September 13, 2007
Make More Money with the Right Connections...
Communicating with Difficult People to Get What You
Want... Consider Your Own Space... How to Dress for
Success... and More.
** Make More Money with the Right Connections
By Adrian Newman, Founder of e-Wealth Daily
Networking acts in the same way that an elastic band does.
It's an opportunity to stretch your personal or business
resources to the limit — but know that it can also be tricky to
expand.
No matter how difficult it can be to do, networking is an
essential aspect to being a successful entrepreneur. Knowing
powerful or useful people in business or the trade industries
can only improve your business or personal contacts in the
long run.
Having small- or big-time contacts in your industry could
pay you big dividends in the short term or long term.
Just think that, at some point, you may be in a jam when it
comes to money or you could be in need of an appropriate
buyer or contact. Having a reserve of contacts will only
improve your chances of getting out of that tight spot.
Whether it's for a job, funding for your business or a new
idea, or just getting an idea out to other businesses or
individuals, you should be aware of the networking
guidelines that are in place, both positive and negative.
In most cases, you only have one chance at a first and lasting
impression, which could color the rest of your relationship
with the individual you are meeting.
I like to think of it as making new friends; kind of like the
first time you introduce yourself to your neighbors. You
know that sooner or later your neighbor will come over to
your house and ask to borrow your ladder, lawn mower, or
some ingredients for cooking, for example. Plus, you may do
the same — so you want that first impression to put you in
good standing with your neighbor.
Networking should be looked at in much the same way. At
some point, someone just might be able to help you out with
a favor or vice versa (remember: this can lead to benefits for
you down the road when you're in need). The following do's
and don'ts of networking come from experiences I've had
while attending trade shows and public events. Try to keep
these in mind at all times.
Do:
- Contact friends, relatives, and former colleagues on a
regular basis.
- Make a personal connection in some way with the person
you're talking to (this works easily with college and
university alumni, as well as past friends and colleagues).
- Use your contacts; the easiest way to network is to ask a
person you already know for the name of someone else;
when you call this new contact, make sure you mention the name of the person who suggested you contact him/her. Be sure to mention the other person in a positive light to your new contact.
- Ask people who you have come into contact with for
information, advice, or referrals to others who might be of
some help to you in the future.
- Set up face-to-face meetings.
Don't:
- Sit around waiting for someone to contact you.
- Sound like a telemarketer.
- Let rejection get the best of you; instead, make it drive you to work harder.
- Exploit individuals (whether it's asking for a job,
financing help, or in-depth business help).
- Talk about yourself too much.
- Insist on talking in person (networking conversations
always took place face–to-face in the past, but with
technological changes, it's often now done over the
telephone or by e-mail).
- Stop networking because you're comfortable with your
situation or are worried about having to keep in touch with too many contacts.
As many of you already know, the business world can be
tough and disheartening. Your personal and/or business
situation could quickly change right before your eyes. That's
why you need to keep in touch with the people who could
help you when you are in a bind. Networking is more than
just a means of taking advantage of new opportunities. You
should also think of it as a means of providing you with a
safety net; you never know who could help you find a new
position or who could provide you with last-minute financing.
If you stretch your networking resources to their limits, much
like an elastic, they will snap. But if you expand on them
from time to time, then you will have more options and
freedom than you could ever imagine.
** Communicating with Difficult People to Get What You Want
By Doug D'Anna, the "Hundred-Million-Dollar Man"
There are so many different types of personalities that we all
have to deal with on a daily basis. Some can be particularly
challenging. But if you cultivate your own positive mental
attitude — and do not surrender to other people's emotional
roadblocks — then you will be sending them a clear message
that you don't participate in negative behavior. You need to
set limitations on — and expectations for — what you will and
will not accept.
If you want to come out on top of a difficult situation, then
you need to learn to deal with different types of personalities.
People react to situations differently and if you want a
win-win outcome, then you'll need to change your way of
dealing with these different personalities.
Maybe you can identify with some of these difficult or
challenging personalities:
- Rebel: Always has to challenge the head of the group.
They require some confidence in the situation to get them
started. Hear them out and use this knowledge to your
advantage.
- Aggressor: A hostile tank that likes to run over people.
They only respect those individuals in the group who have
the courage to challenge them. Ask questions that will not
only put their balance off, but that will also reveal how to
persuade them.
- Lost in Space: The ones who don't listen to anyone, no
matter how much advice they seek. They also act as though
they don't hear you when you speak to them. They play to
their self-interests.
- Volcano: The name speaks for itself. Volcano — ready to
erupt at any time. Identify their triggers and use the opposite to get what you want.
- No-Can-Doer: They think in terms of impossibilities
rather than possibilities. To move them your way, paint the
picture they want to see.
- Manipulator: Always point a finger at everybody else in
the group, blaming them for being irresponsible. Ask
questions that identify their area of responsibility and then
use future pacing to show additional outcomes.
- Baggage Carrier: They are wounded by their past so much that they cannot deal with anything. They will demand hours
of your time so as to focus on their problems. Avoid
long-winded conversations with baggage carriers. Move the
conversation toward solutions — and then move on.
- Walking Wounded: They have surrendered to the negative
aspects of their life and cannot move on. They love to gossip
about other people in order to make their own lives look
better. Make it a policy to only say positive things about
people — and let them know it.
- Chronic Complainer: You can't win with this personality
type. They feel so dissatisfied about themselves that they
have to take it out on everyone else. Make it clear that you
only surround yourself with positive people — no matter
what — and then watch complaints disappear.
And there are a lot more personalities out there as well. The
point is that to deal with difficult people, you need to
cultivate your own positive mental attitude and not surrender
to their emotional outbreaks. Don't criticize these types of
personalities. It will only be a waste of your breath.
