Not long ago, I was talking with a colleague about what it takes to run a successful business.  He had been trying to break into the photography market for some time and was having difficulty but didn’t understand why.  We spoke at length about the demands on his time that entrepreneurship requires and what he was willing to sacrifice to build the business he dreamed of.

As a father of two little ones, much of his time was divided between his kids and his job.  He was a great father and his children adored him but there are only 24 hours in a day and despite what they say…You might be able to do it all…but you can’t do it all well.

Here is the harsh truth: Success or failure in business is directly tied to your customer’s experience when dealing with your company. No one wants to hear that their project is delayed because you had to pick up little Sarah from school.  In business, the customer comes first…always.

When you talk to people who work regular 9-5 jobs, there is a perception that owning your own business means having a ton of free time.  That is true…to a certain degree.  Business owners and entrepreneurs MAY have a more flexible schedule, but in order for that business to be successful, it takes many, many, long hours that tend to eclipse everything else.

I believe that one of the reasons many businesses fail is due to of a lack of understanding of what is really required to build and sustain a successful business.  Understand that I am not advocating child neglect, but a choice has to be made about how you will prioritize your time.  I’ll say it again.  No matter how you slice it, there are only 24 hours in a day.

We get calls regularly from people looking to start their own business and wanting to know how to begin. When we advise clients about their next steps, one of the first questions we ask is “What do you want to get out of this business?  Is it just a side business to create some spending money or do you want to build an empire?”  The caviat being, the bigger the dream, the greater the commitment.

Everything comes with a price.  Whether you’re looking to make some money from your favorite hobby or become the next Richard Branson, the level of commitment must be commensurate to the desired outcome. What are you willing to sacrifice for your dream?

Monica Jones
3D Studios, President

Growing a network, creating new relationships and deepening existing ones happen when people come together, in person, in inviting environments where there are opportunities for good things to emerge.  Network expert June Holley refers to these people as “network weavers” – people dedicated to making connections, strengthening ties and bringing new people into the network.

We call it the B2B Bash               

People are often brought together in environments organized around pre designed outcomes. Often the most valuable interactions happen outside or in between what is planned—creating spaces that focus more on people and less on specific results. Such environments welcome people and make it easy to connect with others and with new resources increasing the likelihood that people will bump into others sharing similar interests—or  goals.                                           

We call it the B2B Bash    

The B2B Bash makes it easy to enter.

People with broad interests and diverse individual motivation are welcomed and the Bash Team brings these people together.

The B2B Bash builds trust through repeat events.

It takes time and trust for opportunities to emerge. We keep our Bash friends engaged and connected in between events with our Flash Bashes and on-line community.

The B2B Bash designs the space and not the outcomes.

With no organizational core and a funky space, the B2B Bash is an opportunity for connections with the people who gather, and who create the outcomes.

Today more than ever, businesses need to reach into the community at large for their consumers.  Strategic partnerships and sharing ideas and solutions with like-minded and complementary businesses is a perfect way to begin. At the same time and facing many of the same challenges, non profit organizations have been forced to go beyond their normal circles for outreach and need to look to their neighbors and their communities for significant and purpose driven partnerships.

We have designed the B2B Bash to help facilitate these relationships.

Join us!  May 31 at Barnaby’s, New Paltz, NY

There is a common misconception when it comes the definition of a “Brand”. Your ‘Brand’ is composed of experiences a customer can expect when they deal with your company.  That can be anything from your website and brochure, your office décor to the way you answer the phone.  Many small businesses assume that branding doesn’t apply to them and that it’s only for the Nikes and Coca-Colas.  Reality check…. If you’re not managing your corporate image, who is?

Whether their first experience is through your website or the business card that you hand out at a networking event (like the B2B Bash - yes that was a shameless plug) that first impression isn’t one you can get back.  Professionally designed and branded marketing materials tell potential clients that you value your business and that you are serious about the product or service you provide.  In this case, the perception is the reality.  If your corporate image is sloppy and unprofessional, why would someone trust you with their business.

You should look at your branding efforts as an investment.  What’s the old adage?…You have to spend to money to make money?  Well the only thing more expensive than hiring a professional is hiring an amateur.  You are really good at what you do.  If what you do doesn’t include graphic design & marketing then put the mouse down and step away from the computer.  Too often small businesses try to create their own marketing materials.  As a branding firm, we have clients at all stages of business.  More often than not, businesses and organizations fail to understand the true benefits of hiring a professional to handle their branding and marketing efforts.  We have clients who come to us and say,  ”Oh I just designed it on my computer and printed it in the office.”  That’s when we start to cringe.  That kind of behavior can damage your company image.  It can damage your brand and that has far reaching consequences. It can affect your ability to get new clients.  It can affect your ability to charge the rate you’re worth.  It can affect your ability to have the business you dreamed of.

