it says to ‘write something. . .’
Published on 7 Jun 2009 at 3:40 am.
No Comments.
Filed under Tracy Rambling.
IT tells me to write something – so . . ..
Should I talk about business and marketing – the common theme in online discussions.
Or should I talk about internet marketing, websites, using wordpress to develop an effective and affordable business website, how a CRM system can increase your profits and get you back your investment in time and money within 14 months, or the benefits of press releases, or other publicity . . .or maybe the whole social marketing world – - wow that would be a big topic – man I could discuss twitter for at least 140 characters or less, and then I could go on about Facebook fan pages and how they blow you away, and how social bookmarking is so delicious that I cannot wait to digg in and eat till I stumble-upon something better!
Well who knows really?
Wednesday’s – Idea of the week
Published on 4 Jul 2007 at 3:29 pm.
No Comments.
Filed under Tracy Rambling.
Well howdee or yeehaw! How is that for showing the true Calgary Stampede heart.
 It’s here, the Calgary Stampede, the place where you are going to network network network! There will be breakfasts, (so they say!), lunch’s, barbecues and of course the good ole outdoor celebrations.
While you are networking you must remember that this is not a “formal” network event, nobody that is truly celebrating Stampede wants to be inundated with questions and “schmoozing”. This is when you meet grab a business card and clink your beer! The hard part of the networking is to remember who you spoke with at the end of the night. So here are my suggestions for that;
1/ make sure you are loaded on your business cards
2/have lots of your promotional pens discreetly hid away (maybe under your must have cowboy hat!) (of course you went and purchased promotional items for this event such as pens, stickers, golf tees, beer cozies – something with your name on it!)
3/use your new contacts name during your conversation (better chance of remembering who they are)
4/make sure to get their business card, then with your promotional pen (that every one will love when they see it, so will ask for one because part of this Stampede event is to get as many promotional items that one can!) write on the back of the card a simple description of what your contact does, looks like and anything special they may have mentioned.
5/finally, the dreaded Monday following stampede, organize yourself and then blast out emails to all those contacts asking how their Stampede season went and that you look forward to chatting in the future.
There you have it! Go and enjoy Stampede and I shall converss with you after the Stampede season is over as I to must go and do my networking – Lets see who can get the most promotional items!
Have fun and Yeehaw!
Cowboy Tracy
Wednesday’s – Interview with Steve Neilly
Published on 20 Jun 2007 at 2:29 pm.
No Comments.
Filed under Ideas, Tracy Rambling.
Good Afternoon Mr. Neilly,
I would like to start off by introducing my self and my purpose for this interview.
My name is Tracy and I am the author of a website blog that caters to Calgary Business’s.
I feel that it is important for the business community to know that there is a place that they can learn,
vent and share ideas. A place that hopefully they will realize that they are not alone in the issues that
the Calgary market faces such as employment, sustainability in employees, cost of living ect.
Thank you for providing the time for me to interview you and learn more of what you do.
 What made you want to start on this venture of starting this company?
1) Desire to be my own boss,
2) Recognized a need in the business world for our services and a lack of qualified competition
3) found a partner that was enthusiastic and shared a vision for the new business.
 What is record management?
These days, we refer to it more as Information Management (people tend to think of records only as paper
 and forget about electronic records). So first let me define a record:Â
Record means recorded information, regardless of media or format, which demonstrates or is evidence of a
transaction of business and is in the custody or under the control of a Company.
Information Management is the application of systematic control over records throughout their life cycle,
including but not limited to forms and manuals management, records inventorying, filing systems development
 and implementation, file maintenance procedures development, filing equipment selection, and records scheduling
and disposition.
What is the “perception†of what you do verse what you do?
We (records people) are perceived as paper pushers or file clerks.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
Information Managers are managers and should be sitting at the board table.
CDS has the knowledge to analyze a business from the inside out, linking systems and information,
finding duplicated effort, and putting in place the controls for today’s most valuable commodity – information.
Information Managers are the I in IT. That is, Information Managers deal with the information itself while
IT departments take care of the technology (hardware and software).
What is a key note that any business owner needs to learn?
Network, network, network, it’s one of the best ways to make business contacts.
And, if our company could tell all other companies one thing, it’s:
put in place a system of controlling your information that covers the complete lifecycle of the information.
This will help with legislative compliance, litigation risk management and efficient storage and retrieval of
information.
 What is the down side of record management? Is there one?
Like any system, there are up front costs to establishing a complete system.
However, there are returns to be realized: staff time reductions for information management,
reduction of lost files, quicker access to complete client information, reduction in duplication of information,
and more.
 Where can a business owner go to get help?
Joining the local Chamber of Commerce is a good place, so are professional associations
for your particular industry.
 Do you have a website that customers may go to?
We do, www.teamcdsi.com
 Do you offer any training, sessions, advice ect?
CDS is developing training sessions to provide companies with an overview of what an
Information management system is, as well as individualized training session to meet targeted needs.
 Is there anything else that you would to add?
CDS offers services that include Information Management consulting (all media),
off-site scanning services, off-site records warehousing, in-house or external training and privacy
law compliance consulting.
 Thank you for your time and I look forward to seeing you in the future.
Sincerely
Tracy
Monday’s Week in Review
Published on 18 Jun 2007 at 3:11 pm.
No Comments.
Filed under Tracy Rambling.
Wow, thankfully the wet weather seems to have left us and we can move on with some summer activities.
Last week I attended the Calgary Vipers game, what an amazing event! Not only was the ball awesome but the opportunity for marketing was huge! This is one thing that I will be looking into to see how much it is to get my name up on the outfield boards. Think about it, your sitting in the stands, game has gotten a little boring and you start looking around. Where does your eye naturally go? To all the smart business’s that realize this golden opportunity – The outfield boards! Plus not only does your name appear on the outfield boards, but it is also in the program for everyone to view AGAIN!
Your name is read over and over again during the game, which can last 4 hours! Who could ask for more monopolized time of your consumer?!
Well that is my quick tidbit for today, looking forward to Wednesdays article.
Remember, let me know what you think!
Till later
Tracy
Upcomming events!
Published on 14 Jun 2007 at 8:18 pm.
No Comments.
Filed under Looking Forward, Tracy Rambling.
Wow, just checked out the Chamber of Commerce site and there is an awesome event comming to Calgary on June 21, Mike Cordoba the CEO of Boston Pizza is going to talk on how they have survived the hot Alberta Market. If you have been to BP lately then you know that they are doing quite well. The service is still there unlike some restaurants.
For all you business women out there, Womenspages.ca has some great networking luncheons as well as seminars offered, all accross Canada!
well hopefully you will check out some of those ideas, personally the network for women is pretty informative.
till next time
Tracy