"What's the difference between a network and a group on Facebook?" This is a question that I have been asked often at introductory training workshops. The confusion is understandable because both allow you to connect to people.

Groups were once utilized as a place to create a business, brand or product page. Once Facebook launched the Pages product; an advertising strategy that is experiencing some decent success, groups have taken a back seat in the business category.

A network is a group of people that could currently work together attends school together or live near each other or could have done any of these in the past. When you join a network you get access to the Facebook profiles of the network's members and access to the groups, events and listings within that network. All this, of course, depends on the level of privacy of the members, but for the most part you have all access.

A group may be within that network to connect people that may have common interests. If you participate in a group you can comment on the discussion board, write on the group's wall or invite friend to join the group.

Groups can by closed requiring the administrator's approval to join or can even be an invite only group. You could think of it as a private club within the network. For example, if you were part of your College alumni network and within that network was a fraternity group which you were a brother of that group could allow only members of the fraternity to be part of the group.

The network is the whole apple while the group could be just a seed inside the apple. How have you used networks or groups? Have you created your own group?

On February 24, 2010, I'll be conducting one of two Webinars at the University of Vermont on Using Facebook as a Marketing Tool for Farm Businesses.

Don't worry, you won't be flooded with a "case studies, statistics or why you should" Webinar that you may have sat through before and just walked away frustrated that you learned little. These two sessions go beyond that, giving you the "How-To" of Facebook and will get you up and running after each session.

To find out more and to register, click here.

Image by Melissa Hemken

I admit it; I'm a frustrated Industrial Engineer. I'm one of those people who look for more efficiency in anything I undertake. I try to reduce the amount of steps in a project, the amount of times I handle a piece of paper and even when I'm planting vegetable seeds I analyze how I could do it with efficiency.

To shorten any process whether it's manufacturing magical widgets or streamlining new product development one must reduce the movements. This takes a skill to look at steps in slow motion or freeze frames to determine what is happening throughout any process.

To improve efficiency in new product development observation and foresight are critical factors. These factors allow one to see streamlining opportunities and focus. But, a common struggle with product development teams is to find the best vantage point to separate them from the project and view it without any bias. So much work, dedication and ownership goes into development efforts this struggle is understandable. I know. I've been there myself.

To help alleviate the struggle leading companies often bring in consultant to make those freeze frame observations and offer considerations. It's like having a newborn baby entering the world. The child has no pre-conceived idea or perceptions of how life should be. They look at everything with a fresh outlook.

A new set of eyes can result in:

1. Competitive advantages

2. Greater customer insight

3. Streamlined processes

4. Focused marketing campaigns

By applying this common sense approach to hire a fresh viewpoint via a marketing consultant to product development projects results in practical advice on how to make improvements and makes good long-term business sense.

Thank you for reading and commenting

I was dismayed when at an invitation-only meeting after the meeting ended one of the hosts turned his back on me as I stood politely waiting for a moment to speak to him. Has this happened to you?

Networking is an important part of every business, although for some it is difficult to meet strangers and strike up a conversation. I have had to deal with this difficulty myself and have found a technique that works best for me - just be myself. So, when the gentleman host turned his back I stood patiently while he had a discussion with another attendee and did not take it personally. Their conversation was not private as their voices remained at the same level. Even with my respectable distance I could clearly hear their conversation. I waited a few minutes longer and then wanting to speak to a few other attendees I walked away.

The not so funny thing about this whole episode was that the host, a non-profit, was seeking my business to get involved and help with input and support of policy-making. What this particular individual does not realize is that I am an activist on issues that I care about and I volunteer a considerable amount of my time to community efforts and non-profits.

Ways to Handle the Situation

I have found through my experiences of being "blown-off" in similar situations whether it's by people I'm talking to or want to talk to that there is a professional way to handle these situations. Face it, there isn't enough time to talk to everyone you want to speak to or meet. The way I've tried to handle these situations when either someone wants to talk to me or I to them is to maintain politeness and professionalism.

