fun way to raise funds – especially if the item to be given away is donated. Instead of the normal prize options, try something new. Maybe network members could donate services or products from their businesses to create a "prize package." Or maybe a local celebrity could be talked into being the prize – they can take the winner out to lunch, offer their professional help or perform a fun and worthwhile service like washing the winner's car or taking them shopping for a new outfit. The more fun you make the prize, the more money you Although networking is usually thought of in terms of building a referral base, making contact with prospective leads or partners and so on, in the wake of Hurricane Katrina and other disasters, it quickly becomes apparent that a large, strong, and focused network can be used to do great good for those in need.

Many networks are making the news with their relief efforts. Of course, there are the official groups like the Red Cross and other service organizations. But individuals are calling on their own personal networks to stand up and make a difference, as well. Sports figures are challenging their fellow players to donate money. Celebrities are setting up poker tournaments and fundraising drives, calling on their fans to help their efforts. Local groups of people are coming together to provide housing, emergency supplies and communications access. It seems that wherever more than two people know each other, they're finding a way to pitch in on the relief effort.

You don't have to be a celebrity to make a difference. There are many ways to use your network to support those in need. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

• Hold a tournament of some sort, with entry fees and any sales at the event going toward helping someone in need. Golf, poker, fishing, board games – there are as many ideas as there are enthusiasts for this sort of fundraiser. Look at what your network members already love and see what you can build around that. To make it even more interesting, encourage members of your network to donate fun prizes for winners.
• Put a donation logo on your website or blog and encourage your visitors to use it.
• Send out donation cards or information with your newsletter – or devote an entire issue to ways your network can help.
• Auctions are always popular. Instead of the same old "white elephant" auction, though, why not try something different? For example, try a potluck dinner auction – everyone brings their best recipe in a disposable dish and each meal is auctioned off, with proceeds going to the relief fund.
• Raffles are a fast and fun way to raise funds – especially if the item to be given away is donated. Instead of the normal prize options, try something new. Maybe network members could donate services or products from their businesses to create a "prize package." Or maybe a local celebrity could be talked into being the prize – they can take the winner out to lunch, offer their professional help or perform a fun and worthwhile service like washing the winner's car or taking them shopping for a new outfit. The more fun you make the prize, the more money you
  Contract Cleaners - A Guide for Businesses - Part 3
  In this third part I will be looking at the next two questions from my original list documented in part 1 of, questions you should be asking of the commercial cleaning companies tendering for your cleaning contract. Will the cleaning be supervised and how often? If the contract only requires 1 – 2 cleaners then inspections should be carried out weekly. Once the contract has been up and running
  d up and make a difference, as well. Sports figures are challenging their fellow players to donate money. Celebrities are setting up poker tournaments and fundraising drives, calling on their fans to help their efforts. Local groups of people are coming together to provide housing, emergency supplies and communications access. It seems that wherever more than two people know each other, they're finding a way to pitch in on the relief effort.

  You don't have to be a celebrity to make a difference. There are many ways to use your network to support those in need. Here are a few ideas to get you started:

