Did you know, I’m a Collaborating Entrepreneur? Earlier this year I put a call out to entrepreneurs to help me on my march to impact 1 million entrepreneurs.

Two entrepreneurs answered the call, Marianne St. Clair and Shonika Proctor. Together we have been collaborating on a concept we call the CCC Triad. In the process we have spent a great deal of time supporting one another to move our collective businesses forward as well as put more structure and weight behind the CCC Triad.

It wasn’t until just recently, that I decided to build a brand and identity around the collaboratingentrepreneur.com

Are you a Collaborating Entrepreneur?

When I started this journey the only agenda I had was to impact 1 million entrepreneurs. I am holding this space for creative and collaborating entrepreneurs who would would like to explore a fresh approach to working together in the 21st century.

I can honestly say that the journey has been exciting, exhilarating and challenging, in a good way. I knew that in order to reach my goal of impacting 1 million entrepreneurs things would have to change - I would have to change! My biggest learning so far has been in the area of personal awareness.

Awareness First Step To Growth

I’ve always said my clients “To the degree that you grow personally and professionally, so goes your business.” And that’s certainly been the case for me as well.L ast week I began writing my story and in the process came to the realization that the unique thing that I’ve done my entire life is working with others as a "collaborator".

It’s something that I just do naturally and so it’s no surprise that something as natural and fundamental could so easily be overlooked. It wasn’t until I started to make a conscious shift to observe myself while I worked with other people and dialogued with my Triad partners that I realized how I significant collaboration has been in my personal and business life. I believe that future business development will be based on open collaboration.

Collaboration Questions for Reflection

What natural strengths do you have that you may have overlooked or forgotten about?

What might you achieve if you were to tap into that strength and build a business around it?

Collaborators Welcome!

Would you like to explore collaborating in a secure, open space? Would you like to accelerate your business development and work with someone who has your best interests at heart? If so, give me a call at 1-866-281-8281 I won't bite! Honest! You can email me at gregbd@gmail.com or wave to me at gregbd@googlewave.com

Lets see what we can create together! No extra charge for amazing!

Greg Balanko-Dickson

The Collaborating Entrepreneur

P.S. Let's Collaborate! If you are working on a business related project, a non profit, a social cause that will impact society, I would love to hear from you. Contact me, tell me about your project and let's work together.

P.P.S. Oh did I mention I have some Google Wave invites that will help make it easier for us to collaborate?

Would your customers say you "take care of" them or would they feel "taken advantage of"?

I never thought I'd be writing about something like this but there have been two experiences that have happened recently and has motivated me to share iMIndMap what I've observed.

Buzan (iMIndMap) Software Co. Customer Service Story

I purchased iMIndMap from Buzan, they had 3 or 4 different configurations from $199-$299. I went for the $299 version to get the presentation features. At the time they didn't have a trial version as it wasn't compatible with Snow Leopard. I discovered that they had a BETA version with SL compatibility.

I purchased it without a trial version - big mistake.

After purchasing, I downloaded the BETA version and immediately realized that this wasn't a native mac app. It was developed in Java. The metaphor for adding branches in a mind map was great but after that the greatness stopped. There were numerous other shortfalls that did not measure up after the upgrade to the final SL version.

I asked for my money back and got the following... standard reply.

Unfortunately our refund policy states that we do not refund users who have purchased as we offer a 7 day free trial.

--------------------------
10. Refund Policy

Buzan Online Ltd offers a 7 day free trial of iMindMap to all users. We would ask that you use this "try-before-you-buy" version to ensure that it is compatible with your computer systems and it satisfies all of your requirements before purchasing the full version.

If you experience any problems with our software, please contact our Technical Support Team support@buzanonline.com for help.

All sales are final and refunds are provided only for accidental duplicate orders. Refunds will only be made to the credit card or PayPal account through which the original purchase was made.

Ordering a software license signifies your acceptance of this Refund Policy.
------------------------

Needless to say I was less than pleased. I just wrote to them advising them that a working "trial" version was available therefore, they should reconsider. We will see what how they decide to handle it.

NOTE: the email address sales@buzanonline.com just sent my email back. Customer service? Fail!

MyThoughts Mind Map Software Customer Service Story

I didn't find this $49 app until after I purchased iMindMap. MyThoughts is at version 1.0.5 and Buzan's is 4.1.2 so the feature set isn't as robust as Buzans iMIndMap but what MyThoughts has going for it is that it IS built upon the Mac OS and has an organic branch structure like iMIndMap.

There is a huge difference between $49 and $299. Buzan ports their windoze app to Mac using Java, MyThoughts is Mac only.

MyThoughts has to make all their money in the Mac arena. Whereas, IMO, Buzan's effort at a creating a Mac version appears to be more of a hobby than a commitment to the Mac platform.

I did have an issue with MyThoughts and wrote to the developer. He was not aware of the issue and fixed it the same day and sent me a new version attached to my email, which was totally unexpected.

In fact, I was surprised, pleased and very satisfied. I very well "felt looked after". I have since exchanged emails several times with the developer making suggestions and asking for new features. He was very open, taking my suggestions and communicating in a real, authentic way. MyThoughts has my loyalty because they made me feel "Taken Care Of" plus I get to support a "real" Mac developer.

Do your customers feel that you've "Taken Care Of Them"?

This is the first time I have ever been this dissatisfied with customer service or a software application for the Mac.

Questions to Help You Reflect On How You Handle A Disappointed Customer

What do you do when a customer speaks up and lets you know they are unhappy?
How easy is it for a customer to get in touch with you?
How do you deal with customer complaints, concerns and requests for support?
Is your approach customer focused or based upon what you need to minimize distractions?
Do you make customers jump through hoops to get support, get a refund or communicate with you?
If you are a software or web app developer do you have a support ticket system?
Do you have a road map that shows prospective and current customers your plans for future app changes and additions?

