So what did I quit?  And what should you be evaluating for yourself?

• I quit projects that were not leading to revenue in a 90 day window.  That means I have to track, measure, and forecast outcomes on everything.
• I quit giving time to what isn’t working.  That means I notice what drains or stresses me.  This is everything from organizations, relationships, and even thought processes. 

You know I move at a pretty fast pace (which is why sharing what I quit didn’t occur to me until after the fact).   I am learning tremendous lessons from saying “I Quit!”   Literally.  Out loud!  The power in your voice, the resonance in your body when you speak what you want to call into being is incredible.

Are there other areas in which you need to say “I Quit!” to allow new things into your life and business?  What about….

• Project control – Do you have tasks or ongoing projects that have been sucking your time, are not in your strengths, and/or not leading to profit? What do you need to stop doing, shift doing, or delegate so you can focus on what matters most for you?
• Calendar control – Where are you spending your time?  What do you need to quit to free up space and time to do things that are higher pay off
• People control – Who do you spend your time with?  Who do you need to phase out?  Who do you need to seek out?  This includes customers that drain you as well as your personal and professional relationships.
• Personal control – What do you need to quit doing so you can start doing things that feed you personally, professionally, and spiritually? 

This communication is intended to be short and to the point, to elicit thought and action on your part (and mine), and encourage you to keep adjusting your game plan this year so you thrive in the current economy.

For those of you who are wondering how you are going to get the help you need to grow yourself and your business to the next level this year Connectworks is offering a series of programs that are low cost, no cost, or “pay what you think it’s worth” that you might want to consider.  Space is limited in each of these offerings so if you are interested, reserve your space now.

• Strategic Planning for Busy Entrepreneurs
• Social Networking for Busy People
• Coffee Talks with Karen
• Practical Wisdom Webinars

We, at Connectworks, are committed to bringing out the brilliance in our customers by helping them focus on what matters most so they can do what they do best.  Bottom line! We want to make you the Rock Star you are!

Which sites to join?  How best to use?

You are probably getting invites to join others networks on a regular basis.  Do your homework.  Whether you waiting to jump in or are already in the fray take the time to do this step. 

• Investigate the audience.  Check out www.Quancast.com or Google Linked In (or Plaxo, etc) Demographics.
• Ask your customers.  If they are networking online, ask them where and how they are using.
• Ask your peers.  Discover their goal, how they use, and how much time.  Bonus question, ask what they would do differently based on what they’ve learned. 

In the end, you have to sample, test, and measure.  (Great best practices for any marketing tactic.)  Your goal may be to increase visibility or brand awareness within a certain group or demographic.  If so, you would use different tactics than if your goal was lead generation.  Selling yourself in social networking situations is as much a turn off as in face to face networking!  Don’t do it.

Frequency

As I mentioned in the last newsletter, I was testing Twitter and Facebook. I’ve actually taken a hiatus from Twitter to get some work done on my new website and products but here is what I noticed… 

• Whatever you use, update strategically.  For example, I see Twitters tweeting all day long.  I realize they can tweet from many applications easily (text from phone, iPhone, twitterberry, etc.) BUT it makes me wonder how well they are taking care of clients and what else they are NOT doing due to tweeting (or whatever the correct term in Twitter vocabulary).
  i.e.  I see a VA (virtual assistant) online all day.  I realize she probably sits at her computer but if it were my VA doing work for me I would wonder if she is getting MY work done accurately, efficiently and if I am paying for her twitter time.  On the other hand, I see those in internet businesses tweeting valuable information I can use or those who are sharing a great place to eat or website to visit.  That is news I might use. Do consider using Linked In and Plaxo updates to keep your name in front of your network.  Just keep in mind what your updates convey.  I don’t want to hear you are out getting another cup of coffee unless you can recommend the coffee place, want me to join you, or the person you are meeting with is notable. 
• Self promotion in tweets.  I follow a few folks (though not for long) who don’t seem to get it about self promotion.  Most of their tweets are very self focused reminding me of their services or their website.  The better tactic is to share a tip, insight, or recommendation that may relate to your expertise but is valuable to me, the reader.  

