Working Women of Tampa Bay blog

Top 10 Tips for Adding FUN to the Workplace

Working Women — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 15:16:13 GMT

Blog by:  Shannon Spring - JustHumorMe.com

Traditional business “wisdom” was that work was not supposed to be fun, that’s why it’s called work.

In reality, this is neither true nor wise. Humor is a great way to reduce stress at work. Happier people at work are more productive, better team players, and healthier, which translates into greater profits.

Chris Robert, professor of management at the University of Missouri College of Business, says joking around on the job and humor can actually have a positive effect on productivity and employee retention.

Proclaimer: Choose the ones that suit your sense of humor and are likely to be successful in your office, then label yourself Fun-Inspired!

Here are 10 Tips for adding fun and productivity to your workplace beside being a likeable person!

1. Have a company team-building day! This does not have to involve swinging from ropes or falling into the arms of the person you can’t stand. Hire a professional to customize a day of fun and games that will appeal to the personalities of your team and address the issues you face and goals you want to achieve. The grouchiest person in the office often lightens up when given the chance to play. Teambuilding helps coworkers create a new dynamic based on shared laughter, not forced trust.

2. Humor encourages teamwork by building a sense of camaraderie. Have your group(s) come up with its own goofy cheer with each person contributing a line. Use it to start or end each meeting or as needed to reduce stress.

3. Even a candy jar can be fun. Put one on your desk and anyone who takes a piece must pay you a compliment. This is a win-win!

4. Have an office mascot - any funny looking doll, puppet, or inflatable dinosaur will work. The mascot will travel the office once a day, with each employee writing down the 1st thing that comes to mind when it reaches their desk. Read some of these musings at the next meeting and try to guess who wrote what. Be sure the mascot is included in all company photos.

5. Have a contest for ways to improve workplace morale. Vote on the best idea and implement it! Be prepared to hear “Fire Management”. Have a sense of humor and “fire” yourself at the next meeting, then rehire yourself on the condition that you’ll value employee input and start putting their fun ideas to work.

6. Liven up meetings by using silly props such as a funny microphone shaped like a bird. You can only talk when it’s your turn to “squawk”. Any prop will do, but the wackier the better.

7. Have a humorous celebration once a month giving small awards or certificates to people for “nonsense” things such as, who had the neatest desk, who broke the copy machine, whose hair is never out of place.

8. Simple praise and recognition are fun to give and fun to get. Appreciating people goes a long way towards creating a happy workplace. Have a crowning ceremony for shining stars with a crown, music, and receiving line to pay the VIP personal and public praise! Don’t just think good things, say them.

9. Have a team brainstorming session to resolve workplace challenges such as a specific customer service issue, or how to increase sales. Each staff member will write down a serious suggestion and a humorous one. Give prizes for the best idea in each category.

10. Create monthly opportunities for people to know something about each other outside their work role which creates a fun-friendly environment. Try a talent show in the office where everyone can showcase a personal talent they have, or a group trip to the local bowling alley for some lighthearted fun.

What are some of the things you think add fun to the workplace?

For more information on how Shannon Spring can bring more fun and productivity to your workplace visit JustHumorMe.com.

First Impressions Can Be Lasting Impressions

Working Women — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 15:35:50 GMT

By: Robin Lavitch

When I ask people how long it takes to form a first impression, I receive the typical response of three to seven seconds.

Mind Model

Did you know that it actually takes only a tenth of second to form an impression about whether someone is attractive, trustworthy and/or credible, according to relationship expert Tonya Reiman? We mentally make judgments about people so quickly we are not even conscious of having made these judgments.

We quickly assess the appearance of an individual from their hair, dress, posture, and other subtle body gestures to see how similar we are to others. We are aware that first impressions do exist, so we attempt to put our best foot forward, but what we think is our best foot, just might not be.

Imagine what happens if we believe our right foot is our best foot, but someone else believes our left foot is best. In the 1920’s Dr. William Martson, behavioral assessment psychologist identifies four different behavioral styles in his book titled The Emotions of Normal People.

The information is now currently packaged as the DISC Model. There are other variations relating to animals, colors, and behavioral concepts called MIND the Matters, where MIND is the acronym describing the four distinct styles: Motivator, Investigator, Nourisher, and Dominator.

When we create an impression, our own behavioral style will influence
how we judge and evaluate others and how they judge and evaluate us.

As a Motivating Style, it is natural to dress in a trendy fashion with colors, patterns and textures that draw lots of attention. Whereas the more reserved Nourisher Style would much prefer to wear natural and neutral styles to blend into the background and even walls as if they were a chameleon so they don’t get a lot of attention. In this scenario, the styles are literally opposite and given how quickly we form first impressions, the first impression from either party would not be favorable. The Motivator would think the other person is too reserved and the Nourisher would think the other person is over the top!

