Kaira Rouda | Kaira Rouda

15 01, 2009

Don’t waste your dollars on non-believers.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:10:54+00:00January 15, 2009|customer loyalty, Jeni's Ice Creams|Comments Off on Don’t waste your dollars on non-believers.

You’ve heard the old saying, “The customer is always right.” Just keep in mind who your audience is. Not everyone is going to love your product or service. Those people are not your target audience, so don’t waste your time and dollars trying to win them over. Get to know your brand believers and what they expect from you. How? Ask! Test. Use comment cards or online surveys. Find out what you can do better—in every aspect—and let them know when you’ve made an improvement. Take Jeni Britton, president and founder of Jeni’s Splendid Ice Creams, for example. Her goal is to “surprise and delight” her customers. And she does it through lavender and wild berries, coriander and raspberry, and Savannah buttermint ice cream flavors (to name a few). Not only are her flavors fun, but they’re also healthier than other ice creams. Jeni says [...]

9 01, 2009

Tweeps & Business Pages vs. Networking Parties & Business Cards

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:10:58+00:00January 9, 2009|facebook marketing, networking, Rouda, social media, twitter marketing|Comments Off on Tweeps & Business Pages vs. Networking Parties & Business Cards

Are you feeling the pressures of networking through social media but don’t really know what that means, let alone how to do it? If so, you are not alone. Just be honest about it. I love it when people are honest. It’s great to be able to admit both your strengths—and your weaknesses! And learning to incorporate social media into your business’ marketing plan in the New Year is a great step. If you entered the business world before the Internet, you know and feel the dramatic changes that are occurring almost daily. Every industry is facing these changes and the challenges and opportunities that technology brings. The key to social networking is to apply it to your business in a genuine fashion. Women are natural social networkers. We always have been. We build and maintain communities across the country through volunteerism. I don’t know [...]

7 01, 2009

First things first in 2009!

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:11:08+00:00January 7, 2009|dreams, new year, new you, passions, Real You, resolutions|Comments Off on First things first in 2009!

If you’re like me and haven’t made a New Year’s resolution, do you feel guilty? If you have made a New Year’s resolution and you’re feeling like you won’t live up to it, are you worried? Well, stop it already! Some of us are good at resolutions; others aren’t. But the key to starting anything, at any time, is to make sure it’s true to the Real You. Are you keeping yourself at the center of your life? That phrase, and reminder, in and of itself is the key to a successful 2009 and a successful life. And no, I don’t mean moving through life without loving your family, friends and coworkers. What I mean is that your love for them can only be fully actualized if you are fully actualized. If you are being the Real You. The key to deep relationships and a [...]

31 12, 2008

Share your vision for the new year

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:11:19+00:00December 31, 2008|Uncategorized|Comments Off on Share your vision for the new year

Share your vision with each employee, and be sure to follow it up with action. To make it work, you must stay true to your vision every day. Be consistent. There’s no waffling when it comes to reflecting your style and your brand. And make it real. Think about how you interact with your employees. Is the way you act consistent with the qualities that make up your brand? Your employees need to know the real you. They need to know the things that make you tick—your passions. When your daily actions reflect the vision you have for the company, your leadership skills will blossom, and every member of your team will be on board. What do you have in store for 2009?

18 12, 2008

Torn between two loves….

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:11:52+00:00December 18, 2008|careers, Charlie Brown, happiness, jobs|Comments Off on Torn between two loves….

the comfort of having a job and being happy. In this situation, I always say happiness comes first. One of my favorite realisms is: You never have to stay in a bad situation. It can apply to any situation and carries a lot of power. If you are in a bad situation at work, at home or life, you need to make a plan and get out! Whether you’re dealing with a bad boss, a snark, or you’ve simply hit a bump in the road, you desire something new. Start your quest with your head held high, with confidence, and begin learning from your current situation. Leaving the bad situation may first seem like a setback, but it really is an opportunity to open another door. The memory of this experience will help you build a plan for your future. So, move on! The time [...]

