Illustra Image Consulting Blog

Dealing the Cards: Don’t play your business etiquette hand like a game of chance

I always find it intriguing how some people at a social function or formal networking event just don’t get the concept of how to react to a business card. That little 2 X 3 inch card offers them a valuable snapshot of a person’s achievements, accomplishments, education, industry, and expertise. But I still see people who will simply snatch the card and tuck it away in their wallet, pocket, or purse without even glancing at it.

Anyone guilty of that kind of indifferent behavior has just offended the person by showing a lack of respect for the card that represents who they are, what they do, and what they have accomplished in life. They have worked hard to get to where they are – so for goodness sake acknowledge it and strike up a conversation about it. You have a wonderful chance to demonstrate grace and show interest, because the card in your hand is a piece of their personal and professional history printed up in a tidy little package. By studying that card you can find out valuable information about their position, rank, and career role. So here are a few tips on how to properly accept a business card to build strong rapport and ensure better business ventures.

1) Stop to Appreciate the Card

As soon as someone hands you their card read it, looking at both sides. People are usually proud of their cards and of their careers, so ask about their industry and position or comment on the logo, colors, or graphic design of the card. People love to be recognized for their achievements, their brand, and the elements that define their professional image.

2) Handle it like a Million Dollar Check

It’s important to be respectful of another person’s business card. Handle it like a check for $1,000,000 – because it may be worth that much in future business. You wouldn’t just wad up a million dollar check and throw it in the bottom of your handbag or a pants pocket where it might get destroyed in the washing machine. Carefully and thoughtfully put it in a safe place like your business card case.

3) Don’t Forget to Reciprocate

Now hand them your card to show reciprocation. If you don’t have any cards on you – or if the ones you carry are tattered and creased – then that is a direct reflection on you, your company, and your personal image and brand. You want them to treasure your card and your business relationship so ensure that every card you hand out creates a strong positive impression.

4) Beware of Asian Business Card Protocol 

If you do work in Asia, remember this tidbit – because it could save you from losing a lucrative contract, offending a business partner, or appearing uncouth. In Asian culture it is considered disrespectful to accept a business card and place it in your back pocket where you will then sit on it. If you use your imagination you’ll understand the subtle connotation of that kind of gesture and why Asians consider it rude. So don’t just stuff the card in your wallet and then put it into your back pocket. Know the customs of the countries where you do business and you’ll succeed where others often falter and fail.

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Become a Personally Branded Celebrity Expert in Your Industry

 I’m sitting here writing this blog post thinking about all the celebrities who have strong personal brands like Madonna, Oprah, and Bill Gates. It’s amazing to me how they have used their personal brands to springboard their business marketing strategies and sales in an authentic way that outclasses their competition. Personal branding is about leveraging the art of impression management to influence the perceptions of others and how they think of your image within a professional or personal environment.

Here are a few secrets to help you become a famous celebrity within your own industry:

1)  Know Your Brand

Unfortunately most people today still think that branding is all about large corporations that use brands to market products and services. It’s always revealing when a new prospect calls me to talk about my services and I ask them the very simple question, “Tell me about your personal brand and how you communicate it out in the world?” Most people can’t clearly articulate their personal brand message, so how do they expect to create an overall image that silently communicates it? You’ve got to do some work to really understand your brand. Then you can begin to make yourself relevant, distinct, and memorable in the hearts and minds of others.

2) Reinvent Your Personal Brand

All great celebrities with enduring brands like Madonna’s reinvent themselves. She is the queen of a chameleon-like ability to reinvent herself while remaining true to her personal brand. Throughout the years she has gone from virgin to material girl and then to mom, actress, and author. She understands the need to continually update and repackage herself in a new and improved way. The same is true for every professional who wants to be “selectively famous” in their industry. You should always start by charting your reinvention campaign with inside secrets. By this I mean intuition talk to uncover and explore your deepest secret goals, dreams, or career aspirations. When you are true to your personal brand you are authentic and unlike anyone else – which makes you unique in your own area of expertise. So often I speak with prospects who are confused about their personal brand style. Everyone has an individual style formula and it takes some innovative strategies to reinvent the overall packaging in order to stay current with the new trends and rules of conduct in this era of globalization. Today it’s all about being on the cutting edge. So consider reinventing yourself to give your career or business a new makeover!

