Professional Growth - July Re-Cap

Well the time has come.  Another month has come and gone...way too fast in my opinion.  We spent July talking about how to grow yourself as a business person.  We talked about networking to make the right connections, educating yourself, working on your own personal habits and then about finding that right balance for you in your life.  Professional growth is something you should continue for the rest of your life, regardless of what career you have chosen.  And this shouldn't scare you, but excite you with the idea that you are always working to move yourself forward and improve yourself professionally.

So, to re-cap here are some of the ideas we came up with this month to aid in this process:

Take classes:

Whether they are day long seminars, a series of classes or signing up for a term of classes at your local community college, there is always something new to learn.  You can even take classes that may or may not have anything to do with your current position.  Learn something new!

Join a professional organization:

A great way to make some connections in your industry, see what the competition or even key partners are doing and stay up to date on trends and changes.

Read books:

Reading is a great way to get new information, whether it be in old fashioned black and white or something you download to your Kindle or Ipad.  And the bonus about this one - you can do it when ever you have the time, on your schedule.

Take on a new project at work:

Maybe chose something that is out of your normal job description to break the monotony.  Your employer will love the initiative and it can allow you to think, work or maybe even play outside the box.

Make sure you find balance:

Make sure you don't spend too much time trying to make a living, that you forget to live!  Find that balance between what makes you happy at work and what makes you happy outside of work and get a good mix of both!

Cheers!

Kristen

How to Host a Simple Networking Event

We have spent most of this week talking about using networking as a business tool. I would like to wrap the week up with my favorite topic hosting a party. There are many events, shows and conferences that we can attend to meet new business contacts, but what about hosting an event yourself? Hosting an event can be a great way to get your message across and educate clients about what you do.

The below top tips are primarily suitable for an event that;

- has between 10 and 40 guests
- is free to attend

-is a few hours long
-is about building relationships and not selling your product

1. Set Goals: 

Be sure to set clear goals. What is it that you want to achieve with the event? I always suggest starting with a simple goal building new  or re-vitalise existing relationships. Then you need to decide how many people should attend? Remember setting clear goals will give the event a focus.

2. Planning: 

Start planning 10 weeks before the event you’ll have time to market it.

3. Location: 

Pick a location that fits with your company or even better host the event at your business if and when possible. My biggest tip here make sure the room is not too small; usually you would want to go for a room that fits your desired amount of people without making them feel claustrophobic.

4. Content or Theme: 

Come up with a “fun” title, and feel free to join in with current hypes. It’s okay to have fun at a networking event.

5. Invites: 

Besides inviting your contacts via e-mail or good old fashion mail. Here at Crafty we highly recommend building anticipation using google ads, LinkedIn events, LinkedIn groups, twitter, Facebook, online event calendars and advertorials in online newsletters.

6. Intro: 

Don’t forget to tell the guests about your products or services. As long as the event is not overly commercial or a giant sales pitch your guests will be happy to hear about your organization and its products or services.

7. Follow-up: 

I can’t stress how important a role follow-up plays in good relationships. Be sure to send thank you cards or a simple follow-up email to all the guests who attend your event.

Happy networking!

-Erin

Where to Create a Network

Now that we have talked about how and why let’s talk about where to network. I recommend asking a coworkers or friends what networking they enjoy attending and see if I can join them. Trust me it’s always easier to attend your first event with someone you already know. Other options include doing a quick internet search for specialized networks in your industry. I work with a lot of weddings so I attend 2-3 different networking groups that focus exclusively on that market. However, I also attend other networking groups that focus on the business community as a whole. I like to keep my networking diversified but consistent.  A few of the resources I use in the area include:

The Local Chamber of Commerce

http://portlandalliance.com/events/

Here in Portland, Oregon we have the Portland Alliance that offers many different networking events and opportunity’s to connect and give back to the business community.

Meetup.com

http://www.meetup.com/find/

Helps groups of people with shared interests plan meetings and form offline clubs in local communities around the world. This is a great resource especially for small business owners. I’ve attended a few different groups in my area for small business owners and love them. They are small groups focused on sharing knowledge, support and meeting other passionate business owners.

Women Entrepreneurs of Oregon

http://www.oregonweo.org/

WEO is the premier organization for women entrepreneurs in Oregon. We motivate and inspire our members to build, grow, and strengthen their businesses through an unprecedented connection to community and high impact professional resources.

Business Network International

http://www.bnioregon.com/

BNI provides a positive, supportive, structured environment to exchange quality business referrals. BNI is the largest business networking organization in the world. We offer members the opportunity to share ideas, contacts and most importantly, business referrals.

Oregon Entrepreneur Network

http://www.oen.org/

The Oregon Entrepreneurs Network (OEN) is the heart of our entrepreneurial community, fostering innovation, growth, success, and giving back. Find out more about how OEN helps startups from all walks of life around the state.

