Libby Gill and Company » Blog

Why Did I Watch “America’s Next Great Restaurant”?

Libby Gill — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 23:46:03 +0000

What ‘captures your mindshare’? Or, in this case, mine? Why do you suppose I made a point of watching yet another mindless reality show? Was it:

a) I heard a great review on NPR

b) I worked in TV for 20 years and can’t help myself

c) I’m a foodie and the TV spots caught my eye

All of the above actually. I am a bit of a reality TB

Playing the Name Game.

Social Media — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:33:11 +0000

Having just come back from a round of visits to East Coast universities with my high school son, Zack, I’ve got college on the brain. So when I saw this article about a college in my home state of Florida, it caught my eye. Apparently, there has been a bit of branding confusion regarding the University of South Florida. Since the school was founded, detractors have complained that the school wasn’t really in South Florida. It’s more mid-state.

Gulf Coast University was a consideration and it actually is on the Gulf, so that’s a plus. But while that name was being debated, a college in Ft. Myers nabbed it. I guess “you snooze, you lose” applies to academic institutions. So they settled on University of South Florida Tampa Bay. Seems like a lot to fit on a athletic uniform, but I guess Tampa Bay sounded sexier than just plain Tampa. Check out the article to learn more about their mascot-naming crisis. Not to trash my former home state, but this was the land of “hanging chads,” after all.

So, what’s so important about names? Plenty! From naming your child (studies show that kids with non-weird names are more accepted and do better in school than kids with highly original names) to naming your business, finding a name that is right for you requires some thought. When it comes to naming a website or business, consider the following:

Set up a brand expectation (just be sure you fulfill it) like CareerBuilder.com or Esurance
Think about how your name will sound aloud and look when written.
Make it concise and memorable
Do some research on Amazon.com or Google to see if your name is already widely in use. If so, you may want to switch.

New Business Community! Will You Join Me?

Social Media — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 19:31:16 +0000

I have met the most amazing people through my work. I’m not sure if I can even describe how profound it is when someone reaches out to me because they’ve read one of my books or blogs – and then we become colleagues, friends and mutual fans. It touches my soul to be able to help and support people as they grow, prosper and become “unstuck” in all areas of their lives.

This is why I’m seeking to grow my wonderful community and excited to announce that I’ve started a new business endeavor. I’m now looking for a select group of people to join me. I’m partnering with Stanford-trained doctors Katie Rodan and Kathy Fields in a line of anti-aging products (which are keeping me from looking like my 57 years!) and leveraging the doctors’ established brand, impeccable credentials and clinically proven products.

I’m looking for a very specific type of colleague with a solid business sense, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a dream of a rich, expansive life – whatever that means to you. If you would welcome the opportunity to meet and work with like-minded people who inspire you to greatness, please join me for an intimate, casual evening where we can explore the core concept together.

And if you have friends, family or colleagues who would appreciate spending an evening with some very knowledgeable entrepreneurs, feel free to bring them along. Here are the details:

November 30, 2011

6:30 p.m. PT Mingle & 7:00 Discussion

Mariner’s Village Clubhouse
4600 Via Marina
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Clubhouse/Parking: The Clubhouse is in the village on Captains Row, which is the main entrance to the Mariner’s Village complex. There is a paid parking lot on Via Marina directly across from Captains Row and free street parking across the street and a little walk away.

Please RSVP and feel free to forward this message to anyone looking to expand their horizons.

Cheers,

Libby

The Worst Excuse Award…Goes To?

Social Media — Wed, 26 Oct 2011 21:06:46 +0000

When we’re sick we want nothing more than to stay at home, in bed, soothed by a quiet, dark environment. That’s why most of us have taken a sick day at one time or another. Working when sick is really tough – not to mention you run the risk of others catching whatever you have. On the flip side, there are also those times when people call out sick – and they’re really not under the weather at all. Just how prevalent is this? A recent CareerBuilder survey found that 29% of employees are guilty of this “sickening” act. But the people highlighted in this article may have the wackiest excuses ever. From a deer biting him during the hunting season to he hurt his back while chasing a beaver, I guess the ol’ flat tire just doesn’t cut it anymore.

