12 Tips to Successful Networking: Build Relationships
Whether you own your business or work for someone else, effective networking will add to your success. It will also help to build your self-confidence, speaking skills and interpersonal relationships. In the end, networking leads to new relationships and referrals. It will help you make more money.
Use these 12 strategies to sharpen your networking abilities and widen your business circles. Don’t collect business cards; build relationships!
1- Arrive in a good mood. If you go to a meeting, event or trade show with a positive attitude, everyone you encounter will notice. Decide ahead of time that you will have a great experience and meet your ideal clients. If you think you’re wasting your time, you’ll probably have a negative experience. If you had a bad day, skip the event and attend another when you’re in a better mood.
2- Set a goal. Consider why you are attending this specific event. Know your ideal client. If you do business in the real estate industry, determine where the decision-makers spend time and which events they attend. Go find them. Travel in their circles.
3- Stand by the door. Arrive early and hang around by the entrance to the room. When people register and begin moving into the room, you will be one of the first people they see. This is especially helpful to others who may attend alone and could be looking for someone to chat with and break the ice.
4- Forget the food and drinks. Do not focus on your appetite; you are there to mingle and do business. Food can easily become a distraction. Celebrate at home after the event with a drink—having met your networking goals and ideal clients.
5- Sit with people you don’t know. It may feel awkward at first but introduce yourself to new people with a smile and friendly demeanor. Find a table that has an empty chair and ask if it’s ok to join them. Remember your goal is to meet new people, not spend time commiserating with people you already know.
6- Be aware of your body language. Avoid “darting eyes” and stay focused on the person you are speaking with. Stand tall, strong and proud.
7- Prepare your “30 second commercial.” This should be a quick description of the results you get for clients. Dump the cutesy catch phrases that may confuse people. Structure your commercial by this example that I use for my public relations company: “I work with businesses and nonprofits to increase their publicity, credibility and revenues.” Position yourself by concept, not title. This is extremely important for business growth.
8- Make small talk. Even if it’s simply the weather, a local sports team or vacation plans, be sure you are able to strike up a light conversation with strangers. Avoid touchy topics including politics, religion and jokes. Try to stay up-to-date on current news stories. Also, don’t fall into the trap of adding to a conversation that’s filled with complaining and negativity. It’s poison; try and gently move the conversation onto something more positive.
9- Ask good questions. Steer conversations towards the other person, their business, challenges and needs. When someone asks you what you do, answer in a quick line or two and suggest, “I can share more about my business in a minute but I’d really like to learn what your company does.” Listen closely and you’ll soon be able to determine if this person could use your expertise. Dig deep.
10- Work the room. If you are in a conversation that seems to be a dead-end, politely excuse yourself to use the restroom, make a call or find an associate in the room. Spend a few minutes with each person instead of an hour with one individual.
11- Bring plenty of business cards. Remember, the reason you are attending the event is to meet people! If you forgot your cards, you may seriously want to consider going back to get them or skipping the program. Be prepared. Also, don’t feel obligated to give your cards to everyone you meet. Hand them to people who request them.
12- Dress appropriately. Wear business attire and look polished and professional. Check the mirror and brush your teeth as needed…and ladies, only touch-up makeup, including lipstick, in the restroom.
Bonus: During sit-down programs, do not check your calendar, messages, or texts. Use good manners and pay attention to the speaker and those around you. People are watching. Be congruent –from the inside, out.
Body Language Tips: Using Your Hands to Build Rapport
“What should I do with my hands?” is the common question I get from people in my communications and body language programs.
Your gestures are important because they can be used to your advantage in conversations, meetings and interviews. The key is to be comfortable with your body movements so they seem natural and not awkward. A combination of strong verbal and nonverbal communication skills will help you to build rapport with clients, prospects and colleagues.
Here are 5 tips on gestures and how they affect your communication:
1- Fold your hands neatly in your lap when you are seated in a meeting. Avoid fidgeting or tapping your pen or fingers. This indicates you are anxious or nervous.
2- Open your palms and face them up to the ceiling when you are in a sales meeting with a prospect. This indicates you are open to his ideas and information. You are friendly and learning.
3- Place your palms down on the table when you ask for the sales or business. This indicates you are assertive and confident.
4- Avoid clenched fists. This gesture shows an emotional state of either anger or excitement. In a meeting, it can also indicate you are closed or tight.
