The other night I had the pleasure of reconnecting with some dear friends from my Little Tikes and Hasbro days.
Joe Cacciola and Wayne Blatchley of Fuzion Design Inc came all the way from Pawtucket RI to Northeast Ohio to do the tour of business friends.
Their portfolio was filled with product designs of children’s toys and juvenile merchandise. Believe me, it was beyond impressive! Especially for a business that is only a “toddler”, starting just 14 months ago!
Obviously they couldn’t show us everything they’ve been working on (because most of it is confidential), but what they did share was simply amazing.
This adorable Dump Truck is actually a potty seat and step stool combo. It’s available from Safety 1st at Wal*Mart and is just one example of some of the great product design work that they’ve done.
As you might guess, Joe and Wayne are anything but newbies in the industry.
I first worked with Joe when I was at Hasbro’s Playskool division and later at Rubbermaid’s Little Tikes offices. And although I just met Wayne, I feel like I’ve known him forever, since he started at Hasbro right about the time I was leaving Playskool in 1991. He also worked in Boys Toys with many of my old friends. Talking to him made me feel like I was back in the trenches as a brand manager working on GI Joe, Transformers, Flying Fighters, Battle Beasts & Inhumanoids.
Because Fuzion Design is new new product and packaging design business with a lot of talent, it might appear to an outsider that they are getting all this work effortlessly… but anyone who is responsible for sales and marketing in this economy knows that the phone doesn’t just ring. There is something that Joe & Wayne are doing that is making their business very successful.
Their secret? I think it boils down to just 3 words:
Network. Network. Network!
If you’re thinking of starting a business, or are already responsible for new business development for a company, you can learn a lesson from what Joe & Wayne are doing:
- Your past business associates, while still loosely connected to you, may be powerfully connected to others who could be in a position to hire you. Or they may know another associate who is in a position to use your services.
- Go visit. Bring business cards! Spelling “Caccolia” “Blackley” and “Fusion” really doesn’t cut it! I needed to refer to their business cards several times.
- Invite and connect on LinkedIn. Make it easier for people to refer you. Make it easier to reconnect when you come to town. Join the groups from your former employers to find your business friends. Upload a photo. Everyone wants to see what you look like now.
- Remember: give to get. The reason these two guys will do so well is not only are they talented, fun, personable, hard-working and professional, but they know that in networking, an important part of it is to be eager to share and help others too.
- Don’t just plan to stay in touch. Stay in touch with your past business associates. It is such a small world.
- Don’t just call when you need a favor, stay in touch when you’re doing well.
- Follow up! Joe & Wayne promised to send photos and to stay in touch. Yep, they did it too. Not 24 hours after returning home, they both had emails in my email inbox.
So, Joe and Wayne, I hope you don’t mind that I’ve revealed your secret to “instant” success. There are many new business owners who want to know how to successfully market their business quickly and effectively, so thanks for letting me use your story on Branding & Marketing. Congratulations. Best of luck for many more years of prosperous work. You are on the right track!
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
I completely agree! Networking is the biggest key to success in the business world now days. Whether you’re starting a business, trying to get a job, etc networking is a necessity. Thanks for the tips on how to better stay connected!
EH:
Joe and Wayne are so lucky to have started their careers at big company’s where so many co workers have stayed in the industry but moved on as well. It gives them a strong base of a network.
Getting known in an industry when you’re starting your business can be one of the main challenges for a new business.
Thanks for commenting.
Chris