If You Are Just Going Through the Motions, Take Off the Mask!

I thought about this when attending one of his concerts. He clearly loves what he is doing, sliding across the stage and boyishly interacting with individuals in the audience.

There is no "rote" repetition but rather a performer full of enthusiasm, exercising an uninhibited ability "to be who he is." He demonstrates the benefits of operating from "Effortless Energy" and we can all get there if we drop the masks, get in touch with our authentic selves, and live from that truth everyday.

When spending time with Byron Katie, I learned three things which have really helped me to get out of the facade and in touch with my authentic self. By using them and adapting them, I've found more meaning and pleasure when conducting my daily tasks and I encourage you to do the same:

1) Speak openly and honestly about who you really are. Allow answers to come to you and really feel them with no pressure or preconceived ideas about what might be more acceptable to the outside world. You'll be surprised how others agree, relate or have been there themselves.

2) Express your truth. That includes having the integrity to say "no." Each time you say "yes" when you mean "no," you come out of your authentic self and deplete your energy. Be clear about saying "no" so there is no confusion as to your position or intent. Katie says that a "no" to others is a "yes" to yourself and, ultimately, to the other person.

3) Stay out of judgment. I have always known that, as soon as I judge others, it takes me out of a happy state of being. That's because it is all a projection. Whatever we think of others is really what we think of ourselves. When we judge, we get out of the flow and block our "Effortless Energy."

Each of us has a unique gift...something we were put on earth to do. It may not be a large concert performer like Michael Buble but, when we are in that flow, we have more vitality. Our authenticity provides "Effortless Energy" and it's there to be had, if we are open to it. Are you going through the motions when you could take off the mask and feel more alive?

After a highly successful career in business, including 26 years with PotashCorp where she was Senior Vice-President, Betty-Ann retired in 2007, the same year that she was named to Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Hall of Fame?. She now works as a speaker, author and mentor and is committed to using her personal and professional experiences to inspire and empower other women. A firm believer in the value women bring to organizations, Betty-Ann explores changing perceptions of male and female roles including candid observations about what she calls "Good Gender Physics" on her blog at http://www.stillettochick.com/. She helps both men and women understand the primary energy of their gender but also accept and appreciate the strengths of their opposite.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Betty_Ann_Heggie

Tools To Run Your Business Help You Succeed

Starting a business can be overwhelming, but with the right tools you could be on your way to success. There are all sorts of places that offer freebies and include free business letter samples and business cards. With the internet abundant in sites that provide necessary tools for success, there should be no problem getting started on the right foot.

Definitely get those free business cards and start handing them out to everyone. This is one of the most powerful tools you can have when starting an enterprise. The more people who know who you are and what you have, the more your business will become recognizable. Even people you already know should have your card, if not several of them to share with everyone they know. You don't know who they might run into. For instance, my friend gave me her business card and it turned out that someone I saw in my yoga class told me that she needed to learn how to set up a blog for her site. It is much easier to give someone a business card then to start looking for a pen and a random piece of paper tot jot down information. Plus, it is easy for a scrap of paper to get misplaced.

When you are trying to make new contacts and find prospects, giving away something is an excellent tool. This can be a free consult, a 7 day trial at a gym or a booklet related to one's industry. For instance, a massage therapist can give away a free fifteen minute session or a handout on how to reduce stress between appointments. People appreciate getting something that is free and does not have a sales pitch. You can also give free talks in the community in order to let people become familiar with your services. For instance, a chiropractor can speak about dealing with an old neck injury. Other types of free offers is a special where you buy one item or service and get second one at no cost. For instance, a new restaurant can offer a kids meal for free with purchase of an adult meal.

Be creative when you think about ways to get the word out to the community and also think about offering an online newsletter to stay in touch with customers.

You Need a Sloggo

When was the last time you were at a networking event, or a business lunch, a seminar or an exhibition? It's inevitable that someone will have asked you - "And what do you do?" The question is; how did you answer?

Perhaps you said - "I'm in the printing business." Or "I'm the sales manager for a software company." Or "I'm a Biodiversity Action Plan Co-ordinator." (I saw this job advertised in the local paper, and haven't a clue what it means!)

If you're saying anything similar to this, then I want you to stop forthwith! It's boring, it stops the conversation dead in its tracks, and it does nothing to help your business.

You need a 'Sloggo' - an 'Elevator Speech' - 'A Sixteen Second Sizzler!' Call it what you will, but it needs to be a brief description of what you do, and who you do it for.

There must be a benefit

It needs to be a benefit statement that offers value to your customer or client. It needs to be short and punchy (10-20 seconds) and encourage the other person to say - "Tell me more!"

You can have different Sloggos depending on whom you're speaking to. It's also something you would say when you call a prospective customer on the phone or leave a voice message. It should be on your outgoing voice mail messages, business cards, brochures, letterheads, website and email signature.

And just in case you haven't worked it out yet; Sloggo is a combination of Slogan and Logo. It is not to be confused with Sloggi, the underwear people, unless your Sloggo turns out to be 'pants!'

Practise, practise

Write out your Sloggo and practise until you're comfortable with it, and it becomes part of you. It's also important not to be glib or smart and it needs to come across with enthusiasm and energy. Try to associate what you do with good feelings, and appeal to the emotions.

However; once you have gained the other person's interest, your goal is to find out about them and what their needs are. Only then can you 'tailor' what you say to suit the other person. Remember; they are not interested in all the wonderful things you do, they are only interested in 'what's in it for them.'

Examples

I like the interior decorator who says - "We are in the three bares business; we deal with bare walls, bare floors and bare ceilings!"

Or the insurance broker who says - "I buy insurance!" and when questioned he replies with - "I buy the best insurance to meet the needs of my clients"

And of course mine is - "I help clients motivate their customers, motivate their staff and motivate themselves!"

I'm sure you can do a lot better than that; so go to it!

Alan Fairweather, 'The Motivation Doctor,' is an International Speaker, Best Selling Author and Sales Growth Expert. For the past seventeen years, he's been developing the talents of Managers, Sales and Customer Service people, and turning them into consistent top performers.

He is the author of two books:
'How to be a Motivational Manager' A down-to-earth guide for managers and team leaders.
'How to Manage Difficult People' Proven strategies for dealing with challenging behaviour at work.

To receive your free newsletter and free eBooks, visit:
http://www.themotivationdoctor.com/.

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Getting Rich Over Time Or Overnight

My grandma used to say "anything worth having is worth working for." I have to agree with grandma. However we are at a time when so many people are looking for a get rich magic potion that will fall out of the sky all while not putting in the work and getting their jersey dirty. Getting rich takes time and effort unless you have that rich uncle or a winning lottery ticket.

Robert Kiyosaki defines the law of compensation as returns are minimal in spite of massive effort at the start, yet returns can be massive with minimal effort over time. Those who are in the trenches realize that if you press relentlessly in pursuit of your dreams and goals, you will be rewarded for the fruits of your labor.

