Whether you are already into it or about to be, I wish all of my readers a happy and prosperous 2009.

Yes, I did say prosperous! Despite all that is going on in the world, in our economies – not to forget Illinois politics – life and business must still go on. It will be the fast thinkers and movers and those ideas outside of the box, even with inside of the box budgets, which will do well in the coming year. Where we all will be at the end of 2009 it is hard to say right now, but the way things have been, up is almost the only way to go.

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The next likemind will be Friday, December 5, 2008 in dozens of cities around the world.

In Chicago, it will be at Spa Cafe, 112 W. Monroe, between Clark and LaSalle Streets in the Loop at 8:00 am. Check out the Spa Cafe Web site for more information, and you can find your way with a Google Map to Spa Cafe here.

I call likemind a gathering of creative-minded people, from various disciplines including Internet, advertising, art, social media, et. al.

No RSVP is required. You are also welcome to join the likemind Chicago Facebook group.

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Today marks the 4th anniversary of my Internet consultancy, Dunkirk Systems, LLC. As I mentioned in my post last year about the 3rd anniversary it’s the day I was in business in the eyes of infamous Cook County, but in reality the business had been in the pupae stage for years.

When I went on my own, I made 2 statements about my business in general. I have never really talked about these much unless they came up in a conversation, so I thought I’d share them today.

Statement 1 – I don’t have to create every Web site

Where technically this is not possible, it is something that guides my business development. It is easy to get caught up in the excitement of a new project, as well as the excitement of a prospective client. In the end a business decision needs to be made, and in some cases it is myself making it, and in many cases it is the prospective client. When one “gets away” I will think back on this statement, and realize there is a whole world of people and businesses that have a need for my services.

Statement 2 – If I have to do cold calling, I am shutting down my business

I don’t look at this as a cocky statement at all, rather one that truly reflects me and how I want to lead my business. Personally, I don’t like cold calling, both from the aspect of the one making the call and especially from the one receiving it. It is probably one of the most user-unfriendly ways of doing business! Sure, in some cases through cold calling people learn about something they didn’t know about before, and there are people who are extremely successful in business – and rich – as a result of it.

Beyond my personal disdain for cold calling, I feel there are plenty of other avenues available to me for business development. As someone who believes business is about relationships, I have been successful thus far through networking, referrals from existing clients and colleagues, as well as repeat business from clients. I also feel there are many other channels for reaching out to people as well, including blogging, Web sites, public speaking, authoring, conference panels, etc. This latter list I have only dipped my toes into, and is a body of water I am planning on diving in head first when I do.

So no big fanfare and no free coffee like last year. Next year will be 5 years, and maybe we’ll blow a few horns then. Now it’s back to work.

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As many readers of The Hot Iron know, myself and Bruno are the coordinators of likemind in Chicago. This monthly meetup of creative people for coffee is in sync with similar gatherings around the world.

Many people ask me what it’s all about, and why so early? Last week likemind was featured in the New York Times’ Fashion & Style section in an excellent article, which featured the New York City gathering as well as input from other coordinators in other cities.

Congrats to Noah and Piers, the founders of likemind, for this great publicity. The next likemind Chicago will be on Friday, December 5, 2008 at Spa Cafe in the Loop. See you then!

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In honor of Blog Action Day, I am breaking my tradition with posting a photo for Wordless Wednesday and joining in the conversation on this year’s topic – poverty. I have to admit I have never been in a position where I would say I was poor. In thinking about what to write, I decided to take a higher-level approach to helping organizations. This is based on my own personal experience as well as my involvement in being a member and leading Jaycees’ chapters.

Whenever we think of helping a cause – any cause – the first thing that comes to mind is donating money. For some people, this may be the only way they would want to help, and it doesn’t need to be elaborated on how money helps. However in times like today, when people either don’t have the funds to donate or are being cautious on any expenses other than what is absolutely required, we should seek other ways to help worthy causes and organizations that support them.

How?

Your Time - Many organizations can use volunteer help in their offices or in delivering their services, whether in your neighborhood or around the world. As well many general service and religious organizations do similar volunteering. There may be some costs involved in getting to your volunteering location (especially abroad) but your time is the key in what you are giving.

And why go it alone? Organize a family or company group.

Your services - What applies in our personal finances also applies in the finances of our businesses. By evaluating what your company does and finding a match in the community and in the world for someone who may be in need of it is surely a win-win. Whether you are a bakery or a Web developer like Dunkirk Systems, LLC, there are organizations that can use what you have to offer.

As with any donation, I recommend learning as much as you can about the organization. Read their Web site, talk with their executive director, visit their offices – whatever it takes for you to understand where what you are donating is going. This not only gives you a comfort level, but by this hands-on learning you can better tell the story of this organization to others.

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