Sue Sutcliffe » networking

Why Social Media Overload Means New Opportunities for Startups

Sue Sutcliffe — Mon, 01 Aug 2011 03:45:03 +0000

VERY interesting post by Mashable… Social assistance will be the next frontier spawned from social networking, and we’re all going to need it. We’ll require help managing our online relationships, tying our streams together, sifting through the noise, keeping up with what matters personally, finding who and what we need, and remaining productive. Read the [...]

Durham social media pros unite

Sue Sutcliffe — Tue, 26 Apr 2011 11:00:39 +0000

Apr 23, 2011 - 04:30 AM REKA SZEKELY DURHAM -- With thousands of connections among them, social media pros in Durham Region are being invited to connect with each other through a new local group. Sue Sutcliffe, president of a Clarington-based Internet company called aWEBthatWORKS, created a group called Social Media Professionals Durham through the professional networking site LinkedIn. The group's website, smpd.ca, redirects to LinkedIn. "LinkedIn was my choice to start it because everyone keeps their own profile up to date and that's important because it's not a full-time job for me," she said. Ms. Sutcliffe said she was inspired to start the group after attending a symposium through The Art of Transition, a forum formed to help transition Durham into a creative economy. "It just became very apparent Durham Region is so rich with talent, there's just so many people who have creative talents," she said. The group will be open to anyone who lives or works in Durham and Ms. Sutcliffe said the goal is to leverage each other's talent. She's hoping members will be able to take on bigger jobs knowing that if they need particular talents, they can turn to someone else in the group. For example a person with writing expertise can get graphic design help if they need it through the group. "So when you've got a chance at a big job and you can do half of it, but not the other half, you have a chance to grab it and keep that job in Durham," said Ms. Sutcliffe. By working together, Ms. Sutcliffe said she believes that bright students who graduate from UOIT and Durham College will see job opportunities in Durham and not be forced to move to Toronto to work. She admits that not everyone in the group will want to work together in all cases and said she sees it as a combination of co-operation and competition. "Competitors, theoretically, can come together and sometimes co-operate because it's better for the whole," she said. So far the group has more than 60 members and among them is Sarah Taniwa, a graphic designer who runs Lucky Cat Designs. "I guess it was just to connect locally with other businesses and to sort of put my hand out to say to say I'm willing to collaborate with local businesses in communications projects," she said, explaining her reasons for joining. She says she's worked collaboratively in the past, with writers and illustrators, and is hoping to continue to do so through the new group. As the organization grows, Ms. Sutcliffe said she's hoping to see it move beyond LinkedIn. "One of the examples is I'm thinking of putting together a social media conference and collaborating with the people who have joined." For more information, visit smpd.ca or contact Ms. Sutcliffe at 1-800-579-9253.

Rules of Networking

Sue Sutcliffe — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 11:00:58 +0000

Just read an really interesting post by Recruiterpoet called “Networking Needs Compassion” and loved the way he summed up the Rules of Networking…

Some approaches can be successful but one must always remember a few key principles of networking.

1.) It takes time. Networking is like a fine red wine. It takes time to age but when you finally open it, the rewards are bountiful.

2.) Networking needs compassion, trust, and respect. We will get into this further on in this article, but the bottom line is don’t be a selfish networker. You know who you are. You only reach out to people when you need something. You play the sales role well by shaking hands, taking cards and buying a drink or two but never follow up unless you need something. Bad, bad, bad networker.

3.) Diversify your network. Now I sound like Jim Cramer. Use a variety of means of networking including face to face, social media and internal corporate channels. Do not limit yourself, but also do not over extend yourself.

4.) Continue to evolve and grow. As your professional, personal, volunteer, publications, events, and other aspects of your life add to your life summary, update that information and ensure that all the individuals in your network are aware of how well you are developing and diversifying.

5.) Be cautious of hitchhikers. There is nothing wrong with aligning yourself with open networkers but be careful of their message and what they are trying to gain. Aligning yourself with the wrong individuals could have an adverse affect on your reputation.

6.) Be generous but be aware. Be generous with how your share your time and connections but do not over use your power. Your closest networking counterparts put a tremendous amount of trust in you and if you use them too much that is an abuse of the trust and it could damage a relationship.

Please follow this link to read the whole post…
Networking Needs Compassion « Recruiterpoet’s Blog.

Do you fancy yourself a good networking? Please click comment and add your tips below!

Canadians Love Social Networking Sites!

Sue Sutcliffe — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:00:37 +0000

Check out Canadians Say Yes to Social Media for a great blog post about social media in Canada. It’s jam packed with great Canadian statistics like for example this one…

By year’s end, eMarketer estimates that about 15.1 million internet users in Canada will have visited social networking sites at least monthly, up from 13.6 million in 2009.

