Professional development

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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Time management is all about guarding your time

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Effective time management strategies start with guarding your time If you’re like most business people, you’ve heard and read quite a bit about time management. A refresher is always useful, however. This one is brief but still helpful. First, let’s take a look at some of the most egregious time wasters. The following information comes … Read more

Take the initiative at work – and set yourself apart

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> Inspired by the book, “1001 Ways To Take Initiative At Work,” by Bob Nelson, I try to encourage you to take the initiative. Doing so makes your business a better place, and can result in positive steps for you. I’m only through the first section now, but in there we learn that: 1. Common … Read more