December 16, 2010

Too busy to catch up on your favorite OPEN Forum authors every day? The OPEN Forum Editorial team is pleased to present the “Weekender” roundup to fill you in on the can’t miss OPEN Forum stories of the week. This week it’s all about mentorship, planning in-store events, and the wrap-up of the best OPEN Forum articles of 2010.

End  of  year OPEN Forum recap. OPEN Forum expert Scott Roen picked a list of his favorite articles from 2010. From John Jantsch’s Twitter article to Wise Bread’s piece on 2010 tax rules, Roen selects a few articles to keep you in the loop and on your game. Scott Roen, American Express OPEN

How do you respond? Ann Handley asks a crucial question that every small business owner must face at some point in time: How do you respond when your customers opt for the cheaper, Internet-version of your products or services? Ann Handley, MarketingProfs

The best places to donate. There’s no better time than the holidays to lend a helping hand to some of your favorite charities and services. Laurel Delaney offers six places to consider donating this season. Laurel Delaney, GlobeTrade

Referral Engines. Referrals are crucial in any business, but how can you ensure that your business is getting the most qualified people out there? From finding referrals to following-up afterwards, John Jantsch offers his tips on managing the process from start to finish. John Jantsch, Duct Tape Marketing

Helping you hire. When it comes to filling a new position in your small business, sifting through the seemingly infinite job applications can be daunting. Luckily there are several web apps that can save you time and energy, as long as you choose the right ones. Sarah Kessler, Mashable

Host an in-store event that doesn’t break the bank. In-store events are both fun and effective marketing techniques, but they can get a little pricey. Katie Morell offers a few tips, such as enlisting the media and calling a charity. Katie Morell

Mentor advice in the Internet age. There’s no denying that mentorship can be a positive and useful relationship, but sometimes it can become very time consuming. Fortunately, what used to take an in-person meeting or a long lunch can now be accomplished via Skype or email. If you stick to a few basic points, you can have the same relationship without losing a significant amount of time. Pamela Slim, Escape from Cubicle Nation

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