  • Hold a tournament of some sort, with entry fees and any sales at the event going toward helping someone in need. Golf, poker, fishing, board games – there are as many ideas as there are enthusiasts for this sort of fundraiser. Look at what your network members already love and see what you can build around that. To make it even more interesting, encourage members of your network to donate fun prizes for winners.
  • Put a donation logo on your website or blog and encourage your visitors to use it.
  • Send out donation cards or information with your newsletter – or devote an entire issue to ways your network can help.
  • Auctions are always popular. Instead of the same old "white elephant" auction, though, why not try something different? For example, try a potluck dinner auction – everyone brings their best recipe in a disposable dish and each meal is auctioned off, with proceeds going to the relief fund.
  • Raffles are a fast and fun way to raise funds – especially if the item to be given away is donated. Instead of the normal prize options, try something new. Maybe network members could donate services or products from their businesses to create a "prize package." Or maybe a local celebrity could be talked into being the prize – they can take the winner out to lunch, offer their professional help or perform a fun and worthwhile service like washing the winner's car or taking them shopping for a new outfit. The more fun you make the prize, the more money you
    The Marketing Plan As A (Strategic) Planning And Steering Tool
    A marketing plan comprises a lot of fields/steps which include all areas of marketing of the company as such as well as its presentation to the public.The detailed definition of the different steps and in order to make a plan really usable and adaptable, the fields analysed (clients, client groups, market segments, markets, etc.) and facts found out have to be collected in a written documentation.Thus wha
    network to support those in need. Here are a few ideas to get you started:
    • Hold a tournament of some sort, with entry fees and any sales at the event going toward helping someone in need. Golf, poker, fishing, board games – there are as many ideas as there are enthusiasts for this sort of fundraiser. Look at what your network members already love and see what you can build around that. To make it even more interesting, encourage members of your network to donate fun prizes for winners.
    • Put a donation logo on your website or blog and encourage your visitors to use it.
    • Send out donation cards or information with your newsletter – or devote an entire issue to ways your network can help.
    • Auctions are always popular. Instead of the same old "white elephant" auction, though, why not try something different? For example, try a potluck dinner auction – everyone brings their best recipe in a disposable dish and each meal is auctioned off, with proceeds going to the relief fund.
    • Raffles are a fast and fun way to raise funds – especially if the item to be given away is donated. Instead of the normal prize options, try something new. Maybe network members could donate services or products from their businesses to create a "prize package." Or maybe a local celebrity could be talked into being the prize – they can take the winner out to lunch, offer their professional help or perform a fun and worthwhile service like washing the winner's car or taking them shopping for a new outfit. The more fun you make the prize, the more money you
      Customer Service for Chambers of Commerce
      Customer service is important in any business, we all know that and there can be no relevant debate. However what about the groups that the businesses all belong too? What about the Industry Associations or those small business chambers of commerce in each town; do they give good customer service? Should they? Do they have that as part of their mission statement? Sure their vision statement includes supporting their me
      your website or blog and encourage your visitors to use it.
    • Send out donation cards or information with your newsletter – or devote an entire issue to ways your network can help.
    • Auctions are always popular. Instead of the same old "white elephant" auction, though, why not try something different? For example, try a potluck dinner auction – everyone brings their best recipe in a disposable dish and each meal is auctioned off, with proceeds going to the relief fund.
    • Raffles are a fast and fun way to raise funds – especially if the item to be given away is donated. Instead of the normal prize options, try something new. Maybe network members could donate services or products from their businesses to create a "prize package." Or maybe a local celebrity could be talked into being the prize – they can take the winner out to lunch, offer their professional help or perform a fun and worthwhile service like washing the winner's car or taking them shopping for a new outfit. The more fun you make the prize, the more money you
      The Power Of Face-To-Face Marketing: Using Exhibitions As A Form Of Direct Marketing
      You start by thinking that when exhibiting at a show, to market direct to the public or to trade, you will more than likely be stood within metres of your competition. If you were not exhibiting though, then your competitors will be there anyway so this point should not in anyway affect your decision to exhibit.- In terms of actual exhibiting, you know that you are dealing with a targeted market at exhibitions,
      fun way to raise funds – especially if the item to be given away is donated. Instead of the normal prize options, try something new. Maybe network members could donate services or products from their businesses to create a "prize package." Or maybe a local celebrity could be talked into being the prize – they can take the winner out to lunch, offer their professional help or perform a fun and worthwhile service like washing the winner's car or taking them shopping for a new outfit. The more fun you make the prize, the more money you can raise.

    You don't have to wait for a serious disaster like Hurricane Katrina to mobilize your network to do good works. Civic organizations like the Rotarians and the Lions do this as a matter of course everyday, and there are always plenty of worthy causes, great and small, for your network to join forces with. And don't think you have to create massive buzz or raise tons of money to make it worthwhile. Even in the biggest disasters, every little bit of help counts.

    So whether it is a highly organized annual event or a spur-of-the-moment activity created as a reaction to current events, don't let your biggest resource – your network – go to waste.