| Greetings!
Remember that old Bugs Bunny cartoon where Elmer Fudd said it? Your goose is cooked - duck!
I was thinking about that as I surfed around looking for something - ANYTHING original about holiday networking. Nothing. Nein nicht nada.
In fact I got into kind of a funk. My GOSH (didn't say gosh) Isn't anyone out there doing something fresh and new??
This looks like a job for Super Networker! Stay tuned for the upcoming adventures of the business world's first super hero!
And just for fun, I'm also sharing my own personal favorite Thanksgiving Story - It really happened in our family and I promise you WON'T believe it.
Enjoy!
Karen
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Ask Karen - Answers to Your Burning Questions
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Here's this month's question:
What am I doing wrong? I attend networking events; dinners, have coffee
with otters but they don't turn out to be clients. If fact, I end
listening more to what they are selling.
Well, there are a couple of things that could be going wrong here.
My guess is that you may be going out looking for clients and that's actually a poor strategy. OK, let me explain that.
Most people do go networking with the intent of finding new clients but by doing so they're missing out entirely on the golden rolodex - the "people they know" I would suggest that you completely avoid selling to anyone you are speaking with at a networking event - or even a business meeting - unless they have specifically asked you for more information because they might want what you have.
If you remember when you're talking with people that you want to help the people that they know, you will eliminate that awkward "he's trying to sell me" thinking going on inside the head of the person you are speaking with.
"I'm looking for parents with teenagers" is much more effective than, "Do you need car insurance" because now the listener may start to think of other people who may be in that situation that you can help. I hope that makes sense.
Now when I'm being directly sold to, I diffuse this by asking, "What kind of client are you looking for?" This doesn't obligate me to find this person a referral, it takes the "sales pressure" off (most of the time) and sometimes that person is looking for the kinds of people who are my ideal clients too. This opens up the possibility of starting a relationship with the intention of sharing client databases - providing of course this is someone you can trust with your clients.
Networking should be thought of as growing your business by helping other people. When you train yourself to approach EVERY business conversation you have in this manner, you will be amazed with how many new clients magically come your way.
If you have any questions about networking or marketing, feel free to contact me by email or call and leave a message at 925-279-1004. I may answer your question in the next mid month issue of networking news.
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| Karen's Monthly Musing
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When Thanksgiving Turkey Goes Wrong - Horribly Wrong
When I married my husband, I knew that they were, well, food preparation challenged. My husband isn't allowed in the kitchen anymore and anyone who's known me for awhile knows the popcorn story and why that's so.
But what I didn't know was that this inability to prepare food had also infected his sister.
One of our first Thanksgivings together was especially memorable.
Now, you have to understand that at the time, my sister in law lived in San Rafael in a home nestled in the hills with lots of trees and narrow twisty roads. Getting up there was always an adventure. It's also interesting to note that my sister in law and her entire family was on a first name basis with most of the members of their local fire department - because they set things on fire in the kitchen so often.
Anyway, back to my story.
This year we were running late because I had forgotten a special bottle of wine I wanted to share and we'd gone back home to get it.
Dinner was supposed to be served at 4:00 and we finally arrived at 3:30. As we walked down the path to their front door, we were greeted by my sister in law yelling, "Gang way - watch out - coming through" and out of the front door she ran with a pot of heavily smoking artichokes. Little did we know what was in store.
As we walked in the kitchen, we noticed on the table a completely uncooked totally raw - turkey. (Remember dinner was supposed to be ready in a half an hour?)
"Oh don't worry" they said, "we're barbecuing the turkey and it only takes 45 minutes"
Except the barbecue hadn't been started yet.
It seems they were just getting to that when they discovered that the briquettes were wet. So rather than going to the store and getting new ones they decided that they had a solution to getting those wet briquettes to ignite - - - gasoline!
So, just imagine if you will a wooden porch, with overhanging pine trees. Yeah.
After a dose of gasoline, they were right - the briquettes did light - shooting 3 foot high flames onto the eves of the wooden house. So they put the lid on the Weber and proceeded to wrap the turkey in aluminum foil.
"Don't worry, this is how we had planned on cooking it anyway."
Finally as it was getting dark they were ready to put the turkey on the grill. Quickly they opened the lid. The column of flame shot up anew and they literally threw the turkey on the grill and slammed the lid down.
After a few minutes we saw seriously angry flames shooting out of every air hole in the barbecue. Some were leaking out between the top and bottom of the Weber. The fat in the turkey had reached flash point and it was burning out of control.
About 30 minutes (and several glasses of wine) later, it was decided that the turkey was probably done cooking and we should probably take it off the grill.
A roof high column of flame shot up as they took off the lid. OK, so how do we get the turkey off the grill with all those flames?
Using a fireplace poker, the turkey was pushed of the grill where it landed on the wooden deck, still burning furiously. The fat of the turkey and the foil were one as it kept right on burning.
By now there was talk of calling the fire department. But rather than do that, it was decided that someone needed to "put the turkey (fire) out."
Of course, using a fire extinguisher would wreck the turkey (like it wasn't ruined already?) so my father in law and my nephews grabbed the first thing at hand - bathroom sized dixie cups - and began to "spoosh" the flames out.
After a few minutes (and a bit more wine) it was finally out.
Now, I don't know who decided it was still edible - but as was family tradition my father in law carved and served that turkey - crispy on the outside and raw on the inside - and we ate stuffing and burnt artichokes while we enjoyed taking pictures of the inedible bird.
That day we were thankful for the day, the adventure and that we didn't have to call the fire department.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and those you hold dear.
Til next time,
Karen
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Is the Recession Taking a Bite Out of Your Business? Here's Help!
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After months of research, surveys, and elbow grease, I am finally releasing my newest book! It has many of the new, uber hot information that I've been sharing only at live events, all in an affordable, easy to read and understand format. What I hear most often is that you feel lost in a vast sea of places to spend marketing money (and time) and don't know what to do next. This book offers my very best advice. Click here to learn more
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Mid - November Networking Tip
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Network - Don't Juggle This Holiday Season
At the season's many holiday mixers there will be food and drink - and lots of it.
There's nothing more awkward than trying to greet someone with a plate in one hand, a glass in the other and food in your mouth.
You never get a second chance to make a first impression.
My best advice has always been do the eating beforehand and the drinking not at all.
Remember that "Mr. Spill" loves those food and drink opportunities too.
You never know who knows who and every networking event is an opportunity to meet people who you can help.
Avoid the "juggling act" and arrive full and empty handed. You'll be glad you did!
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Coming Soon!
It's Super Networker
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Look! Over at the Chamber Mixer!
It's a
It's a
No! It's Super Networker!
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Yes, Super Networker
Able to leap tall stacks of business cards in a single bound.
More powerful than a vice grip handshake.
It's Super Networker
Disguised by day as mild mannered - OK you think I'd tell you and ruin the surprise?
Soon you'll be able to meet Super Networker at his secret hideout - Networking Lounge - and maybe even discover his secret identity.
Stay Tuned for the December 1 Newsletter for more information
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