Over the next few weeks, we’re going to be featuring some guest commentaries from the great professionals who’ve volunteered to speak at the Begin With Yes Careerfest scheduled for March 15th at White Mountains Community College in Berlin. This week’s entry is from the Division of Economic Development’s “social media guru” Allen Voivod of Epiphanies, Inc. Thanks for such a great commentary Allen!
Social networks influence our lives in countless and unexpected ways, including how we lose, find, and change jobs.
The stories are out there – good and bad. A Cleveland software architect profiled in Time Magazine who, after losing his position, landed a new one in just 11 days thanks to connections on Facebook and Twitter. A freelancer who lost out on a gig at Cisco because of an all-too-honest tweet.
Epiphanies Inc.'s Allen Voivod
There should be no surprises here – networking in real life also helps people land jobs faster, and people have been losing jobs for more than a decade thanks to ill-advised emails. But social networks put a much more powerful spin on these concepts in the world of work. So, how do you adapt? Here are five tips to help your cause.
1. Think like HR does. According to a recent survey of hiring professionals, more than 80% use online search and social media profiles to narrow down fields of job candidates. They even use online channels to find “passive candidates” – already employed people who’d consider a better deal at a different company. What will those hiring professionals find out about you?
2. Google yourself. Who does Google think you are? Do the results help or hurt? Regardless of what’s there now, you can affect those results by opening accounts on Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and other social networks. These sites are so popular, they routinely come up on the first page of search results. And search optimization studies show that most people don’t go past the first page on Google.
3. Privacy control. All social platforms offer privacy options to help you control what’s shared publicly and what’s kept private. Use them! Furthermore, you’re already careful about what job-related things you say via plain old email, right? Use that same standard of caution with your social networking updates, and you’ll be just fine.
4. Plan ahead. Develop your networks now, before you actually need them. Add content to social networking profiles, and grow them over time. Like many things in life, creating an effective online presence doesn’t happen overnight. Don’t wait until disaster strikes – build your safety net steadily, so it’s there to catch you when you need it.
5. Creation versus curation. So you have a Facebook profile, a Twitter handle, and LinkedIn account – now what? You feed it content that shows you care about the work you do. If you find creating content difficult to do on a regular basis, go for curation – finding and sharing content from other sources with your own network. Share an opinion about other people’s content, and you get both creation and curation in one shot.
Whether you’re currently employed or currently seeking work, managing your online presence, reputation, and personal brand is critical for your professional growth and potential. If you’re not visible online, you’re essentially invisible to the executive, headhunter, insider, benevolent connection, or hiring manager filling or creating a great position you want and deserve.
Allen Voivod is co-owner of Epiphanies, Inc., a social marketing and success strategies firm based in Gilford. He is one of five featured speakers at the upcoming “Begin With Yes Career Fest,” March 15th at White Mountains Community College. The event is free, but space is limited, so register now! Email lsherman@dred.state.nh.us to attend in person, or go to http://bit.ly/NoBullStream on 3/15 to watch real-time video of the event.
When developing an effective job search strategy, it’s best to keep this simple theory in mind – Positive attitude plus positive action leads to a positive result.
That’s the philosophy of award-winning human services CEO and local author Paul Boynton who is working with a team of State and private sector partners to help unemployed New Hampshire citizens access the tools and resources they need to return to the workforce.
Boynton, CEO of Manchester-based social service agency The Moore Center, announced today that he will be offering free downloads of his successful “Begin With Yes” inspirational book to any unemployed New Hampshire citizen throughout 2011 via a special download from his www.beginwithyes.com Web site. In tandem with this effort, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, White Mountains Community College, Public Service of New Hampshire, Logo Loc and media sponsor New Hampshire Business Review will hold the “Begin With Yes Career Fest” at White Mountains Community College in Berlin on Tuesday, March 15th from 9 a.m.-2 p.m.
“The lessons you learn in my book about the power of being positive and setting attainable goals are all good, but there needs to be a corresponding action plan to turn those good thoughts into activity,” Boynton said. “That’s why we’re not only offering free downloads to folks who are out of work, but are also providing them with the concrete set of tools they need to conduct an effective job search. It’s a two-pronged approach.”
