7 Reasons Why You Should Network

In today’s technology driven digital world global expansions are on the rise and the old saying “It’s not what you know it’s who you know” cannot me more true. As companies seek out new markets and buyers that were virtually inaccessible a decade ago, networking is identified as a key factor in business success.

Although the internet is a great way to reach out to potential clients, it’s not as effective as face time; an in-person, face to face meeting. There are some skeptics who still rely on their expertise, education, or credentials to get by in the corporate world but they are few and far between. Networking is now the best way to get clients and keep business.  Networking isn’t always easy and does require an investment of both time and money but it is an investment that will pay off.

Here are 7 reasons why you should network :

 1. Word of mouth recommendations
Networking is a great way to spread the word about your business or the services offered by your employer. Interacting with people in person helps build a rapport and a level of trust which will in turn make others more comfortable when recommending you to their friends. When you can identify with others they will also be more likely to remember you and recommend you to their friends or peers.

2. Mentoring
Working is a continuous learning experience and it’s always helpful to have a mentor to guide you along your corporate journey. Networking events are a great place to meet potential mentors that can provide you with helpful insight and ideas. If you are a veteran in your field networking can help you connect with potential mentees and share your expertise with young professionals.

 3. Gaining a better understanding of your market
Understanding your market is extremely important when selling goods or services. Networking gives you access to a wide range of individuals and opinions. You can use these opinions to your advantage by examining how they react to the products or services you offer and how much demand there is for your product. By expanding your network you will have access to more people and be able to identify those individuals who fit in to your niche market.

 4. New Employment Leads
If you are a job seeker you can network your way to your next job. Networking is now the primary way of finding a job. People are more likely to hire or recommend someone they know rather than someone they don’t. Networking and letting your contacts know you are looking for a job is the first step to starting your job hunt. Your contacts will then be able to recommend you to their network and keep you in mind for any upcoming vacancies. Make sure you highlight your skills and specialties so the referrals you get will be relevant.

5. Explore a new career
Effective networking gives you access to contacts from varying fields and work environments. This is especially useful if you are looking to change careers. Reaching out to your network to learn about different options and fields of work will help you seek out new career interests. Networking is also a valuable tool for new grads starting their careers. We advise graduates to actively seek out contacts who are already employed in the positions they are interested in and get a first hand account of what the job really entails.

6. Increase or drive sales
Increasing your network and meeting new contacts can help you increase your reach when promoting materials or products. More people reached means more potential clients. Networking is often used to drive sales. More effective than cold calling, networking allows you to actually meet your potential clients prior to approaching them with an ask for a sale or an endorsement. It’s usually easier to call someone you’ve met before and explain how you met them etc. rather than calling a stranger and making small talk before getting to your pitch.

 7. Building brand familiarity and notoriety
Attending networking events puts a face to the name of your business. Building brand familiarity is something business owners and associates must keep in mind when seeking out new clients. The larger your network the larger your reach! You want people to be able to identify you and only you with a particular service, not your competitors. It’s important for entrepreneurs and professionals to be aggressive in networking, this means expanding your network and getting your name out there.

 For more tips on expanding your network check out our upcoming workshop Courteous Connections

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Time is of the Essence : 5 Time Management Tips

The old saying that Time and Tide wait for none rings true even in the modern and developed world. This can explain the reason why time management has become a very important topic in the business world today. Time lost can never be gained. Follow the tips given below to better organize your time only manage your time and make maximum use of the time available to you. Good organization is key to good time management.

1. Plan your day to sail smoothly
Effective planning  is crucial to time management. When planning your day, make sure to list the tasks according to the level of priority. Prioritize your work according to their importance. This way you can be sure that the important tasks get done.  Place a check mark or strike out the tasks once completed. You can also stipulate a time frame within which you need to complete each task. It’s important to remember that you are bound to be interrupted and disturbed while you engage in completing your tasks, so schedule time for such disturbances and interruptions. Once you complete your task list, you have a better idea of what your day is going to be like.

2. Set a goal and go for it
Planning your day without a goal is very detrimental to achieving success in time management. It is important to set goals and targets for yourself as you go through your planned tasks or activities. Your goals and targets should be achievable and realistic. You can dedicate a few minutes of your time before a task to plan how to carry out that task to success and a few minutes after the task, to figure out if you achieved the result you wanted.

3. Set deadlines for yourself
Each of your tasks should  have a designated deadline within which to be completed. This way you will not spend extra time on one particular task or call. Some tasks can prolong for a day or two but it’s essential that every task have a stipulated completion deadline. Blocking out distractions and even placing a sign that says “Do Not Disturb” is a good way to stay focused to meet your deadline.

4. Delegate, delegate, delegate
Delegating work is another tip to adhere to for good time management. No one can do everything by themselves. There will be opportunities and necessity to delegate your work to another person, and when these opportunities arise, make use of them. A person who has a specialty or interest in a task that you have to accomplish, will be able to accomplish that same task more easily and also faster than you. Be alert and look out for such opportunities as they will free up time that you can devote to another task.

5. Take a “ME” break from TIME
Get into the habit of saving precious time by doing the right thing at the right time. Plan and take time for yourself either to make a personal phone call or update social media. This will give a breath of fresh air and rejuvenate you to tackle the tasks lined up for the rest of the day or at least for the next hour or two.  It is not possible to focus steadily for a whole day and get good results. The odds are that 20% of your activities for the day produce 80% of the results.

