Complimentary Offer For Coaching, Consulting, and Mentoring During Pandemic

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

This is a difficult, even unprecedented time.  There is great uncertainty, and many are fearful.  Some are suffering through this alone. Thankfully, this pandemic comes at a time when our technology makes forced isolation bearable.

In difficult times the American Spirit shines brightest because we face our challenges together.  Given the strength of our relationships, the value we place on one another, I am confident that we will overcome this scourge.  We may be bruised, but we will emerge stronger.

 

From a personal perspective, I believe my life’s mission is to help however I can.  My goal is to focus on what I can control and avoid dwelling on issues beyond my control.

I know that my core strength is helping people navigate the new normal for employment and career management. In many respects, this was the genesis of ITB PARTNERS.

I want you to know that I am here to help you. In fact, I am happy to offer my services free of charge to help you through this difficult time.

There are many things we can discuss, but I may be most helpful in the following areas:

  1. Navigating the quarantine.
  2. Developing a Personal Recovery Plan.
  3. Maintaining relationships with your customers, clients, and network.
  4. Viable Job Search Strategies.
  5. Key considerations to anticipate from the recovery.
  6. Significant trends to consider in your planning.
  7. Evaluating options and setting priorities.
  8. How to start a business.

Ultimately, I’m available to talk with you even if to bounce around some ideas or offer introductions from my vast network.

So, here’s my offer:

If you would like a free 30-minute consultation, email Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com  with this subject: “I Want  to Schedule a Free Consultation.”   I will respond back with my calendar tool to schedule a telephone or video call.

I hope you find this useful and will schedule a call.  If nothing else, I would enjoy an update from you to know how you are coping.

Best wishes for your continued health and safety.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

 

April 14 ZOOM Meeting of The BENG Atlanta Chapter

The BENG Atlanta Chapter April 14 Meeting Will Be Held Via ZOOM!  To join the meeting, follow this link:  https://zoom.us/j/334822051

Register for The BENG April 14 ZOOM Meeting!

Email To:  Jim.Weber@itbpartners   Subject: Yes, Reserve My Place for The BENG Atlanta Chapter April Meeting viaZOOM

Remove What’s NOT Working from Your Networking

Description:

According to a LinkedIn survey in 2017, almost 80 percent of professionals consider networking to be important to their career success. Not only that, but 70 percent of respondents said they were hired at a company where they had a connection.

Whether you are networking to find new clients, a better job, or the love of your life, your results will definitely improve if you remove what’s not working and replace it with more effective actions.

Invest one hour of your time in this session and leave with:

  • A clearly defined goal for your networking
  • Identification of your ineffective networking activities that are holding you back
  • Options for less common activities that have been proven more effective
  • A revised networking “game plan” you can start using today

Our speaker:

Richard Kirby

Richard Kirby is “The K Factor”. His formula for client success is Inspirational+Analytical=Inevitable.

For the past 18 years, Richard has coached corporate executives desiring career improvements inside or outside their current employers. He is also the author of Fast Track Your Job Search (and Career!), an eBook available on amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. A critical component of his individual coaching programs and his book is business networking. More information can be found about Richard at https://www.richardkirby.net or https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardkirbyatl.

Register for The BENG April 14 ZOOM Meeting!

Email To:  Jim.Weber@itbpartners.com   Subject: Yes, Reserve My Place for The BENG Atlanta Chapter April Meeting viaZOOM

Impact of Cashback Shopping on Shoppers, Retailers, and Sponsors

Particularly in the era of “social distancing”, on-line shopping is growing at a rapid pace and with it, the opportunity presented by “Cash Back Shopping.”  Cashback shopping taps into the normal marketing budgets of on-line retailers.  Just like newspaper and other media advertising, Cash Back programs are designed by retailers to attract shoppers to their on-line shopping sites and to make purchases based on their standard pricing, discounts, reward, and customer service policies and the new dimension of cashback shopping.  You’ve probably heard of the biggest cashback provider in the direct to consumer space which is Rakuten/Ebates. On the other hand, the biggest provider in the business to business space is Retail Benefits, Inc. (RBI).