Happy Networking,

Erin

How to Get the Most Out of a Networking Event

Networking is a great way to make relationships in the business community. When I attend a networking event I always take time to great the people I already know and then make it a point to talk to at least three new people. I prefer the quality verse quantity approach when building relationships. I find when you build a few solid foundations those relationships will branch into new connections and opportunities.

My three tips are:

-Be genuine and don’t talk shop all the time. 

Some of the best business relationships I’ve made over the years haven’t been because we are both in the same industry. In fact it’s usually that we have something in common outside of work that keeps connected.

-Listen as much as possible. 

You’ll get a lot more out of the conversation by listening to someone than thinking about what you’re going to say next. It will also help you understand them so you can better connect with them.

-Be consistent. 

It’s really hard to build a relationship if you can’t attend meeting regularly. It’s better to attend one group every time than a handful of groups sporadically.

-Be visible.

Speak on panels, at meetings or conferences. I find sharing knowledge is a great way to give back to the community. I rarely say no to a chance to share with other professionals. I say take the chance where you can, even if the event is small. Remember we want quality over quantity.

Lastly remember to find those key relationships, and then cultivate and nourish them, to keep them alive and healthy.

Happy Networking,

Erin

Sell You...Then What You Do!

In all of my sales training over the years, I have always been told that if you can sell yourself you can sell anything.  So, when we talk about networking and growing yourself as a business person the first thing that pops into my head is coming up with your personal sales pitch.  You inevitably get asked "What do you do?"   ....so what will you say.

This is something I have struggled with as we put together this contract business.  We offer such a variety of services for small business and I truly enjoy doing so many things, it is hard to not start rattling off in a laundry list.  I can see people's eyes gloss over as the list goes on.  What I have found is if I actually talk about what I enjoy doing it makes it so much easier to describe and people can see my passion when I am talking about it.

Here are some simple steps to coming up with your personal sales pitch.

Figure out what is unique about you/what you do.

You want to intrigue someone and it should be an ice-breaker as well as a a marketing pitch.  Just saying I do marketing for small businesses is not all that interesting.  I always joke that I like to make things "pretty"; whether it be an ad, a special event or even an inviting work space for someone.  That usually gets a chuckle and then people ask more about it.

Make it exciting.

It should speak to who you really are and what excites you about your business.  Think about what motivates you and work that into how to you sell yourself.

Keep it simple.

Don't try to be all things to all people.  It you are writing something it should just be a couple sentences, not more than a paragraph.  Trust me, people won't read any more than that.  And when you are chatting with people, try to keep it under 30 seconds.

Write it down.

Write down your pitch, say it out loud, then re-wrtie it.  Not only will this help you fine tune it but it will help you become more comfortable actually using it in a conversation.  It should become second nature to you.

Cheers!

Kristen

It's All About Who You Know!

Some of my girlfriends at a birthday party!

Happy July everyone!  I feel like school just got out and we are already making plans for 4th of July THIS WEEK!  Crazy how time flies.  So, we are going to take this month to talk all about how to grow as a business person.

I had the opportunity to attend my husband's graduation a couple of weeks ago.  It only took him 21 years but he earned his business degree from Eastern Oregon University.  Never wanting to miss a party, I made him go.  He was reluctant at first, but I think after all was said and done he was glad he went.  A good way to close that chapter of his life.  As I was standing outside their gym waiting for T to get all checked in, I had the pleasure of overhearing two twenty somethings talking about what they were going to do after graduation.  One planned on helping his Dad out on the farm until he could raise enough money to move to Portland to find a "corporate job".  The other explained that he was just going to pick up and move to Los Angeles.  "There are tons of jobs there.  Plus I have a degree now, how hard could it be to get a job."  Oh, the innocence!  I really wanted to walk over and just give him a hug.  He is going to need it in a couple of months when reality is knocking at his door.

My point is that those of us in the business world know that it is an ongoing process.  We never stop learning, trying to do things better or more efficiently, learning new skills or for some just trying to keep up with technology.  We are going to spend all month talking about some ways to do that by networking, continuing your education, checking personal habits and then finding that balance between working hard and playing hard.

We have talked a bit about networking in the past.  You can check out one of our previous posts here.  When a lot of people think about networking they think about getting dressed up in uncomfortable clothes and hanging out at event either pursuing or avoiding awkward conversations.  But, what about networking with your existing contacts?  They say it's all about who you know.

Reconnecting with former colleagues or school classmates can be a great way to network.  Chances are they are someone, or know someone who might be able to use your services, point you in the right direction, or help you land that dream job!  Here's a couple ways to re-connect:

1.  Social Media

I never really felt popular until I signed up for Facebook a few years ago.  It's amazing how over the years, you create this great rolodex of people who have come into your life.  Social media is a great way to gather all those people in one place and allows you to put the word out non-chalantly of what you are up to.

2.  Send a Note

I had a great friend from college who I really wanted to connect with when I was getting married.  We had lost touch over the years, and she was not on social media.  But, I still had her parents address.  So on blind faith, I wrote a note and enclosed it in an invitation to my wedding.  Thankfully, they still lived there and passed it on.  She wasn't able to attend, but we did re-connect over coffee a few weeks later.  I don't know about you, but I love getting personal notes in the mail.  Really anything other than a bill is great!

