Liz Lynch – The Smart Networking Blog tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2008-07-25://27 2010-02-04T12:45:18Z Movable Type 4.23-en Career Success Memo: Want to Accelerate Your Career Success? Then Sharpen Your Listening Skills tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4223 2010-02-04T11:01:07Z 2010-02-04T12:45:18Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/02/career-success-memo-want-to-ac.html';

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Hey, listen up .... Want to really accelerate AND sustain your career success? 

Then, you've GOT to be a highly effective listener.  As a leader, LISTENING skills are MORE IMPORTANT than your speaking skills .... No question.

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Here are 10 ways which can help you become a better listener...

  1. Listen for ideas and central themes.  Search for the speaker's central theme or main points instead of getting lost in, or reacting to, the supportive details.
  2. Judge content, not delivery.  Focus, to your best ability, on what the speaker is saying and try not to be unduly influenced by their way of saying or delivering the message.
  3. Search for areas of interest.  It is extremely easy to tune out from a speaker, so work on sharing his or her enthusiasm.  Search for new ideas or insights which might be beneficial to you.
  4. Don't jump to conclusions.  It's easy to assume that you know the rest of a sentence  or message after hearing the beginning.  Avoid prejudging a message, so you can receive and evaluate the whole message.
  5. Take notes.  By taking notes you sharpen your reception, understanding, and, of course, retention of the information.
  6. Concentrate and resist distraction.  External distractions include non-related things you can see or hear, or which may be impacting your other senses.  Internal distractions occur when your mind wanders into unrelated memories or shifts its focus to worries, plans, or anticipations. Stay focused.
  7. Use the fast pace of thought to your advantage.  Most people can think three or four times faster than they speak.  Don't let your quick mind indulge in all sorts of thoughts unrelated to the conversation.  Capitalize on your thinking speed by actively sensing, interpreting, evaluating, and summarizing the messages being received.
  8. Check your emotions.  It has been said that the intellect is the slave to emotions.  Be sensitive to things that trigger your emotions and increase your efforts to focus on a clear reception and understanding of what is being said.
  9. Exercise your mind.  You can turn away and tune out from complicated or difficult subjects, or you can intellectually wrestle with complex information so that you will have a chance to grow and strengthen your own intellect.
  10. Work at listening.  Be an active listener.  Follow the above suggestions.  Ask questions and seek clarification.  Actively share in the speaker's efforts to improve your level of understanding, whether or not you think you agree.
Original post on Career Success! Partners

]]> Want to Live a Rich Life? You Need to Get Rid of Your Head Trash First tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4219 2010-02-02T11:29:18Z 2010-02-03T13:20:29Z tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/02/want-to-live-a-rich-life-you-need-to-get-rid-of-your-head-trash-first.html'; If you've been following me a while or been on my teleseminars, you've probably heard me mention my good friend Noah St. John on more than one occasion.He wrote a great book last year called "The... Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/02/want-to-live-a-rich-life-you-need-to-get-rid-of-your-head-trash-first.html';

If you've been following me a while or been on my teleseminars, you've probably heard me mention my good friend Noah St. John on more than one occasion.

He wrote a great book last year called "The Secret Code of Success" in which he describes an amazing technique he developed for helping people get past the mental blocks that keep them stuck. Noah calls this "head trash," and one of his techniques for sweeping away that head trash is called Afformations, and it's so simple, yet so powerful. 

I talk about Afformations a lot in my programs and with my coaching clients because it really works. I'm a big fan of Noah's (so is Jack Canfield who wrote the Foreword to the book) and I know you'll be too once you learn more about what he does.

He just released a cool new (short) video and I wanted to pass it along. But be sure to watch it before Thursday, 2/4. Enjoy!

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]]> Communicate with Impact On Stage, One-on-One and Everywhere in Between - LIVE Teleseminar with Diane Diresta, author of Knockout Presentations (Wednesday, February 3rd, 1pm Eastern) tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4224 2010-02-02T11:06:42Z 2010-02-02T14:41:36Z tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/02/communicate-with-impact-on-stage-one-on-one-and-everywhere-in-between---live-teleseminar-with-diane-diresta-author-of-knockout-presentations-wednesday-february-3rd-1pm-eastern.html'; Whether you're presenting to a crowd, giving a sales pitch one-on-one, or leaving a voicemail for a very important prospect, opinions of you are being formed based on how well you communicate. And you may not... Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/02/communicate-with-impact-on-stage-one-on-one-and-everywhere-in-between---live-teleseminar-with-diane-diresta-author-of-knockout-presentations-wednesday-february-3rd-1pm-eastern.html';

Whether you're presenting to a crowd, giving a sales pitch one-on-one, or leaving a voicemail for a very important prospect, opinions of you are being formed based on how well you communicate. And you may not get a second chance to make a good first impression. 

