When you’re planning the next month/quarter/year for your business, what goal is usually included?

INCREASE SALES BY —-Blank

The goal to increase sales is a misguided approach as

Sales are a Result – Not a Goal

You can’t goal yourself up 15% over last years sales, and you can’t goal yourself to increase sales to multi-million dollars – As you don’t control the action of the buyer.

Goals are something that you can take on yourself, and can set Real time-lines, and Specific actions. I.E.

• This year we’re going to increase our networking groups to include BNI and Rotary
• Over the next six months, I’m going to deliver content every day on my blog
• For the next two presentations, we’ll insure that business cards from attendees are taken, and a follow-up is done

You read the title of this post correctly – Networking and Snowboarding – really it was like the first time someone put peanut butter with jelly. It was a fantastic day, that was enjoyed at Osler Bluff and was put on by BNI Ontario Central North, along with BNI Golden Horseshoe and BNI Ontario Southwest. In addition to phenomenal snowboarding, spectacular seminars, and electrifying networking, my company Muirhead Marketing got to set-up ScribbleLive and Twitter for this event, which I was proud of. But that’s enough writing, let’s get onto video watching!

This morning, I got up and did a few things I always do (or most days). I ate breakfast, made a cup of coffee, and read a few blog posts. I love reading posts on a bunch of different things, and I strive to do this every morning (yes even during holiday season).

That’s where this post is inspired from. Those who have inspired me throughout 2009

It has been an amazing year for me personally, I have been able to accomplish many of my life goals, and my bucket list is slowly getting checked-off (yes I have one, and yes it’s a good idea). So who has gotten me to where I am today?

- First, Family and Friends. I won’t get into who they are (they know) but this is my largest and most critical influence. They pump me up, but also tell me when I should re-look at something

- My BNI group. This is a great group of people who I truly enjoy meeting every week.

Now, for the longer links section – check one, or all of them out and maybe find a little more inspiration in your day

- Mitch Joel

- Seth Godin

- Jer at Never Stop Marketing

- Phil Barrett

- Mashable

- That Mark guy from Facebook

- Marketing Mag

- Snowboard Canada

- CASI

- TSN

and finally,

From YOU! That’s right, if I didn’t have people reading my blog, following me on Twitter or becoming a fan on our Facebook Fan Page, well then there really wouldn’t be a point.

Thanks for joining me over 2009 – and I look forward to knowing you better in 2010!

Today, I  read Seth Godin’s post about a community of 1,000 (found here).

His point of having a community of 1,000 is correct, it can be very powerful. But for many businesses, especially smaller (mind-set) businesses, the idea of having 1,000 people in a community is a bit daunting.

What Seth didn’t allude to, is that a community of 100 can be just as powerful as 1,000 if that’s what your needs are, and more importantly, if that’s who’s needs you can fulfil.

Building a community online, is no different than building it off-line (and for business terms, let’s say network). It takes time, effort, consistency, and most of all, you need to contribute. If you only ever go to your Chamber of Commerce, BNI, ext, meeting to gain business for yourself, people will intuitively tune you Out!

To start, offer something of value, and be patient.

I am going to quickly step back from social media and talk about marketing in another form, networking.

Effective networking is one of the best forms of marketing for your business. It allows you to talk with people, share your story, and gain valuable information that could assist you in the future.

Personally, I enjoy BNI – a great networking organization that connects people in BNI chapters. These chapters can range from 15 – 30+ people, but will only have one person from each area of business, i.e. 1 Realtor, 1 Accountant, 1 Social Media Marketer. We meet every week, get to know one another, share a quick 60 second spotlight of what we’re looking for or doing, and then one person from the group gives a longer 15 minute presentation.

Now, BNI is not for everyone, but the key elements should be found in any networking your doing. The group offers consistency, genuine interest, and the ability to form/maintain relationships.

Although networking online is effective, quick and easy – networking in person, even if it’s just 1 on 1 is still vital in today’s business world.