3) Increase Your Visibility in the World

Today with the numerous online virtual tools like LinkedIn,Twitter, and Facebook it’s crucial for every professional to step up their online presence. In this new media age organizations search through Google to locate industry experts who can speak at their summits, conferences, trade shows, and other events. Employers, “headhunters,” HR professionals, and business people are also on the bandwagon digging online for information about people prior to hiring them or buying their products or services. So what is your online visibility? Everything is going virtual – so now is the time to start marketing your personal brand through new media technology as well as in person. Don’t forget that online visibility gives you greater exposure – but nothing replaces your visibility like a powerful live and in person brand and image to build long-term relationships.

4) Create a Professionally Branded Online Presence

Today everyone is searching over the Internet to find you for one reason or another. Be sure that the first impression you make is a wonderful one – not an accident or worse yet, and embarrassment left over from a spring break while you were a freshman. As a professional your head shot, bio, summary of work experience, and the overall look and feel of your online presence sets the tone for your personal brand. If you want to communicate that you are the expert in your field, don’t just share photos of your personal life on social sites. If you do a speaking engagement or attend an industry convention, show it in pictures. People love to see you in action! Make sure photos, text, font, and even colors that you display online all communicate and reinforce your personal brand. If you have a website this is a must.  It’s always fun to Google a new client who tells me they want an online image and brand presence. Too often what I find is not the message they wanted to broadcast – and usually it’s more of a patchwork than a cohesive brand – but it does inspire them to rework their online image.

5) Build a Strong Professional Community

These days it is critical that you build a strong professional network of people who love you and rely on your expertise. These champions will help you leverage your brand by telling people how wonderful it is to work with you or your organization and how much you know about your field. Freely share some of your insider secrets with your network to give them a taste of your value. Always give back to those who are in your network and help to promote them to others. People love to help people who also reciprocate by helping them. When you build a strong community and people understand your brand they can become your personal proactive ambassadors to make you selectively famous within your industry. I think “Who can I promote and help champion today?” Many times I will do this with my colleagues and trusted advisors by having them be a guest blogger for me or by connecting two professionals together who may have a great deal in common. Always give more than you get to your community.

I’d love to hear any stories of how you have created your own celebrity-expert status by building a strong personal brand. Feel free to make a post that tells us about any branding tools you used to help become “brandly” famous.

Do you want to use this blog article?

You may, as long as you include this complete bio with it:

Sarah Hathorn is a professional image consultant, certified personal brand strategist, speaker, and author. 

Her company, Illustra Image Consulting, works with high-achieving future leaders and large businesses by enhancing their corporate and personal brand image to take their businesses and careers to the next level.

Blog, Ezine & Website: www.illustraimageconsulting.com

Copyright © 2010, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

Millionaire Entrepreneur Mindset Secrets: What's Holding You Back in Your Business?

If there's a struggle on the OUTSIDE, it means there's a struggle on the INSIDE. 

This is how Marketing and Success Mindset Expert, Fabienne Fredrickson describes why you might not be experiencing the success in your business that you should be. 

As Fabienne explains, once you shift the internal mindset barriers that are sabotaging your success, you have the ability to be prosperous and to multiply your revenues, over and over again, with ease--but only when you get to the root of what's holding you back.

Intriguing, right?

Fabienne is taking her Mindset teachings on the road at three One-day LIVE events titled, 'Millionaire Entrepreneur Mindset Secrets':

• San Diego, CA: July 22nd
• New York, NY: July 29th
• Atlanta, GA: August 5th

(Even if you're not living in these cities, this event is worth flying in for, taking the train or going on a road trip with friends...)