Can we undo first impressions or are these lasting impressions?

Body language expert Carol Kinsey Goman suggests 7 non verbal ways to make a first impression. She confirms studies have found that nonverbal cues have over four times the impact on the impression you make than anything you say.

The key to managing our relationships is to acknowledge how we are being perceived. If we pay attention more to this and interact with others interests in mind, identifying the best foot is irrelevant because our focus shifts to connecting.

To learn more about Robin Lavitch visit www.SurpassYourGoal.com, Robin@surpassyourgoal.com.

Success Themes Emerge for 2013

Working Women — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 14:36:25 GMT

As 2013 continues to unfold, some clear, important success themes have emerged from our community.

Here are some of the highlights so far:

   •   Personal Brand and social media strategist Deborah Shane opened our year in January highlighting 13 Marketing Musts for 2013, focusing on content marketing via social media.

   •   Jennifer Samuel-Chance led a series of exercises to help you build the confidence to articulate your story.

   •   Entrepreneur panel with Fran Powers, Dawn Pici and Elizabeth Markie presented the best tools to connect with your audience and deliver solid, impactful content to become better presenters. 

   •   Certified business coaches Barbara & Juliet Kyes outlined the top 10 strategies successful business owners use to get more out of their time and self manage their 24 hour clock.

   •   Our social media Panel with Charise Strandberg, Kim Garst and Deborah Shane talked about the latest social media trends and best practices for small business success.

   •   Author and expert Lisa Huetteman, presented best practices of value-centered leadership highlighting why creating the right culture is essential for long term business success.

   •   Our First Annual Leadership Lunch in honor of International Women’s Day brought together Tampa Bay’s top women in business for networking, leadership, building core strengths and mentorship.

Some of the questions we are tackling and working on this year are:

What does it take to sustain success?
Every one of us has to create their answer for this question. Depending on our situation and stage in life, we must create our best formula and strategy for sustaining our success.

What do I need to do every day to make sure I am advancing professionally?
Keeping up with your skills, industry information, market connections are all paramount. Keeping up with the pace of change is a daily occurrence.

How do I know when to change my course and tweak my plan?
Things change so fast that a plan we put in place may not be applicable or working. Don’t wait or procrastinate. Make changes when you know things are not working or moving in the best direction.

The course, path and professional advancement continues to unfold for women in business.

The latest State of Women-Owned Business Report by American Express Open published in 2012 provides some interesting insights into the current trends among WBEs.
   •   There are 8.3 million+ women-owned businesses in the United States
   •   WBEs are generating nearly $1.3 trillion in revenues and employing 7,697,000 people
   •   Between 1997 and 2012, women-owned firms increased 54%, 1½ times the national average of 34%

“There are many reasons to be positive. I strongly believe that the next five to 10 years will see a dramatic change for the better. Women managers can contribute to this by understanding that there are certain expectations related to organizational leadership, and developing their skills accordingly” says Professor Ginka Toegel, in her Forbes article Disappointing Statistics, Positive Outlook.

As we continue to work on all of the areas, skills and fundamentals for success, we know that our commitment, dedication and consistency to them are what moves us forward.

Was the Dali Lama on to something, when he proclaimed “Western Women will Save the World, or will women worldwide save the world?

Qualifying Prospects Critical to Business Growth and Lead Conversion

Working Women — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:38:22 GMT

Guest Post by Julie Robbins-Founder IdeaWorks and IdeaActive

If you’re like me and run your own company (no matter what the size or stage of growth), you know exactly what it’s like to burn the wick at both ends to build even the tiniest bit of business momentum.

At the top of every entrepreneurs “lessons learned” list should be qualifying prospects. This is the key to enjoying your work, building client successes and growing your business faster and more efficiently. Qualifying relationships saves precious energy, money and our most important commodity, time!

Here’s an 8 question prospect qualification checklist that has worked well for me and can help you attract, qualify and retain the best customers and determine if a client is a good fit for you and your company model.

1) Does this company or individual have a favorable reputation as a highly regarded company?
2) Do they understand the value of a strategic business plan?
3) What is their growth potential in the next 2 years?
4) Do they have a realistic sales strategy and marketing plan and objectives?
5) Are they principled and realistic?
6) Do they have a budget that will allow for the proper attention and resources needed to dedicate to achieving growth and revenue goals?
7) Do their company values mesh well with your own?
8) Do you sense you can we work well together in long-term, close professional relationship?

