Your Social Media Identity...

Your Social Media Identity...

Social media, you and your business.... How many of us effectively utilize it, abuse it or just don't understand it's value?  I would say, that I've been on Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and some of the other social media sites, basically since their inception.  Initially, as we all do, this was used for social connection, voicing my opinions and even sometimes for my random rants! Some things have stayed the same... And some things have drastically changed.  However the real reason for today's summary is to chat about who you are on the social media sites and how it can either supports or hamper your abilities as a business owner or professional.

You... As a unique individual, millions and trillions of thoughts surface in you mind on a daily basis, doubts, excitements, fears and successes. Whether you've discovered it or not... Your uniqueness is valuable and can become a priceless message to someone else's life experience and challenges right now.  How can you translate all you are and all you think to a medium such as Facebook, EFFECTIVELY?

One way is by clearly defining your brand or brand identity and staying true to that at all times.  Branding, on social media sites, is time consuming, PERIOD.  You cannot brand or effectively reach the number of people you would like in one shot.  However, with time, energy and finesse in this process you will effectively be delivering your brand message to your potential customers daily and for FREEEE!!! This can make or break you and your business.  You must be careful that your message is correctly received; otherwise your efforts may not result in your desired outcome. 

I am sure your saying, that's great and all but, how can you summarize yourself up and repackage it to help people better understand you and your goals?

1.     Be conscious of the statements you use and the messages on your page.

2.     Be aware of all images you release and how they translate to people who may not know you or what you  do.

3.     Be visible about you and your business?

4.     Be careful of the campaigns you follow, because this gives people more data to build a digital picture of you and your brand... 

Want to learn more??? Read Social Media 101 by Chris Brogan and delve deeper into how you can optimize your experience and brand online! http://www.chrisbrogan.com/social-media-101/

Your Fellow Virtuoso,

Cynthia G. Peacock, President

Biz Virtuoso, Inc.

Biz Virtuoso, Inc. is a strategic business development firm focused on creating “Virtuosos” or experts in business development, management and strategy. www.bizvirtuoso.com

Smart Business Plans: Easy Finance

Smart Business Plans: Easy Finance

Do you have a plan for success???

A plan in simple terms is a roadmap that helps one attain their end objectives. Be it making everyday decisions or running big businesses, plans are pivotal in determining the success or failure of ones business. A plan can be as simple as deciding how to get to work or as complex as determining the method of production to give you optimal profits. Why are so many entrepreneurs so resistant to the process of sitting and planning before executing?

As a business owner, approaching and making decisions based on your business point of view can mean the assessment of various variables that contribute to the end product. Each and every area, be it production, marketing or developing strategies, all require an in depth analysis and research.  As well all know, there are no businesses that operate without considering the key elements that affect it, so we must plan for the unknown sometimes. Otherwise, we put ourselves at a disadvantaged due to the sheer fact that we will have no back ups or pre meditated POA in case of a crisis.

One might wonder whether plans are effective in this dynamic environment. Also with the fast changing needs of a business, is there any reason we should plan ahead. Well, the answer would be, plans in spite of being subject to constant changes, guide our actions and help us make revisions and fine tunings much faster. They are a benchmark against which we can track business growth and processes.

In addition to this, businesses cannot function without money. The ready availability of finance is essential for the attainment of ones end objective. No matter how good our business idea is, and however strongly we might believe in it, we cannot convince people to believe in it and put in their money unless they have concrete facts and figures. This is attained by undergoing constant and thorough research, detailed analysis and by developing a good presentation. However, undergoing the above is not a sure shot guarantee of attaining success. Planning is only the beginning but not the end of the roadmap to success.

Businesses are situation specific. For different situations there are a set of things that do, and a larger set of things that don’t work. By taking the time to develop or by availing our Business Plan Service, you get access to tried and tested solutions to make sure you don’t lose out.

Do you have a plan already?

The following are some sources of meeting your company financially secure:

Bank loan | Credit line | Partnership agreement | Private investment |

Venture Capitalist | Angel Investor

Biz Virtuoso is here to make your plans foolproof. We are the experts in providing Business Plan Assistance, Business Marketing Plans and Strategic Business Consulting to name a few.  No matter whichever method you choose, Business Plan Assistance or Business Consulting goes a long way in giving that extra edge to empower your ideas.  Contact Biz Virtuoso to make your plans Foolproof and soar ahead of your competitors.

http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/

646-845-7338

Release... Relax... Reflect

Release... Relax... Reflect

Fridays are for most people the end of the workweek and should be a day filled with expectations of a wonderful and stress free weekend.

