What's in a Name: 5 Rules for Choosing a Business Name

5 Rules for Choosing a Business Name
How to Create a Winning Business Name
By Susan Ward, About.com Guide
sbinofocanada.about.com/od/startup/a/createbizname.htm

What’s a winning business name? A business name that draws business in itself. Creating a winning business name takes some thought but is one of the most important things you’ll do during the process of starting a business. Starting out with a weak business name is like trying to golf with only one club in your bag. You may sink some shots but it will be a whole lot harder.

1) A winning business name has to be memorable – but easy to spell.
Obviously, your potential customers and clients need to be able to remember your business name. But they also need to be able to find it easily if they’re looking for it in a phone book, directory or online. So choosing a business name such as “Crychalwellyn” is a bad idea. Unique is good but difficult spellings are a bad idea.

2) A winning business name needs a visual element.
What popped into your head when you read “Crychalwellyn”? Anything? Most people don’t visualize anything when they read this business name that I invented. But generally we are hard-wired to “see” images when we read or hear language, and incorporating a visual element into your business name can be a powerful aid to customers’ memory (and a powerful advertising tool).
So you want your business name to have a strong visual element to it. The catch is that...

3) A winning business name has to have positive connotation.
Many words have both denotation (literal meaning) and connotation (emotional meaning). A word’s connotation can be positive, neutral or negative, depending on the emotional associations that people generally make. The classic example is the difference between “Mom” (which has a very positive connotation) and “Mother” (which has a neutral connotation). Now you know why they called them “Dad’s” cookies, rather than “Father’s”!

What it means to you is that when you create a business name, you need to choose words that have the positive connotations that you want people to associate with your business – and make sure these connotations are suitable for your business.

If you are starting a trucking business, for instance, you don’t want it to have a weak sounding or negative name, such as “Willow Twig Trucking” or “Kitten Transport”. You want a business name that conveys strength and reliability. A choice such as “Stone Creek Trucking” would be much better. Notice how all these names have a strong visual element.

4) A winning business name needs to include information about what your business does.
Chances are good that your new business is not going to become an international brand. It certainly isn’t instantly going to become as well known as Nike. So you need to be sure that your new business name at least gives your potential customers or clients some clues about what you actually do. That’s why you see so many landscaping businesses that have the word “landscaping” in their name, and hair styling businesses that include words such as “salon” or even “hair designs” in their names.
Including information about what your business does in your business name also makes it easier for potential customers and/or clients to find your business in phone books and directories (both off and online).

5) A winning business name has to be fairly short.
Once again this is vital because you want customers and clients to be able to remember your business’s name (and be able to tell other people what it is)! But it’s also important for promotional purposes. You want a business name, for example, that will fit well on a business card, look good displayed on a sign or in an ad, and perhaps even a business name that will serve well as a domain name and show up well in search if you have an online business. So keep it as short as possible.

See Related Links:
http://uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com/2011/11/give-them-more-of-you-how-to-build.html
http://uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com/2012/04/5-tips-for-resurrect-your-business.html
http://uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com/2010/12/10-ways-to-get-your-business-organized.html

"New Customer Service for 2012"

 

    " In fact, if you have a public-contact job, you don't have to say anything.  All you have to do is smile.  Many outsiders may form their impression of your organization based upon subtle unconscious clues you transmit through your tone of voice, facial expressions and general appearence. " (Business Today, Bovee/Thill 8th ed.)  As small business entrepreneurs that have "public-contact jobs", we have to remember that the impression that current and future clients have about our companies is based upon what we communicate to them.  Our methods of communication: non-verbal, verbal and written haven't changed, but the mediums that we use have, as we conduct business-to-business meetngs via Skype, chat with our clients on social networking chats and alert customers to your products and services in blogs.  These new mediums are creating new customer service for 2012 and beyond.
   
