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There is very good news. A new voice and face – heck a whole personality – has shown up and captured the air waves. Her name is Sarah Boyles. Catch her appearance on Britian’s Got Talent at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9lp0IWv8QZY.
Because she wants to be a professional singer and told her mum, who died 2 years ago, that she’d do it, she did it. Funny how we'll do something for someone else that we won't do for ourselves.
She’s not your average looking svelte, glamorous siren. Quite the contrary. She’s what my kin would call ‘down home’, bless her heart.
Already in these few short weeks since her discovery, this 47 year old Scottish songstress has done some changing with footwear and attire. If you were to make Sarah over, what would you do?
Smart women want to know.
News or 5 minute phone call?
‘Cell phones must be turned off’ the sign at the lobby entrance declared.
“How nice. I won’t be subjected to ringing phones and dialog divulging TMI.” I thought.
At the check-in desk a sign said “Please limit all calls to 5 min. Thank you.”
Meanwhile live CNN was blaring and streaming the doom of the day.
Give me a 5 minute phone call, please!
“How nice. I won’t be subjected to ringing phones and dialog divulging TMI.” I thought.
At the check-in desk a sign said “Please limit all calls to 5 min. Thank you.”
Meanwhile live CNN was blaring and streaming the doom of the day.
Give me a 5 minute phone call, please!
Four Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
Networking is about having links - those golden people that can lead to jobs and business. It looks easy on the surface. ostly what you see is ineffective because people are making mistakes that cancel their efforts and waste their time.
Four Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
by Jerry N. Smith
Referral business is invaluable to a small business and building a strong network is key to maximizing referrals.
The process of networking is long term, and for many business owners requires going to events and joining groups that may be uncomfortable. It also requires you to make small talk and almost always deliver your 30 second introduction, neither of which you may feel are strengths. There are some common mistakes that can decrease your effectiveness in a networking situation. The good news is that networking is a marketing skill that can be learned. There are things you can do to address these mistakes immediately.
So what are these mistakes?
1. Talking about yourself - this is a mindset issue and much of what follows is related. It may seem counter-intuitive, but successful networking relies on you talking LESS about yourself and more about the person to whom you are talking at the time. It may seem that you need to tell as many people as you can all about yourself and your business, but as we shall see, this is counterproductive.
One place you typically find a lot of self-talk is the 30 second introduction. Compiling a successful introduction takes time and effort. Often you will hear facts about the speaker's company - time in business, awards won, location and so on. Also common is a list of services they provide. The effect of this is to force the listener to decide if the services listed apply to them. Chances are they have heard similar speeches before and will tend to tune you out. Tip: make your introduction about the clients you love to serve. Say who you work with and the issues you help them with and you will get far more interest.
Lesson one therefore: Talk less about yourself
2. Selling - again, this may not seem to make sense upon first examination. Surely you are going to a networking event to find prospects and sell to them? Indeed this is a common tactic you will see. As soon as there is a whiff of interest, leap straight into "selling" mode. This is where the impression that networking events are full of sales people comes from. Most of the time this is a mistake because people hate to be sold. Your prospects have real issues for which they are searching for solutions, but they don't even know you yet. You certainly haven't established any trust with them and you need that first.
The way to avoid a selling habit is to change your mindset from finding clients, to establishing if they even have a need for your service and whether the two of you are a good "fit" for one another. To do this you need to understand the issues and challenges that your services address, and you need to ASK QUESTIONS to find out whether there is a fit with the person to whom you are speaking.
3. Failing to give value - remember establishing trust? Once you have gained the attention of your prospect, you need to establish trust with them so that they don't simply see you as another salesman, but someone to engage in further conversation. This is related to the avoidance of selling. If you are prepared to give away up to 20% of the value you give to clients, this will position you favorably as someone who is giving before expecting to get.
You might say that's all well and good, but what do you give away? This depends on your business and the service you provide but typically, information that people can use is extremely valuable. Write reports and/or tip sheets on how to address common issues your clients wrestle with and offer to send that to prospects without expecting them to buy immediately - that's important. Give of this information freely.
