They Said WHAT About Me & My Business?

I (Crystal) just realized that I may have been keeping secrets from you...

The secret I'm talking about is Google Alerts - if you already have one set up, you can quit reading - thanks for the great visit and I hope you're having a RELAXing day!

For those of you who haven't heard of Google Alerts, you can Google it and you'll get a super explanation - (or click here) or here's the short version for those of you who are like me and don't have a ton of time and just want to get down to the 'down and dirty' of it all.

some companies want to charge you to know what people are saying about you and/or your company - but what you do is this (and it's totally free):  you go to this website: http://www.google.com/alerts

and then you can put in a google alert for anything you'd like (Relax Consulting for example) or anyone you'd like (Crystal Casavant for example) and anytime your search criteria are met online (an article, publication, blog, etc...), you'll get an email in your inbox (or now they offer text messages, I think). It's a nice way to hear complaints or accolades right away, when you can either thank the person, or do some damage control to avoid it becoming bigger than life and hurting your business or your reputation.

It's pretty self explanatory, and Google has great helps and explanations along the way - but if you have any questions, let me know and I'd be glad to help. I've had mine set for at least a year and I love it. Sometimes it's the wrong person or business, but you just delete the email. Quick and Easy so YOU can RELAX!

~Crystal

Writing a Business Concept Statement in 250 Words or Less

Writing a Business Concept Statement can be tough enough - doing it in 250 words or less adds to the challenge. Take your entrepreneurial dream and putting it on paper = priceless!

Business Concept Statement

You want to make sure that your business concept includes:

**The features of what your business does (product or service) and why you do it. (take some of the points from your mission statement if you have one).

**The "what's in it for me" for your customers. How will your product or service make it easier for your customer? How will it enhance their life/their experience/their appearance?

**What sets you apart? Why is your business unique?

**Who are your clients or who will they be (target market) and why?

Think like a reporter....

What does company XYZ sell or do?

How is it different from other companies, products, services?

Who will buy ____________?

Why will they buy from you? (ie: price, availability, confidence, etc...)

Where will ______________ be sold/marketed?

When will you sell your products (if this is a start up and you are not established or in growth phase)

How will you market, promote, and inform people about __________________?

Once you get your plan on paper, review it with your team. If you are a solopreneur, review it with someone you have shared your vision with. Ask for input and advice. Once you've polished it, let someone unfamiliar with the business read over your concept statement. You'll need to keep it brief but make sure it conveys everything about your plan for success. An outsider will ask questions and help you see any missing pieces of the puzzle.

Committed Managers or Passionate Leaders?

Committed Managers or Passionate Leaders?

Thousands of Manager Jobs post across the country each day. Many of the job postings say they want a committed manager. Let’s break this down and decide what employers are really looking for. I venture so far as to say that most organizations are seeking passionate leaders and NOT committed managers, and yet many business men and women would say there is little difference between the two.

First, the word committed, by definition means: To put in trust or charge.

A Manager, by definition is: A person responsible for controlling or administering all or part of a company or similar organization.

Combining the two definitions above helps define what a committed manager is. A committed manager is someone in charge who controls those people who answer to them. Take a few moments to think about each word in that definition. The more I think about words like manage and control the less I like the title of manager. I truly believe that animals, and especially humans, were not meant to be controlled. Take the story of Adam and Eve or if you prefer to stay away from the religious side of things, look at how a horse is broken. The key to breaking a horse is to teach them to respond correctly and work with a rider. When training a horse, the goal is to break the horse but not break their spirit. There are countless examples of this: raising children, team sports like football, etc…

None of us want to be controlled. So why do so many of us aspire to be managers. If I don’t want to BE controlled, I should not aspire to control others. This is where the term: Passionate Leader becomes so important.

First, the word passionate, by definition means: having, compelled by, or ruled by intense emotion or strong feeling.

A Leader, by definition is: A person followed by others.

Combining the two definitions above helps define what a passionate leader is. A passionate leader is someone who has an intense emotion for their profession and someone who others follow. This sounds like something I could aspire to be. I can love what I do and can share that emotion or common goal with others through my own example. No breaking or controlling involved. I am who I am and others want to be like me….hmmmmm….

