DIVERSITY NEWS September 2005
Welcome to the September Edition of Diversity
News.
Articles include:
* Cliff Cottage Vacation Winner
Announced!
* Attracting
the Gay Community: Big Business Tests the Waters
*Newsletter Sponsor of the
Month
* The Transgender
Dilemma
* Working a Room: A
Guide for Networking for the Introverted
* What's Love Got To Do With It?
* An Interview With Marcus
Williams
*WE: Womens
Entertainment is Looking for Late-Bloomers
* Gay and Lesbian Parenting Guide: This
Month's Giveaway!
Be sure to forward to your
friends and coworkers!
To forward this newsletter scroll to the
bottom and type in a friend's email address. Your comments and
suggestions are always welcome.
Like our
newsletter? Vertical Response is the premier newsletter and email
marketing campaign site on the internet. Receive a free test drive from
Diversity Builder! Click banner.
 
|
WORKING A ROOM: A GUIDE TO NETWORKING FOR THE
INTROVERTED
BY: ADAM SMALL – CEO STRATEGIC BUSINESS
NETWORK, LLC
As a
self-proclaimed introvert – I relate to your pain and anxiety.
We are all confronted with the daunting challenge of entering a
room filled with hundreds of strangers yapping and shaking hands. We want
to be like them, the carefree and confident, those that seem to smile and
waive to everyone – they just walk by and are drawn into a new
conversation.
Being introverted is fabulous and don’t ever think
anything less!
We cannot change our DNA, but here are some
techniques to ease the anxiety level and make group-networking experiences
more manageable & comfortable.
8 tips to ease the stress of
networking:
Volunteer –
Sign up to volunteer if possible. This affords you the status of being
knowledgeable about the event and able to help others.
Early Bird – Much of the intimidation factor is
the sheer size of the audience. So arrive very early – even offer to help
set up.
Don’t Worry, Be Comfy.
– Wear something comfortable – if you prefer a suit – wear one you really
like.
Co-Pilot – Attend with
a friend who is in a different business and help each other navigate the
crowd.
Seek Out Fellow
Introverts – Like beached whales they are often not hard to
spot.
Set Goals –Goals aid this
process. Commit to introducing yourself to 5 new people.
Follow Up –Send each person an
individual message, be it a phone call, email or note card – make it
memorable and personalize the message.
Face to Face –Show genuine interest in your one on
one conversations. Think – how can you help them in terms of connecting
them with others you know?
Always remember, people do business with those they
like and trust. In every interaction and every conversation BE THAT
PERSON!
Copyright © 2005
Strategic Business Network. All rights reserved. You may copy or
distribute this article or any of its contents providing this copyright
notice and full information about contacting the author are attached.
Contact Adam by e-mail at judy@stategicbusinessnetwork.com or by telephone
at (615) 474-1952.
Visit Diversity Builder's GLBT Networking Team - click
here to reach the gay market
|
|
Attracting the Gay Community: Big Business Tests
the Waters
By:
J.K.Kennison
As you may
have already discovered, big business has noticed the GLBT market.
Although you might not see two gay teens, dancing in an 'I'm Lovin' It!'
commercial for McDonalds during the ABC network primetime, or overt
examples of support for the pink dollar in the mainstream heterosexual
media, this niche' market is being recognized. In the last few years, big
business has expressed a growing interest in the gay and lesbian
demographic.
Why the interest? Many gays and lesbians have no
children, are educated, and have significant disposable income. These
salaries are spent on things such as travel and cutting edge technology,
and so companies such as Air Canada and IBM have jumped on the bandwagon
to sell to this demographic by advertising in higher-profile gay
publications. Even Coors, who has felt the damage of the boycott the GLBT
community has issued them, are working very hard to remove that boycott,
spending millions of dollars in advertising in gay magazines. Since their
issue originates at the grassroots level, it is challenging for the Coors
Company to backtrack and improve its name in the gay and lesbian
community.