4. Poor follow up - networking is generally the first stage in a relationship. It may be the only conversation you have with someone if you agree there is no fit between you. Chances are that you will see them again, and you want them to remember you and what you do so they can refer you to others. Whatever you agree to do next (send that report, email them with times to get together, send them a hand written note) you must follow through. Again, you are trying to build trust. If you collect cards but can't remember what you agreed to do with them, that is worse than not meeting in the first place. Trust will be lost if you don't follow up.
These points may seem obvious but they require a particular mindset that can be summed up as follows:
Think "give" not "get" - give value freely, don't seek to gain a client on first meeting. Be inquisitive - ask questions to find out about others rather than seeking to tell them about you. Gear your message to other people's challenges - this is about them, not about you!
If you follow these simple rules you will stand out positively from all those people trying to sell!
Four Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
by Jerry N. Smith
Referral business is invaluable to a small business and building a strong network is key to maximizing referrals.
The process of networking is long term, and for many business owners requires going to events and joining groups that may be uncomfortable. It also requires you to make small talk and almost always deliver your 30 second introduction, neither of which you may feel are strengths. There are some common mistakes that can decrease your effectiveness in a networking situation. The good news is that networking is a marketing skill that can be learned. There are things you can do to address these mistakes immediately.
So what are these mistakes?
1. Talking about yourself - this is a mindset issue and much of what follows is related. It may seem counter-intuitive, but successful networking relies on you talking LESS about yourself and more about the person to whom you are talking at the time. It may seem that you need to tell as many people as you can all about yourself and your business, but as we shall see, this is counterproductive.
One place you typically find a lot of self-talk is the 30 second introduction. Compiling a successful introduction takes time and effort. Often you will hear facts about the speaker's company - time in business, awards won, location and so on. Also common is a list of services they provide. The effect of this is to force the listener to decide if the services listed apply to them. Chances are they have heard similar speeches before and will tend to tune you out. Tip: make your introduction about the clients you love to serve. Say who you work with and the issues you help them with and you will get far more interest.
Lesson one therefore: Talk less about yourself
2. Selling - again, this may not seem to make sense upon first examination. Surely you are going to a networking event to find prospects and sell to them? Indeed this is a common tactic you will see. As soon as there is a whiff of interest, leap straight into "selling" mode. This is where the impression that networking events are full of sales people comes from. Most of the time this is a mistake because people hate to be sold. Your prospects have real issues for which they are searching for solutions, but they don't even know you yet. You certainly haven't established any trust with them and you need that first.
The way to avoid a selling habit is to change your mindset from finding clients, to establishing if they even have a need for your service and whether the two of you are a good "fit" for one another. To do this you need to understand the issues and challenges that your services address, and you need to ASK QUESTIONS to find out whether there is a fit with the person to whom you are speaking.
3. Failing to give value - remember establishing trust? Once you have gained the attention of your prospect, you need to establish trust with them so that they don't simply see you as another salesman, but someone to engage in further conversation. This is related to the avoidance of selling. If you are prepared to give away up to 20% of the value you give to clients, this will position you favorably as someone who is giving before expecting to get.
You might say that's all well and good, but what do you give away? This depends on your business and the service you provide but typically, information that people can use is extremely valuable. Write reports and/or tip sheets on how to address common issues your clients wrestle with and offer to send that to prospects without expecting them to buy immediately - that's important. Give of this information freely.
4. Poor follow up - networking is generally the first stage in a relationship. It may be the only conversation you have with someone if you agree there is no fit between you. Chances are that you will see them again, and you want them to remember you and what you do so they can refer you to others. Whatever you agree to do next (send that report, email them with times to get together, send them a hand written note) you must follow through. Again, you are trying to build trust. If you collect cards but can't remember what you agreed to do with them, that is worse than not meeting in the first place. Trust will be lost if you don't follow up.
These points may seem obvious but they require a particular mindset that can be summed up as follows:
Think "give" not "get" - give value freely, don't seek to gain a client on first meeting. Be inquisitive - ask questions to find out about others rather than seeking to tell them about you. Gear your message to other people's challenges - this is about them, not about you!
If you follow these simple rules you will stand out positively from all those people trying to sell!
