I couldn’t get the word Ooga out of my head. It sounded so Google, so Yahoo, but with a honk.  Instead of foolishly following my instinct, I conducted market research and asked professional women, business women’s groups, businessmen, entrepreneurs, friends and everyone I knew what they thought of the name Big Ooga. Here were my findings.  

90% of people had a strong reaction to the name.   Their responses ranged from “are you kidding?” to “it sounds big and hairy.”

10% Thought it was hilarious. Among them were marketing directors of large companies.

.01 % thought it was perfect (that would be me)

0% of the entire virtual universe wanted the name Big Ooga. 

These findings led me to disregard these findings and use them as reverse indicators. Sometimes you really do have to follow your gut. Period. End of story and in retrospect. 

As you name your new company or small business - keep in mind these targets: The name should be  memorable, likable and original. It should stand for something and have a life of its own. Some would also argue your company name should say what it does. But if you reflect on Nike, Ugg, Zappos and Spanx - they are the sounds of very savvy marketing. Ooga on!

I asked Dave Mischler, President of Inner Circle, an expert in peer to peer business advisory groups, to share with us his top three reasons why we need each other in business. Enjoy his wisdom.

Top Three Reasons Why People in Business Need Each Other

1. Nobody can know it all – It is a complex world we live in today and getting more so every day.  We can share knowledge.  By leveraging the best practices, new ideas and different connections of others, we increase the chances of reaching our own goals.

2. Social support is critical to business success – It is easy to get the impression that any problem we are dealing with is unique.  We can re-ignite our own self-confidence when we hear from other business people that the decisions we are making are sound or that we are heading in a direction that they believe is a wise course of action. 

3.We all have our own blind spots – It is hard for anyone to see themselves as they truly are.  Without the objective view of ourselves that others can provide, we make poor decisions, create growth bottlenecks, and endure repeated mistakes.  Business people thrive when they are challenged by the focus and clarity that their peers can bring to the process.  

Thank you, Dave!

With the ”Power of Others”  we stoke the power within ourselves.  

To connect with Dave call 312.515.3326 (cell) 773.243.1603 (w) or email dmischler@theinnercircle.com

www.theinnercircle.com www.peeradvisoryblog.com

It was an ordinary day at Ooga.  Jean Pickering sized the Big Ooga Logo on Facebook because she wanted to. My daughter sent a picture of me that landed in the Met. Melinda sent a thank you and link to a hilarious video. Ray sent a brilliant economic video that supports our work. Marcy sent an article relevant to the Revolution, Joanne sent a slew of new connections. Jan reviewed the e-blast. People re-tweeted my stuff and other people said yes to an RSVP.

None of this would be possible without their friendship.

None of it would be noticed without them as the source.

All of it made the day a better place.

All of it was shared generously. 

Reflecting on a day well-spent, I will count these gestures. I was treated to a laugh, some thoughts & research, a surprise, some acceptance and new people.  I have surprised myself by not using the word  “business” in this sentence.  When you write from the heart, that’s what happens!

Welcome to the Great Big Ooga Services Sale

We can personally endorse these wonderful companies – even blush about them. Our group mantra is Do it Right or Do it Over! So you can shop with confidence! Please feel free to connect directly with these vendors and tell them Lennie sent you!

Website Services

Professionally Designed Custom 5-page Website $750 (Normally $1800) 

Take your company to a next level with a new, beautifully designed, custom website. Using your own logo and content, we’ll create a smashing visual interface to tell the virtual world who you are!

Iris b. communications, www.irisb.com  Ph: 847-441-4232

Website analysis – FREE 2-hour consultation

Belniak Media will offer a FREE 2-hour analysis of your current web site for general usability, content and SEO compatibility. Available only for inquiries received from August 3 through 10, 2010.

Belniak Media, Inc., http://www.belniakmedia.com Ph: 630-790-0011 

E-Blast Email Template Set up –

Finally get that e-blast going!  Constant Contact Email Template set up with your logo & content. $150.00 a 50% savings!

Iris b. communications, www.irisb.com  847-441-4232 using your logo

E-Blast Content – writing services

Now here’s something to crow about!  Cox-A-Doodle-Doo will develop your content direction and craft your company newsletter - 3 times, 300 words each, $300.00- Done & Donner!