This year The Gay/Lesbian Consumer Online Census,
created by a partnership with OpusComm Group, Inc. and S.I. Newhouse
School of Public Communications at Syracuse University, released a study
that lists the top consumer products for gays and lesbians. Eight thousand
people responded with the brands they felt met their needs in quality and
excellence in several categories, such as travel, media, automotive and
computers. The goal of the census is to draw attention to the gay and
lesbian market to mainstream advertisers, giving them an idea of just who
it is that receives the $600 billion plus of
GLBT community annual buying power.
The following are the top
products for 2005: Top Airlines
1. American Airlines
2. Delta
Airlines
3. United Airlines
4. Southwest Airlines
5. US
Airways
| Top General Market
Magazines
1. Newsweek
2. Entertainment
Weekly
3. Time
4. Men's Health
5. Consumer
Reports
Top Cable
Networks
1. Bravo
2. A&E
3. HBO
4. Showtime
5. Comedy
Central
| | Top Gay-Themed
Magazine Titles (Men)
1. The
Advocate
2. Out
3. Instinct
Top Gay-Themed Magazine Titles (Women)
1. The
Advocate
2. Curve/Girlfriend (tied)
3.
Out
Top Domestic Travel
Destinations
1. New York City
2. Any California
Destination
3. San Francisco
4. Any Florida
Destination
| | | Top Computer Brands
1. Dell
2. Hewlett
Packard
3. Compaq
4. Gateway
5. Apple
Top Internet Websites
(Men)
1. Google
2. Yahoo!
3. Gay.com
4. Hotmail.com
5. Amazon.com
Top Internet Websites
(Women)
1. Google
2. Yahoo!
3. Amazon.com
4. eBay.com
5. Planetout.com
| | | Top
Television Programs
1. Will & Grace
2. Queer as
Folk
3. Queer Eye for the Straight Guy
4. Six Feet
Under
5. Law & Order
Top
Cruise Lines
1. Carnival
2. Royal Caribbean
Cruises
3. Norwegian Cruise Line
4. Princess Cruise Lines
5. Holland America Cruise Lines
Top Auto Manufacturers Gay/Lesbian Consumers Consider for
Future
Purchase
1. Toyota
2. Honda
3. Volkswagen
4. Ford
5. BMW
| | |
Click
here for more in-depth information from the Gay/Lesbian
Census
|
|
Gaywheels.com
Preview - 2006 Isuzu i-280 & i-350 Pickups
Gaywheels.com, the first automotive
website specifically targeted to the GLBT buyer, provides a
gay-friendly way to research and buy a car or truck and related
services. Users of the site are able to investigate which automakers and
other automotive companies offer
domestic partner benefits to their employees, thus qualifying them as
“gay-friendly.” With that information at hand, they can make an educated
choice when beginning the car-buying process.
Their corporate
policy dictates that they only work with gay-friendly companies. As a
result, any time you link to a Gaywheels.com partner or advertiser, you
will have the peace of mind of knowing that they offer domestic-partner
benefits to their employees.
Gaywheels.com encourages its
readers to take a company’s policies into consideration when choosing, financing and insuring their next
vehicle..
Gaywheels.com Preview - 2006 Isuzu i-280 & i-350
Pickups – Gay-friendly Pickups
Fleetwood BroughamLong known for its rugged SUVs, Isuzu is readying its new pickup
for the U.S. market. Named the i-280 and i-350, the new trucks share much
in common with their counterparts at GM, the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC
Canyon.
Click here to read more of this article from
Gaywheels!
Click here for more information on
Gaywheels!
|
WHAT'S LOVE GOT TO DO WITH
IT
When it
comes right down to it, business owners fall into two camps: People who
follow their passions, and clear-eyed folks who look for great moneymaking
opportunities. Each side says its approach works best.