Now this will require patience. There will be disappointments and days you feel like throwing the towel in. You may even question yourself, is this worth it. The person who wins the race is the one that keeps going in spite of the naysayers, in spite of not being able to see the finish line. They have a don't stop won't stop mentality.

I am reminded of reading Jordan Adlers' story in his book, Beach Money. Jordan tells the story of not making a penny in network marketing until his twelfth marketing company. Today, Jordan makes a seven figure income and is richly rewarded for not giving up. Wow, now that is what I call relentless. The question is do you have what it takes while in the building phase you have yielded a small amount of money or perhaps none. Most people won't, they decide it's not worth the time.

Think of the magic of compounding interest. It all starts with one penny. Then like magic, you are compensated with extra money BUT it all started with one penny. Building a house requires one brick at a time. Brick by brick and then one day, you have your dream home BUT it all started with one brick.

First lesson, find your passion and then GET STARTED. Next, get training, a great coach, a mastermind group, and add personal development to your plan. Last, never ever, ever give up on yourself and your dreams in spite of the circumstances and regardless of the situation.

Till next time.....Live on purpose and make it happen,

Inflatable Toys

There are many types of toys available in the market which includes foam toys, rubber toys and plastic toys, etc. Recently new family of toys has embraced the shops of toys and those are. Before I move forward it is better to let you know what actually the are. Inflated toys are those toys which are inflated with the gas maybe helium or hydrogen and can be stored in the small place when not inflated. As these toys totally depend on the gas for this the producers has given the advantage to set the fan by you.

One of the biggest sources of entertainment for our young ones is, which may include bouncer's slides, obstacles, water pools and sports. One of the greatest advantages of these toys is that they are portable, which enables you to carry them where needed. For instance, you can carry the waterslide if you are going for swimming. I think the best inflatable toy which the children enjoy most is the inflatable waterslide.

Before buying these you should consider the following points.

1. First of all, decide for who you are buying the inflatable toy. You can have more than one toy if required. If you are a beginner or the one for whom you are buying is the bigger I recommend going for the basic tube which is easy to handle and use.

2. Then you should consider the safety points of these which are more than easy to apply. If you are using the water slide make sure all the users have a life jacket that fits to their body easily. Then make sure that those who are going to ride on the toy can swim or not, if they cannot then it is not recommended to let them ride on the inflatable water slide for this you can buy any other inflatable toy if you don't know how to swim.

3. Some essentials are needed for these to be used. So make sure you have them before using.

4. These come with the patch kit, though they made from heavy plastics but mishaps can happen. So always keep these patches on the place where you can find them easily.

Meetup Groups for Small Businesses Makes Networking Easy

Small businesses face an up hill battle finding new prospects in our current economy. An easy small business strategy that every owner should utilize is Meetup groups.

According toMeetup they are the world's largest network of local groups making it easy for anyone to organize a local group or find one. There are more than 2,000 groups meeting face to face every day. Their mission "Is to revitalize local community and help people around the world self-organize."

The key for the small business owner is to find groups that fit what they are looking for. Just joining groups that focus on the needs and resources for small business is a good way start. When I did a search in Denver for "Business Prospecting" I came up with 7 groups that meet within 25 miles. All of these groups focused on helping their members succeed.My search for "Small Business" turned up 280 groups in Denver. That's more than I can join however when I started looking individually I found many with 40 - 80 active members and some let attendees speak in front of the group.

That's another part of Meetup.com that is so great for small business owners, being able to do a short presentation of who you are and what you do can open a lot of doors. These are the groups that I focus on and have my clients focus on. Some groups will give you the floor for the entire Meetup, 30 to 60 minutes devoted to you. And the cost is negligible.

Sponsoring groups that fit your niche is another way to get involved. Some groups need a place to meet, some are looking for discounts to pass on to their members. Just look in the sidebar for the Sponsor Us button ans make an offer. We sponsor several and hold our own. The key here is get involved.

As a business owner time is a valuable commodity and fitting in Meetups isn't easy so look for ones that meet your time constraints. You'll be surprised at the number of groups that meet early, before work, at lunch or evening mixers. There are weekend groups too.

Don't forget to focus on groups that are special interest, like golf, skiing, health and wellness, knitting you get the picture. Being well rounded keeps you in balance and you can meet great business prospects in a more casual setting. Think back, how many business prospects have you met over the years through recreation or hobbies?

After 35 years in business I still look for new prospects everyday and Meetups help me build my prospect list for Bayes Squared LLC and our 5 Step Sales Jump Start program.

Start with one group that fits your needs and build from there.

Using the Phone to Prospect

The phone is the second best way to prospect.

After face-to-face, the phone is another great way to prospect. The phone still allows for that immediate two-way communication. If you say things that will arouse their interest, they will be willing to talk with you. This gives you the opportunity to ask questions, find out what they are thinking and what their needs are, and determine whether they might be a fit for your company.

Ninety percent of your time should be spent on prospecting.

You'll want to make the best use of your available time to grow your business. Things like spreadsheets, cleaning your desk, etc. are important tasks, but are better suited for time periods when you can't actively prospect.

If you're not actually talking to a prospect, then you should be looking for them. The telephone is a great way to further your business. There are many ways to get leads, and that is really a discussion on its own, but you'll want to make it a point to call them on a regular basis. Get on the phone and go for 3-4 hours straight. Set a goal for how long you will spend on making phone calls, and don't quit until you reach that goal. You'll be surprised by how well those efforts will pay off. Do this for 2 weeks in a row and watch your business explode!

If you have to leave a message on a voice mail or answering machine, say "I have exciting news! Call me back!" Then when they call, be prepared to tell the prospect what the exciting news is. It could be a new product, or a special on the sign-up process, or even a big meeting or event coming up. Be excited and your prospect will be too.

Tips On How to Make Yourself Memorable When Generating Small Business Leads

Do you remember the last time you went to a networking event or met with a group of other small business owners to improve your small business networking? Chances are you met a handful of people and came away with business cards or other identifying content. How well did you remember the faces and conversations that went with the names? How easily could you recall the business of an individual you met by their face and story alone?

The last thing you want to do is become one of those faces or business cards that leave absolutely no impression once the event is over with. No matter how well you think you captivate their attention while you're speaking to them there's a good chance that if you're not branding yourself properly and making a memorable impression, those people you meet at small business networking events and groups aren't going to remember you. Here are some tips on how to make you stand out and be memorable (in a good way) when networking with other business and industry leaders.

Be Distinctive - You don't need to dress like a clown but a brightly-colored tie, a unique piece of jewelry, good cologne or even a certain grooming style can make you stand out in the memory of business partners in a good way. You certainly don't want to only be remembered because of your hairstyle or scent but those are excellent memory triggers that mark your encounter with a great big flag. Don't be outlandish to achieve this, but don't let yourself blend with the crowd.