In addition to Boynton’s keynote address, there will be four other general session workshops – “Job Search – Applications, Resumes and Cover Letters” (White Mountains Community College speaker TBD), “Effective Communication Skills in the Job Search” (Dr. Russ Ouellette, Sojourn Partners), “Networking – It’s Not Who You Know, But Who Knows You” (Kevin Shyne, North Country Tech Prep Director and Leadership North Country Executive Director) and “Social Media Basics for Job Seekers” (Allen Voivod, Epiphanies, Inc.).
“Recognizing that helping to develop a job ready workforce is a primary goal of education, White Mountains Community College is thrilled to be a part of this event,” said White Mountains Community College President Kathy Eneguess. “We look forward to lending the expertise of our staff in developing and coordinating workshops that provide valuable information to citizens looking for a fresh start backed with new ideas.”
Through a special arrangement with Manchester-based EZStream and Portsmouth-based Kinney Hill Media Partners, the entire event will streamed live at http://bit.ly/NoBullStream .
“Though the event is taking place in the North Country, we are definitely committed to ensuring that all citizens have access to this great information,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Whether you’re someone who has been out of work for a long time or someone who is underemployed and is just seeking a new career direction, you’ll truly benefit from the combination of Paul’s book and the interactive workshops.”
“Public Service of New Hampshire is proud to take an active role in sponsoring and being on the coordinating committee of such a creative and proactive event in the state’s North Country,” added Public Service of New Hampshire Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott. “Helping our citizens to get back to work and build a stronger workforce and local economy is a mission that everyone embraces and we’re just happy to be able to do our part.”
Unemployed citizens can download copies of “Begin With Yes” free of charge at http://www.beginwithyes.com/purchase.html. They will need to click the “ebook” option and enter YESNH in the discount code box. Admission to the “Begin With Yes Career Fest” is also free but is limited to the first 200 people. To register, contact Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.
For the third consecutive year, the NH Insurance Department and NH Division of Economic Development will join exhibitors at the American Council of Life Insurers (ACLI) Annual Conference, to be held October 17-19, 2010 at the Hilton Baltimore in Baltimore, MD. The state welcomes conference attendees to visit booth #9 and “sow the seeds of business success” by accepting a gift of black-eyed Susans, the seeds of which are embedded in plantable business cards.
Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron is representing the state at this year’s conference. Serving NH citizens since 1997, Bergeron works directly with businesses considering relocating or expanding to New Hampshire. He provides a wide range of services, ranging from site analysis and selection to facilitating state financing and incentive packages. In the insurance industry alone, he has helped nine insurance companies redomesticate to New Hampshire in the last two years.
“As the most livable state in the nation, New Hampshire offers an exceptional business environment for insurance companies,” notes Roy Duddy, Interim Director for the NH Division of Economic Development. “With the lowest insurance premium tax in the Northeast, no personal income tax or sales tax, and ready access to skilled labor, businesses and employees alike enjoy the many rewards of working and playing in the Granite State.”
Joining Bergeron at this year’s ACLI conference is Allen Voivod of social marketing company Epiphanies, Inc., which has helped the Division of Economic Development double their website traffic and create one of the largest economic development presences on Facebook in the US. Voivod will be interviewing industry leaders and capturing highlights to share on the state’s new industry-specific “Redomesticate NH” social channels on Facebook and Twitter.
Every once in awhile, something hits my email box that gives me a great creative charge – it’s always inspiring to be surrounded by talented people and we at the Division of Economic Development are blessed to be working with some incredible folks.
With that in mind, I’d like to share the following video clip that was created by Lani and Allen Voivod over at Epiphanies, Inc. As our personal “social media gurus,” this dynamic duo has consistently raised the bar in terms of our creativity, willingness to try new things and bring State communications efforts to a whole new level.
The Epiphanies gang was not only an active participant in our Greenerpalooza event, they are also furthering their commitment to green causes by volunteering as members of our Granite Green Team at tomorrow night’s Pat Benatar/REO Speedwagon concert at the Meadowbrook U.S. Cellular Pavilion.
