All posts tagged business

How To Manage Your Time on Social Media

How To Manage Your Time on Social Media

As a business owner, social media marketing is an important element of your business. It’s a way to generate conversations that may attract more people to your business, and it’s an easy way to let people know what’s going on with your business in a social setting. Yet there are many activities you need to do to run a successful business, and social media is only one of them. How do you put in the time that is required to maintain an effective social media presence, while still running your business? Here are some tips:

  • Start From the Results You Want: Instead of just jumping online, spend a few minutes thinking about what you want social media to do for your business. For example, if you are hoping to introduce new customers to your business, you’ll want to spend time planning posts that encourage existing customers to tell their friends about your business. As a result, you might decide to run a contest that rewards people for sharing. If you would like to encourage existing customers to purchase again, then you might focus on offering Facebook-only specials on your Facebook Page, and creating lots of conversation with people who already know what you have to offer. Knowing what you want can help you decide what to do online.
  • Plan Ahead: Nothing is a bigger time waster than sitting at your computer wondering what you’ll post that day. Create an editorial calendar for your online business presence, writing out your main posts at least a month in advance. By writing them all at once, you’ll get the creative juices flowing so that the posts come easier, and you will also be able to get a sense of the overall flow of your content. Are you too salesy? Not enough? Looking at an entire month’s worth of posts will not only help you be more efficient, but will also make your content better. (Also spend some time looking back at previous months’ posts. Did a particular type of post generate results? Then create more posts like it!)
  • Go Mobile: Don’t limit your time on social media to the minutes you can steal away to sit down at a computer. Use your mobile device to check in on your sites regularly, and jump in on conversations often. Instead of one block of time, you might spend a few minutes several times a day. Your customers will feel like you’re more responsive this way.
  • Avoid Spreading Yourself too Thin: Ask your customers where they spend their time online, and then set up one or two social media presences on the sites they use the most. One of these places is probably Facebook, but should you also be on Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter? By understanding how your customers want to connect with you, and where, you’ll use your time most efficiently instead of doing more than you need to.
  • Stay Focused: It can be very easy to get distracted on social media sites and waste time. Keep a list of the activities you want to accomplish that will help you reach your goals online, and when you’re using social media for your business, stick to the list. This will help you avoid distractions that take you away from your primary purpose.

By being strategic about your use of social media, you can use these highly effective tools in a way that helps you build your business and reach your customers.

How do you manage your time on social media? We would love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

Making Facebook Work For Your Business

Making Facebook Work For Your Business

Do you use Facebook for your business? With nearly a billion people using the social network internationally, it’s a great tool to connect with existing customers and prospects, while also finding new ones. But you can’t just advertise your business indiscriminately on the service. Keep these points in mind when using Facebook for your business:

  • Start with a Plan. Before you begin using Facebook for your business, be sure you know what you want to gain as a result. Are you trying to encourage repeat business? Find new prospects for your business opportunity? Get customer feedback? By starting with an end in mind, you’ll ensure that the actions you take on Facebook are focused and results-oriented.
  • Engage Regularly. Facebook is a SOCIAL network. You can’t be social if you don’t show up. So be sure to set aside time daily, even if it’s just 10-20 minutes, to engage with people on Facebook. Ask and answer questions, comment on photos and status updates, listen to what others have to say, share interesting content that the people you’re connected with may enjoy. The point is to be social, and not just post an update and move on to the next thing.
  • Set Up a Business Page. Facebook Terms of Service is very clear about where businesses are allowed to promote themselves, and it’s NOT within a personal Profile. (SEE: What is the Difference Between a Facebook Profile and a Facebook Page?) If you are planning to ask people to do anything on Facebook from which you will make money, you MUST do those posts within the context of a Facebook Page. (Don’t know how to set up a Facebook Page? SEE: How to Create a Business Facebook Page)
  • Run Contests Within Facebook Guidelines. Contests are a fabulous way to build momentum for your business, and create addtional awareness. But you must follow the rules. Rules??? Yes, Virginia, Facebook does have requirements when it comes to contests. You may NOT use any Facebook feature (liking, commenting, etc.) as an entry for a contest. Instead, you must use a 3rd party application to administer your contest. (SEE: How to Run a Great Contest on Facebook.)
  • Consider Facebook Advertising. Facebook advertising can be a great way to generate additional awareness of your business. Be sure you’re advertising in a giving spirit, however. Give away something free (such as an ebook or a coupon) to encourage people to click and learn more. (SEE: 8 Tips for Effective Facebook Advertising.)
  • Have Patience. Rome was not built in a day, and neither will your Facebook community. It takes time and nurturing to build an engaged community. Focus on providing great content, listening to and connecting with others, and making relevant offers that are interesting to your community. And ask your community to share your Page with their friends! If they find you valuable, they’re more likely to do so.

