Comments on: Do You Take Your Own Advice?

By: cindy@staged4more

cindy@staged4more — Fri, 10 Aug 2007 07:00:04 +0000

Thanks for tip #1! (Well, actually all 3 of course). I have thought about something similar for awhile but have hesitated about calling and asking my competitors out for lunch. I suppose the worse thing they can say is only “no.”
Cheers,
Cindy

By: Jay Hamilton-Roth

Jay Hamilton-Roth — Thu, 09 Aug 2007 13:28:43 +0000

Some other tips:
Read and Listen. There are a lot of great ideas out there, not just in your area of expertise. Listen to the other voices, and see if can be a source of information or inspiration.
Cast wide. You never know who may need you. Be willing to talk to anyone who wants to talk with you.
Also, I wrote a similar article in June ‘07 (“Marketing: Practice What You Preach”) http://manygoodideas.com/CreativeBusinessIdeas/07-06-PracticeWhatPreach.htm

By: Sharan Tash

Sharan Tash — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 22:00:33 +0000

Great tips Lewis. The networking aspect is so important, but so few do it correctly I am glad you brought the relationship building aspect up. I would like to add a point to the networking. If you join a group that you like, get involved. Don’t just show up. So many people join and then expect business.
I always tell people to find an organization you are passionate about and start on the membership committee. By becoming involved and giving back to the community and the organization, people hear about you and start to trust you. But you must be giving back unconditionally.
Thank you for the post.
Sharan Tash
The Professional Networker

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:52:24 +0000

Wonderful tip, David. It can be easier written than published but we should never give up on our use of PR.

By: David Reich

David Reich — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 19:43:27 +0000

Excellent tips, Lewis. I;ve found networking with others in relkated businesses — not so much direct competitors — to be an effective tactic for getting business leads.
Also, here’s one to add to the list, which I myself too often neglect. Get publicity where you can. Even a few lines in the local paper when you win a new account or complete a project can be helpful in letting people know you exist and what you do.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:57:30 +0000

Well, I’m not sure how smart I am. With age has come a few learnings. I do appreciate your kindness, however, and do believe that networking and building relationships equals business growth.

By: Elaine Fogel

Elaine Fogel — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 18:55:34 +0000

Lewis, you’re so smart. Sometimes, we’re so busy doing for clients and our volunteer positions, that we can easily lose track of our own companies. Although I am often out at my association meetings, I can certainly do more networking in the community. Excellent points.

By: Lewis Green

Lewis Green — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:25:58 +0000

Paul,
Great idea. Thanks! I recognize the “image” building mindset of spreading reading material around that makes us look smart. Even that tells us something about the client–they are image-focused and wish they did read those materials.

By: Paul Barsch

Paul Barsch — Tue, 07 Aug 2007 14:20:44 +0000

Lewis, step 2 –your unique tip is a good one, however I’d still be a bit skeptical of what my clients or colleagues appear to be reading. Sometimes people stock their business libraries or desks with best selling or mgmt classics –think Drucker– to make others “think” they’re well read or smart when in fact they haven’t read the books in question or they dusted them off from B-school reading 20 years ago.
To check for authenticity, I like to ask, “what was your favorite part of that book?” It’s a question that sometimes leads to a great conversation!