5- Keep your hands to your sides when standing and speaking to someone. To gesture in a confident and casual manner, keep your elbows at your sides and extend your hands up out to the shoulder-chin range. Think of yourself inside of a 20-inch TV screen with a close-up shot that frames only your head and shoulders. As you speak, move your hands appropriately to match your words.
Some Fun Bonus Tips:
Hand or Finger on Nose= Deception-“Pinocchio”
Hand on Ear= Unwillingness to Listen Anymore
Hand Resting on Chin= Attentive
Scratch of Neck or Back= Disbelief
Some people are naturally more animated than others. Gesturing may not feel comfortable to you if you are more subdued or unaccustomed to using your hands and body to enhance conversations. My advice is to watch how others who are confident and successful move and tie-in gestures when they speak. After some observation and practice, you’ll be able to casually use your hand movements in a way that feels natural.
10 Tips for Delivering A Powerful Speech
Stage fright can paralyze people. Even well-educated, polished professionals often have difficulty delivering a fabulous presentation. As a communications expert and trainer, I want to share the following tips with you. These pointers will help you supercharge your public speaking skills. Just remember, the following tips are for delivering your message, not preparing the content. For that aspect, watch my short video on YouTube. http://tinyurl.com/dc2pml
1. Practice- Stand up and read your speech out loud. This opens up your diaphragm and allows more air in, which gives you energy. This will also allow you to project your voice and get comfortable with how it sounds and the flow of your remarks.
2. Memorize as much as you can. Start with the first few lines, practice out loud whenever possible (driving, at home, in the shower, etc.). Keep adding a few lines to it, building on the beginning. You will soon have the speech memorized. This will allow you to speak to the audience, scanning the room with good eye contact and only referring to your written notes periodically.
3. Write key points on an index card. These “buzz words” will help jar your memory and keep the flow moving.
4. Speak from your stomach and not your throat. This will give you volume.
5. Say each word as if it were a word in its own right. Avoid rushing through the sentences in order to finish. (Listen to TV and radio newscasters for delivery and pacing tips)
6. Emphasize the important, funny and touching words. Let the audience know this is critical information. Grab and keep the attention of your audience and truly engage thme with your words and verbal/nonverbal communication.
7. Pause. Take a split second or two during key points to give the audience an opportunity to digest and take in what you are saying. This will also give their emotions a chance to react to your words. Silence is extremely powerful.
8. Get out from behind the podium. If you hide behind the podium, you will be a “Talking Head.” Walk around a bit and use gestures and your body to help make your words come alive.
9. Visualize the success of your speech. Days or weeks before, make a mental movie of how you will stand and deliver your remarks. See yourself in vivid and clear pictures looking superb, dressed impeccably, calm, and feeling excited and confident about your speech. See yourself on statge calmly and gracefully delivering the best speech of your life! See the faces of the audience who are silent and captivated by what you are saying. Hear the applause as you wrap up and the many compliments, handshakes and hugs that follow your speech. Picture yourself as a huge success and you will be flawless!
10. Smile and relax. Tall, strong and proud! Remember- You are the Message.
25 Success Tips to Master Your Life
Learning how to master your life can be the most amazing yet challenging experience. These critical skills and lessons are invaluable to your success. Unfortunately most of these nuggets are not contained in textbooks or taught in classrooms. Most of us don’t learn these habits in school.
People who take the time to commit themselves to personal development, discipline and good habits are the individuals who will excel. These habits and tips will work for you regardless of your IQ, education, background or financial situation. When you learn to control your mind, you will be empowered to succeed.
Personal development is an ongoing process. Here are 25 proven real-life strategies to help you to manage your life.
1. Cultivate a positive attitude. You are in complete control of your attitude and outlook. It’s a mind game and it’s an “inside job.” When you move through each moment of the day with a bright and optimistic view, your world will unfold with blessings and goodness.
2. Drop your old stuff. Imagine walking around every day with heavy metal garbage cans filled with old junk shackled to your ankles. It would be very difficult to move ahead with ease and comfort. Too many of us spend our lives dragging around emotional baggage that doesn’t serve us well. You may need to talk to a counselor, confront someone or write a letter and then burn it. Acknowledge the pain and move on. It will set you free.
3. Wake up early. No matter how tired or busy you are, take at least five minutes in the morning before anyone else is awake to sit alone quietly. You may want to read something inspirational, meditate, pray, or take a walk outside to greet the new day. These few minutes will bring you peace of mind in a busy world.