Thanks for always walking the walk and for giving us this incredible video package Team Voivod!
-Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
A whopping 500,000 of Facebook’s 500 million global users live in New Hampshire. Twitter recently crossed the 100 million user threshold and became the third largest search engine in the world, besting all but Google and YouTube. More than 80% of companies, recruiters, and human resource professionals report scanning online channels – including social networking sites – to research candidates, find prospects and weed out applicants.
Epiphanies Inc.'s Allen Voivod holds court at last year's Social Media Business Summit.
In an effort to bring this ever-growing impact and power of social media to more New Hampshire businesses, organizations and professionals, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, in partnership with social marketing and success strategies firm Epiphanies, Inc. and Public Service of New Hampshire (PSNH), will host the second annual “A-Ha!” NH Social Media Business Summit at PSNH, 780 North Commercial Street, Manchester, on Monday, September 27th. To ensure content is geared to the needs and skill levels of the attendees, the Summit will be split into two three-hour sessions for two different audiences, one in the morning and one in the afternoon.
“The shift in how we connect and communicate is changing the way business is done in New Hampshire and beyond,” says New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Communications & Legislative Director Steve Boucher. “If you want to be competitive and relevant to your target market, your community, and in your industry, you have to actively explore what’s happening – and what’s possible – in the social media realm. This Summit is the place to do exactly that.”
The Morning Session, from 9:00am to noon, is designed for social media beginners, small business owners, professionals in mission-driven organizations and passionate entrepreneurs. Presentations include “Social Marketing on a Shoestring Budget” and “Facebook on Fire: Tips, Tricks, and Shortcuts to Fuel Your Success on the World’s Hottest Social Network.” The last hour will feature the NH Entrepreneur Success Panel, featuring: Christy Cegelski, Drink Skinny, LLC; Stacey Lucas, Veggie Art Girl; Bill Rogers, Now or Never Media; and Steve Varnum, Communications and Marketing Director, NH Community Loan Fund.
The Afternoon Session is geared for people who are already running with one or more of the major social media platforms – including Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, and blogging. Ideal for social media enthusiasts, community leaders, marketing mavens, brand managers, bold entrepreneurs, and visionaries of mission-driven organizations, the afternoon’s presentations include “Facebook Marketing: Customization, Fan Building, and Advertising” and “Engaging the Social Senses: Listening, Monitoring, and Measuring.” Additionally, there will be a Cross-Industry NH Success Panel, featuring Erica Murphy, Director of Communications and Community Relations, The Common Man; Paul Boynton, Author of Begin With Yes and CEO of Moore Center Services; Steve Boucher, Communications and Legislative Director at the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development; and Abby Fitchner, Microsoft’s Developer Evangelist for Startups.
Summit Sessions will be presented and moderated by Lani and Allen Voivod, co-owners of Epiphanies, Inc., whom Boucher calls the Division’s “social marketing gurus,” and who’ve delivered workshops, webinars, slidecasts, and boot camps online and off, for Chambers of Commerce, trade associations, and business development events throughout the Granite State and for clients and entrepreneurs across the country.
“We received tremendously positive feedback from last year’s New Hampshire Social Media Business Summit,” PSNH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott said. “We’re proud to help bring these ideas and strategies to the business owners, entrepreneurs and community leaders who play such an important role in New Hampshire’s economic growth and vitality.”
“Our goal is to connect the dots, empower action, and incite attendees to thrive with these tools, channels, and platforms,” said Lani Voivod. “The opportunities are here waiting for them.”
“With social media as with business, belief is everything,” Allen Voivod added. “We aim to help people believe in their own bigger picture of possibility and success.”
As a special gift to New Hampshire’s business community from the Division of Economic Development and PSNH, admission to this event is free. However, there are only 100 seats available for each session, so early registration is strongly suggested. To register, go to www.AhaNH.com. For more information, call Epiphanies, Inc. at (603) 524-5248, or email events@EpiphaniesInc.com.
How many times in a business situation do you think that it pays to “get wild?”
Well, I’m here to tell you that next Friday, the entire state of New Hampshire will go “Wild for Innovation” as we partner with Public Service of New Hampshire and the University of New Hampshire to host a daylong celebration of some of the finest innovative initiatives in the nation.
