As you may or may not know, I’ve been making strides these past few years in establishing my “expertise” in the world of sports and social media. And, up until the last year or so…..I was spending a lot of time learning….but not necessarily seeing any results financially.

Well, things have certainly taken a turn for me over the past 6 months. I have built a great team of 6 employees with Sports Networker, spoke to hundreds of Canadian Olympic athletes about the importance of personal branding, landed some amazing interviews with top Sports Business Professionals around the world and am currently writing for Entrepreneur.com on lessons business owners can learn from the world of sports.

I’m telling you this today because I have something to share with you.

I can honestly say that my business took a positive turn at this time last year as a result of watching a couple of inspiring videos produced by a guy named Brendon Burchard.

Brendan’s videos not only helped me identify the niche that I should focus on, they provided a framework for me to establish my credibility and to monetize my content online (and offline).

The reason I’m telling you this is because he is launching his Experts Academy again and the first video was released today.  Experts Academy is for anyone that is either currently or aspiring to become an author, speaker, trainer, consultant or online thought leader.

The 10 Essentials To Building Your Expert Empire

Click here to watch the video -> http://www.trevorturnbull.com/track/p/eaeo/emc

I don’t typically promote information products to my network unless it’s something that I truly believe others can benefit from.  So, this may or may not be for you, but I at least wanted to make you aware of his program and let you know about the free training he is offering in his videos.

FYI…the video is 1hr long.  And, just a heads up that you do need to provide your name/email to watch the video.  But, know that you can unsubscribe at anytime.

Don’t have time to watch a 1hr video?

I hear you….time is something none of us have enough of!  So, I’ve actually already watched the first video and put together a 16 PAGE REPORT for you.  So, if you don’t have time to watch the 1hr video…..feel free to download this report and take in some of the key points from his presentation.

Click here to download the summary report -> http://www.trevorturnbull.com/report/10essentials

There are 4 videos total during his launch (all free)……so if you are looking for some inspiration to start your year….do yourself a favor and watch these videos.  It could change your life like it changed mine!

If you do decide to watch the video, reply to this article in the comments below and let me know what you think!

I hope to hear from you soon!

The post How Experts Academy Changed My Business appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

Just came across this video titled “We Have No Limits” while scanning through my Facebook News feed.  If you are looking for a little inspiration, some good music and amazing camera work to power you through the day, then do yourself a favor and check out this video.

Here’s an excerpt that explains more about the video produced by Live Unbound.

Unfulfilled lifestyles controlled by pressure and not passion are now the norm. When you live unbound you free yourself from your limitations and have the courage to follow your intuition even when it leads you into the unknown. This is the answer to true happiness, satisfaction and success. It feels risky but you wake up excited everyday, as your desires guide you to new adventures.

Thanks to Jason Sarai for sharing the video on Facebook.  BTW…Jason has a very cool new business venture under way called 1Karma Events.  Co-founded by Jason and Riaz Meghji, 1KARMA is a registered partnership that actively seeks charitable programs with a specific need on either a local or international level and supports them by fundraising and creating an awareness of their initiatives.  Make sure to check them out on Facebook & Twitter.

We Have No Limits from LiveUnbound on Vimeo.

TGIF or is it TGIM or better yet TGIA?

Being that today is Friday, I thought it was also fitting to include another video by LiveUnbound titled “Thank God I’m Alive“.  If you are the type of person that CAN’T WAIT for the weekend to “escape reality” for 2 days, then you need to watch this video.

Here’s an excerpt about the video by Live Unbound:

If you live in America you definitely know what TGIF (Thank god it’s Friday) means. For those of you that don’t know, it’s said to show your excitement that your 2 days of freedom have arrived and you don’t have to deal with the work and stress that the week brings. The first time I heard someone say this I remember thinking that’s kind of sad! Why do so many people except that such a large portion of their lives has to be unenjoyable? When you live unbound everyday is amazing. Read this interview I just did to really understand what LiveUnbound is all about.

Thank God I’m Alive from LiveUnbound on Vimeo.

Do you have any other videos that give you that shot of daily inspiration?  Let me know in the comments below.

The post Are You Following The Well Worn Path Or The Path Less Taken? appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

Now, before you go looking up the definitions of “apathy” and “calamity”, let me list them out for you.

Apathy: Lack of interest or concern, especially regarding matters of general importance or appeal; indifference.

 

Calamity: An event that brings terrible loss, lasting distress, or severe affliction; a disaster

What Inspired This Article

The motivation for writing this article was inspired by two separate events in my life yesterday.