Just because you can..doesn’t mean you should. By the same token, there are plenty of aspects of your business that you must manage.  You can have the best brochure on the planet but if you don’t return your customers phone calls, you won’t keep that customer very long.  Your branding efforts must be a balance between your visual brand (logo, marketing materials, website, etc.) and the experience that customer has when they interact with your company.  Make sure that experience is a good one.

Monica Jones
3D Studios
B2B Bash

The reviews for the last B2B Bash in September were amazing!  See what they’re saying about the B2B Bash!

• “You did a wonderful job on the B2B Bash; lots of buzz, lots of nice people and lots of good networking. Congratulations to you and everyone on your team.  Also, thank you again for the invitation to attend and for the introduction… I’ll definitely follow up.”  Christine Kane, Community Foundation

• “Just a quick note to say thanks for organizing the B2B Bash last night. You created a really great environment to network that was comfortable and relaxed.”   Kay Rubacek, Sugar Websites

• “Nice kick off event for the B2B Bash last night. Made a couple of contacts during the VIP networking. Thanks for a fun and productive night!”  Jim Wagner, Connected Contractors

• “The B2B Bash was terrific! Big success and the energy at the event was great! I am looking forward to the next one, and having it in May is perfect timing and conditions!”   Daniel Voiceover Goldman, Voiceover Guru

• “Dirty Dogs Pet Services had a great time at the Bash!!!”  Lynn Edwards, Dirty Dogs Pet Services

•  “Thanks to the B2B Bash, Covanta and Grace Smith House have formed a partnership that over time will continue to grow stronger.” Michael Cavaliere, Covanta Hudson Valley Renewable Energy

Don’t miss out!  www.b2bbash.com

May 31, 2012 • 6-9pm • Barnaby’s, New Paltz

September 13, 2012 • 6:30-9:30pm • Gansevoort Park Rooftop, Manhattan

Become a B2B VIP and enter to win a chance to showcase your business or organizationto the Bash community! 

We are excited to introduce  The Bash Spotlight.

We wanted to make our B2B VIP’s feel extra special.  And to that end, we’ve created the Bash Spotlight.  The Spotlight is a 30 second “commercial” that is filmed and edited by Bash Team member Kimberly Hart of Solaris 3 Productions.  The commercial is posted on all of the Bash marketing vehicles and permanently housed on the B2B Bash YouTube page.  It’s a great way to showcase your business or organization.

So the obvious next question is “How do I get one of these Spotlights?”  The answer is…you have to win it.  The first 50 B2B VIP’s for each B2B Bash are entered for a chance to win a spotlight.  But you have to purchase your tickets to the B2B Bash early.

There are many reasons to get your tickets to The Bash early.  This is just one more reason not to delay!

Stay tuned for many new and exciting things from the B2B Bash and the Bash Team!

Monica Jones
3D Studios, President
B2B Bash, Creator

For most networking events, there is no real downside on deciding at the last minute to attend an event. But with the B2B Bash, this is not the case. One of the things that makes the B2B Bash different is the special one-on-one matching we do during the Bash. The B2B Bash is unlike any other networking event (awesomeness aside) because we give you the chance during registration to select three types of businesses you would like to meet at the Bash and during the evening we facilitate those meetings in private VIP rooms so you can make those critical connections. (It’s very funky by the way) Registration for the VIP sessions closes before the event to give us time to set up the VIP rooms. If you snooze, you lose.

So why should you register early? Well, here are some very good reasons not to procrastinate.

1. VIP registrants are entered to win a 30 second ‘commercial’ for their business or organization that will air on all of the Bash sites as well as live permanently on our You Tube page. But you have to be a B2B VIP for the chance to win.

2. Tickets for the Bash events are limited. This event only happens once a year each in the Hudson Valley, Manhattan and Westchester. If you miss it, you’ll have to wait for the next year to attend this not to be missed event. Can your business really afford that? Registering early guarantees you won’t miss out on the hottest networking events in New York!

3. And as we mentioned earlier, B2B VIPs get to meet up in private VIP booths so you can make those critical connections.

This is one event where waiting can actually be hazardous to your business health.

Tickets for B2B Bash-Hudson Valley @ Barnaby’s go on sale March 1.
Tickets for B2B Bash-Manhattan @ Gansevoort Park Rooftop go on sale May 13.

Tickets are available on our website www.b2bbash.com

See you at the Bash!

Monica Jones
3D Studios, President
B2B Bash, Creator

As a marketing professional, I think what baffles me most is the pervasive idea that there is some quick fix to getting new business.  With the advent of social media and online marketing, there is this idea that it’s easy (and cheap) to acquire new clients.  What no one seems to acknowledge is this…Although the methods of marketing have changed, the people [you are marketing to] haven’t.  The same basic principles apply now that applied 40 years ago.  Where do your clients spend their time? What are their interests? What problems can you solve for them?

The hype that surrounds social media is phenomenal.  But social media’s main purpose is to help you engage your clients.  It is to help you build a relationship with those interested in your product or service.  It is not a pulpit for you to continuously extoll the virtues of your company and it can hurt more than help if it’s done incorrectly.