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Join me in the Smart Networking Inner Circle on Wednesday, February 3rd at 1pm Eastern, when I'll be interviewing Diane Diresta, author of Knockout Presentations: How to Deliver Your Message with Power, Punch, and Pizzazz. We'll talk about why life is a presentation and how to put your best foot forward every time, everywhere.

You will learn:

  • Why speaking is the new competitive weapon
  • The biggest mistakes presenters make and how to avoid them
  • The critical role listening plays when giving a presentation
  • How to leave a compelling voice mail
  • Secrets for communicating effectively across diverse cultures
  • And much, much more!

This teleseminar is FREE for members of my Smart Networking Inner Circle group. Members also have access to the recording as well as the transcript.

Not a member yet? Learn how to get the first month for only $9.95 (new members only, please) and get access to monthly calls with top experts, monthly Q&A calls, recordings and transcripts of the calls, one-on-one laser coaching opportunities and other fabulous members-only benefits.

About Diane DiResta

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Diane DiResta, Founder and CEO of DiResta Communications, Inc. is an international speaker, and consultant to executives, business professionals, and entrepreneurs. As a top Speaking Strategist, she shows clients how to communicate with greater impact and project a more powerful presence. Her clients report bottom line results-getting promoted, increasing their visibility, raising their speaking scores, increasing sales, and getting hired.
 
She holds a Masters degree from Columbia University and is a certified and licensed Speech Pathologist. Diane began her career in the New York City schools and has trained people across diverse industries  ranging in age from four to eighty-four. As a former training specialist for Salomon Brothers, she delivered management training programs and as Assistant Vice President of Drexel Burnham Lambert, she recruited and trained MBAs for the Institutional Sales and Trading Training Program.
 
Diane has spoken in Africa, the Caribbean, Europe, the Middle East, Russia, and South America. She taught speech and listening courses at Cornell University and NYU, and was a guest lecturer at Fels School of Government, UPenn. She's been featured on CNN, Good Day NY, Bloomberg radio, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, Entrepreneur magazine, Selling Power magazine, Enterprising Women, Fast Company and Investors Business Daily. She's a former facilitator for Women President's Organization, a think tank for women entrepreneurs.

Diane is the author of Knockout Presentations, a popular book used in business and in colleges. To learn more about Diane, visit http://www.diresta.com



]]> Secrets to Getting More Referrals - Part 1 tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4221 2010-02-01T20:50:58Z 2010-02-01T22:32:00Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/02/secrets-to-getting-more-referr.html';

Assessing Your "Referability" Factor

Do you need new customers or clients but can't seem to get enough of them? People generally want to make referrals when they can. It feels good to be able to connect those who can help with those who need that help. But, you need to make it as easy as possible for them to do so. We're all busy, faced with too much on our plate and not enough hours in the day, so the more painless you can make it, the greater your chances of getting the referrals you want.

Here are four key questions to ask yourself to test the strength of your "referability."

1) Are contacts able to reach you?
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Before LinkedIn, it was easy to lose touch with people as they moved around and changed companies. And despite the fact LinkedIn has over 50 million members, there are still a great number of professionals still not on it.

Last year a friend asked for a recommendation to a commercial banker in New York City for a real estate deal he was putting together. The only one I knew had worked at one bank but had subsequently moved to another. Although he did send out updated contact information, it never made it into my address book. When I couldn't find him on LinkedIn, I couldn't make the referral.

Being easily reachable is a necessary, but by no means sufficient, condition. Your business card in someone's desk drawer or a connection to them via social media is not enough. The next three questions are even more crucial.

2) Can they describe what you do?
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Is your elevator pitch clear? Do your contacts really understand what you do? Not what your title is, but what problems you can help solve? By leading with your title as opposed to your solution, you lose people because they have either no idea, or an inaccurate idea, of what it means. Instead, focus on relaying the benefits of what you do so nothing gets lost in the translation.