Firstly, I attended a breakfast yesterday morning with some fellow NetworkingInVan.com “Connectors of the Month“. Many of which, I was meeting for the first time.

The breakfast meeting not only provided a great start to the day, it also helped me reflect on how powerful storytelling can be when communicating “who I am” and “what I do”.

I listened to the others tell their stories and felt inspired in a number of ways. And, I walked away with one distinct thought on my mind……man……I need to work on “my story”!! That being said, there were many great conversations and relationships started that I look forward to continuing!

Secondly, I came across a video on Facebook that caught my eye and also inspired me to write this post (more about the video below).  I actually saw it posted by a couple of friends/business colleagues that I greatly respect (David Wells & Lewis Howes).  Not only for the way they approach business and life, but also for the approach they take in helping others discover and follow their own passions in business and life.

Keeping Up With The Joneses

Full dislaimer here…… the theme of this post is “complacency” and why I refuse to let it be a part of my life. And, in order to explain why I feel this way, I believe it’s now time to tell a bit more of “my story”.

Only 3 short years ago, I would have to say that I was definitely trying to “keep up with the Joneses”.  I was married, living in the suburbs in a nice 3 bedroom house and working a 9-5 sales job.  Life was good (enough)…..so I thought at the time.  But, something was missing.  I didn’t feel inspired by my job and I started to feel resentful about my own lack of drive and willingness to follow my passions. Needless to say, my own complacency led to all kinds of problems in my personal and professional life.

That all started to change when I decided to quit my job and start a website development company with my good friend and current business partner, Mike Olaski in 2007.  It was my first entrepreneurial venture……and it was scary as hell to say the least!! I jumped in with both feet and, in many cases, learned by the school of hard knocks….through trial and error and making mistakes (and there were ALOT of mistakes). Looking back, it was the best decision I ever made in my life……and it was one that would change my life forever…..both on a personal and professional level.

Keeping Up With My Own Aspirations

Fast forward 5 years later and I am now divorced, living in a different city with ridiculous rental costs and growing multiple businesses in an industry that my university degree could never have prepared me for………and I couldn’t be happier!

Now, sparing all the fine details, I have definitely experienced some significant changes in my life over the past 5 years. And, at times, some of these changes have been extremely difficult to face and not at all how I expected my life to go.

But, with each painful, challenging moment in life, I have come out on the other side stronger, happier, and more motivated to follow my passions and life aspirations.

Needless to say, I made a decision 5 years ago to never be satisfied with complacency. And, now I can honestly say that I wake up every morning excited about my where I am at in life both personally and professionally and inspired by others around me that also refuse to let complacency into their life!

Even though I believe that I have purposely chosen my own happiness, in many ways, by the decisions I’ve made the past few years.  I also feel extremely fortunate for all the amazing people that have come in to my life over the past 3 years (I’m sure you know who you are…..and if you don’t, I’ll be sure to let you know).

And, I am excited for everything the future holds including the numerous online businesses that I will be launching over the coming months around topics that I am  passionate about, want do more often, learn or get better at in my lifetime. (ie. speaking, health & fitness, relationships, travel, sports, etc).

I’m Fine….Thanks!

If you’ve ever thought to yourself…..”I can’t stand my job” or “I just can’t do this anymore”, I’d encourage you to take a look at this movie trailer for I’m Fine, Thanks.  Here’s an excerpt about the film:

I’m Fine, Thanks is a new, feature-length documentary about complacency. It’s a collection of stories about life, the choices we all make, and the paths we ultimately decide to follow.

We examine the factors that motivate and drive our major life choices. And, most importantly, whether or not the path we follow through life – and the habits we form based on that path – are truly connected with who we really are as individuals.

This is a movie about the moment people realize the life they’re living is not the life that’s true to their heart… and, as a result, what they decide to do about it!

The creators of this film (Grant Peelle & Adam Baker) have given their blood, sweat, and tears (not to mention tens of thousands of their own dollars) to organize the whirlwind road trip and capture the first initial chunk of the film.  And, they have now turned to a crowdfunding platform called Kickstarter to raise the additional funds required to turn their film into an amazing project that will ignite a movement of people who are tired of settling for mediocrity.

I’ve already “backed” their initiative with a modest $100…..but every little bit counts…..that is the whole point of crowdfunding!  Their fundraising goal is $100,000….so if there are 1000 other people out there like me that felt inspired by what they are doing, they will reach their goal and we will all have a small part in helping them reach that goal!