4. Use your mental resources to achieve unbridled success. Read books on positive self-talk, daily affirmations and visualization. Talk to people who use these strategies to achieve their goals. Integrate them into your own daily routine. When you learn to discipline your mind, your life will completely change for the better.
5. Avoid spending time with energy drains and “naysayers.” People who complain and are negative will quickly deplete your energy and steal your joy. Limit your time with poisonous people. Surround yourself with positive people who will inspire and encourage you. Remember you can not change anyone else. You can only change yourself. Be the fountain, not the drain.
6. Take time to think and read. You probably use a calendar or electronic gadget to keep track of your projects, meetings and appointments. Schedule a small block of time each day to think and read. If you take five minutes a day to think and 15 minutes a day to read, these two activities can significantly enrich your life and mind.
7. Commit yourself to a life of learning. Turn off the television and radio and fill your mind with information and knowledge that can help you to be successful. If you drive a lot, listen to a motivational or educational CD. Read at least one book a month. Learn from some of the greats by reading biographies on Ghandi, Harry Truman, Rosa Parks, Maya Angelou and Bill Gates. Read magazine articles from successful people you’d like to emulate. Success leaves clues.
8. Make deposits in people’s emotional bank accounts. Take time to tell people that you care about them, share a compliment or simply a smile (yes even to strangers). It helps to create a small ripple of goodness in the universe. You set the stage for the person you helped to do the same for someone else. We’ll all be better for it. Pay it forward.
9. Quit criticizing, judging and complaining. These three habits destroy people and relationships. When you become aware of how you are behaving, that’s when changes can be made. Criticizing, judging and complaining are energy drains for yourself and everyone you encounter.
10. Fail forward. An experience is not a failure if you have learned from it and can apply it to your life. If something doesn’t succeed as you had hoped, when you are down on the ground, be sure to pick up a lesson or valuable insight. That’s called a stepping stone to success. If you learned something, you didn’t fail.
11. Keep a journal. You don’t have to be a good writer but a journal is a wonderful tool to record your feelings, thoughts and activities. It’s a great timeline for future reference. The good thing about journaling is that there are no rules. Some people write religiously every day, while others write a few times a month. Sometimes a journal is the place for a much-needed brain dump. Consider dedicating one section for your Gratitude Journal- reminding yourself each day of a few things that happened that you are grateful for.
12. Write down your goals. Keep a visual reminder of your daily, weekly, monthly and yearly goals. When we write things down, we activate our subconscious minds to move forward towards our target. Be sure to keep your list in a place that you can see it every day. It’s a great motivator.
13. Be in the moment. That means that wherever your feet are, your head is. In other words, stop the relentless mental soundtrack that plays 24/7 that distracts you from paying true attention to conversations and situations. By silencing your mind and pushing away mental interruptions, you will be more fully engaged in the present moment as life unfolds. Your relationships will thrive. Give people the gift of your attention.
14. Tell the truth. Honesty is based on the principle of integrity. Always tell the truth.
15. Expect good things to happen. When we anticipate good things, they usually happen. If you expect happiness, love and success, they will start showing up in your life. If you look for bad things, they will show up as well. It’s like ordering food in a restaurant. You generally get what you ask for. What we think about, we bring about.
16. Always do your best. Every day we are faced with hundreds of decisions including what to wear, which route to take to work, what to eat for lunch, whether to start a project or call a friend. In each moment, you must consider your options and do your best. Your best will vary. If you have a cold on Tuesday and didn’t have a good night’s sleep, your best will not be the same on Friday when you feel better and are well rested. Every day we have countless possibilities to do our best.
17. Nurture people who are near and dear to you. Let them know how you feel. Whether it’s a handwritten letter, an electronic greeting card, a phone call or a conversation over lunch, telling people how much you care about them and why, can have a wonderful impact on both of you. Tell them now.
18. Create a dreamboard. Use a poster board and cut out pictures of what your ideal life looks like. By making a collage of the images that you are striving for, your subconscious mind will kick into autopilot and start moving you forward. Think big and include pictures and phrases from magazines and travel brochures. You may want to include a family picture in the center. Have fun with your collage and be sure to look at it every day.
19. Avoid procrastination. When something needs to be done, get right to it. Putting it off will only cause stress and anxiety. You may not realize it, but something as minor as running an errand can fester in our minds and bodies. Actor Denzel Washington says that he and his wife have raised their four children with the rule “Do what you have to do so you can do what you want to do.”
