Getting the Most from the Web's Most-Used Search Engine

By Michael Miller

To google or not to google? Increasingly, that is the question for people searching the Internet for shopping information, travel options or background for a term paper. Choose to Google and you're in good company. Google is the most-used search engine on the Web.

But how much do you really know about Google and what it can do? Did you know Google can also help you manage your finances or check your child's algebra homework? "Almost everyone I know uses Google, but few use it to its full potential" says Michael Miller, author of 75 best-selling how-to books, including his latest tome "Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource," from Que Publishing.

"Most people are just skimming the surface of what Google can do," says Miller. Google searches are highly customizable. You can use the search engine to ferret out address and phone numbers of long-lost acquaintances; search scholarly information; find word definitions; perform complex mathematical calculations; create detailed maps; e-mail, chat, and blog; search and download video, images and music; and track headlines.

Google, says Miller, is a tool like any other. If you know all its capabilities, limitations and the proper way to use it, you'll get the best results. Miller offers some tips for making the most of your Google searches:

• If you're searching for an exact phrase - such as a famous quote or person's name - but don't remember all the words, put the phrase in quotation marks and use the wildcard character (*) to stand in for the missing word. For example, if you can't remember Richard Nixon's middle name, try the search "Richard * Nixon."
  
  
• You don't have to include every single synonym of your keyword in your search. Instead, tell Google to look for similar words by using the (~) symbol in front of your keyword. For example, a search for "~car" will also find results for "vehicle" and "automobile."
  
  
• Google automatically excludes common words such as "the," "where," "what," "and" or "how" from a search. To include those words, but a plus sign in front of the word: "+where the red fern grows."
  
  
• To exclude results that contain a particular word, put a minus sign in front of it. So if you want to search for a "bass" singer, not the "bass" fish, you search would read: bass -fish.
  
  
• If you know the specific file type you're searching for, you can narrow your search by adding "filetype:" to your search. For example, of you're only looking for Word documents, your search query would read: "filetype:doc."
  
  
• If you are looking for a specific number within a range of numbers use the ellipsis to indicate the range: 100 … 300.
  
  
• Found a Web page you like and want to see more similar to it? Use Google's operator "related:" followed by the original Web page address. For example: "related:www.cnn.com" will return news Web sites similar to CNN's home page.
  
  

Finally, did you know you can use Google as a calculator? Just enter a mathematical equation into the search box and hit "enter" on your keyboard. Google will supply the answer - for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and algebra. You can also find the value of many common constants, such as Pi, Avogadro's Number, and the mass of the sun.

Miller, who does not work for Google, first wrote about the search engine seven years ago when it was still in beta testing stages. To learn more about Michael Miller and his books, visit www.molehilgroup.com. "Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource" is available at Barnes & Noble book stores, or online at www.bn.com. Courtesy of ARA Content.

Published in Networking Today, September 2006.

Dirty Little Secrets: Five Things Trade Show Attendees Don't Want You To Know

By Susan A. Friedmann

Look out there on the show floor. Check out the attendees. They look ordinary enough - but they have secrets. Dirty little secrets that they'd never tell anyone; not even under duress.

Successful selling at trade shows depends upon two things. The first is your products and personnel (the quality of your product or service and how well your people represent them). The second has nothing to do with you at all. It has everything to do with secrets.

Not all attendees are the same, and not every buyer on the floor shares these secrets. But most do, whether they'd like to admit it or not. These secrets are strong, unifying factors that influence their buying decisions. If you, as a smart and savvy trade show exhibitor, know what these secrets are and tailor your exhibit appropriately, you'll come away with higher sales numbers every time.

If you could hear your attendee's deepest, most secret thoughts, they might go something like this:

Secret #1: We're impatient Let's be real here.

The boss just shipped me to Orlando from the middle of a Buffalo blizzard. The last thing I want to do is spend the entire day putzing around looking at new attachments for our Widget making machine. If you show me what I want, at a reasonable price, I'm going to close the deal in a hurry and hit the beach.