Here are a few ideas to help you to make the best of your Friday and the beginning of your weekend.

Release:                           

Music can go a long way in improving your mood on your commute to work and releases stress. Take a few minutes out of the day to relax with a cup of Tea; this adds a touch of calm. Smile a smile costs nothing and makes everybody’s day ... but have some of us forgotten how?

Relax:                               

Learning how to relax is a key to good life balance and self-respect. Adding relaxation to your day will improve your productivity.  Getting sleep is a very important part of life.  During sleep, your mind continues learning in ways that are not possible during waking hours.  Sleep restores and refreshes your body in ways that does not occur when awake.

Reflect:  

Take time to reflect, write down 5 things you are thankful for. This is a powerful tool to empower you with positive thoughts. Sometimes we are so focused on the negative that we forget about the positive. Do something nice for someone; you will be surprised how you will feel afterwards.

At Biz Virtuoso we challenge you to take out time for yourself.  In order to be the best "Virtuoso" that you can be, it is imperative to exercise positive awareness.  Hope these suggestions are helpful. Do you use the three R’s “Release, Relax and Reflect”?  What other techniques help you prepare for the weekend.

Enjoy your weekend!!!!. We are “A Helping Hand In All Your Business Needs”.  Please feel free to contact us by email at www.bizvirtuoso.com or call us 1-800-343-1148.  You can also follow us on Facebook and twitter. We look forward to serving you.

Your Fellow Virtuoso,

Brenda Alexander

Vital Brand Positioning…

Vital Brand Positioning…

As we’ve discussed before branding is vital to any business’s success.  It is an effective strategy than can help put in place a passive marketing program because an effectively translated brand helps to tell everyone WHO you are, WHAT you do and HOW you get it done.  Being strategic about your brand is a serious concern that every business owner must consider because in the end YOU are your brand and will always directly affect your bottom line.  Consider the following points to optimize your brand and effectively market you business.

POSTIONING…“Definition: In marketing, positioning has come to mean the process by which marketers try to create an image or identity in the minds of their target market for its product, brand, or organization.” – Wikipedia

What is your overall brand position in the minds of your customers? Do they believe you are their best choice or option? Have you been intentional at positioning yourself or you business in front of the right demographics?

CUSTOMER PERCEPTIONS…“The final level of consumer perception involves augmented properties, which offer less tangible benefits, such as customer assistance, maintenance services, training, or appealing payment options.” – ThomasNet

Do you go above and beyond for your customers?  Positioning gets you in the minds of prospective customers, but value-added approach may close the deals.  Be sure to always go above and beyond the expectations and needs of the customer.  Build your reputation for being that kind of “Virtuoso” in your business and you can be sure that your business will always flourish and grow!

We have a wealth of knowledge being shared daily on our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/BizVirtuoso, join us and help to create more “Virtuosos” daily! Interested in working with us?  Visit us at http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/ or call 1-800-383-1148 to set up a free consultation. Hope this was helpful!!!

Cynthia G. Peacock

NYC SOUP is back...

NYC SOUP is back...

Hello to our current and potentially new SOUP members...

We are back and better than before.  NYC SOUP or your New York City Society of Urban professionals took a few months off to rebrand, re-strategize and come back with the right events, forum and opportunities you really want and need to help you grow your business.  As some of you may know, our SOUP group is not just about getting the next customer or the next deal but it is truly to build partnerships with ACHIEVERS just like you.  

Our Mission:

To are dedicated to being the connectors of driven, motivated, ethical and high achieving professionals in the New York City business community.  By doing this we are committed to being your partners in all your endeavors and we strive to be another ingredient in your SOUP of success.

What do you think of our new logo?

Enough of all that talk lets network... Check out our improved pages and request to join us today:

COMING SOON! www.NYCSOUP.org

http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=108316666172&v=info

http://www.meetup.com/NYCSoup/

Your Fellow Virtuoso,

Cynthia G. Peacock

Why Employers Should Consider Duel Advancement Tracks

Why Employers Should Consider Duel Advancement Tracks

Both at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and as in-house counsel, I encountered hundreds of first line supervisors and understand the importance of the first line supervisor to any organization.  Most first line supervisors who have received proper training perform effectively.   On this other hand, some first line supervisors who probably should never have been made supervisors in the first place turn out to be terrible supervisors. Unfortunately, in most companies, the employee who is an outstanding individual contributor has to join the management team in order to advance.  I advocate that the savvy employer opt for duel track advancement. 