How do you use Facebook to build your business? What additional tips would you give? We would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

How to Empower Yourself

How to Empower Yourself

There is so much in life that we can’t control, and you may sometimes feel powerless when things don’t go as planned. However, by learning to empower yourself, you can begin to have a more positive outlook on life and enable yourself to succeed. The following suggestions can help you feel more in control, and allow you to better enjoy both your professional and personal life.

  • Remember that your past failures don’t predict the future. Think of that big test you failed back in high school; did it prevent you from graduating? Did that time you knocked over the cone while parallel parking stop you from becoming a good driver? Past failures are nothing more than learning experiences. Instead of dwelling on them, figure out what you can actually learn from them. That test you failed probably taught you how to study more effectively for future tests, just as that parking incident helped you realize that you need to adjust your mirrors differently. Learn from your mistakes and move on. Empower yourself by taking control of your past to succeed in the future.
  • Lower the threshold for good things and raise it for bad things. Don’t make mountains out of molehills, but changing your perspective can show you what’s really important in life. This morning, for example, you woke up healthy and able to take on your day.  Realize what a great thing that is, and don’t take it for granted. On the other hand, remember that spilling your coffee on the way to work isn’t the worst thing that can happen; your house catching fire is more along the lines of something really bad happening that can change your life. Empower yourself by taking a moment to be grateful for all the positive things you have, big and small.
  • Eat healthier and exercise. A nutritionist wrote on her blog, “Note to self: when I eat badly, I feel badly.” This couldn’t be more true. Of course we all indulge once in awhile, but implement a healthy eating regimen if you don’t have one already.  Additionally, make sure you are getting at least 30 minutes of exercise 3 times a week. Do something you enjoy, like power walking, taking a kickboxing class to relieve stress, or play some Wii Fit in the privacy of your own home. The better you treat your body, the better you will feel.  Empower yourself by being as physically healthy as possible.
  • Make a list of everything good in your day. This is especially important when you’re feeling like everything is going wrong. For example, did your children wake up smiling and happy to see you? Great! Add it to the list. Did a customer express her satisfaction with your service today? Put it on that list. Empower yourself by recognizing and appreciating the positive.
  • Look for and expect something great each day. Every day will have something good in it, so be on the lookout for it. If you expect greatness in your life, you’ll find that it comes more easily because you will be open to recognizing it as it happens. Being a business owner is something most people don’t have the courage to undertake, so at the end of each day, if nothing else, take a minute to pat yourself on the back. You completed another day, achieving your dream and doing what you love. Empower yourself by developing an upbeat attitude and an optimistic point of view.

By making some adjustments to your mindset, you will feel more empowered to take on your world and reach your goals. How do you empower yourself on a daily basis? Please share your ideas below!

Tips for Making More Money in Your Business

Tips for Making More Money in Your Business

So you’ve established a successful business model, built up a loyal clientele, and have begun enjoying the fruits of your labor. Now it’s time to increase your profit.

It may seem difficult or sometimes impossible to increase your income stream as a small business owner or direct seller. However, making more money doesn’t always require spending more money. The following tips can help you make more money for your business.

