Over the past several months, WizOf.Biz has been making very important connections. One of many such connections includes participating in ongoing B2B Marketing and Digital Branding Conferences with Open Dialogue; an organization that specializes in high profile business events. Our team is making great progress when it comes to spreading our message and paving the way for young entrepreneurs.

Also, this February we’ve started a conversation with the Toronto Region Board of Trade. While there, we successfully presented our online business platform. The Board’s members were quite interested in what we had to say. Many agreed that such an innovative idea can be of of value to local businesses. They identified with WizOf.Biz’s number one goal of assisting startups and larger businesses in realizing their potential through online content revisions, feedback and professional business advice.

WizOf.Biz would like to thank the Toronto Region Board Of Trade for the opportunity to present to its members. We look forward to the possibility of working together on bridging the gap to this city’s social, commercial and economic growth.

In the meantime, we invite all of Toronto’s business men and women to talk to us. Feel free to share your stories, goals and aspirations. We provide you with the expertise you need. Our qualified advisors are happy to serve as your network for business guidance and support.

For more information on the Toronto Region Board of Trade visit www.bot.com or follow this link to connect to one of our business advisors.

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We at WizOf.Biz are always looking for people to work with and inspire. Sharing professional business insight, advice and creativity with people, is what we work towards. That is why, about two weeks ago, WizOf.Biz CEO, Reg Charney, spoke very openly to a group of young students at Seneca’s Small Business & Entrepreneurship Program.

I must say, I was most impressed with Reg’s overall presence and enthusiasm. I could tell that he was eager to tell students about the many ways that WizOf.Biz can assist budding entherpreneurs.The silence in the room let me know that the group was listening and was finding Reg’s presentation quite informative. He wanted to know their answers to the question “What does entrepreneurship mean to you?” giving them real life success stories and allowing business experts to contribute to the overall discussion.

Thanks to professor Jane Forbes, the Entrepreneurship and Small Business Program exists. It is now an in-demand program, that offers students a unique opportunity to learn the fundamentals of contemporary management theory, as well as give students the practical skills they need to enable them to plan, manage and expand their ventures. Forbes says, that “Along with being a teacher, I am the Program Leader and Faculty Advisor for Students for Free Enterprize.” She has over thirty years experience and is “proud of being able to engage and support Senecans in their quest for entrepreneurship”.

The Guest Speaker Series, allows students to experience business outside the classroom. They are challenged by high profile business experts, share innovative ideas and present their business plans to industry professionals. Rounding it off, are a series of interactive seminars, online business simulations and continual guidance. A large component of managing a project is getting business advice from the Board of Advisors.

Upon graduating, Seneca’s Entrepreneurship students will present their completed business plan to the the Canadian Youth Business Foundation and be considered for a sizable loan to help initiate their business.

WizOf.Biz is honored to have been invited to speak to students of the Small Business & Enterpreneurship Program. It has been a tremendous experience for our team and we look forward to continuing to provide expert business insight and innovation through our online consulting platform. It is our goal to inspire young entrepreneurs and help them succeed along the way.

For more information on Seneca’s Business Program visit http://www.senecac.on.ca/fulltime/BAS.html or to learn about how WizOf.Biz can help you get ahead in business check out what makes us great.

Image credit: CollegeDegrees360 Creative Commons 

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Your marketing strategies do not have to follow the rules. In fact, if you dare to throw those rules out the window a little more often you would achieve more business success than ever before. Be creative, be bold!

Enabling creative thought requires innovation, insight and a keen understanding of how your clients think, act and feel. it's important to continue reinventing the way you do business. This will help reinvigorate your business relationships, strengthen your overall image and reposition your brand. Whenever possible, I suggest you bounce ideas off others in order to inspire collaboration and generate creative strategies for attracting new clients and re-establishing your approach to running your own business.. If you’re working alone, think of ways that your product or idea can directly connect to and respond to your audience needs; then do so in your own unique manner.

Creative Marketing: If you are thinking of starting your own small business, there is no need to spend big when it comes to promotion. In fact spending less might just be the way to go. People love the simple and unexpected, they enjoy a good challenge so go ahead and reach out to your audience in a way that they won’t soon forget. Hold a contest, leave business cards on dessert dishes and coffee shops. Make a deal with your local restaurant, that allows your first time clients to enjoy a 15% off lunch discount. Doing so, will create an incentive for repeat business and make your clients feel appreciate which can only count in your favour. After all, it is no secret that a small friendly gesture often goes a long way in making the business connections you need.

