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Add You - The Nuts & Bolts of Networking
There is a measurable difference in the world of writing between fairy tales and folklore. Folklore is defined as a set of widely held beliefs that are generally false but have their roots in the truth, while fairy tales are a genre that deals specifically with unrealistic and totally imaginary scenarios and characters.Folklore, although usually starting out with some basis in truth is passed along from generation to generation, with a focus on exaggeration, and a folklore, sometimes called a folk tale, can become almost similar to a fairy tale by the time it's told several times through several generations. Once this happens, a folk tale sometimes will be called a 'tall tale.'This type of 'tale telling' is apparent many times in the world of marketing. Although some facts exist, as facts are replicated millions of times over, they take on a folklore-type flavor, and the grain of truth to be had, or the lesson that should be learned, is lost in the exaggeration and the presentation of the marketing principles.A good analogy is a folk tale that started becoming popular somewhere back in the 1990's. It was passed around almost religiously as a 'fact' on dating sites and in guides for single men on 'how' to find a 'reliable single woman.' It's very hard to trace the roots of this particular folk tale, but in
The final element of the introduction is the business card exchange. Be
Previously, we talked about how most DME medical billing software programs have report generation capabilities and discussed the basics of how data is pulled in these programs. In this installment we're going to discuss some advanced medical billing report concepts. If you think you won't use some of this, you haven't been in the business long enough.One of the most common reports is patient labels. The reason is simple. When you are billing a patient, you don't want to have to address each envelop by hand. But because medical billing software is not a label making program, this function is usually neglected as far as making it part of the program itself. So what they do is include a report generator that will print out patient records in a format that will fit on a mailing label. Some programs include the actual format. Others make it so that you have to provide the format yourself, meaning you have to go into the report generator and program the label format yourself.The way most programs all you to do this is simple. You go to the report generator, pull up the database you want to use, then designate the fields you want to print. You will then be given a graphical layout that will allow you to place these fields on the printed page the way you want. To specify a label format you will have to duplicate t
Think of a computer network. You are the central server. Whenever you come across another server with information you wish to access, you need to build a connection with routers and cabling to reach the information contained on that server’s hard drive. The router is the method or the person who referred you to the new server and the cables are the relationship that was built between you and the new server in order to easily access that information.
Why is networking so important? Have you ever heard the phrase, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Truer words were never spoken. By building positive relationships with a variety of people both in and out of your chosen career field, you may find a whole world of new opportunities that you can begin to explore. Networking is probably the most important skillset you can possess in your career, business and life in general. Networking allows you access to people and resources that you may not otherwise have had prior contact with. Through the proper use of networking skills, you will be in a position to weave your way through the intricate infrastructure of corporate America. For professional women, this could mean that the infamous “glass ceiling” could literally disappear. Your career options become limitless and getting your foot in the door becomes effortless.
Networking makes you visible to potential employers, your current management and other business connections. If you have a job where you’re stuck in a closed-in cubicle all day with little interaction with your co-workers, what is it that sets you apart from any other caged employee come time for annual review? Believe it or not, your performance is secondary to the attitude and personality that you display during those rare occasions that you do have the opportunity for some sort of social interaction. Almost every company participates in a form of employee appreciation to help promote corporate culture. These are usually company-sponsored events like department parties, holiday celebrations or summer picnics. Employees who actively participate in these types of events are much more likely to climb the corporate ladder and receive higher incremental raises than employees who never attend. This is because the actively participating employee shows his/her management that they are a team player, fully engaged in their commitment to their position which results in the building of a clearly visible and viable relationship.
Some other reasons learning to network is important are that you are can explore your chosen career and examine its outlook, connect with and learn from others in the industry, learn and start using industry-specific jargon and get support and additional leads and referrals to aid you in your job search. Networking can vastly narrow your target list of potential employers and help you to maintain employability in an uncertain job market.
