This year I suggest setting "New Year Priorities".

Resolutions are great but often go unfulfilled and excuses come easily. When we set a priority, it is a commitment to the journey of life!

Doesn't this sound better and something you can pursue with certainty and excitement?

Think about the definition of the word, "priority".

Precedence, especially established by order of importance or urgency.

So, what is the order of importance in your life?  

• Family
• Career
• Finances
• Health
• Relationships

When we evaluate what is important in our lives, establish the order of importance and make those the "priorities" for the new year, the results tend to take care of themselves.

We don't make resolutions in our business! We don't say, " I am making a resolution to get 2 new clients this week".  We make it a Priority because we know our business depends on it. Why would we not take the same approach to our lives?

Set your new year Priorities today!



As we get older we often begin to look at our lives differently. We take time to reflect on what we've accomplished, what we would still like to accomplish and what the most important things in our lives are. I guess what makes this really cool for me is that I have always looked at life this way but just haven't often expressed it publicly. Well, the time has come to do so!

I have been blessed in my life beyond anything I could have ever imagined. The single greatest blessing in my life is my son Nicholas. The joy that he has brought into my life cannot be adequately expressed in words.

A friend and former coworker had a profound impact on my life several years ago. Events in his life as well as my own made me reflect on my life, my son's life and how I could be the best father to my son. As a result I resigned from my employer and worked on my website fulltime so I could be home with my son. More details about this decision to come...

Since 2003 I have worked hard on building Auto Detailing Network to the site it is today. Without the support of our advertisers, article contributors and of course our visitors none of this would have been possible. I am extremely grateful to everyone for providing me the opportunity to be with my son and to be there for all the important events in his life.

Over the past month or so I have been working on a website that I am so passionate about. I say working, but it really hasn't been much work at all because of my passion for the content. Again, as a result of events in my life I felt it was a "calling" of sorts for me to do this to perhaps help others to pause and reflect on the important things in life.

In just a few short weeks I have been introduced to so many amazing individuals that have further confirmed that this is a project that I must continue. The project is a new website "Time For Life" and can be found at http://www.timeforlife.net.

The individual that I spoke about above has been generous enough to provide photos and information to me about his family and his story. To learn more about his story. click here.

Where this new adventure will take me, I'm not sure but I am sure enjoying the journey!

So what is going to happen with Auto Detailing Network?

I, with the support of our advertisers, contributors and visitors will continue to bring the detailing industry the information it needs and deserves. I may not be on the forum as often but I am thankful to the great members, moderators and vendors that make them such a valuable and enjoyable resource for our visitors.

Again, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks to the many individuals and businesses that have been such an important part of the success of Auto Detailing Network.

I hope the new site offers inspiration and encouragement to it's visitors and to the visitors of Auto Detailing Network.

God Bless.

Dan Ekenberg

"Networking"

We hear this term used in many ways. It can describe a "network" of computers linked together to share files and programs etc.  The term we have heard a lot about lately is "social networking".  Participation in social networking is done through the use of online tools such as facebook and myspace.

From a detail business perspective, networking has often meant regular communications or meetings (online or in person) with other detailing businesses. While it is important to have those relationships with others in the industry it is also important to consider the value of networking with those outside the industry.

Many communities have "leads groups" that meet on a regular schedule, usually monthly. These groups have members from a wide variety of businesses in the community including; Realtors, Electricians, Bankers, Restaurant Owners, Mobile Phone, Retail and many others.  These groups offer tremendous opportunity if you can get into one. Usually, the groups only allow one local business from a respective industry. For example: They will have one real estate member, one cell phone member etc.

The meetings are usually structured similar to this.

• Members and guests exchange business cards, flyers and brochures
• Attendees introduce themselves
• Announcements of other events or other networking possibilities
• A "featured member" is allowed to give a full presentation about their business
• A round table discussion of referrals and leads opportunities

To locate groups in your area, search Google for "your city leads groups" and see what may be available.

If you don't have a local leads group to join consider an online networking group such as linkedin.

This service offers networking opportunities outside your local area. Though this may not necessarily provide leads for your business directly but they can provide insight into marketing, insurance and other business related topics.

For more information, see our networking group on linkedin.