What this means to you: Understanding your buyer is crucial. When you know what your target audience needs, wants, and expects, it's easier to provide it for them. Added incentives and special savings only sweetens the pot, especially for the attendee who wants to get the business part of the business trip out of the way.

Secret #2: We're lazy Sure, it sounds like a great deal.

But to get that price, I've got to go log onto the web, go to the website, enter a code, fill out a questionnaire, and then go through the purchasing process? Forget that! I'll go over here to Vendor Z. I might pay a few dollars more, but I won't have to jump through any hoops.

What this means to you: If you're going to offer a show special or promotion, focus on making it user-friendly. Buyers are willing to pay more to avoid what they perceive as ”too much” work. Each market has a different threshold point, and this varies with how much potential savings you're offering. Customers are willing to give more when they are getting more in return.

Secret #3: We're egotistical

You might not realize this, but I'm the smartest person here. And the tallest. And the best looking. I'm so gosh-darned amazing, actually, that you'll find yourself compelled to give me awesome deals.

What this means to you: It's important to give your buyers recognition. "Bonus Buys" -- windfall items “spontaneously” thrown in when a purchase is made -- is a fantastic way to do this. Offer discounted prices on the floor model, for the “serious buyers only”.

Exclusivity sells. Don't start the recognition at the trade show. Reach out to your clients before hand via e-mail and direct mail marketing, letting them know what special deals can be had at your booth. A little extra effort goes a long way.

Secret #4: We hate math

Ok, I don't want to look like an idiot here. But there's $25 off of Widget A, 15% off Widget A-1, and a $500 rebate if I buy now. Exactly how much is that? Is that a good deal?

I hate percentages… What this means for you: Remember the KISS acronym, especially when promoting discounts and sale prices at a tradeshow. You want to Keep It Super Simple! Rather than listing a complex set of discounts, focus on the total savings. Have printed price sheets where your booth staffers can highlight appropriate discounted prices and write in the total savings.

Secret #5:
We liked to be pushed I see this price is only good for a limited time. I've read it on the sign. You've told me during the sales presentation. I know and understand that there's a deadline. And you know what? Chances are I'm going to forget. And when I discover that I missed out on saving hundreds of dollars, I am going to be miffed. What this means for you: People have to experience a piece of information six times before they remember it - and that's in normal, everyday circumstances, not the hustle and bustle of the show floor. Remind your booth staffers to mention the deadline often. Make note of it on any follow-up correspondence, and send a reminder notice to likely prospects. The reminder nudge will spur sales.

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Susan A. Friedmann,CSP, is The Tradeshow Coach, Lake Placid, NY, author: “Meeting & Event Planning for Dummies,” working with companies to improve their meeting and event success through coaching, consulting and training. For a free copy of “10 Common Mistakes Exhibitors Make”, email: article4@thetradeshowcoach.com; Web site: http://www.thetradeshowcoach.com/

Published in Networking Today, September 2006.

Are You Passive, Average, or Proactive?

By Nancy Friedman

Take the Telephone Doctor’s 1 Minute QUIZ and Find Out

Read the scenarios below and ask yourself...which sales type are YOU?

The customer says - either on the phone or in person: "I’ve decided not to take the Blue Widget."

1. Answer from a PASSIVE person: "OK." Customer feels nothing.
   
   
2. Answer from an AVERAGE person: "You sure?" Customer feels slighted.
   
   
3. Answer from a PROACTIVE person: "Wow...it’s really a great Widget - and there’s a Widget maker that goes with it, for not a lot more money. Why not keep it? You’ll love it.” Customer feels great; buys the Widget and the Widget maker.

See the difference? Everyone sells something. To excel in sales, which approach (passive, average or proactive) should you take?

If you’re one of these types (passive, average or proactive), which is the best to be? These are all good questions. Let’s determine which is best and why.