17 12, 2008

Incorporating Your Vision into Your Marketing

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:12:00+00:00December 17, 2008|brand boards, marketing, Real Living, Vision statement|Comments Off on Incorporating Your Vision into Your Marketing

When creating your company’s brand, you’ll need a vision statement. Some people get this confused with a marketing position statement. To explain, your marketing is external; your vision is an internal message. Your vision statement works as your game plan. It lets your employees know where you are headed. In the vision statement, highlight what direction you plan take the company in—its future. When everybody is on the same page, it’s much easier to move the company forward. For instance, at Real Living we started with what I call essence words. We chose three, and I recommend you do the same. We’re all about family, innovation and results. So, we incorporated those three words into our vision statement: To become the nation’s leading entrepreneurial, agent-centric, consumer-focused network of real estate professionals built on family, innovation and results. From our initial planning meetings to today, our [...]

11 12, 2008

The pressure of doing it all and starting a business

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:12:07+00:00December 11, 2008|branding, business plan, dreams, entrepreneur, stress|Comments Off on The pressure of doing it all and starting a business

If you have always dreamed of being an entrepreneur but feel pulled in a dozen different directions, I have a few tips for you. If you are committed to making your dreams a reality, you must stop and take some time to focus. I mean really clear your plate of all of life’s demands for a short while. Then, focus on your goals. What are they? Where do you want to go? What kind of business plan do you envision? What does your brand look like? At this point, it’s up to you, so fire up that laptop or get out your pencil and get started. Record your thoughts and commit them to action. While it’s never too late to get started, there is no time like the present. Good luck! Do you have an entrepreneurial success story? I’d love to hear from you!

9 12, 2008

Kiva.org- Helping entrepreneurs in the developing world “go for it” $25 at a time.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:12:18+00:00December 9, 2008|entrepreneur, giving, Kiva-org, poverty, Real You Incorporated|Comments Off on Kiva.org- Helping entrepreneurs in the developing world “go for it” $25 at a time.

Recently I learned about Kiva.org, an amazing micro-lending Web site for the working poor. Kiva’s mission is to connect people through lending for the sake of alleviating poverty. It’s an opportunity for people like you and me to lend directly to unique entrepreneurs in the developing world. These are real individuals in need of funding. Despite their current circumstances, they’ve decided to “go for it,” because they know they can—and they will. Get involved, and you will be helping a real person make strides towards economic independence. Amaka Okpara, 23, married with one child, lives in Lagos State, Nigeria, where she makes bags that she designs herself. While she is happy because the demand for her bags increases during this festive time of the year, she needs money to purchase materials. Through Kiva.org, she is requesting a loan of $1,200.00 that she plans to repay [...]

4 12, 2008

Benefit from Networking Events

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:12:25+00:00December 4, 2008|business card, business relationships, marketing, networking, Upcoming Events|Comments Off on Benefit from Networking Events

With limitless networking opportunities, it is important to understand how to benefit from them. Whether it’s online, at a volunteer meeting or at a formal networking event, here are a few important tips to remember. It is critical to network with different people— people who you don’t work with, who are at different experience levels and have different backgrounds. This will help give you diverse perspectives. You have to approach them; don’t expect anyone to come to you. If approaching someone you don’t know is difficult, try practicing. Write it out, talk to a mirror, video tape yourself—whatever works for you. Remember, people respond best to authentic conversation. Have your elevator pitch ready, but genuinely mention your business in conversation. Follow the basic rule of conversation: Give and take. Ask open-ended questions and truly listen. People will remember those who take the time to care. [...]

3 12, 2008

Economy have you down? Start your own business.

By Kaira Rouda|2023-02-07T02:12:33+00:00December 3, 2008|business, Center for American Progress, economy, entrepreneur, passions|Comments Off on Economy have you down? Start your own business.

Does the economy and the job market have you down? Well now is a great time to start thinking about what you are truly passionate about. This is the perfect time to take a break and think about what you really want out of the upcoming years. Do you want to continue working for the same company? Where do your passions lie? How and when are you going to put your passions into actions? With the US losing 605,000 jobs in the first right months of 2008 and the unemployment rate reaching 6.1% in Aug. 2008, according to The Center for American Progress, the corporate world doesn’t look so stable. If you are thinking about starting your own business, now is the prefect time to do your research, see what’s happening in your potential industry and fill the voids. There are unlimited resources out there [...]

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