I was recently looking for a good, comprehensive list of social media books to add to my bookshelf (and to hopefully get around to reading!).  Lee Odden from TopRank Online Marketing sent me this list:

• Cluetrain Manifesto – Rick Levine, Chris Locke, Doc Searles, Dave Weinberger
• New Rules of Marketing and PR – David Meerman Scott (video interview)
• Do It Wrong Quickly – Mike Moran (Mike’s guest post)
• Join the Conversation – Joseph Jaffe (interview)
• Groundswell – Charlene Li & Josh Bernoff (interview with Charlene)
• Personality Not Included – Rohit Bhargava  (book review)
• Tribes – Seth Godin
• Here Comes Everybody – Clay Shirky
• Age of Conversation – Gavin Heaton, Drew McLellan (100+ contributors)
• Social Media Marketing An Hour A Day – Dave Evans
• Secrets of Social Media Marketing – Paul Gillin
• Naked Conversations – Shel Israel & Robert Scoble (Video interview with Robert)
• Freakonomics – Stephen Dubner & Steven Levitt
• Buzz Marketing – Mark Hughes
• Radically Transparent – Andy Beal & Judy Strauss (interview with Andy)
• Web 2.0: New Tools, New School - Gwen Solomon & Lynne Schrum
• The Long Tail – Chris Anderson
• The Wisdom of Crowds – James Surowieki
• Marketing to the Social Web: How Digital Customer Communities Build Your Business – Larry Weber
• Word of Mouth Marketing: How Smart Companies Get People Talking – Andy Sernovitz, Afterward by Guy Kawasaki (interview with Guy)
• Social Media is a Cocktail Party: Why You Already Know the Rules of Social Media Marketing – Jim Tobin, Lisa Braziel (TopRank is quoted on back cover)
• Web 2.0: A Strategy Guide: Business thinking and strategies behind successful Web 2.0 implementations – Amy Shuen
• Now Is Gone: A Primer on New Media for Executives and Entrepreneurs – Brian Solis, Geoff Livingston (video interview with Brian)

To read his full blog post, click here.  Thank you Lee for this great list!

I just returned from Sonoma for a wine-tasting whirlwind with some friends.  As a typical type-A, I made a list of the wines that I really enjoyed while I was out there.  I thought that today would be a fitting day to post my wine list as it’s Christmas Eve and many of us are spending time with our families.  Whether you’re drinking with your family or because of them, these are all great wines to enjoy.

Chalk Hill Winery- my favorite winery that we visited

Simi 2007 Chardonnay

Simi 2007 Merlot

Cline 2006 Big Break Zinfandel

Cline 2007 Oakley 4 Whites

Cline 2006 Oakley 5 Reds

Cline 2007 Syrah

Murphy-Goode 2004 All-In Claret

Murphy-Goode 2003 Sarah Block Cabernet

Coppola Sofia Blanc de Blancs 2007 (sparkling)

Ferrari-Carano Fume Blanc

Ferrari-Carano Chardonnay Alexander Valley

Lambert Bridge 2007 Sauvignon Blanc

Lambert Bridge 2006 Zinfandel

Toad Hollow Risque French Sparkling

ANYTHING from Chalk Hill Winery

Enjoy!

Ahhh, Day Twelve of our 12 Day Countdown – Suggestions for things you can do this month to prepare for a fabulous 2009!  I’m a bit sad to see these 12 days come to an end; it’s been fun sharing some ideas for ways to get 2009 off to a great start.  I realize none of these suggestions are “rocket science” by any means, but I hope they have been good “food for thought.” 

Day Twelve’s suggestion is one I believe in very strongly – become a Gibson Design Management member.  It is well worth taking some time to discuss our memberships and learn about what we have to offer your design business.  

Our memberships, Accounting Services, CAD Services, and Purchase Order Management not only increase your efficiency – they also improve your bottom line!  Contact Kay Alessi today to learn more.  Discover how our memberships allow designers to get back to the real reason they became designers.  Gibson Design Management is an extended arm of our members’ design firms.  No need to hire, train, and manage a staff; Gibson Design Management’s dedicated team is available when you need them…and not taking up space or payroll when you don’t.

Merry Christmas Everyone – Happy Holidays!

Day Eleven of our 12 Day Countdown – Suggestions for things you can do this month to prepare for a fabulous 2009!  Attract Affluent Clients…but how, you ask?  I know just the perfect place for you to learn about this secret to success as an interior designer. 