Just loved this e-marketing graph they inserted that shows the growth of Social Network Users in Canada…

Retailers Need Social Media!

Sue Sutcliffe — Tue, 19 Oct 2010 11:00:33 +0000

I just read Website Magazine’s What Shoppers Discuss Most on Social Networks which highlights key statistics about the impact of social media — in particular how consumers use social networking sites to: get advice on what to purchase; give advice on companies and products, and whether they post content specific to various industries.

Was interesting to hear that roughly 1/2 of respondents polled:

are fans of appliance brands or retailers on Facebook
use social networking sites to seek advice on electronics purchases
discuss apparel on social networking sites to compare prices
follow automotive brands or retailers on Twitter

Are your customers stalking you? How does your company rate?

Sexy Laundry at Class Act (June 2, 2010) Whitby… only $40

Sue Sutcliffe — Tue, 01 Jun 2010 19:46:26 +0000

Class Act Dinner Theatre presents… “Sexy Laundry”

…. After 25 years of marriage, and the emergence of love handles and receding hairlines, Alice and Henry have hit a physical plateau. With a “Sex for Dummies” guidebook in hand Alice convinces Henry into a weekend of ‘alone time’ in the hopes of seducing him and unearthing her inner vixen. Henry, however, wants to keep things the way they are… comfortable and easy. Exploring every fantasy from leather to lace, Alice and Henry portray every couple’s desire to grow together but maintain individuality. Don’t miss this hilarious and heartwarming show!!

$40 buys you:

(optional) business networking (5:00-5:30 p.m.)
(optional) DHSBA AGM (5:30–6:30 p.m.)
dinner (6:30-7:00 p.m.)
show (7:00-10:00 p.m.)
one drink

Order your tickets securely online now…
http://dhsbaannualgeneralmeeting.eventbrite.com/?ref=suesutcliffe
or take your chances at the door.

Hope to see you there!

HootSuite releases Team Collaboration Tools for Twitter, Facebook and Social Media platforms

Sue Sutcliffe — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 11:00:14 +0000

These Team Collaboration tools are specifically designed for collective message publishing and conversation monitoring by groups. This will allow enterprises and agencies to coordinate their efforts with colleagues and clients without sacrificing control over valuable account info or compromising the timeliness of messaging. Business and organizations can now assemble specific Teams to manage accounts, topics [...]

Keeping a Closer Eye on Employees’ Social Networking

Sue Sutcliffe — Mon, 29 Mar 2010 11:00:38 +0000

It has always been possible, of course, for employers to look at what their workers are posting on social media. Automating the process makes it more likely that monitoring will become commonplace, say both those who approve and those who disapprove. via Keeping a Closer Eye on Employees’ Social Networking – Bits Blog – NYTimes.com.

Learn my effective/efficient social networking system

Sue Sutcliffe — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 13:27:42 +0000

from the comfort of your desk on Apr.8, 2010 – Click here for more information.

The Next Big Thing

Sue Sutcliffe — Sun, 28 Feb 2010 11:00:53 +0000

David Drane is a writer for CREATIVE LIFE LINE, an inspirational speaker and story teller. For more information about David and CREATIVE LIFE LINE, go to his web site at www.drane.ca.

What would you say if I told you that you have in your possession right now, the piece of the puzzle that will move your business into its next growth phase?

That’s right. Almost every one of us has the key to our own success. We just don’t recognize it.

We get so wrapped up looking at the new technology, the latest trend in networking, a better web site, improved brochures and a myriad of other things. But what do you have, what do I have that will help my bank account catch up with my success?

Here it is. You’ve heard it before and you probably haven’t really acted on it yet.

What ever the mind believes, the person can do.

When you really believe it, you will achieve it.

Unfortunately, really believing might be the tough part. It takes about a month for the mind to accept a new habit. Make your success a new habit. After your mind accepts it, the rest of you will do what is necessary to catch up.

Here are the steps to convince your mind of what ever it is you want it to believe.

Decide in specific terms what it is that you want.

Write it down in specific terms in the present tense. Write it as if it is all ready accomplished.

Put your written statement some place where you will see it every day.

At least twice a day, preferably more often, read the statement out loud. If you miss a day, you will need to start over. (That’s not my rule. That’s your mind’s rule.)

If anyone does or says anything to cast doubt on your statement, turn them off and go read your statement out loud.

If you follow these five easy steps, you will be amazed at the results.

I believe it was Samuel Clemens who said, “A mind is a terrible thing to waste.”

And I don’t recall who it was who said, “Use it or lose it.”

So now you have the next big thing. Use it and grow.

David Drane is a writer for CREATIVE LIFE LINE, an inspirational speaker and story teller. For more information about David and CREATIVE LIFE LINE, go to his web site at www.drane.ca.