The quickest way to fail at networking is tied to the same reason that we came out and started networking in the first place. We are typically introduced to networking through an individual, book, audio or video resource… encouraging us to grow our sales, our profits and our bottom line… through networking. While this is usually the driving force behind us getting out into the “networking world,” it puts us in the wrong frame of mind, for successful networking. Why? Because this makes us think “Sales.” I want to increase my bottom line, so it must be about how many people I can meet and present my products/services to, right? Wrong.
Networking is not about sales. Networking is about connections and lots of them. If you think about the first part of Networking, you will see the word “Net.” Just imagine a net and where each horizontal thread of the net meets a vertical thread. At each of those points, you will find a “connection.” If you want to catch more fish, you need a bigger net, right? Well, you can make a net larger by either spacing out each connection, but then the holes in your net get larger and you net is not effective. Instead, you have to have more and more connections that are closer together. This will make a larger net and one where the holes are smaller, so you have success… catching fish. It’s the same with networking. We need to build our net by creating many solid connections with the people that we meet. Here’s the rub; when we start networking with a “sales” mindset, people will naturally pull away from us. People do not want to be sold and neither do you. We can smell a salesperson a mile away and we run away from them as fast as we can. If we are trying to make “connections” in our net, then leading by selling isn’t going to work. We have to put our sales hat aside and start looking at networking as an opportunity to get to know others around us and see how you can give into their lives. By taking this approach, you will quickly begin to see your net grow and you will have the end result of increasing your bottom line, but as a bi-product of your networking, not as a result of your sales skills or prowess.
The Lost Art of the Thank You Note - Give Honest Sincere Appreciation
I have learned a lot from Dale Carnegie during my life. As we start the new year off, I wanted to share a nugget that I have found very important.
Writing a sincere thank you note is one of the professional skills that can make a lasting favorable impression. People like being appreciated. One of Dale Carnegie’s fundamental human relation principles is “Give honest, sincere appreciation.” When writing a thank you note, use a plain, small card. However, the card is not as important as the effort, so if paper is all that is available, write the note anyway! Use this 6-step formula as a sure-fire method of expressing appreciation in a written note.
1. Greet the Giver: Dear Mr. and Mrs. Smith OR Dear Jamie. It seems like an obvious point, yet many people will begin a note with “Hi” or even omit the greeting.
2. Express Gratitude: Thank you so much for the book. The key is to keep it simple and specific. The point of writing the note is to create an expression of a heartfelt sentiment.
3. Discuss Use: I started to read the book immediately and have found many great ideas already. People like to know that you found their gesture or gift valuable. Sharing how you are using the item or idea makes their effort more meaningful.
4. Another Thank You: Thank them again for the gift. It’s not excessive to say thanks again.
5. Complimentary Close: Wrap it up with a close that expresses your final thought: Regards, All the Best, Sincerely, Gratefully, etc. Then sign your name.
6. Send It: Even if your colleagues and acquaintances are not of the note-writing variety, be the one who sets the precedent.
It is the mark of a true professional to become skilled at writing thank you notes in this age of email, voicemail, and text messaging.
Demonstrating business professionalism is not difficult; it just takes effort and focus. Applying simple aspects of business etiquette goes a long way in establishing our professionalism, which builds our confidence and comfort in business settings.
First off, I have to say that the 11:11 phenomenon is one that I experience on a regular basis and I have to blame Leo Corley for that. Once he shared with me that he saw 11:11 all around him… I couldn’t stop seeing them. Now, as 11:11:11 on 11/11/11 approaches, I felt I had to do a little tribute and put a countdown timer on my blog for us. Here’s to you Leo!
Well, this week was my oldest daughter’s first day of “Big School,” as she likes to call it. She is a brand new Kindergartner. It was kind of surreal because we went about our normal routine… getting ready for school, etc. The only exception is that instead of going to the day care, we went down the street to the bus stop. I guess this is why we didn’t have any tears or anything; we have been doing the “school thing” for a while now. Maybe if this was the first time she was going anywhere, then we might have been a little weepy. I’m very proud of her… and of Mommy… for being such big girls. :)
A friend of ours had her birthday just the other day and we were invited to partake in a scavenger hunt. Kim Lloyd’s husband, Chris, divided up the people into different “teams” and were were supposed to follow all the directions that were in time released envelopes. It was very well put together and a lot of fun. Thanks Chris Lloyd, for all your hard work in putting on a fun event for your wife!
