How to Start Your Own Business in Tough Economic Times

December 6, 2009

Vladas Krivickas (Intelligent Clout Inc.), Jerry R. Mitchell (Midwest Entrepreneurs' Forum), Jenny Yang (NutraMetrix).

An idea of starting your own business in the midst of economic downturn might seem a little odd for some, but this is exactly what we put on the discussion table on December 3rd at Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture.

The seminar, called How to Start Your Own Business in Tough Economic Times, was organized with Lithuanian Business Council (LBC), Midwest Entrepreneurs’ Forum and the museum, was a great success.

We at Intelligent Clout had wanted to bring Jerry R. Mitchell to the Lithuanian community for a while, and finally it happened. Jerry R. Mitchell was a guest speaker at LBC’s monthly gathering.

Monika Bonckute (Intelligent Clout Inc.), Jerry R. Mitchell (Midwest Entrepreneurs' Forum).

The event drew a much bigger crowd than LBC members. We were happy to see seasoned entrepreneurs and recent college graduates discussing, networking and exchanging ideas.

At the same event Vladas Krivickas from Intelligent Clout talked about the ways small businesses can harness power of the Internet and while cutting on advertising costs get attention of even more eyeballs.

Audience was a nice mix of professionals and recent college grads.

We are sure that collaboration between Midwest Entrepreneurs’ Forum, Intelligent Clout and the Lithuanian community will continue, especially when it comes to promoting entrepreneurship. There are plans in works for a similar event in January, possibly with the help of another great organization, International Business Club.

Thanks to everyone who helped put this event together and everyone who participated. Special thanks to Angela Kavak, president of Food Depot International and Stanley Balzekas Jr., president of Balzekas Museum of Lithuanian Culture. We look forward to working with you again!

Swine Flu: Is the Vaccine Safe For Your Kid (and you)?

October 27, 2009

Dr. Mayer Eisenstein.

Bill Maher famously declared on Twitter that basically you should get your head checked if you opt for a flu shot: “If u get a swine flu shot ur an idiot”, says his actual Tweet

Our panelists at the event organized by Jerry R. Mitchell and Associates and Intelligent Clout Inc. phrased it a little bit differently: “Swine Flu: Is the Vaccine Safe for Your Kid (and you)?”

Discussion was quite heated, points where being made and at the end the majority of participants agreed: the safety of H1N1 vaccine is questionable, as well as the efficacy of most vaccines ever invented.

Dr. Mayer Eisenstein was the most critical of all the panelists when it came to the efficacy of the vaccine. According to him, none of the vaccines ever cured or prevented any infectious diseases.

Karey Williams, a board member of “Moms Against Mercury”, stated that H1N1 contains dangerous ingredients, including mercury, that are proven to cause autoimmune problems in children.

So, even though we are not doctors and we are not sure about the part of having your head checked if you do get a flu shot, we are sure it is wise to do your homework and research what are you putting in your body.

All in all, this was a superb event and we at Intelligent Clout are proud to have been a part of it.

You can see more pictures from this and other events, also check any upcoming events on our wall in Facebook. Please join Intelligent Clout on FB and learn first about our events, promotions and much more.

Vladas Krivickas of Intelligent Clout Made a Presentation at Ignite Chicago Event, UIC Downtown Campus

October 22, 2009

Ignite Chicago offers an ongoning series of five minute presentations.

What about this for a new social networking/marketing scenario: “Ready? One… create a website, two… join Facebook, three… sign up for Twitter, four…FAIL”?

This is the title of the presentation Vlada Krivickas made at “Ignite Chicago” event. The summary of the presentation is below.

Why so many shiny happy marketers are raving about social media as if it is a cure for all the problems in the world?

Many of them are eager to tell you stories that unless you join all possible networks and put out your very own website for the whole world to see, you will turn into a nature freak with hair growing right on your nails and horns indicating you are the biggest loser on Earth.

These are self-described networking ninjas. I can call myself a flying saucer, but unless I am actually going to levitate in front of you right now, you can wish me good luck calling myself a flying saucer, I will still be my miserable self.

Why every single self-respecting organization from Rotary International to Stay at home moms for Peace on Mars are having seminars where they teach you how to sign up for Facebook and tell you from now on you are a part of the holy community of the blessed, because you are about to witness dollar bills pouring through your windows?