Regards,

Dan Ekenberg

Auto Detailing Network

To this point, there have not been many resources for the consumer to educate themselves about what to look for in a detailing service provider that they may consider using.

As a result, through the assistance of detailing trainers and others we hope to bring a heightened level of information and education to the detailing consumer.

Much of the information online is geared entirely towards the detailer which is great for increasing the skills and knowledge of the industry. Now, consumers can make a more educated and informed decision before deciding on a detailing service. This will benefit everyone! The consumer as well as the professionals in our industry.

I would like to thank the contributors that have provided their expertise to this very important issue in our industry. We have received notification from others in our industry that they would like to provide their input as well. We will be updating this feature as information becomes available.

Consumer Awareness Tips

Regards,

Dan Ekenberg

Auto Detailing Network

My question to the new forum administrators: Why the secrecy? Why the "members" have to be "voted in" by current members? It is amazing to me that some of the individuals that started the new forum continue to "recruit" our members for their forums and yet still participate on ours! I guess they recognize real talent when they see it.

They claim to be working to "better the industry". How is shutting people out and talking behind the backs of others helping to "better the industry"? 

Since the very beginning of our site, we have welcomed everyone! We make no judgements as to the professionalism or abilities of our members. We have no egos, just a desire to help EVERYONE grow and succeed not just a "select few" that are voted in.

So, to the administrators of the new forums, I wish you all the best.

To our members and guests, thanks for your long time support and we look forward to continuing to bring the best of the best together.

Are You using Twitter for your business?

If not, you may be missing a great opportunity! Last week when the service was hit by hackers you would think the world had come to an end. What??? I can't "tweet"?

The story was all over the internet, cable news and even local news. What was interesting to me was they even covered it as a "business" story on networks like CNBC (Oh, by the way the use twitter too - CNBC). Why was this a big story? Because many people use the service!

Now, don't get me wrong I couldn't care less about hearing that a friend of mine is going to take a shower and then go to Starbucks! But... if used properly it can be a great tool for promoting your business and keeping in contact with existing customers.

Here are some stories about using Twitter for business.

• Marketing Small Businesses with Twitter - NY Times
• How Companies use Twitter to bolster their brands - Business Week
• Businesses use Twitter to communicate with customers - USA Today

Large Corporations using Twitter

• Ford
• Lowes Home Improvement
• Wall Street Journal
• Sears
• Fox News
• CNN

The list goes on and on including celebrities, Politicians, Athletes and more...

There is additional information about using Twitter as a business Tool available at this Twitter Page

Don't think that the search engines haven't taken notice... The search engine "Bing" that has been in the news so much lately has a special site for searching "tweets".

The site is, you quessed it "BingTweets"

So if you aren't yet "tweeting" what are you waiting for??

Oh, by the way... below are the Tweets from Auto Detailing Network

Now Get Tweeting!

I have been  blessed to have had the support (both financial and friendships) of many talented individuals and companies over the 13 years or so that Mobileworks has been online. What I have always been so proud of is how the people that participate on our site reach out to help others without expecting anything in return except perhaps a "thank you". 

Along with the great friends and business associates that I have been fortunate enough to enjoy, I and others have recently been the recipients of emails that serve no purpose but to try to bring people down. Well, not only is this not bringing anybody down it has helped to ignite a renewed sense of community, friendship and momentum! Thank You!

A forum is designed to engage people in conversation, exchange ideas and to assist others. Not to judge or put people down that may not have the experience or background of some of its members. Rest assured, everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate on Mobileworks. We make no judgements as to your abilities or professionalism but are here to help everyone grow and succeed.

What is so refreshing for me personally is the excitement and optimism I hear from folks when I speak with them. They are focused on their business, family and life! Many have very exciting plans in their personal lives and are taking full advantage of the opportunities that running your own business provides.

I as well have big plans for the next year, a bike ride across America to honor my brother who died of cancer in 2002. As I have been researching the internet (there it is again) I have come across some really inspirational and motivational sites and stories from others that have made similar rides.

My point of all this is...life is too short for me to waste my time and energy on the nonsense that has invaded my inbox lately.

Thanks to the many that have personally contacted me with your words of support and ideas to help make and keep Mobileworks the site that Pros use and trust!

If you want to know more about what is actually in the bill since our elected officials won't read it, click here