Too often employees are recommended for supervisory positions because they are skilled at their jobs, excelling as individual contributors.  But there are times when excellent individual contributors do not have the skills necessary for supervision.   While it is essential to have a knowledge base in the area that you are supervising, it is not necessary to be a technical super star.  Among the characteristics required to be an effective supervisor are first-rate inter-personal skills, good listening skills and on some occasions, a modicum of compassion.  Most employees who have supervisors who have these qualities feel that they are being treated fairly in the workplace and perform to their greatest potential.

To avoid the problem of promoting an employee into supervision who does not have the skills to become an effective supervisor, I recommend creating a two-tier promotion structure.  Allow the excellent individual contributor to advance on a parallel track to the employee who is being groomed for supervision.  The two should have similar job titles and receive the same base pay because the company values the two tracks equally.   The employee in the supervisory role should receive other incentive pay in the form of a bonus, stock options, a combination of the two or some other form of incentive pay because they are managers, and their success is dependent on the performance of others.   Having supervisors who have been thoughtfully considered for the job they are to perform will always result in fewer internal and external employee complaints.

Your Fellow Virtuoso,

Wanda E. Flowers, Esq.

DISCLAIMER:  Nothing in this blog should be considered legal advice.  For legal advice, consult a licensed attorney about your specific concerns. For more information on how we can help you run your business more effectively, please contact us at www.bizvirtuoso.com or call us at 1-800-383-1148.

The Entrepreneurial Dilemma

The Entrepreneurial Dilemma

Entrepreneurship, as we all know, has no defined age to start off.  Somebody might be enthusiastic about an idea when he is 15 or someone may want to start a business at the age of 70. The plain and simple fact is that it is never too late. For that matter, it is never too early either.  Passion and belief in ones ideas is what sets the entrepreneurial spirit going. And once an idea strikes you, you want to begin execution right away. Well we understand the spirit, but the first step in execution is generally a Business Plan.  Planning supports many new business owners in the path to realizing their business's full potential or prevent them from losing focus in the early stages.

Most Strategic Business Plans are laughed at or overlooked initially.  People scare you with statistics of the existing competition, the slowing demand, the ever-reducing incomes and any other information, which will result in a change of mind.  But if you have the courage to take the next step, this is the place to be. A disciplined approach and a well-placed Business Plan Strategy is the simple formula for you to achieve success. Concrete research, a great understanding and a well-defined plan are the essentials in all well formed organizations. Your plan needs to be time bound with a strict roadmap in place.  Vague or unclear objectives result in vague and unclear results.  With lack of clarity or focus, the end results seldom match what you visualized in the starting. The results may force you to get back to the drawing board and start reworking your Business from scratch.

Money, Time and your Efforts are the most precious resources for any business. If they are not directed towards the right objective in the right manner, the end result can be complete disaster. At Biz Virtuoso we are here to provide you with directed and strategic Business Plan Assistance and Execution. We will help you give form to your ideas and settle your mind of that is continuously buzzing with ideas.  Whether you are at the beginning, end or mid way through your business development process our team of consultants will support you in effectively launching your business.  A business house needs to be a dynamic entity and not static one. This energy and enthusiasm is exactly what has helped us reach our position in business and industry as a Business Consulting Center. Our highly experienced consultants our focused on delivering the best advice and process that will make the most out of your business.  Join hands with us to make a difference.

Your Fellow Virtuosos

The Real Benefit of Employee Classifications

The Real Benefit of Employee Classifications

The number one reason to conduct employee classification reviews is to assure compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) enforced by the Wage and Hour Division of the Department of Labor (DOL).  The FLSA generally requires employers to pay overtime to non-exempt employees who work more than 40 hours in a workweek.  Employees are presumed to be non-exempt if they do not qualify for the executive, professional or administrative exemption under the law. 

Another reason for companies to comply with the law is to avoid the large settlements that can result from misclassification.  Recently several lawsuits have resulted in multi-million dollar settlements for plaintiffs.  Just one FLSA lawsuit can bankrupt a small or medium sized company.  The Secretary of Labor has added hundreds of investigators intent on assuring that non-exempt employees receive the overtime pay to which they are entitled.  With greater emphasis being placed on the issue, the plaintiff’s bar is actively seeking clients, and employees themselves are filing complaints with the DOL.