Design Success University states, “You’re A Talented Interior Designer…Are You Enjoying The Success You Deserve?”  Chief Vision Officer, Gail Doby believes “interior design success depends on your ability to attract affluent clients.”

DSU Membership Programs 

We’re Here For You!

“We’ve been in your shoes and we know how challenging this business can be, especially if you are working alone or in a small office. With Gail’s 20+ years in high-end residential and commercial design specializing in multi-million dollar new construction and renovation projects, and Erin’s fresh perspective as a recent graduate from design school, we understand how there are days that feel overwhelming, and we want to help you with practical and creative strategies delivered with cutting-edge classes and 24/7 access to fit your busy lifestyle.”

Learn More…

We can all learn a thing or two from the Zappos model.  They are one of the most talked about companies today because they do things right.  What do I mean by right?  I mean that they take care of their customers and they take care of their employees.  As a result, people talk about them…lots of people.  Just a couple of examples:

- A woman called Zappos because her mother died and had a few unopened Zappos shoes boxes.  The daughter called Zappos and they immediately said that they would be happy to take the shoes back and would arrange for the pick up.  At this point, we are all thinking that this is standard, good customer service.  However, a week later the daughter received a bouquet of flowers with a note that read “We’re so sorry for your loss – the Zappos team”.  The daughter turned out to be an influential blogger and this story was widely circulated (as I’m circulating it here).

Lesson:  Let your employees go above and beyond to do what is right.  Don’t just provide client service, provide exceptional client service and people will talk about it.

- Zappos now pays its employees $2500 to quit.  If, after an extensive training program, anyone feels that they cannot provide the level of service expected, they are offered $2500 in addition to the time worked to quit.  The company used to pay $250, then $1000, and now $2500.  I would surmise that Zappos easily makes back this money several times over by not only having employees that really want to be there but by also showing their customers that they have policies that put the customers first.

Lesson: Follow the word of mouth marketing mantra: Make your company remarkable and people were remark on it.  Stories like these make people even more likely to become clients because they like what you stand for.

Read more about Zappos in a recent AdWeek interview with Zappos CEO, Tony Hsieh.

Day Ten of our 12 Day Countdown – Suggestions for things you can do this month to prepare for a fabulous 2009!  It seems like we’ve officially hit the holiday season with the start of this week.  Most designers I know are taking this week and next off to enjoy the holidays with their family and friends.  Today, I’d like to suggest that you take some time this month to get your financial documents, paperwork and computer files organized.

I am one of those people who literally starts to feel uncomfortable when I’m not organized.  When life gets busy and crazy (which seems to be most of the time) I generally will take some time on the weekend to “tidy” everything up so that Monday morning I can start my week with everything in order.  When tax time comes around and I have everything in order and neatly filed it sure makes life a little easier!  Maybe you haven’t kept things in the best order this year – but have no fear, if you have some time on your hands this month you can spend an afternoon and get it under control.

A few suggestions to make life easier in the future:

Purchase a Document Scanner – no longer is it necessary to keep paper copies of important documents on file – simply scan them into your handy dandy scanner and keep paperwork neatly organized on your computer.  (just make sure you have a system in place for backing up documents – see previous post)  Visit Amazon to check out all your options and learn about document scanners.

Use accounting software specifically designed for interior designers – Studio Designer 8.0 – “From Proposal to Invoice, Studio Designer manages the daily activities of interior design firms.”

Let Gibson Design Management take care of the details: Contact Kay to learn more about our newest membership, Accounting Services.  With Accounting Services, our members have the benefit of a full-service accounting team to complete all financially related tasks within their design firms. 

These will include:

• Creating invoices for time and goods
• Disbursing checks to vendors
• Operating payroll, as needed
• Calculating and paying sales tax
• Running reports to show you the financial health of your business and where you need to improve

Our Accounting Services membership is led by a CPA with experience in both small business and the larger corporate world.  She runs a team of financial professionals to help our members get back to the real reason they became designers.

Day Nine of our 12 Day Countdown – Suggestions for things you can do this month to prepare for a fabulous 2009!  Since this is the Sunday before Christmas, I thought it only appropriate to talk about one of my favorite Sunday activities…Relax With Family & Friends!  Tis the season to relax and enjoy time with the people who inspire you, people you enjoy, people you love.    