Be Engaging - It's very important that when you network with others in order to build relationships that foster business leads, you need to stay engaged. It's obvious when you don't vest yourself in the conversation so make sure you listen well, respond promptly, maintain eye contact, etc. If you're truly present and accounted for mentally then you will stand out among the other people who are trying to "check out" early.

Carry the Conversation - Never let a conversation be one-sided. It's important to listen to the others while you're focusing on small business networking and fostering a foundation for a future relationship but don't just nod and smile. You need to do your share of carrying the conversation so ask thought-provoking questions. When you do this, you will undoubtedly stick out as one of the more engaging individuals. Your name, your face, your business and your interests will stick in the minds of those business owners when the day is done. Make an effort to take a genuine interest in the business owners around you.

Reinforce "You" with Keywords - The people you network with will be meeting a lot of people - that's the nature of being a business owner. They won't remember long descriptions of what you do so you need to break it down to a few key things about yourself. Name, Company name, Business, Product and Location. Use various points frequently and you'll be easier to remember - like "Joe the Barber from Soho"

Contribute to the Group Conversation - Everything about you is important, and you want eyes on you but you can't take the spotlight. Don't hog the conversation, just join it. Think in terms of the power of words and choose what you say carefully. Saying one smart thing in front of the group will make you more memorable than 15 minutes of semi-conscious chatter. Create value for others and you create value for yourself.

You have to sell yourself just as hard as you sell your products. When you're involved in small business networking for building business leads you need to approach those business owners like you're making a sale. This is your brand, and your brand is more than just a logo. It's an experience. If you focus on selling a memorable experience rather than a snapshot then you up the chances of creating a memorable experience. You are your business, so make an impression that won't be easily forgotten.

Who Are You Connecting With?

Perhaps you've heard the saying it's not what you know but who you know?

I have a different twist on that. It's not only what you know, it's who you know and who you share your knowledge with.

Connections are important. In my humble opinion, connections are what make the world go 'round.

So, who are you connecting with? How are you connecting? Are you making the most of your connections in a mutually beneficial way?

I know that seems like a barrage of questions, but I really want you to think about it.

In both business life and personal life, connections are important. They feed your soul and your bank account and they need to be nurtured in turn.

I challenge you to think about what you are doing to create new connections and strengthen current ones. You never know where each connection might lead.

"Ask you get, don't you won't."

There is no truer statement and it's so important to continually ask for new business even when business is flush. And it's equally important to ask for what you want in your personal life too.

The beauty of asking for what you want in all aspects of your life is you really have nothing to lose.

After all, the worst thing that can happen is someone can say "no." It might not be what you want to hear and at the same time I assure you that you will have lost nothing. But, if the answer is yes, you will have taken a step closer to your ultimate goal.

So, go forth and ask. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised at the outcome, no matter the outcome. Because once you realize that "no" is just a word and it doesn't leave you with anything less than before, you'll have a new outlook on life.?

This article may be reproduced in its entirety with the following inclusion: Lisa Manyon specializes in POWERFULLY communicating your marketing messages to increase results. She's a published author, professional copywriter, marketing strategist and owner of Write On~ Creative Writing Services, LLC. Manyon publishes a free electronic newsletter called Manyon's Musings and with subscription you receive a bonus Copywriting Action Plan & discover 7 Power-packed Insider Tricks of the Copywriting Trade to Dramatically Increase Sales of your Products & Services http://www.writeoncreative.com/

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Have You Tried Reverse Networking?

Networking events don't have to be painful. If you put yourself in the role of sleuth - on behalf of your strategic alliances - you'll enjoy yourself and still make quality connections!

Have you ever attended a networking event with the intention to find connections for someone else? Most likely not because that's not what we're taught to do. We tend to approach networking like a mission which sometimes ends up coming across as overly aggressive in our approach! If we're able to muster up any courage at all, we walk up to a likely looking stranger and start grilling him or her. What do you do, how long have you done it and gee I've got a great product (service) for you that will surely solve all your problems! Wrong on oh, so many fronts. More on networking etiquette and building relationships another time.

If that's what it feels like to you, just think of how much pressure it would take off your shoulders if you went to a mixer or other networking event on someone else's behalf! Think of all the good karma you'll generate when look for possible connections for others. And that's one of the key tenets we promote when working with business owners: uplift and support other entrepreneurs. Help them be successful. Because by doing so, your connections and relationships will also be strengthened and you too will win in the long run.

So for your next event, interview three potential candidates - say for your strategic partner or perhaps one of your clients, armed with the information you've gathered beforehand (what is their target market - gender? income? industry? etc.). Prescreen the referrals, get the contact information and if you're really good, go ahead and set up a date and time to make introductions (because we're always "going to keep in touch" and then life, work and time intervenes, and another opportunity lost!) Warmest introductions are personal introductions, so why not set up a 3-way breakfast or luncheon - or even over a cup of java if you're short on time - and bring everyone to the table at the same time?

Finally, once you've completed this task you're free to relax and be yourself. And who knows how that will turn out - your're much more approachable if you're not visibly stressed out - your next client might just walk up and find you! Reverse networking is easy and fun - you can make a game of it.

You just might like it!

Larisa Troche is a busy multipreneur living in Northern California. To find out more about Ms. Troche's business services, you can go to The Larisa Group for an overview. For more information about the Passport Living Lifestyle, Pink Passport Society has resources and information to help women become prosperous and financially independent. You can become an online member for free and have the information delivered to you directly!

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Types of Business Card Holders

If you regularly attend business networking events then you probably have a large stack of business cards that you carry with you. Many people just carry them in their pocket which results in them handing out bent and distorted cards - hardly a good impression to set!

For this reason any networker should invest in a smart business card holder or case to house their cards and keep them in good condition. In this article we look at the different types of business card holders that are available and help you choose the right one for you.

Leather card holders

These are probably at the premium end of card holders due to them being created from, or at least layered with, genuine leather. This gives a luxurious feel and due to the natural durability of leather they last a long time.

These make fantastic gifts for friends and colleagues but also help to create a good first impression when you meet somebody at an event for the first time.

Metal card cases

These are often smaller and able to carry fewer cards than other holders but they are still quite stunning nonetheless. Available in a variety of metals from chrome to aluminium, these card cases are very strong and look great.

Rotary card holders

You will recognise these from the desks of cops and office workers in movies from the eighties! These rotary business card holders enable you to quickly flick through your contact list with the aid of index tabs. They often hold hundreds of cards so make a great addition to any office desk.

With the advances in technology however, many people are opting to keep their contacts completely digital and as these rotary systems are not designed to leave the office, their popularity is diminishing.

Savvy business people still have one for cases of technical emergencies anyway, allowing them to find the details of that PC repair guy they met a few months back with ease!

Card wallets

These are usually much larger and are designed to store many business cards for the purpose of presentation. A little bit like a photo album, card wallets provide a great place to put all of the cards you have collected over the months and years in one single place for reference.

