Glad you grabbed the mirror reference. One of the first things I ask clients is how they see themeselves – really see themselves. Can make for uncomfortable viewing at times, but it’s the only way we’ll really be all we can.

And thanks for the kind words – I’m glad to have your trust. I’ll do my damnedest to keep it.

You nailed it right there, Angela.

Used to be that our choices were limited by location, then we found the car. Then we found online shopping and credit cards. And then we found eBay… Suddenly location meant squat.

We’ve never had more power of choice than we do now. Let’s make sure we’re offering our customers the right one of us.

But I particularly like your reference to a mirror – as I believe self awareness is the foundational building block of the relationship you have with YOURSELF. Reflection requires a reflective surface (your mirror analogy) but also distance in order to be in proportion. You must be able to back off and look honestly into that reflection and ask the hard question “what do people know me AS, and, once they do, what reason to I give them to like me and trust me?”

Thanks for the stimuli for thought and the conversation. Know why I like and trust YOU? Because you’re thought provoking, you’re consistent in your message and you value two way communication. Yeah – just thought you might be curious

There’s a verse in the Bible that talks about how out of the heart, the mouth speaks. I love that verse because I think that most people can only fake it for so long before they get caught. It’s way easier to live with integrity in every area of life – online, offline, inside, outside.

No false fronts means no rude surprises.

“Your view, and that of other people, is what shapes your brand, personal and professional.”

Today people have more choices than ever on who to do business with and more input than ever too. If you push yourself out there as someone who doesn’t care about anything more than the sale, you might serve that customer or client once but if you are forward-thinking, you will realize the opportunity to build a life-long alliance.

Hopefully the learning process never ends; otherwise we may as well just pack up now.

That’s the beauty of where we are now in business; we have a much easier “in” into who’s doing it right not just for us, but in the larger picture.

Works for me every time when I’m looking to do business with a new brand.

Cheers!

That’s the beauty of social – it’s allowing folks to connect with those that can help in areas we’d previously never have access to.

As long as we don’t abuse, that can only be a very good thing.