20. Give freely to people. When you dedicate your life to the philosophy of “What can I give you?” without expecting anything in return, the entire universe will shift for the better. Focus on being of service to other people in every situation you encounter. Shift from being a “go-getter” and to a “go-giver.”
21. Understand the quality of charisma. Charisma is defined as appeal, charm, magnetism and allure. It’s a magical quality that most leaders possess. These are people who look like winners and act like winners. They tend to have big dreams and reach for them. People with charisma show kindness and empathy towards others. They are interested in the people they encounter, have a strong sense of humor and are known for their strength of character. Watch them and learn from them.
22. Laugh every day. Children laugh an average of 300-400 times a day. Adults laugh an average of 15-20 times a day. Where did our joy go? Remember those deep belly laughs when you laugh so hard, you’re literally in tears? We need those hearty bursts of laughter that emanate from our souls. Find something to laugh about every day.
23. Live a healthy life. Be aware of the implications of your diet, nutrition and exercise. Avoid foods with sugar and white flour as they are the addictive drugs of the food chain. Avoid eating heavy meals, especially at night. Stay away from excess, including drugs and alcohol. Exercising and drinking water will help your body to function in new and improved ways. When food shopping, read the labels and know the ingredients. When dining out, ask for your meal to be prepared the way you want it. Take vitamins. Protect your body.
24. Be punctual, or early. Do your best to arrive at least 5-10 minutes early for appointments. When you are early for meetings and appointments, you are considerate of other people’s time. It also helps you to walk in without being frazzled, annoyed or stressed.
25. Be accountable for yourself. Do not blame other people. Take full responsibility for your actions and words. It’s a sign of maturity.
Business Writing:Keeping it Simple & Clear
One of the most critical skills in business communications is your ability to express yourself in a clear and concise manner. Keeping things simple in our busy worlds, where we are inundated with information overload and too much information (“TMI”) can be a challenge. If you think it’s difficult to say it simply, writing it can be even tougher.
Here are five tips to help simplify your writing:
1- Clarify in your mind. Before you begin to write anything, whether it’s a letter, memo or a short e-mail, your message must be clear in your mind. If you are confused or overwhelmed with the information, it will be difficult to express it in writing. Before you begin to write, ask yourself: what is the main reason for my correspondence. What is my point? What is my goal?
2- Draft an outline. Remember your 8th grade Social Studies report? If you’re like me, you had to put together an outline with topics, main headings and supporting details. By using this proven system and including only key phrases and a few punchy words, you will quickly be able to make your point. Topics and details will flow logically and seamlessly.
3- Tell the reader what to expect. If your correspondence is long, introduce the format you will be using in your opening lines. For example, if you’re a bank manager and you are writing a two page memo on new security measures, you may want to begin by stating: “The purpose of this letter is to inform all bank staff about new security measures adopted by the Board. The first two sections will address Topics A and B. The remaining three sections will cover Topics C, D and E.” This format will help to mentally prepare the reader for what’s to come. They will know there are five issues and will have a broad idea of the information that follows.
4- Use bullet points. Bullet points help to provide white space for the reader and break down separate thoughts and information. They also help to keep your writing concise and on track. You can limit each point to a few sentences. This will force you to choose your words carefully and include only relevant information. We are a society of “skimmers”. Make it easy on the reader.
5- Write to express, not to impress. Your reader will appreciate it when you use easy-to-understand language and short sentences. I write the way I speak, conversational, concise and direct. I don’t want to send people to the dictionary or confuse them. Be yourself and be simple. It’s a winning formula when it comes to writing.
Finally, review your letter or memo before sending it. I like to print things out prior to sending them. Reading on a computer screen is somewhat different than holding a document in your hand and reading it. I tend to make changes and catch errors when I’m reviewing a hard copy. Regardless of whether you read your letter on a screen or on paper, be sure to re-read it.
Candor in Communication
Manners, honesty, and candor can make for confusing communication.
When we were kids and spoke our minds (remember that phrase “from the mouths of babes”?), we were often told by our parents and teachers to be careful of other people’s feelings. After all, we didn’t have to say everything that floated into our little heads. As a child, weren’t you told, “If you can’t say something nice about someone, then don’t say anything?” Sometimes we unknowingly said embarrassing or rude things.