I am learning the hard way social networking can be addictive and an easy avoidance technique when you have things to do that are not so fun.  

Note about me: I rarely jump on any bandwagon of the latest greatest thing.  This causes me to be a slow adapter of some really great technology, tactics, and organizations but I want to make sure what I am trading my time for counts.  I know you do too.      

I am learning social media by trial and error because I felt this was to important a movement to wait and see.  I hope you join me in the fray.  It might get messy but at least we are moving forward!  If you don’t move, you can’t grow!

Start today!  Get your profile ready, accept those invitations and do your homework.

Quick links (These links provide great basics that apply across the board.)

123 Guide to Linked In
Setting up your Linked In Profile

Do What Works!

The longer you allow yourself to be distracted, the more out of touch you become with what is really going on. It is easy to let your “best practices” slide.   Decide today to do what works.  It’s so easy to let the talk about the economy, Obama’s stimulus program, your neighbors job loss…not to mention your concerns about doing the right thing to streamline, cutback, and attract customers to your business to take over your thoughts and conversations.  Bottom line, we can’t afford the down time.  Remind yourself what works.

• Planning.  A proven principle that never changes.  Planning improves both execution and outcome.  You can’t gain more time but you can get more done in less time with planning.
• Outreach. Business is about serving people. Customers are gained by reaching out.  Simple as that.  Pick up the phone and call.  Get out of your office and mingle.
• Balance.  Remember why you do what you do and what matters most.  In the end you won’t get back the extra hours you worked, any return on the worry you invested, improved life from the stress levels you tolerate.  Your balance may look differently during this period but it essential you find what it is for you. 

People do business with those they know, like, and trust.  Use your authentic voice, reach out, and connect. Use your website, your blog, your newsletter, your social networks, your phone, your network…you get the idea!   It works!

Andrew Smith, Business Growth Strategist, Funding Specialist

Now more than ever, coordinating time to meet with clients can be challenging due to changing deadlines and conflicting schedules. When you do finally sit down with the client; be they internal, external or otherwise, it’s critical to make sure you spend your time wisely. Sometimes you do not get another chance, or you have to go through extensive e-mail, phone and fax tag to get information you could have obtained in an easier way. Here are four tips to meaningful and productive conversations:

• Make sure your questions are pertinent to the objective. Time can be wasted by asking questions that may be interesting and lead to fun conversations, but may not be relevant to your objective. Take time before your meeting to write down the three things you need to know to move forward; and make sure you ask those questions. If time allows you can branch out, but don’t waste your time on fluff.


• Effective questions are the best, that is why writing them out first is a good idea. You can hone the questions to a razor sharp edge that gets you where you want to go. How many times I have been asked a question by a client that has three parts, two subsections, a slide-show and paper-waiving routine and at the end all I can ask is “what was that middle thing?” Once you have asked the question, make sure to give enough time to listen.


• If you are going to talk, be brief. Get to the point of the meeting, tell them what you want, or need or are asking. Let the customer, client and business partner know what the meeting is about, set the stage and you will find the meeting will be more productive. Be honest about your objective and ask them to share theirs.


• Be open in your manner, words, body language, approach and facial features. If it’s a tough question you are asking, or a serious moment, be present and listen. You can close yourself off to endless possibilities in just a few seconds if you don’t invest in building a relationship that is mutually beneficial.  

The next time you hear yourself say “I just wasted another 90 minutes in a meeting that didn’t move me forward” review your objective.  Take personal responsibility for each meeting. Review how it went and plan for the future.  Take what you learn and put it into practice. Be pertinent in your questions, make them effective, be brief in your statement of the objective and be focus on a mutually beneficial outcome! 

One of my mentors favorite mantra is “I don’t want to waste your time or mine”.  Make your meetings count. 

There is no more “business as usual.” Whether it’s the economy or just changes in your industry, you have to think smart about how you approach business in 2010. The same old ways of getting new business just don’t work anymore.

