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In the contemporary scenario no business can work as an isolated identity. Every business whether big or small, has to work in coordination with the people associated with it. Each business organisation has its own interest groups like consumers, suppliers, distributors, employees, shareholders, clients and several others to take care of. Each of them holds a certain level of importance to the business. But there is one set of interest group that holds more importance than others for an organisation and that is its clients. Any one who is in the business will know what clients mean to any business. It is these clients that form the ultimate link for a business. All the activities and the risk that a business undertakes are ultimately for these clients. For any company to successfully perform its job it needs the cooperation of its clients.

Considering the importance that clients hold for a business it becomes extremely important to maintain cordial relationships with clients. A satisfied and happy set of clientele is the most important pre-requisite for a business. There is no denying the fact that a strong client relationship is extremely crucial for any business. But the big question here is that what can an organisation do to build strong client relationships? Long boring speeches at annual meetings and conferences can be an option but they quite often fail to deliver much result. A great way to strike a great business relationship with your clients could be through promotional note pads.

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\\ tags: Business, Client Relationships, Networking, Note Pads

Here is my personal list of things to do at your networking group:

(1) Bring your business cards. Sound simple? Well, I regularly meet people at networking groups who have forgotten their cards or their cards are at the printers. Keep an ample supply in your car, briefcase, and pockets; you never know when you’re going to meet someone important to your business.

(2) Wear a name tag. While attending a networking meeting, it is not realistic to expect to remember each person’s name and the business they represent. If your nametag says what you do, it makes meeting you, and remembering you later, a lot easier. A nametag can also stimulate conversation about your business.

(3) Door Prizes. At many networking groups, there is an opportunity to give away a door prize. This type of promotion is two-fold. First; your product or service will get mentioned in a special way with lots of attentive people listening. Second; the winner will have an experience of your product or service and may tell others within the networking group. Note-the door prize does not have to be expensive. Regardless of the price, your business will still be acknowledged-thus, getting more exposure.

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\\ tags: Business, Networking, Networking Group

Every business needs an effective marketing strategy and most business owners would admit this. However, they may not question whether or not their own strategy is, indeed, an effective one. Stop for a moment and just consider what would happen if your business had no decent advertising. The answer is quite simple, most businesses would fail very quickly without an effective marketing strategy.

The Importance of a Business Card
You may not consider a business card as a marketing tool, but it can be a very effective and versatile one. Your business card offers an introduction to your company to prospective clients while at the same time enhancing you as a professional. If you don’t already have a business card, you definitely need one.

Branding With Business Cards
A business marketing plan will usually incorporate a range of strategies including direct selling and branding. Direct selling focuses on increasing market share and profitability by selling your products and services. Branding is a way of differentiating your business from your competitors.

Most business are not selling a unique product, so in order to gain a competitive edge you need to have a unique selling point. In other words, you have to offer your customers something different that they want. Perhaps you can focus on exceptional customer service, offer a rewards program for customer loyalty, or provide an in-house extended warranty that beats your competitors hands down. By taking the time to build a strong brand, you will reap significant returns in the long run. A well designed business card which emphasizes your unique selling point can help you build your brand.

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\\ tags: Business, Business Card, Networking

Be proud of yourself and what you do. What do you think about people who don’t want to talk about their business, who keep saying “we’re not really that good”?

Be yourself. If you’re not a “traditional” business type then you might feel you don’t fit in. But don’t try and be someone you’re not or you’ll come across as uncomfortable and you’ll find it difficult to be someone different.

Don’t worry if it’s all new to you. Seek out people who are good networkers and notice what they do. Ask them for help. Think about the things that you find most difficult and then find people who can help you improve those skills. Everyone was new to it once!

Know what you’re going to say. If you get nervous giving presentations then see a hypnotherapist who can help to reduce your nerves and/or a presentation expert who can give you some practical advice about how to construct a speech and how to deliver it.

Arrive in plenty of time. If you’re not in a rush you’ve got time to think about what you’re going to do and you know you’ve got everything you need. Being there at the beginning of an event means you don’t have to go straight into a crowded room.

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\\ tags: Business, Networker, Networking

Networking is one of those dreaded and feared activities that each job seeker must face throughout their career. However, it’s also well known that well over 50% of jobs are landed through some form of networking!

Here are 5 tips to get you started in your networking success:

Tip One: Stand Up and Smile
When networking on the phone stand up and smile! No kidding, it improves your tone and your energy level.

Tip Two: Create a Simple Script
When you are at a networking event or following up on the phone, create a short, simple script and practice it out loud a few times. You will be amazed how much more comfortable and confident you will feel with this extra foundation of support!

Tip Three: Create a List
Create a list of everyone you know to ask them if they have any information on your industry of choice. Your list can include friends, associates, family, people you worship with and people with whom you do business such as your banker, CPA or your realtor. People I do business with are my favorite networks because I am their customer and people in service industries completely understand the benefits of networking.

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\\ tags: Business, Networking, Networking Tips

Purchasing Leads to grow a networking business does not work. Most of these leads (prospects) have no interest in a networking business. I speak from experience and thousand of dollars blown here.