Which of these do you think is the worst excuse? And what was your best-ever “can’t work, I’m too sick” call in to the boss?

What Inspires Most?

Social Media — Tue, 25 Oct 2011 23:05:39 +0000

If you’ve heard me talk about branding, you know I’m a fan of the bold moves Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh, has made to “capture the mindshare” of his customers while creating a mind blowing culture for his employees. Now he’s turned his particular style of innovation (and leadership) to renovating downtown Las Vegas – innocuously inspiring others to jump on board. With typical humility, he says he’s just one of many responsible for the impending renaissance of the gaming capital. He could be on to something. Following the leader they admire, Hsieh’s employees are donating countless hours and ideas into helping see this vision through – focusing mainly on reviving the arts and educational aspects of the area.

What’s particularly fascinating is that the enthusiasm seems to extend well beyond just those who work for him. City hall officials love him. Business owners happily await his arrival. Residents see renewed hope in the possible rebirth of their beloved downtown Las Vegas. Hope is everywhere.

So, what do you think? Is it the vision of one or the energy of many that makes things happen? Weigh in here…

Recruit Your Own Support Squad.

Social Media — Mon, 12 Sep 2011 13:01:38 +0000

As a former entertainment industry executive, I used to attend management retreats at ritzy resorts in Laguna Beach or Palm Springs. The chairman would bring his team from research and development, legal, finance and marketing who would gather to discuss company issues, ending each session with a rousing chorus of the boss’s trademark chant, “Costs down, revenues up!”

While they were focused on the studio’s problems, I’d fantasize about having my own corporate retreat attended by a team of brainy folks dedicated to sorting out my personal and professional life. My very own Support Squad. I’d picture myself at the head of the table wearing a stunning Armani suit and tasteful Tiffany earrings – this is my fantasy, after all – while my team brainstormed business strategies, overhauled my fitness regimen, and advised me on my love life.

When, in midlife, I left the relative safety of the corporate world to publish my first book and launch my own coaching and consulting firm, I knew my Support Squad would help see me through. There was just one problem. I didn’t have a Support Squad.

Not to be deterred by this small detail, I decided to enlist a team to help me jumpstart my business and adjust to single life (did I mention I was also newly divorced?). I started by asking my former boss, Andy, if he would serve as my business mentor. He immediately said yes, and only later confessed that he’d had no clue what I needed, but hoped I did. Emboldened by my first successful recruit, I added a financial advisor, a physical trainer, a landscape gardener, even a great group of girlfriends who shared my passion for theater and travel.

Some, like the financial advisor and fitness trainer, were paid professionals. Others, like the gardening pal and girlfriends, offered their support simply out of the goodness of their hearts. It wasn’t always clear exactly what role each person would play, but as long as they were enthusiastic, or at least willing, to help me change my life, I knew we’d figure it out as we went along. And we did.

What kind of support do you need to see you through the major transitions or daily dilemmas of life? Whether you want assistance with work, kids, fitness, finances or all of the above, recruiting your Support Squad isn’t as difficult as you might think. Start by making a list of friends, colleagues, or relatives who might be willing to help you meet your goals. And if you don’t know what your goals are, clarifying them can be your team’s first endeavor. Pick the least intimidating person on your list for your first recruiting conversation, working up to the more challenging ones as your confidence grows. Follow these simple steps to solicit support and build your squad:

State your goal. It could be, “I’d like to begin a fitness program,” or “I want to start my own business.”
Make your request. “I’d like you to be my workout buddy,’ or “I want to hire you as my business coach.”
Negotiate next steps. Whether it’s a paid professional or a friend, determine exactly what form their support will take with regard to timing, location, length of commitment and payment, if any.
Evaluate on an ongoing basis. If your goals are clear and measurable, you’ll be able to determine if your team has helped you reach them. Add new members as the need or opportunity arises.
Be sure to give back. Volunteer to be a part of someone else’s Support Squad.

