blog

Beware Of Experts
By: Etiquette Coach, Patricia Rossi

The second I hear an Expert…

I immediately start sniffing for the nearest escape hatch.

INTERNALLY: I’m in a fight or flight stance ready to launch.

EXTERNALLY: I hold a steady gaze while turning their voice and verbiage into Charlie Brown’s teacher undefined Wa Wa Wa Wa…

So thank you Experts for this coping pattern given to me at the tender age of 10, where I was tested and told about my gift. I was a carrier. The diagnosis of my ‘gift’ wasn’t well received and caused fear, ridicule, and confusion in my pre-Oprah 1970′s working class community.

Another event at age of 10 presented itself to me without warning; the untimely death of my mother. So, here I am trying to balance the news of my gift (that the experts forecasted) would never let me process information in a normal manner and no ‘Mama Duck’ to give me the most basic of survival and thriving skills while I navigated the pond.

As I treaded water; I would try my best to learn from the other ‘Mama Ducks’ and their families. I would approach them at times to be included, to learn, and hopefully grow and graduate myself to the big pond. However, many rejected me; one even telling me that they might catch my gift of dyslexia.

A few… an amazing, beautiful and vital few did give me a peek in… as what to do and I made it out of the little pond. So I latched on to the vital FEW.. and my journey continued. I had the good fortune to find a tutor that taught me how to tame the letters and numbers that gyrated,danced and jumped across the page every time I gazed upon it.

Those early rejections and learning to live with Dyslexia gave me wings I would not have normally sprouted and those wings lifted me up and out to the mecca pond of life where the BIG experts dwelled.

With my pencils sharpened and sitting in the front row of life the experts had one message for me and shared it with me time and time again.

They said Patricia, “You talk too much” and I felt ashamed. But I kept on talking. The Experts would put big red gooey X’s on my report card that highlighted my excessive talking. There it was! Not just in verbal form but in written form as well.  Whew! Did I feel shame. But I kept on talking.

The Experts were right about one thing. They shared with me once, “Patricia you can’t sing undefined you don’t have a singing voice” and you know what? They were 100% right! Even Experts aren’t wrong all the time. So I guess I will just keep talking!

In my present life, I talk on television, I talk on the radio, I talk in magazine and newspapers. I speak to large audiences, business professionals, professional athletes, and everyday moms and dads. I recently just talked 65,000 words into a book that was published by St. Martins press, that just went into it’s 3rd printing in 16 weeks undefined another thing the Experts said was impossible.

I teach people how to build, maintain, and grow social and business relationships by being at ease in any and all situations they might find themselves in.  From the big pond to the small pond our interactions either propel us ahead or hold us back. Whether you are a Rhodes scholar a Mensa member or a little duck trying to make it out of a small pond; your social skills if intact will take you to places unimagined.

To book Patricia Rossi for a speaking engagement, personal appearance, TV, radio, or print media, please contact:

Patricia Rossi
Post Office Box 814
Safety Harbor, FL 34695

Phone: 727-375-0375

Email: patricia@patriciarossi.com

The Business Card Blues
Written by: Debbie Lane C. Ht.

One of the first things a new hypnotist does is get a business card.  We are proud of what we do and anxious to get the word out.  We have been told to put that card into the hands of everyone we meet.  I know I did the same thing.  I looked at who was successful in other arenas and followed their example.  

At the time I began, real estate was booming and everyone was swimming in prosperity.  I noticed that the most successful people had their pictures on their cards.  People are more likely to hold onto a photo, so my picture went onto my card.  

It is best not to try and be all things to all people in an ad.  So, rather than put a laundry list of everything hypnosis could do for an individual on my card, I put my contact information (especially my website once it was up and running).  Using top quality, glossy paper, in order to appear successful, I ordered 1000 cards to start and was off and running to networking meetings.  

Like the rest of the crowd, I put my cards at a table where people could pick them up.  I pressed my cards into as many hands as I could.  I swapped cards like a trading card fanatic, greedily counting the number of cards I held at the end of every meeting.

When I got back to my office, I placed the cards in a “to be filed” pile.  Some even made it into my data base.  At one point in time, I could have papered my office with other people’s business cards.  Not any more.  Nor do I give my card away so freely.  I have stopped putting them at the materials table as well.  If you want my card you have to ask for it.