Always lead with your heart, head and gut. If an opportunity seems too good to be true, it probably is. If you sense red flags of any kind, don’t ignore them. Finally, if a prospect stands for a shred of something you and your company cannot get behind; move on, as they probably are not a good fit.

Here are 26 additional questions you can use for qualifying, building rapport and handling objections.

What are some of the techniques and tactics you use to qualify new business and customers?

Julie Robbins is the founding partner of IdeaWorks and IdeaActive, a new type of Performance Management Company that designs and implements marketing roadmaps fully integrated with clients' business plans while focusing on measurable growth. For more information connect with Julie on LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/julierobbins.

9 Things That Can Increase Your R-O-N after an Event or a Conference

Working Women — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:36:42 GMT

What’s your R-O-N or Return on Networking?

We spend a considerable amount of time networking in person because we know it’s still the most important way to meet the right people and build relationships with our colleagues, peers and potential new customers.

When you return from a networking event or conference, sorting it all out in an organized, systematic and timely way is the key to beginning the conversion from connection to relationship.

The National Association of Sales Professionals reports 48% of sales people never follow up with a prospect and 80% of sales are made on the fifth to twelfth contact. So, getting your follow up in motion as soon as possible and being in the 52% who follow up is smart. 

Set aside some time immediately to prioritize the contacts you made, think about your follow up strategy and make sure you follow up in a timely manner. You will want to get back to people while you are both fresh in each other’s minds.

Here are 9 things to do that can increase your R-O-N and accelerate converting connections into actionable relationships.
1) Sort through all the cards and contacts you made and prioritize them. Review all the cards and contacts from the people you owned a moment with, or had a meaningful exchange with. Tip: write notes on the back of the cards to remind you of what you talked about.

2) Prioritize who you need to follow up with first and why. Although we gather cards at these events, prioritizing the warmest connections and ones that make the most sense to follow up on should be followed up on first.

3) Review all the sessions you attended and notes you took. If you attended a conference, take the program and review all the sessions you attended and what was presented to remind yourself of the flow of how the content was presented. This will help you with your follow up strategy. Set aside time to go through all your notes and highlight the key ideas from the speakers and presenters and list the key take away you got from them. Think about and plan how can you implement the information or tactic immediately.

4) Review the handouts and information you took home. Review all the handouts, worksheets, post cards you took home and educate yourself for the follow up process. Visit blogs, websites and social media pages. Take advantage of any incentives offered to you by the speakers and conference presenters.

5) Draft a customized follow up letter or email to each person on your follow up list. Personalize and compose a thoughtful note to each person that shows them you paid attention to what they said and the commonality of your conversation.

6) Invite people to connect with you on social media. This is the bridge that can help you get into people’s communities, streams and conversations and get you noticed. Use the social media that they are most active on, such as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter as engagement points. Get into their conversations and invite them to get into yours.

7)   Create a follow up phone call list to prospects you want to contact immediately. Don’t wait, pounce and be proactive with people you feel a strong intuition about. Qualify specifically, what you see as the synergy and prepare to lay out and discuss some collaborative ideas.

8) Plan on connecting and introducing people in your network immediately that can benefit from knowing each other. When you demonstrate your “give” first, you set the tone for your brand in the relationship.

9) Create a 30 day follow up plan. Relationships take time so plan on a 30 day custom follow up plan. Be specific, thoughtful, and consistent and interact with them as regularly as possible.

These 9 actions can demonstrate your professionalism, mutuality and genuine interest in developing relationships with people that you meet in person.
MarketingCharts.com, reports when planning your follow up strategy:
•   Facebook is the top driver of leads 54%, followed by Twitter 32% and LinkedIn 14%.
•   Twitter was best for generating leads that had the highest conversion rates.

A thoughtful, dedicated follow up strategy is essential for networking success. Get organized, make the plan and work the plan and watch your relationships grow!

What follow up strategy has worked best for you after a networking event or conference?

LinkedIn Takes Top Spot as Social Tool

Working Women — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 17:33:42 GMT

Blog By: Deborah Shane

LinkedIn Takes Top Spot as Social Tool and Perfect Eco-System for Professional Advancement

Working Women of Tampa Bay has been a BIG fan of LinkedIn since launching our business in 2008. As a weekly in person networking group for women in business to connect, educate and support each other, LinkedIn is the perfect online platform that compliments in person networking with the online connectivity in between events.

According to a study by the University of Massachusetts at Dartmouth, Center for Marketing Research, under the direction of researcher Nora Ganim Barnes, PhD: LinkedIn replaces Facebook as the top social tool!

