A New Year, A New Start

If you're like me, you're looking over last year's business and numbers and trying to make sense of it all. Where did you do well, where can you improve, what's next?

Unlike most business owners, I actually take the time to write my business plan annually and often refer to it throughout the year. The plan becomes tactical as I use it to build my business. Sometimes I stay the course, other times I take advantages of opportunities that come my way and something else, that was planned, gets dropped.

But what I enjoy most from checking out what happened over the past year is to see what worked and what didn't work as well as I would have wanted or expected. Intuition and intentions are one thing, hard numbers don't lie.

As 2008 ends, I have many things for which to be thankful. I have a wonderful and loving family, a warm home, great clients and the best friends anyone could ask for. As 2009 is about to enter our lives, I'm looking forward to the possibilities. I have just over 24 hours left to finish my game plan for my business and it will get done (at least for the first quarter!).

Happy new year, everyone! Stay warm and safe - I'm looking forward to working with you in 2009!

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting
www.KarydesConsulting.com

Trio Organizes to Help Chicagoland Residents Get Our Lives in Order

Looking ahead into the new year and hope both your personal and professional life was in order?

Well, you're in luck. Just so happens that not only is January the first month of the year, but it's also Get Organized Month and three local Chicago experts will be presenting workshops throughout the Chicagoland area to help you get your life organized and more efficient!

The workshops, each two hours long and taking place between 7:00 - 9:00 p.m., are led by a business coach and two organizational experts (one for designing your space and one for organizing your space). The goal is to encourage us to stop and focus on what really matters, to teach us skills to change our thinking on how things are done, inspire us to put organizing ideas into action, reinvent the spaces we live and work in, and manage our time better so we can all enjoy more “me” moments.

“Too often in every day life, we’re running from one project or place to another and we never have a chance to focus on our lives, businesses or family,” says Amber Kostelny-Cussen, founder of Amber’s Organizing and one of the speakers at the workshops. “Each of us comes to the table with very specific skill sets to share with attendees really interested in making their lives easier and better so they can concentrate on things they love.”

Each workshop is just $25.00 but RSVPs are required since space is limited. Reservations can be made by calling 708-386-0810 or by visiting http://www.ambersorganizing.com/.

In case you want to join the fun, here are the details (I'll be attending the one in Edison Park myself - 2009 - watch out!):

Details:
January 15, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
SoTish in downtown LaGrange
23 S. La Grange Road
La Grange, IL

January 20, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
CENTURY 21 McMullen Real Estate, Inc. in Edison Park6400 N. Northwest HwyChicago, IL 60631

January 28, 2009
7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.
ORG Within Reach6140 W. Roosevelt Rd. Oak Park, IL 60304

For more information on the workshops, please call 708-386-0810 or visit http://www.ambersorganizing.com/.

For more information on all of the companies, please visit The Growth Coach at http://www.thegrowthcoach.com/; ORG Within Reach at http://www.orgwithinreach.com/ and Amber's Organizing at http://www.ambersorganzing.com/.

Joan Kaufman, Interior Designer, featured in Naperville Sun

Joan Kaufman, ASID, a registered interior designer and currently ASID-IL president-elect, was recently featured on the front page of the business section of the Naperville Sun! Complete with photos of Joan and a recently completed project for the Chicago hockey team, the Chicago Wolves, the article discussed Joan's background, why she started her own interior design business (Interior Planning and Design in Naperville, Illinois) and the types of clients she works with, from residential to commercial.

See the full article here: http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/napervillesun/business/1318932,6_3_NA08_INTERIORPLANNING_S1.article.

Congratulations, Joan!

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting

Matthew in the news - Chicago Sun-Times

Our newly-announced president Barack Obama shares the editorial spotlight in today's Chicago Sun Times with my husband! Check out the piece written by Sun Times reporter Paige Wiser on women who help dress their men (yes, the photo is of Matthew and me making up most of the page!).

Before he or I get any more slack than we already have, I encourage you to read the piece - and the headline for that matter! Matthew wasn't necessarily a bad dresser, but sometimes we all need a little encouragement to take a risk and try something we normally wouldn't think about trying. In Matthew's case, it was those really fun, old striped pants (and ditching the sweater vests!).

It was a blast working on the piece with this reporter and the photo shoot with photographer Keith Hale was fun, too. How often do you get to do a shoot with someone you love and it's lighthearted like this? Aside from the heckler tourists along the Chicago River, where we took the photo, we felt like models on a photo shoot.

The whole experience was a lot of fun and I have my husband to thank for being such a trooper and having fun with this, too. I guess that's why we've been together for 15 years! He has a sense of humor (or at least humors me!).

