Tero International, Inc. Your Elite Training Team
Tero International, Inc. Your Elite Training Team
December is a perfect time to do some planning for success in the coming year. Tero's top ten tips listed below cross all levels of organizations, departments and industries in applicability. Try them all for size in December and roll into the New Year a new you. Or take one a week and carefully put into them into practice.
Go out of your way to introduce others so they can expand their networks. Challenge yourself to make at least five introductions each week. This actually strengthens your networking relationships and positions you as someone who "knows everyone". No one forgets who made it possible to meet someone they might not have otherwise encountered - especially when that connection turns into business. Your network is your business "net worth". Grow it!
Find a tailor... but not just any tailor. Seek out one who will take the time to work with you, your shape and your wardrobe - both new and existing. The right hem length, sleeve length, the cut of a jacket and overall fit make the difference between having your clothing wear you instead of the other way around. After all, it takes only seconds for people greeting you to convert their first visual impressions into an evaluation of your credibility and confidence. What does your appearance convey?
What is interesting for people to know about you? Although you want to err on the side of asking open ended questions about others, the time will come when others will want to discover things about you. What is unique to you? What are your roles, responsibilities and reasons for doing what you do? Reflect ahead of time and have some ideas ready so you won't be taken off guard.
When phoning someone, do not make the assumption that just because you got them live that they have time for you. Always ask, "Is this a good time for you to talk?" This is not only a courtesy, but it will help ensure the other person is really present in the conversation with you.
You probably detail your vehicle, but do you take the time to detail yourself? Hair, appropriate makeup (or lack of it), grooming, and clean, pressed clothing announces to attentive you are to detail. And it all starts at the ground floor: Cary Grant stated he learned early in life from his father to never buy anything but the best pair of shoes. Keep them clean and polished. A little sweat equity in your footwear and splurging for the best you can afford, can help you shine for years.
Find an opportunity to videotape yourself speaking. If a picture is worth a thousand words then a video is worth a million. The only way to see and hear yourself as others do is to get on camera. Open posture, balanced stance, and eye contact communicate more trust about your messages and yourself than what you say. Vocal quality (which is relatively easy to adjust) is key to engaging others. Analyze your mannerisms; anything repetitive will become the focus, instead of what you're actually saying.
Listen to people without passing judgment or planning what you are going to say next. Suspend your personal biases long enough to truly understand the other person. Communicate you are listening by monitoring your own body language - leaning forward, nodding, appropriate facial expression, eye contact. Being engaged is engaging... and not soon forgotten.
Use "hello" rather than "hi" and "good-bye" rather than "bye-bye". Take phrases such as "you guys" out of your repertoire. Phrases that are too casual, tenses used incorrectly, and repetitive breaks - uh, um, like - cloud your communication and can make others question your competence.
The opportunity to share space, time and energy with other human beings in the act of greeting is missed if you are not consciously slowing down and being present. Looking in people's eyes, smiling and lining up your posture with theirs allows you to communicate that you value them. People remember vividly those who acknowledge them.
The people you see every day are important, but so are those you may only have a chance to see once or twice a year. Keep track of those you meet. Reach out. Having a stack of quality stationery on top of your desk allows you to pop out a handwritten note in a matter of minutes. Leaving a voicemail a few months down the line just saying you hope all is well is a wonderful way to keep your network alive, sustaining and growing your relationships.
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