Retail Benefits markets only through 3rd parties such as banks and credit unions, businesses (with large direct to consumer marketing reach), churches and charities, and political parties.  Retail Benefits is an invisible partner to its sponsor organizations as RBI provides the downloadable app that connects the sponsor organization with its potential shoppers and over 4,500 on-line retailers who participate in the program.  The RBI app is always customized and branded to each sponsor using the sponsor’s own marketing message and its standard “look and feel”.  Using Retail Benefits is a one time download of the app onto the shopper’s desktop computer and/or mobile device.  Once the installed the shopper shops as always and receives cash back on every purchase.

The cash flows from the retailer to RBI to the sponsor.  Each sponsor then uses the cashback to advance its mission.  Examples include charities that keep all or most of the cashback as a tax-deductible donation; banks and credit unions that add the cashback to enhance their existing cashback programs on the credit cards they are already offering, and business that keeps a portion of the cashback to enhance net income and convert the balance into “business bucks” to pay for the services they normally sale.

To learn more about how cashback shopping can create a strategic advantage for you and/or your contacts, contact Phil Davis, Retail Benefits Partner.

Phillip Davis

Philip Davis

Referral Partner

Retail Benefits, Inc.

pdavishr@Comcast.net

678-977-5578

 

 

Things Will Change – New Habits Will Be Created

Early in my career, I learned that it is unwise to rebuild a retail outlet on site when there is an option to build on another site better positioned to serve the trade area.  Taking an outlet off-line for reconstruction, forced our customers to seek alternatives.  They began shopping with other brands, creating new habits.  And, the rebuilt outlet seldom regained their full sales volume.  It was a bad investment.  Building a new outlet in a better location avoided the lost revenue while creating excitement for the new store.  It was usually a better investment.

Once a new shopping pattern is established (read – a new habit), it is difficult to revert.  This experience gives me confidence that the effect of the Covid-19 outbreak will create new habits and accelerate other trends.

Trends to Watch

  • Improved/Greater Focus on Personal Hygiene
  • Remote Working
  • Internet Shopping/Home Delivery
  • Tele-Medicine
  • Virtual Meetings

The first change I expect is an increased vigilance toward sanitation.  It is obvious that people are likely to become accustomed to washing their hands more often, hopefully using anti-bacterial soap.  It’s reasonable to expect retailers and other employers to adopt measures to better protect their customers and employees.  Who knows, this might lead to a reduction in overall flu cases, reducing absenteeism.  Even now, I have a client in the Janitorial Services Sector who is generating significant add-on sales from an innovative sanitizer product.

My friend Faith says that this pandemic will be the catalyst to make telemedicine a more widely accepted modality of care. “Telemedicine has been operational for 40 years.  It has had a tremendous resurgence since 2016 and continues to increase in utilization.  Telemedicine, including telehealth, is viewed as a viable option to access needed care.  Copays and other fees are being waived both for commercial and Medicare patients.   The virtual platform that is steering patients will become more widely accepted and utilized. There was already a push for digital applications to handle chronic conditions, urgent care, follow up visits, and medical consultations.  It will be difficult to resume pre-pandemic modes of care.”

As I begin my third day of voluntary quarantine, I have changed the plans for our monthly meeting in favor of a ZOOM meeting.   Based on government guidance, I decided to conduct a virtual meeting instead.  It isn’t as useful from a networking perspective, but the content of the meeting will be presented well, and I will record the meeting for future reference.  I am hearing that many of my colleagues have been engaged in virtual meetings this week.   I imagine that many will become more accustomed to virtual meetings during this quarantine.

As people work from home for the next two weeks, many managers who are uncomfortable with remote working will have an opportunity to change their thinking.  Imagine the overall benefit of working from home. Less commuting time via automobile will benefit employee mental health and productivity while lowering the cost of owning an automobile.  The benefit to the environment and maintenance of infrastructure will be enormous.   Mass commuting to and from work by automobile is no longer practical or sustainable.

Yesterday, I heard that Amazon.com is hiring another 100,000 workers.  It’s safe to say that the home shopping trend, including restaurant delivery, will experience a surge of growth.  One can imagine how restaurants will change their business models to accommodate more home delivery.  I expect the creation of outlets providing delivery and carry-out only, without any accommodations for dine-in customers.  This is a huge opportunity for grocery stores as well.