    Non-verbal communication is the "most basic form of communication" (Business Today, Bovee/Thill, 8th ed.) and is essential to developing new customer serivce.  For example, if you are conducting a business-to-business (B2B) meeting via Skype, how would you sit? would you slump down in your chair?  Your posture is apart of your non-verbal communication.  By using good posture you project  a positive image to your client of respect for them and your company.  In order, to present a positive image in your posture you must make a conscious effort by stretching your backbone, tucking your shoulders, keeping your head up and relaxing (exercising helps too).  By practicing good posture it can help to deterr many painful back problems, poor circulation and difficulty breathing. (Professional Development, Harcourt/Brace/Jovanovich)
   
    Your posture is also an indication of your mental quality, by mental quality we are referring to your attitude.  The way you stand or sit makes your attitude obvious to others.  One way to see what your psoture expresses about your attitude, is by practicing in a mirror.  As you are looking in the mirror pay attention to your facial expressions that also give non-verbal clues.  Those facial expressions show your emotion, type and intensity of feelings.

    Also your personal appearence should be attended to while you are in front of the mirror because it is also a non-verbal form of communication.  The type of response you will receive from a client in a B2B Skype meeting will be determined by the way you dress.  Other forms of non-verbal communication include: vocal characteristics (tone, volume, accent and pace), touch (good and bad touch) and time/space (use of time, respect for clients and personal time/space).  All of these forms can be used effectively by paying attention to the cludes to make you a better speakers and listenener.  Be sure to remember that your non-verbal communication should be effective without being manipulative and that these are only clues; they are powerful tools to effective communication but aren't infallible. (Business Today, Bovee/Thill, 8th ed.)

    While in that same B2B business meeting you must also be cautious of your verbal communication; as one would whe speaking to a current or future client.  When speaking there are five basic componenets to remember: (Professional Development, Harcourt/Brace/Jovanovich)
1. be concise: keep to the business at hand
2. be complete: give all, not half or part, of the necessary information
3. be cohesive: don't jump from one subject to another
4. be clear: speak with clear enunciation
5. be courteous: be thoughtful and considerate in the way that you phrase your message.
By remembering these five basic componenets you can be sensitive to your clients needs by keeping answering questions on the phone and/ or video-conferences.

    These five basic components can be applied to written forms of communication as well.  As you use chats on social networking sites, blogs etc. to answer questions and inform clients on our products and/or services.  All of these things help you to cultivate a good relationship with your clients in order to become sensitive to their needs.  However, it is easy on social networkin sites inside of chats to become lax in our written communication.  In written communication, you must remember that we have an advantage that isn't available in the other two forms, in that you can plan and control your message.  In planning your message you should use complete sentences, with correct grammar, punctuation and to edit your message before sending or posting.  This form of communication is only valuable if you plan carefully, due to its complexity.

    Although, all three of these forms of communication have always been in existence they must be applied to the new mediums (video-conferencing, online chatting, blogs etc.) of communication that serve as tools to help us to offer customer service in a new way for 2012 and beyond.

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F.A.L.L. Feeling Average Lacking Longevity

Should You Turn Your Hobby Into a Business?
 5 questions to answer before you make the leap from hobbyist to full-time entrepreneur
Posted by Asheesh Advani | May 10, 2004

URL: http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/70640

Q: I am considering whether to take the plunge and make a business out of one of my hobbies. How do I know if I have what it takes to be a full-time entrepreneur?

A: There is obviously no aptitude test that can tell you if you are suited to entrepreneurship. However, after you've evaluated the feasibility of turning your hobby into a business, it is worth asking yourself a few questions to determine if you have the characteristics of an entrepreneur.

1. How committed are you? Successful entrepreneurs are committed to their businesses. This is simple to understand, but difficult to put in practice. Are you the type of person who has many hobbies and likes to dabble without commitment? Would you be easily distracted by the next business idea that strikes your fancy? When faced with a task, successful entrepreneurs are generally committed to excel and will not waver when the going gets tough.

2. Is your glass half full or half empty? Not all optimistic people are entrepreneurs, but almost all entrepreneurs are optimistic people. From the owner of the local florist to the founder of a Fortune 500 company, the common thread that runs through the fabric of entrepreneurship is the ability to see a positive opportunity in an otherwise challenging situation. Without confident optimism, it is very difficult to motivate employees, persevere in downtimes and keep your business growing.

3. Do you like to make decisions? Very few of us enjoy making decisions. Decisions mean commitment. Bad decisions lead to problems and can mean losing the respect of one's peers. Owning a business-particularly an undercapitalized startup-is all about making decisions with limited market research and imperfect information. Should you locate the business in your home or incur the costs of a separate office? Should you hire a marketing consultant or a full-time salesperson? How should you price your new products? What should be your first target market for your products? One of the main differences between having a hobby and having a business is the need to make real decisions with financial implications. Will you enjoy it?