These are my opinions and viewpoint as a customer. What's been your experience dealing with companies online?

Lets see if this works!? If you see this it worked!

I have been a fan of mind mapping ever since discovering it 20 years ago. Back then all my mind maps were hand drawn. Today I use software applications to draw my Mind Maps.

The experience of mind mapping on paper and computer is very different. Hand drawn mind maps are much more reflective, personal, and organic.

I used MindJet MindManager since they first launched a Mac version (now ver 7) but MindJet MindManager does not produce organic looking mind maps. Also, as a Mac user I felt that MindJet never took the development of the Mac app seriously. They released new Windoze updates and functionality and have basically ignored the Mac app IMO. In the last few years they have shifted their focus on the Windoze market and their online collaboration suite. 

Early mind mapping tools were not very organic looking and very angular - most still are very angular and have a computerized appearance to them.

For me, that changed substantially over the last year or so.

This fall I discovered Buzan's iMIndMap and MyThoughts for Mac and ended up purchasing both even though I have MindJet's Mind Manager and 2-3 other apps. So what caused me to shell out the cash for new Mind Map apps? Organic looking mind maps.

Organic Mind Maps

Both iMIndMap and MyThoughts for Mac produce maps with more organic looking branches. But after that similarity they couldn't be more different.  iMIndMap  is written in Java (I think it is simply a port from their windoze app), nothing about  iMIndMap is native to the Mac. I was find with that until I found  MyThoughts for Mac.

MyThoughts for Mac is at version 1.0.5 and iMIndMap version 4.1.2 so in many ways it is not a fair comparison. Admittedly, iMIndMap has many more features but fails in the two areas I was not willing to compromise. 

1. Native Mac App, after working with MyThoughts for Mac in the native Mac environment not only did I notice the huge difference in speed but also output quality.
2. Quality of output is far superior in MyThoughts for Mac. The PDF and graphics output of iMIndMap is typical of the quality of most windows apps, pixelated, blurred.

I share my MIndMaps with clients and others online MyThoughts for Mac just outclasses iMIndMap when it comes to output quality. One of my big concerns with  MyThoughts for Mac was the lack of OPML import/export functionality. 

OPML Import/Output Crucial

I use the OPML import/export to move map data between Curio and Omni Outliner Pro lists and vice versa. I contacted the developer at MyThoughts for Mac and he said that OPML was being added in the next release - I was thrilled!

MyThoughts Has Outstanding Customer Service

Recently, I found a bug in the notes functionality of MyThoughts for Mac and contacted Alan and after exchanging a few emails he fixed the problem. All within a few hours!

Having dealt with other mind map software companies it was refreshing to hear from the developer and see them respond to a customers' concerns and wishes. 

Get MyThoughts for Mac if you are serious about Mind Mapping on the mac platform it will save you loads of cash plus you are supporting a small business that cares about their customer.

P.S. MyThoughts for Mac has an amazing graphics library included. Really awesome.

IMO it is good news that the FTC has decided to add more accountability in marketing online.

I was on Guru.com with my son the other day showing him how it works when we came across someone who was paying $40 to anyone who would write a testimonial without having to use or test the product. Doh!

I welcome the new disclosure rules and regulations as unscrupulous marketers have been getting away with murder for way to long! Joel Comm has an article written by an attorney, here are his recommended action steps:

There are a lot of articles like this one hitting the Web in response to these new Guidelines, many of which may not fit your situation, and many of which may simply be wrong. Therefore I strongly suggest that you read the new Guidelines for yourself. The publication found at http://www.ftc.gov/opa/2009/10/endortest.shtm is very simple to read and provides many examples that might answer your specific questions. After reading the Guidelines you'll want to talk to your legal and marketing teams to complete the following tasks.

1. Audit your testimonial-based advertising for compliance with the rules.
2. Make any adjustments to your existing advertising to bring existing materials into compliance.
3. Take action to define generally expected performance metrics.
4. Require affiliates to complete an application, then review and renew affiliate relationships with updated agreements.
5. Revise affiliate marketing agreements.
6. Disclose any connections you have with the sponsors of products you endorse.
7. Initiate procedures to regularly secure the permission to use testimonials and endorsements.
8. Do a Google search to make sure your name is not being associated with any products or services that might expose you to liability. If you find any sites, take active steps to get your name/testimonial removed if the use does not comply with the new Guidelines.

The difference between a dreamer and achiever as Joel Comm puts it is "hard work and think long term" 

You have to create a lot of content. You have to add pages to capture more ad clicks. And you have to build up traffic. That always takes time. It's like building a reputation. No one ever starts out in business with a name. They build their name gradually by delivering good service -- and by doing it again and again and again.

There's no getting around that. Many of the most tedious obstacles that used to block people from realizing their Internet business dreams have been removed. But there are some things that will always be true in any business environment: to succeed, you have to be prepared to work hard and think long term.

Therein lies the rub, as badly as we want to succeed NOW we must keep pressing forward and working hard because it takes time to build momentum.

What I think Brogan is recognizing is that it’s time for Act Two for social media. We’ve heard all the admonitions from social media gurus and enthusiasts about how we are meant to act and behave on Twitter. But going through the marketing door is only going to get you so far–in that sense, social media helps the rich get richer, but does little to help companies that aren’t structured to actually be transparent and helpful where the rubber meets the road. Social media’s next act has to be through the corporate HR director’s door, and ultimately the CEO’s door. To get there, however, social media has to prove itself by more readily embracing effectiveness metrics (not just statistics) to raise its profile in the organization. Give the CEO the numbers to justify continued social media engagement, and that engagement will continue–and ultimately be the trojan horse for what human business can become.