During these events, you'll be "stretched" by Fabienne to see a much bigger vision of what's possible for you, and you'll begin to uncover the hidden reasons why you're not currently making more in your business. You'll also discover the exact process to shift your mindset, transform your in-come, and upgrade your entire life--both personally and professionally. 

'Millionaire Entrepreneur Mindset Secrets' promise to be a real game changer for entrepreneurs ready to truly experience success--something that will immediately impact your business and your life.

Fabienne is known for her down-to-earth, yet powerful presentations so I promise you, you won't want to miss this event! She is a trusted business mentor and coach to thousands of heart-centered entrepreneurs around the globe. Now you can have her teach you the same mindset principles that she teaches her clients, for a fraction of what they pay. (Only $95 and you get to bring a guest for free!)

Watch Fabienne's new video about this event, here: Watch Video

So expect a full afternoon of Fabienne teaching you the secrets she personally used to transform her own business and multiply her in-come, dramatically by using proven internal mindset principles. Fabienne uses these principles daily to keep doubling her business every year, and her private students are doing the same...and you can too!

Get all the event details here: Event Details

The event also includes high-level networking, "mindset makeover" hotseats conducted by Fabienne, as well as a gourmet hors d'oeuvres reception immediately following--so you can meet and talk to Fabienne personally.

It's only $95 to register (and, each paid participant gets to bring a guest for free.)

There are only 100 seats available per location, so register quickly before they sell out.

REGISTER NOW!

I hope to see you there!

The Great Follow Up

This week I wanted to spotlight one of my great colleagues Chi Chi Okezie. I’ve known Chi Chi for years 
and respect her networking style. We have done radio shows together and she is the master of networking. She has a great new book out entitled “Networking Made Simple” which is wonderful! Here’s a quick blog post from my colleague and friend, Chi Chi Okezie:

The Great Follow Up

Networking is an art that can transform any professional from “Ok” to “Outstanding”. It involves a mastery of communication and protocol. But, there is a method to networking that does not just involve participation in the actual event. Professionals have to continue their networking endeavors after the function is over. Follow Up is an essential strategy for success. It is a link for developing relationships, which lead to future benefits.

Listed below are effective tips for following up with individuals in a dynamic way.

1. A Good Connection.
At the networking event, make it a point to connect with your business counterpart. Share ideas and experiences and find common ground. People are more interested in who you are, rather than what you do.

2. Follow Up
After the event, be intentional with your follow up process. Seek out your counterpart within three days. Whether you send an email, phone call or correspondence, make the message purposeful.  Explain why you want to stay in contact and how you add value to this promising relationship.

3. Face Time
In order to gain trust and understanding, your counterpart should feel that you are credible. Meet up face to face within a few weeks. This can be an opportunity learn more about your counterpart and their business. Use this time to show that you are genuine and committed.

4. The Real Deal
Express to your counterpart an agenda for doing business and maintaining a relationship. Be available to do business and expanding each others network. Stay in contact and offer to reconnect at a later time. Focus on details and make sure that your interests run parallel.

Follow Up is a key factor of networking success. It is a link for building relationships and doing beneficial business. Following Up breeds trust and understanding among the business counterparts.

You can get your copy of Networking Made Simple for just $7.97 plus S&H here.

Chi Chi Okezie
owner/producer, SIMPLEnetworking, LLC
www.snseminars.com
info@snseminars.com
Tel. 404.293.0918

My New Facebook Page

I'm thrilled to announce the completion of my new Facebook Page! Hop on over and take a look. I hope you'll connect with me too, by clicking the "Like" button at the top of the page.

You'll find more tips on leading edge image and brand management that every successful leader needs to know.

Attract More Clients: Consistently Network to Publicize Your Brand

Attract More Clients: Network Consistently to Publicize Your Brand

Yesterday I was talking with a client who was frustrated with their recent sales decline of her organization. As I was chatting with this professional who was describing the image concerns within the organization, I realized I wanted to share with you one of the key points that was concerning their employees. She was explaining to me that when business becomes difficult, the top brass huddle around the conference table and immediately go into reactive mode and exclaim, “We’ve go to get our people out networking ASAP.” She explained to me that they do belong to some specific networking organizations and attend events now and then. This professional was concerned with how their organization was showing up in the marketplace inconsistently, often without being clear as to which groups are the best for them, perhaps resulting in doing more damage to their corporate brand than enhancing it.