  • Have a detailed plan, but be ready to adapt. Anything in your business that you want to change should be carefully planned, including dates, deadlines, numbers, etc. Be aware, however, that you can’t always anticipate every circumstance, so be ready and willing to adapt if necessary. For example, a business owner decides she wants to add more clients to her business in order to make more money. She plans for increased costs in advertising as well as increased demands on her time. Soon she realizes that adding more clients takes too much time away from her family, so she changes her plan to one that allows her to increase her fees for her existing clients by adding more valuable services instead. By being adaptable, she was able to achieve her goal and avoid burning out.
  • Be a creative problem solver. In what area is your business lacking that is preventing you from making more money? Think outside the box to solve problems creatively when answering this question. 
  • Persevere. Remember that old ketchup commercial that stated, “Good things come to those who wait”? This old idea has a great deal of truth in business. The road to success may have rough spots and roadblocks, and you may not see the results of your hard work right away. If you really want something, though, it’s worth staying the course. Perseverance is an admirable and valuable quality to cultivate in yourself.
  • Have mentors. No one succeeds without some level of help. Seek out mentors who have succeeded in their own businesses. Pick their brains for ideas you may not have thought of. Most people are happy to share their success stories with others and pay it forward. Mentors can be people you already know, other business owners you meet through networking, or even authors of published materials that are inspiring to you. Never stop learning from those who have already done what you’ve set out to achieve.
  • Stay lean with your budget. Be very careful and deliberate about how you spend money. As the owner of your business, you should be aware of every aspect of your cash flow. Without sacrificing service or value, find ways to decrease spending where possible. Buying used equipment instead of new, focusing on one marketing method at a time, and increasing use of free resources like social media are examples of how you can tighten your budget.
  • Believe in yourself. If you don’t think you can do it, then you won’t. Remember that more success requires more hard work, so make sure you’re up to the challenge. How badly do you want to achieve this? If it’s in your heart to succeed, you will always find the motivation to continue. Confide in people you trust to help boost your self-esteem and look at your previous accomplishments when facing self-doubt.

Your quest to increase your bottom line may be difficult and take many unexpected turns, but with a bit of preparation and self-confidence, you can achieve your business goals. What else do you think should be added to our list? Please share your ideas below!

The Power of the Success Mindset

The Power of the Success Mindset

As a small business owner, you work hard. But sometimes it seems that no matter how much effort you put in, your business is not growing in the direction you might hope. So you work even harder, but don’t get the results you’re seeking.

Have you ever stopped and asked yourself why?

It’s because the act of simply doing things isn’t enough to grow a business.

So what else is missing? What does it take to build a successful, thriving business (without killing yourself in the process)?

It’s about mindset.

You see, it’s very easy to be busy all day. To be a “reactionary” business owner that responds to each situation as it comes. But that’s not what successful business owners do. Instead, they are very intentional about setting each day’s agenda so that it corresponds with their goals. It’s not that they don’t deal with things that come up. But they choose the tasks and the direction most in line with their goals. Without taking the time to do this, you will never grow in the direction that you hope to.

So where do you start?

Fortunately, we at the DSEF have produced a free downloadable workbook that will help you with this process. Simply complete each of the activities in the workbook to focus your business efforts in the right direction. This is an essential activity for every business owner.

This workbook will guide you through the following steps:

  • Defining your why
  • Tuning out negativity and committing to positive self-talk
  • Making a plan
  • Building in accountability
  • Using visualizations
  • Making a plan for when you fall
  • Focusing on excellence instead of perfection

By printing out this workbook and completing each of the activities, you will find that you are much more intentional about each of the business activities you choose, and will find that your business grows in the direction you desire.

Download the workbook for yourself from our Facebook Page, and share it with your business associates and loved ones. It’s an incredible gift you can share. Here’s a link you can share with your friends, so they can get their copy too: http://bit.ly/dsefebook2

How do you create a mindset for success for your business? We’d love to read your thoughts in the comments below!

p.s. This is just one of the many free business resources we at the DSEF provide, no strings attached! We are committed to helping entrepreneurs with the resources they need to build strong, ethical businesses. It’s one of the cornerstones of our non-profit Foundation, so we hope you’ll enjoy this free resource, and check our Facebook Page daily for even more free resources and tips. Here’s to your success!

Executive Spotlight: Heather Chastain, the President of Celebrating HOME

Executive Spotlight: Heather Chastain, the President of Celebrating HOME

From the DSEF: We’re excited to continue our blog series featuring top executives in DSEF-supporter direct selling companies today! Every few weeks we’ll introduce you to another top executive, and they’ll share their thoughts on Direct Sales, Ethics, Social Good, and why they support the DSEF. 

Today we’re thrilled to continue this series with Heather Chastain, the President of Celebrating HOME. We’re thrilled to have Heather share her thoughts with you today. Enjoy!

Executive Spotlight: Heather Chastain, Celebrating HOME

Heather Chastain

What is the name of your company, and how did you become involved with the company? 

The name of my company is Celebrating HOME.  Celebrating HOME was formed 4 years ago through the combination of Home & Garden Party and Home Interiors.  I served as President of both Home Interiors and Home & Garden Party and the opportunity to combine the best of both and relaunch  under a new brand was extraordinary.