So we know what networking is; now how do you do it? Networking is actually a lot easier than it seems. We do it every single day. When you nod your head to a stranger whom you have happened to have made eye contact with, or saying a casual hello to your neighbor or even smiling at the driver in the next car who is bopping his head to some beat; these are all examples of the very first stage of networking – greeting and acknowledgement. So in the first stage, you are simply establishing contact. Greet and acknowledge the person you are attempting to network with. “Hello”, “Good morning”, “Happy Friday!”, “Hey!”, “What’s up?” In whatever manner is the most appropriate given the situation and the person you are addressing, you must first establish that contact by acknowledging them with a greeting.
The second stage is the introduction. In this stage, you are exchanging information about one another in order to begin building a relationship. The introduction is the most crucial and the most difficult stage in the networking process. It is composed of several elements: the name exchange, the elevator speech and business card exchange. The name exchange sounds simple enough but you would be surprised by how many people actually forget to give the other person their name. So get into the habit of stating your name and position first whenever you meet someone new. “Hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker.” Or “hello, my name is George and I work in real estate” or “Good morning, I’m Pat O’Hara. I’m an investment banker.” You should say this as clear and concise as possible. Be prepared to repeat or even spell difficult or uncommon names, especially in loud, crowded places. Also, if the other person doesn’t immediately offer their own name and title, make sure that you ask them “what is your name?”
Once you have exchanged names, you must then further build on the new relationship by telling the person why they should care to remember you. What do you do? Usually your job title isn’t clear enough to give people a good idea of what you really do. This is where an elevator speech becomes important. Your elevator speech is a minute or less introduction of you and your business or career. It should be interesting enough to capture their attention but not so detailed that there isn’t further room left for conversation. Also, you don’t want to go much longer than a minute as then it can become boring. Once you have delivered your elevator speech, you should then ask the other person, using their name, what it is they do? For instance, “okay, Claudia, so what do you do?” An example of a full introduction sounds like this, “hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker. I specialize in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. I have a special passion for single working mothers because I am a member of that group. So, what is your name and what do you do?” You should write out a good elevator speech and practice it several times until it is committed to memory.
The final element of the introduction is the business card exchange. Bef
Money is important to the start-up and growth of your business. Money is a necessary consideration in your business.There are three things to think about in terms of money. First, how much of it you have versus how much of it you need. Second, how you are going to finance your business, and, third, how you feel about money.First, how much money do you have to put into your business? If you said $0, that’s ok, and I’ll show you why in a second.Now, let’s think about how much you are going to need to finance your business. Think of all of the things you are going to need to run your business. What equipment do you need? Do you need to hire employees? Do you need services? Write down everything that you need for your business along with how much it costs.Look at the difference between how much you have and how much you need.Now, think about how you’re going to finance your business.I’ve self-funded both of my businesses. Meaning, I didn’t take out a loan for either venture. I used money that I made working a full-time job, I did use credit cards for some of my cash-flow, and I also used money that my husband and I had left after family and personal expenses. Self-funding is definitely a viable option.You can also look into financing through a bank. Set up an appointment at a local bank
Networking makes you visible to potential employers, your current management and other business connections. If you have a job where you’re stuck in a closed-in cubicle all day with little interaction with your co-workers, what is it that sets you apart from any other caged employee come time for annual review? Believe it or not, your performance is secondary to the attitude and personality that you display during those rare occasions that you do have the opportunity for some sort of social interaction. Almost every company participates in a form of employee appreciation to help promote corporate culture. These are usually company-sponsored events like department parties, holiday celebrations or summer picnics. Employees who actively participate in these types of events are much more likely to climb the corporate ladder and receive higher incremental raises than employees who never attend. This is because the actively participating employee shows his/her management that they are a team player, fully engaged in their commitment to their position which results in the building of a clearly visible and viable relationship.
Some other reasons learning to network is important are that you are can explore your chosen career and examine its outlook, connect with and learn from others in the industry, learn and start using industry-specific jargon and get support and additional leads and referrals to aid you in your job search. Networking can vastly narrow your target list of potential employers and help you to maintain employability in an uncertain job market.