Enjoy the article!

-Megy Karydes

Karydes Consulting

www.KarydesConsulting.com

Mayu featured in North Shore magazine, November 2008

Kate Robertson makes another editorial appearance with her 100% pure alpaca wool women's accessories line, Mayu (http://www.shopmayu.com/). See her story in this month's feature in North Shore magazine!

It's a wonderful piece about how Kate started working with the knitters in Peru and developing employment opportunities for them by bringing their gorgeous pieces into the U.S. market.

Nice job!

Karydes Consulting in the news - AP article

Getting into the news myself really isn't part of my strategy, but in this case, I couldn't resist sharing an awesome organization, of which I'm a part, with an Associated Press reporter. Last week, Joyce Rosenberg, an AP reporter, was asking what small business entrepreneurs are doing in these tough economic times. I told her about a group called Chicago Community Ventures and one of my mentors who works there.

Check out the article here: http://www.northjersey.com/business/news/32726834.html.

There is no question that times are tough. Just driving around my neighborhood I see more "for rent" and "for sale" signs in storefronts than I've ever seen before. But I also think that concentrating on the doom and gloom will not be an effective strategy. We have to continue to keep plugging away, working 100% at what we love, and we'll be in a much better place when (and hopefully that's soon) we get out of this slump. Does it mean doing the same thing every day? No. I don't think I've worked a traditional 9-5 since I started my company. But we do have to be more thoughtful about what we take on, what we do, and with whom we do it (yes, networking is a strategy!).

It's Friday and I'm ready for a little R & R this weekend...but I'll be powering on the computer, too. I have a couple of projects I need to finish up!

Enjoy the weekend and happy reading!

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting
www.KarydesConsulting.com

Photo Shoot with Chicago Sun-Times

A reporter with the Chicago Sun-Times was seeking women who dress their men for an upcoming article. While I would hate to say I "dress" my man (other than my little man, my son), I have offered recommendations to my husband. So, I responded to the reporter's questions and I have to admit, I really enjoyed thinking about how my husband and I first got together, our fashion styles and mistakes, and where we are today!

So we're off to meet with the Sun-Times reporter and the photographer this afternoon to take our photos. Thankfully, my husband is leaving behind the sweater vest and let me choose his outfit for the photo!

I'll make sure to share the article once it comes out!

Until then, enjoy the weather!

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting
www.KarydesConsulting.com

www.World-Shoppe.com featured in Cottage Living!

www.World-Shoppe.com is featured again - this time in the holiday issue of Cottage Living! Check out the Pistachio Green Baby Tagine Set on the last page - Merry Gifts that Give Back!

I'm off to give a little presentation to a former college professor's marketing/pr class at the University of Illinois at Chicago today - I'm really excited about this presentation because this class was one of the classes that inspired me to go into the marketing/pr profession!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes

Karydes Consulting

www.KarydesConsulting.com

Mayu featured in Chicago Parent, October 2008

Mayu (http://www.shopmayu.com/) enjoys a great editorial write up in this month's issue of Chicago Parent. Featured in the popular Fab Mama section, Mayu's founder, Kate Richardson, talks with Associate Editor Kate Pancero on why she started her fair trade business after a two stint with the Peace Corp and stationed in Peru.

Mayu's 100% pure alpaca wool accessories, like the green eyelet capelet featured with the story, are becoming quite the accessory of the season. To learn more about Mayu and its offerings, visit http://www.shopmayu.com/. Holiday gift, anyone?

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting
http://www.karydesconsulting.com/

Handmade Expressions in Entrepreneur magazine!

Handmade Expressions makes another full page feature score in a national consumer/business publication.

It's always awesome whenever we get a client placed - but it's a special treat when you can get a whole page feature in a major national publication like Entrepreneur. Handmade Expressions' founder, Manish Gupta, is featured in a FULL PAGE article, complete with a photograph and him and some of the products he imports from India, in the October 2008 issue of Entrepreneur magazine. In case you don't subscribe or have access to the most recent issue, here is the feature.

Congratulations to Manish and his amazing teams both here in the U.S. and abroad. A special call out to Juan Portillo and Ruchi who have been instrumental in getting me hi-res images in a flash (and good quality images at that!), the information we need in a heartbeat and, to top it all off, they are just wonderful people to work with which makes this type of editorial placement even that much more rewarding.

Enjoy the article and if you'd like to see more of Handmade Expressions, please visit their Web site at http://www.handmadeexpressions.net/.

