Diane Darling's Blog

Bob Kraft's motto

Who is wise? He who learns from all men. Who is rich? He who is happy with his portion. Who is strong? He who controls evil inclinations. Who is honored? He who honors all men.

- Boston Business Journal, March 1, 2012

Deceptive calls from Forbes targeting women business owners?

I actually like advertising .... after all, that's why many people watch the Super Bowl even if they don't like football.

But it's especially aggravating when people call and tell you they want to interview you for Forbes, ask you to send photos, want to hear your business story and .... then tell you have to pay for it.

Just tell me upfront, "I want to sell you adversting." Say that at the beginning of the call - not after I call back and schedule what I think is going to be an interview.

I'm not sure why a prestigious publication like Forbes would do this, but please warn the women business owners in your network. Advertising is advertising!

Be wary of any calls you get from EMI Network posing as Forbes.

Week 02 - "Thank you project" // Who has helped your career?

This week's note .... who has helped your career?

Think of people who have helped your career. For example, someone who wrote a reference for you to get a job or a client. Was there someone who suggested you go for a promotion? Did you write a thank you note? Do they know you got the promotion? Was there someone who write a reference for you to get into grad school?

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Sample #1 - Someone who gave you a job reference

Dear __________,

I was thinking of you the other day when I was at work. I remember how wonderful you were to take the time to write a letter of reference which helped me get the job.

Please let me know if I can be a resource for you at any time.

Best ~ (your name), (your cell #)

 

Sample #2 - Someone who introduced you to a new customer/client

Dear __________,

I was thinking of you the other day when I was meeting with ___________. I remember how wonderful you were to take the time to introduce us.

Please let me know if I can be a resource for you at any time.

Best ~ (your name), (your cell #)

Here's more background about the Thank You Project .... please join me and invite your friends.

Inviting you to join "the thank you project"

• Are you looking to differentiate yourself from your competitors?
• Trying to find a way to reach prospects, donors, or employees?
• Want to save money?

I'm inviting you to join "the thank you project."

According to a U.S. Postal Service survey, the average American receives a personal, handwritten piece of mail once every seven weeks. NBC's Brian Williams reports.

Here's the project ....

• Most of us have notecards somewhere in a drawer
• Find 4 of them - don't over think this. If it turns out you like this project, you can design cards later, get them printed or something else.
• For now ... think SIMPLE and SHORT
• We'll just send notes in January
• Find 4 stamps - again, you probably have them in a drawer. The best part is the USPS now has FOREVER stamps.
• Here are a few of my favorite FOREVER stamps
  • Indy 500
  • Jazz
  • Mark Twain
  • Neon Celebrate
• Use what you have - again, DON'T over think ......
• Now put the stamps on all 4 envelopes
• Write your return address on all 4 envelopes
• Put in your calendar to write a thank you note for the next 4 Fridays
• Each Thursday night I'll post on this blog some sample ideas of what you can write in your note
• Write a note to someone who has helped you that week or just say hello to someone who came to mind and you haven't talked to in awhile

Common mistakes:

• Overthinking
• Trying to say too much - 3-4 lines is plenty
• This simply should say thank you! Not explain anything about you or your business
• Blaming your bad handwriting - just print!
• Concerned you've waited too long - just send it

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Here are an idea for what to write this Friday, January 6th .......

Dear ______________,

Happy New Year! I hope you had a wonderful holiday season.

Just a quick note to say thank you for your business last year. I look forward to being a resource for you in 2012.

Look forward to crossing paths before too long soon.

Best ~ ___________________

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Voila! You're done! More next Friday! And yes, it will be Friday, the 13th

You're investment for this project is:

• Notecards - probably in your drawer
• Stamps - either in your drawer or 44 cents x 4 = a whopping $1.76
• 5 minutes each Friday

I look forward to hearing your results ... and yes, you can send me an email instead of a handwritten note. Just send it to: Diane at EffectiveNetworking dot com or you can send me a Tweet @DianeDarling.

Let's use the hashtag #FridayNotes .....

Before you say, "Can I pick your brain ...."