For the next two or more weeks we will be living outside our normal patterns.  Disruption of our typical routine will certainly result in the creation of new habits.  Working from home, making greater use of technology and new applications will reveal better ways to accomplish our work.  I expect that our quarantine will be a catalyst for accelerating change.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

 

 

ITB Partners Announces the Opening of its Company Store: www.shopitbpartners.com

Many thanks to Ron Weinstock, of Weinstock Marketing and ITB Partners for facilitating this Partnership.

What is a Company Store?

A company store is an on-line, fully integrated e-commerce site that gives you complete control over your branded merchandise program.

This is not a new concept as many printers have expanded their services, providing companies an outsourced solution for the logistical management of marketing collateral and branded products.  A dedicated company store provides employees, dealers, franchisees, agents and even consumers the ability to easily purchase branded merchandise.  “The more people who see our logo, the greater the likelihood they will call ITB Partners to resolve their problems.”

“Symphonix Solutions will handle everything for us, from acquiring and warehousing the merchandise for our store to maintaining the web-portal and executing order fulfillment.” 

 

SYMPHONIX SOLUTIONS CLIENT BRAND MANAGEMENT PLATFORM IS CALLED  “ONBOARD”

From this customized web portal, you can oversee brochures, displays, promotional products and digital brand assets, control and track projects, costs, create reports control inventory and send direct response emails.

At Symphonix Solutions, we have a variety of solutions to make it easy for our clients.

The ITB Partners’ Portal is

www.shopitbpartners.com

 

To learn more about Symphonix Solutions and how we can help promote your brand and your client’s brand, contact Michelle Mehnert at mmehnert@symphonixsolutions.com.

 

 Contacts:

Symphonix Solutions

PRINT  MARKETING  TECHNOLOGY  FULFILLMENT

9825 Marina Blvd, Suite 100

Boca Raton, FL 33428

Michelle Mehnert <mmehnert@symphonixsolutions.com>

Rob Finkelstein <rfinkelstein@symphonixsolutions.com>

Boca Raton: 561-826-3242

Charlotte: 704-372-7888

info@symphonixsolutions.com

 

Symphonix Solutions

 

Since 2008, Symphonix Solutions has been helping clients manage their marketing and sales materials providing customized solutions that improve the production, distribution, and control of their assets.  “Our proprietary technology provides each client with a customized portal to track inventory, costs, and delivery from anywhere in the world.”

“Our clients want the best quality, cost-effective, easy solutions, and Symphonix delivers.” With the highest level of service and a dedicated team you can trust, Symphonix partners with the best provider network to produce the best results from people who care about your projects and consistently deliver because they love what they do.

 

Symphonic Solutions stands ready to help you and your clients with their printing needs as well!

 

Starbucks Meets WeWork at the Automobile Service Center

By Jim Weber and Mark Grace

i’ve learned that it is a big mistake to ignore my automobile’s  ‘check engine’ light.  I’ll admit, there was a time when I viewed the indicator light as a suggestion.  Not anymore.  I respect the ‘Check Engine’ warning light and take immediate action.  Often, a failed sensor is the problem. Sometimes, when a sensor fails it cannot provide the automobile’s onboard computer with the information required to ensure the proper functioning of the engine.  In other situations, the issue may be more serious. In any event, it means a trip to the service center.

Two weeks ago, a few indicator lights activated on the dashboard of my Nissan 350-Z, including a Check Engine light.  The Z was a little difficult to start and the engine was operating below par.  Of course, I took the car to the Nissan dealership for service.

As I was the first person in line when the service center opened, my need was processed immediately.  In addition to the ‘Check Engine’ light, I asked them to check my air conditioner, as it wasn’t cooling properly.  The service attendant was courteous and efficient.  He printed a list of items to be investigated with a cost estimate for the diagnostics.

After completing the service order, I was directed to the customer lounge to wait for their evaluation.  The owners of this Nissan Dealership had recently completed a major remodel.  I suppose, remodel is not entirely accurate as they razed the old building to be replaced with a modern facility.  I was not prepared for the utility of the waiting room.  It is easily four times larger than the original.  The adjacent restrooms are larger and more presentable.

