*Note: The sirens you hear in the background were coming for Dave, not me. I swear.

Lately, I’ve been observing people focusing on building their networks with people in different cities. While I think this is great and I’m grateful for those I’ve meet across the United States and Canada, I tend to put a little more focus on building relationships with people around the Twin Cities. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve met some incredibly intelligent folks from different cities and I value the fact that if I were traveling in Texas, New York or Florida, that I have people who would grab a drink or dinner with me. No? What if I were paying?

The online space has made it incredibly easy to form relationships and collaborate with people outside your immediate community. By no means am I saying that you shouldn’t expand your network, but are we putting too much emphasis on this expansion? Are we forgetting what’s in our backyard?

This past week I had the great fortune to start collaborating on a kick-ass project with Dave Folkens, Lisa Grimm and Arik Hanson. Now maybe I’m biased because the Twin Cities has a vibrant community and is filled with smart folks, but I think it’s just as important to build that strong bond around those that are local. Here in Twin Cities, we have this giant pool of knowledge and experience, that despite working at competing firms, we’re able to come together and learn from one another. We’re able to challenge and inspire each other to improve and innovate. Not only is this good for us as individual practitioners, but it’s better for our profession as a whole.

I tend to look at networking and relationships the same way I approach social media – with a complimentary approach. Don’t focus solely on building locally, but don’t neglect those who are in your own backyard.

Are you neglecting your local community?

So why should your organization be interested in me? I shot a quick video to explain who I am and why I would be valuable to your organization.

Find me on LinkedIn

Find me on Twitter

Check out my blog on finance

Email – kasey [at] kaseyskala [dot] com

Phone: 952.373.1240

Looking for references? Check out what others are saying about me. Here.

*Client references available upon request

Today, I present Jason Douglas. Jason is a bright, young mind here in Minneapolis. In the video, I ask him what he’s seeing in his role at Spyder Trap Online Marketing and why he attends #SMBMSP.

Like anything with social media, you need to take Lists with a grain of a salt. Despite being made available a short while ago, there is already hundreds, if not thousands, of Lists already created. We’re already seeing the labels of “best lists” and “lists you need to follow”. Like I mentioned, be skeptical of these lists. A lot are ego boosts, people trying to be chummy, cliques, etc. If your goal is to be on a “Top Communicators” list with the likes of Chris Brogan and Brian Solis – nothing against these folks – then Lists will be perfect for you. If you find pleasure by association, then Lists is for you.

Now don’t get me wrong, Lists does have some value – just not as much as the current hype makes it seem. I created a list, mostly to see what the hype is all about, and I will probably use this feature. However, the only value I see in Lists is found in the lists created by those I’ve created a relationship with. Lists created by Lauren Fernandez or David Erickson provide more value for me because I’ve interacted with these people. While being on a list created by Brian Solis would be a great honor, I personally wouldn’t get as much value out of it because I’ve never met or interacted with him.

Here’s the clincher though, at least for me. Lists are suppose to be great for finding valuable people to follow. However, I can already do that by clicking on “following” of anyone I choose. While the Lists feature groups all those people together and allows me to monitor how these users are interacting and using Twitter, it’s not a new or improved feature. It’s more convenience than anything. Not really a “game changer” in my eyes.

Again, this is just my personal opinion. You’ll find people that think Twitter Lists provides great value. And it may for some. However, my personal use of Twitter isn’t to gain popularity, it isn’t to be included on specific people’s lists.  I appreciate the fact that people would find my usage valuable enough to include on a list. In the end though, it doesn’t do anything for me. I’ll probably follow a handful of lists and continue to find valuable people to follow through the same vehicles as I’m using now.

I was talking with the bride’s grandfather who has lived his entire life in a small town in rural Nebraska. On the surface, one would think that there wouldn’t be any possibility of a connection between a 28-year old from Minnesota and a someone who’s lived in rural Nebraska for 60-plus years. However, after exchanging your typical “what do you do” it turned out he’s on the board of a company I am interviewing for my iFinance blog.

During the dance, I was sitting at a table when an older couple (late 40′s) asked if they could sit down. I said yes and asked how they knew the bridge & groom. As it turned out, they were from my hometown and I worked at the same company during the summer after my senior year in high school.

Finally, I was talking with the bride’s father who started a company from his basement in 1982 and has since turned it into a multi-million dollar business the conducts business in all 50 states and Mexico. During the conversation, one thing stood out – simplicity & service. He mentioned that the key to his success was keeping the business simple, being patience when it came to expansion and always focusing on service. Even today, his Web site isn’t flashy and he’s not implementing any fancy marketing and advertising campaigns. His business comes from superior customer service and building a reputation of quality.

No matter where you go and what you do, there is always connections. You never know who you may have a connection with and what the people around you do. However, I would have never known had I not engaged in a conversation. I never would have known had I not asked questions and searched for that common bond.

Additionally, it seems a lot of people and businesses are focusing on the extravagant emerging trends. We’re quick to jump into social media, we’re always looking for the next big idea to separate ourselves and our businesses. During all this, we may be missing opportunities that exist and overlooking the basics of fundamental business. Nothing beats quality work and nothing is a bigger referral source than quality service.

Enjoy and Happy Friday!

@ColbyWG

The reason a majority of small businesses are running into barriers is because they are all going to the same location. They’re waiting until the day before Christmas before going out and finding gifts – everyone else has already been there.

What I tell small business owners is that they need to think outside of the box. They also need to have a little skin in the game. Sure, you can throw a little sale. Knock 10% off your product – it’s only devaluing your service. No biggie, right?

Here’s the question you have to ask yourself:

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth.

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim,
Because it was grassy and wanted wear;
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I kept the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way,
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I–
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

* “The Road Not Taken,” Robert Frost

You can go down the road that’s beaten and well traveled and barely make it. Or you can create your own path and focus on innovation and making yourself and your product stand out.

You can surf the traditional job boards, hoping to find that same golden nugget hundreds and thousands of other people are looking for. Or you can do the opposite, get out and network and get your name out there. Again, both may land you a gig, but you have a better chance of standing out by shaking hands.

Want to be innovative and take risks? Here’s a prime example of that – Pink Cow Ice Cream. A perfect example of taking an existing product and standing out from your competition.

It doesn’t take having the newest and coolest product. It doesn’t take having the most extensive resume. What it does take it dedication, passion and the willingness to risk everything.

• Sponsor an event/Attend an event
• Freshen your logo/Freshen your look
• Be willing to fail/Be willing to be uncomfortable
• Create a new need/Create a need for you

What are your recommendations for businesses and individuals to stand out? Or do you think the safe and secure route is the best option?