So, please, do yourself a favor and watch the video below.  And, if you feel compelled to donate…..visit their page on Kickstarter here: http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/cranktank/im-fine-thanks

I know that I still have a long ways to go in communicating “my story” in a way that inspires others to take action in their own lives.  But, part of my inspiration comes from hearing other people’s thoughts on this topic and what drives them in life.

So, please feel free to leave your comments below and let me know if you’ve ever had a moment in your life where you’ve said “enough is enough” and then took action to follow your own passions.

The post I’m Fine, Thanks…..Are You Sure? appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

It’s easy to get caught up in spending so much time “networking” online since it can be extremely rewarding when you realize that genuine relationships can be built and real business can be done when you engage with others using social tools.  In fact, when I speak about the power of networking online, I frequently use my own experiences to show others what is possible.

My Story On The Power Of Taking Online Conversations Offline

I had the pleasure of conducting an interview the other day with Tom Jolly – former Senior Sports Writer for the NY Times.  I first met Tom on Twitter (May 2009) and later met him in person at a live sports networking event in NYC (Sept 2009).  As a guy with no previous experience working in the sports industry, I was amazed when I was able to connect with people, like Tom, that I previously thought were unreachable.  And, here I am 2.5 years later, interviewing Tom on how he broke into the sports industry and educating others on how they can land their dream job in sports!

Needless to say, I am continuously amazed at the power of online networking on a daily basis. Just look at some of people I have been able to connect with and interview in the past 6 months alone as a direct result of my proactive use of Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin.

• Peter Stringer – Boston Celtics – Director, Interactive Media
• Oscar Ugaz – Real Madrid F.C. – Former Digital Business Manager
• Jon Sinden – Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment – Social Media Director
• Jaime Stein – Canadian Football League – Manager, Digital Media

All this being said, I am reminded time and time again of the power of taking those online conversations offline to meet with people face-to-face at live networking events. If you have ever experienced the instant connection that you have with someone you meet in person, after you’ve spent months interacting with them on social media, you know what I’m talking about!

The Same Rules Apply Online and Offline

The same rules that apply to online networking also apply to “real world” offline networking.  If you are not genuine with your approach and focused on “quantity” versus “quality”, you will not get what you are looking for and quite simply, you need to change your approach!

Here’s a video of Seth Godin talking about why effective networking comes down to “helping people achieve their goals”.

Seth Godin – How To Do Social Networking Right

5 Things You Should Do On Linkedin Before Going To An Offline Networking Event

There are many online event services where you can find groups, topics and people you are interested in meeting.  Some of these include Meetup.com and Eventbrite.com.  One of the unique, and powerful, features of these event platforms is that you get to see who is going to attend before you go.

This can be powerful in a number of ways, since it can help you determine whether or not the live event will be worth your time (let’s be honest….sometimes an event doesn’t turn out to be as advertised). It also allows you to understand who will be attending a particular event and do some background research on those people.

Using Linkedin As A Research Tool

I often mention during my presentations that people are “Googling” other people online. And, one of the first things they’ll see pop up on a Google when they search your name is your Linkedin profile. This is why it is critical that you make sure your Linkedin profile is a true reflection of who you are, what you do, what you want to do and who you are interested in meeting.

Yes, this can be a scary reality for many people.  But, it can also be a huge advantage for you since you can also “Google” other people to find out who you might want to meet at a live event.  When researching others that you might want to meet at an event, take a look at these 5 things in their Linkedin profile so you can learn more about them and then use this information to easily “break the ice” when you meet face-to-face.

1. Location- find out where they live now or their hometown.  I know that being from Saskatchewan, I have used this commonality numerous times when first introducing myself to people I meet at live networking events.

2. Work experience – this is an obvious one, but find out what they do and consider if there are ways you can add value to what they do.  And, remember, this doesn’t mean that you have to find some “angle” on how you are going to pitch them. You might see someone’s profile and realize that they have to meet one of your business contacts. If that’s the case, make a point to introduce them at the event.  Become a connector!

3. Education – did you go to the same University?  Or, perhaps a competing University?  This can go a long ways as you both likely had similar experiences in your academic career and can talk about your experience

4. Mutual Connections – this is one of the most powerful features on Linkedin.  After all, people do business with people they trust.  And, nothing is more powerful in the business world than knowing the right people (and ultimately being referred business by a trusted colleague, friend, etc)

5. Groups – check out the groups that other people are a part of.  In many cases, this will give you some insight into areas that are of interest to that person. It might be a non-profit initiative that they support that you also support.  Engaging in conversation that is not always focused around “business” is one of the best ways to build trust with someone at a live networking event.