PASSIVE

Telephone Doctor’s definition is this: a passive person accepts information and does nothing with it. Here’s what the dictionary says: “receiving or subjected to an action without responding or initiating an action in return: the mind viewed as a passive receptacle for sensory experience.” (Our definition is just simpler!)

Passive does not mean a person is bad or shouldn’t be in sales. It simply means they’re passive - not active. Are there passive sales people? Of course there are. The thing about being passive is most people don’t like to be called passive.

Passive individuals receive information and do nothing with it. This happens all the time. You go into the grocery store. You hand the cashier your cheque. Which has YOUR NAME on it. The cashier asks you for identification sometimes. Then she does whatever it is they do, hands you back your ID, and says, "Thank you." No other words are exchanged. even though he had your name and it was never used it.

This person is passive. Passive individuals receive information and do nothing with it. The cashier had your name. Twice. Once on the cheque and once on the ID.

Again, it’s not a bad thing. From my experience, those in the PASSIVE mode and put into sales are, in truth, uncomfortable. Not bad, just uncomfortable. They’re not at ease telling others what is best for them.

So if you have PASSIVE individuals on your sales team, talk with them. Be sure they’re happy. Be sure they’re comfortable in their job. My bet is they’re probably not quite there yet.

AVERAGE

It’s a fact. It is easier to get an average person to be proactive than it is to get a passive person up to average. It just is.

Let’s see what the dictionary says about average: “average, medium, mediocre, fair, middling, indifferent, tolerable.” There is a MASS of average folks out there. Millions of them; and I don’t want to be with them. I’m not sure about you; but I made a decision a long time ago that I didn’t want to be average. I didn’t want to be in the mass of mediocrity. Again, average folks aren’t bad. They’re fine upstanding citizens. But they’re average, like a lot of people, and they don’t stand out to be remembered. If you’re in sales, you want to be remembered.

Average individuals receive information and honestly try to do something with what they receive. They just don’t seem to be able to get over the hurdle. Average folks say a lot of words like: ”wow” and ”gee, that’s so interesting.” Telephone Doctor calls those "agreement statements" when they really don’t know what to say. So you can see they’re not bad, just not effective.

I’m not sure about you; but the words defining “average” are nothing I’d like to be called. Yet day after day millions of people - including sales people - go about their business being average. And yes, average people make sales. They do; and sometimes they even ‘fall’ into a large order. In truth, it’s usually not something that they’re responsible for doing. The sale just fell into their laps.

Average people go about their business being sort of happy with themselves when they could be so much more. Sad. I know some average folks I’d love to take under my wing to help them be slightly more proactive.

PROACTIVE

Ah yes, it’s the proactive people in this world that make things happen. They find the sales. They are detectives. They ask more questions, look a little deeper, and always double check to be sure. Very few proactive people take "NO" as an acceptable answer (or a final one).

Proactive individuals are exceptional. They are naturally inquisitive. They know it can be done. Proactive people love sales. They eat, sleep and drink sales. They love to talk sales, think sales, and do sales. The sale is never boring to a proactive person.

A proactive sales person isn’t necessarily a workaholic. They enjoy vacations and even relax on them. Back at work, they have the ability to turn "on." Normally upbeat and happy, proactive sales people seldom wallow in negativity or self pity. They’re somehow able to turn that negative into a positive.

Proactive people find a way to get it done. They know "it can be done." They make one more call, research a little more thoroughly, answer one more question, write up one more sale; and never run out of questions to ask.

Proactive people think for their clients. They have solutions. They enjoy solving problems for clients. They enjoy success.

So again I ask, "Which one are you?"

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Nancy Friedman is president of Telephone Doctor®, an international customer service training company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, specializing in customer service and telephone skills. She is a KEYNOTE speaker at association conferences and corporate gatherings and is the author of four best selling books. Call 314-291-1012 for more information or visit the website at http://www.telephonedoctor.com/.

Published in Networking Today, September 2006.