So we know what networking is; now how do you do it? Networking is actually a lot easier than it seems. We do it every single day. When you nod your head to a stranger whom you have happened to have made eye contact with, or saying a casual hello to your neighbor or even smiling at the driver in the next car who is bopping his head to some beat; these are all examples of the very first stage of networking – greeting and acknowledgement. So in the first stage, you are simply establishing contact. Greet and acknowledge the person you are attempting to network with. “Hello”, “Good morning”, “Happy Friday!”, “Hey!”, “What’s up?” In whatever manner is the most appropriate given the situation and the person you are addressing, you must first establish that contact by acknowledging them with a greeting.
The second stage is the introduction. In this stage, you are exchanging information about one another in order to begin building a relationship. The introduction is the most crucial and the most difficult stage in the networking process. It is composed of several elements: the name exchange, the elevator speech and business card exchange. The name exchange sounds simple enough but you would be surprised by how many people actually forget to give the other person their name. So get into the habit of stating your name and position first whenever you meet someone new. “Hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker.” Or “hello, my name is George and I work in real estate” or “Good morning, I’m Pat O’Hara. I’m an investment banker.” You should say this as clear and concise as possible. Be prepared to repeat or even spell difficult or uncommon names, especially in loud, crowded places. Also, if the other person doesn’t immediately offer their own name and title, make sure that you ask them “what is your name?”
Once you have exchanged names, you must then further build on the new relationship by telling the person why they should care to remember you. What do you do? Usually your job title isn’t clear enough to give people a good idea of what you really do. This is where an elevator speech becomes important. Your elevator speech is a minute or less introduction of you and your business or career. It should be interesting enough to capture their attention but not so detailed that there isn’t further room left for conversation. Also, you don’t want to go much longer than a minute as then it can become boring. Once you have delivered your elevator speech, you should then ask the other person, using their name, what it is they do? For instance, “okay, Claudia, so what do you do?” An example of a full introduction sounds like this, “hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker. I specialize in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. I have a special passion for single working mothers because I am a member of that group. So, what is your name and what do you do?” You should write out a good elevator speech and practice it several times until it is committed to memory.
The final element of the introduction is the business card exchange. Be
Attracting the attention of young and old alike is a goal of any kind of professional printing services, whether it involves letters/letterhead, brochures, flyers, web pages, or poster. A bright and vibrant, yet easy to read and communicative presentation is a must. What’s the solution when you need to get a lot of information across in a short amount of time? The answer is simple, poster of course. A simple poster can communicate a wealth of ideas using simple use of color and aesthetic design. Grand opening events, special occasions, big sales, or even big family events would make a perfect application for a well designed and implemented poster.Imagine attracting new customer and new clients with a big “GRAND OPENING” poster outside of a newly opened store, or to draw in a range of customers and/or clients who would otherwise not stop. A simple poster with the proper sale information and/or grand opening information can generate a great boost in sales and customer base. Posters in sizes ranging from 11” x 17” up to 24” x 36” (depending on retailer), and range in price(s) based on the quantity of the poster needed. Practical application for smaller posters can include to post at any given public place to attract the attention of passersby thereby drawing them in to your business. An important aspect to keep in mind when cr
Some other reasons learning to network is important are that you are can explore your chosen career and examine its outlook, connect with and learn from others in the industry, learn and start using industry-specific jargon and get support and additional leads and referrals to aid you in your job search. Networking can vastly narrow your target list of potential employers and help you to maintain employability in an uncertain job market.
So we know what networking is; now how do you do it? Networking is actually a lot easier than it seems. We do it every single day. When you nod your head to a stranger whom you have happened to have made eye contact with, or saying a casual hello to your neighbor or even smiling at the driver in the next car who is bopping his head to some beat; these are all examples of the very first stage of networking – greeting and acknowledgement. So in the first stage, you are simply establishing contact. Greet and acknowledge the person you are attempting to network with. “Hello”, “Good morning”, “Happy Friday!”, “Hey!”, “What’s up?” In whatever manner is the most appropriate given the situation and the person you are addressing, you must first establish that contact by acknowledging them with a greeting.