This is pretty impressive but not surprising given the importance of online professional networking for branding and credibility. LinkedIn offers a turnkey, intuitive and resourceful eco-system for building professional connections and relationships, job search, business information and endorsing connections.

Three key social media trends and statistics worth noting according to the 2013 study report are:
    •    8 in 10 companies, 81% use LinkedIn, up from 73% a year earlier.
    •    Blogging was up 44% from 37% a year earlier.
    •    YouTube is down from to 30% in 2012 from 45% in 2011

This is the year to get more active on LinkedIn and take advantage of all of its resources to find key people, connect with them, stay up to date on the latest industry articles, sharpen the skills needed to compete and brand yourself in your professional space.

Make a stand on LinkedIn and develop your profile so you are considered an “all star” and be dedicated to using it consistently.

Read the entire Inc 500 article here, and see more studies from The Center for Marketing Research.

The Keys To Social Media Etiquette

Working Women — Wed, 23 May 2012 14:54:24 GMT

Blog By: Patricia Rossi

Social media is the new frontier...for business and personal communications. It has taken communication and marketing to a global scale at the speed of light. If you are using social media, then you have already experienced the magic, wonder, and value of it. If you haven't harnessed social media be careful as you don't want to appear as if you are sitting on a donkey while holding the keys to a Ferrari.

Here are 20 keys to help you shine, be successful and strengthen personal and business relationships via social media.

    1.    Always make an appointment to video chat.
    2.    Make sure your surroundings are presentable when video chatting.
    3.    Resist the temptation to multitask.

Click here to read the complete article.

Many of our relationships that began in business turn into valued friendships. Barry Moltz helped me with the launch of my book by writing an article and also interviewing me on his radio show. Barry, along with coauthor Becky McCray, just released Small Town Rules: How Big Brands and Small Businesses Can Prosper in a Connected Economy.

The secret to self confidence is to know and understand the rules of social engagement before you are in the middle of an uncomfortable situation. Check out Everyday Etiquette for tips.

My Business Success Series will show you how to navigate common and uncommon social situations that present themselves in professional as well as personal settings. We are all walking biographies – what story are you communicating to others through your unspoken soft social skills?

Check out the 15 videos that are available in my Business Success Series.

Are You Settling for “Mr. Right Now” Instead of Waiting for “Mr. Right”?

Working Women — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 01:25:28 GMT

Blog by: Brenda Tillmann, The Sales and Client Relations Mentor, founder of Brenda Tillmann International

When you are in business, you are in sales and at some point in our business; we all have experienced dry spells - just like in the dating world. So when that happens, what do you do? Do you become desperate? Does every potential client start looking like "Mr. Right" to you, no matter if he fits your ideal client profile or not?

Settling for the wrong customer can be a huge waste of time and money. You'll find yourself running around in circles trying to please this high-maintenance customer and miss viable opportunities to truly make a difference in your best customers life or business.

Develop a profile for your ideal client so that you are not tempted to close any old Joe Smoe that comes along. To assist you getting really clear who this may be, take a look at your existing clients. This is the ONE individual in your business that you simply can't believe you get paid to work with. The one who happily pays your fees and appreciates the value you bring to their lives. What does this person look like?

Take a few minutes to reflect on all of your clients and write down demographics of each person, make a list of...

   •   What problems your ideal clients have?

   •   What issues they need a solution for to get to the next level in their business or personal life?

   •   What roadblocks do they face when trying to achieve their desired goals?

A pattern should emerge so look for it. What do they have in common? When you know who your ideal clients are, you will stop wasting time by chasing the wrong kind of prospects.

As you enter the "dating" stage, you may have a list with thousands of prospects on it. But just as in love, so is it in business: Timing is everything. Not everyone will want to work with you or as I like to refer to it, have a relationship with you. It’s important to realize, these prospects will move forward according to their time frame, not yours. Now that doesn’t mean you have to wait around for them to take notice of you.

You will need a plan, a strategy, to move them through your sales funnel allowing them to essentially raise their hand to let you know they are interested in you. You will become more efficient when following up if you have a system in place to find out who’s really into you, who kind of likes you, and who is still deciding what they think of you. What are the deal breakers?

Don’t be a serial dater and don’t wait too long to call after a date! Failing to follow up is a common problem for many entrepreneurs because they are busy chasing other opportunities. Too many business owners give up on their prospects way too early by thinking that if the sale doesn’t happen on the first meeting, it never will. Statically it’s been proven most consumers (81%) do not buy until at least the fifth contact.

What system do you have in place to make sure you are not the guy or gal who didn’t call? To ensure that your leads don’t get lost, automate your email with auto-responders that deliver quality content from free reports, video tutorials, email series that they can learn from so that when they are ready to buy, they buy from you. This is called nurturing your prospects.