3) Do they know whom to tell?

Have you clearly described your target customer? This is where job titles may come in handy. Talk specifically about the kinds of people who are involved in the decision to hire you as well as the kinds of companies. Give examples of both job titles (e.g., "I usually work with the vp of marketing") and company names (e.g., "Consumer technology companies like Dell, Iomega, and HP)

4) Will they?
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Once they have all of this information, the big question is will they act on it when they see an opportunity? This comes down to two things. First is their belief in the quality of your work. Because your contacts put their reputations on the line when they make recommendations on your behalf, they have to know that you're the best person for the job. Second is the strength of your relationship. Have you developed enough rapport so they'd want to take the time to help you?

I've said in Smart Networking that you don't need a huge Rolodex if you have aresponsive one. In next week's post we'll talk about more about point #4 and how you can build closer bonds with people you meet right from the start of a relationship so when opportunities come along, they think of you first and make the referral.


 ]]> Career Success Tip: LinkedIn - How to Effectively Use LinkedIn's Group Feature to Grow Your Network tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4190 2010-01-28T11:54:30Z 2010-01-28T15:39:06Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/career-success-tip-linkedin--.html';


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The "Groups" feature of LinkedIn has continued to grow in popularity and utility.  Groups are a powerful tool for expanding the depth and breadth of your LinkedIn network.  Many Groups treat members similar to FIRST DEGREE connections -- allowing you to make direct contact with a Group member without a referral or "Inmail".

Networking Group 

I am currently an active member in over 30 Groups (LinkedIn allows you to join up to a maximum of 50 Groups).  I highly recommend finding AT LEAST 10 Groups to join -- AND becoming ACTIVE in.  Activity is key; simply joining gives you some benefits but being active in Group news and discussions is where the real value and leverage is.

Some of the things you can do as a Group member, all of which help you to GIVE VALUE TO YOUR NETWORK and expand your network reach and network quality include:

  • Share great content and information as "News Items" in Group forums -- blog articles that you find online that would be of interest to Group members and other useful content online - news, events, book referrals, etc.
  • Cross-post YOUR own blog articles -- ones that YOU write -- to as many relevant Groups as possible. I will very often cross-post my blog articles to five to ten relevant Groups -- significantly increasing exposure of the article and maximizing the number of people who could benefit in some way from the advice and information contained in the article.
  • Participate -- in a meaningful way -- in Group forum discussions.  Make insightful positive-minded comments; add value to conversations; give advice when asked; answer questions.
  • Utilize the "Jobs" feature of Groups.  Search for jobs or post job openings.  Groups are an excellent source of "niche" jobs and should be used by anyone actively engaged in a job search.
  • Connect directly with other Group members.  Search for people to connect with -- someone who shares a common interest, a common employer experience, a common educational experience.  Groups are an excellent source for expanding your network of direct connections in LinkedIn.
  • Start your own Group! Create your own "community" and serve as the moderator of Group activity.  Moderating and Group "ownership" gives you great exposure and strengthens your "brand" or area(s) of expertise.
Give consideration to the following ideas when searching for Groups to join:
  • Industry-specific Groups - Examples include Retail Industry Group, Health Care-oriented Groups, Travel Industry Groups, etc.
  • Trade and Professional Organization Groups -- There are Groups for scores of trade and professional organizations.  Join those relevant to you.
  • Employer Alumni Groups.  Many of the Fortune 100+ companies have alumni Groups for their former employers.  This is a great way to reconnect with former colleagues.
  • College/University Groups.  Most major colleges and universities of Alumni Organization Groups on LinkedIn.  Another excellent means for reconnecting with "long lost" contacts and friends.
  • Job/Career-Related Groups.  There are hundreds of Groups in the job, career development, career management areas.  If you're in a job search, you'll definitely want to check these out.
  • Social Media Groups.  There are Groups for Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn where you'll find forums for discussion of tips, techniques and very useful advice relevant to most major social media tools.
  • Peer-level Executive Groups.  Check the various CEO, COO, CIO, CFO, etc. specific groups.  A great way to connect with peer-level professionals and sharing useful information.
  • Functional/Technical Specialty Groups.  There are scores and scores of these.  Find a Group or Groups relevant to your ares of functional or technical specialty (sales, marketing, accounting, IT, supply chain, etc., etc.)
  • Personal Interest Groups.  An avid cyclist? ...there are Groups.  A devoted football team fan? ...there are Groups.  A great way to share with people of like-minded interests.
  • New Business.  Find Groups to join where there are members who are highly likely to be a source of business for you -- potential customers, clients, buyers and "influencers."  Look for ways to add value to these Groups through discussion and sharing of information.
Begin expanding your Group involvement and participation today.  Another GREAT way to tap the power of LinkedIn!