The second stage is the introduction. In this stage, you are exchanging information about one another in order to begin building a relationship. The introduction is the most crucial and the most difficult stage in the networking process. It is composed of several elements: the name exchange, the elevator speech and business card exchange. The name exchange sounds simple enough but you would be surprised by how many people actually forget to give the other person their name. So get into the habit of stating your name and position first whenever you meet someone new. “Hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker.” Or “hello, my name is George and I work in real estate” or “Good morning, I’m Pat O’Hara. I’m an investment banker.” You should say this as clear and concise as possible. Be prepared to repeat or even spell difficult or uncommon names, especially in loud, crowded places. Also, if the other person doesn’t immediately offer their own name and title, make sure that you ask them “what is your name?”
Once you have exchanged names, you must then further build on the new relationship by telling the person why they should care to remember you. What do you do? Usually your job title isn’t clear enough to give people a good idea of what you really do. This is where an elevator speech becomes important. Your elevator speech is a minute or less introduction of you and your business or career. It should be interesting enough to capture their attention but not so detailed that there isn’t further room left for conversation. Also, you don’t want to go much longer than a minute as then it can become boring. Once you have delivered your elevator speech, you should then ask the other person, using their name, what it is they do? For instance, “okay, Claudia, so what do you do?” An example of a full introduction sounds like this, “hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker. I specialize in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. I have a special passion for single working mothers because I am a member of that group. So, what is your name and what do you do?” You should write out a good elevator speech and practice it several times until it is committed to memory.
The final element of the introduction is the business card exchange. Be
I love my clients and agents! It is so comforting to know that they are my ultimate clients. They want to grow. Each of them desire not only to have me work with them but also to partner with them. In addition, they each want someone who is committed to their organization for a lengthy period of time, and they want someone who is available to do work consistently...In this Season of Giving, I have been thinking about how I give to my clients and how they give to me. From weekly updates to meeting once a week even for 5 minutes to keep in touch, this simple "keeping in touch" is what makes partnerships with them possible and what makes them thrive. We encourage each other when we are having a rougher time and congratulate one another on our accomplishments.When there is a change in the amount of connection between a client and I, it greatly impacts both the synergy of our team and momentum of their business as well as my business. And that proves to me that having a partnership with anyone takes consistent working on both parts.An agent of mine is upping the amount of contact she has with her clients. At least once a month, she is going take at least 15 minutes of time finding out what is new in their lives as well as if there is anything she can help them with. I think this is a great way to add value.squo;s up?” In whatever manner is the most appropriate given the situation and the person you are addressing, you must first establish that contact by acknowledging them with a greeting.
The second stage is the introduction. In this stage, you are exchanging information about one another in order to begin building a relationship. The introduction is the most crucial and the most difficult stage in the networking process. It is composed of several elements: the name exchange, the elevator speech and business card exchange. The name exchange sounds simple enough but you would be surprised by how many people actually forget to give the other person their name. So get into the habit of stating your name and position first whenever you meet someone new. “Hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker.” Or “hello, my name is George and I work in real estate” or “Good morning, I’m Pat O’Hara. I’m an investment banker.” You should say this as clear and concise as possible. Be prepared to repeat or even spell difficult or uncommon names, especially in loud, crowded places. Also, if the other person doesn’t immediately offer their own name and title, make sure that you ask them “what is your name?”
Once you have exchanged names, you must then further build on the new relationship by telling the person why they should care to remember you. What do you do? Usually your job title isn’t clear enough to give people a good idea of what you really do. This is where an elevator speech becomes important. Your elevator speech is a minute or less introduction of you and your business or career. It should be interesting enough to capture their attention but not so detailed that there isn’t further room left for conversation. Also, you don’t want to go much longer than a minute as then it can become boring. Once you have delivered your elevator speech, you should then ask the other person, using their name, what it is they do? For instance, “okay, Claudia, so what do you do?” An example of a full introduction sounds like this, “hello, my name is Niquenya D. Fulbright and I’m an executive life coach and professional speaker. I specialize in motivating small business owners, entrepreneurs and individuals in a career or life transition to use their innate abilities to master their goals and achieve successes beyond their wildest dreams. I have a special passion for single working mothers because I am a member of that group. So, what is your name and what do you do?” You should write out a good elevator speech and practice it several times until it is committed to memory.