But be careful not to move too fast! Give the relationship time to grow before you ask for the sale. Would you ask someone to marry you after only knowing him or her for five minutes? Put yourself in his or her shoes, would you say, “yes” to a marriage proposal to someone you just met? There are still discoveries to make about your prospects and they most certainly want to know more about you, too. It’s crucial to their success as well as yours to make sure you are a right match before asking them to commit to a purchase.

So before you get down on one knee to propose, make sure:

   •   Your prospect knows the benefit you provide by educating them.

   •   Use social proof to demonstrate how you’ve served others and the successful outcomes of working with you.

   •   Give them a free trial so they can experience the benefits you provide. This will make them realize they can’t go another day without you!

   •   Implement an automatic “warm fuzzy touch” plan with email or direct mail that will gradually take them by the hand and lead them through your sales funnel.

When you take your prospects through this simple and easy process, your ideal clients will naturally progress forward while the others opt-out…this is a beautiful thing!

Marketing is like dating and can be fun. Especially when you provide a valuable product or service that people really need and can benefit from. You’ve got something worthwhile to offer the world so get out there and get in the game! Attract your ideal clients by playing up your positives, differentiate yourself from the competition, build meaningful relationships, and apply the rules of dating to your marketing and you’ll see your nurturing efforts consistently turn interested prospects into sales.

Brenda Tillmann, The Sales and Client Relations Mentor, is founder of Brenda Tillmann International and the creator of the Romance of Selling System™, the proven step-by-step program that shows women business owners exactly how to utilize their natural relationship skill set to sell with ease which literally transforms their sales results...guaranteed! You can get your F.R.E.E. Audio CD and receive her weekly sales & client relationship building articles on establishing more high-value relationships while consistently closing more sales at: www.brendatillmann.com

Does Your Business Card Make An Impact?

Working Women — Fri, 30 Mar 2012 03:41:44 GMT

Blog By: Patricia Rossi

Your business card matters. It’s like a resume. It lets people know how you feel about yourself, your business and most importantly them. Your business card gives you an opportunity to make a stellar first and lasting impression.

Here are a few ways to make sure you are making a memorable impact with your business card.

It represents you. Your business card is a visual reminder of your company and most importantly you. Make it visually appealing. Use high quality graphics that are appealing to the eye. Invest in a nice heavy card stock not printing paper thickness.
You can get 4,997 cards for 49 cents. Just kidding! But you can buy cards for a minimal amount of money. So, no marked out phone numbers or emails… if your information changes invest in new cards. You are worth it and so is the recipient.
Never present your cards like you are in the middle of NYC’s Times Square handing them out in a wonton manner. If you respect your business card, hand it with grace and respect. Then, other people will treat it in the same manner and hopefully keep it as a reminder to build a business relationship with you in the near future.
Before heading out to a networking event,know where your cards are. Put them in a place that you can easily locate in a smooth, relaxed manner. You don’t want to appear to be break-dancing or putting out a fire by patting yourself down like your clothes are on fire in search of a card.
Always have some cards with you. If you say you have forgotten your card while at a networking event, it might appear as if you aren’t credible and competent.
If you want to quickly and easily convert business cards into contacts. Check out cardmunch.com and download the app. You will be able to snap a picture with the app, a business card is automatically converted into a contact. It will also show your LinkedIn profile.

My Business Success Series will show you how to navigate common and uncommon social situations that present themselves in professional as well as personal settings. We are all walking biographies – what story are you communicating to others through your unspoken soft social skills?

Take a peek at the 15 videos that are available in my Business Success Series.

Take a leap of faith to entrepreneurship!

Working Women — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 00:40:24 GMT

Blog By: Vonda White, founder and CEO of Collegiate Risk Management and Student Insurance Inc.

Recently I read an interesting article on CNN.com, called “The fastest-growing job in America.” It discussed how the bad economy has taken away once-upon-a-time great jobs and how people are trying to make ends meet. They found a trend in how people are making money and surviving in this low job market.

What’s the fastest growing job in America, you ask?
That would be… the entrepreneur or in their words, the “hustler.”

That word seems a little distasteful, but a lot of Americans have to “hustle” now and work 2-3 different jobs – as much as 20% of people are deemed underemployed, or juggling multiple gigs to pay the bills since the recession started in 2007. Yes, there will always be careers and work… but probably not how it used to be. Unfortunately, you might as well forget all about pensions, retirement plans and a guarantee of 40 hours every week. And if you’re lucky, your career won’t vanish because of technology or new social trends. Like CD store clerks, bookstore owners and even newspaper journalists.
There is a fascinating dynamic reshaping of our thinking, in regards to what we do for a living. Some people will go into professions, but others are learning to become professionals or multi-skilled job creators for themselves. Yes, it can be a little scary to start your own business. Most people are afraid because they don’t want to lose the security of a paycheck or health insurance. However, the reality is that layoffs and buyouts are happening every day and the economy isn’t going to get better anytime soon.