Original post on Career Success! Partners

Author:

Andy Robinson (@AndyInNaples) is a leading authority on career success and 15-year career coaching veteran whose passion in business life is "helping people love what they do for a living and achieve incredible career success." Andy is CEO of CRG Leadership Institute and co-host of Career Success Radio Show.


]]> "L.I.F.E. - Live in Freedom Everyday" by Kenneth Brown tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4195 2010-01-26T11:20:29Z 2010-01-26T13:14:49Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/life---live-in-freedom-everyda.html';

LIFE-KenBrown.pngI only recently heard of Ken Brown, the speaker, coach, entrepreneur and author, but I'm mesmerized by his story. 

A youth spent in abject poverty, his focus and hunger for excellence has led to monumental personal and professional opportunities, including becoming one of the youngest African American McDonald's owners and operators.
 
A Chicago native, Ken worked his way through college as a bus boy and waiter graduating from Southern Illinois University. His story is a modern day rags to riches story that he hopes will inspire and motivate others to live out their dreams. 

"Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you respond to it," he says.

Ken has helped thousands break free from life's shackles that hold them back, and with his new book, L.I.F.E. - Living in Freedom Everyday, an easy-to-ready, easy-to-follow six-step paved pathway to personal, financial and spiritual freedom, he's poised to help countless more.

Read more about Ken's book and get access to a number of free goodies when you get your copy by end of today.

]]> Office Depot Web Cafe: Maximizing Social Networking Webinar (Tuesday, January 26th, 4pm Eastern) tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4194 2010-01-25T01:46:10Z 2010-01-25T02:18:28Z tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/office-depot-web-cafe-maximizi.html'; On Tuesday, January 26th, I'll be kicking off Office Depot's 2010 Web Cafe Series with a special webinar on Maximizing Social Networking.Launched in 2002 as part of the company's online Business Resource Center, Web Cafe is... Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/office-depot-web-cafe-maximizi.html';

Picture 1.pngOn Tuesday, January 26th, I'll be kicking off Office Depot's 2010 Web Cafe Series with a special webinar on Maximizing Social Networking.

Launched in 2002 as part of the company's online Business Resource Center, Web Cafe is a series of FREE web-based seminars providing small business owners and other professionals with the opportunity to learn from industry experts on a variety of topics ranging from marketing and sales tools to finance and technology trends. See the schedule here.

At last count I heard that more than 6,000 people have registered for my webinar and there's still time to join in. 

Can't make it? All webinars are recorded and available in their archives. 

I have to give a special shout out to Nancy Michaels, the fabulous marketing maven from Grow Your Business Network who introduced me to Office Depot and will be leading the following week's webinar on 10 Marketing Ideas Under $100.


]]> Career Success Tip: How Well Are You "Branded" Amongst Your Contact Network? Try This to Find Out tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4165 2010-01-21T13:00:56Z 2010-01-23T19:00:47Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/career-success-tip-how-well-ar-1.html';

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How well are you "branded" amongst your network of connections - friends, family members, individuals with whom you share outside interests, vendors, clients, colleagues, former colleagues?
  • What comes to mind when people think of YOU? 
  • Do your contacts fully understand what you do for a living and exactly HOW you add value to other people's lives?
  • Who's "radar screen" are YOU on when someone asks a contact if they know someone who specializes in your areas of expertise?

Are YOU Getting Noticed?  
Do YOU Stand Out from the Crowd?


