Business Matchmaking - the 4 C's

Trophy Alarms Airport Security

This was the title of the press release that we did announcing a recent award I was fortunate to win in Dallas last week. 

Here's what the rest of it read:

"Edmonton area best selling/award winning author, business owner and resident Charmaine Hammond was delayed when airport security was stumped by the x-ray of her travel bag. Inside was the crystal trophy she received at the eWomenNetwork Convention in Dallas after winning the prestigious 2012 International Business Matchmaker of the Year Award.

eWomenNetwork states “ The Business Matchmaker of the Year award recognizes a unique woman who has consistently gone out of her way to help others succeed. She is the consummate connector, who unselfishly looks out for the business needs of others.” eWomenNetwork is a global community of women entrepreneurs with a reach of 500,000 people.


Hammond, a bestselling/award winning author and international transformational speaker accepted the award noting “A business matchmaker is a champion and connector for others...when you are a champion and connector for others; it comes back to you tenfold. Be and give that which you want to receive.”

Hammond’s 3 C’s tips for business matchmaking:

1. Connect- connect authentically, consider how you could support the person you are speaking with. Ask yourself "who is in my circle of influence that would be a great connection for this person?" Follow up after you meet people. Ask before tell...which means learn about the other person, show interest in what he/she is saying, and look for common connections. Powerfully connect and introduce people. I often do email introductions, having both parties on the "to" line, and always start by a) bigging each person up, clearly explaining why I am connecting the two people and c) encouraging them to set up a time to connect.

2. Communicate- by being present, mindful and open. Engage the person in the dialogue. Ask questions. Listen deeply to the conversation (what is being said that is not being said). Listen for clues about the person's underlying interests (what is important to him/her).  Engage others in dialogue, invite them in.

3. Champion- be a champion for others, share good news/accomplishments/successes and milestones for other people (without expectation of anything in return), refer people whose services you believe in, provide a recommendation on Linked In, and for their marketing materials, mentor others, and simply be a champion.

And I added a fourth.... Create an Experience- when you create powerful connections, engaging conversations and build meaningful relationships, you create an experience!
As you reflect on the people in your circle of influence, consider these questions:
1) Who could I introduce or connect to support one another?
2) Who could I cross promote, support or share good news about?
3) Who in my circle needs a champion in their corner?
4) Whose services have helped me so much, that I can be a champion for them by providing an endorsment, reference or referral?

Hammond is the best selling and award winning author of the wildly popular On Toby’s Terms (Bettie Youngs Books, 2010) which is in development to become a major motion picture with Impact Motion Pictures. She is also the co-author of GPS Your Best Life- Charting Your Destination and Getting There in Style (Bettie Youngs Books, Aug. 2012) which is being released August 1, 2012. She also authored Toby The Pet Therapy Dog & His Hospital Friends (Bettie Youngs Books, 2011) and Bounce Forward. A successful business owner for 1997 and has been changing lives for 25 years.