Make People Smile: Always stay positive and optimistic about your prospects. Ask advice about the best ways to reach out to people and keep up with your networking. From time to time, it is good to check in for an update on your clients current ambitions and motivations, then offer to help make them a reality. Infuse your marketing efforts with personality and humor. There is nothing like a little laughter, a funny button or a silly postcard to help persuade a client to buy into your service or product. When you set your business up in the spirit of generosity you’re guaranteed to reap the rewards.

Online & Offline Values: It is up to you to make certain that your online image and business values directly reflect your real life perspective. Consistency is crucial when running your own business so always know where you’ve been and where you’re headed. Don’t sell; instead project your beliefs on to your brand. You can do so via your value proposition, your online content, as well as your day-to-day activities. If you stay on target others will quickly take note at which point you are more than likely to establish a substantial group of loyal followers.

There is no right way of running a business. If you rely on your own know-how and intuition, you will discover that all you really need to succeed is to follow your entrepreneurial path with passion and conviction. When you listen to others along the way and allow yourself to grow from the inside out great things will come.

Image Creative Commons Licensed from Rupert Ganzer 

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Recently I wrote a lovely and short bio for a woman who was to speak at a local university on the topic of leadership. I had lots of info to work with, and a tiny bit of background knowledge on the woman's career.

If you scroll down below the sample resumes, to the sample bio (the before and after are on the same attachment), you can see for yourself what a little wordsmithing can do! I simply love to write and especially when it enhances a person's career. There is nothing quite as tiresome as having a job you dislike!

Before and After – Speaker Intro

Please note: a PDF reader is required to view this document

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There is no denying that the Internet and social media tools such as Facebook, Twitter and Linkedin, have allowed people with all kinds of professional and business experience to have access to a wide range of information, knowledge and ideas faster and easier than ever before.

The move to embrace technology and reinvent the way we do business, has prompted companies , innovators and young entrepreneurs to want to showcase their ideas in a new way. It seems as though people are filled with creativity and potential and yet there is no one to ask for advice.

Corporate giants are often overwhelmed and find themselves unable to keep up with modern business trends. Small mom and pops shops are starting to feel the pressure of trying to fit into this unsteady economic environment and young men and women are eager to demonstrate their entrepreneurial know-how. Even with so many creative minds and businesses, we are drowning with information coming at us from every direction. Businesses are competing for attention, the over saturated market is charging ahead, and there’s no time to stop, take a breath and ask: “How am I doing?” “Am I meeting market demands?” “Is what I’ve been doing working?”

We need advice. We need a sounding board, and we all need someone who can take the time to give us hand.

Wizof.Biz provides this. It’s an online platform which allows you to get the help you need when you need it and to no longer be alone. So what makes us different?

You get friendly expert feedback and business advice without having to leave the comfort of your home or office.

2) Our expert consultants can quickly and easily access the viability and marketability of your business at no risk to you.

3) Doing market research on your own is quite time consuming and can produce inaccurate results. Surveys and other business evaluation tools will not provide you with secure personalized consultations that WizOf.Biz guarantees.We’ll help you make sense of it all by working with you at your own pace.

4) Sure you can go out and survey the public but you will rarely get the answers you need to succeed. WizOf.Biz will answer any of your business questions no matter how complex whenever you need them answered. You can feel free to submit your questions online in any format including video, written documents or visuals. Your feedback is always given by qualified professionals who want to see you get ahead.

5) All of the information you submit to us with completely secure and confidential. Our consultants sign a Nondisclosure Agreement which prevents them from sharing any information you choose to submit.

6) Consultants are pre-screened, prior to providing advice to you, we ask them to submit a series of reviews. These reviews are written in a wide range of formats and cover a series of subjects.

7) Clients can have more than one consultant review their work depending on the level of trust.

8) WizOf.Biz has the answers to all of your business and marketing questions.

Services We Offer Include:

• Free confidential opinions on any existing work. We provide you with in-depth analysis of your material including rating and an explanation of the evaluation.
• Revision services where our team makes suggestions for improvements and points out areas of strength.
• Our clients can choose which consultant they’d like to review their submission. This is based in part on personal preference, experience level and suitability.

WizOf.Biz is truly a one-stop shop to help you tackle all your business and marketing needs. No more awkward meetings at the office or waiting for months for someone to answer your questions, With our versatile, friendly expert team there is no more need to stress, looking for advice in all the wrong places. Start now!