At home, I used to remind my kids (now ages 15 and 13) that it’s not good manners to shriek and make weird faces with a fake smile when Grandma asks if we like her new haircut. A conversation my daughter and I once had when she was 12 years-old revolved around why she shouldn’t tell her friend Samantha that she (Samantha) wasn’t invited to Katie’s party. My daughter wanted to tell Samantha it’s because “Katie doesn’t like you.” Ouch.
Brutal honesty can sometimes put a damper on relationships and conversations. I call it editorial judgment. I prefer to follow the advice of my wise old Grandma from Brooklyn who had an interesting approach to communications. “Know when to speak up and know when to shut up.” A beautiful little gem of communications wisdom. Would you dare tell your boss or project leader that the report he put together is horrible and a third grader could have done a better job?
How many times have you tried to linguistically dance around the real truth and wound up avoiding the truth? Sparing someone’s feelings in a social situation may have different consequences than not being candid when working on a project in the office.
In the business world, candid communication is vital to success. In his book, “Winning,” Jack Welch, former General Electric CEO, devotes a whole chapter to “candor.”
He says candor allows for the exchange of ideas – no matter how good or bad. The point being that the more you engage your staff into the conversation, the bigger pool of ideas you have to draw from. It also allows for a more rapid exchange of thoughts and suggestions. In today’s highly competitive environment, the faster we move, the better our chances of beating the competition or winning.
Welch also believes that candor cuts cost. Getting to the heart of the matter eliminates unnecessary meetings, reports, and boring presentations that merely regurgitate the problem, but offer no solutions. How can we be productive and forward thinking if everything we talk about at the conference table is based on something far from the truth?
Welch notes, “You can’t afford to not have candor.” There are consequences to withholding and/or manipulating the truth. It comprises your integrity and trustworthiness – with your customers, the public, and the media. From a media and public relations standpoint, being anything less than candid with reporters is a recipe for disaster. The #1 rule in communicating with the media is to be honest. If you don’t know something, it’s ok to say you don’t know and then offer to find out.
Candor in communication. What a concept.
25 Tips for Writing Powerful Press Releases & News Pitches
Here is a quick list of 25 Do’ s and Don’ts of Writing Press Releases. These can easily help you to increase your business or nonprofit to succeed in increasing your visibility, credibility and revenues. I also have Teleseminar recordings available if you’d like to learn more. And you can subscribe to my free PR E-zine The PR Buzz. Good luck!
1. Do have something new to announce (NEWS)
2. Do ask yourself why you are writing your release- the #1 reason
3. Do write a catchy subject line and headline - get their attention!
4. Do include quotes from people directly affected by the news-put a face on the story
5. Do show and tell a compelling story
6. Do write short, punchy and easy to understand sentences
7. Do speak directly to the reader/audience
8. Do help to ease the public’s pain/problem (position yourself as the expert with the solution)
9. Do re-read and re-write your release/pitch before sending it
10. Do include a contact person who is available and knowledgeable
11. Do use present tense and verbs
12. Do include a date for release
13. Do watch the timing on the release
14. Do cite sources/attribution
15. Do include names and titles in photo captions
16. Don’t repeat information
17. Don’t use adjectives
18. Don’t use rhetoric and jargon
19. Don’t use the word “announce”
20. Don’t begin with a name
21. Don’t send out lousy pictures
22. Don’t ask questions
23. Don’t sell anything
24. Don’t say “first annual”
25. Don’t go more than one page
One final tip: Marketing your business or organization with PR and news stories is essential to your growth, revenues and credibility. If you can’t do this yourself, or don’t want to (delegating is a beautiful thing and eases stress), then please contact me so I can help you. Too many mistakes when reaching out to the media will quickly destroy your credibility.
I welcome you to follow me on Twitter @sueyoungmedia
Good luck!
The Power of Silence in Communication
The Power of Silence is extraordinary. Yet so many people are afraid to use it. People are uncomfortable and nervous with silence because we are so accustomed to filling every space with words. Most of the time when we feel obligated to fill silence and keep speaking, we are polluting the air with meaningless chatter that doesn’t add much to the conversation. I teach this in my media training classes and in programs on resolving workplace conflicts, Emotional Intelligence for College Students and sales.
Consider how powerful silence can be. Certain people know how to leverage silence. Great speakers and accomplished actors use their eloquent words as melodically as they slip in their cleverly placed pauses and silence. They carefully bring you into their moment and you become enveloped in their language, movements, stories and emotions. You’re mesmerized and hooked.
