How well does your business card reflect your services?

I always wait for at least a month before sorting out my various business cards.  This gives me a chance to discover who I remember and who I don’t.  If it is the latter, I don’t bother keeping the business card because what is the point besides, of course, clogging up my database?

So, for my sins, I have just been going through loads of business cards that I have acquired at various seminars and networking events.  I have to confess that I have thrown out half of them for the following reasons:

1. No Strapline.

It is very important to have a succinct strapline to remind people like me what you do and who you are.  If you haven’t made a huge impression and I have no idea, why should I get in touch with you?

1. Too much information.

The company has tried to cram too much information on the card and it is now seriously unreadable.  If I can’t read the information, am I going to contact you?

1. Background colours.

A communications company’s corporate colours are so bad that it makes their business card unreadable.  What does it say about their communications and would I use them?

1. Essential information missing.

A web designer’s business card doesn’t have a web address.  Should I trust a web designer without a website and does this look professional?

1. Moving Premises

The current address and telephone number have been struck out by black felt tip and new ones handwritten on.  I don’t think I’ll take this company seriously.  Would you?

It might be a good idea to review your business card from a different perspective.  How will people think of you, when they look at your business card?  I would be interested to hear from anyone with any other tips and advice on this subject.

How Do You Manage Your Time?

At our last Suffolk mastermind group which we hold in Bury St Edmunds, one of the topics raised was time management.

We all lead such busy lives wearing so many hats that it seems a constant juggling process.  This in itself means that you have to have discipline in your business because if you don’t, you will end up continually fire fighting.  I always find working to deadlines helps me, whereas to others, lists are incredibly valuable.

Have you got any great ideas for time management that you think could make a difference and help us in our quest for more time?

Have you got what it takes to run an entertaining event?

No one likes walking into a room full of strangers and I find it staggering how few people bear this in mind.  I am also surprised at how many unprofessional and unfriendly hosts and hostesses there are out there.  Don’t they want people to attend their events?

This week I attended a workshop where delegates had travelled from all over the world.  The organisers running the workshop were busy on their phones; they didn’t even have the courtesy to stand up and greet the new arrivals.  Later in the week, I attended a networking event for 210 delegates and it made such a bad impression that I will not be going again!

As a host or hostess, it is important to always take the time to greet new arrivals with a warm smile so that they are made to feel welcome straight away.  Arrange to take their coat, show them where the refreshments are and if possible, introduce them to someone so that they feel immediately part of the crowd and not an outsider.

The more friendly the atmosphere, the more people will make a contribution and ultimately everyone will get so much more out of the function.

Have you got any great networking tips that you would like to share?

Mastermind Groups have the power of taking you beyond your own potential

Are you as good as you can be?  Are you using your true potential?  If you are open to new ideas and would welcome good advice, then you should definitely look at joining a mastermind group. 

I find it interesting how Napoleon Hill seems to have taken all the credit for “mastermind groups” through his book “Think and Grow Rich”. In fact “mastermind groups” were formed 200 years earlier by Benjamin Franklin (1706-1790) which he called the “Junto” as he describes in his Autobiography:

“…I had formed most of my ingenious acquaintance into a club of mutual improvement, which we called the JUNTO … The rules that I drew up required that every member, in his turn, should produce one or more queries on any point of Morals, Politics, or Natural Philosophy [physics], to be discuss’d by the company; and once in three months produce and read an essay of his own writing, on any subject he pleased. Our debates were to be under the direction of a president, and to be conducted in the sincere spirit of inquiry after truth, without fondness for dispute or desire of victory; and to prevent warmth, all expressions of positive opinions, or direct contradiction, were after some time made contraband, and prohibited under small pecuniary penalties”.

The Junto fostered self-improvement through discussions on topics related to philosophy, morals, economics, and politics and became known as the American Philosophical Society in May of 1743. This society has played an important role in American cultural and intellectual life, the results of which can still be seen in the present day in the form of the first library, volunteer fire departments, first public hospital and police departments.

He is also often considered the “father of adult education” by publishing an anonymous pamphlet entitled Proposals Relating to the Education of Youth in Pennsylvania, in 1749. The Academy of Philadelphia, which was founded in 1751 as a result of his efforts, was the foundation for the University of Pennsylvania established in 1792

Benjamin Franklin was born into poverty, had little formal education, and yet in spite of incredible odds against him, he became one of the best known and most respected men of his times, being an author, educator, diplomat, philosopher, inventor, scientist, printer economist, humorist, statesman and businessman.

Remember his sage words “If you would not be forgotten as soon as you are dead and rotten either write things worth reading, or do things worth writing.” 

With the above in mind, what Legacy would you like to create and be remembered for?

Networking in Mildenhall

I’m setting up a networking event for local businesses in the Mildenhall/Forest Heath area and if you are interested in participating, I would be really grateful if you would complete the survey.

If you know anyone who you think would benefit from attending, please direct them to this survey.

Thanks for your help and I look forward to reading your comments.

The link to the survey is http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/QY7VSDL

Let’s Hope We have a White Christmas!

I don’t know about the rest of the world, but whenever snow falls in the UK, there appears to be utter chaos;  schools close, people get stuck in their cars for hours and people are advised not to go out unless absolutely necessary. 

I, on the other hand, feel very blessed by being happily married to a wildlife ranger and therefore in the enviable position of being taken into the forest and seeing the countryside in all its glory. 

The only tyre tracks to be seen were ours and those of a lone cyclist.  It truly was breathtaking and incredibly uplifting. 

I would like to share the experience with you.