Take a leap of faith and hustle your way to entrepreneurship!

That’s how this great nation began and that’s what America is all about! You can be and do anything. Don’t let the bad economy get you down. You can succeed even when the odds seem to be against you!

Vonda White, founder and CEO of Collegiate Risk Management and Student Insurance Inc., built two companies that serve thousands of students nationwide with student health and accident insurance and various ancillary insurance products. A highly successful entrepreneur, Ms. White has received numerous awards and much recognition for her efforts.

To learn more about Vonda White, visit: www.successagainsttheodds.com/vonda-white

NETWORKing is a Full-time, Full-contact Sport!

Working Women — Mon, 12 Mar 2012 23:14:09 GMT

Blog by: Debbie Lundberg Life & Business Coaching

While there are a lot of suggestions for networking and attending various functions, there are few that we believe serve you best. You will find each of our suggestions are easy to remember, require action on your part and focus more upon the other person than upon yourself.

Just know, networking is not synonymous with communicating. It is your responsibility to make the other person feel connected and interested!
Network by focusing your attention on results, and not just the action of being at an event. Before you use any of the ideas for networking, commit to the following:

1) If you go to a networking event with someone, agree to drive to and from the location together and have minimal (or even no) contact at the event. Having a conversation with your friend while at a networking event just means you wasted time and energy driving to the function when you could have just met where you usually do. If you want time with your buddy, go get a coffee or drink after the networking function; just do not spend your time together since that is not productive!

2) Have enough cards for two per person you can potentially meet. Make sure those cards are up-to-date with no changes in name, email or phone scratched out and written in pen. Is the focus a change in your career? If so, then get professional cards printed with minimally your name, email and phone with your 2-4 areas of professional prowess listed. Make sure your cards are only UV coated on the front so that people can make notes on the back.

3) Have easy access to your cards and place those you receive from others in an equally convenient location. Ladies…no purses at networking events, or at least carry small ones and ensure you do not need to fumble with zippers, etc. when getting your cards. Go for functionality at the events and use your pockets for your card and cardholders.

4) Check your attitude and outside interests at the door. Keep in mind the situation, opportunity and focus, and know that your truly do not get a second chance to make a first impression!

A quick way to remember how to communicate is with the acrostic NETWORK:

N - Names
E - Event
T - Target
W - Work
O - Offer
R - Reach
K - Keep

Now that you have a way to remember the sometimes seemingly daunting experience of networking, here are a few ideas for being successful in a NETWORK:

N - Names - Get names, in advance, of who will be there.
E - Event - Attend for at least one hour or more.
T - Target - Plan to make 3-4 solid contacts per hour.
W - Work - Act as if the event is one that you created – work it.
O - Offer - Decide what ideas or benefits you can provide for others.
R - Reach - Reach out to people afterward.
K - Keep - Keep in touch and keep networking.

NAME: Locate the person in charge of the event a few days prior to the date. Ask for a list of attendees. Sometimes these lists will not be disclosed, but it’s worth a shot. If you do not get the names, arrive early and review the name tags to come up with a plan for who you would like to meet. For your name, wear a name tag. Go ahead and have one made so that you are comfortable with it.

EVENT: No matter how long the networking event lasts, commit to attending minimally for an hour. When people “blow in” and “blow out”, others notice. Additionally, staying at least one hour gives you the opportunity to catch latecomers. You already arrived early to see the names and prepare for whom you wish to meet. Now you are poised as the person whom others wish to meet.

TARGET: Target people or companies when you arrive early and plan for whom you want to interact. Target 3-4 solid connections for each hour you are at the engagement. This does not mean you can only speak with 3-4 people, but focus on quality over quantity. Collecting business cards is one thing…getting the perhaps few cards of people who can be a collaborator, is another. This is communicating versus networking.

WORK: Work the room. Yes, work it! This is where you take on the role of a host or co-host. This is not to say you take credit for the event or the party, rather you make it a point to welcome others and introduce them with a firm, quick handshake of 2-4 pumps of the hand, and interested, interactive conversation. When you appear as the person to meet, you become the person to meet.

