How Do You Become “Top of the List”? by Myra L. Corrello, PhD
May 23, 2008 | 1 Comment
Today we find ourselves living in a world of endless choices – for any product or service imaginable. Because of the overwhelming availability of options, competition to be selected is greater than it’s ever been – for key team assignments, a new job, a contract – anything. When everything else (price, quality, competence, expertise, professionalism) is equal, what can give you the competitive edge to be the one selected?
The bottom line is people choose to work with people they like – even if the Top Choice isn’t the logical best choice. We all do it – and we even find ways to rationalize our selection. Likeability is a key component of professional attraction, the extent to which others find your presence highly desirable in a professional setting.
Susan, a paralegal in a prestigious law firm, is obsessed with aging. Like many fortysomething women, she’s beginning to notice more sagging skin (and other body parts!), deeper wrinkles, and graying hair. Although she has impressive credentials, she is terrified to leave the job that makes her miserable.
“No one will hire me,” she laments.
Susan is convinced her maturing physical appearance will reduce her chances of being given a fair shot. Still, she doesn’t always get a fair shot with her current employer either.
You see, Susan is a complainer.
Her pessimistic outlook about her personal and professional life repels even the most compassionate co-worker.
Oftentimes, we become narrow-minded in identifying all the personal attributes that comprise our first impression. We think, most often, about the superficial – not realizing our inner thoughts/disposition/beliefs/communication patterns are also sending a powerful message that either attracts or repels those around us.
Susan’s aging looks are not preventing her from gaining new opportunities, her attitude is!
Think about people you love to work with – colleagues, co-workers, vendors, etc. What characteristics do they possess that you are drawn to? What gives them a “magnetic” personality?
If someone were to describe you, what attributes would they offer?
Grow Your People. Grow Your Business
May 23, 2008 | 2 Comments
You’re probably tired of hearing that people are your business’s greatest resource, right? You’ve heard this statement in speeches, in business books, and the newspaper. Some managers are so tired of hearing these buzz words that they just tune them out.
Well, how about this: People are your only resource? Once you grasp this concept, you will understand that a big part of your job is to create a work environment that fosters employees’ high self esteem and will thus increase productivity. And of course, increased productivity affects your bottom line.
Another concept that may be equally counterintuitive to you is this: You cannot motivate other people. Period. Okay, before you conclude that I’m really off my rocker, let me explain. All people are already motivated. The kicker is that they will do things for their reasons, not yours.
As a leader, your job is to figure out what drives each individual and then tap into that motivation. You can create an environment that draws on their internal motivations. Creating such an environment helps to build employees’ self esteem and encourages employees to continuously learn, grow, and develop new skills. You’ll then need to acknowledge and recognize them appropriately for their contributions. Love them and help them grow, or lose them to your competitor who will.
You are responsible for protecting and/or growing certain assets. Focus a majority of your time and effort in developing your people and creating a motivating work environment for them, and you won’t have to spend as much time worrying about your other assets. Your human capital will build your business – and your bottom line.
Why Get Organized? by Ellen Martin
May 23, 2008 | 4 Comments
Getting Organized is often at the top of New Year’s Resolution lists. Some do really well with this goal and make huge transformations in their lives. Others make attempts and do really well for a while, but then the systems usually fall by the wayside. It may be helpful to think about some of the reasons that getting organized is so great.
It Feels Good!
One great reason is that being organized feels really good! Imagine finding things when you need them with minimal frustration…being on time for appointments and meetings…sending birthday cards ON TIME!!! The truth is that being organized just makes life a whole lot easier.
Your Professional Image
So your desk is a wreck…who cares? Your clients…that’s who! Forget about what your assistant, after your clients (or potential clients) see your desk they will wonder how you could ever handle their business. Having an organized office not only helps your physical image, but also comes in handy when you get a client call and can immediately find the client’s file. No more putting clients on hold while you search furiously for their file.