These have additional benefits other than simply finding contacts; if you are a fan of innovative design like myself you can use these as a place to store your favourite business card designs and use them for inspiration next time you design a new card.

Giver's Gain: The Key to Successful Networking

"Networking is the key to finding new opportunities, it's a terrific way to advance your career and grow your business."

If networking is so full of promise, why do most people get a sinking feeling when they hear the word?

Learning to connect with strangers can be challenging! Even confident, capable professionals often feel awkward and intimidated at a networking event. The key to moving past this discomfort is simple: instead of networking to gain (connections, opportunities, business, etc.), look for ways to give.

When I first started my business, I knew networking could help me grow my business, but it felt strange to show up full of self-interest and self promotion. Looking around the room, I knew I wasn't the only one feeling this way.

I started reaching out to people - not for what they could offer me, but to find out how I could help them. I introduced myself, and then introduced people to each other. The more people I talked to, the more connections and opportunities I saw among the people within my growing network. Once I set my own interests aside, networking felt more natural.

I truly believe that whatever you give will come back to you in some way, often completely unexpected. When you shift your perspective from "what can I get" to "how can I contribute" magic happens and networking becomes a rewarding experience.

Top 3 Ways to Improve Your Networking Skills:

1. Play the role of the host, no matter where you are. Thank people for coming and make introductions among the group.
2. Stop talking and start listening. Show genuine interest in others.
3. Always look for ways in which you can contribute.

Julia James, CPCC, PCC, M.Sc. is a multi-lingual certified life coach, award-winning author and international speaker. She helps busy professionals around the world achieve balance in their lives through individual coaching and workshops. Author of the book, The Mini-Retreat Solution and the audio CD series, Guided Mini-Retreats for Busy People, she provides tools to manage stress effectively and to relax and re-energize quickly. Julia has been featured on Joy TV, CBC News, as well as in The Globe & Mail, Glow Magazine, BC Business Magazine and The Vancouver Observer. For more information visit: http://www.juliajames.ca

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Julia_H_James

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Article Submitted On: February 26, 2011

Low Cost Lead Generation - Disciplining Yourself For Growth

Low cost lead generation like any new skill takes time, patience, and effort to happen.It is a matter of time, taking action on organized plans, studying, and having the discipline to carry it out. There are several important discipline steps to take, all of which are very important.

One of the first and most important disciplines is time management or self management. This is something that I am continuously striving to become better at and the more I work on this, the more I am pleased with the outcomes.

Have you ever noticed how much you can get done when you have a short deadline approaching? For example, you may have a project, or report that is due in 30 days, yet it is postponed until the last week when the sense of urgency is at its highest. I recommend taking projects, articles, or anything that has to be done on a long or short term basis and breaking it down to little steps with the goal of completion. Low cost lead generation canned be learned the same way and before you know it, the steps become easier and easier.

Another important discipline is good health.The combination of exercise, eating a balanced diet, and plenty of rest makes the difference when doing your daily activities. Something like taking a daily walk not only can help you feel better, but can help you produce some of the best strategies for improving your low cost lead generation business. I find that when I write, then take a walk and come back to it, I come up with ideas that help my creativity.

Continuous learning is essential for long term growth. You may have a great strategy for recruiting leads, following up with people, or promoting your business, but things can always be improved and tweaked. I recommend tailoring this to your own individual learning style.

Perhaps you like to read, listen to audio, or a combination of both. Take advantage of the resources out there to help you with any area that will help you with low cost lead generation and success.

Balance is another important discipline to cultivate. This can be a tough one because not only do you want to have time to work, but you also want to have time to have fun or do important things such as spend time with your family or friends.

I recommend taking some time to sit down and plan time for not only your daily and weekly activities such as working on low cost lead generation, but also time for unplanned interruptions. This is not new advice, but helpful in the event something happens that alters your schedule. Scheduling two to three extra hours of free time for the unexpected can really help.

Reflecting on your experiences, goals, and measuring your progress are all part of becoming better at what you do. Follow your heart, make a plan, and stick with it.

Strive for achieving bigger and better things out of life. Your potential is greater than you can even imagine, and the daily discipline will reveal your true capability!

To your success!

Lee Reffel

Do You Believe In and Have First Hand Knowledge of the Products That You Market?

Do you believe in the products that you market?

Will the products you market bring you excitement when you make a sale?

You should ask yourself these questions before you market any products to a consumer.

All the products you market should increase your work ethic, to not only market the products, but know that the products will be satisfactory to the consumer.

Having first hand knowledge about all the products you market will also increase your sales, due to you being able to thoroughly go into detail about your products when you are in the process of making a sale.

The products you decide to market should bring a certain level of joy when you make a sell, and not just because YOU MADE A SALE.

If you truly believe in the products you market, you will put so much more effort into your business.

When deciding what would be great products to market, ask yourself if the products are worth you buying it, before you market it to anyone else.

If the answer is yes, purchase the products and try them for yourself first, so you can have first hand knowledge about the products before you market them. Consumers will always ask questions about your products before they decide to make a purchase.

First hand knowledge about products will make your marketing efforts and conversations with potential consumers go smoothly, due to you being thoroughly familiar with the products.

I was in the mall recently and walked by a kiosk where cell phones and cell phone accessories were being sold. The guy at the kiosk, who was the owner, stopped me as I walked by. He asked if I was in the market to upgrade my cell phone.

I told him that I would consider upgrading my phone and stopped to look at his product line.

I inquired about several different cell phones before I settled on one cell phone in particular. I asked the owner several questions about the cell phone which he could not answer.

His lack of knowledge about his product lost him a sale. If he had been familiar with his product, I would have purchased it.

I did decide to purchase the cell phone from another store several days later. What made the difference was all the information the sales rep provided when I inquired about the cell phone.

All strive to be on top of your game in your business when it comes to being completely familiar with your product line.

No one wants to lose the opportunity to make sale, like the kiosk owner did, due to his lack of knowledge about his own product.

Work with me at http://successfulwithoutmlm.com/?t=ez

Highlights of Networking

Networking, as we all know, is an essential and important skill required in order to be successful in your business. The skill can help to grow your business and take it to new levels. Successful networking can help you in getting new ideas and increase your market share so that you can cater to more people. For everyone one person you are speaking with you is effectively networking to their whole database.

It is imperative that you let others know that you exist and present yourself in such a way that sets you apart from everyone else. Try attending interesting and exciting events such as clubs, meetings, seminars, conferences and presentations in order to expand your clientele base. Starting your own networking club is also a good way to go about - however, remembered this option does take time and motivation.

Maintaining and keeping a good image in the industry is extremely important, as people will judge you on the basis of what you say, how you look and your reputation. Always try and present a professional image by dressing, speaking and maintaining a strong and professional body language.

When attending a networking event, you might feel scared and experience fear but at the same time it is exciting to meet new people and build new relationships. A lot of other people who are there may be feeling exactly the same way - so appear confident and approachable.