4 More Things You Should Do At Offline Networking Events

1. Bring Business Cards

This seems like such an obvious point to make, but it’s amazing how many people show up to networking events without business cards.  Here’s a recent article written by world renowned networking expert, Darcy Rezac titled “The Death Of The Business Card Has Been Greatly Exaggerated“. Darcy and his co-authors, Gayle Hallgren-Rezac and Judy Thomson of Shepa Learning Company have a number of free resources you can access to learn the art of Positive Networking. You can also follow them on Twitter at http://twitter.com/ShepaTweets

2. Make A Point To Meet 5 New People

Don’t disregard someone if you don’t see an opportunity to work together.  Take the opportunity to introduce them to others (online & offline).  The law of reciprocity is an extremely powerful thing!  And, please, don’t judge people by the way they are dressed…..you never know who might be that person in the crowd that will change your business and/or life!!

And remember, even if your first encounter with someone is a brief one, make a point to look them up online when you get home.  You might find out something about them that you didn’t get a chance to discuss in person.  So, make a point to connect with them online and continue the conversation!

3. Turn On And Use Your Phone*

I’m sure you’ve heard this statement before……“Please turn off your phone as a courtesy to the speakers and others around you“.  Well, I say the opposite……take it out, tweet out to the speakers, share your new found wisdom and connect with new people in the crowd on Twitter.  Twitter is an amazingly powerful tool for connecting with people that have common interests.

Now, there is a asterisk beside this point for a reason.  You should always be considerate of other people when using your phone in a live networking setting.  For example, you might use your phone during a presentation to share what you are learning with your Twitter followers.  But you should never be texting, tweeting, etc when talking with someone one-on-one.  Give them your full attention and pick your spot to tweet!

4. Follow Up With People You Meet

PLEASE…..make a point to follow up with everyone you meet at a live networking event.  Even if it’s as simple as connecting on Linkedin….make the effort to follow up.  But, even better, if you see an opportunity to introduce them to someone in your network that they would benefit from meeting, follow up with an introduction.

Or, if you both agree that there might be an opportunity to work together, follow up and line up that coffee meeting.  Remember, you don’t get what you don’t ask for!  So, take proactive action to keep the conversation going!

Are You Ready To Put These Tips Into Action?

If you are looking for an event to put all of this new found knowledge into action, then consider coming out to the Vancouver Business, Marketing and Entrepreneur Meetup event that I am speaking at on March 20, 2012. I will be speaking on a panel with 4 others talking about how you can get more out of Linkedin.

But, remember, Meetup events are all about MEETING new people. So, although it’s always good to show up to learn something new, that should only be 20% of why you are there. The other 80% of your effort should be focused on using the tips above to connect with new people.

And, as a speaker, I can honestly say that I am thrilled every time someone comes up to talk to me after a presentation.  So, if you are going to make a point to meet five new people on March 20th, come say hi to me and make it four new people that you have to meet! Perhaps we can work together or I can help connect you to someone in my network…..you just never know? :)

And, even though I didn’t discuss it in this article, if you need a reminder of what NOT to do at a networking event, check out the video below.

How Not To Network

Do you have an interesting story to tell about how Linkedin has helped open doors for you or helped you connect with someone you thought you’d never meet?  If so, please leave a comment below and tell me your story.  

The post Why You Need To Get Out From Behind Your Computer To Benefit From Social Networking appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

Apply With Linkedin Button

One of these features is the new “Apply With Linkedin” button. This new feature allows job candidates to submit their Linkedin profile with one click of a button. And, further, it allows them to request recommendations from their connections on Linkedin that work for the company they are apply with.

Linkedin Premium Accounts

Considering all of these things, it’s made me wonder whether it is worth it to upgrade to a Premium Linkedin Account. At first glance, there appears to be a number of valuable features included in the paid Linkedin packages. However, it can appear somewhat confusing as to which account is best for everyone’s unique needs.

Here are the three Linkedin Premium accounts one has to choose from:

• Linkedin Talent Finder
• Linkedin Business
• Linkedin Job Seeker

In this video, I review all of the Linkedin Premium accounts and also discuss the new “Apply With Linkedin” button.