They are doing all of that because people like spinning stories and they get excited about some new stuff.

The fact is that majority of businesses are wasting their time on fashionable “tools” that give them nothing but headache and lead nowhere but to failure.

There are so many other things you can do in order to run your business more efficiently before you turn to Facebook and Twitter.

Fewer businesses need an actual office. Don’t talk “virtual”, “21st” century, etc., just walk the walk. Get PMB for $300 dollars a year. It gives you an actual street address.
Work at home or at Starbucks. Offer to come to a client’s office or meet him/her at a coffee shop or a restaurant. Buy him/her a dinner from what you’ve saved.

Use Internet telephony (VoIP, voice over Internet Protocol). It is hooked up to your router and it costs y around 30 dollars a month for unlimited calls. You can have multiple phone numbers. Your office can be located in Chicago, but you can have Los Angeles or Honolulu phone number.

Think where you are hosting your website? How much you are paying?

When you have all that stuff taken care of, tackle social networking. It’s not that social networking or social media is not useful for small or any sized business. The thing is, it has to be a part of your marketing plan and you must know what are you doing.

For that, you need a lot of good ideas first. You need to have a great story and know ways to get it out. You must have a great message and you must be able to add value, to contribute. You must be interesting. You must know how to create your image, you must be a rock star in your field.

Think of Kim Kardashian. Do you thing your daughter is smarter and better looking? Probably? What does she lack, then? Branding, an idea, some appealing aura around her that SELLS. All the time you spend on social media is worthless, unless it increases your sales.

With all the buzz going on on social networks and social media, only truly interesting and valuable ideas or and innovations or shocking news and scandals can draw prospect’s attention. You even might to try finding your inner Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, or Donald Trump, before you dare using social networking in order to market your business.

Check out Ignite Chicago website: http://www.ignitechi.org/.

Intelligent Clout Inc. and Midwest Entrepreneurs’ Forum Join Forces to Promote Entrepreneurship

October 10, 2009

Jerry Mitchell, president of Midwest Entrepreneurs' Forum

Intelligent Clout Inc. was recently selected to manage PR for Midwest Entrepreneurs’ Forum (MEF). MEF promotes and strengthens the process of starting and growing companies by providing services, which educate and inform entrepreneurs.

It is one of the most respected independent organizations encouraging people to start their own businesses and mentoring young businesspeople in Chicagoland.

So you’ll be seeing us, Intelligent Clout people, in MEF events, possibly helping to organize some of them, and definitely spreading the word about how great the MEF is… because it is truly a great organization, headed by “serial entrepreneur”, as named by Fortune magazine, Jerry R. Mitchell.

What is so great about it?

First, there is not so many organizations in Chicago providing invaluable advice to small and medium business owners for free. Besides a nominal annual fee of $60, all MEF events are free to members and $20 to general public.

Advice of such entrepreneurs as Jerry R. Mitchell is worth thousands of dollars, and his good will and encouragement are priceless.

Not that many entrepreneurs are willing to share their knowledge and coach start-ups as Jerry is. Do we are more than proud to be part of this organization and make sure every entrepreneur in Chicago and suburbs has a change to learn about it and join it.

In these tough economic times it is very important to know your options and have confidence to create a job for yourself, if it becomes clear there is no one available. This is what MEF is about.

Check out their website: www.midwestentrepreneursforum.org
Jerry R. Mitchell’s personal website: www.jerryrmitchell.com

Intelligent Clout Becomes a Member of Lithuanian Business Council, Poised to Inject Some Fresh Blood

September 30, 2009

Angela Kavak (left), president of Food Depot International, and Monika Bonckute (expert at IC) during a discussion.

This meeting was a lot of fun, because members of Lithuanian Business Council (LBC) met first time after taking a break during summer.

LBC functions under auspices of Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago. It’s purpose is to strengthen business ties and trade between Lithuania and U.S., and help businesses on both sides of the pond to find one another.

Intelligent Clout Inc. is poised to inject some fresh blood into the organization that spans a few decades back. Just in case somebody interested in LBC is reading this post, please don’t hesitate to contact me (Vladas Krivickas, that is) directly and I’ll be glad to tell you more about the organization and maybe even have you t over at the next meeting.

We are currently planning a new LBC event and Intelligent Clout will play a major role in it (we hope).

We’ll keep everybody posted here!