Strong communicators who are keenly astute about interpersonal relationships and leadership excel in their use of silence.
At work, sales professionals aren’t the only ones who must understand a carefully placed pause. When they throw down the gauntlet to a prospect and ask the loaded question, “Are you ready to sign the contract?,” nervous overspeaking will almost always kill the deal. When you ask your boss for a raise or promotion, simply stop and allow silence into your conversation. When you ask your partner if he/she loves you…well you get the picture.
U.S. actor, author, & humorist Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945) said, “Drawing on my fine command of the English language, I said nothing.”
Silence is often more powerful than words.
Creating A PR and Marketing “Buzz”
Our jobs as Public Relations and marketing professionals (and entrepreneurs) is to create a buzz about our products and services. Whether you work in business, government or nonprofits, we need to get people talking.
I teach many classes, workshops and teleseminars on how to create news and publicity. Thinking and breathing do not constitute a news story. You must actually do something to generate publicity. Get creative because your presence affects your prosperity.
In your PR or marketing plan there should be four words:
Create Curiosity
Become Known
These two goal statements are quite powerful.
First, you can create curiosity in your press releases and pitches; conveying such a compelling, concise and articulate message on paper that reporters rush to call you to find out more and cover your story.
The second goal is to become known. Become ubiquitous. Be everywhere. Promote your local speech to the Rotary Club with a calendar listing in the business section. Speak at a Chamber of Commerce event and send out a press release prior to your speech. Follow-up with a digtal picture or short video snippet with the president and a raffle winner after the program (Offer the video to the Chamber to post it on their website). Be a guest on a public affairs show on radio or TV. Write a bylined article that shows your value as an expert and provides useful information to the public (not a poorly-written, self-serving, fluffy piece). Team up with another company or nonprofit for a community cause. Be proactive and become known. Blog. Use social media. Create online videos. Say something bold. Get out of your own way. Think big.
Create curiosity. Become known.
Market Your Business with Clarity: Avoid an Identity Crisis
While marketing, branding and public relations don’t always tie-in together, the three bring a similar message in promoting and building our organizations, products and services. The key is to avoid an identity crisis, which can be a marketing and PR debacle. It can also be the downfall of your business or nonprofit.
You must be able to separate yourself from the herd of your competition. That’s what branding is. The word and concept of branding is taken from the cattle crowds of years ago, when farmers literally used hot “branding” irons to separate the meat-worthy and good cattle from the weaker animals. The ones that were branded (or tattooed) with hot irons stood out in the crowd and were easy to recognize. Stopping one step short of a hot branding iron, can you say that your company or group stands out from your competition?
If your answer is “no” or you think there’s room for improvement, consider the following ways to end your identity crisis and jump ahead of the crowd.
1. Re-evaluate your job responsibilities, the purpose and goals of your department and the overall mission and objectives of your company. Make a detailed list of projects and initiatives that your department and your organization have completed in the past 6-12 months where you absolutely stood out. What are some of your shining moments and highlights? How do you do business differently than your competition? (hint: study your competitors, look at their websites and watch them in action). What makes you special? What’s compelling about you and your organization? Forget your job title; what results do you deliver?
2. Move away from describing your organization to others with the phrases in your mission statement. It can be equivalent to a sleeping pill. Start to weave in the highlights and tidbits from #1 that will get the attention of people you are talking to. Whether you are introducing yourself at a networking luncheon or you’re being interviewed by a news reporter, you must be able to describe who you are and what you do in “people-friendly language” that the general public can understand. Take it one step further and make sure that the public not only understands what you are saying but remembers your message. A few compelling words spoken with enthusiasm will go a long way. Don’t wing it. Be creative and chose your words carefully, focusing on how you help other people. Always show value.
3. Avoid the “cutesy” approach and industry jargon that can leave people confused. You don’t want to leave anyone puzzled about who you are and what you do. One business owner I recently met at a networking event describes herself as an “agent of change”. But what does that mean? Recently I overheard her explaining to someone she’s an interior decorator. Some people admitted they thought she was a business coach. Others were embarrassed to admit they had no idea what line of work she was in. One person thought she was a travel agent. This entrepreneur lost potential business because of a lack of clarity and her own self-imposed identity crisis. Her idea of cute was actually confusing.
In our competitive and fast-changing world, you must be able to carve out a unique identity (differentiate yourself) or you will blend right in with the herd of your competition.