For more information on how to get the most out of Linkedin, check out Route Three Linkedin Training and download the free Linkedin Report: 7 Tips To Get You On The Right Route

The post Should I Upgrade To A Linkedin Premium Account? (VIDEO) appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

I had a list of criteria that I was looking for in an apartment. It had to be clean, close to everything, in my price range and have an amazing view (not too much to ask for, no?).  So, I’ve been in this place now for just over a month and have seen countless, amazing sunsets.  And, I’ve said to myself numerous times……I have to record this one night.  So, last night was the night.  And, I was lucky enough to catch an amazing sunset.

The video below was shot from my deck between 6:30pm – 9:30pm and has been condensed down to 4 minutes of viewing pleasure.  And, since watching a 4 minute video of a sunset might seem a bit tedious, I’ve added some great music (Ghostwriter by RJD2) that was first introduced to me by a friend who has one of the best Creative Agencies in Vancouver.

Vancouver Sunset – October 5, 2010

Vancouver Sunset – October 16, 2010

The post Vancouver Sunset Videos – October 2010 appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

Celebrated around the world, Critical Mass is a grassroots reclamation of public space — on the last Friday of the month — which allows cyclists and other self-propelled people to move safely and comfortably through city streets in a car-free space.

Biking is another great way to enjoy Vancouver and I’ll be sure to explore more of the city and Stanley Park on a mountain bike in the months to come! If you are looking for a great place to rent a bike in Vancouver, make sure to check out http://www.englishbaybikerentals.com/ and make sure to check them out on Twitter as well!

Check out the video montage and let me know what you think!

The post Critical Mass Bike Ride 2010 – Vancouver, BC appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

So, with that in mind, I decided there is no better way to test one’s physical condition than to go ahead an climb a mountain…right!?!?  When you look North from downtown Vancouver, there are many amazing mountains that fill the skyline.  The biggest of these mountains is Grouse Mountain.

Grouse Mountain

Grouse Mountain is just 15 minutes North of downtown Vancouver and is a major tourist attraction around here.  Some of the highlights include a large chalet at the top complete with amazing views of the city, a lumberjack show (that was surprisingly good….considering how “touristy” it sounds), a Wildlife Refuge that houses two Grizzly bears and a massive wind turbine that includes a “viewPOD” that really gives you a bird’s eye view of Vancouver.

Now, there are two ways to the top of Grouse Mountain.

1. Take the Skyride – very quick, painless and amazing views
2. Battle the Grouse Grind Trail – very long, painful and amazing views (of the forest)

The Grouse Grind Trail is an extremely steep and mountainous trail that climbs 853 m (2,799 ft) over a distance of 2.9 km (2 mi), with an average grade of 30 degrees. The trail, nicknamed “Mother Nature’s Stairmaster”, is notoriously gruelling due to its steepness and mountainous terrain. Hikers, who often time themselves on the trail, reach the top in approximately 90 minutes on average although some who are very fit can finish in under 30 minutes.

Let’s just say…..it took me 90 minutes to get to the top.  But, the experience was amazing and the reward at the top was worth every step!  Check out this 8:00 minute video I put together that summarizes the whole experience.

Whether you are looking for something physically challenging or just a nice way to spend a Sunday afternoon, Grouse Mountain has something for everyone.  There are many things to explore in Vancouver, but after battling the Grouse Grind Trail, I will be back for more and will be looking to improve my time!!

If you are from Vancouver or have visited Vancouver in the past, let me know what else I should try out?  I’ve seen kite-boarders down by English Bay….might have to give that a shot.  Also, I’d love to hear any advice people have on the best places to kayak around here. This is an amazing place and I want to take it ALL in!!

The post Battling The Grouse Grind Trail (Vancouver, BC) appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

When it comes down to it, what do you stand for? This is a question few too many people ask themselves and even fewer do anything about. One of my favorite parts of this video states the following:

Get hungry for the things that are truly important to you. Think of the people you respect and love, the moments you relish, the impact you want to have, the legacy you want to leave. Bottom Line: don’t waste your time on anything else.

The post The 8 Irresistible Principles of Fun appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.

For those of you that don’t know, Panchero’s Mexican Grill is a quick-serve, fresh-Mexican franchise that is know for it’s fresh-pressed tortillas. The franchise headquarters are located in Coralville, Iowa and currently has over 50 locations in the United States with plans for extensive expansion in 2010.

Panchero’s – Twitter Experience

So, to give you a little bit of a background, I was in Ames, IA doing social media consulting, presentations and workshops with the Cyclone Hockey program. Following my meeting with the Iowa State Athletic Department, I decided to take advantage of a free burrito voucher given to me by the team. We do not have Panchero’s Mexican Burrito restaurants in Canada, so, this was my first time visiting the franchise.