Here's some good suggestions .....

http://www.forbes.com/sites/work-in-progress/2011/03/28/no-you-cant-pick-my-brain-it-costs-too-much/

Declutter your network

One of the best parts about it getting dark so early is that I get more done. When it's nice outside, the last thing I want to do is stay inside and work.

Now that it's dusk at 4 pm, I'm getting so much work done.

One of my top priorities this winter is to declutter my network. I want to streamline my systems and make them more effective for me and others.

Here are a few tips:

1. Email newsletters. I've created a "Not right now" folder. I also created a "rule" in my email for newsletters to go directly there. I love reading them! But they don't need to be read in real time.
2. Return emails with a phone call. I find when I do this it declutters my inbox, my to-do list, and most importantly .... my brain.
3. Not to-do list. I heard the other day that author of "Good to Great" Jim Collins says that the successful people in the world are people who have a "not to-do list." This makes so much sense.
4. Who makes you feel good. Write a list of people who make you feel good about yourself. This doesn't mean they tell you you're perfect. But they are just nice. Schedule something with them sooner rather than later.
5. Organize your business cards. For me, it's overwhelming and when I get behind it's really not pretty. I try ... the operative word is TRY to organize the cards I receive at least once a week.

Enjoy! ~ Diane 

Aggressive networkers and how to deal with them ...

I'm jazzed to attend an upcoming conference and found it intriguing that attendees have been asked ahead of time to abstain from "aggressive networking."

As someone who writes and teaches networking skills, it got me thinking. Well certainly something must have come up in order for the organizers to feel they needed to explicitly state this.

As Thomas Paine said, "The funny thing about common sense is that it's not that common."

So here are my thoughts on what is aggressive networking and some appropriate solutions:

• Premature business card exchange. It unnerves me when someone asks for my card before we've even had a conversation. I politely give it but cautiously what is going to happen next. Yes at a conference there are networking opportunities. However, your first priority should be to learn and to share knowledge. When you have an authentic conversation (more on that next), ask yourself if there is something further you would like to share. Ideally it's more than an attachment or brochure about your company. After that interaction has happened, then it is time to exchange business cards.
• Not having authentic conversations. Small talk is appropriate and polite. It often leads into authentic conversations where you find out what you have in common. Don't rush! Networking is NOT sales. Leave that conversation to a later venue.  
• Monopolizing conversations. Most people are thrilled when they meet someone who interests them. It is tempting to hang out with them. However if it's awkward for the other person to leave the conversation, perhaps you are too intense. Watch your body language. Don't stand square at someone and box them in. Be sure others walking by can join the conversation and your body languages indicates that. After 5-8 minutes, consider moving on and talking with others.
• Talking too long about yourself or business. Indeed people you know will ask for an update and people you meet will ask what you do. Have a brief response (2-3 sentences and no more than 60 seconds). Keep your conversations focused on the event. Ask what speakers they have found interesting? And be sure to ask about them.
• Disrespecting private time. The restroom is a place to .... rest and well where you find some relief! This is not the time to start a conversation. Especially if they are walking in. The same is true if someone is on the phone. (If you need to make a call during a conference, please leave the room!)
• Not following up. I find it aggressive (and candidly unprofessional) if someone says they're going to follow up on our conversation and they don't. Or worse, if they follow up and only talk about themselves. Set aside 90 minutes after the event. Because you've focused on quality interactions, not quantity, you can easily send an email (or even snail mail) each person you met.

What are your thoughts about "aggressive networking" and how to deal with it?

What's worse when networking .... bad handshake or bad breath? Plz vote!

What a great way to get people to pay attention to the "flight attendants"

During these busy holiday travel days .... take a minute to enjoy this .... Cheers, Diane 

 

Just 13, Framingham boy is already a social media guru - The Boston Globe

CAMBRIDGE — Lane Sutton is tweeting from the second row of a social media conference at the Microsoft campus here in Kendall Square. He’s armed with an iPad and iPhone, and a consulting pitch he can deliver in a smooth minute.

via www.boston.com

I'm incredibly lucky to know Lane and his parents personally. It's great to see the creativity and curiosity of the up-and-coming generation.