In the last few weeks I’ve received several questions pertaining to more specifically facebook. However, in this world where we are constantly bombarded by social networking opportunities I’m discovering a constant blur between what is for business, what is for personal and for that matter what is personal now-a-days.

There are several options and networks out there and I would actually highly recommend that in this day in age everyone be exposed to at minimum one of them. They are a great way to stay in touch with family, friends and even a way to meet new people.

I’m going to attempt to outline the different sites, a bit of what they are and how you should use them. Keep in mind this is all largely based on my opinion and how you choose to utilize the various sites is completely up to you.

Facebook

This site has gained huge amounts of popularity and overtook its predecessors like myspace and others. In my opinion this site should be used primarily for personal connections and not professional. Granted there are some instances where you may have a good friend that is also a work colleague. However, for professional reasons and by the sheer fact that you probably don’t want your boss aware that you hit the town with all your friends and stayed out late on a Sunday night and perhaps that’s why you’re less than perky on a Monday morning, just avoid accepting your co-workers in this venue.

Don’t be afraid of the ignore button when you get friend requests. You are NOT obligated and the most they’ll notice is if they go to request you as a friend again. For those that are out for a popularity contest, get over it.  If I don’t know you, I personally won’t accept your friend request unless we have several friends in common and one of them vouches for you.

Another quick and easy tip in this area is think twice before diving into the wonderful world of facebook applications. Sure, these are a fun way to pass the time away, but be aware of your friends and what their interests might be. Many people are actually quite turned off by applications and find them a hindrance to using facebook.  No one wants to spend their valuable ½ hour of facebook time ignoring 50 invitations to help someone grow a farm, take part in a mafia war or the myriad of other options that exist.  For those that are wondering what I’m talking about here, don’t worry join facebook you’ll find out soon enough.

Be sure to exand your network in Facebook. Take advantage of the tools such as friend finder and search by school.  You’ll be amazed at how quickly you can find and connect with long lost classmates from college and high school.  There are even search functions by work place to connect with those co-workers you still want to be in touch with.

For those that are looking at facebook as a tool to get the word out about your business or services, there is a great feature called “pages.” This is that feature that pops up and you can “become a fan”.  It’s a great way to have a connection with your customers and supporters without being obligated to that personal connection.

The most important feature to be aware of are your privacy settings.  This is where you control what the world see’s about you.  If you are new to facebook, I’d highly recommend placing your settings at the highest levels, at least until you are more comfortable with the site overall.

Finally, the status update. Yes, this is the news feed that appears on your homepage that I’m sure many have come to hate or love. I strongly recommend limiting yourself to MAYBE 4 updates a day.  Anymore than this and it gets a little annoying.  Also, try to avoid the temptations to make your friends a part of your latest diet where you post everything you eat in an effort to trim down your amount of intake. If you do find that someone is inundating your news feed with updates, there is a handy little “hide” button that appears when you hover over an update.

Twitter

This site is probably one of the more largely misunderstood. Basically, this is the status update from facebook in a simplified format and often more limited. The site utilizes RSS feed technology (basically runs the information real time to you if you have an RSS reader either on your phone or computer. You can also program to have the “tweets” from people you are following sent to your cell phone via text messaging.

I think businesses and organizations have the greatest difficulty on how to utilize this site to get their message out. Try to think of your posts in terms of quick announcements you want to get to your followers and customers. Let them know about a new shipment of merchandise that just arrived, new product that you just launched or in terms of this blog when I’ve made an update. From a business stand point I like to think of these as tweeteasers (I’m secretly hoping that term catches on). The more you tease your followers with information the more likely they are to take note and see you above the crowd.

Same rules apply here as in facebook with followers. Think about what you intend to post, if its professional leave it wide open for anyone to follow you. If you are posting your daily journal of activities you might want to set this to private and approve and monitor those that are following you.

LinkedIn

Now, this is your professional network of contacts. So feel free to reach out to everyone you know professionally and those you know personally that can vouch for your professional achievements.

The main keys you want to consider here are ensure that your information is up-to-date. Recruiters today are actually using LinkedIn to find candidates for new positions. Think of this as your online resume and then some. Be sure to be specific about achievements and take the liberty to brag a bit. This is your avenue to shine.

Maintain the art of recommendations. Probably the most powerful tool in the LinkedIn interface, however make sure you go about this the correct way. The best way to get a recommendation or referral is to give one. I’d strongly recommend taking the initiative to go out and write up a recommendation for someone you think highly of and that may think highly of you as well. Once you have written your raving review, invite them to replicate the favor. The more people you have vouching for your capabilities the better your chance of wowing a potential future employer.