Same deal applies to web pages & brochures.

Susan Cox  www.coxadoodle.com susan@coxadoodle.com Ph: 269.313.0185      

E-Blast Marketing Private Training Package

This private ½ day training is designed to introduce you to SwiftPage, an email marketing program that talks to Outlook/Excel, ACT or its own list. Learn the tricks, tips and techniques for creating excellent virtual campaigns or upgrade your current campaign with new compelling capabilities.  Offer expires August 31, 2010.

Big Ooga Price: FREE (regular price $250)

Mark Mondo Mondo CRM mark@mondocrm.com Ph: 312-527-3133

Custom Logo Design & Branding Package

If you are a small business under 20 employees, Love Driven Prints will design a custom logo, business cards and letterhead stationery for $350 during the month of September.

*Includes 2 rounds of revisions.

lovedrivenprints.com  lillian@lovedrivenprints.com  Ph: 773 814 6948 

Blog Me, Baby – Blog package

Professional writer, blogger & Tweeter, Eric Benderoff is offering an editorial consultation on your existing blog, 3 professionally written, SEO rich blog posts at 300 words each, and a series of tweets for each post - package deal $400.

First come first serve on this one – only 3 lucky buyers get this deal

Eric Benderoff  eric@bendablemedia.com  www.bendablemedia.com 

Email Exhale – email relief package

Imagine opening your inbox and seeing white space, retrieving ancient email in seconds, and gaining five and half hours every week by making one simple change to how you process email. Jan Wencel can get you there through a proven process.

Three one-hour sessions: $75/hour (regularly $125 per hour)

Jan Wencel | 630.803.6650 | jan@lifecontained.com | www.lifecontained.com

Children’s Photo Portrait Package

Capture your children in an outdoor, on-location professional portrait session. We’ll bring out the best in your kinder and then capture them for posterity. Offer includes a two-hour fun filled portrait session for one or two children, beautiful professional results, a photo DVD and $100 in print credits.   Entire package $300.

Kristi Sanford Light on Life Images, www.lightonlifeimages.com Ph: 773.456.4024

Complimentary Gift Certificate for Hair Restoration $150 – We pay you!

If you need hair, we’ve got hair solutions. In fact, we’re so good at what we do you’ll never see anyone wearing our work.  For the past 25 years we’ve been serving men, women and children.  Our process is utterly private, totally confidential and absolutely transformational.

Embassy Studios, Carol Monaco, 312.642.9800 www.embassyhairloss.com

Executive Coaching Package – complimentary consult with two sessions 

It doesn’t have to be lonely at the top when there’s a top notch executive coach at your fingertips. Whether you are grappling with leadership challenges, personal or professional or company direction, career choices or employee concerns, no topic is off limits. This package includes: A fifteen minute phone evaluation to establish your goals in coaching and two, 45-minute telephone Executive Coaching sessions. (buy one get one free) Big Ooga package price $250 (regular price $500 value)

Elene Cafasso  www.enerpace.com mail@enerpace.com Ph: 630-832-4399

Sales Skills - Five Week Telecoaching Sales Seminar for Small Business

Stop worrying about biz growth and start getting more clients by learning the actions, goals and process of selling and closing.  With a solid plan and the coaching to implement, you will change your sales results for the better.

The offer includes: A five week telecoaching class starting August 12^th with D. Fish, the RockStar Sales coach his-own-self. Regularly offered at $249 the Big Ooga Steal Price is $99. (less than his fee for an hour of private coaching/training)

For more info on the course or to register click here:

http://rockstar-consulting.com/SalesSuccessSkills.html)  

David J.P. Fisher (D. Fish) dfish@rockstar-consulting.com 773.490.5367

Organize Your Office! Professional Organizer Package

Walk into your office with a clear desk, your process in place and a what’s next list ready to go.  With the eyes of an interior designer and the soul of an office manager, this package includes: A 30 minute phone consultation to identify your challenges, 3 on-site hours to organize your office and process and a written follow-up with next steps to continue towards your more organized work life. Big Ooga Steal $200.

