For football fans...and everyone else

Why are people so rude?

We all uderstand how to behave in a social environment. Everyone is courteous, polite and friendly, well almost everyone.
But in business situations these same people don't always act i the same way. Why that is I do not know.
Many people find attending business events somewhat of a challenge; a key reason is because they anticipate meetig people who they think will be unpleasant, downright rude sometimes and the worst fear of all,turning their backs.
REJECTION...that is all our worst fears when we attend events knowing we will not know too many people.
Here are some thoughts
1 Aim to move away from these rude people as soon as you can and don't let them spoil your event.We attend these events to build or reinforce relationships. Do you really want to build a relationship with people like these?
2 When you feel a touch nervous act as a host even if you're a guest. Hosts always feel more in control. They introduce one to another, include as many people as possible in a conversation, hand someone a plate in the food queue, offer to get someone a drink.
3 Remember , everyone at business events is there to network. There is a common platform.

Even when you're on holiday....

...it's good to think about what you're doing now ...and, even more importantly, in the future.
Will you be happy doing what you're doing this time next year?
If not start to act. Life is not a rehearsal; this is it as far as I know.
Next year Kintish will bee working less and earning similar money. How? By acting anc changing things.
IF YOU ALWAYS DO WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS DONE
YOU'LL ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU'VE ALWAYS GOT/

Happy with what you've got . Great ...change nothing
If not....

Our friends abroad

These are our friends and cousins who we are staying with over the holidays.
They are the most hospitable people we know and we could give the world their address!
If we did and you turned up, they would be as welcoming to you as they are to us.
BUT..we aren't telling you...unless you send me £1000. I will give £100 to them and keep the rest
happy New Year

Act...or react!

I have just read a brilliant book, written over 20 years ago called What they don't teach you at Harvard Business School by Mark H McCormack. As relevant now as when written.
He talks about being proactive all the way through your life. be in control, make the first move, act...don't react.
Networking the best proactive way of business development there is.
Want to listen , look or read about becoming a more effective networker?
View here for Kintish networking skills products

I’m vulnerable too.

I spend most days helping people overcome their fears and concerns with networking.
In theory I ought to be able to walk into that room, see the sea of strange faces and have no misgivings or feelings of disquiet. But guess what?
In spite of knowing every else feels nervous, virtually everyone will be welcoming, polite and courteous and how to be behave with perfect etiquette I too walk in that room thinking “Will I be judged and found wanting?” “Will every turn their back on me?”


Think back to day 1 at school!
The feeling lasts moments but this posting is to tell the world I am normal. I hate rejection and bleed when I am cut.

Do you like someone? do they like you?

The three key steps to building relationships is
A getting to know people
B creating some sort of ‘liking’
C building trust at a later time
LIKING
The more I think about this step the more I realise how critical it is. Think about it. When we like someone we like everything about them. BUT when we don’t like someone, for whatever reason, we tend to find fault in everything to do with that person. We don’t think what they do is any good, their friends and even family can be up to much, we don’t even bother reading the newsletters they may send!
Stupid really but we’re all human being with the normal emotions. We can’t help ourselves. And remember this. Not everyone is going to like you however wonderful

It's Christmas time...time for socialising, time for networking

Either way you are going to meet strangers, you know those funny people your mummy told you not to talk to when you were very young


But you're now grown up. here are some thoughts before you enter the arena

1 99% of people are nervous. If you're not you, are abnormal!
2 Expect nearly everyone to be welcoming and polite. There will be the odd rude person. Don't focus on them, put your energies into the majority of pleasant people.
3 You are as good as everyone else in that room. You might not be as rich, as beautiful or have an important job title.
4 Networking i.e. building relationships is about giving first. Give of yourself, pay attention to what others are saying and you'll become popular quickly and create a great impression.
5 Be brave...approach strangers and say, "Please can I join you?" or " may I introduce myself?" You won't be rejected...honest!

Time to go into the arena

Manage your clients’ expectations

If there is one key phrase in customer service I believe it’s that.
I would like to think I am a loyal customer to my suppliers and when I have to change I feel uncomfortable and really don’t like it. In fact, for me, the emotion of losing a client or changing a supplier is very similar.There is failure in the air.

I had been working with someone where the deal was he did a certain amount of work each month at a fixed fee. He is an expert in his field and I believe I was getting value for money. At the start of this month I got 2 invoices. When I queried this I was told how much extra work had been done. I didn’t dispute that, although I didn’t know exactly what I was getting for my money each time. What I tried to explain was I would have expected to have been asked permission to do this work in advance of our normal arrangements. When my supplier couldn’t see my point I thought, ’Let’s shake hands and move on.’ We need certainty in our lives and, in business, no shocks. We need to keep the customer informed all the way through the relationship, in other words manage their expectations.

Plan and prepare for your networking

Just think of those 7 open questions
WHO will be going? Who should go with me? Who will the hosts be?
WHAT is the event all about? What will the format be?
WHEN is the event? Can I go, what are the timings?
WHERE is it? Do I have directions, any parking problems?
WHY is this event being held? DO I need to know some history behind it?
WHICH dress or suit am I going to wear?
HOW will I get home if I have too much to drink?! How am I going to be perceived if I get in that state?

The most important person in your business is the customer…not!

Yes, there is no business without a customer and all commerce stems from that person. But for a business to thrive and you to have fun in your daily work life the key party are your colleagues. When you are in charge of others treat them with respect courtesy and consideration and they will treat the customer as the most important person. This will happen without you having to prompt them. They will take pride in their work, be a great ambassador for your brand and will give outstanding client service.
When you create the right environment you get people doing the ‘right’ things most of the time.

How has 2006 been for you?

The Kintish business has looked like this graph since inception 6 years ago.We have had good years and 'average years.We have had 2 great years and are at our most successful.
WHEN YOU ARE AT YOUR MOST SUCCESSFUL, YOU CAN OFTEN BE AT YOUR MOST VULNERABLE
One can get complacent, ‘nothing can touch us now’ ‘we’re bomb-proof’.
Anyone with a memory for business back to the late 1990’s will remember Marks & Spencer. In 1998 they made £1,400,000,000 and became arrogant. They are back but even this year they will ‘only make about £800,000,000
I learn from stories like that. We have had a major review of our business and will be making a number of changes, no sorry, improvements to ensure the graph keeps going northerly and we keep everything fresh. No complacency for

Do you hate gatekeepers?

Gatekeepers, the scourge of the follow up!
There are many reasons people don’t follow up opportunities which may arise after attending business events. A regular one is ‘how do I get passed the gatekeeper? Firstly you have to pass the receptionist then when you’re really unfortunate a P.A. or secretary.
Look at these ladies above. How can you possibly be nervous about people like them? What is your person like?
The chances are you will say ‘very pleasant’. And most of them are…when you treat them properly. Gatekeepers can often be gate openers but only when you are polite and courteous. These people can make all the difference to you reaching your prospect; in fact they can be the golden key to your next step in the networking process