The final element of the introduction is the business card exchange. Be
In Guys and Dolls, there is a character named Nicely Nicely Johnson. Perhaps most memorably portrayed by Stubby Kaye, Nicely Nicely earned his name by always responding to “how are you?” with “nicely nicely thank you.”I am concerned that nice people will soon be placed on the endangered species list. Certainly, I know nice people, but when I watch people’s behavior, I can’t help but recall humorist Dave Barry’s insight, “A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person.” I think we could all use a little more nicely nicely.The behavioral qualities associated with being nice are not difficult to employ. They may come naturally to some, but for me, it can take a little conscious effort. I have attempted to define those qualities in a “N-I-C-E” way. Perhaps if they are more easily remember, they will be more likely employed.To be NICE involves:N – Be Non-judgmental Most of the time, conflict and stress is the result judgment. Being non-judgmental makes life much easier.I – Be Interested People’s lives are truly fascinating. Show a bit of interest and most will share wonderful stories.C – Be Complimentary Chris Rock said, “There are only three things women need in life: food, water and compliments.” It’s true for men, too. People are hungry for sin
The final element of the introduction is the business card exchange. Before you break away from a successful contact, make sure that you request the other person’s business card and give them yours too. You should also write down a few key points from your conversation on the other person’s card. Some things that will be important are where you were when you met them and any personal information that could help you to identify who they are. If they mentioned they are married or have a few kids, this would be important to jot down for use in follow-up conversations.
The final stage of networking is follow-up. This is where you take all of the business cards that you have collected and send a quick email or snail mail letter to the individual. It should read something like “Hello Claudia, I really enjoyed meeting you at the annual Church Bizarre. It is so nice to meet someone else who is also interested in playing paintball. Maybe one day we can get together to build a team. We can even bring our kids. I know you said your daughter would definitely be interested. I actually know of an event coming up in April. I can forward you that information if you like. Please let me know if there is ever anything that I can do for you. I look forward to connecting with you again in the future, Sincerely Niquenya D. Fulbright.” At the end of your email or letter, make sure to include your signature with title, company and contact information. This is really important to maintain visibility in this new relationship. You should continue to send periodic quick notes to the other person over time. It is a good idea to notify them of special events and important updates about your own business too. Be careful not to spam your new contact by gaining their permission prior to sending out any frequently distributed newsletters or adding them to any mailing lists. You can even invite them out to a coffee or tea date to discuss mutually beneficial projects as well.
So you know what networking is and why it is important and I’ve even given you some ideas on how to do it. Now where do you start? First, join as many networking groups as possible. Organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, your local church or neighborhood community councils, political fundraisers and others are excellent forums for establishing new relationships and often host events specifically geared to this purpose. When choosing a networking group, rather online or offline, there are several factors you must consider. These include whether membership is free or by fee, the size of the group, its growth potential and the quality of contacts within the current member base. Pick and choose your groups based upon your intended purpose and whether it is a cost-effective solution based upon your budget.
Get into the habit of going through the networking stages everywhere you go, even at the bus stop. Participate in all company functions, be they holidays, birthdays, bowling, picnics or whatever. Volunteering is also a great way to build relationships through networking. Relationships are essential to life. No man is an island, therefore, without relationships, we can not breathe. Never discount a connection even if you can not see an immediate use for the new contact. The situation may change for either or both of you. It is not unlikely that this person could offer you a referral 5-10 years down the line. By maintaining follow-up contact, you are essentially doubling your own network by gaining access to theirs.
Make sure you reach out and touch someone today. Make a commitment to establishing 10 new contacts, 10 new connections, 10 new relationships each day. And follow-up!
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