Let’s Wrap it Up!

I hope this, my longest post, served to help answer a few basics for diving into social networking. If you have more questions feel free to shoot them my way, comment below and I’ll be sure to update with answers.

If you’d like advice on how social networking can improve your bottom line and work into your business’s strategy feel free to email me at christophermohs@gmail.com.

Til the next post – reach out and reconnect with a long lost friend.

Christopher!

1 lb. raw almonds
3 tbls. vegetable oil
1/4 cup Milk Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix (sweetened)

Place the raw almonds on a sheet pan, drizzle the vegetable oil over the almonds and toss so they are well coated.  Then dust with hot cocoa mix (dry do not actually make the hot cocoa).  Toss more until almonds are well coated.  Make sure almonds are spread evenly in one layer on sheet pan and bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees.  You will want to stir after 5 minutes and 8 minutes.  You’ll know they are done when you can smell the cocoa and the nuttyness of the almonds strongly but not burnt.  Remove from oven and place almonds on paper towels to cool.

Enjoy!

People often ask how I have the energy to dive into what I do. Well, it’s easy.  I’m a type triple A personality with a pinch of obsessive compulsive and a dash of dreams and hope. But in all reality, I probably don’t work and play as hard as many think, but in everything that I’ve done I find that the small things make the biggest impact.

Sure we can trump out, run for president and solve world hunger. But let’s admit it, that job is left to one person out of 300 million in a draw of fate and insanity every 4 years. I like to think that the friendly hello as your going through the fast food drive through and a gracious thank you have a far greater impact when practiced regularly. Its volunteering to apply your skills and expertise to a local non-profit so they can grow and flurish. Its taking the time to sit down with you child when they’ve been bad and talking with them about the consequences and the rewards for being good.

We all do things everyday that positively influence our world, both big and small.  So here’s my question to you the fresh readers of this blog. How do you influence your world?

Drop your answers below in the comments and check back to see all the ways others are influencing their own worlds.

Have Fun!

Christopher

This was a fast and furious throw together for a last minute dinner guest last week. I was so nervous about how it would turn out that I even phoned up my dad and asked, “do you think that a marinade with orange and cinnamon would taste good?” He confirmed that he thought it would be ok, so I crossed my fingers and grilled it up. Low and behold it was actually quite fantastic so I thought I’d share it with you.

Orange Cinnamon Marinade for Chicken

1 cup olive oil
1/2 cup vinager
2 tbsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
Zest and Juice of 3 oranges

Place 4 chicken breasts in a plastic zip bag and pour marinade over the chicken.  Let sit about 4-6 hours in the fridge. Cook as usual (grilled was amazing).

Enjoy this cinnamon delight with a splash of fresh orange.

Christopher

I’ve had quite a bit of exposure with non-profit organizations over the years.  From volunteering to serving on the board of directors. These organizations have also varied in focus with strengths in community service, arts and health issues. One thing I’ve observed over the years in the uncanny ability for a non-profit organization to focus on two things, 1) Raising money and 2) Spending money.

Now, I know, these are the primary functions and purposes of non-profit organizations.  However, in one of the toughest economies in the last 80 years, how will these organizations continue to raise the money needed to provide vital and enriching services to their communities? It’s really quite simple.

Today’s donors are ever increasingly sophisticated in their donor approach. They now see their donations not as a gift, but rather an investment in a cause they passionately believe in. As donors continue to see non-profits in this way, non-profits are pushed ever more to create sustainable and efficient business models that will appeal to an ever decreasing base of funding.

So how does a non-profit do this?  Here are some quick steps that are vital to this approach.

1. Create that strategic business plan. – I know, this is that big binder you created about 10 years ago at a weekend retreat and you just regret pulling it down and revisiting it.  The reality is this is your number one tool for bringing on “investors”.  They want to see what their funding can do and how far it will reach.
2. Develop an organizational growth map. – What’s an organizational growth map? This is a term that I pulled together when working at FrostFire Media.  Yes, I’m proposing yet another business practice to apply towards your everyday non-profit world, but it really is effective.  An organizational growth map is a document that tracks not only the current organizational chart, but also seeks to identify future team needs that align and match with your strategic plan. This document serves two purposes, it shows donors where their additional funding will go and gives your team members within your organization a vision of where they can fit in as the organization grows and prospers.
3. Policies and Procedures. – Surprisingly many think that policies and procedures will slow down progress and the goals of the organization. Not really the case. I’ve witnessed so many organizations flounder because of a lack of policies and procedures. How do you handle that new big donor, what about naming rights, who approves expenditures and how are budgets tracked.  These are all items that flow into a policies and procedures document which will be requested often times by donors to ensure that you have your ducks in a row.