Become an Expert …Write an Article

By Susan Regier

One of the easiest ways to become well known in your field, and the least expensive, is to have your own byline. A published article will promote your expertise, after all, if you’ve written about it – you must know what you’re talking about.

Getting started…

Now you may be thinking two things: I can’t write…and what would I say if I could write. Basically, if you can talk you can write. And if you know anything at all about your business, then you have lots to talk about.

When you talk to your potential customers, what kind of questions do they ask you? What are your answers? How has your product or service benefited others? What else can you do with it? What’s unique to your field that no other type of industry can offer?

Start by writing down all your thoughts, questions, and answers. You’ll be amazed as the ideas begin to flow and it won’t take long before you find several topics to write about.

I said talk earlier, instead of write, because that’s what you need to do. Imagine that you’re explaining a particular aspect of your business to a good friend. Make that friend understand what you’re doing in logical steps – by talking (writing) directly to that person. Use clear, concise words that can’t be misinterpreted.

For example, if you operate a technical business doing vibration analysis on buildings you must write in a language that is understood by your readers – the building owners or managers. Explain in plain terms why their buildings may shake – it can be a simple equipment misalignment – and how they can actually save money on their annual power costs by correcting the imbalances.

Your article should give information that is valuable to the reader – don’t turn it into a blatant advertisement for your business.

Elements of Style

Too many words are a constant problem with editors. If you’re asked for a 500 word article, don’t send 1,500 – it won’t get a second look. You don’t have to be exact; ten percent either way is acceptable. But it’s not as hard as you think to cut words or entire paragraphs.

Reread your work and delete unnecessary or wishy-washy words. For example, there’s no need to say the building is rather tall, say it’s ten stories high. Make your message clear and watch out for double meaning words. There are a number of books available on style, grammar, editing, concise writing, and other related topics…always have one handy.

If you’re unsure of spelling or grammar, have someone edit your finished draft – either a friend or a professional. Don’t rely on a word processor’s spell check program. It won’t pick up every error. And by having someone else read your material, you’ll discover if you’re actually saying what you mean in the most efficient way.

Ghostwriting

Many professionals don’t have the time to sit down and write articles. It may be counter-productive if they could be using their expertise in other revenue producing areas. If this happens to you, then have someone else write your articles. Your name will still show on the byline. The price you pay a freelance writer will be small compared to the coverage you receive.

You can either jot down your ideas in point form or have a writer pick your brain for the details needed to come up with a completed piece. If the end product is well written, unique, and compelling chances are it will be accepted for publication.

Being a published author adds an element of credibility and professionalism to your business. So start talking about your business – by putting it down on paper.

For writing tips, read Tips for Effective Writing.

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Susan Regier is the publisher/editor of Networking Today and owner of Vantage One Writing, a professional writing service for businesses. (519) 471-8726 E-mail: susan@vantageone.ca Web site: http://www.vantageone.ca/

Published in Networking Today, September 2006.

Getting the Most from the Web's Most-Used Search Engine

By Michael Miller

To google or not to google? Increasingly, that is the question for people searching the Internet for shopping information, travel options or background for a term paper. Choose to Google and you're in good company. Google is the most-used search engine on the Web.

But how much do you really know about Google and what it can do? Did you know Google can also help you manage your finances or check your child's algebra homework? "Almost everyone I know uses Google, but few use it to its full potential" says Michael Miller, author of 75 best-selling how-to books, including his latest tome "Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource," from Que Publishing.

"Most people are just skimming the surface of what Google can do," says Miller. Google searches are highly customizable. You can use the search engine to ferret out address and phone numbers of long-lost acquaintances; search scholarly information; find word definitions; perform complex mathematical calculations; create detailed maps; e-mail, chat, and blog; search and download video, images and music; and track headlines.