This is the time to recharge your batteries so that when the clock strikes midnight on December 31st you are energized and ready to go make a great 2009 for yourself and your design business.

Day Eight of our 12 Day Countdown – Suggestions for things you can do this month to prepare for a fabulous 2009!  Social Networking!  What is social networking, you ask?  There are actually entire websites devoted to answering that question. 

Social Networking points out that the most popular place to do your social networking is online, probably because “the internet is filled with millions of individuals who are looking to meet other internet users to develop friendships and business relationships, too.”  That means there are other designers, potential clients and other interior design industry associates just waiting to connect with you!

Some suggestions for “places” you want to be:

Ava Living – is the world’s online interior design marketplace bringing together a diverse and passionate social network of individuals and professionals.  This site is a favorite of mine, since it is dedicated entirely to our industry.  I have met so many wonderful designers and industry enthusiasts through Ava Living.  In my opinion, being part of Ava Living is a must!  Once you join, be sure and join The Business Resource for Interior Designers – a place for interior designers to come to discuss anything related to the business of interior design. Please feel free to pose questions and give advice based on experience.

Twitter – is a free social messaging utility for staying connected in real-time.  To learn more about How to Use Twitter as a Twool, read this blog post by Guy Kawasaki. 

LinkedIn – an online network of more than 30 million experienced professionals from around the world, representing 150 industries

I would also encourage you to check out Designing Profits and learn about the Best Practice Network.  “The Best Practices Network (BPN) is a group of interior designers from across the country who have banded together to share “best practices.” The BPN includes firms ranging from sole practitioners to 30+ person firms, residential and commercial specialists, and everything in between. Our members are carefully selected to ensure a positive and supportive learning environment where the most important business and financial strategies can be presented by experts (outsiders and by Members themselves) and adopted by all.”

Spend some time this month and familiarize yourself with what these organizations have to offer.  It is truly the easiest way to connect with the world outside your door.  There is a whole interior design industry waiting to meet you!

It’s already Day Seven of our 12 Day Countdown – Suggestions for things you can do this month to prepare for a fabulous 2009!  Yesterday we talked about taking some time to remember why you became a designer and focusing on the areas of your business that you love.  So what about those areas that you don’t enjoy, aren’t proficient in, or are not a good use of your time?  What about outsourcing?

One of the best things you can do this month is take a half hour and listen to a great interview conducted by Gail Doby, Chief Vision Officer at Design Success University.   

Outsourcing Is Not a Four Letter Word: You Can Do Less of the Busy Work & Get Back to the Real Reason You Became an Interior Designer

Please click below to listen to the replay of this interview:

GDM Replay

Learn how you can outsource the parts of the business that you don’t like, make more money and have more fun.  Discover how you can grow your firm without the headaches and fixed costs of hiring additional staff…especially when the economy is impacting your business.

“[Outsourcing through] Gibson Design Management is exactly where I am headed, giving over these details to others to deal with so I can grow my business, and of course focus on the items that I really love.”

“Raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens
Bright copper kettles and warm woolen mittens
Brown paper packages tied up with strings
These are a few of my favorite things”

These well known lyrics from the Sound of Music lead us to Day Six of of our 12 Day Countdown – Suggestions for things you can do this month to prepare for a fabulous 2009!  Why not spend some time thinking about the reasons you became an interior designer in the first place.  Ask yourself:

• What do I enjoy most about being an interior designer?
• On the days I’m excited to get out of bed and start the work day, what am I doing?
• Why is being an interior designer fun?
• What makes me a great interior designer?

By allowing yourself even ten minutes to think about what it is that you truly enjoy about being a designer, why it is you became an interior designer in the first place, you will rediscover the areas of your business that you love.  Those are the areas that you should focus your time and energy on – why not make that one of your goals for 2009!  Doesn’t the saying go “Do what you love, love what you do.” 

Chances are pretty good that you are currently handling some areas of your business that you don’t enjoy – and quite possibly don’t excel at.  Why not make 2009 the year when you delegate some of those responsibilities?  Of course, Gibson Design Management would be an excellent choice for handling the Purchase Order Management, CAD Services and Accounting Services.  But maybe what is dragging you down is creating and maintaining a website or blog.  Good news, there are people out there who LOVE that and are really talented at it.  

Gibson Design Management - CAD Services

So take some time this month and really think about why you became an interior designer, what are your “favorite things” about being a designer – and then figure out how to get back to spending your days doing what you love.