-Megy Karydes, President

Karydes Consulting

www.KarydesConsulting.com

Marketing Classes at Wright College

As many of you know, I've presented at various workshops, given seminars and taught classes on marketing topics. It's something I really enjoy for two reasons:

1) It allows me the opportunity to share what I've learned both in the classroom and through my work experience with other professionals.

2) It allows me to continue to grow professionally as I learn from others what they are doing, their hopes and dreams, and their challenges.

I'm truly humbled that I'll be able to teach some classes this Fall at Wright College in Chicago. The next class is scheduled to begin the second week of October: Creating a Successful Business Plan (Class ID # 72990) followed by The first week of November: Marketing Your Business on the Internet (Class ID#0882). Both classes are just 4 weeks long (one day a week, 3 hours each class) and you'll learn how to write a business plan or refine the one you have with the first class while learning how to market yourself on the ever-important Web with the second one.

Each class is just $189 and that comes out to be less than $50 a session - a true bargain for any entrepreneur!

If you're interested in taking either class, visit https://projects.ccc.edu/regpage/index.jsp to begin the online registration process for new students. Wright College is located at 4300 N. Narragansett on the city's northwest side of Chicago and has FREE parking.

I hope you'll join me this Fall - I guarantee that all of us will leave with something very tangible to help our businesses grow this year and for following years!

-Megy Karydes

http://www.karydesconsulting.com/

Conscious Choice Celebrates 20 years

I attended the Conscious Choice magazine 20th anniversary party on Saturday at Allyu, a beautiful spa at 600 W. Chicago Ave (Chicago). It was great to see a publication celebrate 20 years and I was honored to have been invited to attend. The location was spectacular, the food and drinks were scrumptious, the music was fun and I was among friends.

Conscious Choice has been through several iterations over the past few years. It started from a small publication, became larger and more interesting, and was most recently (last year) bought by Gaiam.

While the magazine has some great stories, one of the things I miss most is its focus on Chicago. Since it was bought, the publication now shares stories and writers from Seattle, Los Angeles and San Francisco (and, most recently, New York). Part of it is cost - by spreading out the work, they don't have to hire and pay writers in each of the cities. I get it - but I'm also missing it. I'm missing the Chicago connections, the Chicago everyday people making a difference, inspiring us, motivating us, informing us. There are so many things happening in Chicago but I feel all of that is missing because we're reading about a home in Seattle when we could be reading about something going on in Chicago.

Don't get me wrong - there is still plenty to love about this magazine. The articles are well-written and thoughtfully researched; the advertising is done nicely; and the staff is terrific. And, I'm hoping as the publication continues to grow in this city, we'll be reading more things happening in Chicago again!

Thanks for reading!

-Megy Karydes
www.KarydesConsulting.com

www.World-Shoppe.com in the news again - Family Circle, Sept 08

I'm thrilled to share that fair trade e-boutique www.World-Shoppe.com is featured in this month's issue of Family Circle. Our Ghanaian recycled glass beaded necklace is on the model as part of its green issue!

This set is handmade by a women's cooperative in Ghana and each is fairly traded. Eco-friendly, fair trade and fashionable.

In case you don't get Family Circle in the mail or haven't seen the issue, here it is! And, if you're interested in getting your hands on your very own set of the recycled glass beaded necklace and earrings, please visit www.World-Shoppe.com today!

Thanks for reading...

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting

OLovesM in Chicago Magazine's FASHION supplement

Good morning, everyone!

Thought I'd share some wonderful news - OLovesM, the quirky handbag company that all started when Founder Merle O'Brien was perfecting her downward dog in yoga class one day, was featured in Chicago Magazine's Fall FASHION magazine (2008). The much-awaited supplement to Chicago Magazine features the hottest fall fashions and it's always a delight to flip through the pages and see the awesome layouts and beautiful fall clothing.

OLovesM (http://www.olovesm.com/) is a line of eco-friendly handbags and accessories which are made from yoga mat remnants (the pieces that get cut off before the final yoga mat is made). The result is an amazingly lightweight and flexible bag with all the fun colors that you'd find for yoga mats. The one featured in the magazine are the OLovesM minis but the line is so much more than that. I'm partial to the Messenger Bag and the Sport Bag but you really can't go wrong with any of them. You will get addicted to them once you own one.

So, if you get Chicago Magazine, be on the lookout for the piece! If not, I've attached it here for your reading pleasure.

Ahh...Fall is just around the corner!