On one
hand, following a market opportunity has glittering allure: A great
opportunity can make a lot of cash. On the other hand, following your
passion has romantic appeal: All day long, you're around a product or
service you love.
But what are the downsides? Are people who
follow their passions more likely to fail? There's no hard research to
support that claim. While the steady stream of bankrupt restaurants, bed
and breakfasts, and golf companies does seem to suggest that the
passionate approach is weak on results, reality is far more complex.
BEATING THE ODDS
Miles Cook
looked like a failure statistic waiting to happen: a 25-year-old guy who
loved motorcycles and wanted his own motorcycle dealership. At first
glance, he seemed to be headed for disaster. Even the banks thought so. "I
was young, and a lot of banks didn't even want to talk to me," says Cook,
now 32. After five banks declined his application, Cook read an
Entrepreneur article listing the top banks for small businesses in each
state. Sure enough, one of those banks agreed to loan him the money for
his startup. Now Cook's Rochester Motorsports Inc. in Rochester, New
Hampshire, does a brisk business selling the most popular brands of
Japanese motorcycles, with nearly $10 million in annual
sales.
Joshua M. Estrin,
MS
President/CEO
Concepts In
Success
Catch Joshua Estrin live and in color on
November 19, 2005 at the GLBT Life and Business Expo in Nashville, TN.
Can't make it to the Expo? Visit www.shutupandlistentoyourself.com
and speak to the "Anti-Expert" himself.
This
article brought to you by Concepts in
Success!
|
|
Enter to Win a Copy of The Complete Lesbian and Gay
Parenting Guide, courtesy of Diversity
Builder!
The Complete Lesbian
and Gay Parenting Guide is a must-have for anyone who already has
children, or those that are wanting to start the process. Arlene Istar Lev
talks about building healthy families within the contemporary concept of
Gay and Lesbian Parenting.
What Amazon.com has to say about
The Complete Lesbian and Gay Parenting Guide:
"Gay parenting is a productive and positive decision, but
author and lesbian mother Arlene Lev admits it isn't always an easy one.
With practical wisdom and advice, and personal real-life stories, Lev
prepares gay parents for this endeavor with everything they need to know
and everything they can expect while making their own significant and
challenging mark on family life in the 21st century."
How to Enter: Email newsletter@diversitybuilder.com
with your name and phone number to enter and win this book! Limit one
entry per person.
Click here to visit Arlene Lev's Diversity Builder
Listing
|
|
Take Advantage of the Discounts
Offered by Diversity Builder
Providers
Attorney Services
Carpet
Cleaning
Chiropractic Services
Coaching
Graphic/Web
Design
Printing
Real Estate & Mortgage
And much
More!
To View Provider Discounts Click
Here
|
|
Diversity Builder's Exclusive Interview
With Marcus Williams!
Diversity Builder
interviewed star LGBT photographer (on the rise), Marcus Williams, for an
enlightening look at the world of photo shoots, life of an entrepreneurial
photographer, and dreams of shooting Vin Diesel.
Elements
Studio - Photographing Life
Marcus Williams,
Photographer
Diversity Builder: What
interests you about photography and how long have you been 'shooting?'
Williams: My partner Brian and I
have been working with photography for the past 5 years. It incorporates
so many things that I love, from meeting interesting people to traveling
to exciting locales! I am self-taught, but the more I learn, the more I
crave a hands-on approach. |  |
Diversity Builder: Describe some of the local photo
shoots your have performed lately.
Williams: I've worked on recent commercial ventures
with local clubs and organizations in our community, as well as private,
individual shoots. From realtor head shots to bed and breakfasts, my own
artistic side comes out with personal projects I select as often as
possible.
Diversity Builder: Which
celebrity would you most like to photograph?
Williams: I think Vin Diesel would get my attention
most any day of the week. When I work with people, I typically calm them
by having a normal conversation. I would be somewhat flustered with him
talking back and posing for me!
| Diversity Builder: What
are your photo shoot prices?
