Steppin' Out Magazine July 2015 | Page 23

Marketing Your Way To Success Nathaniel Patterson...Managing Partner, The Patterson Group. He writes to empower people with effective marketing strategies that increase business development, awareness and enhance personal lifestyles. To contact Patterson, call 888.599.5502 or view his new blog “Connect To Success” http://nathanielpatterson2.wordpress.com/ The Widely Known Secret that Few Speak Of One of my favorite sayings is, “This is not your parents’ economy”. To gain access to businesses whether you are an intrapreneur or entrepreneur, you will need some paperwork besides a degree. Allow me to explain in 350 words or less. Personal Employment Businesses want academic degrees but they value certifications from recognized professional organizations. Let’s briefly look at two industries, Human Resources and Information Technology (IT). The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) bestows two certifications SHRM-CP (Certified Professional) and SHRM-SCP (Senior Certified Professional). These certifications assure that you meet minimum knowledge qualifications. Some businesses will hire you with a clause that you obtain one of these within a specific time period. Others will not hire anyone without the certification. So if you are entering this profession understand you may need a certification to get hired or advance. Information Technology (IT) has become a very specialized industry from Computer Networking to Data Center to Help Desk to System Administrators (and many more titles). Employers seek the certifications as an assurance that you understand your industry position. At times industry certifications may have more pull than degrees. Small Business Marketing With over 18 million businesses in the United States and nearly 85% under twenty employees, how do you position your company for success? You start with contacting your local Chamber of Commerce, Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA), Small Business Administration (SBA) and/or Small Business Development Center for assistance. Depending on your industry, programs and services you may want to obtain certifications to increase your opportunities. Disabled Veteran Businesses (DVBE). U.S. military personnel, disabled by 10% and owns 51% of company. Disadvantage Business Enterprise (DBE) or Small Disadvantage Business (SDB) – Federal requirements must be owned and controlled by one or more socially and economically disadvantage persons. HUBZone Business Enterprises. HUB means Historically Underutilized Business. For small biz seeking contracting programs and 35% of employees reside in HUBZone. Minority Business Enterprise (MBE) – 51% owned by a Minority Individuals. SBA 8(a) Program – Federal mentoring program for disadvantage businesses. Women-Owned Minority Business Enterprise – 51% women-owned, managed and controlled. Whew! I made it...355 words. Contact me for more information. D I’m Not Hungry!!! Willie Mae asks her husband Leroy, if he’d like some breakfast; “Bacon and eggs, perhaps a slice of toast? Maybe a nice sectioned grapefruit, and a cup of fresh coffee?” Leroy declines. “It’s this Viagra,” he says, “It’s really taken the edge off my appetite.” At lunch time, Willie Mae asks if he would like something; “A bowl of home made soup, maybe, with a cheese sandwich? Again Leroy declines. “No thanks. It’s this Viagra,” he says, “It’s really taken the edge off my appetite.” At dinner time, Willie Mae asks if he wants anything to eat, offering to go to the cafe and buy him a burger supper. “Or would you rather I make you a pizza from scratch? Or, how about a tasty stir fry? That’ll only take a couple of minutes.” Once more, Leroy declines. “Again, thanks, but it’s this Viagra. It’s really taken the edge off my appetite.” “Well, then”, Willie Mae says, “Would you mind getting the hell off me? I’m STARVING!!!” Startin’ All Over!!! Two old men, 1