On the Radar Screen 

Try the following idea every once in a while to "research" and confirm your brand awareness:

  1. Choose a network connection and give them a call, asking for a quick few minutes of their time
  2. Tell them that you've been working on improving your personal branding campaign and that you're doing some research with some of your friends and clients to see how effectively you've been in communicating your brand to your network
  3. Then, ask this question: "What is your understanding of exactly what I do for a living -- the product, service or skillset that I deliver?"
  4. Listen carefully to their response and probe their response using the "blinking word" technique -- (a) Identify a couple of words that "blink" or really stand in in their response, (b) ask about one of those words, (c) notice the blinking words in his or her answer, (d) ask about one of those words, (e) repeat this process until you've reached a point where you can summarize a quick brand statement.  See the example below:
    1. You: "What is your understanding of exactly what I do for a living?"
    2. Your contact: "You're an executive coach." (blinking word bolded)
    3. You: "What is your understanding of what a coach does?"
    4. Your contact: "Helps someone be more effective in their job." (blinking word bolded)
    5. You: "What are some things you think I do to help my clients be more effective?"
    6. Your contact: "Maybe you help them manage their time better." (clinking word bolded)
    7. You. "I definitely do a good bit of work with helping people get control over their time and focus on the important. One of the other areas of effectiveness I focus on is helping my clients help managers communicate more effectively with their teams."
    8. You. "Thanks I appreciate your time. If you run across anyone who might need my help, please let me know.  Is there anything I could do to help you right now?"
OK, so what exactly have you accomplished with the above.  Consider this:
  • You've reached out and communicated in person with someone in your network 
  • You've strengthened your relationship by a notch or two
  • You've asked for and received their help, and you've THANKED them for their help
  • You've gotten "market" feedback on the brand that you wish to be known for
  • You've educated a contact about what you do for a living
  • You've enhanced your brand awareness
  • You've empowered a network contact with the information necessary to possibly refer a client to you in the future
  • You've made a referral request
Use your personal branding program to stay on the radar screen of your contact network base -- by keeping them current on what you do for a living and how you add value to your clients. Your branding program should include newsletters, frequent communication through social media, blogging and "in person" networking at clubs and professional organizations .  "Test" your branding program on an ONGOING basis using the above research program and make adjustments as necessary.

All the best to your career success!

Original post on Career Success! Partners

Author:

Andy Robinson (@AndyInNaples) is a leading authority on career success and 15-year career coaching veteran whose passion in business life is "helping people love what they do for a living and achieve incredible career success." Andy is CEO of CRG Leadership Institute and co-host of Career Success Radio Show.



]]> Power Scripts to Skyrocket Sales tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4175 2010-01-20T12:27:26Z 2010-01-20T17:29:41Z tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/power-scripts-to-skyrocket-sales.html'; Did you miss my interview with Wendy Weiss, the Queen of Cold Calling, when she stopped by the Smart Networking Inner Circle in December?If you did, you won't want to miss THIS.Wendy is a master at... Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/power-scripts-to-skyrocket-sales.html';

Did you miss my interview with Wendy Weiss, the Queen of Cold Calling, when she stopped by the Smart Networking Inner Circle in December?

If you did, you won't want to miss THIS.

Wendy is a master at building relationships and making sales over the phone. I know what you're thinking...the phone?!? Haven't we moved everything online? Actually, no. 

Online may be the place that connections start, the place where people first hear of you, where their curiosity is aroused, and where they may start their research. But if you're going to do business together of any substance beyond a single transaction, you'll need to have a live conversation. 

Wendy has proven, practical strategies for EVERY step of the sales process, from identifying decision makers and leaving compelling voice mails, to the best way to use email and how to handle objections, all in a way that is authentic, effective, and not at all sales-y.

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This week, she released her brand new sales guide, The Sales Winner's Handbook: Essential Scripts and Strategies to Skyrocket Sales Performance, filled with tools and techniques to help you:

  • Qualify prospects
  • Gather the right information
  • Gain agreement
  • Justify your price
  • Close the sale
I took a look at an advance copy last week, and I was blown away by the depth and detail of information! 

If selling doesn't come naturally for you, then studying the real-life scripts and seeing examples of questions to ask your prospects and what to say to common objections can help you develop a strong feel for the process and gain much more confidence.

Plus, you'll learn about Wendy's top resources to help you increase your sales productivity, most of which she shared on our Inner Circle call and are invaluable in and of themselves.

I can't recommend it any more highly! Click here to learn more about The Sales Winner's Handbook by Wendy Weiss and get your copy today.