In addition to the compliance and monetary reasons, there are some practical business reasons for conducting a classification review.  During the course of the review, employers may discover that some employees previously classified as exempt will need to be re-classified as non-exempt.  Generally speaking, this discovery, viewed in the proper perspective, can lead to better management, leading to greater efficiency in the workplace.  Employers can put rules in place for granting or denying overtime and for disciplining employees who violate the rules.  The process can also be used to look at each employee and the job they are performing.  The employer may find that the company will benefit from reassigning some employees.  Unfortunately, it may also be necessary to terminate employees whose skills are no longer needed.  With the right attitude, a process that could be viewed as negative can be converted into a positive activity that leads to greater efficiency in and increased for profits the business.  

Your Fellow Virtuoso,

Wanda E. Flowers, Esq.

Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog is to be taken as legal advice.  For legal advice, please consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific circumstances.  Want to learn more?  Contact us at www.bizvirtuoso.com!

Biz Virtuoso Unveils Economy Friendly Consulting Packages

Biz Virtuoso Unveils Economy Friendly Consulting Packages

It is in times of crisis that Great Entrepreneurs emerge. It was during The Great Depression of 1929 when a certain Walt Disney begun to gain popularity. He entertained people when they were in their lowest phase of life, depressed, bankrupt and broken. We all know the empire this man has left behind. The fascinating thing is how he has touched our everyday lives.

In 2009 another phase of depressions is setting in. Recession has hit everybody and it has hit hard. With record low recruitments and ever reducing salaries, it is time that students secure their lives and do not rely on placements. Day on day, the biggest of companies and banks are going bankrupt. No one knows what the future holds and the only thing people are depending upon is HOPE.

Biz Virtuoso is looking for magic to happen again. Biz Virtuoso recently launched a strategic economic consulting package for college graduates and recently laid-off executives. By availing this package, these critical demographic are entitled to discounts in the range of 10-15% depending on the choice of package. Ms. Cynthia Peacock, founder Biz Virtuoso, feels an economy package would empower and motivate more people to chase the entrepreneurial spirit in them.

With the Economy package in place, you can look forward to triumph over the murkiness that the net of Recession has cast over everyone. Biz Virtuoso expertise lies in its ability to impart top of the notch business plans and consulting to businesses, small or big. The firm strongly believes that Business Development opportunities are always available irrespective of whether a business in its inception stage or is well established. Business Marketing Plans, Business Sales Leads and Strategic Business Consulting are some of the services that a business can utilize to accrue maximum benefits.

Biz Virtuoso, a business plan development firm has successfully helped many businesses turn the table. The services offered by them can be availed of by anyone operating in any cycle of the business. It is a matter of time when Businesses can become history unless it is guided by a desire to continually innovate and provide beyond customer expectations.

Instead of cursing your luck or destiny, its time you act. If you have an idea, we are the catalyst. Contact us to see what these ideas can do. 

Cynthia PeacockPhone: 1-800-383-1148

E-Mail: info@bizvirtuoso.com

Website: http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/

If you have the seed called idea, we are going to the farmers who nurture it. Join hands with Biz Virtuoso to make a difference!

Employee Performance Reviews

Employee Performance Reviews

Supervisors dread giving performance reviews.  They often have feelings of guilt or difficulty delivering negative news to likable employees.  They avoid fair and honest reviews to their detriment when termination is the only option for an employee who has performed in a manner that has caused the Company monetary and/or reputational damage. 

As Supervisory Trial Attorney and Regional Attorney at the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, I read thousands of employer position statements where poor performance was cited as the reason for the discharge.  In response to the position statements, employees submitted performance reviews rating them as meets, exceeds or outstanding in the same areas cited for the termination.  When asked to explain the performance decline, supervisors responded that the performance was never great, but they didn’t want to give negative feedback in the review.  Some supervisors believed that a positive review mentioning no areas for improvement would actually motivate the employee.

I supervised employees for over 25 years and observed that no one benefits from a dishonest review.  Employees need to be told of areas for improvement and areas of excellence.  Dishonest performance reviews lead employees to a false sense of job security and ultimate disappointment when another supervisor tells them that they are not performing well.  Moreover, the business may have to settle a meritless claim because the glowing review cannot be rebutted.

As counsel, I advise supervisors that it is best to give honest feedback to employees during performance reviews.  There is no need for feelings of guilty if employees have the training for and the support needed to perform the essential functions of the job.  Employees still unable to perform the job are solely responsible for the poor performance review; it is not the supervisor’s fault.

Your Fellow Virtuoso,

Wanda E. Flowers

Disclaimer:  Nothing in this blog is to be taken as legal advice.  For legal advice, please consult with a licensed attorney regarding your specific circumstances.  Want to learn more?  Contact us at http://www.bizvirtuoso.com/!