Co-Founder of Linkedin Leads Seminar in Plano
Socially Savvy Seminar in Plano hosted over three hundred business professionals who came to hear from Linkedin Co-Founder Eric Ly.
Click here to watch the video.
Valerie
Get Them Talking
It can be uncomfortable, unpleasant, and sometimes, downright frustrating. Every so often, you have a client, a coworker or a guest who just won’t talk! No one loves a chatty Kathy, but a silent Steve can be just as difficult!
Taciturn types, like all people, come in many shapes and sizes. Some are introverts who do not enjoy lively conversations with people whom they do not know well. Some are only quiet at first, and they are just waiting for the right topic to get the dialogue rolling! Still others may feel that you do not want or do not have time to have a friendly chat. Some people also are more reluctant to enter into conversation if they do not see its productivity.
It’s important to realize that these are different situations. Once you acknowledge the differences, you are more prepared to have rewarding communication!
For all of these situation, here are three effective ways to overcome the silence!
1) Do your homework. All of us are more likely to be open and communicative when we are talking about familiar topics. If you can research and be informed about what your colleague is passionate about, you can have better communication. At the very least, with a little effort, you can start off serious dialogue well by having initially open, even off-topic conversation.
2) Ask good questions. The most basic way to initiate good conversation is to ask good questions. First, you should pose open-ended questions. Whys and hows start open dialogues. Try not to ask a question that can be answered with a “no.” I would also suggest that you ask questions in such a way that makes your interlocutor feel comfortable giving an honest, real response. Instead of asking, “how could you let this happen?” maybe you should ask, “would you explain how this situation arose?” Remember, you always catch more flies with honey than vinegar.
3) Be encouraging. If your client does open up to you and start talking more freely, encourage him to continue expressing himself. Nod your head and have encouraging facial expressions! Body language speaks volumes. It also helps to ask follow up questions. People are more likely to continue explaining their position or reasoning when they’re prodded a little further!
Valerie
http://www.valerieandcompany.com/
Embrace the Awkward
“Put yourself in uncomfortable situations, every day.” – Kevin Carroll
We all spend a lot of time in our lives working to minimize “the awkward.” We mentally rehearse little phrases to fill uneasy silences. We employ carefully crafted expressions to communicate the difficult messages. We avoid unpleasant circumstances like the plague, and we are all quick to play the awkward blame game.
It’s natural, really. Who wants to witness a never-ending, foot-in-the-mouth conversation with a colleague? Awkward situations are often uncomfortable because they are embarrassing or difficult.
But maybe there is more than meets the eye when it comes to uncomfortable.
So today, my advice is to EMBRACE the AWKWARD. Of course, there are limits to such advice. I am not recommending that you say inappropriate things or try to make others feel uneasy. I want to suggest that maybe awkward situations are not all bad.
Sometimes I feel uncomfortable because I am trying something new. As we all know, creativity takes courage. When you are pitching a new idea, sometimes the faces of your audience members are less than encouraging. You might even feel awkward. But should this experience be avoided?
We miss out on a lot when we are too afraid of “the awkward.” The classic example is avoiding confrontation. We do not stand up for ourselves in conversations and meetings. We choose to be silent rather than to be uncomfortable. Consequently, we lose out on significant raises and great projects. Or worse, we sacrifice a better relationship because of fear of a tense moment. I suggest that it might be time for us to be brave. Be respectful and prudent. But be brave. Pitch our ideas with zeal! Articulate our position valiantly!
We let fear of the awkward take control of our lives in another way. Have you thought about writing someone a thank you note and then you chickened out? You might have thought it would seem too forward or be out of place. Most of us are guilty of holding back praise because we think it might be uncomfortable. We do not compliment others when we should; we fail to congratulate when it is appropriate. Sometimes it’s not because we’re forgetful or ungrateful. We just don’t know if it’s appropriate. And it might not be. But what if it is? What if we’re just letting fear control us when we should be brave? When should give over-the-top commendation, we keep silent. When we should be embarrassingly grateful, we give a terse “thanks!”
My bet is that it won’t even be uncomfortable. Maybe for a moment, we’ll feel uneasy, but then it’ll be over. We’ll be thankful we said it, and “the awkward” won’t be in control any longer.
Valerie
Mentoring Helps Women As Well as Men
Taken from The Wall Street Journal by Hal Lancaster
(This is the journalist who gratefully featured our company in The MarketPlace – see below)
Broaden your definition of the term “mentor.”
Mr. Lancaster likes the term, learning partner.We can learn from people older and younger than us. According to Lancaster, you should select a mentor who can help you with specific concerns, such as conflict resolution. Select people based on their knowledge.
Build a board of mentors.
Sometimesyou may want a female mentor. Sometimes you may prefer a male. Mentors may come from all walks of society, including professional organizations, alumni groups, community groups, and women’s forums.
Vive la difference.
Find someone who is different from you. Look for differences. Don’t always be comfortable with the mentor you have chosen.
Market yourself to a prospective mentor.
Find out the outside interests of this mentor. Maybe the two of you like some form of music. Maybe you like jogging. You may offer a view the mentor does not possess.