]]> Think or Sink -- Take Control of What You CAN Change tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4167 2010-01-19T15:52:20Z 2010-01-19T16:40:32Z tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/think-or-sink----take-control.html'; I've been taking a long look lately at how people make choices -- about how they spend their time, how they spend their money, how they pick their goals -- and whether they are really thinking... Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/think-or-sink----take-control.html';

I've been taking a long look lately at how people make choices -- about how they spend their time, how they spend their money, how they pick their goals -- and whether they are really thinking through the situation or simply just reacting.

In my experience, I've found that many people overestimate the control they have over events and other people (and the control that events and other people have over them!), while severely underestimating the control they have over themselves. 

Sure, the economy is tough and unemployment is at its highest levels. And sure, there's a lot of uncertainty about where things are headed and when they'll get better. But focusing on situations that we can't change, like how the economy is performing, does nothing but bring on stress. In the meantime, we don't put our energies around what we CAN change, like our actions.

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We can get more knowledge and information, we can get more help, we can take smaller steps (or bigger ones), anything that gets us moving in a forward direction instead of spiraling out of control. 

If you don't know where to begin, then I recommend Gina Mollicone-Long's latest book, Think or Sink: The One Choice that Changes Everything. Rather than a book about WHAT to think, it's a book about HOW to think, and particularly, how to manage your own thoughts and emotions to manage stressful situations much more confidently. 

Gina has been transforming lives for over a decade and she claims that she's never seen a problem that couldn't be solved in 12 hours or less. For less than $15 you can learn her techniques and make a difference in your life. 





]]> Nancy Ancowitz, author of Self-Promotion for Introverts, on Smart Networking Radio (Tuesday, 1/19 7pm ET) tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4163 2010-01-16T22:24:14Z 2010-01-16T22:37:01Z tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/nancy-ancowitz-author-of-self-.html'; In today's tough economy and ruthlessly competitive job market, nobody can afford to go unnoticed. Too often, introverts get passed over while their chattier -- although not necessarily more gifted -- colleagues get the jobs and... Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/nancy-ancowitz-author-of-self-.html';

In today's tough economy and ruthlessly competitive job market, nobody can afford to go unnoticed. Too often, introverts get passed over while their chattier -- although not necessarily more gifted -- colleagues get the jobs and the promotions. 

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But it doesn't have to be that way, according to business communication coach Nancy Ancowitz, author of an excellent new book called Self-Promotion for Introverts. Step-by-step she shows you how to find your voice, jump start your visibility, promote yourself without bragging, and use your introverted preferences to your advantage.

If you've ever worried that being an introvert has kept you from getting hired, getting promoted, or getting clients for your business, make Nancy's book your bible for overcoming obstacles and crafting a plan to get the recognition you deserve.

As an introvert myself, I agree with Nancy that it doesn't have to be a liability, and in fact, it can be a great asset. So I'm thrilled that on Tuesday, January 19th, she'll be joining me on Smart Networking Radio to share sage advice to help introverts learn how to succeed with their own style. 

She may even spill a few secrets she learned from HR and leadership experts such as uber investor Warren Buffett, basketball star Magic Johnson, Hearst Magazines president Cathie Black, former president Bill Clinton, and marketing guru Seth Godin.

We'll have the chat room open and you can submit your questions or call in live via phone. See you there!

Date: Tuesday, January 19th
Time: 7pm Eastern

(the archive will be available here after the show if you can't join us live)

Call in number: 347-215-7546


]]> Career Success Memo: 10 Tips for Adding Value by Showing Initiative -- Make It Happen! tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4134 2010-01-12T16:21:35Z 2010-01-12T17:33:10Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/career-success-memo-adding-va.html';


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In these tough times, it is absolutely critical that you continue to demonstrate your value to your employer, to your clients and to your colleagues on a daily basis.  Adding Value is THE buzz-word for "safe-guarding" your career and propelling yourself to the top of your profession. 

Today's Daily Dose of Value -- Show Initiative!