OFFER: Even though you are looking to advance in your area(s) of life focus and move forward with your approach or business at each networking event you attend, make sure you devote equal time and attention to listening to and learning about the other people you meet. They may also have areas of life focus and business plans, and good communication is a two-way street. If your experience can assist someone else is attaining his/her goal, they will be much more likely to assist you with your focus/goals. Make an offer to follow through with information, a contact or something else, and you will endear yourself to that person. When you follow up with him or her in the future, you are now a welcomed call, e-mail or letter coming across his or her desk, rather than another person just looking for a favor. This is a value position that must be sincere in the offer and quick in the execution.

REACH: You have made the new contact and figured out a value-added connection you can provide. Now be sure to reach back out to him or her after the event. Typically, a follow through outreach within 24 hours is optimal. Keep in mind, a phone call can appear pushy, and an e-mail can be impersonal. Contrarily, a handwritten note is quite personal, and a note with a relevant article or bit of information is a real connection (if you have agreed to follow up via phone or email do that, but if there is no commitment, go for the personal note). Think about it…how many people display, or even save, phone messages or emails? Not many. However, many of us keep handwritten notes as keepsakes because they create a personal connection.

KEEP: It has been stated that you must network regularly…not just when you need something. Networking is a function that you must constantly keep on your weekly to-do lists, not just something to do if you need a new job or referral. Keep also stands for keeping in touch and keeping your word. When a person says he or she will be somewhere or do something on a particular date and then lets it slide, this becomes memorable for all the wrong reasons. Keeping up with your commitments keeps progress on your personal and professional goals heading in the right direction!

Make the most of your full-time, full contact “sport” of NETWORKing. Have fun, make connections, and look for the value in your efforts. I’ll see you at an event…engaged in conversation, and engaging others to do the same!

Debbie Lundberg Life & Business Coaching
"Partnering to Develop, Inspire, Train & Coach."
www.DebbieLundberg.com
P.O. Box 13248 | Tampa, FL 33681-3248
813.835.0196
http//www.youtube.com/debbielundberg
http://debbielundberg.blogspot.com/
www.ReversingTheSlobificationOfAmerica.com
facebook.com/DebbieLundbergLifeandBusinessCoaching

How SEO Can Make or Break Your Business

Working Women — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:26:02 GMT

Search Engine Optimization, SEO, is critical to the success or failure of your business. As the Internet, social media marketing and mobile marketing continue to change the landscape of business, SEO has become more important than ever. Building a website without a plan for SEO, is the single most expensive lesson any business will learn. A quality design is essential but that is only 50% of the job. Your efforts must continue long after the initial launch of the site and it is an ongoing process.

A great website that’s user-friendly and filled with constant, fresh content is important – in fact it’s crucial to the success of your business. But what if nobody can find your site? Sadly there are tons of great websites all over the Internet that nobody can find – thanks to not using SEO techniques properly.

If you’ve done any website work, even if it’s only for your own, you’ve no doubt heard the phrase “SEO game” when it comes to promoting your site. The fact is, SEO is no game at all, it’s actually very serious business when it comes to driving traffic to your website. What should you do?

First, you have to have an SEO plan or strategy. When you are promoting your website to the search engines, make sure you are using keywords and phrases that are completely relevant to your website and niche. For example, if you have a website on natural treatments for diabetes but you’re using keywords that have to do with aviation, you might get people to visit your site, but they sure aren’t going to stay. If you are trying to solve a problem for your readers and visitors (and that’s exactly what you should be doing) then you need to provide them with the keywords they need to find you.

Another big tip – don’t rely entirely on an SEO “expert” for all of the work. It’s important that you understand the process of SEO and have some say in it – after all this is YOUR business and nobody knows it and understands it like you do.

Limelight Marketing Consultants is a full-service marketing company assisting businesses with online and offline marketing efforts through creative design and strategic marketing approaches. Limelight has the tools and expertise to get you to the top of the search engines. Call (813) 388-9384 or email Liane Caruso at liane@limelightconsultants.com if you want to learn more!

Your Significant… Self? How to be the best YOU for any relationship!

Working Women — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 17:53:16 GMT

Your Significant…Self? How to be the best YOU for any relationship
By: Michelle Phillips, Author of The Beauty Blueprint

That famous country song said we were looking for love in “all the wrong places” but maybe we were actually looking in all the wrong ways. You might have a “list” of what you are looking for in your ideal mate or you might be looking for that special someone who “completes you”. In the process you might be bringing in that same person who we may think is our type yet the reality to finding love successfully may be asking the question, “What type are we?”

Before you put on your Friday night best or log back on to your favorite hook-up website again let’s take a minute to look and feel your best about the most important person in the next relationship, YOU! It is absolutely true that we attract what and who we are in to our lives. When it comes to bringing in our friendships and romantic relations what we radiate is something I call, “The Law of Attractive”. It is the true beauty that can’t be painted on or pumped up in the gym, instead it is the kind of amazing that, when you have the confidence to let it shine, will bring in the perfect person who compliments you not completes you.