However, you can still get what you want from them by
speaking to them directly about how you feel.
Don't use definitive terms with them such as "always" or "never." Have you had arguments that have included phrases such as, "You never pick up your clothes!" or "You always
leave the kitchen a mess!"? You cannot make a point if you
don't establish a true sense of perspective on the situation.
Never use any form of language that creates resentment or
compares one person to another. It's perfectly okay to
discuss the situation openly, without anger or humiliation.
Make sure to define the other person's strengths throughout
the conversation and listen attentively to his/her story.
Usually, when a person tells you his/her story, he/she will
begin to have some self-actualization of the way he/she has
been behaving. Add a few questions to the mix and you've
got yourself a constructive conversation that sets the stage
for a win/win situation. Admit to your own mistakes and
learn to give praise when all is said and done. The old adage
holds true: "You can catch a lot more flies with honey than
you can with vinegar."
** Consider Your Own Space
By John Hurd, Chief Wealth Researcher
For many people looking to make money outside of the 9-to-5
office bubble, the place they start is in the home.
With just a personal computer, an Internet connection and a
phone line, there are thousands of home businesses that just
about anyone can run.
Whether it is selling items in online auctions or collecting
revenue through affiliate programs, the cash potential of these
businesses is enough of a lure for many people to skip the
commute and simply stay home.
Now, a home business isn't a new concept at all. Growing up,
my mother went to get her hair done in the basement salon of a
neighbor. The woman had a full working salon down there
with big mirrors, noisy hair dryers and all. Our accountant also
worked from his home in a small office at the front of his
house.
There is one difference however between these older home
businesses and some of the newer opportunities that have
arisen in the past few years.
In the case of the hair salon in the home, the woman running
the business knew that she had to have a separate space for her
work away from her family. None of her children’s toys were
to be found in the salon and likewise you wouldn’t find her hair
scissors lying on the kitchen table.
Establishing your own private workspace is essential when
running a home business. In addition to what you can file on
your taxes, there are other benefits to having an exclusive
workspace.
You probably know that personal motivation can fluctuate.
Some days you have the energy to avoid distractions and stick
to the task at hand. Whereas some days you'll let the television
keep you from getting any work done.
With a dedicated workspace, you'll be able to isolate yourself
from the distractions of your home. Sure you could just step
out and do the laundry or clean the bathroom, but once you're
in your home office, putting those extra tasks aside becomes
easier.
A second word of advice is to not let yourself fall into a casual
attitude while working from home. The reason many offices
have a dress code is that dressing professional helps people
maintain a professional attitude while they do their job. A
friend of mine is a teacher who also tutors from home in the
evenings. Rather than change out of her teaching attire and
getting in to a relaxing at-home outfit she keeps up her
professional appearance until the last student has left for the
evening.
By taking some of the office standards you may have once had
to follow home with you, you'll be in a position that could help
your home business achieve the success you desire.
** How to Dress for Success
By Michael Newman, the "Money Finder"
Over my years being involved in and around all kinds of
businesses, there’s one thing I have learned that is very
important. If you want to be successful, you must look the part.
As the old saying goes, “you must dress for success,” and you
know what, it couldn’t be truer. If you want people to take you
seriously and either give you a job or listen to what you have to
say, you must appear to be credible. Because, after all, if you
look like you can’t take care of yourself, how can you expect
others to trust you’ll take care of their business?
Of course, looking the part can vary from industry to industry.
When I was coming up, attire in the business world was a little
bit different from what it is today. People wouldn’t be caught
dead going into a business meeting without being dressed in a
suit and tie. Nowadays however, especially with the technology
industry growing so rapidly, there has been a more relaxed
atmosphere when it comes to personal attire. However, there
are some constants that will never change. I’ve comprised a list
of what to wear and when, and how it could help you achieve
success or further your career.
- First Meetings/Interviews — When you’re meeting a
potential customer for the first time, or attending a job
interview, it’s of extreme importance to look your best. This is because you want to give off the impression that you’re an
organized, respectable person who is the only choice for your colleagues. In any case, for a man, I’d suggest wearing a suit, or if you don’t have one at least a nice shirt and tie, regardless of the industry. For a woman, I’d suggest wearing a business suit as well. If you don’t have one, then a nice blouse with a professional skirt or dress pants will do.
- The Workplace — Depending on where you work; your dress code may vary slightly. However, there are a couple of general rules you should follow. First, always look neat. This means don’t wear clothes that look like they’ve had more sleep than you this week. Generally speaking, try to keep your shirt tucked in, because it carries a certain professional aesthetic about it. Of course some shirts, for both males and females, aren’t designed to be tucked in, so if that’s the case you can leave it out. In any event, try to carry a professional and neat demeanor into your workplace. Your employers will notice it, and you could be rewarded.
- Business Casual — In many offices, the standard for employees is usually business casual. Be very careful with the term “business casual,” because it’s quite different from “casual” standing on its own. This means leave the clothing
you would normally wear to the pub or the club in the closet
and dress in something a little bit more professional. Business
casual usually means slacks and a collared shirt or nice dress
shirt. Also, leave the sneakers at the front door and pick up a pair of comfortable, casual shoes.
- Hygiene — Finally, it’s important to keep up-to-date with
hygiene. Make sure you brush your teeth and wash yourself so you appear fresh and clean. Also, make sure your hair is neatly styled on your head and on your face. A shaggy, out of control face that hasn’t been shaved for a while can look dirty and unprofessional, so make sure that if you have facial hair it’s kept neat and tidy.
By practicing these tips to help you dress for success, you
could come into the money you feel you deserve! |