Attending various networking events is great ways to meet different types of people who can belong to various networks such as schools, social life, business or even family have friends you haven't met yet. This can lead to building mutually beneficial relationships.

When approaching new people it is always better to portray an image of warmth, understanding and empathy, as this will make it easier for you to interact and engage with others. It is better to be yourself rather than trying to emulate someone else. Meet everyone, listen to them and interact as much as possible as this will help you in building strong and beneficial relationships.

Being able to talk to anyone about any topic is an important skill that has its advantages in networking. If you can start a conversation with anyone on any topic then you tend to come across people who may turn out to be valuable in the future and may lead to a much more successful relationship in the long run. It may be difficult to initiate a conversation but it can lead to something much more valuable and beneficial in the long run. If when starting a conversation the person you are speaking with doesn't engage in the conversation, change the topic. Ask questions about what they do or like and select your discussion topics from there.

Networking is not about selling what you have to offer, unless appropriate. It is important you listen to the other person attentively and show interest in what they are offering. Give them your attention even if it is for a small amount of time. Networking is about building relationships.

If you feel the fit is right and you would like to maintain contact with someone, the best way to do so is by asking for their business card. Ensure you give them one of your business cards in return. Having a business card ensures you look professional. It should have your name, contact number, address (if appropriate) and your email address. Make it easy to stay in contact.

Networking is important if you want to expand and grow your business, so make sure you do it often and develop the skill of networking in order to be successful.

Start Your Business With The Pre Paid Legal Opprotunity

If you have intentions of getting into the legal advisory sector, one should note that one can actually get a lot of pre paid legal opportunity in terms of the chance for you to make some money. Make sure that you look up on the opportunities and the risks that are involved in starting such a business and you must be thorough in terms of your research. Although this is of the most dependable and credible things that you could get into but the truth is that you have to work a lot and market the business that you have before you can actually make headway and get profits.

There are several independent legal firms which sell legal coverage for people on prepaid basis which ensures that you can receive legal coverage. However if you want to start with this business then you will have to formulate the coverage options and should consider including such things like increased coverage at reduced costs such that you can attract more customers.

This entails that the owner of the plan will then be entitled to the coverage options after they have paid their initial fee. You can however also get into a business where you have the pre paid legal opportunity.

In terms of the pre paid legal opportunities, there is a huge window that you can exploit as this works with the network marketing plan where everyone can come into the net. So basically if you are in the network, you can earn by getting people into this network from which you will be paid a healthy amount of commission from this.

This is a way in which you can actually get more legal leverage for you with the assumption that you will need a lot of legal coverage over a particular period of time. To run the business you will need to have a pretty good business plan such that you can market it properly. However pre paid legal is not a scam at all.

Networking Can Help You Prosper in 2011

START NETWORKING NOW

If you're feeling a little unsure about how to begin networking, it may not be as hard as you think. Here are some great ideas to get you and your business out there - now!

Friends & family Begin by asking yourself this question:
How many of my friends and family really understand what I do and what my business is about?
If you can't answer: All of them, it's time to start talking. It's understandable that you have other things to discuss with friends and family, but why not tell them about your business too? They may know a small-business owner, or a human resources manager, or a real estate agent... anyone who could benefit from using your products.

They may even want to purchase some for their own gift giving. But, you can't benefit from any of that if you don't tell friends and family about your business.

JOIN THE CLUB

Many businesspeople find success networking by joining local business-related clubs. Groups, such as your area Chamber of Commerce, allow people who do business in a community to come together from mutual and reciprocal businesses. Members often promote and bring each other business. Other groups may serve to help educate you, learn from others and share your insights, or perfect skills. For example, joining your local Toastmasters chapter is a great way to practice and hone your presentation skills, while getting to know others in a variety of business fields.

Joining social, community, or cause-related clubs can help you make connections that will benefit your business too. Your career is often one of the first things discussed with someone you meet for the first time. And when that conversation takes place, it can be a great opportunity to find a potential customer or develop a relationship that could generate some referrals.

ELEVATOR SPEECH

Develop an elevator speech You can meet new people and make connections at any time: shopping at the grocery store, visiting the bank, stopping for gas, or even in an elevator on a quick ride to the 18th floor. Always be ready to talk about your business, by developing what's known as an "elevator speech," or a short, 30-seconds-or-less description of your business that can be used to answer the question, "So, what do you do?"

The key to a good elevator speech is to make it informative, results-oriented, and provocative. Informative so that the person you are meeting has an overall understanding of what you do. Results-oriented so that they know the benefits that your business provides to your customers. And, provocative in the sense that it provokes thought, questions, and/or additional conversation.

Get online There are so many ways to reach people online! Start or join conversations with others about rewards, incentives, their industry, HR issues, and employment trends on blogs and forums. Find interactive webinars and online meetings. Or, search for groups with live meetings in your community.

Social networking websites, like Facebook?, Twitter?, and LinkedIn? can help you make contact with people through other contacts and share information about your business too. Build a networking page for your business using the sites' free platform. Post and respond to comments. Add useful industry links and insightful links.

HOST YOUR OWN NETWORKING PARTY

Networking parties are a great way to find new clients and increase awareness of your business. Don't know of any in your area? Why not hold your own? With some prep time and work, it may be simpler than you think to hold a successful networking party.

The goal Keep in mind that you're hosting a networking party, not a sales party. The goal is to have business people meet, mix, mingle, and exchange information. This is not the time to sell your products; this is the time to sell you. You'll be introducing invitees to one another (a great reason for them to come!), and they'll be introducing their guests to you.

PRESENTATIONS

You can also use your Personal Retail Website as a presentation tool. Show potential customers how easy it is to order by walking them through your site on a laptop or their computer. If they're short on time, provide them with your web address to check out your website on their own. Then, follow-up in a day or two.

Welcome! If you enjoy finding new products that fit your lifestyle, you'll love what's "in store!" http://energizeyourlifetime.com/

Maximize it! Support your workout, your routine, your busy life with performance-boosting nutritional support to push you to your limits and beyond. Look your best, it's never been simpler to bring out your true beauty!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_C_Stewart

Attending Networking Events Does Help Your Business

I was talking to a client of mine about social media and the importance of it for her business, and the subject of in-person networking came up. My client asked me if it was important to network outside of the Internet. I said yes! I realized at one point in my business that it would be a good idea to go to local networking events, and here some reasons why you go these events.

My business is coaching others about Social Media and Internet Marketing. I network on-line on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and other sites, but my target market is small business owners who do not know the power of networking on line and need help to get started, or people who need help with increasing their on-line visibility. My clients are most likely not on Twitter, Facebook or any other social media sites, or if they are, they are not actively marketing their businesses on those sites.

I decided to go to a local networking meeting. The speaker asked the group, "How many of you are using auto responders?" I was the only one who put my hand up in a room of 100 people! She went on to ask about social media sites, and the same thing happened. So where are my clients? They were in that room. Lesson learned!