-Megy Karydes

http://www.karydesconsulting.com/

Modet In the News - Chicago Sun-Times, Sunday, Aug 3, 08

I'm delighted to report PJ McGuire made the front page of the Business Section of the Sunday Chicago Sun-Times! PJ launched Modet, Inc. (www.ModetInc.com) to help companies understand the importance of proper etiquette skills in the business. PJ (shown here on the left) demonstrates proper dining skills - something fewer and fewer young individuals are learning as they are growing up with less face time with friends in favor of text messaging and buying their friends drinks through Facebook.

Check out the whole article at: http://www.suntimes.com/technology/guy/1087813,CST-FIN-ecol03.article.

Congratulations, PJ!

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting
www.KarydesConsulting.com

Introducing Green Retailer magazine - and eco-friendly displays

There are so many companies, retailers, manufactuers, etc. getting into the "green" movement. I'll be covering greenwashing in a later post because that's a separate subject, but for those retailers interested in dipping their toes into the eco-friendly movement, even if they aren't "green" retailers, can take a page from a new magazine called Green Retailer.


While this magazine is really geared to assist those retailers who are eco-friendly, there is no reason any retailer, gift or otherwise, would not benefit from reading this magazine. It's well-written, the photographs are great, and you'll get a nugget or two to help your business.


I was lucky enough to be asked to photograph some eco-friendly visual merchandise displays for this inaugural issue - here's the link to see the entire magazine: http://digital.giftshopmag.com/specialtyretail/9/. My photos are on page 42 and you can see a sample of the page on this post.


Supporting and purchasing eco-friendly and fair trade products are one option - but don't forget there are so many other ways you can do your part to help the environment!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes
Karydes Consulting
http://www.karydesconsulting.com/

Business Cards - an under-used marketing tool

How many times have you attended a wedding, BBQ, or even a business meeting and forgot your business card? I admit it, I've done it several times. All we can do is try to remember! Keep a few in your wallet for those "just in case" situations.

But here's the other thing - how many of us take the time to design a business card that really reflects our business, our brand, and is memorable? If you're like most, you created your card to have the basics - your name, phone numbers, email and mailing address. All important information, yes, but basic as well.

A friend recently scoffed at my thought because most of us take the information from a business card, import it into our electronic databases whether that's a Blackberry or on our computer, and chuck the business card in the circular file cabinet. When I pressed her to think about a card that she remembered, she immediately pulled out a card from her purse from a restaurant. The card had a simple image on the cover of a glass carafe with red wine in it on a table (we're assuming it was red wine because the card was a pretty black and white photograph). The restaurant's contact information was on the back. Why did she keep this particular business card? She said it made her happy to see the picture - what a great marketing piece for that restaurant! A card that a customer kept in her purse and could reference anytime she wanted to smile!

Since summer is slow for some companies, take the time to re-design your business card. Pull out cards you like if you keep cards in a rolodex or pick up cards as you come across them in the next month. Then, take components from ones you like and redesign it. Use a designer or take the pieces to an office supply store near you and they can help you design one, too.

It seems like such a simple piece of your business and yet it can be so powerful when used to its maximum potential.

If your company has a neat business card it would like to share, email it to me and we might post it on our blog!

Until next time,

-Megy Karydes
www.KarydesConsulting.com

Business Meals Prove Important in Business Deals

Eight Tips for a Successful Business Meal

PJ McGuire, president of Modet, Inc. (http://www.modetinc.com/), a Chicago-based etiquette training company specializing in modern etiquette and protocal services is convinced that business meals can make or break a deal. As more of us are doing business over a cup of coffee or dinner, I asked to her share some tips on how executives can make their next business meal a successful one.

“Remember, the purpose of a client meal is to build a strong, lasting relationship…not to eat,” says PJ. “Many business executives fail to make a positive impression due to basic etiquette faux pas."

Here are her eight tips to ensure your next business lunch or dinner is a success:
1. Confirm with your client or business associate and the restaurant 24 hours before the meal.
2. Arrive early and pay the bill in advance by providing the maître d' with your credit card.
3. Greet your client with a firm handshake and a smile.
4. Give your client the best seat, facing out into the room.
5. Mind your manners – allow your client to order first.
6. Remember your bread plate is on the left, drinks are on the right. A quick way to remember? Use the “BMW” approach. Bread, then your Meal, then Water (or your drink). PJ illustrates this approach in the picture to the right (PJ is standing; Jessica, seated, is learning to the BMW method.)
7. Discuss business after the main course is cleared.
8. Follow-up with a handwritten thank you note within 24 hours.

I love #6 - it's so easy to remember and for those of us who are constantly trying to figure out which bread plate or drink is ours, this works!