Take your mentoring in small doses.
Approach your prospective mentor slowly. I need some help in marketing segmentation. I need to improve my networking skills. Don’t be a pest to the mentor, and know when to leave. You can learn a great deal by listening closely to your mentor.
Read more articles like this here:
http://www.valerieandcompany.com/
Valerie
TEchnology OR DIE!
This technology can’t be smarter than I am! Or can it? Remember the hunt-and-peck system? Sure, it ruined my nails and I could not grow them very long (not like now with sculpts that make them stronger than steel.) So simple it used to be, PUSH THE LETTER KEY AND OUT IT COMES ON PAPER. Then—oh the joy of white out and correctable tape. ZIP—my mistakes wiped off the face of the page, never to be found. Not like now, when I rely on spell check and it can’t read my mind, as in, that was NOT the word I meant! And eeeek. I pushed the send button before I had a chance to edit for the perfect message to be sent!
NOW—the nightmare of choices. Hardware, software, flip videos, pads, icons, mouse, scanner, laser, social media—too much for my simple mind.
But wait—I REFUSE to give in to a piece of machinery and outer space. The whole world is computer literate and social media savvy. I MUST, I WILL learn the new language and techniques they SAY will make my business grow and my life easier.
So it is—read the manuals, watch the demo videos and listen for the whistles. Skype it, blog it, tweet it and more. STOP, GO, PAUSE. Turn the page and get up to walk around or I’ll scream. Now my silly computer talks back to me and so does my GPS—more than my children! At least my kids listen to me.
At last—the software is learned. The blog is written. The tweets are retweeted. I AM computer literate—until tomorrow when the NEW versions come out—and what about this iPhone? Obviously, whatever it is—and whatever it can do can wait until tomorrow!
WHEN WILL IT EVER END?
Read more articles like this here:
http://www.valerieandcompany.com/
Valerie
Are you socially savvy?
We are well into fall and some of the most exciting events of the year. Are you socially savvy and ready for those conferences, parties, and networking events?
Check it out! Do you…
- Have a clear and short elevator speech memorized?
- Have your business cards at hand everywhere you go?
- Know those people who will attend the event and which ones you want to meet?
- Recognize what value you bring to someone else?
- Plan ahead some conversation starters?
- Determine to keep your mouth shut and let the other person talk?
- Approach those who are standing alone and obviously shy?
- Have a plan to reconnect after the event?
If you are one of the 85% of people who typically do not enjoy being in a room full of strangers, get some tips of how to “do it right” from my best selling book…Do It Right: The New Book of Business Etiquette. Click here to order…and enjoy the social scene. Remember, your brand is showing.
Read more articles like this here:
http://www.valerieandcompany.com/
Valerie
How You Can Make Networking a Science.
Networking is essential to advertising your personal brand – and, as you may realize, networking is sort of like power walking. If you wear light workout clothing and athletic shoes made for the terrain you walk, you almost glide down the track or path. If you strap on leg weights, step into steel-toed boots and pile on heavy coats, you’ll cover less ground and add time to your walk.
Here’s how to avoid moving in slow motion and how you can cover more ground in less time when you’re networking.
1. What’s your outcome? When calling on a member of your network or a targeted company, your goal is to achieve a certain outcome – like developing referrals, informational interviews or formal interviews. So, first pinpoint the outcome you need and then create a strategy, including the reasons your request should be granted, to help you achieve your desired outcome.
2. Develop a script: if networking is difficult for you, it’s because you haven’t had much practice. So, it’s time you did – practice, I mean. Take a look at your strategy and goals for a quick review. Then develop a script – if you have an elevator speech, start with that and tailor it to achieving the goal you’ve set. Your script will need an introduction, a purpose for the call, email or face-to-face visit, a “What’s In It For Me” from the standpoint of the person you want to speak to, as well as anticipated questions, rebuttals and objections – and your planned responses. At the end, ask for what you want…ask that person to help you make your goal happen.
3. Practice, Practice, Practice: After putting your script together, practice it. Use your family, your roommate…anybody who will listen and others who will be honest with their feedback. If you practice your script, you’ll be prepared to think on your feet…especially when you network with someone less than eager to work with you. You’ll also be able – whether you’re networking, interviewing or selling a product or idea – to get to the benefits faster and then asking for your desired outcome…and this is way better than rambling on and on…and on.
4. Ready for Your Debut: With script well in mind, your networking “butterflies” have lessened considerably. Now, start targeting your most sought-after target – the company you’d most like to work with or the client you’d most like to sign…or the job you’ve wanted forever. Find a way to get to the decision-makers and then ask for what you want.
5. Ongoing evolution: As you go through your script, collect the responses you get and make necessary adjustments to it. If you use certain words and get favorable responses, add those words to your script. If certain phrases or ideas get automatic rebuttals or objections, smooth these out.
6. Keep on learning: Never think about networking or going for job interviews or anything that has to do with selling yourself without bringing yourself up-to-date. These may be the latest trends, the most recent activities of a company or the latest and greatest in whatever field you may be in. Never stop learning…this is key to your success!
