Businessdriver

Failure in business isn’t always a bad thing. In fact, the lessons we take with us can lead to success in the long run. Here, three local business leaders offer lessons learned from challenges they’ve faced.

Lesson #1: Start Networking
Karie Cowden, owner of Connect the Dots Promotions, LLC, had the foresight to hire subcontractors for important back office functions. Where she did initially fall short, though, was in her expectations — sales volume didn’t reach her early goals, and she wasn’t realistic about her time.

Chamber Institute is in the midst of a four-part sales series that began April 17 with "How to Find New Leads: Different Methods to Attract New Customers." Panelists Eric Keosky-Smith of Infusionsoft, Susan Ratliff of Exhibit Experts and Sharon Moore of Allegra Marketing & Print shared their expertise on effectively using face-to-face, online and direct mail lead generation to target new customers.

As the president and owner of Mountainside Fitness, the largest locally owned health club chain in Arizona, Tom Hatten has a bio that reads like a great business memoir. And by the end of the year, it will be.

Sure, the iPad is cool. But lawyers at Fennemore Craig have found ways to use the Apple tablet in ways that go beyond cool. The iPad is improving the client experience, innovating communications, saving paper and improving efficiency, say James Goodnow, director, and Marc Lamber, director and chair of the firm’s Personal Injury Group.
   
Here are just three of the ways Fennemore Craig’s personal injury team is using the technology:

The Chamber's 2012 Marketing Summit brought together industry experts from a variety of disciplines who shared their advice on topics from creating media buzz to attracting and converting sales leads. More than 100 Valley business people enjoyed the half-day conference, which included a keynote presentation from Bill Pearce, former chief marketing officer for Del Monte Foods and Taco Bell and a current member of the marketing faculty at the University of California at Berkeley.

Another potential tool in your digital marketing toolbox emerged last fall with the launch of Google+. In case you aren't familiar with the newest social media network or its potential business applications, Google Field Marketing Lead Spencer Kerby reveals why Google+ should be an addition to your communications mix.

Given the multitudes of social networking sites, you might very well be one of those people whose first question is “Do I really need ANOTHER one?” The short answer is Yes. Here are three reasons why:

Your potential customers are being inundated with media messages of all types at all hours of the day. What are some current media trends you need to keep in mind when trying to reach those potential customers with your message? We asked Fraser Elliott, senior vice president and media director at Cramer-Krasselt, for an idea of where the media landscape is headed.

Chamber membership offers a vast network of successful business people whose experiences and support are invaluable to one another. We tapped into the expertise of Rhett Doolittle, co-founder, president and COO of 2011 IMPACT Award finalist Entrust Bankcard, who offers eight strategies for success that have helped his company thrive despite the challenging economic climate.

As ones and zeroes become a bigger and bigger part of sales and marketing, many small businesses may be in the dark about what they should be doing to promote themselves and their products in the digital world. Republic Media’s Jennifer Meyer recently spoke at our Chamber Institute on reaching, engaging and converting customers online and through mobile technology. She has a few quick tips in this exclusive GPCCTV video.

MarCom Corner is a regular feature that brings you tips, insights and answers from your fellow Chamber members on marketing and communications topics. This month, Tony Felice, president of Tony Felice PR & Marketing, is calling with a message about how to play right into your customers’ hands.