Tom Fuszard

B2B copywriter/content marketing writer dedicated to helping you and your business succeed. Click on the "Writing Samples" tab for a selection of my samples. Need help with your content marketing? Feel free to call or email me.

If you want my attention, give me yours

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Turn off your cell phone so you can provide undivided attention

Just have to get something off my chest today. It’s one of my pet peeves that, unfortunately, is becoming too common. What is it?

People who leave their cell phones on during meetings and react to messages.

This happened to me recently. I was meeting with another businessman to discuss some joint opportunities. It was in a social setting, so we were both relaxed. Plus, I know him almost well enough to call him a friend. (Which itself was an issue; more on that.)

Throughout our 90-minute discussion, his cell phone prompted repeatedly. Each time he would glance down to read the message. He even took a call at one point. I really wanted to tell him to turn off the blasted phone, but I couldn’t. Friendship got in the way.

What’s the point?

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Additional reminders for an effective presentation

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Follow these suggestions to help you deliver an effective presentation

A conference I attended recently included six very informative presentations. Overall, the quality of the material was very good. However, I witnessed a number of common presentation gaffes. Keep these tips in mind the next time you step in front of an audience.
 

1. Test the microphone. Make sure you know the microphone’s working range. Speak louder, and/or stay close to the microphone. Use a lapel mic if you can. They’re closer to your face naturally, and allow you to move around. (And for handheld units, keep the mic close to your mouth. Don’t worry: it won’t bite you.)
Make sure your audience can hear you well before you begin. It’s better to be too loud than too soft.
 
2. Repeat questions posed by audience members. This is especially true if speaking in a large room. People in the back can’t hear the question that’s posed by someone up front. Just say, “The question is,….”, then answer it.

A professional development strategy for success

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The right professional development plan will help you achieve and maintain success If you’ve been in the business world even a short period, I’m sure you’ve heard and read a lot about the value of personal and professional development. Without it, we become stagnant. At best, we don’t advance. At worst, we lose our jobs. … Read more

Break the script during business networking events

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Set yourself apart during business networking events

Picture this, a typical opening dialogue at a networking event:

“How’s it going?”

“Fine. And you?”

“Oh, fine.”

Then what? The conversation may improve, but it also may not. The problem, according to Steve Van Lieshout, PE, is that there’s nothing unique about the opening. After the short, customary exchange, the dialogue may die. To keep it going, you need to take a different approach; to “break the script,” as Steve calls it.

Standing outCo-owner of K & S Technologies in Milwaukee, Steve travels extensively for business and networks frequently. He shared his business networking tips during a networking event this morning.

In a nutshell, Steve says, make yourself as unique as possible. Don’t be a “commodity.” When asked how he’s doing, Steve, a cancer survivor, responds with, “It’s a great day to be alive!” That comment causes people to pause. The result is often a smile but more importantly, a more interesting conversation.

Show genuine interest in the other person, and get to know them better. Ask atypical questions, like “What do you do for fun?” and “What keeps you awake at night?”

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Give up control to grow your business

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Entrepreneurs and small-business owners wear many hats. They are responsible for administrative tasks, marketing, sales, purchasing…in some cases every facet of running the business. With all that to do, how does the business owner find time for prospecting, selling and customer service?

You need not be an independent professional to run into these problems. Salespeople often find they, too, just aren’t as productive as they could be.

In his book, “Time Traps: Proven Strategies For Swamped Salespeople,” Todd Duncan tells us that it comes down to control. Specifically, that you need to give up ownership over many basic tasks so you can concentrate on those that build your business. (He offers numerous other useful suggestions. I wrote about guarding your time in a post you can read here.)

How to let go, how to be more organized

Admitting that he once was a “bona fide control freak,” Todd learned one day that his success was being stifled and suffocated by his actions. A mentor convinced him of the value in focusing on the most important duties, thereby letting go of others.

He offers the following suggestions to help you better manage  your day.

1. Answer the 100% question. Your goal should be to spend the entire day on your two top productive tasks. Ask yourself what your business would look like if you spent 100% of your work hours doing the two things that brought the greatest return to your business.

Imagine that. It would require serious discipline (and additional steps), but just think what it could do for your business.

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