The new lounge is more like a WeWork or Industrious office center.  There are workstations and comfortable pit groups with over-stuffed chairs.  The dealership offers free Wi-Fi and an ample number of electrical outlets for computers or to recharge smartphones.  It is comfortable and well lit. An ample assortment of free beverages and snacks are provided.  They offer single-serve coffee service, with a wide selection of flavors.  There is juice, water and soda, packaged snacks, power/breakfast bars, and fresh fruit.  At some point, a few dozen fresh donuts arrived.  I passed on the snacks but enjoyed several cups of French Roast Coffee.  There is a big-screen television tuned to HGTV and another screen for viewing the work in the garage.  I was blown away by the new lounge.  It’s like a combination of Starbucks and WeWork. If I had known about the amenities available, I would have brought my laptop and stayed in the customer lounge until my car was ready.

Almost immediately after my experience with Regal Nissan, I called my friend and colleague Mark Grace. Mark is an industry expert and guru on customer experience. He has trademarked a term for customer experience called Experidigm (see experidigm.com and his eight books).  An experidigm is not just the product or service, but all the actions and feelings the customer might have related to the experience now, later, and as the product is integrated into their lives.  It was my intention to share this experience with Mark to learn if the Nissan Dealer is providing a competitive customer experience.  Also, as I thought it make an excellent blog post, I wanted to enlist Mark’s contribution, which follows.

Mark Grace

This is a great example of the shift from selling a product or service to delivering a complete experidigm of related customer activities. Yes, customer waiting is a major activity in the car repair business. Waiting is part of the experience. We’ve all waited for hours in a cold, damp, smelly, repair place staring at an ugly, cracked linoleum floor.  Compare that to Jim’s waiting, or should I now say, productive working experience. Jim might come back for more activities. The dealer could schedule quarterly events, to showcase new cars, accessories, or services.  There is a large list of activities the dealer can consider, some of which could become profit centers.

Today, consumers can choose from over a billion products.  The opportunity is integrating products and activities into a complete experience or experidigm. Brands that create experidigms, will acquire lifelong customers. Think Airbnb for staying overnight or Uber/Lift for getting from here to there – the complete experience is covered and growing larger.  Any product can be made into an experience. Customers create eperidigms by integrating the product into their lives. Brands can take the lead, increasing their profitability by enhancing the customer experience.  Let us show you how.

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

 

 

Jim Weber Completes COO Search for Casual Dining Franchiser

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

Prior to forming New Century Dynamics Executive Search in 1999, Jim Weber spent 22 years with Fortune 500 companies in the Food Retailing Industry where he developed a broad-based portfolio of “hands-on” line and staff experience in growth and turnaround situations. A proven executive with exceptional leadership skills, Jim has a strong financial background and heavy operations experience in specialty retail stores, quick-service restaurants, manufacturing, and distribution.

For more information about Jim Weber and New Century Dynamics Executive Search, call us at 770-649-7051 or email  JimWeber@NewCenturyDynamics.com

ITB Partners March 20 Meeting Featuring David Shavzin

REGISTER NOW

About this Event

David Shavzin

David Shavzin, CMC, is a Certified Management Consultant, and a passionate and experienced exit and succession planning expert. He created The Value Track to help business owners improve profitability, build value and maximize their business transaction. A frequent speaker on these topics, David is President and a co-founder of Exit Planning Exchange Atlanta and past president of the Institute of Management Consultants – Georgia Chapter. David has over a dozen years of experience senior corporate roles followed by nearly 20 years of consulting to privately held businesses. His industry experience includes manufacturing, distribution, healthcare, and professional services firms: law, accounting, architecture, engineering, and design.

Date And Time

Fri, March 20, 2020

7:30 AM – 9:30 PM EDT

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Location

Bella’s Gourmet Kitchen

350 Embassy Row Northeast

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

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Part IV – It’s Not Who You Know, It’s Who Knows You! An Interview with Susan Knox of Corporate Connections

Susan Knox CEO Corporate Connections

Susan Knox of Corporate Connections is a tenth generation Georgian, with an exceptional reputation and network.   I am so pleased to have her on the ITB Partners Team as her business is unique and her personal story is compelling.  In fact, I thought you would find her story so interesting, I convinced her to sit for an interview.  This is the fourth and final installment of our discussion.

Jim:  “What do you recommend keeping one’s network alive and active?”

