Business Networking

How to Say No – Without Damaging Your Relationships

September 21, 2011 By Barry

A “no” uttered from deepest conviction is better and greater than a “yes” merely uttered to please, or what is worse, to avoid trouble.

– Mahatma Gandhi

One of the biggest reasons why people don’t like to say no is because they don’t want to damage a relationship.

There’s a great book called The Power of a Positive No by William Ury. The basis of this book is that there has to be an underlying yes that causes you to say no. The book gives a three-step process:

Step #1: Uncovering your “yes”

What’s the “yes” that you’re committed to, or that you believe in, or that you’re passionate about? This might be your family, your health, your well being, or doing work that you love.

In order to find a “yes”, it’s really important to understand our values, our beliefs, our commitments and our priorities. If we understand those things, we can make decisions that fit with them. Sometimes, that requires us to say “no” – but it also allows the person on the other side of the “no” to understand our reasoning.

Step #2: Empower your “no”

Use your “yes” as a reason and a justification to help you recognize that “no” is an appropriate response.

Saying “no” is about being present to what matters – and if we don’t say “no”, it costs us.

Step #3: Find an alternative “yes”

Decline the request gracefully, and instead of just saying “no”, offer an additional option or suggestion to help the person solve the problem, without you necessarily being involved.

When I have to say “no” to someone, I acknowledge that the request that they’re making does appear important, valuable, useful and/or relevant. I share the circumstances that prevent me from helping, or that have me make a different choice.

Observe your unhealthy yes’s and unhealthy no’s and reflect on what works and what doesn’t work. For instance, you might know that you need seven hours sleep to be your best, so you don’t want to say “yes” to a friend’s request to have another drink in the evening.

Take a moment to think about the things that you want to say “yes” to in your life. Is there anything that you need to say “no” to, as a result of these?

Networking Venues and Opportunities

August 18, 2010 By Barry

In the final installment of The Do’s and Dont’s of Networking, we are providing a long list of venues and situations where networking for new business opportunities and referrals are both tasteful and timely.

Workshops and seminars
Alumni Associations
Colleagues
Rotary Clubs
Kiwanis Clubs
Chamber of Commerce
Business Expos
Community Service Groups
BNI
Athletic Clubs
Leadership programs
Professional Associations
Religious organizations
Hobby groups
Golf Course
Sporting events
Public-speaking events
Attorneys
Accountants
Realtors
Financial Planners
Mortgage bankers
Coaches
Lions Club
Optimist Clubs
Schools and Universities
Social gatherings
Industry meetings
Community events
Charitable organizations
Social Networks
Others

Want To Add To The List?

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled Michigan personal and business coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance. For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.

Developing Your Centers of Influence

August 10, 2010 By Barry

Barry Demp

Centers of Influence are individuals who possess the ability to provide great personal relationships and business relationships. These are the types of individuals that you may aspire to be both personally and in business. Here are some characteristics of people who would be considered a Center of Influence. How many of these apply to your world?

Know everyone who is anyone.
Are very social people – they love connecting people.
Are members of elite networking groups.
Are often experts in their fields, often called upon to speak to groups.
Hold community leadership positions.
Are board members of organizations.

10 Really Good Business Networking Tips

July 28, 2010 By Barry

At first glance, networking appears to be a very easy activity. However, like anything else in your professional life, to be great at it requires a lot of time and effort. In our series the Do’s and Dont’s of Networking, we offer additional tips on how to best approach networking opportunities and functions.

Ask the question “How would I know if somebody I know would be a good prospect for you?”
Focus on others, rather than on your needs, at networking events.
Give many referrals to others.
Network with people with outstanding reputations.
Avoid trying to sell people in your network.
Make a good first impression in your attire, manners, and attitude.
Come prepared with a good pen, business cards, and other materials.
Learn how to gracefully escape from long-winded conversations.
Does your personal introduction pass the “So What?” test?
Cell phones should be left in the car or turned off.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled michigan business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance. For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.