I guess I know what title I would prefer, and more than just a title – I know which person I would prefer to be.

~Crystal

Register today - Women in Management Event August 14th in Two Rivers, WI

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date:July 23, 2012

RE: Manitowoc Women In Management Chapter -
Garden Tour and Luncheon at Aurora Health Care in Two Rivers,
on August 14th

Publicity Contact:        

Crystal J. Casavant

Phone: 920-645-7529

Email:  CasavantCrystal@gmail.com

For Immediate Release: WIMI Manitowoc - Tuesday August 14th Garden Tour and Luncheon open to all professional women

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The Manitowoc Chapter of Women In Management has partnered with Aurora Healthcare to provide a fabulous opportunity for all area professional women on Tuesday, August 14th with open networking and lunch beginning at 11:30am.  This event is a great chance for WIMI members and local professional women to network and learn more about WIMI while touring the Aurora Healthcare Healing Gardens located at 5000 Memorial Drive in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. We will tour the peaceful, serene healing gardens located across from beautiful Lake Michigan. To help ease stress and improve wellbeing for patients and their families, the gardens include waterfalls, dedication bricks, blooms, birds, and more. Open networking and lunch begins at 11:30 with the tour and presentation at noon. The cost to attend includes lunch and is only $10.00 (come for as little or as much of the event as you wish).

Please RSVP or send questions/comments to:manitowocwimi@gmail.com by Friday, August 10th.

Check out our Membership Specials!
WIMI is offering their “Early Bird” Specials until August 31^st. Get $10 off membership and save on program fees when you sign up or renew membership before Friday, August 31^st. Membership information is available online at: www.WimiWi.org/chapter/manitowoc

Contact Connie Thimmig, Vice President/Membership chair, for more information. 920-284-6584 connie.thimmig@azuramemory.com

Women In Management, Inc. (WIMI) is a dynamic group dedicated to the professional growth, development, and success of women. The group strives to promote higher standards for and increase the status, authority, and influence of business and entrepreneurial women. Programs are presented monthly at each chapter for the WIMI membership and guests. More than 350 members belong to one of seven WIMI chapters throughout Wisconsin including Fond du Lac, the Fox Cities, Oshkosh, Manitowoc, Ripon/Green Lake, Sheboygan and Green Bay. For more information about the Manitowoc chapter of Women In Management, Inc.: www.WimiWi.org/chapter/manitowoc

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Fabulous Friday includes Fabulous Recipes Now!

Last Fabulous Friday was a bust (no submissions), so this Friday we will include recipe ideas and here's the first one:

Apple Pear Poppyseed Salad!

Salad Ingredients:
16oz lettuce (spinach or romaine)
6oz cheese - shredded (we like swiss)
1c roasted cashews (salted)
1/2c craisins or dried cranberries (if in door county, substitute with dried cherries)
1 large apple thinly sliced (we like keeping the peeling on)
1 large pear thinly sliced (same as above - we like the peeling)

Dressing Ingredients:
2/3c light olive oil (extra virgin)
1/2c sugar
1/3c lemon juice
2T poppy seeds
2t chopped onions (the finer the better)
1t dijon mustard
1/2t salt (sea salt is best)

Directions:

combine salad ingredients in a bowl

combine dressing ingredients in a separate bowl

toss salad and dressing together just before serving (chilled plates are a nice touch)

Women in Management Manitowoc Renewal and Membership Opportunity

To learn more about Women in Management and the Manitowoc, WI chapter - click here: http://wimiwi.org/

Women in Management - Manitowoc Chapter - Membership Special!

Women in Management ~ This summer, the Manitowoc WIMI Chapter is offering July and August socials to stay connected as well as some GREAT MEMBERSHIP SPECIALS, such as our ‘Early Bird” special– Get $10 off membership and save on program fees when you sign up or renew before Friday, August 31st.  Add your name and your business to Manitowoc Counties WIMI group for powerful networking opportunities with well-connected women.  Contact Connie Thimmig, Vice President/Membership chair, for more information. 920-284-6584 manitowocwimi@gmail.com