Penny Wise and Time Foolish
Networking takes time. Done properly your time investment brings huge rewards. Done poorly, the way most people network and how I did for years, your time is wasted, never to be regained. Read Mike Macedonio's article for insight.
Penny Wise and Time Foolish
By Mike Macedonio
Is it just me or is anyone else shaking their head at the assertion that “word-of-mouth marketing and referral marketing are FREE advertising.” Clearly, referral marketing (done properly) is a cost-effective way to get businness, but the only way I can possibly see making it FREE is to do nothing at all.
So what is the investment for referral marketing? There are two investments with building your business by referral: time and money. I’m surprised when I ask business owners how much they are investing in referral marketing and they don’t have any idea. Is it because it is so cost-effective that they don’t think it is worth budgeting or tracking? Maybe. However, I also see businesspeople turn down opportunities to get involved in networking organizations, acquire training, attend conferences or sponsor strategic alliance events for financial reasons.
What about the hidden cost? How much time are you spending networking and meeting with referral sources? What is your time worth? Often when I ask that question, I get the billable rate. Here is the simple formula I use. How much you earn, divided by how much you work. For example, if you’re making $120,000 a year working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks a year, your time is worth $60 per hour. You may be billing $150 per hour; however, after you factor in everything else you are doing, this is what your time is returning to you.
When you consider that the serious active networker will spend eight hours a week attending networking events, networking online, meeting with referral sources and giving time to activities with his network, that works out to 400 hours per year or $24,000 of time invested a year. Hmmm, that doesn’t sound like FREE to me.
Referral marketing is the most cost-effective way to grow your business. Getting the best return on your time and money requires a clear referral marketing plan. Will you be spending your time doing the right things, with the right people, in the right organizations? Investing in referral marketing knowledge will help you get the best return for your time investment. Be careful not to fall into the common trap of being penny wise and time foolish with your referral marketing. Create a budget and invest appropriately in your referral marketing.
Penny Wise and Time Foolish
By Mike Macedonio
Is it just me or is anyone else shaking their head at the assertion that “word-of-mouth marketing and referral marketing are FREE advertising.” Clearly, referral marketing (done properly) is a cost-effective way to get businness, but the only way I can possibly see making it FREE is to do nothing at all.
So what is the investment for referral marketing? There are two investments with building your business by referral: time and money. I’m surprised when I ask business owners how much they are investing in referral marketing and they don’t have any idea. Is it because it is so cost-effective that they don’t think it is worth budgeting or tracking? Maybe. However, I also see businesspeople turn down opportunities to get involved in networking organizations, acquire training, attend conferences or sponsor strategic alliance events for financial reasons.
What about the hidden cost? How much time are you spending networking and meeting with referral sources? What is your time worth? Often when I ask that question, I get the billable rate. Here is the simple formula I use. How much you earn, divided by how much you work. For example, if you’re making $120,000 a year working 40 hours per week, 50 weeks a year, your time is worth $60 per hour. You may be billing $150 per hour; however, after you factor in everything else you are doing, this is what your time is returning to you.
When you consider that the serious active networker will spend eight hours a week attending networking events, networking online, meeting with referral sources and giving time to activities with his network, that works out to 400 hours per year or $24,000 of time invested a year. Hmmm, that doesn’t sound like FREE to me.
Referral marketing is the most cost-effective way to grow your business. Getting the best return on your time and money requires a clear referral marketing plan. Will you be spending your time doing the right things, with the right people, in the right organizations? Investing in referral marketing knowledge will help you get the best return for your time investment. Be careful not to fall into the common trap of being penny wise and time foolish with your referral marketing. Create a budget and invest appropriately in your referral marketing.
3 Keys to Coping When Your World Gets Rocked
Liza ran ahead of us as we walked to the playground. Mary, Liza's mom, told me her husband didn’t want to be married any more. There was no working things out. Divorce was coming. She continued “This isn’t the ride I signed up for. My ticket got punched and I don’t like it. My world’s rocked.”
Whether it’s your marriage, job or another loss, your ticket got punched. Life changed. That wasn’t part of your plan. Your world got rocked. What do you do?