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Showing initiative is a MUST DO in demonstrating your value at work. Initiative correlates strongly with personal achievement and professional development; it is the act of taking personal responsibility for your growth, and it is a clear sign of your capacity to develop as a leader.  So....what are you waiting for? Take action today; don't wait to be asked -- be proactive.  Consider the following ideas for lighting the fire of initiative in your daily work life:

  • Always be alert for ways to make something work better.  Make the suggestion.  Volunteer to take ownership for getting it done.
  • Take it upon yourself be the first to adopt and implement the newest company policy.
  • Stay alert for ideas to simplify processes and find new and better ways of doing things. Proactively suggest those improvement ideas.  Be the example for implementing those processes.
  • Stay alert for ways to save money and reduce costs.  "Raise your hand" to communicate those suggestions as quickly as possible.
  • Reach out to colleagues and team members who need help. 
  • Be the first to volunteer for those tough projects and assignments.
  • Always think ahead .... preempt likely obstacles with well-thought-out plans that take those obstacles into consideration.
  • Provide, in advance, the answers to the questions that you know are going to be asked. "Think like your boss/manager" and consider all deliverables from their perspective BEFORE you submit them.  Always review your work from the elevation of "30,000 feet."
  • Always do your homework; always be prepared.  Read the material in advance, research the subject matter in advance, dig in and immerse yourself in the topic at hand
  • Deal with problems immediately; take action and be decisive.  Get it done, and get it behind you as quickly as possible.
Make it happen! Be a role model for showing initiative; demonstrate your capacity as a leader.  Make the choice to lead with action and initiative; your value will soar.

Original post at Career Success! Partners blog


Author:

Andy Robinson (@AndyInNaples) is a leading authority on career success and 15-year career coaching veteran whose passion in business life is "helping people love what they do for a living and achieve incredible career success." Andy is CEO of CRG Leadership Institute and co-host of Career Success Radio Show.


]]> Chris Perry, Founder of Career Rocketeer and Editor of Launchpad, on Smart Networking Radio (Tuesday, 1/12 7pm ET) tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4132 2010-01-10T15:42:43Z 2010-01-10T18:46:12Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/smart-networking-radio-is-back.html';

Smart Networking Radio is back! Tuesdays, 7pm Eastern...

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My first guest of the year is Chris Perry, career search and branding expert and founder of Career Rocketeer. He recently released a terrific new quarterly publication Launchpad: Your Career Search Strategy Guide, filled with exclusive articles by the top career experts in the industry.

Volume 1 covers a range of valuable topics including resume optimization, interviewing, personal branding, career search strategizing, relationship building, professional networking, the use of web 2.0 search tools, and much more!

Among the contributors in this issue are personal branding pioneer William Arruda, Women for Hire founder and Good Morning America contributor Tory Johnson, and moi!

Grab your copy today and join us on Tuesday as Chris shares insights on personal branding, LinkedIn and Twitter to help job seekers gain an edge in today's tough market. We'll have the chat room open and you can submit your career search questions or call in live via phone. See you there!

Date: Tuesday, January 12th
Time: 7pm Eastern

(the archive will be available here after the show if you can't join us live)

Call in number: 347-215-7546

]]> Need a Killer Press Release? - LIVE Teleseminar with Online PR expert Janet Thaeler (Monday, Jan 11th, 4pm Eastern) tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2010://27.4116 2010-01-04T16:01:22Z 2010-01-12T17:29:27Z tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/need-a-killer-press-release--.html'; * * * UPDATE 1/6/10: The call is now FREE to attend LIVE! Register below... * * *Do you feel your company is doing GREAT things but no one knows about them?You can spend your whole... Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com tweetmeme_url = 'http://blog.networkingexcellence.com/2010/01/need-a-killer-press-release--.html';

* * * UPDATE 1/6/10: The call is now FREE to attend LIVE! Register below... * * *


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Do you feel your company is doing GREAT things but no one knows about them?

You can spend your whole day chasing after the media trying to get someone to write about your story, your product, your event or your book, but often a more effective way to generate more sales and get a larger response is to increase your visibility through online press releases.


Online press releases are a great, low-cost way to help you get noticed in search engines where the majority of people start looking for information. Plus, they can contain links, images and video that can help you get more of your message across. However, you have to be savvy about what you put in your press release, how to optimize it and where to distribute it.


Join me in the Smart Networking Inner Circle on Monday, January 11th at 4pm Eastern, when I'll be interviewing online marketing and PR expert Janet Thaeler, author of the new book I Need a Killer Press Release, Now What???  

We'll talk about how to:
  • Identify what's newsworthy and establish yourself as an expert to bring both news coverage and visitors to your website
  • Optimize your press releases for higher rankings on search engines 
  • Utilize social media in your online PR campaign
  • Leverage online distribution channels to reach media, bloggers, search engines and potential customers
  • And much more!

