November-December 2006

COACHINGTRAININGWORKSHOPS

Business Networking In Cyberspace ©

Networking in cyberspace. Is this a contradiction in terms? Are these two areas compatible? Can it be done? The answers to these three questions are: "No!" "Yes!" and "Yes!"

Networking is a highly interactive and personal way of getting and giving business and leads. The most effective networking is done "face to face." Some people still view cyberspace as an unfriendly, complicated world "out there" having little relationship to them and their needs. They emphasize cyberspace, not networking. Their own fears and lack of knowledge become the focus and they get discouraged and give up. When their focus is on networking, they will create ways to make valuable contacts in cyberspace.

The reality is that we live in a cyberspace world and all of today's technology can be powerful tools that improve and expand our networking efforts. Remember, relationship building is the heart of networking. Networking is a delicate balance of personality, attitude and acquired skills. It's also a process that requires time, energy and mindfulness. Most of all, networking is the way things get done!

Humanize cyberspace by using your networking skills to make contacts. How do you do this? First, view technology as your friend. Learn the necessary skills to master the parts of technology that will be valuable networking tools in your life and business, including the following.

Voice mail. Think about and write out the message you want to record on your voice mail. This is not the place to be flip or entertaining. This is business and should be treated as such. Make your message as brief as you can while still including important information. Practice saying it until it becomes familiar and comfortable. Speak naturally and smile while you are speaking. The warmth in your smile really will come through in your voice mail recording. Record your voice mail until it sounds friendly and informative.

E-mail. It is so tempting to be casual with e-mail but this can be a mistake. Until you know a person well, write your e-mails just as you would write your business letters. Make them professional and don't depend totally on Spell Check. Read your e-mail carefully several times to be sure it is accurate and your language communicates exactly what you want communicated. A word of warning - don't put anything in an e-mail that you would not be willing to see on a billboard sign next to the freeway! Once you have hit the "send" button, you have no idea where your e-mail may end up. We've all heard the horror stories. Don't end up in one.

Respond to your e-mail promptly. E-mail is an excellent way to stay in touch with current clients, former clients and prospects. Make sure each e-mail you send contains at least one nugget of information for the person receiving it. This will help you develop relationships and increase your value to your readers.

Conference calls. Use basic good telephone manners. Listen very, very carefully. You will be amazed at how well you will become acquainted with someone just by listening carefully to them. Good listeners know how to develop relationships and nurture future business activity.

Fax. It may be tempting to send a hastily handwritten fax but if at all possible, type it or generate it on your computer. Your reader will thank you.

Cell phone. I attended a funeral recently and actually heard a cell phone ring during the service. The number one rule for using cell phones is, "YOU are in charge!" Most people don't have to have their cell phone on every waking minute. Most of us don't have to answer it every time it rings. Cell phones are communication tools and we are responsible for our tools. Cell phones are also an incredible asset for networking and developing business relationships.

Ipod. What a great way to be organized and connected!

Technology continues to offer new tools for doing business and developing relationships. These tools help us network faster and better. When you communicate through voice mail, e-mail, faxes, cell phones, etc., remember that the e-mail, fax, etc. IS you until the other person is able to meet you in person. Be your best professional and personable self when using any of these tools in order to leave good impressions with important contacts.
 

"55 Networking Tips For People Over 55"^©
Included in Tips Books

As baby boomers head into their pre-retirement and retirement years, they are entering a whole new world and are asking many questions about living this new phase of their lives. Capstone Legacies has created several "Tips" books offering leads to the answers of many of these questions. "Tips" books are push-off points for readers to take action. After each tip, there is room for the reader to write comments, ideas, etc. This invites the reader to participate in the process and allows each book to be highly personal and helpful to the reader.

"55 Networking Tips For People Over 55" © was written by Donna M. Reed and contains 55 networking tips under the following categories:

Networking Tips for Job Seekers
Networking Tips When You Have Been Downsized
Networking Tips for People Relocating
Networking Tips to Learn a New Locale
Networking Tips for a Successful Retirement
Networking Tips for Locating Quality Healthcare

Sample: Tip #6 under Networking Tips for Job Seekers
Identify key contacts. From the many people you meet, there will be a hand full of people who will prove to be really valuable in your job search. Identify them. Keep a file on them (electronic or paper) that contains all of the information you can obtain about them.

Who are my key contacts?
There is space for the reader to record answers.

Click the "Add to Cart" button to order your copy of "55 Networking Tips For People Over 55" . The cost is $12 which includes postage and handling. Credit cards are welcome.

If you prefer to pay by check, mail your check for $12, payable to Donna Reed, to Tools For Achievers, 5740 E. Paseo del Cenador, Tucson, AZ 85750. For more information, contact Donna Reed at Reed@ToolsForAchievers.com or (520)299-8199.

Other Tip books available:

• "Tips for Creating Your Own Retirement"
  by Kathleen McCormack and Amy B. Rust.

• "Tips for Creating Your Second Career"
  by Kathleen McCormack and Amy B. Rust.

For information about purchasing these books, contact Kathleen McCormack at (520)743-3817 or mackathl@wildblue.net.

The Cycles of Networking ©

We live our lives in cycles. In business, there are busy times, down times and in-between times. These are repeated over and over.

Just as there are cycles in the seasons, nature, retail sales, the economy, education, etc., there are cycles in networking. Relationships also have cycles. Because relationships are the heart of networking, we can easily see similarities between the cycles in relationships and the cycles in networking. Let's explore the cycles of networking as seen through the framework of relationships.

The following cycles were covered in previous newsletters. Click on our newsletter archive list to locate them.

First Cycle: Making Contacts

Second Cycle: Selection Process

Third Cycle: Building Relationships
There are no short cuts to relationship building. Relationships grow over time with a hefty investment of planning, time and energy. During this cycle, you get to know each other. You learn each other's strengths and weaknesses, quirks, dreams and vulnerable areas. This knowledge helps you know how to relate to each other. Most important, during the relationship building cycle, you learn the other person's values and how compatible they are with your values. You learn to feel comfortable with this person and you learn you can depend on each other.

We can make contacts quickly but we can't build meaningful relationships quickly. Only by spending time together, listening to each other, caring, and being available with our ideas, support and honesty can we develop meaningful, strong relationships.

Next issue: Fourth Cycle: Building Trust

Coach's Corner Q. Is it appropriate for me to contact my coach between appointments? A. Most coaches have policies about contact with clients between appointments ranging from complete access to highly structured and scheduled phone calls and e-mails. Ask your coach what her/his policy is about this before you begin working together. This could even be the determining factor for working with a coach. Knowing the policy will set the guidelines for clear, beneficial communication between the two of you.

Copyright © 2006 Tools For Achievers