Whether you're building your career or an independent business, your network is one of your most important resources.
Where can you find a network? They’re everywhere. Chambers of commerce basically exist to help their members network. Most chambers offer opportunities for you to network with others in your business or line of work, as well as opportunities to network more broadly with people who may eventually become your clients or customers. Consider joining more than one chamber to expand your potential opportunities.
There are also business groups, in just about every community, that exist specifically for the purpose of networking. Business to Business (B2B) groups hold functions designed to facilitate business people meeting one another. “Leads” groups meet regularly so members can exchange good leads they’ve identified in the past week. These groups usually limit the number of members from one particular line of work so the chances of each member getting at least one good lead per week is pretty good.
Business and professional associations don’t just offer you growth and development within your field; they present another great opportunity for networking. When you become involved in these groups you get opportunities to participate with others in your line of work. You get to know them and they get to know you. When you actively participate in what are usually volunteer activities in these groups you are demonstrating more than your knowledge, skills and abilities. You are demonstrating your willingness to step up and your abilities as a team player. These can pay you back in many ways.
What are your stories of success with networking?
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
How Do You Behave At Work?
How do you behave at work? How much attention do you pay to the things you do - the attention you pay to the people you work with or the customers and others you engage throughout a typical day?
How you behave every day is every bit as important to your success as how smart you are, how talented you are and the qualifications you bring to your job. Positive behavior – behaving yourself - is not just “nice to do”; it is essential to your personal and organizational success.
At its core, this is an important way to show respect for others. Showing respect includes sensitivity to how your behavior can affect someone else’s state of mind. We’re all impacted by the moods and actions of others. We’ve all experienced being lifted up by someone whose energy is high and who is focused on positive results. And we’ve all been brought down by the person who drags the room down, bemoaning the latest misery of life.
I’m not suggesting that you be a Pollyanna or “put on a happy face” when you’re feeling down or if something serious or emotionally difficult is going on in your life. Just don’t bring it into your workplace or business dealings.
It’s just NOT okay to divert a business conversation or the business of your workplace with your own personal gloom. If you are having a bad day you have every right to feel bad. What you do not have is the right to make others feel bad as well. We all know that misery loves company, but it’s really not the kind of company most of us look forward to entertaining.
“What can I do about it?” people often ask. If I’m feeling down how am I supposed to act like I’m not? Actors know that emotions and actions are closely related. Each can affect the other. Just as emotions can impact one’s physical presence and body language, what the body does can also affect emotions. So you CAN lift your spirits by doing something positive – be aware of your physical stature and facial gestures. Do something nice for someone. It won’t just make the other person feel good; it will make you feel good too.
What are the things you do to deal with your own or others’ “not so good” behavior. Add a comment.
How you behave every day is every bit as important to your success as how smart you are, how talented you are and the qualifications you bring to your job. Positive behavior – behaving yourself - is not just “nice to do”; it is essential to your personal and organizational success.
At its core, this is an important way to show respect for others. Showing respect includes sensitivity to how your behavior can affect someone else’s state of mind. We’re all impacted by the moods and actions of others. We’ve all experienced being lifted up by someone whose energy is high and who is focused on positive results. And we’ve all been brought down by the person who drags the room down, bemoaning the latest misery of life.
I’m not suggesting that you be a Pollyanna or “put on a happy face” when you’re feeling down or if something serious or emotionally difficult is going on in your life. Just don’t bring it into your workplace or business dealings.
It’s just NOT okay to divert a business conversation or the business of your workplace with your own personal gloom. If you are having a bad day you have every right to feel bad. What you do not have is the right to make others feel bad as well. We all know that misery loves company, but it’s really not the kind of company most of us look forward to entertaining.
“What can I do about it?” people often ask. If I’m feeling down how am I supposed to act like I’m not? Actors know that emotions and actions are closely related. Each can affect the other. Just as emotions can impact one’s physical presence and body language, what the body does can also affect emotions. So you CAN lift your spirits by doing something positive – be aware of your physical stature and facial gestures. Do something nice for someone. It won’t just make the other person feel good; it will make you feel good too.
What are the things you do to deal with your own or others’ “not so good” behavior. Add a comment.
Saturday, June 12, 2010
Managers as Mediators - June 29, 2010 in Albany, NY
Conflict in the workplace costs businesses and organizations untold dollars in lost work time and lost opportunity. Managers who know the tools of mediation can bring disputing staff together to resolve clashes that produce nothing useful and, at the worst, can escalate into grievances, litigation and even violence. Learn more at http://stagerightorg.com/mediation.asp. Watch a video at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHVMQNwwnV4.
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