes and networking skills which can enable one to be successful in conducting tradeshows. With marketing being a vital key to great networking events, the entrepreneurs find creating and managing enterprising booths at tradeshows a good opportunity to exhibit their services towards climbing the career ladders successfully. Let us observe some networking tips which can help churn a successful tradeshow.
• Take out time: Though time is invaluable for each one of us and we all have just 24 hours in a day, it is imperative to take out time and invest it wisely. One has to take out considerable time to chalk out a strategic marketing plan to conduct a successful networking event. Even at the tradeshow, full concentration and ample time has to be spent to enable business propositions. Being half hearted in your attempt to attract business prospects can be disastrous in the long run.
• Make a marketing plan: A tradeshow can be a memorable hit if planned properly and meticulously. One can make the most apt strategic marketing plan which must be executed in alignment with the goals in vision.

• Keeping business goals intact: Though one of the networking tips is to include most of your business goals in the marketing plan of conducting a successful network event, it is vital to focus on one or two goals thoroughly. With complete concentration on an easily attainable goal, business by referral can be conducted.
• Inviting good business clientele: Encouraging sales and developing good networking skills involves a little bit of effort. It is always advantageous to invite your prospective clients to the tradeshow you are organizing. Business etiquette demands, you personally invite donors, trustees, board members and prospective clients to attend your networking event. Asking them for their valuable business input would definitely encourage their presence there. Giving incentives to the clients like surprises awaiting them at the tradeshow would also encourage them to join you and hopefully bring forth a business proposal as well.

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

professionalism: introduction etiquette

New 2-minute tip on Introduction Etiquette

Introductions happen everyday in life and how we do at those introductions remarkably affects our personal brand and business connections.

Here are some helpful rules of professionalism to remember:

• In business, GENDER MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. You do not introduce a man or woman differently to anyone in the US society. Now, If you’re in another country you best know the rules of that country just like any person coming to the United States best know the “rules of engagement” here in introductions. So, stop kissing women on the hand (oh, please! who ever told anyone that was “professional”?) or standing when a woman enters the room. For INTRODUCTIONS, everyone stands - men and women alike.
• Start by naming the person of HIGHER AUTHORITY first. For example, the president of the US would be introduced to me by someone saying “President Bush this is Ms. Maria Elena Duron”.
• In business, your clients and visitors are the HIGHER AUTHORITY - so you start with them first.
• Keep titles equal meaning is I start introducing you as Mister so & so, then I need to call the other business Mister of Miss or Ms. so & so. If you name someone with their title, then everyone that is introduced must also have ‘their title’.

Your brand speaks volumes before you even utter a word!

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

on-brand event review: 2008 Mex-Tex Family Fiesta

It’s very rare when an event is just “spot on” in their mission and vision and fortunately in the Permian Basin, where I live, it happens more often than not.

My most favorite family fun events is the Mex-Tex Family Fiesta (by the way I think it LUDICROUS that there are those who don’t attend because Mex is before Tex in the name - alphabetically that’s the way they appear - duh!)

It’s a celebration of culture and collaboration - everything from folklorico dancers, to pinata making, to the hawaiian dancers, car shows and hits from the 70’s and 80’s - there really is something for everyone. I find it a unique event in which the mosaic of American, not the melting pot, but the true salad bowl of complimentary cultures are showcased. Whether you were born and raised in West Texas, have a Hispanic ancestry, or if you’re a true Native American or a transplanted Filipino-American raised as an Air Force brat who lived most of her adult life in Texas and is disguised as a Hispanic (LOL!!) there’s some fun for everyone.

The Mex-Tex is an INCLUSIVE DIVERSITY EVENT! Kudos to the Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce for a job well done and a landslide of BUZZ POINTS your way!

Here’s what worked:

FOOD: A variety and plenty of it - what a diverse event - with everyone in mind, from the family member, to the children, to the adults.

VOLUNTEERS: Stellar group of volunteers willing to work through the blistering heat, the ice of the beer booth or the bitter cold of the accounting dungeon.

SPONSORS: Lots of love shown to the sponsors - as it should be! This is not a group that EXPECTS or takes ADVANTAGE of their sponsors. LOADS of communication happens before (many months before), DURING and after the event. And, all the sponsors had their logos placed up for them (kudos on the service!) and really got to EXUDE THEIR TRUE BRAND.

VENUE: The downtown area truly is blessed to have this event and it’s a perfect fit (even if on Saturday night they are literally bursting at the seams! I’m saddened with good events move from the beauty and the shade of the downtown area. I’m not saying that there aren’t “better venues”. Yet, in branding, the downtown area is the culture and heart of ANY COMMUNITY and it’s fitting that a COMMUNITY CENTERED event would be at the CENTER OF THE COMMUNITY.

You guys rock at MHCC!

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com