Creating Wildfire around your business and message

Teresade Grosbois knows how to create a wildfire.

 It takes a spark, wind and fuel.  Teresa describes the wind as the powerful relationships that you create. The spark is the problem you solve and the relationships fuel the fire.   

Networking smarter and with influential people is important to business success, although you must know the rules of the game. You cannot just go and ASK people for some big ask without having a relationship with the person.  Teresa describes this as the premature ask. For example, A new neighbor moves in on your street and comes over and asks to borrow your lawnmower. Having never met the new neighbor, that might feel odd, awkward and a big ask having just met this person.  Instead Teresa points out, if the new neighbor came over with a pie, there would some good gossip going on, and the basis of a relationship forming.   This is a good example of giving before asking.

Teresa de Grosbois is a professional speaker and three times best selling author, she knows what it takes to turn word of mouth marketing to epidemic levels. She is also the chair of the Evolutionary Business Council.  She started off with a big vision and contemplated the “what ifs” and “whys” behind her vision. Businesses and leaders can do the same thing. 

Create a big vision, and seek out the internal champions and change agents on the team. Strong leaders know when and how to engage champions, and when to release some of the control to let the team succeed.  

In terms of contacts and business relationships, more is not necessarily better. In fact, a handful of deep, trusting relationships is far better than a lengthy list of contacts who need to be reminded who you are when you contact them. Coming from a place of collaboration is very different than a place of competition.  Teresa gave several examples of this on the interview, and reminded listeners that their biggest competitor could be their strongest ally. 

You can listen to Teresa talk about networking, creating a word of mouth epidemic around your business and message, and how to build relationships with influencers at:

Listen to internet radio with Conversations with Charmaine on Blog Talk Radio

Referral Marketing- Expeditite your business success

Tim Green stated that 98% of business comes from referrals, however most businesses use the "good luck" and "wait and see approach", neither of these improve your business.

Tim Green

An expert in referral marketing and effective networking, Tim Green was my guest on the Conversations with Charmaine radio show. He talked about some of the other mistakes leaders, businesses and entrepreneurs make when it comes to referral marketing.

Mistake #1: Not giving great customer service or only doing so on a short term basis
Mistake #2: Not following up
Mistake #3: Networking disconnect (not being visible)
Mistake #4: Sitting and networking with people you already know

Tim provided some great tips to avoid making these mistakes at the next networking event you attend.

Tip #1: You are not allowed to sell.  When you meet someone at the networking meeting, share briefly what you do, then, turn the conversation to the other person.  Some helpful questions include "what do you do for a living?" or "tell me about your business" followed by "how long have you been doing this" or "how long have you been in this business?" then "what is one product/service you love to offer and why?"  the "can you think of an ideal client you would like to meet?" These questions create connections, build relationships, and, help you be helpful and in service to that other person.  Chances are you know someone they need to meet. And, if that person is at the networking meeting, introduce them.  If you are connecting people by phone or email following the event, do so immediately.  It is highly likely that the person you have just helped will share their influence with you and connect you with someone you need to know, or refer you to others.

Tip #2: V, T, B.  Be Visible. Build Trust. Make the wins beneficial for both sides.

You can listen to the rest of the interview here, including all Tim's helpful referral marketing and networking tips that work:

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charmainehammond/2012/12/12/life-leadership-gap-analysis-series-and-guest-tim-r-green

In short, when you attend your next networking event:
1) Be present and be visible.  Don't sit or spend the whole event with people you already know, use this time to be of service to others and build your connections.
2) Follow up immediately. Keep promises and stay connected.
3) Share your influence and contacts by powerfully introducing people to the contacts you know.

Wishing you great networking success in 2013.

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.

Building Relationships and Conversation – Networking to the Rescue

Networking and relationship marketing is an extremely important part of our business, as it should be for any entrepreneur or business owner. In a recent blog by Carol Roth, she identifies three critical components to networking, you can find out more by following this link: http://tinyurl.com/cm6bbrh. 

Networking is NOT about seeing how many business cards you can give out. It is more about the connections you can make (for yourself and others). Networking is about making relationships, coming from a place of service, and following up on the contacts you make.

Think about your best networking experience. What made it so great?  How did you show up? Far too often I see business owners go to a networking event and sit with people they know.  While it is great to catch up with colleagues, the point of networking is to meet new contacts.

A great book on Networking is Relationship Networking- The Art of Turning Contacts into Connections by Sandra Yancey. You can find out more here:

I recently had the opportunity to interview Sandra Yancey about networking, business and entrepreneur success and finding balance in the midst of it all. She talked about the importance of building relationships, following up and finding ways to serve others. Sandra also talked about the importance of maintaining relationships “the old fashioned way” with phone calls and face to face meetings. She talks about finding the common ground with people you meet then finding ways to help them.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/charmainehammond/2012/03/14/guests-jj-digeronimo-and-sandra-yancey

Your Future is Your Follow Up

My mastermind coach, Patricia Drain, always told us that your follow-up is your fortune. This was also some wise advice, as was the perspective from CEO and Founder of eWomenNetwork, Sandra Yancey….she said The Future and Fortune is your Follow-up.

As a speaker and consultant, I see firsthand how important follow up is. Follow up allows you to maintain business integrity, stay in touch with clients, build relationships and build your business.

Here are some ways to maximize follow up from the discussion I had with Sandra:

-       Build relationships

-       Remember, getting out there is not the same as getting connected

-       Phone to phone and face to face

-       Email, linked in and social media is a great way to stay connected and follow up with people, but, you likely need to do more than that to put the personal touch.

How do you follow up after a business mixer or networking event?  How do you follow up after a business meeting, planning event or team activity?  What are your preferred methods of follow up and staying in touch?

I am looking forward to speaking on this very topic in Fort Saskatchewan… Networking to the Rescue on April 11, 2012.  In this interactive workshop, you will learn how to:

·         Network for success
·         How to make networking a positive experience
·         Create collaborations, joint ventures and strategic alliances
·         Communicate with credibility and confidence at networking events
·         Capitalize on the power of threes (before, during and after the event)
·         Develop your networking plan and template
 You will also learn how to have fun and why ‘Show Up’ is everything!

http://www.fortsask.ca/ftsk_thingstodo/events.aspx?id=10210&month=4&year=2012

Wishing you GREAT success at your next networking event…and remember…. The three F’s: Follow Up, Future and Fortune!

Here Comes the Pitch...

So often in meetings we are approached by people that come on so strong with their elevator pitches. A few short sentences that answer who you are, what problem you solve and your business is all you really need to present. Sometimes people work so hard on coming up with something so exciting and catchy that the listener has absolutely no idea what you do. Often they won't ask for clarification because they are so overwhelmed by the pitch. So, what happens is that you are left meeting someone who has no clue what you do.

I have heard hundreds, if not thousands, of elevator pitches, and the ones that resonate for me are the ones I can remember the person's name and what they do, what their business is and what problems they solve. Keep it simple and concise. Too much information combined with too much emotion can often create confusing situations. If people don't understand who you are and what your business is they will never think to call you after the meeting, even if they do need your help, because they won't recognize that you can help.

It is also important to be passionate about what you do. Be sure not to be overwhelming though. Confidence, clarity and desire or excitement are enough to show that you love your business and how you help others. This is another great opportunity to practice with friends and colleagues, and in front of the mirror.