What did you do before you got involved with the company?

I have been involved in direct selling for the past 17 years serving at BeautiControl (a subsidiary of Tupperware) before moving to Home Interiors in 2006. My background includes experience in several disciplines including manufacturing, operations as well as marketing and field sales management.

What do you love about your company?

I love that Celebrating HOME believes in supporting the total person. We recognize that men and women are many things – they are parents, friends, neighbors, members of their community as well as direct selling professionals. We are committed to helping people become stronger individuals – regardless of their background, education or income level.

What makes your salesforce amazing?

Our salesforce is truly remarkable. Their resilience during such massive change has been very impressive to see. They have passion for what they do and, most importantly, a heart for everyone. They are real people, many from humble backgrounds and they are living first-hand the transformative impact that this industry can have on an individual life.

Ethics is an integral part of DSA membership. How do you ensure your company maintains the highest level of ethics?

Our company has a strong foundation in Christian values and we promote honesty and integrity in all that we do. This makes it fairly easy for us to ensure that all our representatives keep a standard that DSA can be proud of. Of course, we talk a lot about it, too. We make sure that we remind all our leaders at every opportunity that this adherence to a high ethical standard is what sets us apart from so many other organizations out there.  We link to the DSA code on our website and make sure that our field promotes that to their prospects as well as customers.

Social good is another essential element of direct sales. What kind of social good campaigns does your company participate in or run?

Our company launched the Celebrating Hope foundation last year.  This was a way to focus our long history of giving under a common umbrella.  While our field has raised significant money for charities like Habitat for Humanity, American Cancer Society, Make A Wish, Wounded Warrior and Living Water Foundation over the years, they are all linked by the common element of helping bring families together.

Your company has been a Direct Selling Education Foundation supporter. Why do you think the DSEF is important?

The DSEF is a critical element for DSA member organizations. They are on the front lines, building trust in the marketplace and enhancing the industry’s reputation for all of us. The real question is why would a DSA member company NOT support the work that the DSEF does? They are committed to educating government officials, consumers and prospects alike about all the good things that Direct Selling brings to so many people across the nation.

Thank you, Heather, for sharing your thoughts with us. We are grateful for the support of companies like Celebrating HOME, that help us to spread the message of ethics, entrepreneurship and integrity around the world. We appreciate you!

 

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

Creating Buzz For Your Business

Creating Buzz For Your Business

When starting a business, it is important to focus on the providing a quality product, and consider how best to deliver it to your customers.  However, none of that will matter if no one knows about your product.  You must get people talking about your business, sharing information about it on the internet, and recommending it to others.  This creates a buzz that will bring customers to your door.

  • Highlight personal success stories as well as hardships.  When discussing your business with others, it pays to set yourself apart from others by sharing how you got to where you are.  What led you to the decision to run your business?  What obstacles have you faced and overcome along the way?  How have you achieved your goals thus far?  What makes you passionate about this business?  Answering these types of questions will show others that because your business is a personal victory, that you are dedicated to providing customers with nothing but positive shopping experiences.
  • Reach out to those who have inspired you.  There are no doubt a number of people who have influenced your decision to start a business.  These might be former teachers/professors, family members, friends, fellow business owners, etc.  Don’t be afraid to contact them to share your accomplishments, thanking them for being positively influential in your life, and offering them V.I.P. customer status for inspiring you to achieve your dreams.  You never know where it might lead.  For example, a former dancer has started her own studio and reaches out to her childhood dance instructor to tell her the good news.  Not only does the instructor offer her valuable professional advice, but she offers her services as a master class guest teacher to bring in new clientele.  Those who have taught you well can likely continue passing on their wisdom and experiences.
  • Blog about your business.  Blogging not only allows you to share information about your business, but it affords you the opportunity to interact with current and potential customers.  Regularly participate in the conversation that occurs in your blog’s comments section, and do the same for others’ blogs.  Tip:  Add video.  A humorous and unique video either on your blog or business’s website can create immediate buzz by drawing the attention of a larger population.  If you really execute this well, your video has the potential to go viral; the exposure provided by a viral video can be a turning point for a startup business from which it grows to the next level.
  • Make a major announcement. Sometimes, business owners are successful at creating an initial buzz, but sustaining that attention is difficult.  One way to keep your business at the forefront of the people’s interest is to make a major announcement, like a new product, contest or promotion, equipment upgrade, improved facilities, or competitive price cut.  Create anticipation of your announcement by referring to it in marketing materials with an emphasis on the upcoming date.  When you do make such an announcement, it should be done in such a way that no one is likely to miss it.  For example, a local bakery announces that it will be creating an audition reel for a major reality competition show for chefs and wants to include its customers on the tape.  The bakery’s owner sends out electronic and paper mailings as well as posts a large banner on its storefront offering a free cupcake to any customer who shows up to appear in the audition reel.  The bakery becomes a full house on the day of shooting, and aside from drawing in so many customers, the owner walks away with plenty of quality footage to submit to the network.