Upon approaching the order counter, I noticed that Panchero’s was displaying the “Follow Us on Twitter” and “Find Us On Facebook” logos and also asked patrons to check them out online on their blog (http://bobmyburrito.com).  Of course, being in the social media industry, I was very impressed that this franchise had the foresight to prominently display these logos.

With that in mind, I quickly followed @Pancheros on Twitter and mentioned them in a Tweet.

Again, being deeply involved in the social media world and having many positive experiences to draw on (including my experience with @WestJet), I am still skeptical at times on whether or not businesses are willing to embrace these new tools for what they are……..a two-way conversation….not a broadcasting tool.

To my pleasant surprise, I received a response from @Pancheros within a few minutes:

Before engaging directly with the person behind @Pancheros, I quickly tweeted out the following (Yes….I am a big fan of Anchorman and Will Ferrell ;)

And, received the following response within minutes again:

Now, it’s pretty clear that this conversation was nothing more than a little fun banter back and forth as I sat and enjoyed my lunch.  But, what it did was create an experience that I won’t soon forget. As the @Pancheros franchise is not in Canada, I likely wouldn’t have given them another thought leaving the restaurant that day.  But, because A REAL PERSON actually took the time to ask my about my experience, I now have an personal story attached to something as simple as a burrito!

Panchero’s is only one of many examples of how social media can be used as a tool to build loyalty among clients/fans.  But, we are starting to see more and more evidence every day that these tools can be powerful……..if used properly!  The lesson learned here is that setting up a Facebook Fan Page, Twitter account and Blog for your business is only the first step.  Learning how to use these tools properly and finding ways to integrate them into your overall communications and marketing strategy is a completely different beast.  But, it can’t be argued that there is a tremendous opportunity to build buzz about your brand if you are willing to invest the time to educate yourself and engage with these tools!

I have been on Twitter for over 2 years now and can honestly say that this social media tool in particular continues to amaze me with every single conversation and relationship that is built.

Check out Panchero’s Mexican Grill online

If you’d like to know more about Panchero’s, check them out on their social media accounts:

Twitter: http://twitter.com/pancheros
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Pancheros
YouTube: http://youtube.com/PancherosTV
Blog: http://bobmyburrito.com

Also, I have been in touch with the Social Media Manager for @Pancheros and will be interviewing him in the next few days.  We are also talking about doing a LIVE webinar in the near future where he will talk about how they use social media and the results they are seeing from their efforts.  So, stay tuned for information on how you can register for this event!

Social Media Nightmare – Brixx Pizza

Now, we have all seen our fair share of social media success stories and failures.  And, unfortunately for many businesses, the fear of negative feedback causes many of them to steer clear of social media instead of embracing the fact that people are going to talk about their business online whether they like it or not. What social media does is allows them to respond to negative feedback and use it as an opportunity to turn a disgruntled client into a loyal advocate!

To give you an example of how NOT to use social media, I’m going to reference a story I came across the other day. An employee at Brixx Pizza in Charlotte, NC was recently fired for voicing her disgust to the world via Facebook about a small tip she received. To her surprise, she was told a few days later that she was being let go for making derogatory comments about a customer and that this breached the terms set out in her contract as an employee. Now, there are many things that could be said about this situation, but I’m not going to get into a long rant on  “privacy”, “freedom of speech” and “just cause”.  Instead, just take a look at the Brixx Pizza Facebook Fan Page and see what the world has to say about it!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brixx-Wood-Fired-Pizza/84618206631?

_

I’m not sure if the Brixx Pizza franchise ever saw this coming, but I can assure you that their executive staff has not slept well the past few nights! Now, I can already hear the response from “skeptical” business owners out there that look at this and say “See…..that’s why I’m not on Facebook!”.  However, the reality is, even if you chose to not have a presence on Facebook, people will find ways and platforms to voice their opinion about your company online.  Having an official Facebook Fan Page at least allows you to monitor those conversations and react appropriately.

If I had any advice for Brixx Pizza, the first thing would be to figure out what you want to say in response to this event, do it quickly and syndicate it across all of your official social accounts! After all, didn’t we learn anything from the Tiger Woods fiasco?? ;)

I’d love to hear your thoughts on both of these stories.  Also, please feel free to share other stories (both positive and negative) about how social media is being used by businesses (big and small).

The post My Panchero’s Burrito Experience Via Twitter appeared first on Trevor Turnbull.