Google, says Miller, is a tool like any other. If you know all its capabilities, limitations and the proper way to use it, you'll get the best results. Miller offers some tips for making the most of your Google searches:

· If you're searching for an exact phrase - such as a famous quote or person's name - but don't remember all the words, put the phrase in quotation marks and use the wildcard character (*) to stand in for the missing word. For example, if you can't remember Richard Nixon's middle name, try the search "Richard * Nixon."

· You don't have to include every single synonym of your keyword in your search. Instead, tell Google to look for similar words by using the (~) symbol in front of your keyword. For example, a search for "~car" will also find results for "vehicle" and "automobile."

· Google automatically excludes common words such as "the," "where," "what," "and" or "how" from a search. To include those words, but a plus sign in front of the word: "+where the red fern grows."

· To exclude results that contain a particular word, put a minus sign in front of it. So if you want to search for a "bass" singer, not the "bass" fish, you search would read: bass -fish.

· If you know the specific file type you're searching for, you can narrow your search by adding "filetype:" to your search. For example, of you're only looking for Word documents, your search query would read: "filetype:doc."

· If you are looking for a specific number within a range of numbers use the ellipsis to indicate the range: 100 … 300.

· Found a Web page you like and want to see more similar to it? Use Google's operator "related:" followed by the original Web page address. For example: "related:www.cnn.com" will return news Web sites similar to CNN's home page.

· Finally, did you know you can use Google as a calculator? Just enter a mathematical equation into the search box and hit "enter" on your keyboard. Google will supply the answer - for addition, subtraction, multiplication, division and algebra. You can also find the value of many common constants, such as Pi, Avogadro's Number, and the mass of the sun.

---

Miller, who does not work for Google, first wrote about the search engine seven years ago when it was still in beta testing stages. To learn more about Michael Miller and his books, visit www.molehilgroup.com. "Googlepedia: The Ultimate Google Resource" is available at Barnes & Noble book stores, or online at www.bn.com. Courtesy of ARA Content.

Published in Networking Today, September 2006.

Are You Ready to Jump Ship? Vacation Time is an Opportunity to Reevaluate Your Career

By Barbara Bartlein

My phone is ringing and my e-mail humming with the same complaint from friends and colleagues returning from vacations, “I don’t feel like going back to work.” One friend who is a vice-president at large advertising agency said, “I’m sorry I ever took the vacation. It made it clear how much I was missing with my kids and husband. Now I find I’m just looking forward to the next break.”

While vacations can be the perfect time to recharge, refresh and return to work energized, for an increasing number of American workers, vacation leads to a reevaluation of priorities, time and a quest to simplify a complicated life. It is very common to have a “gut” feeling about your job long before you consciously admit you need to make a change. While you may be debating your future, your unconscious mind has already made the decision. So how do you know whether you just have “vacation let-down” vs. a real need to make changes?

Evaluate how many of these “quitting signs” are true for you:

· Rather than feeling invigorated and refreshed after vacation, you dread returning to the office.

· You wonder why you don’t spend more of each day doing the things you really enjoy.

· You feel like you are missing special time with family.

· On the weekends, you look on the Internet for other job opportunities.

· You find it hard to get out of bed in the morning to face another day.

· You have trouble sleeping on Sunday nights because you are already thinking of all you have to accomplish on Monday.

· You complain to friends and family about your job.

· You find you have less patience with co-workers and customers than you use to.

· Even though you are getting enough sleep, you feel tired once you are at work.

· When you leave the office, you take your time returning to work.

· You don’t mention concerns to the boss because it is usually a waste of time.

· You try to kill time at work by talking with co-workers or making personal calls.

· You often arrive late for work.

· Once in the office, you find it difficult to know where to start.

· You do the minimum amount of work required.

· You check the clock frequently to see how close you are to leaving work.

· You start getting ready to exit before quitting time.

Too many “quitting signs”? The first step is to see if you can make some changes with the job you have. Is it possible to restructure your duties to make them more interesting or flexible? It may be possible to work four long days and leave at noon the fifth day. The work week feels different if you are able to arrange work hours so that there is one “early” day to get errands done or play a round of golf.