Williams: My rates range from as little as $80 up to
full-day sittings on location. Clients are different with each having
their own needs. I am more than willing to work with a situation as a
whole, rather than count rolls of film and shots taken. I have other
things to worry about!
Marcus Williams is a photographer and owner of Elements Studio.
He resides in middle Tennessee and travels the USA to perform photo
shoots. Themes of his work include (LGBT) community, togetherness, male
models, and local interest. |
Click
here to visit Marcus Williams at Diversity
Builder
|
Diversity
Newsletter Sponsor of the Month
Hillsboro
Village & Woodbine Shell & Auto Services in Nashville,
Tennessee!
Hillsboro Village and Woodbine Shell & Auto
Service offer an alternative to the status quo in auto service...PEACE
OF MIND! Both locations offer general but comprehensive maintenance and
repair including exhaust and tires. Ask how you can save on your care
maintenance by joining the Car Care Club.
If you are looking for an oil change, brake work, tune up or other auto
repair in the Nashville area, be sure to go to visit the Hillsboro Village
or Woodbine Shell.
 | Clip this coupon to receive 10% off on your next auto
service! |
Click coupon above to visit
Hillsboro Village and Woodbine Shell & Auto
Service
|
The Transgender
Dilemma
Groucho Marx once said, "I’d never join a club
that would have someone like me as a member." That’s how I used to feel
about being part of the transgender community. Thankfully, I’m over that
now.
The transgender community is actually larger and more
diverse than most people can imagine – which is actually one of the
reasons it’s so hard to define. Strictly speaking, the word transgender
refers to anyone who behaves or expresses themselves in ways contrary to
cultural gender norms. That could include people who would surgically
alter their bodies to bring their physical self more in line with their
internal sense of their gender. It could include people who find some sort
of short-term satisfaction in expressing cross-gendered behavior. It could
include masculine acting women or feminine acting men – people who are
just acting ways that seem natural and normal to them. And, it could
include people who refuse to accept the gender binary and who choose to be
whatever flavor of queer they feel like.
Click
here to read the rest of the article by Donna Rose!
Visit Diversity Builder's GLBT Networking Team - click
here to reach the gay market
|
|
And we have a
winner!
Congratulations to Frederick Sullivan! He is winner of our
September vacation giveaway!
Frederick wins a two-night stay at the picturesque Cliff Cottage Inn, located in Eureka
Springs, Arkansas!
From everyone here at Diversity Builder, we
hope you have a wonderful time!
Click
here to learn more about The Cliff Cottage
Inn!
|
|
The Women's Entertainment Network (WE) has asked
Diversity Builder to help find late-bloomers for documentary
series!
WE (Women's
Entertainment Network) is looking for women who came out of the closet
later in life for a new documentary series.
* Did you previously live a completely
heterosexual lifestyle and now totally embrace being a lesbian?
* Do you live a double
life - spending weekdays with the husband and kids, weekends with your
girlfriend?
* Have you
recently started dating or using a matchmaker as a
lesbian?
* Are you part of
a lesbian couple preparing for the delivery of your first
child?
* Are you about to
finally come out of the closet?
The WE
Segment Producer stated, "We are looking for "late bloomer" lesbians to
share their life stories with us. We want compelling women with unexpected
perspectives and unique outlooks - everyone from CEOs, soccer moms, and
lipstick lesbians alike. It is possible for women who are in the closet to
retain anonymity in the program, if they so choose.
Email your story
and your picture; please put your name and "late bloomer lesbian"
in the subject line."
Click
here to tell your story!
|
Are you proudly displaying your "Tips On Making Your
Business Gay-Friendly" Reminder Cards? If not, email
info@diversitybuilder.com for a free supply- Be sure to include your
physical mailing address.
Thank you for
supporting www.diversitybuilder.com! Your comments and suggestions are
always welcome.
Your Diversity Builder Staff
|
|
|
|
