By Lynda Goldman
Do you feel uncomfortable entering a room full of strangers at a networking event? You’re not along. One survey showed that about 75 percent of people feel nervous at business and social events.
But the rewards for networking can be enormous so it’s worthwhile taking the time to learning networking skills. Here are 5 action tips to help you succeed at networking:
1. Think about networking as a way to build long term relationships – not to sell on the spot.
2. Be approachable and friendly. You’ll attract people to you. Smile, make eye contact, and approach people. They will be grateful that you made the first move, and they will be happy to talk to you.
3. Always follow up. Nothing happens unless you follow up, and not many people bother to make the first move. Take the time to send a handwritten card or note, or an email. Or pick up the phone and call. So few people do this, that you’ll stand out in the crowd.
4. Think about how you will introduce yourself. Create a memorable tagline to help people remember you and your company.
Do you need a tagline for networking? click here: http://www.impressforsuccess.com/taglines-&-slogans.html
5. Think of yourself as a solution-finder, rather than a sales person. Not everyone can use your product or service, but the people you meet can often refer you to friends and colleagues. Aim to build long-term relationships that lead to a bigger circle of customers.
Get 2 free reports to help you build your business: 7 Business Casual Crimes and How to Solve Them and 13 Foods that Sabotage a Business Meal, when you sign up for Communication Capsules at: http://www.Impressforsuccess.com/signup.html
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Men’s Dress for Success – 5 Steps to Painless Shopping for Business Attire
By Lynda Goldman
Men, do you want to dress for success, but hate shopping? If you avoid the mall like the plague, here are 5 steps for painless shopping for a smart looking business wardrobe.
1. Enlist the help of a sympathetic female – your girlfriend, wife, friend, sister or cousin. Make sure this woman has a good eye for fashion, and can help you decide what looks good on you, and what is detracting from a professional business image.
2. Make a plan. Decide what items are highest on your priority list. These may be items you don’t currently have, such as a suit or dress shirt for a job interview. Or they may be items that are outdated, that don’t fit you well, or that don’t meet your work needs. For example, if you’ve changed jobs and now work in a more conservative environment, you may need a new jacket or two. But if your company has a new business casual policy, a few sweaters or polo shirts can update your business wardrobe.
3. Do your market research. Scout out a few stores to find out what kind of men’s wear they carry. It is mainly suits? More casual wear? What is the price range? Do they accept all the major credit cards, or only their store cards? If you are on a budget, it’s important to find this out before you fall in love with a designer suit that’s way out of your range.
4. Know your finances. Decide on your priorities, and how much money you can spend before you go shopping. Even if money is not a problem, when you buy clothes, especially suits, the price can rise quickly when you add the shirts, ties and accessories to match. Deciding ahead of time what you are looking for can help you resist sales pressure once you’re in the store.
5. Know your body type. If you aren’t sure, ask a good sales person, or your female shopping companion, to help you discover what looks good on you. Even small changes in style can make a huge difference in how the clothes fit you, and the impression you make.
Men, for more ideas on how to dress for success, click here: http://www.goldmansmythe.com/mens-dress/
Men, do you want to dress for success, but hate shopping? If you avoid the mall like the plague, here are 5 steps for painless shopping for a smart looking business wardrobe.
1. Enlist the help of a sympathetic female – your girlfriend, wife, friend, sister or cousin. Make sure this woman has a good eye for fashion, and can help you decide what looks good on you, and what is detracting from a professional business image.
2. Make a plan. Decide what items are highest on your priority list. These may be items you don’t currently have, such as a suit or dress shirt for a job interview. Or they may be items that are outdated, that don’t fit you well, or that don’t meet your work needs. For example, if you’ve changed jobs and now work in a more conservative environment, you may need a new jacket or two. But if your company has a new business casual policy, a few sweaters or polo shirts can update your business wardrobe.
3. Do your market research. Scout out a few stores to find out what kind of men’s wear they carry. It is mainly suits? More casual wear? What is the price range? Do they accept all the major credit cards, or only their store cards? If you are on a budget, it’s important to find this out before you fall in love with a designer suit that’s way out of your range.
4. Know your finances. Decide on your priorities, and how much money you can spend before you go shopping. Even if money is not a problem, when you buy clothes, especially suits, the price can rise quickly when you add the shirts, ties and accessories to match. Deciding ahead of time what you are looking for can help you resist sales pressure once you’re in the store.
5. Know your body type. If you aren’t sure, ask a good sales person, or your female shopping companion, to help you discover what looks good on you. Even small changes in style can make a huge difference in how the clothes fit you, and the impression you make.
Men, for more ideas on how to dress for success, click here: http://www.goldmansmythe.com/mens-dress/
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Body Language -5 Sales Tips for Body Language in Your Client’s Territory
By Lynda Goldman
When you visit a client’s office, you are entering the client’s territory. The client is on home turf, and you are at a bit of a disadvantage because you don’t know the territory. Here are 5 tips to project confidence in the client’s territory:
1. Be careful where you stand. Standing too close to a client is too intimate, but standing too far away can be viewed as impersonal. The best distance in North America is between 2 and 4 feet away. In some cultures people stand closer, and in other cultures they stand farther away. Take your cues from your customer.
2. If you arrive early and sit on the chairs or sofa in the reception area, be sure to stand up when the client greets you and you shake hands. Sitting down may send a message of lack of respect. As well, you always want to be at eye level when shaking hands, so you can make eye contact.
3. Never have a more relaxed posture than your client. Remember your posture, and don’t slump, especially when you sit down.
4. The client’s desk is intimate territory. Don’t place any papers on it without asking permission, and don’t put your briefcase or handbag on it either.
5. Display active listening techniques, such as nodding in agreement or cocking your head to show you are listening.
Do you know the biggest business image crimes? Find out with 2 free reports: 7 Business Casual Crimes and How to Solve Them and 13 Foods that Sabotage a Business Meal, when you sign up for Communication Capsules at: http://www.Impressforsuccess.com/signup.html
When you visit a client’s office, you are entering the client’s territory. The client is on home turf, and you are at a bit of a disadvantage because you don’t know the territory. Here are 5 tips to project confidence in the client’s territory:
1. Be careful where you stand. Standing too close to a client is too intimate, but standing too far away can be viewed as impersonal. The best distance in North America is between 2 and 4 feet away. In some cultures people stand closer, and in other cultures they stand farther away. Take your cues from your customer.
2. If you arrive early and sit on the chairs or sofa in the reception area, be sure to stand up when the client greets you and you shake hands. Sitting down may send a message of lack of respect. As well, you always want to be at eye level when shaking hands, so you can make eye contact.
3. Never have a more relaxed posture than your client. Remember your posture, and don’t slump, especially when you sit down.
4. The client’s desk is intimate territory. Don’t place any papers on it without asking permission, and don’t put your briefcase or handbag on it either.
5. Display active listening techniques, such as nodding in agreement or cocking your head to show you are listening.
Do you know the biggest business image crimes? Find out with 2 free reports: 7 Business Casual Crimes and How to Solve Them and 13 Foods that Sabotage a Business Meal, when you sign up for Communication Capsules at: http://www.Impressforsuccess.com/signup.html
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