Creating buzz for your business is an effective technique to attract new customers and maintain current ones.  How do you create buzz?  Please share your ideas below!

To get your free copy of the eBook, click here: 15 Days to Greater Success. You can download it from our Facebook Page. And while you’re there, you can download our other free eBooks too: Business Owner’s Road Map to Success, Creating Your Success Mindset, and Reflections on Success. They’re all designed to give you an edge in your business, and help you focus on the daily practices that lead to your goals.

Please share this link with the business owners you know: http://on.fb.me/VHcVB3

Creating Useful Content Marketing

Creating Useful Content Marketing

Building an audience that is interested in your business and all it has to offer is the main objective of content marketing.  Today’s technology makes it easier than ever before to distribute such relevant content to your target market. By taking advantage of these resources, you can create and share useful content to acquire an interested following, and watch your business grow.

  • Provide solutions to problems. Consider problems that your target market encounters that your products/services can solve. Share these solutions online.
  • Re-package your present content.  Just because you want to broaden your audience base doesn’t mean you have to reinvent the wheel.  You most likely already have content that is worth sharing, so consider re-packaging it into a different medium, such as an e-book.  With the presence of smartphones and e-readers, e-books are very appealing to the general public.  The same goes for podcasts. The great thing about podcasts is that they are free; another bonus is their accessibility from a variety of devices.  A little market research and an inventory of the types of technology you are interested in will help you choose the best format for your content.
  • Update current content.  Thinking more about your current content, it is definitely worth periodic review.  Some of it may only need to be tweaked, but you might find that an update or re-write is in order.  For example, when reviewing your blog archives, you come across a post about interacting with customers during a product demonstration.  If this post was written prior to 2007-2008, it would be a good idea to update it to include new ideas about interacting through smartphone apps.  You should also review your content for new information backed by current scientific research, recent user reviews, innovative product concepts, etc.  If it is relevant to your business, it’s probably relevant to your audience as well.
  • Change your medium.  Sometimes it isn’t necessary to alter your content, just the way it is presented.  For example, if your blog hits have been steadily on the rise for three years, but have experienced a plateau in recent months, experiment with changing the format.  Posts made up solely of text might benefit from an occasional video, for example.  Try out different media to decide which ones work best for your needs and attract your audience.

Successful content marketing contains quality in both the message and its delivery.  Be sure that what you are creating is valuable to your audience and easily shareable.

How do you create and share useful content?  Please add a comment below!

Free e-book “Business Owner’s Road Map to Success.” It has over 50 pages of techniques for everything a small business owner needs to master, from business planning and ethical selling to a success mindset. It’s all there and it’s free for you. To get it, just “Like” our Facebook Page here: http://on.fb.me/KsIN6P Pass it on!

How to Make Real Self-Improvement

How to Make Real Self-Improvement

Many direct sellers and small business owners are committed to growing their businesses and taking steps to achieve their financial goals.  This often involves some degree of self-reflection; after all, every decision about the business falls solely on you.  By making some improvements on yourself, you will be able to reap the benefits in your business.