3.  Invite an old friend to lunch or coffee

A day date is a great way to re-connect and find out what the other has going on in their life.  It is an hour or two out of your life and who knows what can come of it!

Cheers!

Kristen

Spread the Word - Talk to People

In doing research and getting educated on starting a new business of my own, it always amazes me how much emphasis is put on technology.  I get it!  You can do some pretty amazing things and reach a whole lot of people really quickly with the resources we have to do business these days.

I always joke - because my first "job" was helping my Mom out with her real estate appraisal business.   We would swing by Long's Drug Store on the way to her office and pick up the prints of photos she took with her 35mm camera that took 3-5 days to get back.  My job was to glue the pictures onto her official report.  Yes, glue!  I went though a couple glue sticks a shift doing that!  Can you imagine glueing pictures to a professional report today?  So, agreed...technology has definitely helped us become more efficient.

However, I am a firm believer that there is no replacement for a face to face connection.  My husband is boss at this.  He has sold everything including cars, stocks and bonds, mortgages, school loans, and computers to name a few.  He would so much rather meet you for lunch or grab a cup of coffee than send emails back and forth for hours to have a conversation.  Because of this he is still friends with a lot of his clients from his business dealings over the years.  A lot of them attended our wedding!

So what can you do to get that face-to-face connection?

Attend Events

Networking groups, trade shows, conferences, award ceremonies, other companies open houses, educational seminars.  GO and take your business cards!

Plan Your Own Event

Open house, educational seminars, anniversary celebration or just invite clients out for lunch.  You'd be amazed how much more personable people can be when they are away from their office!  Especially your own employees!

Cheers!

Kristen

The Four Key Elements to Entertaining

Those of you who know me know I love to host parties for clients and friends. It’s one of my favorite ways to keep in touch and building new relationships. Whether you’re an entertainer at heart like myself or prefer more intimate gatherings, you’ll find that following a few simple tips will ensure you get the most from your client parties.

1.  Determine what type of event you’d like to have.  

I find that in general casual and comfortable wins almost every time with clients. Are you going to celebrate someone or something?  A simple networking event or place for people to catch up?  

2.  Decide on your guest list. 

Will you target mainly to adults, or do you want to host a more family-oriented event?  I used to host a mother daughter high tea— you guessed it — women only.  Don’t be afraid to mix up your guest list; even if you invite friends AND clients, you’ll probably find that people have a way of getting to know each other (or finding out all the connections they have in common) once they arrive.

3.  Find a Location. 

Once you have figured out the type of event it's time to find a location.

When I'm looking at locations, I keep in mind style and price point. Make sure that the space is comfortable to you and that it matches your personality, regardless of what everyone else is doing. You’ll have more fun that way, and your clients will notice and have more fun too. I'm a huge fan of trying new places such as small restaurants I can rent out, urban art space and fun outdoor venues in the summer. It matches my personality and love of the really unique spaces in my town and support for other small businesses.

If you like to entertain and feel comfortable opening your home to guests, the most obvious choice for a party is your own home.  In some cases, hosting an after-hours party right in your office is the best way to guarantee a large showing of clients and associates. It's also really cost effective.  Mixers work great at a local restaurant or pub, where you can set your own price range and they’ll help you select appetizers and drinks within your budget.

If you really dislike planning, consider hiring a planner to help you select a location and arrange the details for or with you depending on how involved you want to be.

My signature party is the Michael & Erin Annual Holiday Extravaganza Party, which my clients and friends have come to look forward to every year. It's the one time a year my husband will put his culinary degree into high gear and we work together to create an over the top magical event for our guests. I think people love it so much because we are doing what we love and they get to share the experience. But even a small dinner party or simple appetizers on the back deck can convey your appreciation. I attend an amazing outdoor movie night and BBQ that my rental company hosts for select clients at their home. It's small, intimate, casual and ton of fun.

No matter the location, you are sure to wow your clients by the simple act of hospitality.

4. The not so little details.

Elaborate party favors are out. Think simple, effective and personal. Also make it a point to send a hand-written thank you note or other token of your appreciation after the event.

With the social media push, you may also like to post the event on Facebook, along with the invitation. Then follow up with pictures the day after the event. (Don’t tag your guests, though — let them tag themselves — and be sure to remove any photos immediately upon request if your guests feel they are unflattering.)

A quick wrap up.

• Know your strengths and limitations. Go with your personality and use it to your advantage. If you like to entertain, bring it down to a personal level. If entertaining takes you out of your element, hire someone who can handle the details for you.
• Be present take this time to enjoy and engage your clients. This takes organizing the details before the party not during.
• If you have success, keep it consistent. Make it a bi-annual or annual event that clients can look forward to. It will become a part of your signature and word will get around.

So there you have it: my tips for a successful client entertaining one-on-one relationship style!

Happy Planning,

Erin