 Kate Marengo | 312.239.0744| kate@arrangingorder.com | www.arrangingorder.com

Accounting Genius Offers Complimentary Review Package – FREE

Rich Rosenbaum of Rosetree & Company is THE guy you want on your accounting team. He works with Big Ooga and many Big Ooga members. They will ALL tell you the same thing. 

His package includes:  a review of your accounting records for 2009-2010 to ensure you have done them right and minimized your taxes, evaluation of corporate status to ensure you are set up correctly, and review of tax returns to scan for errors.

Call Rich Rosenbaum 847-673-4010 or rrosenba@chicagogsb.edu

Color Consultation for your home, office or business – 2 hour package

Paul Minnihan, President of Minnihan Painting, will come into your home, office or business and help you select the perfect color pallet that flows from wall to wall or room to room. This offer includes: A 2-hour, on-site color consultation with fine artist and painter, Paul Minnihan $75 (a steal at half off!)

PaulMinnihan@gmail.com Ph: 773-636-4672 www.paulminnihanstudios.com

Promotional Marketing Package – Design & printing

Create a buzz with a custom designed flyer and companion ready-to-send postcard.  2 plus 1 Studio will custom design and print 500 pieces of each so you can blanket your market in style.  Design and printing included: blowout Big Ooga price $400 (Yes for real!)

Jim Mann  2 Plus1 Studio  jim@2plus1studio.com  Ph: 630-675-6971

Learn it, Use it, Work it - Social Media Marketing Strategy & Visibility Course

Harness the power of social media networking by learning how to create a strategic plan to boost your brand’s visibility. This hands-on learning series taught by social media maven, Jean Pickering includes six interactive, small group sessions focused on teaching you what social media networking really is, how you can plan it, use it and work it across platforms to raise your company’s virtual profile. 

The offer includes: A FREE a 30 minute pre-course phone consultation to understand your current challenges, six three-hour hands-on class sessions AND a FREE one-hour private coaching session to make sure you’re applying what you’ve learned. The all-inclusive package price: $300 for the whole shebang! This is a savings of 1/3 of the normal cost.

Jean Pickering, President & Social Media Director, The Tektite Group, LLC

JeanPickering@TheTektiteGroup.com

Registration URL: http://ttg-big-ooga-offer.eventbrite.com/

ClearPath Workshop– Get Clear, Get Focused & Get Free from Mental Clutter 

ClearPath is a half-day class that helps you clear the hundreds of stress provoking thoughts that are stuck on your mental “to do” list, cluttering your brain and impeding your ability to take clear action. After completing this class, you will think more clearly, be more productive and gain a new passion for living. Regular price: $199.  Big Ooga special, tonight only: $75

Jim Kelly Real Leaders Lead Coaching   www.RealLeadersLead.com  Ph: 773.275.5696 

Get That Project Done! Project Management Package

Have a project you’d like to roll out in September but can’t get it off the dime? Or are there things lingering on your to do list and hindering your summer fun? Let Marcia Sutter, project maven, help you achieve your goals. Whether it’s transforming an idea into an action plan, reviving an existing plan or just clearing the decks to envision the year, this offer includes: a diagnostic project assessment of where you are and where you want to go, a written plan and timetable for implementation, recommendations for partners, vendors and resources AND a series of three follow up calls to keep you on track.  Three hour package, plan & calls $250.  It’s a steal at half off!

Marcia Sutter | 847-784-9038 | marcia@marciasutter.com | www.marciasutter.com

In her You Tube video interview after winning the Nobel Peace Prize, Jody Williams said the secret to making a difference in the world is to get off your a#$ and do something. Betty Williams, another winner started out as a secretary.

Laureates have come from the finest schools and the most impoverished streets. They have worked, dreamed and imagined a better world into existence.

As Kevin Gross, friend and business strategist asserts, “It is belief that must come first.”

And then, “we learn by doing,” according to John Holt, father of the home school movement and pioneer in alternative education. 

So I’m going to submit to you my own simple plan for changing the world.

