Are You a Networking N.E.R.D.?

 

  

So what is a Networking N.E.R.D. you ask?

It means - 'Networking Everyday Requires Dedication!'  That is especially true in the summertime when our interests are on doing other fun activities that don't necessarily include work/business.  

Fun abounds during the summer. Networking can, too. But it requires you to be intentional. Remember, networking can occur anywhere, anytime. Avoid the summertime networking blues and make the most of the fun (and networking) in the sun!

In 1958, Eddie Cochran sang a very famous rock-n-roll chorus:

"Sometimes I wonder what l'm-a gonna do

But there ain't no cure
For the summertime blues"

Ah, Summertime. That time when we look forward to the weather, family, vacation, relaxation, beach, and the fun that comes along with the season.

Every once in a while I hear a business person say that their business slows down during the summer months. I also know of many businesses that flourish in the summer.  So why are some up and some down?  It is a matter of gearing towards the season. Winter coats sell better in December than July and bathing suits sell better in June than January! So do you change your networking strategy for the season?

       

Have you re-tooled your networking machinery? Are you being intentional with your networking?  I subscribe to the philosophy that every event can be a networking opportunity as long as you honor the event.

As an intentional networker, we must step outside of our networking comfort zones and look in other places to find new networking opportunities.

Where does an intentional networker start?  Begin by searching where you spend your time during the summer months.

What summertime networking activities are you attending?

... Bar Be Que?

... Pool Party?
... Lake Party

... Picnic?
... Wedding?

... Golf... Boating...Ball Games...Tennis... Gardening?

There are many Summertime Networking Opportunities! Remember that a good networker has two ears and one mouth and uses them proportionately!  Listen to what everyone is really saying.  Pick up on the ques for business and referrals for other referral partners.

Sports Fields. Kids play baseball, softball, and soccer. Parents spend night after night at practices, games, or volunteering at the concession stands. These parents/athletes are business people-people who may share your target market.  Discussions can range from vacation, work, home repairs, to neighborhood politics. A simple conversation or offer to help amid the extra innings, may lead to growing your business.

Neighborhood Festivals. Summer is the time of festivals and county fairs. It's a time for rides, music, games, and good greasy food!  It can also be the time to talk to neighbors in more detail. We can build relationships beyond the friendly waves while mowing grass. Take the time to get to know your neighbors.  Host a neighborhood cookout to strengthen or even start relationships.  Who knows, they may hold the key to your ideal referral partner.

Ball Game Networking!  A great networking strategy is to get tickets to a ball game and invite a business owners and/or a potential referral partners. Whether your team wins or loses great connections can be made!   

The FOUR hour one to one!  If you are a golfer, you know what I mean! Find a fellow business owner who also plays golf.  Set up a round and you each bring a client. What a great way to solidify a top referral!  You do not play golf?  Is there an activity that you do that you and a fellow business person can invite clients too?

Any place you go with family, friends or strangers is a networking opportunity!  (as long as you honor the event).

... Bring Your Business Cards!

... Remember Your Fellow Referral Partners

 The GOAL?

... Make connections at every Event You Attend!

... Keep in Touch to Build on the relationships.

Do you attend networking meetings on a regular basis?   More than ever, intentional networkers must be diligent in attending their meetings, whether weekly, monthly, etc. Visibility is crucial during the summer months.    

Vacation. We love our time off to recharge and relax. However, during that time networking is usually left off the agenda and it shouldn't be.  Out of sight, out of mind!

It's ok to be a networking N.E.R.D., Networking Everyday Requires Dedication!

Be a summertime networking N.E.R.D. and cure your summertime blues.
 
Here's to a GREAT summer filled with lots of referrals!

Happy Networking!

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

"Helping You and Your Business Look Good"

When to Hand Out Your Business Card?

Have you ever been at a networking meeting and you’re having a conversation with someone and a person walks up and hands you their business card?  And you notice they go from one person to another doing the same.  These people are known as the ‘Card Pushers.’  As they say….’there is a time and place for everything.’

I typically want to do business with someone I know, like, and trust or someone who comes highly recommended.  Someone I know is qualified to do the work.  When someone shoves their business card at me at a networking meeting, when I didn’t ask for it, that card and/or marketing material is more than likely going to end up in the round file before I get out the door.

Recently I read a blog post by Dr. Ivan Miser about when to pass out your business card.  He gave, what I feel is excellent advice…’Don’t hand it out unless someone asks for it.’  Your goal at a networking meeting should be to make 3 to 5 good connections, not see how many business cards and/or pieces of marketing material you can get rid of.  Save some trees and some money and only give this material to those who are truly interested in your products and/or services.  Take time to get to know people and build a relationship.

Below is the link to Dr. Miser blog post so you can read the full article along with a couple of other links about how to get the most out of networking.

http://ivanmisner.com/deliver-business-card/

 

Here is a link to a blog post on ‘Networking Etiquette.’  

Here is a link to a blog post on ‘How to Build a StrongNetwork.’  

What other advice would you give on this topic?  Your comments are welcomed and appreciated.

Happy Networking,

Annette

Painted Lady Enterprises

How to Give Outstanding Presentations

What is your greatest fear?

One of the greatest fears in life is public speaking – right up there with heights, snakes, spiders and being buried alive.

Recently I was asked to do a presentation on ‘How to Give an Outstanding Presentation.’