So here are a couple of tips for you:

1. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking meetings. If it is to get referrals, joint venture partners or strategic partners, you want to make sure the meeting you attend is focused on your target market. Don't waste your time with a room full of financial planners, if you are a financial planner. Get the hint?

2. Make sure you ask open ended questions. Don't focus only on how many business cards you hand out and only talking about you and your business. Ask the other attendees about their business first, and really listen to what they are saying. You will find that they will eventually ask you what you do. Now it is your turn!

3. Make sure that when you are asked what you do that you have a very well thought out simple statement of what you do and why, and also include what makes the way you are doing it special or different from others who do the same thing. Make sure a 12 year old would understand it. You don't want to confuse them.

4. Follow through on all the contacts you make at the meeting. Set up coffee or phone meetings to get to know more about the person's business and how you both can help each other. When you get referrals, make sure you contact them right away. Respect and honor the process and your business will grow.

Find some events in your area where potential clients are gathering. Try it, and see what happens.

Be a Connector!

In Malcolm Gladwell's book, "The Tipping Point," he discusses connectors. Connectors are the people who "link us up with the world... people with a special gift for bringing the world together." They are "a handful of people with a truly extraordinary knack [... for] making friends and acquaintances." As entrepreneurs we are required to be serial networkers and to be successful networker, it is critical that we excel as a connector.

Being a connector is an effective way to position your brand. You are defined by the people you work with and know. As you connect quality people with other quality people, your contacts are reminded not only of you and your company, but of the high quality services you provide. If you are defined by the company you keep...the higher quality contacts you have defines your brand's position in the marketplace.

Gladwell believes that connectors are a select few people in society. However, I contend that any entrepreneur can succeed at connecting. It all starts out with your mindset as you network. When I initially meet someone, the first thing I think about is how I can help this person? I think of people they should meet, networking groups they should join and lastly how my company could possibly help them. I do think of my company's services and how they could help, but I almost never bring it up in the first conversation. Even if I have the best intentions, people typically respond with skepticism if you bring up how you can help them with your services. On the other hand, if you discuss how you can help them by being a connector, they respond with much less cynicism. You leverage your current relationships to build a new one.

As a connector, you serve as a true resource for your customers, partners and new contacts. That is a great position to hold in the marketplace. We all can be connectors as long as we have the proper mindset in the networking world.

Jeremy Durant is the Business Principal at Bop Design, a San Diego based marketing agency that partners with small business. Bop Design focuses on lead generation through branding, web design, advertising, SEO, SEM, social media and email marketing. For information, please see- San Diego Web Design

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Durant

This article has been viewed 13 time(s).
Article Submitted On: February 04, 2011

Comfortable Networking

Networking is an important part of business and every business woman must conduct networking in order to do well in their organization. Due to other commitments, some women find it harder to network during the evening and hence prefer to attend functions during the day.

There are many options which allow women to carry out networking with ease and comfort. Some of these options are being described below:

1. Telephone calls: Every day ensure you are calling people. Whether these people are friends or family, you are building relationships and networking. So next time when you call any of these people in your life, give a call to a colleague as well. Touch base with people regularly to make your relationships stronger.

2. Emailing: Sending and receiving emails is one of the easiest and quickest ways by which you can keep in touch with people. You must be sending emails on a daily basis to people in your contact list. Send an email to your colleagues as well; just to say hello perhaps. Add value - send them something you know they are interested in - this is a way in which you can strengthen your relationships with your clients. Other than that it is a great way to communicate and it is extremely convenient. Apart from keeping in touch, you can also send emails to perhaps find a job or contact someone in your field to get some further information.

3. Snail mail: On a daily basis, you must be receiving flyers, newspapers, magazine and newsletters. What many people do not realize is that this too is a form of networking. It could help you find out about the new trends in your field. This type of mail too can be beneficial, so before you throw it mindlessly in the bin, give it a quick look over. You never can know where new information is going to come from.

4. Internet: The internet has become a great networking tool as well these days. The internet provides people with all sorts of information which can be helpful. It is also considered to be one of the low risk places where networking can begin. All that you would be required to do is research and then you would be on your way.

5. Message boards: Another way of networking is by joining a message board. You could sign in without revealing your name and you could ask for any information you are seeking.

By making use of the above methods, networking can be conducted in a comfortable environment and in a very comfortable way. Everyone wants to carry out things in an easy and convenient way and the above methods are great ways of carrying out networking during the day and with ease.

Each of the methods has their own advantages and disadvantages. Although always remember the best way to build relationships is usually face-to-face meetings and then phone calls. Practice makes perfect - so try all the other ways but don't forget to go out there and meet people. Believe me - it does get easier with time.

How to Get Better Leads - 7 Steps to Evaluate Your Referral Relationships to Get Better Referrals

Would you like more leads and referrals? How about better referrals?

Read on for a key 7-step strategy that will help you get both more and higher quality referrals that are a better fit for you.

You've probably heard it before. To get more of what's working for you... do more of what's working. It seems almost too obvious but it's surprising how most of us miss this and instead keep trying to come up with something new. So the good news is... you don't need to reinvent the wheel to reap huge benefits:o).

So how do you figure out what's working when it's coming to referrals? Start tracking your results. One of my favorite sayings is "you can't manage what you don't measure." So start measuring your referral success by scheduling a coffee date with yourself and complete the following seven steps to get even better referral results.

1. Make a list of all your referrals

Start by making a list of all the referrals you've received in the past 3 - 6 months regardless of whether or not they resulted in any business. Make a note of which referrals you've received that did NOT turn into clients. This is a key step you don't want to miss if you want better leads and referrals.

2. Consider how did you get those referrals?

Next, for each referral, record detailed information about who referred them. In addition, write down what follow-up you did that may or may not have resulted in a sale.

3. Add the product and service(s)

List which products and services each referral purchased and the total value. Also note if they become repeat clients.

4. What do the successful referrals have in common?

Now go back over your lists of all referrals -- and look for a pattern. Look at the referrals who became clients as opposed to those who didn't. What seemed to have made the difference? Did they come from specific referral partners or referral sources? Were they looking for or purchased a specific product or service of yours?

5. What do the referrals who did not buy have in common?

Do the same for those referrals who did not end up buying. What happened? Was there a specific reason they did not buy? Were they looking for something else? Make a note of who referred them.

6. Which referrals became your ideal clients?

Now look back over the list of successful referrals and pick out those clients you'd consider as your ideal or best clients. What makes them different from your other successful referrals? Who referred them? Did they come through a specific referral source or were they referred by other clients?

7. Follow up with everyone who referred you

First of all, thank everyone for their referrals once again. You hopefully thanked them when you first got the referral! This time, though, also take time to give them some feedback on the outcome of the referral - even if the referral didn't turn into a client. This will give you the opportunity to share information that will help them find more and better fitting referrals in the future.