I realized that when people were loaded into my database without any kind of personal relationship or request, they weren’t happy getting newsletters.  Some might even call it SPAM, even though my name was being added to every list in town.  This was a solid reason not to give my card out so freely.  Further more, if a card is shoved into my hand, it ends up in the trash bin.

I now ask for cards when I make a real connection with someone.  I ask for several cards, so that I can refer my clients to them when appropriate.  I place those in a card holder I keep handy.  I will send a short hand written note after receiving the card, mentioning our meeting and offering help if and when appropriate.  

No more feeding frenzy at networking events has actually improved my relationships with those I do encounter and increased my enjoyment of the event.  Try it, go ahead, leave the cards behind and find out how much better known your reputation becomes!


©   Debbie Lane C.Ht. (727) 781- 8483 www.wisdomhypnosis.com

In my hmmm hmmm years of living on this earth, I have never met one living soul that didn’t like to hear their name.

If you want to impress someone, bypass the diatribes about your oxford degree, surviving 30 days at sea on a raft made of shark skin, or how you won that contest in college eating the most hotdogs. Make an instant impact, the fastest and simplest way, by remembering and voicing their name.

But….what if you can’t remember the name of the person you’re speaking with?

Whatever you do, never say “I forgot your name,” or “I can’t remember your name.” Those kinds of statements will just make the other person feel unimportant, and forgotten.

Instead, say something like, “Your name is right on the tip of my tongue,” or “It’s been such a long day, could you tell me your name again?”

Of course, you’ll make an even better impression if you can remember the person’s name in the first place. Try these 9 simple techniques to help remember names:

• Listen. Really listen when someone is telling you his or her name. Sometimes instead of listening, we’re thinking about what to say next. Don’t do this. Listen to the person’s name and say it out loud as soon as possible, “It’s so nice to meet you, Tammy.”

• Repeat. After meeting someone new, say the person’s name a few times to imprint it in your memory. Use it while speaking to the person, but not so frequently that it feels awkward.

• Nickname. Give the person a nickname that helps you remember them (Tall Tammy, for example). If you use this technique, make sure you don’t say the nickname out loud, keep it to yourself!

• Write it down. Write down names and identifying information (or enter them in your Blackberry, iPhone, iPad, etc.). After you meet someone and go your separate ways, write down the person’s name, where you met them, and something that will remind you of what you discussed. This is especially helpful at networking events.

• Spell it. If a person has an unusual name or the name has more than one spelling, ask them how they spell it. If a name is generally spelled only one way, like Robert or David, you could ask if they prefer Bob or Dave. Always ask before shorting another person’s name. Don’t assign them a nickname.

We are excited to announce that we are working on the 2012 WWOTB Directory due out in January. We are printing 700 copies this year. They will be distributed free to members as a pocket guide of resources. This is a supplement to the web directory that is more for searching key words than finding people based on industry.

In order to be listed in the directory, you have to be renewed through 2012. So for those of you up for renewal - it's best to consider annual membership to take advantage of this perk.

There are several advertising opportunities to benefit your business.
- Full page ads (B/W and Color)
- 1/4 page color profiles
- Business card size ads

Advertising rates start as low as $50!
Ad packages with renewals start as low as $125!
80 1/4 page color profiles available! First come, first serve!

As a perk of being a member, you can be listed under one industry category but can pay an extra $10 to be listed in other categories as well. You can also pay an extra $25 to be listed at the top of a category.

If you are interested in advertising opportunities, email wwotbdirectory@gmail.com. Some of the advertising is "one franchise per category" - so don't delay. Also, the first 20 members to sign & pay, get to choose a cool freebie!

Ad orders will be taken starting December 1st.

It’s a well known fact that women can do it all; now they can have it all too! Working Women of Tampa Bay has coordinated the ultimate shopping experience for busy woman who deserve indulgence and need to prepare for the holidays! The Think Pink Women’s Boutique & Expo is a night of mini spa treatments, exciting makeovers, free samples, gourmet food and wine tastings along with a selection of dozens of local vendors showcasing their unique holiday gift ideas.