After we were all done with the scavenger hunt, I was going through all the pictures and video and as it made me laugh out loud (LOL), I felt I needed to share our fun-filled time with everyone else. You can see in the video, all the silly things that we had to do. We didn’t win at the party, but later we found out that we should have… due to the winning team not following all the directions! At least we know the truth! ;)
Today in church, we had a great lesson from our Pastor, David Fleming. In our church, we talk about the process that we should go through as a Christian… “Know, Grow & Go!” You can “Know” God, but that isn’t enough. In fact, in the Bible it states that “even the demons ‘knew’ who Jesus Christ was”… but that didn’t get them anywhere, did it? Today, he focused on the “Grow” part of that. Max Lucado can be quoted as saying, ”God loves you just the way you are, but He refuses to leave you that way. He wants you to be just like Jesus. ” This is the “Grow” part of the equation. What does it take to “Grow?” Watch this video and I’m sure that it will convict you. I was glad I was in church to hear this message!
I was speaking in front of a group of business professionals recently and I shared with them the importance of watching what we say. I was sharing how, so often, I will be at a networking event and hear people gossip about one another. This is a very bad practice to be involved in. The reason why is that you never know who might be right over your shoulder. That person listening might be the one you are talking about or they might be friends with the person you are talking about. Aside from those reasons, everyone that’s around you while you’re talking bad about someone else, is going to also think less of you. Since we talk about trying to increase “Know, Like & Trust” with others… we should stay away from gossiping or talking ill of other people.
If you’re Bible reading, God fearing individual like myself, you’ll appreciate this. When I was speaking to this group, I mentioned that there was some scripture that I came across recently that fit perfectly. Ecclesiastes 10:20 is the verse that I shared with them. After I shared this verse with them, a very nice lady came up to me and said that it reminded her of this video of the military birds that will be used for surveillance. I thought that it was too cool to not share.
Today my in-laws came over to celebrate the 4th of July with us. Besides the two Callaham Seniors, we also had my wife (Ann) and my two little girls (Lindsey & Ashlyn). The girls had been looking forward to the parade all week and we even decorated their red wagon a few days earlier. I say we, but really it was Ann, Mimi (Grandma From) and the girls. I just watched and managed the project *smile*.
As the parade came by our house, we pulled out the wagon and got ready to get in line. As you can see in the video, the girls didn’t like the loud sirens. We got in line and went on a walk around the neighborhood, ending up at the clubhouse. It was HOT, but at least there was a little breeze.
We are very thankful for Klein Fire Department for bringing out the fire trucks and to those at Villages of Northpointe that helped put on a great event. More importantly, we are thankful for this “One Nation, Under God” that we live in. Thanks to all the troops that keep it this way and provide us with the peace that allows us to have days like this.
Leo Corley and myself have a very special person that offices with us. His name is Matthew Jasso. Not only is he our office manager, but he’s also a friend. He does an incredible job at helping each of our agents get their merchants up and running in a timely manner and he also helps provide support to our existing customers. He has become a great asset to our company. We thank you, Matthew Jasso!
In addition to being a great office manager, he has also studied & trained in multiple forms of martial arts. He took that knowledge and his passion for film and has coreographed, acted in, directed and produced multiple films. Due to his Ninja-like background and hobby, he has come to be known as…. THE OFFICE NINJA!
Today, my family and I headed out to the Champions area of Northwest Houston to see the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. My Father, Stanley From, was riding along on one of the floats. Since he was helping get the “Crazy Frogs” float ready, we decided to hang out in the “waiting area” and check things out. The girls got to get up in the float and some really nice ladies even gave them a few beads. There was some good music playing and everyone was having a great time… and the parade hadn’t even begun yet.
We left the parking lot (the setup area) and headed over to the corner of Champions Forest Dr. and FM1960 to pick out our spot. We found a nice grassy area that my wife and I and the two girls were able to hang out at, until the parade started. We waited… and waited… and waited some more. It seemed like forever (especially with two tired, impatient, little girls) but the Parade finally got under way.
We got to see the Grand Marshall (Rick Trevino), some Clydesdale horses (with all the beer vehicles), Tomball’s firetruck, Cypress Creek’s firetruck, Miss Houston Rodeo and the float that we were waiting for… “The Crazy Frogs” Float! The girls had fun seeing their “Poppy” riding on the float and he even threw them some beads. We would have loved to stay for the entire parade, but when the frogs went by, our time came to a quick close.
I was very impressed with the turn out and want to thank everyone from Northwest Houston, Tomball, Spring, Cypress and especially all of the residents and businesses located in the Champions area. If you missed it this year, don’t miss it next year!
If you like the video, you can get your own account and create videos just like this at:
Follow Mitchell