I recently had a client I was coaching and after we conquered her work fears she said that her next goal was to get back into a relationship. Of course, no one who wants a relationship truly wants just anyone, they want Mr. or Ms. Right! And most of us know in our hearts exactly what that means, when someone asks we unfurl that dreaded “List”! It is the magic, 10-foot long scroll with every physical, emotional, and spiritual quality that we think we need in a mate to be happy. I asked her what was on her list and she rattled off things like; patient, extroverted, and easy-going. I have to back up by saying I had already been working with her for a few months, and, while she was working on herself currently, she was none of those things. So when I asked how her manhunt was going she said sadly that the people she was dating were none of those things. Shocker!

So where do you start? Think about the phrase, “He” or “She” is a good match for me. You don’t match socks by finding some that go nicely with each other, you match them by finding two that are as close to each other as possible.

- Make your list. Make a note of all the attributes you would find important in a long-term or forever type relationship. Be sure to list more than just physical qualities like dark hair and full lips, the values that you find important such as; honesty, integrity, loyalty, and compassion, will play a much bigger role in the long-term success of your partnership.

- Check it twice. Before you start on your scavenger hunt for love, check the list once for yourself first. If there are areas that you find important in someone else think about if you have them. If you don’t, there is nothing wrong with taking some time to work on you.

- Pay close attention to who is naughty and who is nice. All too often when don’t stick to our list out of fear of rejection, (something), or maybe just a physical connection that we mistake for love but the whole time the alarms are going off inside us to run. Trust your gut here and know that when the time is right for you and that special someone it will work out.

While there may not be a club, church, or online dating site to find true love there is one place that holds the magic of cupid’s arrow, your heart. Find that and honor it and you will be fully capable of loving someone else. Love and be loved, it starts with you!

Michelle Phillips is the author of the bestselling beauty and self-esteem book, “The Beauty Blueprint- 8 Steps to Building the Life and Look of your Dreams” (Hay House) is now available on major book sites. You can listen to her live on Mondays at 12pm est on www.HayHouseRadio.com . She is also a regular guest on the national TV shows, The Daily Buzz, GalTime, and Daytime. www.michellephillips.com

Beware Of Experts

Working Women — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:48:15 GMT

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

Working Women — Mon, 13 Feb 2012 16:43:06 GMT

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

Name Game: 5 Simple tips for how to remember names

Working Women — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:45:26 GMT

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.

If you have trouble remembering names, use these simple tricks to help names stick. Use them to make a bigger impact by calling others by name and making others feel as special as they are!

For 4 more tips, check out Patricia Rossi's blog at http://www.patriciarossi.com/2012/01/how-to-remember-names/

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

Patricia Rossi
Cell: 727-457-0070

Phone: 727-375-0375

Email: patricia@patriciarossi.com

Have you stuck to your resolve?

Working Women — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:40:28 GMT

Every January 1, I would wake up with the best of intentions. Each year I had resolved to improve and live a better life. Then, by February, all thise ideals are out of the window. Failing to fulfill New Year's resolutions can be soul crushing. I felt weak and I didn't want to think I would be stuck living the same dreary life, slogging through the days forever.

Then I discovered the secret to keeping my resolutions and meeting my goals!

Now, when I set a goal, I know I can reach it and so can you!

I can help you reach and keep your goals!

A few tips to keep in mind:

Be sure your goals are realistic. It sometimes help to chunk down your goals into small steps that you can track. Keeping track of each small success you make toward reaching your larger goal will keep you motivated.

Write your goals down. It may help to see a list of items on paper to keep your motivation strong. Keep your list with you and refer to it when you need help keeping your resolve.

Talk about your goals, don't keep your resolution a secret. Tell friends and family members who will be there to support your resolve to change yourself for the better or improve your health.
Use the buddy system. Find yourself a buddy who shares your goal and motivate each other.

Debbie Lane C.Ht.

"Unlock Your Natural Potential"

(727) 781-8483 office
Facebook
www.wisdomhypnosis.com
http://wisdomhypnosis.blogspot.com/

Coming Soon! 2012 Printed Directory!

Working Women — Fri, 18 Nov 2011 17:56:27 GMT

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.

Take the Stress Out of Your Holiday Shopping at Think Pink!

Working Women — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 20:29:36 GMT

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.

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5 Simple Strategies to Create Repeat Customers

Working Women — Sun, 13 Nov 2011 01:50:44 GMT

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.