It might seem like very basic practices, but keeping your eye on these 3 main areas will help set your non-profit apart from the others in the battle for funding that will undoubtedly continue in the coming years.

If your interested in assistance in developing some of these areas for your organization, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’m here to help you achieve your mission and goals.

Keep the passion alive and the communities thriving.

Christopher

I threw this together last minute when heading off for Shabbat dinner with my roommates family.  That was quite the treat and an incredibly fun experience. Inspired by my hero Ina Garten’s Plum Crumble, I’m giving this a little added pizzaz as Ina would say – we’re turning up the volume on a classic.

Apple Crumble

Topping:
1 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup toffee chips
1/4 cup walnuts chopped
1/2 lb. Cold butter cubed

Mix in stand mixer till mixture starts to come together (about the size of small peas)

Filling:
3 lbs cubed washington or fiji apples (pick your favorite)
1/4 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 cup flour
1 cup caramel liqueur (varies depending of moisture content of apples)

Mix together and spread out in a ceramic baking dish.  Spread crumble topping over.  Bake 40 to 45 minutes at 375 degrees.

Enjoy this with some vanilla ice cream and your favorite guests.

Christopher!

I know – this is supposed to be a business strategist giving you ideas about how to grow the bottom line. Well as it turns out I’m also an obsessive compulsive when it comes to trying new things in the kitchen.  This recipe is from a few weeks ago.  I’d just moved to Minneapolis and the new roommate was throwing a game night party.  So of course, naturally, my host skills went into overdrive and I decided to whip up a few delights for the guests.

Here’s one of them. Literally this was just thrown together and it turned out so well that I just had to share. Watch for it in the next version of mom’s famous favorite recipes cookbook.

Stuffed Mushrooms

1 pkg mushrooms
1/2 lb ground pork
1 cup diced celery
1/2 cup diced onion
2 tsp chili powder
1 tbs seasoned salt
1 tsp garlic powder
1 cup bread crumbs
1 pkg cream cheese

Remove stems from mushrooms and chop finely, place mushroom heads upside down on baking sheet.

FILLING:  Brown pork with celery, onion, and chopped mushrooms.  Season with chili powder, seasoned salt, garlic powder.  Add in bread crumbs at end.  Let cool.

Place 1 tbs of cream cheese in each mushroom head and fill with heaping mounds of the filling.  Bake at 375 degrees for 20 minutes or until done.

Serve! This is a party favorite for sure.  Just make sure to get those mushrooms stuffed, we found ourselves sampling a bit too much of the stuffing mixture before we even got them into the oven. So delicious!

And for those wondering – there isn’t a better way to bring friends together then great food, a couple innovative board games and amazing company around the living room fire. A little good wine goes a long way too.

Christopher

Ok, so this whole blog thing is an adventure that I once traveled down and am committing myself to starting once again.

What does blogging mean to me? Well, I feel that it is a place for me to have a conversation with you, the reader. I’m going to allow massive amounts of creative license here and completely Let Loose! For those that know me well you are probably thinking, “OH BOY! We’re in for it now.” Rest assured, we will have fun, we will be quirky at times, but I promise to venture a few tidbits of information you might find helpful whether personally or professionally.

Through this blog I hope to spread inspiration and excitement for dreams and possibilities. I’m in a bit of transition myself, having lived in Fargo, North Dakota for the last 11 years post high school.  The community provided me with a multitude of amazing opportunities and phenomenal friends. But, alas, change comes once again.

I’d have to compare my move to Minneapolis to a feeling much like I had when leaving home for the first time. Filled with anxiety, nerves but also excitement and promise of something even bigger than I’m currently aware of. After about 5 months of hiatus I’m getting ready to dive into the adult world once again. I’m opening myself up to new opportunities and new experiences in a whole new city.

For those that remain in Fargo, its not farewell but a till I see you soon. I’m planning several trips back to the city in the coming months and look forward to many evenings either at the HoDo or Basies catching up and sharing some vino.

Well, I’m going to leave this first post with that (in an attempt to keep these down to short reads).

Til the next whirl of inspiration,

Christopher