Time for a Break

Well, I am taking a breather from writing each day as tomorrow before dawn, my hubby and I leave for our most favorite place in the whole wide work, Aguila de Osa at the Drake Bay in Costa Rica. It is truly paradise for us, a time to relax and recharge.

It's a rugged trip to get there, two legs from Toledo to Atlanta to San Jose, CR. Then the next day we start with the smaller plane, then a taxi, and finally a small skiff that will take us down the Sieppe River, out into the Pacific Ocean along the coast to our final destination. Those other guests who make their way are usually wonderfully adventuresome people. Dinner conversations are wide ranging and fun. I get to practice my networking skills, seeing how much I can find out about those who are only staying for a day or two.

I have my two subs lined up for each week I will be absent from BNI and have sent my commercials to them. I have books packed that will make my luggage overweight, but since there are no stores where we are going, it is with pleasure that I pay that extra. The house sitter is ready to take over the house and the dogs and the Tuesday night Certified Networker class will be taught by senior trainer Merri Bame. I'm ready and I'll be writing again after we get home in about two weeks.

Nomination Series #1

There is no better way to build a stronger relationship with someone than to nominate them for an award. The process of creating the application will reap benefits that you had never imagined.

• You will find out new stuff about the person you thought you knew very well. It will give more marketing material when you advocate on behalf of this person.
• You'll spend time intensely focused on this person. They will feel honored and want to pay you back.
• Others will see you as someone to know, because you know how to promote the good stuff about people.
  

Today is the beginning of a blog series that I will write about how to write winning nominations.

1) Research the types of awards in your community, and also in your industry. Determine if your friend fits within the criteria for one. Read the nomination form carefully to understand what is required. Also note the deadline. You'll want to have the completed nomination ready four or five days before that date. If the form asks for two pages of information, don't give three. Having been on several selection committees, I must admit that I had a bias towards those who stayed within the guidelines. Think of reading a hundred or so entires. Extra length was not a good thing!

I will continue this topic with even more information on how to develop a better relationship while writing a winning nomination.

Sharing Information

A lead is a four letter word. It describes something less than a referral. It can have a negative connotation, but really it shouldn't as long as it is understood.

In my world, a lead is information. So while it can be less than desirable if that's all I get from referral sources, if I truly want to share information with others, then it is good!

The training team for Certified Networker here in NW Ohio is about sharing information. I had been emailing them the names of all people I met with each week to keep me accountable for reaching my prospecting goals.

At the last trainer meeting, the team suggested that we adopt two ideas. One was that in my report they wanted me to include the company name along with the person's name. Makes sense, doesn't it???

The second item is that they want to share the names of people with whom they have met. That way as a group of six we can help each other. Already in just doing this for two weeks, there have been requests from and to each other asking to introductions to people on this list. Gosh, why hadn't we thought of this before? Seems pretty simple, doesn't it?

So this list that we're compiling. It's really a lead to the other five in the group. Each name is a piece of information only. But it is the support behind the list that keeps it from being only a four letter word.

How do you share your prospect list?

Group Strength

I am four days away from vacation, but who's counting? I am always amazed at what needs to be done in the week before I leave. 'Nuf said. If you want to see where paradise is and where I'm going, visit the website of Aguila de Osa Inn.

In my BNI chapter, the medical contact sphere is nicely developed. There is a chiropractor, a physical therapist, a vitamins/supplements person, a massage therapist and a personal trainer. They work together to be more successful.

Last fall they organized an event and invited all the chapter members to particpate. We raked leaves for a family where the dad is overseas in Iraq. The kids came out an played with us, while the mom got some stuff done inside. Did they get more business as a result of this event? Probably not, although they up went up in my eyes and I'm sure if the mom needed any of their services she would ask for them.

So it's finally winter here in NW Ohio. We actually have snow on the ground. The medical contact group organized a sNOw School for this past Saturday. The plan was to train middle school kids how to shovel properly, but that wasn't all. They were also going to talk briefly about being business-like and also about networking and marketing. They were able to get their message out at the local middle school and also got a brief mention in the daily paper. You're probably asking, "Will they get more business?" Probably not on Saturday morning, but they will get wonderful visibility with the kids and their parents, just because of the effort. They will get some great credibility within the community, too.

So the question is, what are you doing to link with other providers within your circle? How can you connect and use the strength of the group rather than doing everything individually?

Training is Profitable

Yesterday, my friend, Dave Bodner who is a financial planner with Seymour & Associates, Mass Mutual here in Toledo, OH, introduced me to a new member of the Seymour team. Brian wanted to find out more about the networking education that Certified Networker course might provide.

During the conversation, Brian gave the classic example of how in his own estimation, he's not doing so well with his networking. His very best friend, who he spends a lot of time with, said to Brian just recently, "What do you really do anyway? I know that you are a financial planner, but what does that mean? I know that you work only with people with a lot of money, so I know you can't help me, but who do you work with????"

Brian said those questions were the wake-up call. Here was a BEST FRIEND who probably wanted to help but didn't know how to.

I'm guessing that Brian will jump into one of the Certified Networker classes fairly soon so that he can learn how to educate his best friend and others who also might want to help. That lesson is a cornerstone of having successful referral relationships.

If you asked your best friend (or your mom) to describe to you what you actually do, could they do it beyond just a general description?

WWYW?

I was talking with a friend recently who meets regularly with a group of friends that have a goal of helping each other gain more referrals.

I asked how it was going. She said, "Okay." (not great)

It seems that every other month they focus on one member and she is the one for this month. The members have been giving her suggestions but no referrals. (You should do this or you should do that.)

It's my guess that the goals of the group need to be revisited. They each want more referrals, but are only giving suggestions. In my opinion they can do the following:

• Set goals for the type and number of referrals they will give each month.

• Be accountable for bringing those referrals.
• Actively seek out referral business for the target, instead of waiting for it to happen.

Or they can disband. Or they can decide that the group has a different focus. Or they can continue with status quo.

What would you want?

I Want.....

Gosh, I just read a post in Seth Godin's blog and I want in the worst way to comment.

BUT I CAN'T.

Blogger, can you tell me why you will not support trackback?????????

In old Blogger, you did. Now in the "new fancy, dancy, updated version" that you forced me to upgrad to, I cannot. Please help me to understand your definition of upgrade.

There. I feel a little bit better. But I won't be completely on the mend until I can trackback again.

Thank you in advance for your attention to this MAJOR problem.