1. Care about something deeply

2. Believe you can do something about it

3. Imagine a solution

4. Build a team 

5. Inspire the team to build a plan

6. Find people who believe the plan can work

7. Work like hell

As friend and strategist JoAnn Becker quotes Margaret Mead, Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed people can change the world; indeed it’s the only thing that ever has.

Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday.  ~Don Marquis

Here are Three Top Tips from Fran Piekarski, President of Remedease to help you overcome procrastination.

1. Forget about being perfect and 100% sure.        

The paralyzed perfectionist waits until he/she gathers enough information to be sure they can accomplish a task perfectly. Since we can never be 100% sure or 100% perfect: preprare, proceed and adjust as you go.  To get to great, you have to get off the dime in the first place. 

2. Overwhelm causes brain freeze and then nothing gets done. 

Don’t look at the whole picture and think that you have to conquer it all at once. Whether you are downsizing, starting a business or just cleaning out your office - sweeping change is still done one step at a time.  

3. If you’re a Dread Head remember, what you dread isn’t going away until you do it.

If you’ve got stuff piling up - chances are you’re dreading it.  The longer you dread it, the more it drains your energy.  You’ve probably spent more time worrying about what should be done than the time it takes to just do it.  To conquer dread, schedule a ”blue meanie”  and then do it as early in the day as possible. Don’t argue with yourself. Don’t bargain with yourself. Just do it and think how happy you’ll be about having done it! 

If you’re buried in dread or stuff call Fran. She specializes in helping the chronically disorganized and hoarders. 

http://www.remedease.com/

Susan Fignar, President of Pur*sue Inc. gives us 4 top tips in becoming new. 

To change you must be OPEN to change. Here are her thought provoking questions.

Optimistic - Do you truly believe that new people and opportunities will come your way? Do you expect positive outcomes?

Prepared - What action steps have you taken to reinvent, re-brand, and re-market YOU? (e.g., update your visual presence, hone your interpersonal skills, expand your network, reach out to other generations or reach up to respected leaders)

Excellence - Do you strive to do your best everyday?  Excellence can be habit forming!   

New - Are you taking time to imagine, create and implement new ideas? Are you adding new value-added services for your clients, creating new relationships, or experiencing something new in your personal life?

OPEN is a journey, a state of mind and a welcome mat that greets the future with possibility.

If you’d like to get in touch with Sue, executive presence and relationship management expert. http://www.pur-sue.com.

Thanks Sue!

Press releases are a great way to get your story told. 

Here are 3 tips for writing better news releases for entrepreneurs and small business people:

1)  Write short, to-the-point news releases and put the important information up front.  Editors are busy. They typically have 7 to 12 seconds to read your news release so make the first sentences count. Also remember the origin of news is new. Keep it fresh and interesting.

2)  Make your news release SEO friendly.  Visit the Google Adwords page at:

http://tinyurl.com/2dh6nrs to find out what key terms people are entering in Google to search for your area of expertise.  Use these words in your news release headline.

3)  Don’t forget your contact information.  List a cell phone and email address where you can be reached.  Call back immediately! You may only have one chance to respond.

These small business PR tips come from Chris Martin of Christopher Martin Public Relations. He is all Ooga - all the way! I’ve known and worked with him for years.   

You can reach him at http://chrismartinpublicrelations.com/ 

Thanks, Chris!

I’ve watched in amazement as my youngest keeps growing into achievement. One of her secrets is weightlessness. She’s a newlywed, they have a dog and an apartment in Manhattan. In the fall she will enter a Masters program at Penn. He will stay in their apartment and possibly get a roommate. She will rent a little space, buy stuff to furnish it and sell it when she’s done.

She did this for her wedding! She bought vases for centerpeices and resold them. 

She wears fashionable and designer clothing found in thrift shops and on ebay.  When she tires of them she donates or sells them.

She buys everything on a credit card that gives her cash back. She and her hubby make money using credit.

She’s paid off her college loans.

She dines out often using certificates. 

She is literally creating currency.

Her concern is not her overhead. Her concern is her head and heart.

She’s coming home to teach me how to do this.

Who knew I’d rather fly than be buried in stuff? 

Here’s an excellent blog by Everett Bogue on living weightlessly. http://tinyurl.com/2c939p6