Useful Resource

I receive a newsletter from Micheal Beck at xleaders.com and I received an email today that I found really useful.  I have a few different computers that I use (laptop, desk top).  On those computers I have several favorites stored and it’s so annoying when you are looking for one of your favorites only to figure out it’s on the “other” computer.  Plus I use 2 different browsers sometimes (like Fire Fox or Explorer) and so there’s another spot I have favorites saved to. 

There’s a website called xmarks.com.  It will sync and and all of these favorites to one spot and it’s FREE!  Give it a shot unless you rather go on a hunt next time you need your favorite link

Encouragement

“How do you know if a man needs encouragement? If he is breathing.” -Truett Cathy, Founder, Chick-Fil-A

With so many people in the world telling us we can’t succeed, we need to hear people telling us we can. I remember my high school English teacher telling me not to apply to Cornell University because they wouldn’t accept me and even if they did I wouldn’t be able to do the work. (It’s funny that I’m a writer now). I almost didn’t apply but a few days later I saw Ivan Foldfarb, a former teacher, in the hallway and asked him about Cornell. He said, “If you get in, then you go. You can do it.” His words made all the difference. I applied, was accepted and majored in Lacrosse .

Too often we think it’s our role to inject a dose of “reality” into someone’s life. We think it’s our job to protect people from the pain of failure and defeat. We think we must point out how bad the economy is and how horrible the job market is and how the sky is falling. We think that dreams were meant for others.

I say there are enough pessimists and “realists” in the world. The world doesn’t need more negativity and impossible thinkers. The world needs more optimists, encouragers, and inspirers. The world needs more people to speak into the hearts of others and say “I believe in you.” “Follow your passion and live your purpose.” “If you have the desire then you also have the power to make it happen.” “Keep working hard.” “You’re improving and getting better. Keep it up.” “The economy is tough but you can still grow your business.” “The job market is not great but I believe you’ll find the right job for you.” “We’ve hit a lot of obstacles but we’ll get the project finished.” “Even if you fail it will lead to something even better.” “You’re learning and growing.”

When it comes to encouragement I know that everyone of us loves working for and with people who bring out the best in us. We love being around people who uplift us and make us feel great. And while we’ll always remember the negative people who told us we couldn’t accomplish something, we will always cherish and hold a special place in our heart for those who encouraged us.

Today I want to encourage you to be an encourager. So often the difference between success and failure is belief. And so often that belief is instilled in us by someone who encouraged us. Today decide to be that person who instills a positive belief in someone who needs to hear your encouraging words. Uplift someone who is feeling down. Fuel your team with your positive energy. Rally others to focus on what is possible rather than what seems impossible. Share encouragement. It matters and we all need it. Stay Positive! – Jon

 

Taken from Jon Gordon’s Newsletter http://www.jongordon.com/newsletter-081709-encouragement.html

The Greatest Sales Strategy ever!

This was taking from Jon Gordon, author of The Energy Bus and yes he allows you to use his articles I thought it was great!

As a student of people and ideas I have to admit that what two guys are doing in a Northeast Florida Starbucks is absolutely genius.

The other day as I tried to pay for my green tea at my local Starbucks the cashier said, “Don’t worry about it sir. Those guys over there are paying for it today.” She then handed me their business card from a stack by the register. Turns out the guys were wealth management / financial planners who once a week, at different times, will spend a few hours at this Starbucks and buy customers their coffee or tea. Most people, like me, will walk over and thank the gentlemen and walk away with their business card in our pocket.

I thought about how brilliant this was. For many the coffee shop experience has become a right of passage that helps them take on the day. It’s become an emotional experience that makes them feel good. It’s become a bond of love. These financial planners brilliantly connected something people love with a service they offer. Not surprisingly I found out that these men do receive a good number of calls from the Starbucks customers interested in planning for their financial future.

It is said we remember one third of what we read, half of what people tell us and 100 % of how feel. Whether we are watching a commercial, listening to a teacher, or talking to a sales person it is how we feel that impacts us the most. We can’t remember what we ate for lunch a week ago but we can remember where we were on 9-11. We remember how we feel and when it comes to investing our money, buying a product, purchasing insurance or real estate, or choosing a restaurant we will make our choices based on these feelings.

This leads us to the greatest sales strategy ever-but it doesn’t involve coffee. While the Starbucks idea is brilliant it isn’t the best way to build a business. There is a far more powerful strategy to create an emotional connection and foster an emotional memory. It’s so simple and it doesn’t even cost a dime. It’s to love and care about your customers. Caffeine is temporary but a positive emotional experience lasts forever.

Customers do business with people they like and trust and who care about them. When customers feel like they matter and feel cared for they love back with more loyalty, more business and more referrals.

So if you are in sales, and we all are, I encourage you to make loving and caring about your customers your top priority. You don’t have to buy them coffee to connect your product or service with something they love. You can be the connection. You can be the bridge that connects your customer with your product or service. After all, no matter what we are selling, people are always buying our energy and making decisions based on how our energy makes them feel. And while coffee is an energy source that makes people feel good it doesn’t compare to the power of our positive energy. Look out for your customers interests. Show them you care. Do your best for them. Share the love and you’ll be so successful you’ll be able to buy your own coffee shop and give away all the coffee you want.

How do you show your customers you care?
Share your comments on our blog.

Stay Positive!
Jon

Prime Vendor Spots Available

Women In Networking is looking for 10 Prime Vendors for our Woman’s Expo to be held, Sunday, September 21st at the Best Western Concord Inn located in Clinton Township.  Prime vendor fee includes our Early Bird special of $125 PLUS your choice of table location.  Tables are 8ft long and include linen table covering and two chairs.  This special offer is only available until June 15th or when we get our 10, which ever comes first.  Spots are reserved on a first come first serve basis.  We are only allowing ONE vendor per business.  Please go to www.winofmacomb.com for more info and the registration form.

10 Networking questions that work!

1.  How did you get started in the widget business?

2.  What do you enjoy most about your profession?

3.  What seperates you & your company from the competition?

4.  What advice would you give someone just starting in the widget business?

5.  What one thing would you do with your business if you knew you could not fail?

6.  What significant changes have you seen take place in your profession through the years?

7.  What do you see as the coming trends in the widget business?

8.  Describe the strangest or funniest incident you’ve experienced in your business.

9.  What ways have you found to be the most effective for promoting your business?

10.  What one sentence would you like people to use in describing the way you do business?

 

Source:  Endless Referrals by Bob Burg

Who we are!

Women In Networking (WIN) of Macomb County is a business networking  organization dedicated to building our member’s businesses.  We achieve this by passing qualified leads to other members promoting their business to our clients, associates, friends, family and whomever we know that would benefit from the awesome word-of-mouth referrals.  Our purpose is to focus on building personal relationships, leadership and professional development for women business owners through networking, mentoring and social interactions.

Each field of business is limited to one member, giving you the opportunity to exclusively represent and promote your business.  Check out our members!  If the field you work in is not represented we would love to have you join us and tell us about your business.Our meetings are located in Macomb County at  FedEx Kinko’s located at 31980 Gratiot in Roseville.

Networking begans at 8:00am with the meeting starting promptly at 8:15am and ends at 9:15am. 

For more information click here