Susan:  “I say to make a list of people in your network. People you know from the PTA, your CPA, your Lawyer, someone in the church, your neighbor, or your kid’s baseball coach/parents. Literally, anywhere you have relationships, make a list of them.  Include people that you know who are either influencers or high-profile people who are actively networking.

 “One of the biggest deals I ever got was from a dentist.  I went to a new dentist and he asked me what I did.  I told him that I connected companies with capital.  His next patient told him that he had started a new company and that he was looking for money.  The dentist made the connection and I landed a great deal.  It’s because I visited him (dentist) and told him about my business. You would be amazed where new deals and new clients, or new employees can come from.” 

 Jim:Absolutely.  As I tell folks, Executive Search is like pure marketing, as everyone I talk with is either a potential client, a potential candidate, or a referral source to a potential client or candidate.”

Susan: “That is so true! ” 

 Susan went on to say that it is important to “say yes to new networking opportunities.” She said that to build your reputation as an influencer you must be visible so people will include you in their events.  She mentioned that she attends seminars and summits, not so much for the value of the content, but to meet the people that attend those events.

Jim: “What is the next thing you see for Corporate Connections?”

Susan: “Okay!  Great Question.  

“At the moment I am overwhelmed with new clients, and I am so grateful for that.  But I think I need to start conducting professionalism workshops.  Because, as you said, people often don’t know what they don’t know.  A lot of them grew up behind a (computer) screen and they don’t know the social graces. They don’t know how to shake someone’s hand, to look them in the eye, or how to dress.  I tell people that you are the CEO of your life.  You are your brand, regardless of where you are.  So, you had better protect it (your brand).  You must know what you are doing. “  

Jim: “Yes, if you step it up, and wear a jacket you can stand out.”

Susan: “I remember a time when I represented a Wealth Management Firm.  The Managing Partner asked if I would talk to one of the younger guys, a real ‘up-and-comer.’  He was a runner and wore a sports watch.  The Managing Partner wanted him to wear a dress watch.  Another situation was with a female who wore (gaudy) colored nail polish.  I helped them learn the value of proper attire and etiquette.  I tell people, ‘when you walk into a room, you notice people who are very well-dressed and put together. They just stand out.’   People are attracted to successful-looking people.”

 “I say the more high-tech we go, the more ‘old school’ I get.  People really appreciate a handwritten note or a phone call.  I have started working very hard to have more personal connections.   But you know, Jim, I’ve always been about my clients and my members.  I have focused on helping my clients with their social media, but not for mine (social media).   I can use social media to showcase the value of my network.   Going forward I aim to be more visible on LinkedIn.” 

Jim: “Thank you so much, Susan!”

Susan: “Oh, thank you!  It was fun.”

Thank you for visiting our blog.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

I hope you enjoyed our point of view and would like to receive regular posts directly to your email inbox.  Toward this end, put your contact information on my mailing list.

Your feedback helps me continue to publish articles that you want to read.  Your input is very important to me so; please leave a comment.

Jim Weber – Managing Partner, ITB Partners

Wendy Ellin to Present to The BENG Atlanta Chapter March 10, 2020

“It’s one thing to love what you do, and another to LOVE THE WAY YOU DO IT!” Wendy Ellin

About this Event

Wendy Ellin

Wendy Ellin is a Workplace Productivity Consultant, International Speaker, & Author of Enough Is Enough, Get Control of Your Stuff. Her insights into living an organized life are shared in her presentations with irreverence, humor, and a level of passion that motivates her audience to TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!

Wendy talks about real-life challenges that we all experience such as email overload, being on time (or not), reasonable expectations for getting things done, and much more. It is from Wendy’s 20 plus years in the corporate arena that she drew from her own successes by working smart, not hard—that inspired her to develop the tools and techniques for increasing workplace productivity and ultimately a renewed sense of peace of mind.

“It’s one thing to love what you do, and another to LOVE THE WAY YOU DO IT!” Wendy Ellin

Date And Time

Tue, March 10, 2020

7:30 AM – 9:30 AM EDT

Add to Calendar

Location

Bella’s Gourmet Kitchen

350 Embassy Row Northeast

Sandy Springs, GA 30328

View Map

REGISTER NOW!