When I'm in a conversation with someone and I know someone is standing near and wants to speak to me I have politely interrupted the conversation (while I'm speaking) to acknowledge the person waiting. If I know that I don't have the time right then to speak to them I've asked them for a business card and promise to call them either later that day or the next day. I return to the conversation and thank the person I am talking to for waiting.

I have handled it in a similar way when there is someone I want to speak to who I'm standing near either asking them to speak to me before they leave or asking if I can call them later. If there is someone I want to speak to them but didn't get the chance and I have their contact information I find the meeting is the perfect opportunity to follow-up with them after the event.

In any situation I find myself in I make every effort to remain polite and professional.

Have you had similar experiences? How have you handled them? You can comment below.

Thanks for reading and thanks for your comments.

It was March, 2009 when I received a call from a neighbor one-morning asking if I would be available that evening to meet with a woman from Denver Colorado who wanted to interview a group of us in the community who have been working on an environmental and justice issue of groundwater in our community.

That night I met the woman from Denver, Dafna Michaelson, who decided at the end of 2008 that she was going to quit her job, withdraw her 401K and spend 2009 traveling the country visiting one state at a time to interview community problem solvers because she believes that "real change happens at the local level" and those stories must be told. After the interview (see it here) we all wanted to hear more about Dafna's journey and who else she was going to interview in New Hampshire. We inquired where she was staying that evening and found out she had no reservations made yet. I offered my guest room and with great appreciation she accepted.

Dafna and I began a friendship that evening and I began to help her with the journey by scheduling upcoming interviews whenever I could. She reciprocated whenever she could by giving my business and support a plug. Neither of us asked, we just did what felt right. Dafna has completed the Journey Women work and has now started the Journey Institute.

The point of this story is simple. We never know when or how we may meet a person and how that relationship will develop. People in business never really know when a bond will happen or a small jester will turn into a rewarding experience. Whether it's a new customer coming through the door, or a stranger in the store check-out line you let go ahead of you, how we treat people in every situation must come form the heart. When it comes from truth within it will go further and make a greater impact. And whether that person becomes a customer, a friend or remains a stranger in passing that does not matter as much as how you interact.

Leave a comment on how a chance meeting or action that you took turned into a positive?

Thanks for reading and commenting

Photo by Dafna Michaelson via 50in52journey.com

I am happy to announce that I am again offering the marketing mentoring service for farmers in the U.S. Northeast region during the winter months.

As the focus to buy local continues to trend upward and the economy remains in the minds and wallets of consumers it requires the need to be creative, wise and prepared. As you know, I am a strong supporter of family farms and buying local so I am offering this service to help you "Get Ready for the 2010 Season."

How It Works:

During the months of January, Feburary, March and April we meet at a scheduled time via the phone to discuss goals, progress, answer questions on new efforts and marketing advice. We will also communicate via email between the calls. Each farm is different, but below is a typical focus for the 4 months:

January - Review 2009 business and establish 2010 goals.

February - Establish existing and new marketing efforts.

March - Review marketing materials, course of actions and calendar.

April - Implementation and monitoring of actions, review goals and materials.

During this time you and I will work on ways to keep your farm in the mind of the customer, increase the awareness of your farm business and have a course of action for the season. This will have you prepared and ready to go so you can focus on growing and selling and reduce overwhelm during the season.

If you want to have a successful 2010 season contact me soon because I am limiting this offer to the first 10 qualified people who join at a special farm rate. Here is what one of my clients said about my mentoring service:

"I am very impressed with the work you are doing. You have been so efficient and your feedback is great! Thank you for your encouragement. It is a tremendous help."

If you have any questions or want to sign up contact me today.

In the United States tomorrow we celebrate Thanksgiving.

For me Thanksgiving is an opportunity to give Thanks to:

1. My customers and readers for their trust and support.

2. My loved one, family and friends who give and receive love.

3. My health in mind, body and spirit.

4. This beautiful and precious planet and my connection to the land sea, and sky fufilling my soul everyday.

5. To the Wampanoags and all Native people I have been blessed to learn from.

I would like to share with you a Teton Sioux Vision Quest Prayer for you to share with others in the next few days:

Let me do the right things for my people. Not for the sake of merit, but because of the sacrifice of my people in this land which belongs to them."