I believe there are 3 Key Elements for giving an outstanding presentation

•        Knowing Your End Goal

•        Prepare and Practice

•        Being Enthusiasm and passionate

Starting with the end goal in mind helps to determine what you want the outcome of your presentation to be.  Ask yourself – What are you trying to accomplish? i.e. schedule appointment, sell a product or service, get donations, etc.?  What will be the ‘Call to Action’ at the end of the presentation?  Knowing the answers to these questions will help to build the outline for your presentation.

Preparation - 'Success occurs when preparation meets opportunity.'  Zig Ziglar

- Logistics - Most great speakers are taught to visualize their surroundings and a successful outcome.  Always try and find out as much information about what you parameters will be for your presentation, i.e. How much time will you have?  Will you be able to use Power Point?  Will you have a white board (if you like to draw)?  Will an easel be available (if you need to capture information)? 

- Decide on Your Approach - Who will be your audience - prospects, customers/clients, business colleagues?  Male/Female?  Age?  Industry?

- Prepare for Everything - 'Whatever can go wrong, will go wrong.'  Hopefully not but be prepared just in case.  I've had situations where my power point would not work, lost my notes, etc.  So Prepare and Practice, Practice and Prepare - so you can do it from memory.

All of the above will help you to prepare the outline and foundation for your presentation.

Power Point is a great tool to use (when available), however it can also be the Death of many a presentation.  I’m sure you’ve attended meetings where every power point slide was filled with text and the presenter just read the slides to you.  Kind of like the cartoon here of Dilbert.   

So if you do decide to use Power Point, keep these tips in mind -

•        Prepare slides that are interesting

•        Use photos and graphics because People are visual.  Most think in pictures

•        No more than six words per slide

•        Don’t fill with technical info and stats

•        Don’t read every slide or from notes – only use slides as talking points

•        When using charts – illustrate one key point per slide

•        Prepare and Practice, Prepare and Practice

Here are some additional Dos and Don’ts for giving Outstanding Presentations

Do’s

•        Rule of Three - 1) Explain in the beginning what you’re going to talk about, 2) Expand in the middle, and 3) Recap in the close – ‘Tell them, tell what you told them, and tell them again.’

•        Do be Enthusiastic and passionate.  Speak from the heart.  When you’re are passionate about what you’re presenting typically nerves don’t come into play.  If you’ve prepared and practiced your confidence will show through.

•        K.I.S.S – Keep It Simple.  Present the basic information and key points in the time frame allotted.  If additional facts and stats are available, but you don’t have the time, include them in a handout, email them to the audience later, or provide a resource as a reference.  

•        Make it memorable – ‘Facts Tell – Stories Sell’ -  Tell a story that is meaningful and relevant to the presentation.  This helps to make the information presented more memorable.

•        Get the audience involved especially in the beginning.  This is a good ice breaker.  Ask a question.  Get them talking about the subject that will lead into your presentation.

•        Do have a call to action – ‘The conclusion of the delivery is the beginning of the dialog.’  What was your ‘End Goal?’  It should be your Call to Action.

Don’ts

•        Don’t use technical/industry jargon that your audience might not understand.  Yes by knowing all the technical terms for your industry shows you know your stuff, but talking over the heads of your audience will not win you any points.

•        Don’t hand out material in the beginning – Why?  Because you want your audience to pay attention to you and listen to your presentation.  Save it until the end.  The exception would be if you are doing training and you need the audience/students to follow along and take notes as you do the training.

•        Don’t Read Slides – use them as talking points, reminders for you and interesting for the audience

•        Don’t go over time limit – ‘The brain can only retain what the seat can endure.’  Most people quit listening when your time is up.  Statistics state for a 20 minute presentation that’s about at 17 minutes.  Save the last few minutes for Q&A.

•        Limit Q&A – There are a couple of different ways to handle Q&A.  You can allow for questions within the time frame given, but don’t exceed the time limit.  Again when your time is up, wrap it up.  Explain to your audience that you will be glad to answer their questions after the meeting or schedule an appointment to discuss further.  Sometimes more sales are made with one to one discussions.

Some people don’t like to field questions from the audience.  Guess what, you don’t have too.  One way to handle this, so that you won’t get caught off guard is to ‘plant’ questions.  Prior to your presentation, have pre-written questions that you can answer quickly, and give them to some of the audience members (usually someone you know.)  If you do get asked a question you can’t answer or would take to long to explain, tell the person you’ll get with them later.

Another way to handle questions is hand out 3x5 cards prior to the presentation.  Ask the audience to write down their questions and to put their name and contact information on the cards.  You could still field a few questions, but you have their question and information so that you can follow up later.

Sometimes answering to many questions can turn people off.  Leave them wanting to know more information.  A reason for you to follow up with them.

I hope you found this information helpful.  What are some of your techniques you've found for giving outstanding presentations?  What presentations stand out in your mind as being unique and different?  We would love to hear about them.  Please share your comments.

Below are a few resources with some additional information that I found helpful.

•        Creative Pathfinder - http://lateralaction.com/presentation-skills/

•        The Networking Guru by James Barber –Chapter  4

•        Six Tips for PowerPoint - http://tinyurl.com/hxsj45k

•        10 Tips to be more effective - http://tinyurl.com/zelevde

Happy presenting,

Annette

Painted LadyEnterprises