I wanted to share this story with you because it is very common with businesses today. I do think this organization’s marketing strategy can be damaged by being inconsistent in their visibility, even if they are strategically targeting the right organizations. If you make the decision to join an organization or a networking group as a part of your marketing plan to attract your ideal clients, you need to be there consistently, and make sure that group is a good fit for you and your company, that it attracts your target market and gives you ways to communicate your personal and business brand message to members of that group.

Select the Right Networking Group

Sometimes it just isn’t the right organization or fit for your business. That’s okay. I personally have been very selective and sometimes visit a group several times to get a feel for the organization and whether my target clients are in that audience. Networking is always about building long-term relationships, and being a resource for others in the group . We hope that by genuinely giving to others that they will resonate with us and recommend us to when the occasion arises. Many new networkers think it is about how many business cards you collect or telling everyone about you and your business. If that is why you are going out networking, stay home.

Give Graciously to Others

Have you ever gone to a networking event and gotten home with twenty cards and wondered, “who are these people?” On the other hand, I think we can all remember the time we have attended a networking event or a business function, met someone new, struck up a thoroughly enjoyable conversation and felt very connected with that person. It’s like you’ve known them for years. You come away feeling like you had so much in common that you can’t wait to connect with them again soon. That is the experience you are looking for when networking—an effective and graceful experience.

Build Strong Networks

Your goal is to start a relationship with someone with whom you feel connected and perhaps want to explore whether they are someone who could benefit from your services. I personally have met a number of wonderful people who are now great friends of mine, all because we connected at a business networking event. I have met others through networking that I have worked with over the last several years, and I love working with them. I would recommend any of them to a potential prospect in a minute because I know and trust these people.

That’s what networking is all about. It’s the experience of exploring new relationships allowing for the possibility that your paths will cross in the business arena. You want to spend time enjoying yourself at these events and when you do, you naturally and gracefully communicate your personal brand with ease, cultivating new relationships and cementing existing ones.

The next time the boss pulls the troops together to announce the new marketing strategy and using networking as a tool, remember that it’s not a crisis management option. It is important, however, that you critically access whether any particular group is the right one for you and your company. When it is a good fit, when it is a group that attracts people from your target audience, you can show up confidently and consistently to share your personal brand with the group. You’ll love learning more about these professionals because you already know their issues and concerns. By finding the right group, and participating consistently so people get to know you, you can easily reap the rewards of networking, rather than approaching the activity haphazardly because the boss is in panic mode.

INSIDE NETWORKING

I wanted to share with you an article from my great friend and colleague Chi Chi Okezie on networking. I have listed Chi Chi's contact information at the bottom of this article. I love sharing on my blog tips and secrets from other experts. I know you enjoy this article. 

Networking is becoming increasingly popular among professionals, companies and industries.  It is redefining the scope of business and empowering individuals to unprecedented success.

How can you capitalize on your networking skills and be more effective?  Here are four techniques which you can apply instantly.

 1.  Be Strategic

Set short and long term networking goals.  Evaluate your methods and consistently track your results.  Be accountable for your success.

 2.  Embody Your Brand

Focus and develop your strongest abilities and traits.  Be specifically known for one or two things which make you unique and notable in your field.

 3.  Follow Up

Make sure to properly follow up with your networking contacts.  Your message should be personalized, professional and meaningful.

 4. Be a Fireball

Network with passion enthusiasm and fun.  Be open minded, flexible and prepared for chance opportunities.

 Chi Chi Okezie is owner / producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC.  She is author of “SIMPLEnetworking”, travel guide on 50 tips for better networking.  For more tips, articles and resources on business networking, visit the official website: http://www.snseminars.com