The only way to shop is by turning your to-do list into a night out with the girls! You’ll network with other female professionals and chat over a glass of wine while supporting local women-owned businesses. Relax, rejuvenate and connect with some complimentary spa treatments and retail therapy!

This private shopping event is free for members and only $5 for non-members. The first 150 women will receive a complimentary glass of wine, appetizers and a Yelp tote filled with goodies! Avoid the craziness of Black Friday at the mall and join us at our 2nd Annual Holiday Shopping Expo hosted at the Shriner's Activity Center in Tampa on November 30 from 6pm-9pm.

We are proud to present our generous sponsors: TBT, Yelp, White Book Agency, BABM Magazine, Good Living Magazine, Health and Healing Touch Wellness Center, Exploracise, Motivating Other Moms, Vault Denim ~ Pinellas, Grow Financial, Chevy - Night of 1000 Toys, Rinnova MedSpa, Darren Pena Salon, Brandi Kamenar Image Design Studio, Center for Weight Loss Management.

Succulent snacks and wine will be provided by: Quintessence Catering, Napa Flair, Carrabba’s, Costco and Melting Pot.

Our fabulous vendors include: Scentsy, Miche Bag, DP Fitness & Wellness, Thirty-One, Stella & Dot, Intensity Academy Sauces, Arbonne International, Willow House, Park Lane Jewelry, Mary Kay, Silpada Jewelry, Sickle Hunter Financial Advisors, Jewel Kade, Sencere Moments Photography, Indigo Blue Boutique, One-Stop Cruises, Marcus Designs, Growing Up, Connect for Success, Falling Star Photography, HaleyGrace, Spa Sundara, GiGi Hill Bags, The Chrysalis, Nikken and Illuminated Publishing.

Jessica Rivelli, the founder of WWoTB says, “The mission for the Think Pink Expo is to give our members and other women in the community the opportunity to shop from each other during the holiday season. Local retail sales help support friends, family and neighbors. We believe events like Think Pink help boost our local economy and increase consumer confidence in our community.”

Working Women of Tampa Bay has over 10,000 social media fans and more than 600 members between in its flagship chapter and the newly launched Working Women of Central Florida. The organization’s core principles are to help educate, motivate and inspire female professionals and women business owners. Visit the website to register to attend and to learn more about membership and our extraordinary events calendar!

You can register for Think Pink at www.workingwomenoftampabay.com. For more details email workingwomenoftampabay@gmail.com.

###

 

Blog by Brenda Tillmann

Having been born and raised in the Deep South, one of the most hospitable sayings I remember is “Y’all come back now, ya hear”. It was (and still is) as common as “please” and “thank you” and served with a smile on a daily basis from just about anywhere one would find them selves whether it is at church, a neighborhood cookout or a local business. You’ve surely heard that expression while watching a television show or during a movie at some point in your life. But for any business owners, a returning customer is essential to survival.

For the entrepreneur, it’s vitally important to learn how to build a base of customers who return to your business time and again. Here are five tips and strategies to foster loyalty with your customers with style, ease and grace:

1. Be Committed. Being committed doesn’t mean that you have to leave everything else and cater to the needs of just one client and forget about the others. It means being fully invested in their success; dedicate yourself to helping them achieve the results they desire. Go out of your way, do what needs to be done, what you agreed on in the first place, and above all, treat your customer’s as you would want to be treated.

2. Appreciate your customer’s 
You can never thank someone enough if it is sincere. A "thank you" can go a long way. Tell someone you appreciate his or her business in person, on the phone, or better yet, a personal hand-written note by mail. When was the last time you received a note saying, "Thank you for your business. I appreciate the opportunity to have you as my customer"?

3. Provide Quality, Not Just Quantity. Make sure your services are the best value for the money. You do not need to lower your prices simply because your competitors do, make sure your customers know that you are worth the extra money and why. To do this, you must give value first, don’t add it. Put value in your customer’s hands before you even ask them to buy anything from you. Find something you customer’s value and give it to them.

4. Continue To Understand Your Customers Needs. Ok, so you’re good at what you do, but that doesn’t make you the best there is, because there is always someone that can do better than you on your heels. You must stay current with what your customers expect and need from you. It’s a terrible feeling to discover your customers have left because you were not providing what they needed. Needs change, so thrive to make yourself better, sharpen your skills everyday, that’s what makes you money.