Our good friend Allen Voivod of Epiphanies, Inc. just wrote a great blog about our upcoming event – here’s what he had to say:
Networking, Innovating and Getting Wild About Business
Here’s one thing that 2009 taught us – everything you think you know about business can change very rapidly, and cause even the most stable of companies to get nervous, get shaky, and in some unfortunate circumstances, go under.
Here’s something else we know – out of recessions come some of the most powerful, profitable, game-changing companies. General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, CNN, Federal Express, Burger King, and dozens of other giants started out in what some would consider the worst of economic circumstances.
One of the keys to their survival through thick and thin is their ability to innovate – to constantly search for ways to improve the way they do business, internally and externally. This is the overriding theme behind “Wild for Innovation,” billed as “a unique opportunity for New Hampshire businesspeople to converge with some of the brightest at UNH for a day of learning, sharing, celebration.”
It’s happening Friday, March 5th, at UNH in Durham, starting at 12pm and continuing through 5:45pm, after which there’s going to be a tailgate-style networking dinner. (You can stay and watch UNH’s hockey team take on Boston College at 7:30pm and make a night of it, too.)
I’ll be honest: I wasn’t planning on going originally, even though one of our clients is involved in putting on this event. But I’ve since changed my mind, and the reason why is because of what I learned from studying up on trade shows a couple of years ago:
If you want to stand out in your field, look at what’s happening in different industries to get fresh ideas, find out what’s working (and what isn’t), and bring some of that into your own presence as appropriate.
Same thing goes for innovation – if you want to get in the innovation mindset, surround yourself with open-minded business professionals who are thinking in that direction. Surround yourself with people who are actually innovating for a living. Get fresh input from different fields that you can take back and put to work in your own business.
You’re going to get that (and a lot more) from Wild for Innovation Day. It’s an event unlike others I’ve seen put on here in NH in the past, tickets are limited for it, and half are gone already, so don’t wait until the last minute – jump on it today.
Psssst…..close the door behind you and draw the shades….make sure that no one else is in the area…..this is between me and you….get closer to your computer speaker….it’s time for a secret. How would you like to like to discover how Facebook, Twitter and blogs can help your business or organization maximize its productivity goals? The Communication Revolution is underway….don’t you want to be part of the brigade?
Allen and Lani Voivod of Epiphanies, Inc.
Next Wednesday, February 17th from noon-1 p.m., you’re invited to take part in the free NH BizCast webinar titled “New Mediums, New Messages – How Social Media is Transforming Communication.” Our presenter, Allen Voivod, co-owner of Gilford-based Epiphanies Inc. is a straight up creative genius.
For the past year, the Division of Economic Development has been fortunate enough to work with Allen and his wife/business partner Lani and they’ve completely transformed the way that we view our outreach efforts. With their assistance, we’ve built a growing Facebook fan base, maximized our use of Twitter for quick blasts about new grant offerings and breaking news and created the “No Bull Business Blog” that now accounts for over 40 percent of the entire traffic to our nheconomy.com site. How’s that for success?
Allen and Lani are the type of visionary thinkers who develop innovative solutions to communications issues – if there’s an audience out there for your information, they’re able to find it. In addition to being the architects of the first ever New Hampshire Social Media Summit last year at Public Service of New Hampshire, they also work with businesses large and small to maximize their use of emerging social media mediums. In so many ways, I believe that they have helped place our communications efforts ahead of economic development agencies four times our size and with 100 times our budget. Trust me when I say that this free webinar will change the way you view your own outreach strategies to your customers.
To take part in the webinar next Wednesday, you can visit http://www.nheconomy.com/bizcast/. You can also be part of our live audience at the Comfort Inn at 71 Hall Street in Concord – please arrive 15 minutes early. To learn more about our good friends at Epiphanies, Inc., visit http://www.epiphaniesinc.com/.
– Steve Boucher, Communications & Legislative Director
Over 330,000 Granite State Facebook users can’t be wrong – social media is rapidly becoming one of the most preferred methods of communicating important information. But do you know how to maximize its use for business purposes? “New Mediums/New Messages – How Social Media is Transforming Communication” is the title of the new free NH BizCast webinar slated for Wednesday, February 17th from noon-1 p.m.
