Professional development

Craft thoughtful messages after business networking events

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If you’re a regular reader of my blog, you know I value the power of networking. Because business relationships often begin at the personal level–the prospect has to like and trust you before he’ll buy from you–it is so important to establish those professional connections. Business networking opportunities provide one forum.

But after the networking event or other meeting, do you send a message? Is it thoughtful and insightful, or just another plug for your business? Leave a positive impression with a good message.

Start your message by reviewing the ideas or concepts you and the other person discussed. Include some of the finer points about the person that you observed. These can be personality or presentation (speaking) traits, as well as business skills you noticed. This way you recap the discussion and compliment the person at the same time.

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How to be more motivated

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Lack of motivation can be addressed with structure, direction

Do you sometimes lack motivation to work on your projects? Ever experience one of those days when you have no motivation to do anything? Some days you just can’t bring yourself to boot up that computer or dig into your pile of work. All of us do on occasion. How do you get over that “hump” and get going?

 Plant on handThese 4 tips should help get your morning started right and help you stay motivated throughout your day.

1. Develop an agenda. Unless you are highly disciplined, a day without structure can cause aimlessness. Your mind wanders. You look around the room for something else to do. (Hey, the newspaper looks pretty inviting, doesn’t it?) You start surfing the sports or gossip websites. You need structure in your day. You need an agenda.

As I discuss in another column, an agenda plots out your day in set increments. An agenda dictates what you will work on and when. You stay focused on the various tasks you’ve set out for yourself. At the end of the day you realize you’ve accomplished quite a bit. Even more amazing, you look back and remember how you suffered a lack of motivation earlier in the day.

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Be a teacher and a student

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Study the material with an eye toward offering it to others If you’re serious about being successful in business–and I’m sure you are–you understand the value of continuing education. I’m not referring to professional continuing ed. That’s important, too. Instead, I’m talking about the programs you buy or otherwise acquire to help you build and … Read more

Commit to maintaining good listening skills

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Good listening skills start with listening well

When you’re listening to someone speak, especially someone up close, do you really listen? That is, are you paying attention? Do you let the person speak, or do you interrupt repeatedly?

listening well, the art of listening well

This notion of listening well came to me during a social event I attended recently. Throughout the event, I met and spoke with several people. Some I hadn’t seen in decades; others were new to me. In each case I was interested in learning about them: where they are from, what they’re up to, and such. Often I would find myself eager to break into the conversation to add a thought. I had to stop myself, though, to prevent from interrupting.

The art  of listening well starts with actually listening. As the old adage goes, “The good Lord gave you two ears and one mouth. Use them in that proportion.”

People have a tendency to jump into a conversation and offer their opinions. Other times they’ll cut in an attempt to finish the other person’s thought. While that behavior is annoying enough in general conversation, it can have really adverse effects in business settings.

Here are some suggestions for listening well:

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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.