5. Keep In Touch. One of the most important, and so often over-looked, ways of getting repeat business is to simply follow-up with your customers. If you’re in the habit of providing a service/product to a customer, then you cash the check, and forget about him or her, I can assure you that you won’t get business from that client again. With a Follow Up Strategy in place, it only takes a minute to send an e-mail, a post-card or give a call to a previous client, tell her you really enjoyed working for her, was a fun project, and that you’re always available to answer any questions she may have. Build a relationship with your clients, get to know them, they’ll come back and be more likely to send business your way.

Bottom line: You cannot afford to lose your hard earned customers. What are you going to do today to make sure they continue to do business with you?

Brenda Tillmann specializes in helping entrepreneurs attract idea clients, build strong client relationships and close more sales in less time with her customized programs and mentoring. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you chasing them, visit her to schedule your complimentary 30-minute 1-on-1 Define Your Sales Success Analysis and Strategy session at http://www.BrendaTillmann.com.

Blog by Brenda Tillmann

It’s important to remember that when you meet someone for the first time, you have an opportunity to make a real connection, or you can simply pass on your name and be forgotten. Successful relationship-building requires more than just handing out business cards. To build long-lasting, solid and mutually-beneficial relationships, a little homework and a little thoughtfulness goes a long way. Here are my tips for making a powerful impression that brings lasting results.

Do Your Homework - Research the People You’re Meeting
If you’re meeting someone in particular, research the person or people you’re meeting. Lots of resources exist that can give you both professional and personal reference material. The Web is a source of unlimited information, with things like company websites, personal bios, work histories, resumes, and portfolios; depending on who you’re meeting, you may be able to find a wide range of information about your contact. If the Web doesn’t produce any useful information, you could check with the company where your contact works, to see if they have any marketing information containing professional info about your contact. You could also check your local library for periodicals, such as magazine stories, newspaper articles or professional interviews. Depending on how public the person is that you’re meeting, you may be able to find everything from the name of a spouse to the first place they worked after college. Use the information you find when you meet your contact. Talk about common interests, such as being a parent, alma mater, hobbies; whatever common bond you can form with your contact can help you form a good relationship. Ask about things near and dear to the person’s heart – not just business talk – and you’re well on your way to forming a real connection.

Show Genuine Interest by Asking Questions
Getting to know people to form real connections is an art that can easily be mastered.  Ask questions about everything; not just their professional life, but their personal interests and family life, too. The more you show that you’re genuinely interested in them and  understand, know and really “get” the person, the better your relationship will be, and the more business opportunities you’re likely to gain. Be a real person to your connections, too – if your new business partner volunteer’s information about their spouse then open up and talk about your spouse. The more personal you can make your relationships with people, the better your long-term success with those relationships will be.

You Must Be Sincere
Everyone can have fun building good relationships – all you have to do is be genuinely interested in people. Enjoy getting to know your business colleagues, or even the person you met in the coffee line today. Forming connections with people can help in all aspects of your life, and even random connections can help your business in unexpected ways. You never know when someone will refer a key contact; an affiliate who may have great products for your prospects, or a business associate that could make your product a high-demand success!
Remember what your mother taught you as a child, to have friends you must be a friend.  Don’t just see people as stepping stones to a better business. Take the time and make the effort to form real, legitimate connections by getting to know people, and I promise good business will follow naturally. 

Brenda Tillmann specializes in helping entrepreneurs attract idea clients and close more sales in less time with her customized programs SMART Marketing TM and Sell by Not Selling TM. If you want to get clients calling you instead of you chasing them, sign up at http://www.BrendaTillmann.com.

Blog by: Liane Caruso of Limelight Marketing Consultants

Women entrepreneurs are truly fabulous. We commit ourselves to owning a business, diving in head first and sharing our business dreams with anyone who will listen. One of our biggest strengths is one of our biggest weaknesses, and as women entrepreneurs, we overcommit!  We naturally take on too much, wear way too many hats and can quickly become overwhelmed. And before you know it, we can easily – without intention – set ourselves up for failure.  One way to avoid that is have a solid, strategic marketing plan in place. Haven’t you ever heard “He who fails to plan, plans to fail?” Ladies, we love planning parties, dinners and events, so let’s plan for our business!
 