“With more than a quarter of the state’s population currently featuring a personal profile on Facebook, we need to ensure that New Hampshire businesses know how to use social media as a productivity and sales tool,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “It’s not enough these days to rely on traditional communications and advertising vehicles – to keep pace, you really need to learn how to reach new audiences via social networking.”
Offered by the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development, the February 17th NH BizCast will feature Allen Voivod, owner of Gilford-based Epiphanies, Inc., a “creative content enterprise” specializing in brand-friendly, highly-targeted Web content for corporations and small businesses. Today, Epiphanies shares powerful social marketing & success strategies with entrepreneurs, global brands, and mission-driven organizations through speaking, workshops, customized training programs and consulting.
Allen and partner/wife Lani have been featured widely in the media, including the NH Union Leader, Forbes.com, NH Business Review, Blog Talk Radio, NHPR, and New Hampshire Today. As founding members of the International Social Media Association, they have delivered presentations on behalf of the NH High Technology Council, Women Inspiring Women and the American Society for Training and Development among many other groups.
As is the case with all NH BizCasts, the Webcast will be hosted live at the Comfort Inn (71 Hall Street) in Concord and will feature a live audience.
For more information and to attend the NH BizCast, visit www.nheconomy.com. Those planning on participating in the live audience at the Comfort Inn are asked to pre-register by contacting Leslie Sherman at (603) 271-2591 or leslie.sherman@dred.state.nh.us.
New Hampshire CEOs and emerging entrepreneurs no longer need to leave the comfort of their office to get the information that will help them to find success in the Granite State and beyond. Today, the New Hampshire Division of Economic Development unveiled NH BizCast, a new monthly series of free business-centered Webcasts.
“With schedules becoming more and more hectic, we recognize that it was imperative for us to provide busy company owners and entrepreneurs with an easier way to access vital information,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “Now, on a monthly basis, our audience can share their lunch hour with us in an interactive, cutting edge forum that stimulates questions and promotes information sharing.”
Each month, a business expert will present information on a topic relevant to the current economic climate. Online participants will have the ability to ask realtime questions via their computer, to be answered live by the presenter.
The first session, “Starting a Business in a Down Economy,” is slated for Wednesday, January 20th from noon-1 p.m. and will feature Deborah Osgood, President of the Exeter-based Knowledge Institute. Osgood’s presentation will include discussion of business self-assessment, formulation of business ideas, development of resource contacts, business mentorship and creation of a business plan.
“Most everything in life is about working well with and through others, and succeeding in business is no exception,” said Osgood. “The Knowledge Institute is pleased to be collaborating with the Division of Economic Development and their new Webcast series to leverage technology in introducing New Hampshire residents to a 10-step approach for assessing, planning and launching a new business venture in the Granite State.”
All Webcasts in the series will be hosted live at the Comfort Inn (71 Hall Street) in Concord and will feature a live audience.
“It’s very exciting for the Comfort Inn to be partnering with the State to provide new and exciting opportunities for the business community,” said Comfort Inn General Manager Michelle Wilson. “Our location is a perfect destination for business travelers and we’re thrilled to be able to introduce our facility to new visitors.”
Future NH BizCast Webinars will include “New Mediums, New Messages – How Social Media is Transforming Communication” featuring Epiphanies, Inc.’s Allen Voivod (2/17) and “Best Business Practices for the Next Century” featuring Sojourn Partner’s Dr. Russ Ouellette (3/17).
For more information and to attend the NH BizCast, visit www.nheconomy.com. Those planning on participating in the live audience at the Comfort Inn are asked to pre-register by contacting Leslie Sherman at (603) 271-2591 or leslie.sherman@dred.state.nh.us.
In announcing plans for the 14th Annual NH Economic Development Summit to take place at the Radisson Hotel Nashua on December 15th from 7:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m., NH Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy had a simple message to the business community – explore your creativity and be prepared to take “one step beyond.”
