Join master business coach Michelle Landis, as she strives to create success and abundance for every business owner with the ActionCOACH method of focus, accountability, and results. Visit our weekly Q & A session as Ms. Landis tackles real questions on a variety of issues - and provides you with answers that will BRING RESULTS for your company!
Question of the Week: ?I know that networking can be used as leverage in the small business world, but I have a fairly shy and laid back personality. What do you suggest??
Coach Michelle: In the world of small business, you just can?t afford to be shy. The point and click cyber-shopping age we have entered in, coupled with difficult economic times, demands that the ?alpha? in you emerge. But it need not be that awkward of an endeavor.
Most of us start out our lives with a good dose of shyness. Age and experience tend to reduce that tendency, and we reach a point where we allow ourselves to become more open and accept that others may not view us in the light we wish - and hey, that?s just life.
So here are some great tips to help you beat that shyness and network with an outgoing confidence!
Tip #1: Remember to smile
Smiling always makes you appear more approachable and encourages people to interact with you. Smiling also gives the impression that you are a happy, confident person which is important as most people want to do business with a confident owner.
Tip #2: Dress well
Take a little extra time with your appearance. It?s certainly not going to make or break a deal (we hope) but it will give you an extra measure of confidence if you know you look professional and together. Remember to wear comfortable shoes!
Tip #3: Practice Your Responses Ahead of Time
You don?t want to go into a networking session sounding like you are reading from a script, but going over in your head - or even better, out loud - before a meeting will help you remember your objectives in networking.? Try and think of what YOU would ask another owner about their business, then apply it to yourself. Also keep in your pocket a series of questions you would ask of others. This will help you with opening the lines of communication and keeping a conversation moving forward.
Tip #4: Utilize Positive Thinking
Much of the process to overcome shyness is replacing negative thoughts about yourself with positive thoughts. Before any meeting, think of all the things about yourself that you feel are an asset. Believe me, there are more than you think.
****
Remember that many of life?s experiences require some risk of failure - never let that risk stop you. It happens to everyone at some point. Some of our greatest successes come through the process of an initial failure - by learning from our mistakes and then re-working an angle.
About the Author, Michelle Landis
Michelle is a certified Master Business Coach and owner of ActionCOACH of Greater Lehigh Valley/Berks. She is an educator and a business professional with over 25 years experience in the business world running both small and medium sized businesses. She has an extensive background in education, executive management, sales & marketing, operations and entrepreneurial pursuits that include international consulting in China, extensive teaching and educational endeavors as well as executive leadership roles with General Electric, Dun & Bradstreet and Armstrong World Industries. Her leadership skills have delivered over $58 million to the bottom line. Get a BUSINESS HEALTH CHECK with Michelle or connect with Michelle on FACEBOOK, join her on LinkedIn or follow her on Twitter.
new years wake forest wake forest old dominion insync the duchess the duchess
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.