Effective time management is the result of good organization; being proactive and focused on the results you want to achieve for yourself. Good organization also means that you know what is on your desk at any given time. Unwanted papers belong in the waste paper basket and not on your desk. Files and documents can be organized in an orderly fashion so there will be no time wasted in looking for a document or file.

Much time is wasted in offices globally on “Gossip”. Gossip is not only a time killer but also a relationship killer. Anyone interested in managing their time should have no time for gossip.

Effective time management results in being focused on the end result. Set reminders, use calendars. There are many tools and software available to the professional today for effective time management and it would do one well to make maximum use of them.

At the end of each day, go through the plan you did at the beginning of the day and determine for yourself if your day was productive. Following these guidelines will help you build a productive day and a productive life style.

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting

Bringing Civility to the Friendly Skies : 15 Airplane Etiquette Tips

Since the invention of the “flying machine” in the early 20^th century air travel has advanced considerably with new models from Boeing and Airbus gracing the skies.

Flying used to be regarded as a prestigious and glamorous activity with in fight lounges, card tables, and sleeping births even in economy class. Today much of the glamour and hype has been taken out of flying and it is regarded merely as a  rapid means of transportation to get from point A to point B, this is especially true for business travelers. Although the glamor and prestige may be gone we still believe that civility must be preserved in the friendly skies. Here’s our look at 15 airplane etiquette tips

1. Stay out of the aisle
When walking to your seat carry your cabin baggage in front of you and low to the ground so as not to obstruct other passengers, and avoid chatting in the aisles.
 

 2. Keep your seat upright for meals
Reclining seats are great but don’t leave your seat on full recline mode for the entire flight. Reclining your seat takes away from the leg room and dining tray space of the passenger behind you so be considerate and straighten your seat back for meals. Wait for the passenger behind you to finish his/her meal before reclining again.

3. Stuck in the middle with two armrests
No one likes to be stuck in the middle; you can’t look out the window and you can’t exit your seat freely. As a consolation the middle passenger gets both arm rests.

4. Get over body odour
Proper hygiene is essential when flying as passenger are packed in to an enclosed space with recycled air for extended periods of time. Using deodorant and showering at airports or lounges (if you can )is highly recommended to avoid offensive and embarrassing body odour. Avoid using strong perfumes and colognes and opt for a lightly scented body spray or unscented products.

5. Don’t hog the overhead compartment
Storage space on airplanes is limited so use the overhead compartment above your seat row. Do not spread your luggage out among multiple compartments unless advised by a flight attendant.

6. Bring motion sickness medication
Motion sickness consists of various symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, vomiting, or sweating. Sitting next to an airsick person on a flight is not pleasant so be considerate and take precautions/medications to prevent motion sickness ahead of time.

 7. Know your limit, drink within it
Alcohol is often free on long haul flights so it may be tempting to over indulge. Dealing with drunk passengers is unpleasant for the flight crew or fellow travelers so stay sober in the air. Obnoxious or foul behavior could also result in heavy penalties and offloading so it’s best to stick to just 2 drinks on long haul flights and avoid hard liquor.

 8. Mind your children
Noisy kids are rated as one of the most annoying in flight pet peeves. If you are traveling with children monitor their behavior to ensure they are quiet and not disturbing other passengers. If you are a parent your children are your responsibility even in the air!

9. Cut the chit chat
Do not attempt to start up a conversation with the passenger next to you. A little bit of small talk and exchange of pleasantries is alright but do not tell them your life story.

10. No litter or loitering in the loo
Airplane toilets are small, full of germs, and often cater to many rows of passengers. Be considerate of others when using the toilet; clean up after yourself and don’t take all day.

11.  Use a gentle touch
Many aircraft come equipped with built in entertainment systems containing touch screens installed in the seat in front of you. Exercise caution when using the touch screen  as you don’t want to keep poking the passenger in front of you every time you change TV channels.

12. Keep the window blinds closed when cabin lights are dimmed for designated “sleep time”
During long haul or red eye flights  cabin lights are dimmed to allow passengers to rest; this is designated “sleep time” Keeping your window blind shut during this time is recommended as you may be flying in to a sunrise.  Waking up to a bright sunrise after a red eye flight is not something most people look forward to so we advise keeping the blind closed until the cabin lights are brightened again for breakfast service.

13. Earplugs please!!  Control your snoring
Snoring is a common problem encountered on airplanes. If you are a snorer consider using a nasal strip such as breathe right to improve or alleviate your condition.  Being kept awake by a snoring passenger is extremely annoying for fellow travelers; by snoring loudly you are indicating to them that you have the right to sleep but they don’t!

14. Don’t ask other passengers to watch your belongings
You may think it’s common to ask someone to watch your purse or bag while you use the washroom but this practice can be dangerous. You risk being robbed or framed.  Your fellow passengers are not obligated to look after your things. If you bring it on the plane it’s your responsibility so do not ask others to watch your luggage.

15. Immigration cards should be filled out alone
Immigration and landing cards contain important personal information never ask another passenger to help you fill out your card. If you have questions regarding the immigration card or how to fill it out ask a member of the cabin crew. Similarly if someone asks you to help them with their card simply direct them to a crew member who will be better equipped to answer their questions. You cannot be liable for others or their information and vice versa.

Copyright © 2013 by Professional Edge Consulting