Perhaps there is an option to work from home one or two days per week. Many employers are encouraging staff to do so as they are able to invest in less space and equipment. Convinced your boss won’t go for it? It doesn’t hurt to ask. Just remember you need to structure your request as to how such an arrangement can benefit the company; more flexibility to meet with customers, better concentration for large projects, etc.

There may be a new opportunity in another division where you are currently working. Check with human resources what other positions may be open for your talent and expertise. In today’s work environment, there is little expectation that a worker will stay in one position for a lengthy period of time.

Still find that you dread Monday morning? What are you waiting for? Start looking for a new opportunity. You don’t want to be so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

Sign up for Barbara's FREE email newsletter at http://www.barbbartlein.com/.

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Barbara Bartlein, is President of Great Lakes Consulting Group, LLC, which helps businesses sell more goods and services by developing people. She can be reached at 888-747-9953, by e-mail at: barb@ThePeoplePro.com or visit her Web site at http://www.thepeoplepro.com/

Published in Networking Today, September 2006.

Profile: Great Body at 50 Mary Desaulniers...New VoiceAmerica™ Talk Show Host

By Susan Regier

This fall, London resident Mary Desaulniers will host a new VoiceAmerica Internet radio talk show on the 7^th Wave Network. A health and wellness expert, Desaulniers’ show, “Reclaiming the Body’s Wisdom” begins October 5^th and broadcasts at 3:00 p.m. aimed at anyone interested in health, fitness, and quality of life.

After teaching high school for twenty-eight years at Laurier and Saunders, Mary Desaulniers turned from teenagers to working with adults over fifty – to help the aging boomers have a “Great Body at 50” – or basically to teach them how to stay young and inspired for the rest of their lives. Good health and fitness have always been a way of life for Desaulniers. For nearly three decades, she has run up to five miles a day, five days a week.

“I remember turning fifty with the usual fear and denial that accompany many of us who cannot understand how quickly the years have sped by. Now at fifty-six, I can honestly say that this is the best time in my life,” said Desaulniers.

Today, Desaulniers is a writer and the Senior Health Editor at www.e-healtharticles.com and is a featured expert at www.WeightLossBuddy.com and www.Sideroad.com. Plus, her articles and short stories have been published in Nineteenth Century Literature, The London Magazine, the literary journal Grain and anthology Entering the Landscape.

In this series, listeners will learn how to tap into the wisdom of their own bodies. Desaulniers has been given total creative freedom over her weekly broadcasts, which begin October 5^th. She has put together an impressive line-up of guest speakers, including Dr. Bruce Lipton, a cell biologist and former professor at the University of Wisconsin Medical School; Dr. John Diamond, a pioneer in alternative and holistic medicine; and Carol Emery Normandi and Laurelee Roark, founders of Beyond Hunger Inc.

“What we lose at fifty is compensated by what we gain at the same time. This is a zero-point field where everything or nothing is possible…and where taking a risk can mean everything that lies between aging gracefully and dying before death,” said Desaulniers.

To tune into “Reclaiming the Body’s Wisdom” with Mary Desaulniers, log onto the 7^th Wave Network at www.7thwavenetwork.com. Callers are welcome during the 3:00 p.m. live broadcast every Thursday starting October 5, 2006 by calling toll free 866-472-5795. Past shows will be available by On Demand and podcast download.

As more people are working and surfing online, Web-based radio programs have become increasingly popular. VoiceAmerica™ is the single largest producer of Internet talk radio programming in the world…and Mary Desaulniers’ program promises to be a major hit to the aging boomers.

For more information about Great Body at 50 visit www.greatbodyat50.com.

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Susan Regier is the publisher/editor of Networking Today and owner of Vantage One Writing, a professional writing service for businesses. (519) 471-8726 E-mail: susan@vantageone.ca Web site: www.vantageone.ca

Published in Networking Today, September 2006.