Are you ready? Are you ready? LET'S GET IT ON!!!

That's what they say to start UFC fights, and if the headlines are to be believed, that's what needs to be said by business owners and entrepreneurs everywhere when it comes to battling the economy. You need to ignite your business. The days of 'just' placing an ad are over. You need to mix things up. A mixture of internet marketing and getting out there and busting your butt.

This HUB is for all, but we're going to use Long Island, NY as an example. Sure, like all regions of the country they have life's challenges and negative headlines, but the stats and community involvement show that they got it going on. Of the country's 300 Intel Science Award winners, nearly 20%, 59 came from Long Island, NY, that's an impressive stat. If the children are our future and education is important, than it might be a good idea for regions around the country  to take a look at what Long Island, NY schools are doing.

Back to the economy ...

Google is not your partner. Less than twenty years ago, the internet didn't exist. You had to go out there and meet people, make cold-calls, get your chance, do a great job and build a business relationship. For some it has become too easy to hide behind email blasts and pay-per-click campaigns as their effort towards building a client base. Hey, our living is made off the internet, but it's not enough. Like twenty years ago, you still got to get out there and meet people, make the cold-calls, get your chance, do a great job and build business relationships. A mixture of internet marketing and doing old fashioned 'grunt work' is the way to go.

"Determination and perseverance move the world; thinking that others will do it for you is a sure way to fail." - Marva Collins

It's up to you to go out there and make it happen. As far as business people coming together, working to ignite business, like their award winning science students, Long Island, NY is getting it on. It's called 'networking'. Through networking events and networking groups, the Long Island business community is doing a lot better job of stimulating the economy than our elected officials. That's for sure. Many of these events are FREE as local restaurants team up with area businesses, with the goal of igniting business. In addition to 'igniting business' most events work towards helping a local charity. It's a win-win situation and an incredible combination of community and commerce. Long Island Insurance exec Jon Carroll put it best, "You definitely need to do your follow-ups, send out the emails and make the calls, but the benefits are there for anyone driven enough to follow through".

MondayNightNetworking.com

Sure we own the domain name, but it's not about a website, it's an attitude. It's about kicking off your work week, kicking off your networking week, kicking off your business. Here in Long Island, NY, we're kicking off Monday Night Networking 1/26 @ The Cool Water Grill, Bay Shore. 2/9 @ The Railroad Inn, Valley Stream, 2/23 @ JUGS -N- STROKERS, Merrick. We realize Hubber's across the country don't need the date and times. It's just to give you a example of what can be done to ignite business. in your community.

Hope to see you soon. We have work to do.