Be An Outstanding Networker

July 21, 2010 By Barry

Is it terribly difficult to be an outstanding business networker? Some people may say yes, others may say no. However, one thing is true. We all remember and like the really good networkers in our lives. A question to ponder is “How can we help you become the networker that you admire”?

Here are some suggestions:

Your non-vocational interests as opportunities to network.
Meet personally with the majority of individuals in your networking groups.
Attend my networking meetings consistently. Out of sight means out of mind!
Bring other professionals to your networking events.
Make the first move in meeting and engaging others in conversation.
Learn to be masterful at the use of open-ended questions and layering (who, what, where, when, why, how).
Be very well read in your area of expertise and in business in general.
Take a proactive approach to connecting with others.
Be an outstanding listener.
Consider giving speeches to various groups about your area of expertise.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance. For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.

The Dos and Dont’s of Networking Blog Series

June 22, 2010 By Barry

What Is Networking?

Many people think networking is the development of a system of personal and professional contacts that can be used to gain information and assistance only when needed. In reality, it is much more! Networking is a lifelong process that can enrich us professionally and personally in ways we never imagined. Networking expands our view of the world; helps us take risks and reach new levels of accomplishment; promotes “win-win” situations; and encourages bringing people together in ways that make 1 + 1 equal more than 2.

Networking provides the structure, support, skills, and strategies needed to bridge the gap between ideas and actions. It can turn strangers into friends and build a world full of people who will take our calls, give us their time, and answer our questions. Networking can be useful in helping us reach our chosen destinations, whether they be making a job change, working more effectively with customers and colleagues, or building our own business.

What is networking to you? Let us know by visiting here.

Networking is a learned skill build upon the personal values and attitudes inherent in all of us. Networkers know the world is interconnected and that when they give their time, talents, and energy to help others to satisfy needs and reach goals, networkers ultimately end up helping themselves.

Reputation

Your reputation is your calling card and your greatest asset. You build it by being your best and doing your best.

Responsibility

In today’s fast-paced, global economy, the ability to take charge, show initiative, make choices, and answer for one’s conduct are keys to leading a rewarding personal and professional life. Networkers understand that actions affect outcomes and have learned to deliver what they promise.

To what degree do you deliver on your professional and personal promises? Let us know by visiting here.

Relationships

Networkers understand the importance of becoming acquainted with people for who they are, not only for what they do. Establishing a sincere connection between any two people is the foundation of successful networking!

How masterful are you at developing professional and personal relationships? See how others are doing it.

Rapport

Rapport is based on having an genuine interest in learning about others and their world. Taking the time to learn about the needs of others provides you with an understanding of the common ground shared by you and others.

What are some of your best rapport-creating strategies? Feel free to share them with us.

Research

If you keep up on the world around you and current trends, others will seek you out as a knowledgeable resource. Networkers practice professional due diligence. They do their homework because the more they know, the better prepared they will be.

What do you do on a daily or weekly basis to increase your own value as a networking resource? You may want to check out some of these resources.

In the coming weeks, we will be providing a wide variety of networking best-practices for review and consideration. Here are a few:

Consistently arrive early to and leave late from networking opportunities.
Scan the sign-in sheet to learn who’s attending.
Be careful to not spend too much time with any one individual or group.
Always obtain a business card from people who interest you and write appropriate reminder notes on the back.
Focus most of your time at networking events on meeting new people and spend limited time with people that you know well.

Barry Demp is a highly-skilled business and personal coach focused on the areas of leadership, management, coaching, team-building, networking, business development, communication skills, relationship building, motivation, time management, life balance, and goal achievement. He specializes in working with business owners, executives, coaches, consultants, and high-potential professionals by helping them significantly increase their productivity, profitability, and life balance. For more information or assistance, please contact Barry Demp at 248-740-3231 or visit www.dempcoaching.com.