People do business with people they know, like and trust.  Basic concept…amazingly difficult to grasp.

There is no magic pill to growing your business…it takes time and effort…as does anything worth having.

Monica Jones
3D Studios & B2B Bash

Bash team member Amy Stillwaggon of Newburgh Envelope Corp will be heading up the newest component of the B2B Bash.  It’s called the Flash Bash and it’s the hottest thing to hit the Hudson Valley since sliced bread.

It works like this:  The Flash Bash is a flash mob. Somewhere…sometime…(hint: it will always be a Thursday) we will descend upon an unsuspecting establishment (actually, we will probably give them fair warning) for an evening of open networking amongst Bash goers.

It’s fun, it’s free and it’s great for your business.  

What’s the catch you say? We will only advertise the Flash Bash through our social media outlets. So you must connect with us either through Facebook or Twitter to get the invitation.  It will be very short notice, hence the flash, no more than a week or two in advance.

The Flash Bash is open to everyone. In fact, we encourage you to invite other business professionals to join the Flash Bash and bring them into the Bash community. The stronger we are, the more effective we are at helping you grow your connections.

The venues will vary and will bounce around the Hudson Valley. While you’re there;  You can register for the next B2B Bash…You can join Bash University…You can make new connections and renew old ones. (How did those coffee dates turn out?)

More details to follow but remember, you must be connected to us via either Facebook or Twitter to get the invite so stay connected and stay tuned!

Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Monica Jones
President, 3D Studios
Creator, B2B Bash

How long do you expect to stay in business if your customers don’t like dealing with you?  Too often good customer service is treated like an after thought instead of a necessity.  Excellent Customer Service = Customer Loyalty and Retention.  Seems obvious enough.  For the life of me, I can’t understand why it’s such a difficult concept to master.

During the course of my B2B Bash venue search, I came across a location that I thought would be perfect for the next Bash.  It had just the right coolness factor.  There was only one problem.  Their customer service was basically non-existent. They didn’t answer the phone, they didn’t return phone calls or emails.  I’m not going to chase you to give you my business.  After ‘dealing’ with them for almost 2 months, they came back to me with nothing I had asked for.  They didn’t even have the correct time on the contract.

What does that tell me as a potential customer?  To me, it says they don’t value my business. Unless you have the only widget or gadget in the world that does what it does, somewhere on the planet there is another company that does what you do.  Why does that matter?  Because it means that your customer has chosen you.  Don’t take that choice for granted. We are in a global economy and competition is at an all time high. You are not the only game in town and people will choose to work with you based on how you treat them.

Something so simple can make such a difference.  The customer experience should be pleasant, enjoyable and beneficial for the consumer.  A happy, satisfied customer is your greatest asset.  They will recommend you to their friends and colleagues.  They will be a walking advertisement for your business.  Of course, the flip side of that coin is an unhappy customer.  As fast as positive reviews spread, negative ones spread even faster.  How difficult is it to get from under the fallout of an angry client who is trashing you all over town? VERY.  Be proactive.  Handle situations when they arise.  Take responsibility for your mistakes. (even if they’re not technically yours)

Ultimately, it’s your reputation that is on the line.  And reputation is everything.

Monica Jones
3D Studios, President
B2B Bash, Creator

It’s taken me three days to actually gather my thoughts enough to write this blog. When I first heard the news that Steve Jobs had died I thought, “I knew it was coming.”  (The man was driven and I knew it would take no less than an act of God to pull him away from his beloved Apple.) On the heels of that thought, was a profound and lasting sadness coupled with the realization that we had lost one of the greatest creative minds the world has ever seen.

As a visual artist, I was an Apple fan long before it was cool to be one.  I withstood the ridicule and the derision from the PC world who seemed to take it as a personal insult that I preferred to spend my money with this small niche company called Apple Computers.  I would say “Apple is just better” and they would laugh and rattle off all of the programs and applications that weren’t made for my Mac and how they could get a computer for half the price that I spent on mine.

I watched, panic stricken, as the company stood on the edge of disaster after Steve Jobs left and I breathed a sigh of relief when he returned.  Not knowing how he could possibly pull the company back from the brink but confident that if anyone could, Steve could. Steve was the master. The guru.

Well, that was almost 15 years ago.  It’s amazing how things can simultaneously change and stay the same.  Not only did Steve Jobs save Apple, but he did the impossible.  He envisioned and created an entirely new world.  He changed how we think, how we interact, how we communicate.  Apple is no longer in the shadows.  They have eclipsed the competition in all the ways that matter.  The Apple brand has never been stronger.  It has never been more clearly defined and it has never been more envied than it is now.   Apple is still the object of derision, but for different reasons.  Being on top has a way of changing perspectives.

How will the world fare without the creative genius that is Steve Jobs?… The planet will continue to spin, but for me it has lost just a bit of its wonder.

Rest In Peace Steve.  You will be greatly missed.

Monica Jones
President, 3D Studios
Creator, B2B Bash