Want to join us on the LIVE call for FREE? Register below to have all the details instantly emailed to you:

Name

Email

How Did You Hear About This TeleSeminar



Want access to the replay and transcript TOO? They're available exclusively to members of my Smart Networking Inner Circle program.

a) If you're ALREADY a member, there's no need to do anything else. Call-in details have been emailed to you and are also available on our members-only online forum.

b) If you're NOT YET a member, you can enjoy your first month in the Inner Circle for only $9.95 (new members only, please). Click on the link below to join and call-in details will be sent to you instantly: 


Click here to read more about all the BENEFITS of Inner Circle membership.


About Janet

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Janet Thaeler -- also known as @Newspapergrl -- is a web marketer with expertise in online PR. She is author of the new book, I Need a Killer Press Release, Now What??? and the companion training DVD: Killer Press Releases. She's an accomplished freelance writer both on and offline, as a well as a professional blogger who's written for sites such as Marketing Pligrim, Small Business Trends, Amercian Express OPEN Forum® and her own blog, NewspaperGirl. Janet has written countless online press releases and has coached businesses and groups about online marketing including: SEO press releases, business blogging and social media strategies. To learn more about Janet, visit www.OnlinePRBook.com.


]]> Building Relationships Organically - Part 4 tag:blog.networkingexcellence.com,2009://27.4220 2009-12-11T20:40:58Z 2010-02-01T20:47:47Z Liz Lynch http://www.networkingexcellence.com

** This concludes our series on how to build natural and authentic relationships in every day life. **


Step 3: Convert

All things being equal, we prefer to do business with those we know, like and trust. And all things not being equal, many of us would still prefer to do business with those we know, like and trust. I heard this said at a panel discussion recently and I couldn't agree more.

The question is: How can we allow that know, like and trust to happen effortlessly and automatically so that networking doesn't seem forced, fake, or time-consuming?3909431214_ee10e5c2cc

Over the past few weeks, we've explored how we can tap into the natural ability we each have to build relationships organically, letting nature take its course without injecting anything artificial into the process to force them to blossom more quickly.

And we've seen in this series that the more we get it right up front--with who we connect with and how we connect with them--the easier it is to converse, and ultimately convert that connection to a true relationship. Those who realize this, for example, understand why you wouldn't send a Facebook friend request or a LinkedIn invitation without crafting a personalized note, any more than you would phone someone you've never met and start chatting away without introducing yourself or mentioning a reason for calling.

This week we'll wrap up the series with a focus on the third step of the organic relationship building process: conversion.

Conversion is about evolving from simply being known to someone, to ultimately being trusted by them. Trusted enough to buy from you, trusted enough to tell their friends and colleagues about you, trusted enough to offer their help to you when you ask for it.

Conversion

3434414425_bc814b8a35But there are different categories of conversion:

Supporter: Where there's a natural chemistry and mutual respect. Anyone who likes you will usually be willing to help you out with a favor or spend time with you to give advice and feedback.

Partner: Where there's a natural synergy between your respective goals. These are folks who can help you expand your business by collaborating with you to develop new markets, products and services. They help not just to feel good, but also because there are direct and tangible benefits to them for doing so.

Customer: Where there's a natural need someone has that your product or service can fill. For example, corporate training managers, event planners and others who hire speakers for their organizations would be potential customers for me.

Endorser: Where there's been an actual experience of working with you. These folks can give a whole-hearted recommendation based on their hands-on knowledge. They can help answer questions the prospect may have, thereby serving as your mini-sales force.

The reason some people struggle with networking is that they focus on meeting only those who fit into the Customer category. Or worse, trying to push everyone they meet into the Customer category even when it doesn't make sense.

Realistically, only a small percentage of folks you'll come across will ever buy from you. But that doesn't mean they can't play a crucial role in your business success as a supporter or partner.

2172690132_690dcf9d11In fact, when you have supporters, partners and endorsers, winning over customers becomes a lot easier because other people are doing the selling for you.

So the key to successfully converting initial connections into productive relationships is to focus your conversations on winning people over as supporters first. Build your know, like and trust factor by finding out what's important to them, what they're pursuing, and how you can help.

When you work on gaining someone's support rather than to trying to leapfrog over into the sale, not only will you put less pressure on yourself with networking, but you'll also put less pressure on them. And in that natural, relaxed state will the most robust, productive and profitable relationships take root and flourish.

Read original post in Personal Branding Blog.


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