There are 3 keys to coping in hard times. Finances, support and staying encouraged that this too shall pass are the major top the major top three.
First know how much money you have. What accounts it’s in and how liquid it is will bring you peace of mind. Plan further. Figure out how much it costs you to live and how long your current funds will last without having extra income. Denial has no room here.
Secondly research shows that support is vital to relieving stress. Leslie’s friends wanted to fix her as she talked about the pain in breaking up with her boyfriend. Finally she told them what she needed. She said “I don’t need to you tell me what to do. I know what to do. What I need is a hug.” Keep your family and friends close. Open up to them and let them know what you need.
And finally, no matter how bad it gets, stay optimistic. I know that sounds impossible. When all has gone to heck in a handbag, how is it possible? Dr. Bev Smallwood of the Hope Clinic suggests these 3 questions to ask yourself when you get down in the dumps.
Are you telling yourself this is temporary or is it permanent? Do you say I’ll never find another job? Or do you say this is only for now.
Are you talking in negative generalities? Life is lousy; things will never get better; and I’m stuck are generalities.
Are you beating yourself up with ‘what ifs’? What if I had paid attention? What if I had invested more and spent less? What if…you fill in the blank…? You’ll never know what if. It’s a waste of brain power and keeps you stuck in a bad place.
When I was left with a huge house and teenager to support by myself, a neighbor suggested I do these things. I didn’t feel like it and I sure didn’t want to. I forced myself to do them since she’d had experience on the same path. I did them anyway and credit my recovery from my world that had been turned upside down.
You always have choices. Start with these three tools. Smart choices give you power which gives you control over coping when your world gets rocked and feel like you have no control. Rick Warren in the Purpose Driven Life says that between now and this time tomorrow, you’ll give your life to something. Choose well. You’ll keep on being smart.
© Copyright Smokie Sizemore 2009. You may include this article in your E-zine or on your website or distribute it to others, provided you include the copyright statement and bio information tag line found at the end of this article. Smokie Sizemore, CPCC, speaker and founder of the Smart Woman’s Club, is an expert on the authentic woman. She coaches professional women to thrive in their careers and love their life. For more information, visit www.smartwomansclub.com.
Whether it’s your marriage, job or another loss, your ticket got punched. Life changed. That wasn’t part of your plan. Your world got rocked. What do you do?
There are 3 keys to coping in hard times. Finances, support and staying encouraged that this too shall pass are the major top the major top three.
First know how much money you have. What accounts it’s in and how liquid it is will bring you peace of mind. Plan further. Figure out how much it costs you to live and how long your current funds will last without having extra income. Denial has no room here.
Secondly research shows that support is vital to relieving stress. Leslie’s friends wanted to fix her as she talked about the pain in breaking up with her boyfriend. Finally she told them what she needed. She said “I don’t need to you tell me what to do. I know what to do. What I need is a hug.” Keep your family and friends close. Open up to them and let them know what you need.
And finally, no matter how bad it gets, stay optimistic. I know that sounds impossible. When all has gone to heck in a handbag, how is it possible? Dr. Bev Smallwood of the Hope Clinic suggests these 3 questions to ask yourself when you get down in the dumps.
Are you telling yourself this is temporary or is it permanent? Do you say I’ll never find another job? Or do you say this is only for now.
Are you talking in negative generalities? Life is lousy; things will never get better; and I’m stuck are generalities.
Are you beating yourself up with ‘what ifs’? What if I had paid attention? What if I had invested more and spent less? What if…you fill in the blank…? You’ll never know what if. It’s a waste of brain power and keeps you stuck in a bad place.
When I was left with a huge house and teenager to support by myself, a neighbor suggested I do these things. I didn’t feel like it and I sure didn’t want to. I forced myself to do them since she’d had experience on the same path. I did them anyway and credit my recovery from my world that had been turned upside down.
You always have choices. Start with these three tools. Smart choices give you power which gives you control over coping when your world gets rocked and feel like you have no control. Rick Warren in the Purpose Driven Life says that between now and this time tomorrow, you’ll give your life to something. Choose well. You’ll keep on being smart.
