Handwritten Thank You Notes, Are They A Thing Of The Past?

"When I have interns, I always say, 'Handwritten thank-you notes can make a difference.' People remember that - not an e-mail, a handwritten note in an envelope." Andre Leon Talley

Use every opportunity to express gratitude, what’s your follow up game after you leave the sales call? You must have multiple touches before you make the sale and a handwritten thank you card should be one of those touches.

One of my favorite parts of the selling process was sitting down at the end of the day and write my thank you cards. I remember back several years ago walking into my favorite store in Miami Beach the Palm; it was stationary heaven. Beautiful cards that allowed me to touch on all different levels of gratitude. I would stack up and buy several, and I always made sure to had enough cards for the month.

It is rare these days to find salespeople that are following up and building business relationships with thank you notes. Be willing to do what other salespeople are not willing to do.

Tom Hopkins blog on handwritten notes; speaks to me personally because I believe in writing them. Below you will find the top two reasons to write handwritten thank you notes.

• Stand Out From The Rest
• Strengthens Relationships

How many things do we write anymore? I believe this topic should be the wave of the future to start having an attitude of gratitude. Today I will share with you Tom Hopkins blog post where he gives you sample thank you notes for you to get started. Click here.

In summary, It's time to keep handwritten notes alive, but for those of you that don't like it, do say thank you in the form of an email. Building relationships should be your primary focus. Contact me today for a career coaching session.


Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach




Do you still practice the art of writing thank you notes?

How To Get The Most Out Of A Networking Event

"The business of business is relationships; the business of life is human connection." Robin S. Sharma

Networking can be the most powerful business tool you can have. Gathering business cards and not taking the time to follow up can have the opposite effect. It’s time you start to network and build your business efficiently.

From when I started networking in the 90’s and looking at how things have changed, I can see how much networking has helped me along the way. I enjoy going to a networking event and meet new people with the possibility to assist them in their journey and gain the opportunity of them helping me.

Below I will share with you how to get the most out of your next networking event. The best networking takes place with planning and taking action.

How To Work The Room

Go Prepared

Take an appropriate amount of business cards, have your elevator speech ready, know what you are going to say about who you are and what you offer. Be confident, dress appropriately and remember that you are there to serve others first.

Follow A System 

Don’t just gather cards for the sake of it, take notes behind the cards. Make references that will help you remember more about the person and their company. It helps when you start reaching out to them.

Follow Up

Take the time to follow up, do it within the first twenty four hours. Thank them for the conversation you had with them. By following up you are starting a meaningful business relationship.

Be Creative With Social Media

Social media is a game changer for networking; now you have the opportunity to follow this person on social media. Connect with them further and ask for their Linkedin or Twitter account. These are the most common business sites, but if you ask for their Facebook or Instagram make sure it is business related. Always stay in touch in a professional manner.

Network Partner

Go to the event with a network partner. Mutually agree to introduce and gather information on their behalf and ask them to do the same for you. If you know that your network partner can assist someone that you are having a conversation with, refer them to your partner always have plenty of their business cards with you. And don’t forget to give your partner information with adequate notes behind the business cards.

What You Will Gain From Networking

• Generate leads and referrals 
• Opportunities - opens new doors 
• Visibility 
• Connections 
• Self Esteem Boost 

In summary, always keep in mind to give before you receive. Have a mindset of service. Always ask yourself “How can I serve this individual?” and go from that mindset. In business, things will unfold as they should, but you are always in control of what actions you are going to take to get the best results. Remember, interact with other people to exchange information and develop contacts, primarily to further your career.


Do you find value in networking events?







Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach

How To Get The Best Results In Your Job/Career

“A career is like a house: it's made of many bricks, and each brick has the same value because, without any one of them, the house would collapse.” Andrea Bocelli

The real difference between a job and a career is your attitude. Are you working just for a paycheck or are you in it for the long-term? It’s time for you to start looking at how to turn your job into the career that you want.

The reason why I always felt successful where I worked, is that I made sure to work on purpose. I never saw my work as a simple job; I made it my career. The benefit of having this type of attitude is growth. I am always willing to learn and grow. There is no need to feel unhappy at work, turn your job into a career.

It’s a mindset, the real difference between a job and a career is your attitude. Every position, every brick matters.

If a career involves special training and formal education, why not combine the two? A job has a negative connotation, yet we all have duties to complete, tasks to do and goals to meet, it’s all the way you look at it. Focus on your important role and build on that and start thinking how you can help the company grow.

Below you will find why focusing on the longterm has better benefits than focusing on the short term.

Long-Term Results

• Professional Growth
• Collecting Experience
• Energetic Mondays
• Aligned With Values
• Fulfilling Days
• It’s A Journey 

In summary, go after the experience rather than the money, remember if the company succeeds, you succeed. You either love what you do or hate it. Don’t let your Sundays be regretting Mondays. For a Career Coaching Chat contact me today.

Until Next Week,
Coach Barb
Career Coach


What would be possible for you if you viewed your job as your career?

A Fresh Look On How To Dress For Success To Be Confident

“If I am not mistaken, it was a British poet who said that 'no one is properly dressed unless he wears a smile.” Sukarno

Dressing for success has become very obscure. What are you expected to wear? What industry do you represent? Take all of that into consideration, but the number one thing is, do you feel confident, happy and powerful? Your goal should always be to be comfortable, clean and presentable.

I love wearing suits and combining my outfits to be as professional as possible. Even on casual Fridays, I loved wearing a nice pair of jeans with a cute ironed white shirt and a stylish blazer, that’s me. And it’s ok if your industry allows East Indian cotton shirts, as long as you are well dressed then that’s dressing for success for you.

Clothes make a strong visual statement about you and how you see yourself. Always choose to dress in a way that boosts your self-confidence and makes you feel good about yourself. Just display some common sense when you are choosing your attire.

There’s a time, and a place for everything and that goes for how you dress as well. Below you will find tips on how to stay focused on what dressing for success means to you.

Performance

When you look your best, you perform your best. What a better way to feel than an ultimate winner. Choose the right attire for your industry, company, and environment.

Brand

You are your brand package. Look the part, and things will go well, when I say that you are your brand, what happens is that you are representing your company, and you. People do purchase products depending on how the package looks.

Feeling

When you look good, you feel good. Therefore it builds your self-confidence and your self-esteem. Take note of how you feel when you wear a particular outfit.

Image

Go for that impeccable image. Use common sense, practice good hygiene and make sure you are wrinkle free and clean.

Knowledge

Know what looks good on you. If you don’t know what to wear ask. It is always ok to ask, never assume.

Customer

Think of your potential client. Do your research, if you are visiting your client's site find out their dress code then go dressed appropriately and comfortably.

In summary, when in doubt keep it simple. Do you consider yourself edgy and trendy? Or conservative? It doesn’t make a difference, always make sure you feel successful and confident. Be yourself, contact me today for a Career Coaching Chat. Have a fantastic day.


Until next week,
Coach Barb
Certified Career Coach




What would be possible in your career if you dressed for success?