4. Do you have the money to make it happen? Once you've written a business plan and established that your hobby can indeed be a sustainable business, the next step is to finance its execution. Unless you thrive on adversity, don't quit your day job until you know that you have sufficient money to fund your business plan. Getting financing is not easy and requires personal sacrifice-whether it involves borrowing from your family's savings, your relatives and friends, credit cards or professional investors. If things don't work out exactly as mapped out in your business plan, will you be able to support a contingency plan to ensure that the business survives? If you don't have the money from your personal network, will you be willing to sacrifice ownership and control to outside investors?

5. Do you like to sell? When I interview candidates for a position at my company, I ask them how they feel about selling. Some of them inevitably shift in their seats and give a half-hearted answer that they do not mind selling when they are asked to do so. Other candidates brighten up and persuade me that selling is a natural part of any job-even if they have never had a sales job. As an entrepreneur, you work in sales. You will have to sell your products, sell your vision for the company and sell yourself. And you will have to do this every day, multiple times. And you will enjoy it-that is, if you are suited to be an entrepreneur.

If you answered yes to most of the questions listed above, you are ready to shift from hobbyist to business owner. If you answered no to most of these questions, and you still want to turn your hobby into a full-time business endeavor, you may want to consider getting a business partner to help you make your plan a reality
www.uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com

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IT’S “B2B” NOT “B2U” HOW TO BUILD A REAL BUSINESS NETWORK

When working with other businesses it is good to build a strong and lasting relationship with them; that is great for you and your business. Sometimes, you can deal with a company or a business that only wants you to buy from them, but won’t do business with you. That’s what we called “B2U” companies they only see you as a customer and NEVER see you as a valued business connection or a "B2B".


Here are some tips on how to create a B2B network:


1. Find businesses that have products or services you can use.


2. Make sure that what you are offering is beneficial to their business.


3.Find their contact information and see if they have a need for your products or services.


4. See if they will let your business put a back link on their website or blog.


5. See if they contact you back after e-mailing them as a courtesy to you. They should at least be willing to contact you back and let you know either way on how they feel about doing business with you. It makes them personable, builds a sense of concern for your business relationship and gives them a great public image.


6. Just because a business gives you helpful blogs or videos doesn’t mean they are willing to talk to you as a business person or company. So, look to see if they will interact with you if you comment on their blogs or videos.


7. Always remember to send a business letter in your e-mail or snail mail. If you don’t know the owners name address them as madam or sir.


8. Watch out for those who only support you because you buy their products or services. The relationship is not genuine it’s purpose is to get your money. And it won’t last long if you stop buying.

See other related articles:
http://uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com/2012/04/5-tips-for-resurrect-your-business.html
http://uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com/2011/11/give-them-more-of-you-how-to-build.html
http://uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com/2010/12/10-ways-to-get-your-business-organized.html
http://uniquicnetworking.blogspot.com/2010/10/how-to-start-online-business-101.html

Team Building

DO WE HAVE AS MUCH SENSE AS A GOOSE?

When you see geese heading south for the winter
flying along in a "V" formation you might be
interested in knowing what has been discovered
about why they fly that way.

It has been learned that as each bird flaps its wings, it creates an uplift for the bird immediately following.  By flying in a "V" formation, the whole flock adds at least 71% greater flying range than if each bird flew on its own. (People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier, because they are traveling on the thrust of one another.)

Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to go it alone, and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front. ( If we have as much sense as a goose we will stay in formation with those who are headed the same way we are going.)

When the head goose gets tired, it rotates back in the wing and another goose flies point. ( It pays to take turns doing hard jobs - with people or geese flying south.)

The geese honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.

Finally (now I hope you understand this), when a goose gets sick, or is wounded by gunshot and falls out, two geese fall out of formation and follow it down to help protect it.  They stay with it until it is either able to fly or until it is dead and then they launch out on their own or with another formation to catch up with their group. ( If we have the sense of a goose we will stand by each other like that.) ~ Unknown Author

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