Have More Time
Being organized also means you will have more time to do the things that you really want to do. Eliminating wasted time and creating a streamlined approach to getting things done each day can add hours to your day. Focus is the key here. Try focusing the first 96 minutes of your day with no interruptions. See how much you can get done in that time. It will become a ritual you will not want to do without.
The value of getting organized is indisputable. Make a powerful decision today to transform your life and GET ORGANIZED NOW!
Ellen
Organizing Your Space. Simplifying Your Life.
www.organizationalexperts.com
The First 3 Foundational Steps to Sales Success- Pt. 1
May 23, 2008 | 3 Comments
Whether you have “sales” in your title or not, it’s important to realize that EVERYBODY SELLS!™ You may sell your spouse or significant other on a vacation destination or you may sell your boss on why you deserve a promotion. If you’re self-employed, you are very aware that YOU are your most important sales representative.
The first step is: believe in your value. In your role, you provide a product or service that is of high value. You help people, solve problems or you may even advise and counsel. THAT is valuable and what you’re selling is the result or benefit people receive by benefiting from that value. What are the end results or benefits people receive from your role, product or service?
Once you understand the benefits people gain from the value you provide, then it will be easier to implement step two: fine-tune your unique selling proposition. This is your elevator pitch, but on steroids! You want to be creative, powerful and succinct, so that your listener says, “tell me more!.” By stating your USP clearly and consistently, you will look and sound confident and “salable”. What’s your USP?
The third step: Building rapport, trust and relationships with people. People buy from people they like. If you’re not naturally magnetic to people, do not worry. You’ll just have to work a little harder at becoming more approachable and building small talk. Are you approachable? Are you a good conversationalist?
In the next blog positing I’ll share the final two steps to this foundation of sales success. Let me hear your thoughts….. Until then, Happy Selling☺
By: Tiffanie Z. Lyon, MBA
Lyon Sales Institute, LLC ~ Inspiring Non-traditional Salespeople to increase their sales-confidence and grow their business by helping them better understand and appreciate he concept of “selling.” Because… EVERYBODY SELLS! ~ www.lyonsalesinstitute.com
Learn About LinkedIn, by Michelle Cullison
May 22, 2008 | 3 Comments
Welcome to SucceedingWomen.com!
My name is Michelle Cullison and this is my first post on the Succeeding Women.com blog. I will be your host on this site for all things web 2.0 and social media. I invite you to post comments requesting information on the social media/web 2.0 topics that interest you. I will present information on how web technology tools like blogging, podcasting, web video, RSS and social networking sites can be used to promote your company and yourself on the path to success in a web 2.0 world.
Today, I want to talk about LinkedIn.com(Est. 2003), the fastest growing social networking site for business professionals that now serves more than 19 million members. It is free to join and create a personal profile. (There are premium memberships available with added benefits for a fee.) On LinkedIn, the profile is professional in nature and can be compared to a dynamic resume. It may include a picture, educational experience, professional experience, honors and awards, and interests. With this profile, you are able to build a personal network of connections by inviting colleagues, partners, clients or others that you know and trust to connect with you on LinkedIn. Traditional networking, trading business cards with strangers or acquaintances, has value over time, but LinkedIn allows you to connect NOW with people you already know and trust.
Many people are asking the question, What are the benefits of joining Linked In?
Many professionals are using it to:
- Locate prospects or employees
- Build rapport with current clients and peers
- Find qualified (and recommended) service providers or employees
- Connect with experts to get questions answered
- Establish yourself as an expert
- Give and get recommendations
- Uncover professional opportunities (jobs or partnerships)
In order to provide content that you want on future blog posts, I’d like to hear from you:
What would you MOST like to get out of LinkedIn and Why? (Pick from the list above.)
—Post Your answer in the comment section below—
Because LinkedIn has grown from 10 million users in April 2007 to approximately 19 million users, business professionals have “millions” of reasons to get connected and benefit from professional social networking. I look forward to learning of your social networking experiences and sharing mine with you.
Michelle
New Media Strategist
MichelleCullison.com