Congratulations, you’re on your way to creating your own customized Support Squad to help you travel hopefully toward transforming your life!

Protect Your Brand from a Hack Attack.

Social Media — Thu, 07 Jul 2011 15:11:26 +0000

It happens to all of us sooner or later. That dreaded You’ve Been Hacked sign appears on your website. If you’ve got a good go-to web team like I do, they can usually fix it in a matter of moments and then fortify your site against future attacks. This is all great and dandy – very important. But aside from your website, there are other online elements that also put you at great risk. The most dangerous? Email.

One of the smartest things you can do today is protect your email from hackers later on. Protecting your communications is part of protecting your brand – and you owe it to yourself and your customers to take these measures. Take a peek at this recent article in the LA Times to learn the Do’s and Don’ts of online safety. After all, would you leave your house without locking the front door?

Everything Old Is New Again.

Social Media — Thu, 09 Jun 2011 19:00:48 +0000

Although our youth culture might lead you to believe that the latest, newest or hippest wins the day when it comes to branding, it turns out that just the opposite is true. According to a recent survey of 550 marketing executives who were asked to pick the stronger brand between pairs presented in a similar context, such as “iconic cars,” the old bested the new almost every time.

Whether surveyed readers of The Hub Magazine are just older or brands that have been around longer really do have a stronger identity may be in the eye of the beholder, aka the consumer.

What would you rate as the stronger brand when it comes to “iconic car” or “customer service”:

Volkswagen Beetle or BMW Mini-Cooper?
Zappos.com or Apple?

The Hub Magazine issue with the complete story comes out in July at Barnes & Noble or as an iPad app through the iTunes store. How’s that for some great brand promotion?

Paris Hilton – A Walking Brand Killer?

Social Media — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 15:29:33 +0000

So even if you could get past the “Do we really need to see more of Paris Hilton?” question, the heiress pretty much proved that she is a walking brand killer with her recent appearance on The View. Sadly enough it’s not someone else’s brand she is destroying – it’s her own. Not that anyone really believed what she told the New York Times and the Today Show about how she was going to show viewers of her new show, The World According to Paris, her amazing work ethic and the 17 product lines she’s shepherded. But way to kill the buzz, such as it was, in one fell swoop when she couldn’t answer Barbara Walter’s easy-to-anticipate questions about her community service work or why she hadn’t followed through on her pledge to help women prisoners.

Puhleeeze! Adding drama to ditziness, she apparently pitched a fit backstage after her interview on The View then cancelled a whole round of press interviews, saying they weren’t time sensitive. Way to change our minds about your amazing turnaround…

Come to think of it, maybe that’s why her new show premiered to a miserable 400,000 viewers. Is the once darling of reality TV done?

What Have You Done for Me Lately?

Social Media — Wed, 25 May 2011 01:24:35 +0000

That is, what have you done for your customers lately? No matter what business you’re in, your customers and clients can always use a little extra love. That’s what turns followers into fanatical brand evangelists who are happy to tell others how much they adore your products or services. Dentists are notorious for these acts of kindness, often sending birthday cards (with a reminder of your next check up date – also very thoughtful) to their beloved patients. Realtors, too! Century 21 agents continue to send their customers At Home with Century 21 (magazine) long after they have closed a sale and the new homeowner is settled in.

Sometimes a small token of appreciation can go a long way, like the hand-made soaps we send as thank you’s to people who go the extra mile for us. Other times it’s the big gesture, like the “Book Libby and Go to Italy” incentive program we’re offering to our speaker bureaus right now. It’s an all-expenses trip, on me, to the Piedmont region of Italy for wine and truffle-tasting that’s out of this world. (Contact us to check out the flyer.)

If you’d like some great ideas for building customer loyalty, check out this piece from Inc. Magazine. And I invite you to leave your comments below about how you WOO, WOW and THANK your customers.