Many new business owners don’t take the time to create a plan because the plan in itself is overwhelming.  But, without a plan, how do you know where you’re going or where you’ve been? Have you laid out a budget? Who is going to help you execute your plan? How can you tell if your efforts are successful or where are the budget pitfalls? The purpose of the marketing plan is to define your market, identify your customers and competitors, determine your strengths and weaknesses, outline a strategy for attracting and keeping customers, and to identify and anticipate change.
 
Knowing your customers is the cornerstone to your success. If you don’t know their likes, dislikes or expectations how do you assume to fulfill their need? If you’re marketing to the wrong target market, you’re wasting a lot of time, energy and hard-earned money.  Also, make sure you have identified your competition including their strengths and weaknesses. How and what are their marketing efforts? What is successful for them?
 
Set your goals and objectives. This is like a big To Do list for your company. What woman doesn’t love a To Do list? Be bold! If you want to be a 3-million dollar company in three years, why not set that expectation for yourself and your company? Mary Kay Ash, one of the most successful women in business said, “Shoot for the moon and you’ll land among the stars.”
 
Establish a budget. “What should my marketing budget look like?” You have to spend money to make money.  However, there are MANY cost-effective marketing options out there to explore so make sure you’re weighing your options and getting multiple quotes.
 
Basically, without a well thought out plan, you will be reacting, which could lead to additional spending that is not aligned strategically with your sales objectives and goals for the year. Give yourself a couple of months to create the plan and it does not have to be set in stone. Your company and marketplace will evolve and your plan should too. It’s a living, breathing document that will help guide your day-to-day activities.
 
Need help? There are consultants out there who can help you create a strategic marketing plan for your business. One comes to mind that I’m particularly fond of: Limelight Marketing Consultants. Call or email anytime with questions to liane@limelightconsultants.com or (813) 388-9384.

Blog by Patricia Rossi

I am frequently asked by people who find themselves uncomfortable in social networking situations, “What can I do to become more relaxed?” Many people,not just those  who consider themselves an introvert or shy, find it difficult to communicate with people they don’t know very well.  As a result, they may find they lose out on business opportunities.

Keep in mind, people like to do business with someone they know and feel they can trust. So, the next time you are heading to a social networking event, see it as an opportunity to make new friends and this will naturally turn into new business contacts.

Following are a few tips to improve your networking experience:

• Practice conversation. Wherever you go, see it as an opportunity to practice conversing with people you don’t know – the grocery store, coffee shop, bus stop, gym, doctor’s office, or spouse’s family functions. If you see someone idle, strike up a conversation. What’s the worst that could happen? Every opportunity gives you a chance to reflect and then build upon the next experience, making it easier each time.
• Wear a smile. Just keeping a smile on your face gives others the overall impression that you are a positive person. If you only maintain a blank stare, people will write you off pretty quickly. You only get one chance to make a first impression, and your expression may be the first thing people notice.
• Remember names and faces. All too often people say they forget someone’s name immediately after an introduction. Make a point of paying attention at introductions and remembering the person’s name. Equally important is to remember the face that goes with the name. This makes a person feel important and they will have a positive reaction toward you as well.
• Ask questions. If you don’t know what to talk about with someone, ask something you would like to know about the person. Ask them about their hobbies, what they like to read, something about the meeting, where they got their designer shoes that you just love and have to have. People like to talk about themselves, so you can take the focus off of your own uneasiness and put it on what you would like to know about the other person.
• Listen, listen, and listen some more. Often times we are focused on what we should say next and we are not really listening to what the other person is saying. Make direct eye contact with the person you are speaking with and listen carefully to what is being said, then the conversation will flow easily. It won’t take long before you and this person who was a stranger only a moment ago now feels like a new friend.
• All of the above suggestions are things you can and should practice in public settings. Then, the next time you go to a networking event, you will be much more comfortable with making conversation, making new friends, and ultimately developing great business contacts.

Wishing you much happiness and success!

Patricia Rossi, America’s Etiquette and Protocol Coach, www.patriciarossi.com