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All successful businesses need a source of captial. Without proper funding the opportunities for growth are slim to none. Too often, we see budding entrepreneurs who have brilliant ideas but take the wrong turn when it comes to seeking funding.

One source of investment is venture capital. However the reality is, that even with the many creative ideas, the amount of venture capital investments within the last few years has dropped. The current economic climate is volatile to say the least, making high profile investors are cautious when deciding where to place their funds. With so many worthwhile startups competing for attention, many investors find themselves unable to keep up to the demand.

Here are some additional funding options that might better suit your business type and objectives.

Approach the Banks:

Banks offer small businesses a number of financing options. If you supply them with proper documentation and present a convincing case, these types of institutions will be more than happy to offer you a business loan or a credit repayment program that suits your individual needs. All you have to do is demonstrate cash flow, present a solid business plan and convince creditors that yours is a once in a lifetime investment that they cannot afford to lose. Know your numbers; there is nothing worse than humming and hawing in front of a group of people who are ready to invest in you. Banks are likely to consider your personal banking history and repayment habits. For that reason I’d recommend that you initiate a personal relationship with the financial institution of your choosing before approaching funders with your request.

Apply For Grants:

There are many local and and government granting options Look for a collaborative government or community based project research initiatives that helps advance mutual interests. Such resource sharing arrangement will optimize growth potential for small and medium size businesses.

Independent Investors & Acquaintances:

Independently run organizations with cash to spare, will often choose to provide you with the necessary funds for a return on investment or as a one-time grant. These types of entities are willing to endorse ventures that they deem to be of value to existing community efforts or as part of a philanthropic initiative.

If asked, friends and family can lend a hand. This option is great for smaller cash loans and does not require too much headache. Always be aware of whom you’re dealing with and communicate at all times.

Whatever funding type you choose, know that every decision takes risk and preparation. Strategic investors, venture capitalists and independent entities are looking for the next best thing so if you play it right, you may be well on your way.

For more detailed information and a great comparison of funding methods, read a great article by our CEO Reg Charney on funding and your business.

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Peter Widdis is a driven marketing expert with a passion for innovation. He is also an integral part of the WizOf.Biz board of consultants.

In this post I'll let Peter tell you a bit about who he is, his perspective on the work that we do and highlight a few of the key elements that make this business platform invaluable to users.

1) Tell me a bit about yourself.

Simply put, I love & live building new things, through lifelong learning. I'm incredibly compassionate about connecting key insights into key ideas to open brand innovation anytime, anywhere! I am senior consultant with Boston-based Stratovation Associates and Professor of Marketing and Innovation subjects on the College scene here in Toronto.

Prior to joining Stratovation Associates and increasing my teaching commitments, I held senior leadership roles in primarily marketing and innovation at Cadbury Adams, Campbell Soup Company, Marc Anthony Cosmetics, GREY Advertising, LANG & Associates, GEM Group and LAUNCH! during my career journey.

2) What intrigued you about a business like WizOf.Biz?

Most small business owners are passionate about ideas and innovation which is great! However, often they are operated by people with little or/ no business experience…often even one person – who doesn't have a sounding board to get advice from during both the start-up, growth and maturity phase of one's business life cycle. The WizOf.Biz is the platform for them….a place where the wisdom they need is accessible and affordable too!

3) Can you share with us a few things that you've learned about Reg Charney e.g. his personality and/or business etiquette, that our readers may like to know?

Reg is driven to help all entrepreneurs win, period. He is not in this for himself and cares about seeing every start-up make it. A true serial entrepreneur, I have never seen anyone as relentless to see WizOf.Biz realize it's vision. Not too mention, he is a man of tremendous integrity which I have the utmost respect for.

4) In your opinion what makes WizOf.Biz unlike any existing on-line platform used to help businesses succeed?

Reg and his founders really listen to their audience. They want to create the absolute best platform on the web and the new user interface reflects this. They are truly in the business of providing "wisdom to entrepreneurs in need"….matching start-ups with extraordinary consulting advice that's affordance too.

5) Since your involvement with WizOf.Biz what important connections/advancements were you able to achieve?

I've grown immensely professionally as I have hands-on experience in working with real entrepreneurs, having spent a large part of my career working in multinational corporations as more of an "intrepreneur", so to speak. But now, having been apart of the WizOf.Biz community and connecting with real entrepreneurs, my appreciation for the benefits of a web platform like this has grown immensely.

