The Only Way Is Up!

positiveground — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 09:00:41 +0000

Looking at the news for a bit of inspiration for the blog this week depressed me; everything I read was negative, whether I was looking at general news, business, even technology – it was all doom and gloom!

So I say “Pah!” to it all! I’m not going to let the January Blues get me down… so the holiday season has been and gone (and yes I do miss all the pretty lights and festive spirit!) but I reckon there’s a lot to look forward to this year.

My goal is to start as I mean to go on! I’ve started my spring clean early and I’m getting organised. No more negative thinking for me, I’m combating the gloomy daily news with a new positive attitude! My New Year’s resolution is to connect better with people (and yes, maybe I could do with losing a few lbs too!), not just through Facebook, Twitter and the interweb, but using ‘old fashioned way’ with proper face-to-face meetings and the good old dog ‘n’ bone!

If I carry this through to my business life I think I could be in for a pretty good year – and that’s nothing to get blue about!

Until next time,

Hazel.

When 6 becomes 3.4!

positiveground — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 09:00:59 +0000

Another great article from the BBC! There is the belief that the six degrees of separation have become three point four!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-15844230

For those of you who may not know, the ‘six degrees of separation’ have been widely talked about for many years. We cover the process in “…And Death Came Third!”co-authored by Andy Lopata and myself (shameless plug!).

Essentially, the suggestion has been you are only a maximum of six people away from being connected with anyone in the world. I have tried this approach on many occasions with audiences, asking “Who would you like to connect to?” It’s staggering how you can link to the person you want to with just a couple of connections.

Facebook are suggesting it is now even less than six, using their platform and the style of approach that social media allows. I would suggest it may also be the case with LinkedIn – especially for business.

The key for me here is it’s always been the case that we can connect; whether it’s three, four, five or six people who make the connection actually makes no odds. But as the old quotation goes “To know and not to do, is not to know!”

In other words, it doesn’t matter which platform you use, or how many people you speak to, you need to apply two simple rules:

Know who you want to speak to…

Ask!

Until next time…

Peter.

For more media information please visit http://www.positiveground.co.uk

A Festive Message

positiveground — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 09:00:53 +0000

After a year full of difficult times and lots of negative news regarding the economy, it seems much easier to enjoy the simpler things this festive season – the twinkling lights, a ‘Merry Christmas’ to a passing stranger, a holiday song or two, or the enjoyment of being able to spend a day surrounded by the ones we love.

Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukkah or another festival this month, everyone here at Positive Ground wishes you a very Happy Holiday and a prosperous 2012.

Speaking On Positive Ground – Forming Content For Podcasts

positiveground — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 09:00:36 +0000

So, we’ve learned what podcasts are all about and we’ve learned the kind of information we should (and shouldn’t!) include in our podcast…. what’s next?

This week Peter concludes our three part mini series by explaining how to form your content for your podcast.

To listen, just click here!

For more information on podcasting and other media services, please visit www.positiveground.co.uk

What type of content is best for podcasting?

positiveground — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 09:00:07 +0000

In this second part of our three part mini series, Peter talks about what type of content to use in your podcast to make sure you are getting the right message across to your audience. He also suggests what content you shouldn’t use!

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST HERE!

For more information about PG Media, please visit www.positiveground.co.uk.

Until next time,

Hazel.

Should you say yes to all invitations by social media?

positiveground — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 09:33:39 +0000

I don’t know about you but I get lots of invitations to connect with others every day, particularly through Linked In and Twitter. The question is, should you connect with everyone?

It’s so easy to take the simple road and click accept isn’t it? It takes just a second and you forget about it.

But is that the right strategy?

My pal and co-author of ‘…And Death Came Third!’ always suggests spending time to check out the person by asking blunt but fair questions like “Do I know you?” and “Is there good reason for us to connect?”

He, and many others, feel that networking is about being clear what your strategy is and then applying that clarity to everyday life. This sentiment I believe is absolutely right for sanity in these times of instant accessibility, but it can be challenging to implement!

As an individual I say yes too easily and perhaps always will do. That means my personal networks are probably bigger than they could be, but I still feel good in myself that I said yes when others would say no – it’s a challenge isn’t it?