Have a safe and peaceful Thanksgiving.

If you want to let others mold your perspective then go for it. There are those who can lead and those who can follow.

Are you reading the same bloggers as everyone else?

A recent Inc.article titled "19 Blogs You Should Bookmark Right Now" identified 19 bloggers who can "reshape your perspective."

I am not dismissing the 19 blogs listed as people who have useful information or thoughts about business, in fact, I subscribe to some of the folks listed. But if we are all following the same folks then creativity and innovation will falter.

In my specialty of marketing and business development I can do a quick search to find thousands upon thousands of businesses trying to sell on-line products filled with secrets that will quickly gain the purchaser a flood of clients, six-figure sales, and thousands of raging fans. But in looking closer one will find these products are selling the same basic stuff driven only to make the one selling them profitable. The innovation is missing and they are all following one business model perspective.

Because of this business model perspective, the products lack the customization that is required for each individual business. Many business owners who buy the products never use the information or even open the product.

The irony about all of us following the same bloggers is the word "authentic." Authenticity is touted in almost every bit of business medium. If we all follow the same bloggers in order to reshape our perspective are we still remaining authentic? Won't we just become common, unbranded and in time rather boring.

I will continue to embrace my own perspective and to follow bloggers I find creative, unique and useful even though they may not be on the top of any list. I hope you also embrace your perspective.

One final note, since I mentioned the word "authentic" I feel the over-use and mis-use of the word is plasticizing the meaning where it has reached a point of being disingenuous and nauseating whenever it is used. I find it rather sad.

If you are in New Hampshire on Tuesday, October 20,2009. You may want to check out a fantastic event, The Entrepreneurial Spirit: Stories of Success, that the Womens Business Center (WBC) is holding at Southern NH University.

Here is the information from the WBC's news release:

"We will hear the inspirational stories of four successful women who shepherded their dynamic business ideas from the drawing board to the board room. Learn how philosophy and vision allowed these women to overcome challenges and adversity and to create the successful businesses they run today. Following these motivational stories will be a panel of experts who will discuss new and effective marketing, public relations, social media and other outreach tools.

The panel's presentation is designed to allow our audience entrepreneurs to grow sales and increase revenue.

The conference will conclude with a special guest speaker. Meg Cadoux Hirshberg is a prominent author and wife of the co-founder of Stonyfield Farm. She will share her insights about developing her own successful career as well as the challenges of being married to an equally successful entrepreneur. Her "inside view" of building Stonyfield Farm into a nationally recognized brand will offer our audience insight and encouragement. The event will wrap up with a reception featuring networking, generous hors d'oeuvres and a cash bar. Registration opens at 3 PM.

Our scheduled Speakers include these Small Business Owners:

Sue Sylvester, Owner,Resources Laboratories, Portsmouth

Virginia (Ginny) Jawidzik, President, Omega Smart, Inc., Londonderry

Linda A. Fanaras, President, Millennium Integrated Marketing, Concord & Boston

Suzanne Bresette, Owner, Bresette + Company, Portsmouth

Special Guest Speakers:

Dr. Susan Lynch, is a pediatrician who works as a pediatric lipid specialist at the Cholesterol Treatment Center at Concord Hospital in Concord, NH, and she is New Hampshire's first lady.

Meg Cadoux Hirshberg, Prominent Author and Columnist and wife of Gary Hirshberg, co-founder of Stonyfield Farms.

Following the individual speakers there will be a New Economy New Strategies Panel Discussion. Topics to include: Marketing, Media, Advertising & Public Relations

Panel Speakers: Franne Ciriello, President, Eastlantic Publishing, Inc.

Jeff Feingold, Editor, New Hampshire Business Review

Kelley-Sue LeBlanc, Founder and Principal of Aleuromedia LLC.

Sarah Laliberte, Account Director-Public Relations, Griffin, York & Krause

LiveMusic By Erika Hunter and John Hunter

Meet special invited guests at the Reception & Networking following the presentations."

I hope you can make it. You can register on-line here

Thanks for reading.