Strategic Planning for Busy Entrepreneurs shows you how to turn “I need to…” into the daily action items that turn dreams into goals and goals into results you can see.

No cookie cutter solutions here! Kathie’s experience working with all kinds of businesses makes her uniquely able to give YOU action items that will work for YOUR business!

In this workshop, Kathie has taken the most powerful components of her popular 8 month Business Accelerator Program and condensed it into an action packed half-day seminar.  You get what others are paying $1295 for.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity turn one day into the most profitable use of your time, EVER.

Cost: Ordinarily this workshop tuition runs $495. Since we are committed to your success in 2010 we’ve elected to offer this at the price you think it’s worth.  Bring your checkbook or credit card.  At the end of the class write a check or let us know what what it’s worth to you.  It’s that easy.

Thursday, March 11th

Time: 11:00AM—5:00PM
Location: TBD

RSVP for March 11:

• Are you worried that 2010 will bring the same business results as 2009?
• Are you practicing the same sales and marketing techniques but expecting different results?
• Do you feel stuck and desire a way to kick-start your business?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you are ready for the wisdom of Christine Richards who will share with us how to find, engage and keep new customers using razor-sharp and purposeful conversation.

Applying the discipline and wisdom of the martial arts, Christine will discuss the traits you need to be a winner and master the skills and strategies that will dramatically increase your sales and profits in 2010.  

Attendees with learn how to:

– Find and “read” your best new customers
– Engage prospects in a purposeful conversation
– Increase profitable action for their business
– Deliver a powerful 15-second business introduction
– Keep new customers around for long-term profits
       

About Christine Richards

What do you do when you’re faced with virtually impossible obstacles? If you’re Christine Richards, you study karate, apply what you learn in the dojo to the rest of your life, and build the career and business that no one believed you could achieve. Today, a 1st degree black belt and 20-year business veteran, Christine brings gentle humor and engaging presence to her presentation: Kick Start Your Business in Time for the Recovery.

Agenda: 5:45pm Registration opens, Program begins at 6:00pm

Location: Kells Irish Restaurant & Pub, 112 SW Second Ave, 503.227.4057 Google Map

Dinner Menu: Roast Chicken, Rice Pilaf and Winter Vegetables with Butternut Squash Soup, Coffee/Tea and Bread

Vegetarian Option: Vegetarian Portland Pasta, Winter Vegetables and Butternut Squash Soup, Coffee/Tea and Bread

Early Registration (by 5pm, the Thursday prior): $25/members, $35/guests (includes Dinner)

Late Registration: $35/members, $50/guests (includes Dinner)

• Connect with other motivated talented leaders (Like yourself!)
• Learn fresh ways to activate and leverage your network (live and online)
• Practice what you learn
• Have fun!

Date & Time: January 13, 2009 5:30pm – 7:30pm  Postponed until February

Location: The Agency “Ultra Sports Lounge”
1939 SW Morrison St. off 19th and W. Burnside right in front of PGE Park. Click here to view our location on Google Maps.

(Parking available on the street or validated parking in garage beneath facility.)

No host bar – light hors de oeuvres provided

Cost: $10 Register here.

In this Social Networking for Busy People class we answer questions like:

• I’m on LinkedIn. Now what?
• I keep getting requests to connect. What are they and what should I do with them?
• How do I set up my profile?
• How can I use LinkedIn in my job search?
• How can I use LinkedIn to find employees or subcontractors?

We also show you how to use some of the lesser known features such as how to:

• Use LinkedIn Groups to connect with new people
• Use LinkedIn Recommendations to collect testimonials
• Use LinkedIn Questions – for market research and building relationships

Please Note that Registration is Required!

April 14, 2010,  7:30 – 9:30am
Chamber Members – $29  Register here.
Non-Chamber Members $39  Register here.

May 26, 2010,  7:30 – 9:30am
Chamber Members – $29  Register here.
Non-Chamber Members – $39  Register here.

Location: Beaverton Chamber Conference Room, 12655 SW Center St., Beaverton, OR 97005