I think it’s partially the British need to be polite – which doesn’t always fit with business.

But don’t beat yourself up too much if you have an attack of politeness, it isn’t the end of the world and you never know!

Recently I was contacted by someone through LinkedIn who I had connected with a long time ago. I didn’t know them from Adam when I received their invitation, however they had seen me speak so I had just clicked accept and that was it! It was against my strategy but I had caved in.

They had remembered I was their contact though….

They connected me to someone else and now we are having a serious chat about business.

Bottom line: You never know!

Until next time….

Regards,

Peter.

Email Vs Social Media

positiveground — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 09:00:37 +0000

There is a great article on the BBC website regarding the rise and rise of social media and the probability of it replacing email.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-15856116.

Naturally, the leaders in each field of email and social media pitch their relative merits, but where will reality actually lie?

Personally, over the next few years I think we will see both working alongside each other; business will continue to prefer email and individuals will prefer social media, but the lines are already blurring and will continue to overlap more and more as time goes on.

The real question to me is what next???

Facebook, Twitter, You Tube, etc. have come out of nowhere in four years or so – who’s to say there isn’t a new platform on its way that wipes all these things away? Technology is moving so fast we simply struggle, at best, to keep up with it!

The answer in business for me is to look at what your clients/customers want and run with that as much as you can. Have an open-minded attitude and test new ideas regularly, after all it’s all about listening to them not shouting about you.

Until the next time…

…And remember, if I can help you in anyway, just let me know!

Peter.

‘Why Do Businesses Use Podcasts?’

positiveground — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 11:42:50 +0000

Have you ever wondered what podcasts are all about?

In the first of a three part mini-series, Peter shares everything you need to know about podcasting – what they are, why people are using them in business and why they are a great tool for you to use too!

To listen just click here!

Untill next time…

Hazel,

For more information on the Media services we offer click the logo below!

Become A Flashing Success!

positiveground — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 09:00:37 +0000

You may have seen one of the latest ‘Flash Mob’ videos doing the rounds on the World Wide Web at the moment; it features a small group of singers who break out into the Bill Withers classic ‘Lovely Day’ on the 19:57 train from Euston. As the song reaches it’s climax, a nervous young gentleman proposes to his girlfriend (who accepts!) , the singers finish their song and in true flash mob style return back to their seats as if nothing happened…. it’s a really lovely ‘good for the soul’ video!

Here at Positive Ground, we are particularly proud of this YouTube smash – one of our family members (Emily our sister-in-law/daughter) is part of the group of singers! But while we are excited to share the video because of this, we also think it makes the perfect example of the power of social media…

Within 48 hours of being uploaded to the site the video had received over 100,000 hits and was starting to go global! The couple who became engaged were invited onto ‘This Morning’, it was mentioned on the BBC national news and in the Daily Mail (amongst many others) and even more excitedly, reached the other side of the pond – Good Morning America and CNN – and even Australia!! As I write this, the video has had over 1,145,885 hits in just over 2 weeks; we think it’s pretty impressive!

What the video demonstrates to us is just how quickly you can get your name and what you do out into the world… if it’s done well, you have the opportunity of connecting with millions of people in a very short space of time! And even better, it doesn’t have to cost anything!!

So don’t let this simple and easy way to promote yourself pass you by! Get broadcasting yourself and see where it leads – if you’re not sure where to start contact us and we’ll help you on your way!

If you haven’t seen the Adam Street Singers video yet follow this link http://youtu.be/3mWXrHi1Rks

For more information check out their website http://www.adamstreetsingers.com

Until next time!

Hazel.

Remember first (and last) impressions count!

positiveground — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 18:42:00 +0000

This weeks Blog is brought to you in the form of a podcast!

In this short podcast Peter discusses the importance of ‘first’ and ‘last’ impressions when speaking and presenting.

Click here to listen to the podcast

Until next time!

Peter A Roper Fpsa

Co-author of ‘…And Death Came Third!’ – The definitive guide to networking and presenting, Business Presentation Strategist and Immediate Past President of the Professional Speaking Association.

To find out more about professional speaking and presenting visit www.positiveground.co.uk and click on PG Business Development

To find out more about Peter visit www.peterroper.com