 |
 |
Responsible Posting
Forums, Facebook pages, tweets and emails – just a few ways to communicate to your customers and team members. Can you even imagine what it must have been like when the Pony Express, the west’s most direct means of east-west communication before the telegraph, was the only method of communication?
One of the challenges with instant communication methods is that it is far too easy to just post something without truly having an opportunity to think it through first. It’s also out there for all to read as soon as it is posted. For this reason it is imperative that if you choose to participate in online public communication, you post responsibly. Likewise, while reading such posts, keep in mind that just because it is now published does not necessarily mean it is accurate or factual.
The example post below will help illustrate the importance of word choice:
“Double check your xxx, it is calculating wrong.”
That would be fine, and a courtesy to others to give their own information a second glance, if we knew for certain that information was entirely accurate.
What else was wrong with the above post?
- At that moment, the team member’s information appeared to be inaccurate, yet it was posted that it is wrong.
- There was a corporate memo put out explaining why it would be different or why the information could fluctuate. This may have merely been a case misunderstanding or oversight on the part of the consultant who stated it was wrong.
Taking Your Online Business Offline
Having an online business is a wonderful thing. At this point in my life I can’t imagine having it any other way. I have my internal customers – my downline team members, and also my external customers – those who order from my website. One of the key factors in maintaining an online customer base is going offline.
While email is so convenient and a great tool to manage a large organization, it’s missing a human element. The time that I save with emails allows me more time to write hand written notes. And I do write many handwritten notes almost daily. For example:
- Thank you notes for online orders; and I mention something specific about their order so they don’t just think it is a generic note.
- Follow up cards to customers who have not ordered in two or more months
- Welcome to the team for new consultants
- Continue reading
Networking Strategies to Help Your Home Business Grow
Today’s post on networking will give you tips on how to use various online applications such as Twitter and Facebook to get in touch with potential customers and other business owners to help your business grow. This is an area in which many home based consultants could use some pointers. I am pleased to welcome the author of this article, guest blogger, William Eve, who specializes in the area of personal finance.
If you are in business then you will know how important networking is. Networking is the process of reaching out to people who may become either future colleagues or customers.
There are many different ways of networking, and a few years ago most business connections were made in an offline environment, for example trade fairs, business groups etc. However with the advances in technology, and the Internet making the world a much smaller place, the online world has become the prime place to connect and network.
Here is a guide to some of the most effective networking strategies online, and some tips on how to get the most from them. Continue reading
3 Smart Words: I Don’t Know
Think you’ll look stupid if you respond, “I don’t know”? If you’re of this mindset you’re wrong.
If you want to look smart to your customers and downline use these three words: I don’t know. Then if you really want to dazzle them, follow it up with: But I’ll find out and get back to you.
There’s a quote that says, “If you can’t dazzle them with your intelligence, baffle them with your bullshit.” If you have ever been the recipient of such baffling, I’m sure you’ll agree that the person who is handing you a load of bulllloney, is the one who looks like a buffoon. People can see right through that.
I often see consultants in a state of analysis paralysis. They’re getting ready to get ready. Fear is crippling them; fear of not knowing all the answers. That’s just a bunch of hooey. What would make one think that they have to know all the answers? Do these people really think that they’ll be judged so harshly if they don’t have an accurate, on the spot response to every question that could possibly be thrown their way? Continue reading
Befriending Team Members on Facebook – Good Idea or Bad?
Social networking is a wonderful tool to build your business, but should direct sales leaders befriend their team members?
To befriend or not to befriend, that is that question. The answer is: It depends. This isn’t really a Yes or No question. Continue reading for perhaps a new sense of enlightenment and possible outcomes. Then you decide if it’s a good idea for you to befriend your team members.
I recently heard a self proclaimed expert encourage leaders to befriend their team members, and her reasoning was so that you could get to know what is going on in the lives of her downline. That is certainly one opinion.
I’m sure there are a few fans here of the TV sitcom, The Office. I am reminded of the episode when Jim was having a party at his apartment, invited all his co-workers, except his boss, Michael. He didn’t want the boss at the party for a variety of reasons, but mainly… because he was the boss.
Those who work outside the home, are you good friends with your boss? What about your boss’s boss? Does this person regularly share photos of grandma’s birthday party or of himself at the ballgame? Does she share with you her frustrations, her personal highs and lows? Perhaps for some of you, this is true. Though for many others, you do not socialize with the boss on your off time.
Some will argue that this is direct sales and it works a little differently than a “real job.” And for those who treat their direct sales business as more of a hobby or social network that statement above is absolutely true. Yet for those who run their business like a business, then direct sales absolutely is a real job. Continue reading
Follow Me!