Some days, networking feels like enjoyable work that's not going anywhere. You're meeting people, getting to know them, getting your name out there, but nothing seems to be happening. Oh, but it is!
Kind of like growing radishes ... all the good stuff is happening beneath the surface. Until one day you pull on what's showing on top and up comes a delicious, crunchy radish.
Here's how I know the work we're doing at the Clovis Chamber to develop relationships is working: last night at the Clovis Advantage Trade Show, we signed up ten new members to the Chamber. Imagine writing a contract with ten new clients in 3 hours. That's one very 18 minutes.
This was the result of 1) building our reputation 2) growing relationships with our Ambassadors and members who referred several of those new people and 3) presenting everything from the perspective of the new member. Who cares how they benefits the Chamber?! It's all about us filling their needs. And their satisfaction will benefit the Chamber.
Thank you to everyone who attended, all the Ambassadors, and our new members.
Networking tips and the best way to network ... by Networking on Purpose! Professional business networking strategies from Beth Bridges, speaker, and author.
Don't Apologize Like AT&T
An apology with no corrective action tied to it is no apology at all. In fact, it’s an insult. When you apologize without any remedy attached, you’re telling someone “I don’t think I did anything wrong, but you’re a stupid, whiny baby who needs some words to feel better so here they are.”
There are several kinds of people who are the personify this: sports celebrities who’ve been caught cheating, wife beaters like Chris Brown, and AT&T Internet customer service representatives.
I don’t know who trained those people, but apparently they are told to insert the word “ma’am” or “sir” into every phrase, and to constantly apologize for everything.
I don’t know who trains these people, but apparently they are told to apologize profusely, especially when they cannot fix the problem. Saying the words does not make it right. Saying “I’m sorry” or “I apologize” does not correct the problem, fix what you broke, or return trust.
Only action does.
When you apologize in your life, make sure your apology includes how you are going to fix the problem.
Don’t be like AT&T.
There are several kinds of people who are the personify this: sports celebrities who’ve been caught cheating, wife beaters like Chris Brown, and AT&T Internet customer service representatives.
I don’t know who trained those people, but apparently they are told to insert the word “ma’am” or “sir” into every phrase, and to constantly apologize for everything.
- I apologize ma’am for the inconvenience ma’am.
- I’m sorry ma’am but this will take a few moments ma’am.
- Ma’am, I’m sorry you had to call us ma’am. (Not as sorry as I am)
I don’t know who trains these people, but apparently they are told to apologize profusely, especially when they cannot fix the problem. Saying the words does not make it right. Saying “I’m sorry” or “I apologize” does not correct the problem, fix what you broke, or return trust.
Only action does.
When you apologize in your life, make sure your apology includes how you are going to fix the problem.
Don’t be like AT&T.
A Story About Giving Feedback
At my grandfather's urging, my dad joined the Army in 1960. For the next three years, he was part of the 7th Army Band, stationed in Germany.
My dad hated the Army. It was a lot like M*A*S*H, especially the terrible food. If it wasn't for Tabasco sauce, he would have starved to death (as it was, my mom said he looked like a concentration camp survivor himself when his tour was over).
He and his buddies loved Tabasco. They poured it on everything. One day, in a fit of boredom, they decided to write a letter to the President of the Tabasco company. They told him how much they loved the sauce and how it helped them eat Army food. Once the letter was written, they sent it off and forgot all about it.
Quite some time later, they received a package from the United States. In it was a letter from the President of Tabasco. He told them how it made his day when he opened their letter. He was proud that his product was so vital to them and that he was helping his country's members of the military.
In fact, he was so pleased with their letter, he wrote, that he hoped they enjoyed the enclosed case of the brand new Green Tobasco sauce.
Has there been a time when you've received something wonderful in return for unsolicited complimentary feedback?
My dad hated the Army. It was a lot like M*A*S*H, especially the terrible food. If it wasn't for Tabasco sauce, he would have starved to death (as it was, my mom said he looked like a concentration camp survivor himself when his tour was over).
He and his buddies loved Tabasco. They poured it on everything. One day, in a fit of boredom, they decided to write a letter to the President of the Tabasco company. They told him how much they loved the sauce and how it helped them eat Army food. Once the letter was written, they sent it off and forgot all about it.
Quite some time later, they received a package from the United States. In it was a letter from the President of Tabasco. He told them how it made his day when he opened their letter. He was proud that his product was so vital to them and that he was helping his country's members of the military.
In fact, he was so pleased with their letter, he wrote, that he hoped they enjoyed the enclosed case of the brand new Green Tobasco sauce.
Has there been a time when you've received something wonderful in return for unsolicited complimentary feedback?
Getting & Giving Feedback
It's a great gift to give someone feedback.
I don't necessarily mean feedback as in "here's what I think you're doing wrong and how to fix it." Unless someone is specifically asking for correction, unsolicited critiques are generally met with a resounding lack of enthusiasm.
The kind of feedback I'm referring to is a general response to someone letting them know they've been heard, or noticed, or appreciated. Too often we're ignored if we're doing a good job and then criticized if there's a mistake.
And sometimes we just want to know if anyone is listening. We need to know that we're not talking to ourselves, or shouting into the wind.
Here's the very nice thing about feedback: usually if you give some, you'll get some back!
Tomorrow, I'll tell you a story about some feedback my Dad gave someone and what came of it.
I don't necessarily mean feedback as in "here's what I think you're doing wrong and how to fix it." Unless someone is specifically asking for correction, unsolicited critiques are generally met with a resounding lack of enthusiasm.
The kind of feedback I'm referring to is a general response to someone letting them know they've been heard, or noticed, or appreciated. Too often we're ignored if we're doing a good job and then criticized if there's a mistake.
And sometimes we just want to know if anyone is listening. We need to know that we're not talking to ourselves, or shouting into the wind.
Here's the very nice thing about feedback: usually if you give some, you'll get some back!
Tomorrow, I'll tell you a story about some feedback my Dad gave someone and what came of it.
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