Becoming a Networking Superstar

Why is it that when we walk into a room of strangers so many of us suddenly become riddled with fears and concerns, completely unsure of what to do? We go to business events full of confidence and the desire to meet new people and build new business relationships, but when it comes to the doing part it's not as easy as we thought it would be.

The fact is that 99% of people really hate this sort of activity.

It falls outside their comfort zone. They are expected to go out and market their businesses, and indeed they want to, but have had no formal training in how to do it.

Without any formal training on the skills of networking, is it really any wonder you might find it difficult, or unsettling?

Networking is a process, and there are some very simple tips and techniques, which when put into practice, make the art of networking something that becomes easier and easier, and enjoyable as a result. Then the real results will start to come.

It doesn't matter how long you have been in business or how many events you go to, I am yet to meet anyone who couldn't do with a little polish here and there. And even those who enjoy "working a room" have often failed to follow up on a business opportunity they sensed at them time.

Top 10 concerns I hear from my clients when walking into a business events:

Where do I start in this room of strangers and break the ice?How do I create a good impression?How do I make myself interesting?When do I move from small talk to business?How do I move on after a conversation?How to I approach groups of people?How do I ensure I don't waste my time?How will I manage if people ignore me?What happens if no one talks to me?How do I follow up after a conversation?

If you think any of these, then you are the same as everyone else.

Networking is a process that leads to a trusting relationship, and then to real business. We all know that prospects don't buy on the spot. Networking is a platform that leads future business. It is all about relationship building, not selling.

I can help you to overcome these common concerns by guiding you through a few very easy techniques, that with a little practice will turn you into a Networking Superstar.

I can work with you to learn how to build, develop and grow your natural potential. I can get you past the initial reservations and stumbling blocks and take you and your teams/businesses on to grow. Grow and then really take off! Please see my sales training web site.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=James_J_Nathan

The Secrets to Success for Your Next Mixer

We go to networking events month-in and month-out and for many of us, year-in and year-out with only marginal results. Sure, we meet great people and even enjoy ourselves some of the time but we're not building our business with the original intention we had when we started. What happened? Why didn't our strategy work and why aren't we trying to do something to change it? The problem is we don't have a system or specific method to be successful. General networking ideas and techniques are not good enough because you need a specific step-by-step outline of exactly what to do to acquire the results you have envisioned. I know a method that works because I practice it almost weekly; how well it works for you will depend on how you execute each step and on that intrinsic determination you have to be successful at network marketing.

Here are 5 steps for immediate positive changes:

1) Show up at the event early; 15-20 minutes early will allow you to meet the host, offer your assistance and chit chat about key people they invited to the mixer. Make sure to ask for an introduction if they mention someone on your referral partner or client list. Since you showed up early, the host will take you seriously and most likely be happy to make the connection for you.

2) Position yourself near the front entrance on the inside of the room; people will be checking in, getting their name badge or signing a guest list. Take on the roll of visitor host and greet everyone coming through the check-in area; at this point all you want to do is introduce yourself and quickly exchange business cards. Then tell them you will chat with them later once you've said hello to a few friends. Fast, brief introductions are appropriate here since they will also want to "settle in" to the event.

3) After 20-45 minutes (depending on the length of the mixer) of playing visitor host, take a bathroom break and survey the business cards you've gathered. I like to make a quick note on the back of each card when people give them to me which rates how important they are to connect with later. "5" is a high level partner or client, "4" is a strong potential, "3" possibly a good referral partner, "2" may be good resource for other groups or services and "1" no real synergies. I group 3-5 of my highest rankings and set out to speak with them again.

4) I keep my second conversations to 3-5 people because otherwise you will lose focus, run out of time and your poise may not be 100% if you ramble on with a dozen different people. Your goal is to make a quality contact for a future meeting and present yourself as a true professional.

5) The real secret to making a meaningful connection is to ask 2 critical questions, "how can I help you?" and "what is the ideal client for your business?" Then sit back and listen but keep your partner focused. Jot down notes on the back of their card and summarize back to them what they tell you. Make this mini-meeting about them and their needs. They will love that you're actively listening, taking notes and interested and they will inevitably ask about your business as well. Describe your business briefly and tell them where you might fit into their business strategy. It can be a loose fit or a very strong one but make some type of connection. Creating a "reason" to work together will build a case for your second one-on-one meeting where you can go into much more detail. During this stage, each conversation should take 10-12 minutes maximum which will leave you open-ended areas to discuss the next time.

These sequential first 5 steps will provide a game plan to use at any networking event. It will outline a method to connect with the most valuable people, learn about their business, create a positive first impression and set up the groundwork for meeting again and working together into the future.

Business Networking in Tunbridge Wells

The spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells is not only a great place to visit as a tourist attraction, but is also a terrific location for businesses. Located just 50mins from London Charing Cross by train, and only 25mins from the M25, it is a town truly set in the heart of the South East of England. Pegged along the border of west Kent, the town is unique in its provision of services and retail opportunities not only to its local residents, but also to the many neighbouring towns and villages throughout west Kent and East Sussex. This makes for a great business networking hub in Tunbridge Wells as well as a great place to establish your business, or even open an extra branch.

The Royal Victoria Place shopping centre, opened by Diana the Princess of Wales and located at the top of the town, accounts for around 30% of all jobs in the area. Despite the construction of Bluewater shopping centre in east Kent, Royal Victoria Place remains one of the county's most loved and favoured shopping centres, attracting thousands of consumers every year. Tunbridge Wells also boasts an impressive and developing out of town retail park, which in recent years has attracted significant investment from big name retailers such as John Lewis. With both a retail park, and a significant shopping centre at the heart of the business community, Tunbridge Wells has both a thriving and rapidly developing business community, underpinned and largely driven by successful business networking.

There are a number approaches available to business networking in Tunbridge Wells, one of which being through so-called business referral networks. These organisations, some of which are international and boast thousands of members, typically permit only one member from each commercial sector of the local business community to join. In exchange for membership, businesses are typically required to attend weekly networking meetings to report and discuss their services with other members in an effort to help 'cross-pollinate' services. Members are actively encouraged (and required) to promote the services of their fellow members when given the opportunity to, and in this way the true power of business networking, and in particular business referral networks, come into their own.

Tunbridge Wells also offers members of the business community other networking opportunities in addition to joining one of the many referral networks in the area. Regular networking events are held, typically in one of the many fine hotels or conference venues throughout the town, a good few of which are open to anyone attending. These can be great opportunities not only to advertise and promote your services, but also to chat to other members of the business community in the Tunbridge Wells area, gain advice and make valuable contacts.

Biometric Time Attendance and Visitor Management System for Better Security and Accuracy

It is very important to track the entry of each and every visitor and other people at your office and home. You may have some of the confidential data of your organizations which must not be disclose to other people and sometimes it is necessary to track the people who accessed those data and when they accessed so if something happens wrong you can see the last person who had accessed that data or any other confidential stuff.