For more information about PJ or Modet's services, visit http://www.modetinc.com/.

Until next time...

-Megy Karydes

http://www.karydesconsulting.com/

Chicago Home Improvement magazine editorial request

Hi there! As many of you know, I'm working with Chicago Home Improvement magazine on several editorial pieces.

I'm currently working on the October 2008 issue so if you have any new home improvement-related news in or around Chicago that would be of interest to our readers, please let me know!

The feature piece for this issue is on Home Exteriors (think wood or vinyl siding, other options, etc) and welcome home improvement experts with experience in exterior work.

Thanks!

-Megy

Things to Consider When Writing a Press Release

I often work with businesses or organizations that do not have formal training or experience in media outreach. I'm delighted that they consider media outreach as part of their overall business strategy.

However, reaching out to the media isn't about telling them all the great things you're doing and expecting them to cover it. The media, like all of us, like to learn new things or share something new and interesting with their audience.

One of the easiest ways (and not always the best - but that's for another post) is to draft and send out a press release. When writing a press release there are a few things to keep in mind:

1) What is my story? You need a story. Having a business - any business - is not a story. Creating jobs for a low-income neighborhood through an innovative program might be a story.
2) The media wants to be a resource for their readers, listeners and viewers. Think about that reader, listener and viewer – what would she want to know? Why should she care about your story? Answering these questions will help you formulate the story angle for the media.
3) Can I include a compelling quote? If so, write one! The more “quotable,” the better! If you use a quote, make sure to include the person’s title.
4) Which categories of media outlets are you targeting with the release?
5) Think about your follow-up. You must call or email to pitch your story, too. Sometimes you’ll get lucky and a member of the media will love your release and call you for more information. But, usually, you have to call and pitch it as well. And then continue to follow-up!

Another Tip: Keep your release to one page if at all possible. You’ll have the best chance of it getting read when it’s simple and concise. If the reporter wants to learn more, she’ll have your contact information on the top and will know how to contact you.

Happy Press Release Writing!

Business Plan Check up - Mid-year Review

As we're approaching the end of the month, we're also nearing mid-year review time. While it's easy to forget about that business plan we formed so many months ago, this is the perfect time to pull it out and assess your plan.

My very first boss developed our annual marketing plan (since we were in the marketing department of the company) and she never filed the business plan away. Instead, she considered it a living document and something we referred to on a somewhat regular basis. It became our blueprint for the year and while we didn't always follow it to the letter, it was a great way for us to keep focused and not take our eye off the ball.

My business plan, therefore, is always available. In addition to the "yearly" plan, I developed quarterly goals as well as monthly goals. The monthly goals are actually more tactical in nature than goals, but they're meant to keep me on my toes and actually do what I say I should do. Those tactics help me meet my quarterly and yearly goals.

So, with that in mind, dust off your annual business plan and take a look:

• Are you on track to meet your goals at year end?
• What can you adjust now to make those goals a reality if you've strayed a bit?
• Are you ahead of goals (wonderful!)? Stay on track!
• Is there anything more you could do or should be doing to get your name out? Even if it's one small thing a month, pencil it in the plan.

Be honest with yourself. If you're not where you want to be, seek the advice or support of others. Form a networking group where you can bring your plan to the table and talk it through.

Best of luck with mid-year review! Enjoy the process!

-Megy

Handmade Expressions - full page company profile!

A hearty thank you to the awesome editorial team at HomeFashion & Furniture Trends! Mary Gerlach did an amazing job covering fair trade importer Handmade Expressions (www.HandmadeExpressions.net). Check out the latest issue (June/July 2008) to read the article. I'm so excited to see fair trade is getting recognition at both the consumer and trade level. As more consumers are beginning to ask for it in the marketplace, more retailers will stock fair trade products at their place of business.

Thank you again Mary & Pam!

-Megy

Megy's First Post!

Hi everyone! If you're reading this, you've been to my brand spanking new Web site, www.KarydesConsulting.com.

A big thank you to the folks at www.Xtreme-WebSolutions.com for making my new Web site a reality! I would strongly recommend the company if you're in the market for either a new Web site or a refresh!

I want to use my blog as a way to highlight new things happening within the marketing and pr/media relations area whether that's a new marketing idea or a clever way to get in front of your customers or clients.

Also, since I attend a fair amount of trade shows, my blog is a great way for me to share some of those highlights with you easily and quickly.

Finally, I'll be able to share media coverage with you as my clients (or I!) am mentioned.

Let me know what you think - after all, I wouldn't be here without you! Thank you again for your amazing support. I really do have the best clients in the world!

-Megy