  1. Make a list of what you want to improve.  The act of writing your goals on down on paper (or typing them, most likely) is the first step in committing to change.  Put them in writing to help you identify what exactly you’d like to improve, and then prioritize them accordingly.  Chances are you have some things you’d like to change right away, and others that may require some more time to work on.  You are in charge of your list, so adjust it when necessary, but take the time to create it so you can get right to work.
  2. Decide why you want to improve.  Within your list of things to improve, write down why you listed it.  Doing so will help you decide its level of importance and how it will enhance your life.  For example, one of your items is to stop procrastinating.  You may decide that by tackling tasks and projects right away and well in advance of deadlines, you will be relieving unnecessary stress and anxiety as well as performing better overall because of the increased time allotted to complete these tasks.  Since these are some very important benefits of self-improvement, you may want to make this a top priority.
  3. Implement deadlines.  So you’ve made your list, prioritized the items, and identified the reasoning behind them.  Now you need to create deadlines by which to complete them.  Without deadlines, your list simply becomes another piece of paper or electronic file that gets pushed aside and forgotten about.  Giving yourself a deadline helps you envision your endgame and draw up your plan of action.  Don’t be too rigid, however, as you don’t want to set yourself up for failure.  Give yourself enough time to realistically achieve your goal, but not so much time that you forget where you are headed.
  4. Utilize your strengths to improve your weaknesses.  Everyone has a certain skill set; you know what you can do well and are confident in your abilities.  Use this to your advantage on your path to self-improvement.  For instance, one thing on your list to improve is your tendency to procrastinate.  If you are a detail-oriented person, that strength could help you stop procrastinating.  Decide that when a task or project presents itself, that you will map out an action plan complete with all the details needed to perform the job well.  Because you have now dealt with all the details, beginning work on the project right away will become much easier to do.  Knowing your strengths is just as important as identifying your weaknesses when making self-improvements.

People don’t generally like to be told what to do or how to do it.  Your commitment to self-improvement must come from within.  Find your inner motivation, do some real self-reflection, and take the steps above to improve yourself and your business.  What ideas do you have about making self-improvement?  Please share them with us in the comments section below!

Checklist to Improve Your Business Relationships

Checklist to Improve Your Business Relationships

Imagine this: you walk into a restaurant to have dinner and are greeted pleasantly by the host.  After promptly being seated, your server introduces him/herself and proceeds to provide you with attentive service.  In the middle of your meal, the manager or owner comes by to introduce him/herself and make sure you’ve gotten everything you’ve needed.  You leave the restaurant with a full stomach and ready to recommend the establishment to friends and family immediately.  This restaurant is no doubt successful because of the importance it places on business relationships, and the owners’ commitment to building those relationships shows in a positive way.  Read on for some ways to improve your own business relationships.

  • Offer more than they expect.  Going above and beyond your customers’ expectations will always make a good impression.  For example, a customer is unhappy with her recent photo framing order because the matte was not mounted on straight.  Not only did the owner re-do the job for free, but she put it first on her priority list and also offered the customer free shipping on her next order if she continued to patron the business.  For many successful business owners, a satisfied customer is not enough; doing something to make a customer say, “Wow!” is something to strive for.
  • Anticipate their needs.  The more attentive you are to your customers, the better able you will be to anticipate their needs and attend to them, possibly even before they do!  If you have a customer who always purchases the same product every month, consider offering her an automatic refill service where she can set up automatic payments and receive her item regularly without having to actually place the order each time.  Another idea would be to show her different uses for the product that she may be unaware of or to introduce her to products that would complement the one she likes.  Getting to know your customers will give you the insight to anticipate their wants and needs.
  • Be yourself.  Most people can easily detect when someone is being insincere.  You always want to smile and be polite, but don’t be afraid to show customers your personality.  If people are drawn to your sense of humor, incorporate that into your conversations.  Don’t worry about what you think customers want to hear or who they want you to be; just be yourself and let your business relationships be built on your genuine desire to provide excellent customer service.
  • Be honest.  If you are not honest, you are not reliable.  Customers want to do business with those who are dependable and ethical. If you mess up, admit to your mistake and do everything possible to make it right.  If you can’t deliver on something, don’t promise it.  If you practice dishonesty or deceit, the fallout can cause irreparable damage to your business and your reputation.  Always hold yourself to a high standard; business relationships require trust between both parties.

Improving your business relationships is not much different from improving your personal ones.  Think of others before yourself, be honest, be sincere, and listen to the other person.  What else do you think should be added to this list?  Please share your ideas below!

DSEF Academic Engagement

Complete a brief survey to help us identify academic or university connections companywide.

This survey will help us learn more about:

  • The various partnerships each department has with a professor, college or university.
  • The existing connections that our employees may have with a university.
  • How our team can better support or align with these relationships.

Please provide us with the following contact information:

Do you or your department have an ongoing professional partnership or personal relationship with a university, college professor, program or department?