Your sponsor maybe making a fortune selling you worthless leads. Who knows – they may be from the phone book! But some people figured out a way to create an income on-line by providing information people want.

This is like fishing. When we give the fish what they want – they bite! When we provide people with what they want – they will buy! When you provide the right bait – people will come to you like metal to a magnet, like fish to a worm, like a bee to honey!

Students spend a fortune (or parents do) on education so they may get a good paying job in their field of interest. Business people spend a lot of money to continue their education through workshops, seminars, books and CD’s.

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\\ tags: Business, Networking

As you go about your daily life you will find clues every day about people who might be interested in your business opportunity.

The same lesson I used to teach in Head Start to the children when crossing the street can apply to your recruiting and team building efforts for your business.

STOP LOOK & LISTEN
The teaching we give small children when learning basic life lessons about crossing the street can apply here. While we are far removed from our Pre-Kindergarten years, we are on the “street of life”. Every step we take is a pathway to building our business. Lifestyling our business and following those three simple steps could yield lots of clues and open the doors to sharing your opportunity.

STOP: Take time to pay attention. Don’t always be in such a rush that you aren’t aware of your surroundings. Everyone is always in such a rush these days. Often times we overlook even simple courtesies like saying “Good Morning” to a clerk who waits on us or someone we meet. Or pass by the opportunity to stop and give a cheerful word or even just a smile to someone. Or compliment them on what they are wearing or something else great that you notice about them. As you make your way through your daily life take time to Stop and take in your surroundings. Be aware, involved and engage with people in your daily life, even if it takes a few extra minutes, because those few extra minutes can open doors for you.

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\\ tags: Business, Networking

The concept of the Mastermind Group was formally introduced by Napoleon Hill in the early 1900’s. In his timeless classic, “Think And Grow Rich” he wrote about the Mastermind principle as:

“The coordination of knowledge and effort of two or more people, who work toward a definite purpose, in the spirit of harmony.”

In a Mastermind Group, the agenda belongs to the group, and participation is key. Your peers give you feedback, help you brainstorm new possibilities, and set up accountability that keeps you focused and on track. You create a group of like minded members who will brainstorm together to move the group to new heights.

You’ll gain tremendous insights, which can improve your business and personal life. Your Mastermind Group is like having an elite staff of executives.

You can start out sharing an issue, success or breakthrough and this can be a personal or business example. The group can also focus on an area where members may need support on, so everything is not always focused on the simple things. The Mastermind Group should is there to help the group stay focused, motivated and inspired.

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\\ tags: Business, Motivation, Networking

Breaking In
There are several ways to do that. One way is the lesson learned from shy people: arrive within fifteen minutes of the appointed hour. That way the room is not full of already formed groups. When we do see many groups in any room, find the group with three or more people who look and sound like they are having a good time. Stand in the periphery and when acknowledged step in and respond. BONUS TIP: When you see someone in your group’s periphery, step back. In doing so, you will have included the excluded and that is memorable.

Gracious Exits
Parting is such sweet sorrow but we must exit and move on.

Exit One
After an interesting conversation, interrupt yourself, indicate the conversation was pleasant, interesting, and informative and offer a phrase or sentence that summarizes the conversation. Offering a hand for a handshake, signals “the end”. One colleague smiles and says, “I could monopolize your time but you must want to meet others.” It works for her.

Ask for a card if appropriate and offer one of yours. Then walk a quarter of the room over to another individual or group so your conversation partner won’t think you just turned your back.

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\\ tags: Business, Conversation, Networking

The first is that 75% of the respondees, people whom I considered to be great conversationalists, still thought of themselves as SHY. I was shocked. Several of my surveyed admitted to working through shyness but still feeling so uncomfortable. Could have fooled me! In fact, they did. They worked through it sooooo well that I found them to be exemplary at conversation.

The second result was not surprising as much as it was confirming. NOT ONE of my identified great chatters put down “small talk”. To a one, they saw it as a way of getting to know people, put them at ease and find common ground.

Not to sound Socratic, but my deduction is clear— “therefore, only crappy conversationalists denigrate small talk.”

Think about it. Have you ever had a wonderful conversation with someone who had no interest in the “little things” that start, move and expand our verbal exchanges? I think not. To say it more clearly—- which I did in What Do I Say Next? — only those who aren’t good at small talk make light of it and, in fact, put it down. The bluffery and buffoonery around small talk is that it “isn’t important, it’s phony, boring”. Maybe what these denizens and denigrators are really saying is, “I DON”T CARE A WHIT ABOUT YOU.”

I am not the first person to have written about the subject of small talk, conversation or schmooze and I won’t be the last because we are uncomfortable talking to people we don’t know. In fact, many of us are even caught off-guard at the thought of having longer conversations with people we do know. With the input of friends, colleagues and generous strangers, in a chapter in What Do I Say Next?, I identified the CONVERSATION KILLERS, twenty-two behaviors that annoy the hell out of us and stop our verbal exchanges. My killers have been quoted, attributed and sometimes just “borrowed”. A few of the most annoying are: The Braggart, The One Upper, The Interrupter, The Brain Bully, The Corrections Officers (sometimes known as the grammar police) and the Kvetchers who constantly complain.

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\\ tags: Business, Networking, SMALL Talk