May I take this opportunity of wishing you all a very magical Christmas and a healthy New Year.

Why don’t we look at “problems” from a positive point of view?

This leads me on to a recent conversation I had with a friend’s daughter who had recently graduated and was currently doing working experience in a publishing firm, an area in which she really wanted to work.  She was complaining that it was difficult to get a job and was not looking forward to her next temporary assignment. 

My response was that she should look at the situation positively, rather than negatively.  She was in the enviable position of actually having temporary work and being able to choose what company she wanted to work for.  She could go into companies, find out what they were like, from the inside.  Did she like the company’s ethics? Did she like the people with whom she worked?  If she didn’t, she had the flexibility of leaving and going elsewhere. 

She didn’t have to do the rounds of interviews until she was absolutely certain of the company that she did want to work for.  More importantly, she would have the inside track, if she was already working for them as a “temp” and had proved her worth. 

She said that she hadn’t thought about the situation from this angle and was now looking forward to working with a number of publishing firms before making her choice. 

One is never too old or too young to focus on the positive effect of a situation, as long as one has the right mindset.  There is always a bright side to everything.  One only has to look for it. 

Do you have a problem that you could turn into a positive?  I would welcome your comments and thoughts.

Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself

Throughout my tweeting experience on Twitter I have constantly seen the term “Treat others as you wish to be treated yourself” and by and large, people are friendly, helpful and courteous.  If they are not, I stop following them instantly.  

What I fail to understand is why people in the real world, and particularly in business,  no longer appear to know how to behave properly.  

The reason why I mention this is having recently given a number of recommendations to people, very few have had the courtesy of thanking me for doing so.  Everyone likes a “thank you” to show their appreciation.  

The art of saying thank you is a very simple gesture but it means an enormous amount.  It takes time to think about a recommendation, write a recommendation and then post it.  By simply saying thank you is an acknowledgement that you have actually read it and that it was worth writing it.  It also reinforces my belief in you as a professional and why I recommended you in the first place.  

If someone holds the door open for you, it is only polite to say thank you.  We have all had that situation where someone in front of you, walks through the door and through a lack of consideration, it slams shut on your face.  How does that make you feel?  

I run a pro-active business networking group and I fail to understand why people find it so difficult to reply saying that they will be attending, not attending or just simply “pitch up”.  How would you feel if you were giving a dinner party and all your guests behaved in a similar manner?  

It is high time that people remembered how they were brought up to behave and started treating each other as they would like to be treated themselves with consideration and courtesy.

Twitter – My Top 10 #Followfriday

Wow, #Followfridays come around so quickly these days! 

I see that a lot of people are simply doing lists.  This works to a degree because if you trust the judgement of your followers, then this is a way of finding new people.  I don’t think, however, that this was the original intention.  I think that it was originally started as a way of recommending people and if you don’t say why, then what is the point?  

I would like to take the opportunity to use this great concept as a thank you gesture to all friends of mine who have been helpful, supportive and fun during my life on Twitter both on and offline.  

1. @EarthFire Kim is my Twitter sister and I don’t know what I would have done without her.  She is a wonderful coach, incredibly supportive and has great taste in music.  So, if you’re looking for a great friend, look no further.  http://breakingdishes.wordpress.com 
2. @P10S Olive is warm and kind.  I have always wanted to write and she has given me confidence and become a great friend on Twitter, so if you are an aspiring writer, then look no further for a very caring guide.  She has a great website, so take a look http://pentenscribes.ning.com and try it out for yourself.   
3. @TheExpert Is an absolute must to follow.  He says it how it is; he is not scared to say what most of us are thinking but not brave enough to say!  He also introduced me to http://bubbletweet.com which is a great application.  
4. @ColinWDMcLean If you ever need any tips on how not to be nervous when giving a presentation, then Colin is the person to ask.  He comes from an acting background, is funny, engaging and very IT literate.  Why not take a peek at his Twitwall to give you a flavour?www.twitwall.com/colinwdmclean 
5. @alarkin77 Andrew and I connected on LinkedIn and he very kindly helped me with my Twitter background, so if you need any help in this regard, why not take a look.  http://www.webpurity.co.uk 
6. @BTTradespace Amy is such fun as well as knowing her stuff when it comes to the trading platform http://BTTradingspace.com so if you need to know anything about this site, she is the one to ask.   
7. These are my favourite men who will always look after you on Twitter and if you ever need a helping hand, they are always willing to take it and show you the way:  @BodyWisdomInc @Silixell @skashliwal @clocsen  
8. For some very silly but funny jokes watch @FizzyDuck who is not only amusing but very engaging too. 
9. If you are a movie buff, then you should follow @actionchick for the latest in entertainment.   
10. These are some of my other friends who are engaging and worth a follow: @markbnorwich @Bizvits @lorryholly @Placepot @crimeficreader @OliviaWilder @SharonHayes @known @windsofchange8 @paul_steele @FirstForCopy @HeveninghamHall @BobWeisberg @MARCOME 

Happy Tweeting and have a good weekend.

Here’s a great tip to keep you motivated, if you ever reach the stage of feeling “tired” of networking.

I remember once when I was fed up to the back teeth with networking; sick to death of talking about myself and what I did, when a very wise owl explained something to me.

One of the biggest difficulties faced by people running their own businesses is they forget to differentiate between themselves as a person and the company as a business. They are two separate entities. If you don’t sell your company or concept, who will?

The next time this happens, simply think of yourself working for a large corporation where promoting the company is your key role. You will immediately feel the difference and you will never look back.

Happy networking!