6) Would you recommend WizOf.Biz to young entrepreneurs and small businesses that are looking for guidance and advice? Why?

Absolutely. It is a wonderful platform or/ hub for entrepreneurs to get matched with consulting advice to help their business ideas win. Reg's vision is to help every entrepreneur get the business wisdom they need to succeed; his WizOfBiz web innovation reflects his vision.

Thanks Peter

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Starting your own business is a scary prospect. Many of us have a strong desire to do what we love, but we fear leaping into the unknown. Instead we work long hours and contribute to the bottom line for others.

However there are many advantages to going out on your own. With a new year underway perhaps you should consider doing just that. Here are some of reasons to get you thinking.

1) A large part of being happy comes from the freedom to do what you love. Without that freedom, we remain largely unfulfilled. No amount of money is going to buy you the type of joy that comes from knowing you’ve made something your own.

2) Taking a leap of faith can open new doors and take you somewhere you haven’t been before. Not to mention that If you truly love what you do others will notice and will want to help you succeed.

3) By running a business you can be proud of your own accomplishments.You can achieve great success that you never thought was possible when drawing a salary. No longer will you have to put your time and effort into someone else’s pocket. Instead you’ll be able to invest these inner resources into yourself.

4) Job security is becoming a thing of the past. Virtually every employer is feeling the pressure of a fragile economy. Therefore, no one is immune to unemployment. By running your own business, you’re no longer at the mercy of a finicky boss who’s just waiting for you to slip up.

5) When running your own business you will have the mindset for creativity and self-awareness which is impossible to achieve in a cubicle. Your motivation will come from the actions you choose to take to make your business a success. People will look at you with a renewed sense of respect for having made a difference in their lives.

If I’ve managed to put a spark in you or if you are already well on your way to running a business, WizOf.Biz can help. It is an affordable online consulting and advice platform for businesses, startups and enterpreneurs. Our advisors are here to make suggestions on all your business content and put you on the path to success. Don’t wait, check out Wizof.biz today!

The year 2013 will bring about another slew of New Year resolutions. Many of us will focus on dropping the extra pounds we’d resolved to shed the year before. Others will make a conscious decision to spend more time with loved ones and more than a few of us will turn to improving marketing and business strategies as their number one resolution for the coming year. Here are some suggestions.

1) Resolve to Focus – Determine who your target audiences are. Look at their age group, occupation and social standing.Decide why this demographic is relevant to your business and go to where your specific market can be found.

2) Be Different – Your number two resolution is to dare yourself to be outrageously funny, phenomenally ingenious and intriguingly clever. Think outside the box to get the attention of those who understand and care about what you have to say. The other day I saw a series of gimmicky videos for a company that sold blenders. Their marketing ploy included blending random objects that are otherwise un-blendable such as iPhones, glowsticks and computers. Crazy right? Yes, but they stood out and that made all the difference..

3) Stay True To Who You Are – Just because you’re running a business does not mean that it has to run you. Make sure that your entrepreneurial self is directly reflective of who you are in everyday life.Communicate with others in a consistent, down to earth way. Inject some humor in everything you do and don’t forget to laugh at yourself. Align all of your marketing efforts with your own unique characteristics, then lead potential clients to elements of your business that point to the big picture.

4) Network – Make 2013, the year that you become part of the conversation, shmooze, exchange ideas. Make every lead an opportunity to connect and tell others what you do. Impress people by asking questions, giving answers and offering suggestions. Build business relationships that help you tap deeper into your market.

5) Learn & Discover – Seek out new opportunities to learn from others, participate in discussions and make discoveries about the way you run your business. Resolve to solicit client input. In the New Year,donate your time to other businesses that operate in the same general field. .

6) Create Content – Act interested. Strive to keep curious about your topic or idea. Work on showing others that you care about them and your cause. Make what you share with people funny and relevant.to their needs. Perhaps they too, have a New Year resolution that you can help them achieve. Tell your story; hell, a smidget of public ridicule never hurt anyone.

7) Take Risks – Be unconventional, intriguing and yes even wacky. Remember people love to see extraordinary things happen before them. Keep in mind that normal is boring and no one cares about anything normal at all.So look to wow the pants off of others.

8) Make That Dough – Enjoy what you do. Remain friendly and optimistic throughout. SHake hands, smile and offer to be there when it counts. If you do that, the dough will come rolling in when you least expect it.

I hope this gets you well on your way to success. In the meantime, stay insightful, innovate and prosper in 2013!

Image via *Sally M* Creative Commons 

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