© Copyright Smokie Sizemore 2009. You may include this article in your E-zine or on your website or distribute it to others, provided you include the copyright statement and bio information tag line found at the end of this article. Smokie Sizemore, CPCC, speaker and founder of the Smart Woman’s Club, is an expert on the authentic woman. She coaches professional women to thrive in their careers and love their life. For more information, visit www.smartwomansclub.com.
The Easiest Facelift Ever
It was so quick. I showed up for my 2 pm appointment with excitement. At 3:15 I was on my way, my headshot captured on disc. Not a wrinkle, crease line, crow’s foot or blemish remained. No blood, scalpels or invasive procedures. The turkey neck was gone, too. It was the easiest cosmetic surgery on the planet.
If you saw Sophia Loren at the Oscars you know what I’m talking about. She didn’t look like herself. Neither did I – look like her or myself. The face was plastic looking – more like a mold with slits where eyes and breathing holes were stuck in.
The photo must’ve spent all day in PhotoShop.
“I didn’t have skin like this when I was 4 years old.” I told the photographer in a 911 call.
Back to PhotoShop I went. The image was projected on the biggest flat screen you ever saw. That’s scary. Actually the image could be an anti-terrorist deterent.
With a few quick clicks all wrinkles, sags and turkey skin appeared from nowhere. Circles drawn like surgeon marks dotted the face. With right click massages the blemishes and creases inside the circles smoothed right out. And so it went until the desired look was achieved.
Gone was the plastic looking tight skin. Found was my essence, sparkle, lines and creases, signatures of life experienced.
It was the easiest cosmetic surgery ever.
If you saw Sophia Loren at the Oscars you know what I’m talking about. She didn’t look like herself. Neither did I – look like her or myself. The face was plastic looking – more like a mold with slits where eyes and breathing holes were stuck in.
The photo must’ve spent all day in PhotoShop.
“I didn’t have skin like this when I was 4 years old.” I told the photographer in a 911 call.
Back to PhotoShop I went. The image was projected on the biggest flat screen you ever saw. That’s scary. Actually the image could be an anti-terrorist deterent.
With a few quick clicks all wrinkles, sags and turkey skin appeared from nowhere. Circles drawn like surgeon marks dotted the face. With right click massages the blemishes and creases inside the circles smoothed right out. And so it went until the desired look was achieved.
Gone was the plastic looking tight skin. Found was my essence, sparkle, lines and creases, signatures of life experienced.
It was the easiest cosmetic surgery ever.
Makeover and Vibrator
I plopped myself in the chair at Estee Lauder cosmetic counter. I was curious about spring colors. Never being interested in skin care or taking time to put more than lipstick on I consider this radical.
I do love getting made up. It makes me feel like a movie star. Now that my skin is heading south I' m interested in helping my appearance in every way, even if it means wearing make up.
So there I was on Tuesday afternoon. Janice, the so professional cosmetic woman, asked all the questions about things never passing through my mind. The answer was “What do you think would be best? Then let’s see what it looks like.” Janice carefully covered my face with soft warm colors. Then it was time to do the eyes. A little liner and some mascara.
While she searched for new products, I explored what she’d laid on the tray beside me. Lipstick, blush, moisturerizer, and mascara were beautifully packaged. The mascara brush was set aside. When I picked it up, it buzzed softly, then it shook. It felt good. It felt really good. It was a vibrator.
Who’d have thought Estee Lauder cosmetic counter is the place to get a vibrator.
I do love getting made up. It makes me feel like a movie star. Now that my skin is heading south I' m interested in helping my appearance in every way, even if it means wearing make up.
So there I was on Tuesday afternoon. Janice, the so professional cosmetic woman, asked all the questions about things never passing through my mind. The answer was “What do you think would be best? Then let’s see what it looks like.” Janice carefully covered my face with soft warm colors. Then it was time to do the eyes. A little liner and some mascara.
While she searched for new products, I explored what she’d laid on the tray beside me. Lipstick, blush, moisturerizer, and mascara were beautifully packaged. The mascara brush was set aside. When I picked it up, it buzzed softly, then it shook. It felt good. It felt really good. It was a vibrator.
Who’d have thought Estee Lauder cosmetic counter is the place to get a vibrator.
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