“In today’s challenging economy, we all need to reexamine the way that we’ve traditionally done business and employ more creative and innovative strategies,” he said. “There has never been a better time to take chances and to pursue new ideas that might stimulate activity and lead to business growth.”
Fittingly enough, “One Step Beyond” is the theme of this year’s Annual NH Economic Development Summit. Presented by the NH Division of Economic Development in cooperation with Public Service of NH and media sponsor NH Business Review, the Summit will feature two keynote speakers, Tom Ticknor of Ticknor & Associates who will present “Building a Brand – Positioning Your Community for Success” and Tom Hayes, master salesman and life motivator, who will tell how he grew his Fuji Medical Systems sales territory from $200,000 to over $50M a year by building and motivating a top sales team. Selected by Showtime Networks as a “Funniest Person” award winner, Hayes lives by the motto, “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.”
Workshops at the Summit will include “Granite Greatness – Tales of NH Entrepreneurship” featuring Laura Boucher (Hunter IdeaNeT – creator of the Snow Sleeve snow removal device), Michael McGloin (The Mountain – creator of the wildly popular “Three Wolf Moon” t-shirt) and Nancy Brown (Three Acre Kitchen – creator of outstanding balsamic based specialty foods), “New Mediums, New Messages – How Social Media is Transforming Communication” featuring Epiphanies, Inc. Owner Allen Voivod and “Mission Transmission – The Hydro Quebec Project” featuring Public Service of NH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott and Public Service of NH Municipal Relations & External Affairs Specialist Allison McLean.
Three Wolf Moon t-shirt image
“Public Service of NH is once again pleased to sponsor this summit which provides economic development practitioners and business owners with the latest information they need to keep New Hampshire’s economy moving forward,” said Public Service of NH Economic & Community Development Manager Pat McDermott. “New Hampshire continues to outpace its New England neighbors in terms of business growth and we welcome the opportunity to highlight some of our emerging companies at this showcase event.”
For the second consecutive year, Scott Spradling of The Spradling Group will serve as the guest emcee of this daylong event that will also feature the “Commissioner’s Awards for Economic Development Excellence.”
Admission is free but is limited to the first 200 people. To register, contact Leslie Sherman at lsherman@dred.state.nh.us.
That’s the philosophy of award-winning human services CEO and local author Paul Boynton who is working with a team of State and private sector partners to help unemployed New Hampshire citizens access the tools and resources they need to return to the workforce.
Business Development Manager Michael Bergeron is representing the state at this year’s conference. Serving NH citizens since 1997, Bergeron works directly with businesses considering relocating or expanding to New Hampshire. He provides a wide range of services, ranging from site analysis and selection to facilitating state financing and incentive packages. In the insurance industry alone, he has helped nine insurance companies redomesticate to New Hampshire in the last two years.
Here’s something else we know – out of recessions come some of the most powerful, profitable, game-changing companies. General Electric, Hewlett Packard, Microsoft, CNN, Federal Express, Burger King, and dozens of other giants started out in what some would consider the worst of economic circumstances.
“With more than a quarter of the state’s population currently featuring a personal profile on Facebook, we need to ensure that New Hampshire businesses know how to use social media as a productivity and sales tool,” said New Hampshire Division of Economic Development Interim Director Roy Duddy. “It’s not enough these days to rely on traditional communications and advertising vehicles – to keep pace, you really need to learn how to reach new audiences via social networking.”
Each month, a business expert will present information on a topic relevant to the current economic climate. Online participants will have the ability to ask realtime questions via their computer, to be answered live by the presenter.
Fittingly enough, “One Step Beyond” is the theme of this year’s Annual NH Economic Development Summit. Presented by the NH Division of Economic Development in cooperation with Public Service of NH and media sponsor NH Business Review, the Summit will feature two keynote speakers, Tom Ticknor of Ticknor & Associates who will present “Building a Brand – Positioning Your Community for Success” and Tom Hayes, master salesman and life motivator, who will tell how he grew his Fuji Medical Systems sales territory from $200,000 to over $50M a year by building and motivating a top sales team. Selected by Showtime Networks as a “Funniest Person” award winner, Hayes lives by the motto, “If you’re not living on the edge, you’re taking up too much space.”