Along with security of you data and premises, it is also necessary to manage all your employees' attendance with point of human resource management system. Especially for the big organizations with more than thousands employee, it is very hard to manage and track all of them. So there is a necessity of an automated system which tracks attendance of all the people working in the company along with the visitors as well. The same way the company with frequent and more no. of visitors, it is hard to manage with single register which does not fulfill the requirement of security of your premises. So there must be a system which can fulfill the entire requirement and also deliver better security and management.

Based on the authentication features and factors, there are so many systems are available in the market. There is a system which requires showing log cards to access any place and there is also system which works on real human features like eye retina, finger prints and voice. So it is necessary for you to choose a system which delivers better security and accuracy. The problem with log card is that they can be stolen and anyone else with the same card can also access the system. So this kind of authentication with log cards fails to survive against some security concern. So let's discuss about the benefits of the system which is based on real human features instead of any physical log card.

The system which works on real human feature is also known as biometric system. It works on real human features like eye retina, finger prints, voice, DNA, key stroke and signature. There are different system like time attendance system and visitor management system which works on above features. You can also make custom authentication by choosing one of the human feature as an identification criteria. This system has special algorithm to convert these features into digital format which can be stored in the system. When someone tries to access the system he requires to show one of it feature for an authentication.

At this time software again scan input and convert it into digital format then it search in the central database and finds for the exact match. If it finds the match it allow the entry and if it doesn't then restrict the entry and also notify the event to the administrator of the system. This way it delivers the better security and accuracy for your premises and home. time attendance system and visitor management system are two ideal example of the utilization of biometric technology.

This way there is so many advantages of the system based on biometric technology along with providing perfect security. There is no requirement of extra system or costly hardware components. It can be fit to existing operating system and hardware components for authentication process. There is no high cost of the system hence delivers extra ordinary safety. So if you are thinking of better security system, biometric time attendance and visitor management system is the ultimate option.

3 Ways To Get The Most Out Of Professional Development Events

By Dawn Redd Dawn Redd
Level: Platinum

I?m Dawn Redd and I?m a coach. I believe in the power of sport to teach winning and losing with grace, to inspire its participants ...

Today is Valentine's Day. It's all about love and warm feelings, right? So what better time to talk about the volleyball coach's convention, which combined two of my loves: coaching and volleyball. Since I'm an unabashed coaching nerd, I love going to clinics, and conventions, and seminars because I know that they'll make me better at what I do. But you can't go in without a plan, you've got to get your mind right so that you can get your money's worth out of your professional development event. Here are the...

3 ways to rock your professional development event

Meet people. Typically the folks at your coach's convention, conference, or seminar are pretty fired up about your sport or else they wouldn't be there. I wouldn't say that I'm big on "networking", but I do have fun talking volleyball with other volleyball coaches...and professional development events are great opportunities for that. The easiest way to meet new people is to chat up whoever is sitting next to you in your class. They're probably wearing a name tag or whatever...that makes it even easier. And Lord knows coaches love to talk! So don't just hang with your crew...meet some new folks, get their emails, and get in contact with them right away when you get home.Go to class. Being social is fun and a great way to meet people like I was talking about above. But don't forget why you're there...to learn! So if you're so tired from "being social" that you can't wake up until noon and you've missed half of the classes...maybe you're meeting too many people! I'm not necessarily one of those folks who wait to chat with the presenter after class, but I will shoot them an email when I get back home and let them know that I enjoyed their talk. Not only does that help me to make a connection, but I'm sure they appreciate getting the feedback.Be open to learning. I'm pretty sure that every time I go to a professional development event and run into someone I know, at least one of them will tell me that they haven't learned anything. Really? I find that hard to believe. You may learn how the top ten teams are training...of course, your team may not be able to perform at their level, but you learned it. You may learn a different way of saying the exact same thing that you've been saying for years, that's success! In my mind, if I sit at an hour presentation and learn just one thing, it's been successful. If I listen to someone and it triggers a "next level" thought that I can apply to my team, then it's well worth my time. Learning requires an open attitude...just like we expect from our athletes. We don't know it all and we sound silly when we act like we do. We can always learn.

There you go...three steps to a successful professional development event. Have fun and keep learning!

This week is devoted to my thoughts from the AVCA Convention, which was held in December. Why this week? Because it's Valentine's Week and that's all about love. And I love coaching and I love volleyball, so this was the perfect time for it! Topics for the week: getting the most from convention/professional development, the FCA breakfast (an early morning!), and girl drama. Stay tuned!

Dawn Redd is the Head Volleyball Coach at Beloit College. Come visit Coach Dawn's community of coaching nerds and team leaders over at her blog, http://www.coachdawnwrites.com/, where she teaches how to become an excellent coach, motivate individuals, and build successful teams.

Twitter: @CoachDawnWrites

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dawn_Redd

This article has been viewed 11 time(s).
Article Submitted On: February 14, 2011

Put Yourself in the Proper Context

Have you ever noticed that when analyzing a situation, people always "put things in context"? They consider extenuating circumstances, which includes the conditions they perceive to have created difficulties or enhanced performance.

This is an issue for women, because if people are not used to having women in male-dominated roles they will automatically be seen as "out of context." They will have doubts about their ability to perform, not only affecting their perception but that of the women in those roles as well. We end up with "doubt all around."

I learned this when I was the only woman appointed to a very political board. In an effort to help two warring fractions find middle ground, I consented to a meeting. Neither side were interested in compromise and as a reward for my time and effort one group made me the victim of a smear campaign. I was hurt, angry, and confused, and questioned my judgment. But I was also able to step back and recognize that I was being set up.

As a woman, these guys thought I was an easy mark, but they under-estimated the strength that my well-connected mentor and effective network brought to the equation. My supporters said, "Let's consider the context. These guys are known trouble-makers and Betty-Ann always works to find a productive solution. We're on her side."

Until we get more women in senior positions we'll be "out of context," which will create barriers to our success. People will doubt our abilities and causes us to doubt ourselves. In the interim the best thing we can do is get the endorsement of established leaders by making them our mentors or part of our network. They and other "opinion leaders" will legitimize us.

Improve your context by taking some time today to connect with others. You never know when it will come in handy that they've "put you in context."

After a highly successful career in business, including 26 years with PotashCorp where she was Senior Vice-President, Betty-Ann retired in 2007, the same year that she was named to Canada's Most Powerful Women: Top 100 Hall of Fame?. She now works as a speaker, author and mentor and is committed to using her personal and professional experiences to inspire and empower other women. A firm believer in the value women bring to organizations, Betty-Ann explores changing perceptions of male and female roles including candid observations about what she calls "Good Gender Physics" on her blog at http://www.stillettochick.com/. She helps both men and women understand the primary energy of their gender but also accept and appreciate the strengths of their opposite.

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