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What Does ROI Mean To You?
What does ROI mean to you?
If you’re a doctor maybe you think of Rick of Infection. If you’re a health care worker it could mean Release of Information. In publishing maybe it is Run of Issue. As a busy mom of four teens, I never thought much about ROI, but something strange has happened lately: ROI keeps appearing in my life!
Since becoming involved with social media (twitter, facebook, linkedin, blogging, etc.), I just figured that ROI referred to a person’s Rate Of Influence, right? You know, how many people read their blogs, follow them on twitter, retweet their tweets, and who speaks at what conference, yadda yadda yadda…
How is true ROI measured? One definition I found: http://www.rms.net/lc_faq_other_roi.htm
“A measure of the net income a firm is able to earn with the its total assets. Return on investment is calculated by dividing net profits after taxes by total assets. When someone asks about ROI, they are really asking: What do I get back (’return’) for the money I’m being asked to spend (’investment’)?”
I’m sure there is a lot of business jargon used to measure and equate what this means, and with the specialization of our economy, each business, service, product, and company surely has its ways to measure its success or failure.
Until now, I never thought about what would my Return on Investment be on anything. Hey, I’m raising four children. Is my ROI going to be grandkids, successful kids? I couldn’t even start to add up the hours spent worrying, or measure how many hours I have worked at my children’s schools, from lunchroom to the library. Oh, and there’s more: time spent in PTO meetings, girl scouts, boy scouts, little league to high school concession stands. Think about all the things you do each day. Do you ask yourself, what’s my ROI on this?
Here is how I have decided to measure my ROI, by asking these questions on a daily basis. Have I been able to help you? Have I made a positive difference? Have I done the task I have taken on? Do you feel you could trust me to help you again?
A few months ago I met a woman who’s had big impact on my life. I never saw it coming and I almost missed the opportunity to be changed by her. My only regret is that I didn’t meet her earlier in my life. It may’ve changed the type of mother I am, how my business could’ve grown, saved me from some of the many mistakes I’ve made…All I know is that I feel lucky to have been able to meet her at all.
Liz Strauss has made such a big impact on me, and it’s startling to think that if I’d just turned right instead of left one time I’d never have connected with her.
She’s soft spoken; I’m a bit loud. Liz thinks about what she is going to say; I blurt things out.
Who is this Liz Strauss and why should you know her? Liz is a writer, a thinker, a blogger, a businesswoman, a connector, a mother, an advisor and a friend.
What does this have to do with ROI? Rosen’s Opportunity Invitation
Let me introduce you to her blog. Please, take time to read past entries. I don’t know how she does it, but every post I read I feel that she has me in mind. I wonder if you will too. http://www.successful-blog.com/
Oh! I almost forgot! If you get a chance also check out the incredible event that Liz puts together in Chicago.
Many of the presenters at SOBCon09 have in my opinion a positive and inspiring Rate Of Influence and I’m excited to be going to SOBcon09 to hear them.
Let’s meet the lineup of presenters and performers scheduled to be at SOBCon09!
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5 Responses to “What Does ROI Mean To You?”
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Great post! I feel exactly the same about Liz, she is awe-inspiring. I am looking forward to just breathing her air at SOBCon. I also talk about ROI in terms of social media as Risk of Inaction. When you wait too long to do something because you want it to be perfect.
ROI can mean so many things and this article goes to show that it is not only a return on investment, but also receipt of interest. It is so amazing that your path had crossed with Liz, even though you may have needed her back when you first started out 15 years ago. Just think, back then you had 3 kids out of 4 in diapers that needed you with them. Your husband loved having you at home at the end of a hard day at the office. Fast forward 15 years, your kids are potty trained and your husband is happy that your ability to network, identify, and create buzz about what ever you touch has re-entered the blogosphere. Now is the time, and people like Liz are one of a kind. You’ve also inspired many a mommy out there yourself, keep up the awesome work. I can’t think of a better person to represent mom it forward than a mom that always thinks of everyone else, that would be you!!
Hi Beth,
We met briefly at the visionati event last week. Wow, I am impressed and my eyes are a little more open after reading your blog. I am going to pass this on to some people I know…
Paul
Beth,
This is a wonderful post on what ROI means. I love that ROI can mean so many things to so many people depending on what stage of life or career they are in. I’m not new to the internet, but I am a baby to all the social network, blogs etc. I am thrilled to learn more from Liz who you talk about with such heart and conviction. She sounds like a true treasure and I’m honored to meet you both in just a couple of days at SOBCON09. How did I get so bless to get to come and be among you all! I can’t wait to learn from the greatest!
Ohhhh how I wish I were going! I had hoped to go, but I just couldn’t make it work this year. Next year I sure hope to be there!!!