OPTIMIZING YOUR IMPACT: An Interactive Experiement

Optimizing Your Impact with Jeff Schomay

This month I'm trying something different. For almost a year I have been sharing insights on making an impact on your market and with the Holidays coming up I wanted to try an interactive experiment for some real results in the real world.

As I've said in the past, taking something neutral, mundane, or even boring, and finding a clever way to turn it into something fun, unique and interesting is at the core of making a strong impact. Some of the tips I've shared include: "Give 'em what they want, but not in the way they expect it," and "Facts tell, stories sell," and "Connect with something that resonates."

For this experiment we're going to combine two clichéd situations, but give it a twist to end up with something that makes a new kind of impact. Consider the following:

If you're a man, do you wear a tie often? Do you wear your tie when doing business? Has anyone ever said "Nice tie" to you? If you're like many businessmen you already see the cliché. If you are a woman who doesn't wear ties, have you even bought a tie as a gift for... your husband? Your son? Your dad? Your friend? Again, ties have become the biggest cliché gift out there. Guys have way to many ties and new ties don't bring any new reactions besides empty "Nice tie" comments.

Now it's time for the challenge: Can you take the boring old neck tie and change it into something that that is unique, fun, and interesting? Could you use this new tie to get different results and make a stronger impact? Could such a tie be an ice-breaker at a networking event that actually lead to a meaningful relationship? Could such a tie make you more memorable in the minds of people making a decision with who to go with? Could such a tie capture people to pay more attention to you? What do you think?

Here's the interactive part. Part one: I challenge you, the reader, to answer these questions in your mind. Predict the response you could get with such a tie. Part two: Imagine what would turn a tie into something that would turn heads and catch people's attention while still being tasteful. Part three (the most important part): Try it in real life and see what results you get! To help you out with this step, I have used the free online service called Zazzle to quickly upload unique designs for very unique neckties. Check them out at http://www.zazzle.com/jschomay to see theses examples, and note your own response to these designs. I'll bet you will respond stronger to these tie designs than you have to all the ones you have hanging in your closet. You can build from these examples and create your own personalized designs, or you can just order a design you like directly from the site and you'll get a good quality tie with the unique design sent to you in a week (for yourself or as a gift). Remember the challenge now - wear one of these ties to your normal interactions in life and business and see what reaction you get and if you do indeed make a stronger impact, and how that affects your goals. And the final part of the interactive experiment is to report your experience in the comments section below! I'll include a tally and analysis of the results in next month's column.

Good luck, happy holidays, and have fun with this experiment!

For more information, please visit Jeff's TNNW Bio.

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OPTIMIZING YOUR IMPACT: An Interactive Experiement

LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Kermit Was Wrong...

Lasting Impressions with Sian Lindemann

Kermit Was Wrong …




http://www.corporatefineart.com
Jim Zuckerman Photography


It’s EASY To Be “GREEN”

Trending with the “trends”

The good news for nearly all business men and women, is that if one actually pays attention to what artists are up to…they might learn long before it becomes “trendy” what will be the up and coming “buzz” in business.

This trend took longer than most but for over 30 years, my companies, in a variety of forms have “voiced” the need for environmental awareness.

Now it’s the “hot” topic, of course…

But looking back now as early at 1980 in the state of Hawaii, a few outspoken artists started this idea, based on an unassuming interaction with the Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Marine Life that frequent Hawaiian Waters, and in particular the island of Maui.

It is where we find Marine Life Artist, Robert Lyn Nelson, still residing and continuing his 30 year devotion to preservation of Marine Life in the islands, and around the world.

Robert Lyn Nelson http://www.robertlynnelson.com is an artist with whom I have worked ~ nearly 30 years ago ~ and with whom Sian Design has rekindled a business relationship ~
The Image below is from Robert’s recent collections and this Original Oil on Canvas is headed for stardom. A recent trip to Shanghai, China on behalf of Sian Design, C & S Media ( California and Shanghai) and Fett Marketing ( Denver, Colorado) are, in combined effort, creating a coup…not because its “trendy” to be green, but because now, well defined as an exuberant voice for Environmental Protection, and Master Artist, Robert Lyn Nelson has been selected to be featured in a World Class Art Exhibition At Shanghai, World Expo, launching in May of 2010.














Emerald Green Dawn
Robert Lyn Nelson Atelier

The image selected here is slated to be given to President Obama in support of his recent trip to Shanghai and Beijing, in support of the furthering the development of new technologies and furthering the need for Environmental Protection…and Robert had the chance to travel to Shanghai just last week to initiate these efforts.

Two images were selected. The one, Emerald Green Dawn, shown here shall be gifted to the President of The United States.

A second, Titled “Society” shall be gifted to The USA Pavilion in support of the 6 month celebration of Shanghai World Expo, 2010.

Additionally two other options are unfolding for Robert as a result of his travel to China…an introduction to the President and Executive Director of the UN Pavilion in Shanghai now also wish to work with Robert on a particular project that will carry his name and his artwork to international fame, and interaction with thousands of children from all over the world, and a unique exhibition at the UN Pavilion.

And lastly, a meeting with renowned Chinese Artist and Press Conference with the Shanghai Art Museum will bring an opportunity for an international, cultural exchange between not only fine art painters, but will add the same option for photographers, musicians, and dancers from cultures both USA based and Chinese Artists.

WE are thrilled about this opportunity…for in one brief moment during Robert’s trip to Shanghai there was an illuminating “moment” ~ Where all discussion of politics, economic concerns, and world problems halted…and only beauty and the discussion of how better to achieve it were the impassioned topics.

Much conversation, sharing of delightful feasts, and communication brought to the table the “highest” and “purest” form of “networking” I’ve ever had the privledge to witness.

For all the trials endured over my 30 year career in the Fine Arts, this meeting was a pivotal moment for me personally, professionally, and spiritually…ultimately understanding that Peace is indeed possible…and it is through creativity and the arts that it can actually occur.

This Thanksgiving Day 2009 ~ I am blessed…and truly honored to be a part of international “history” in the blend of culture and the arts providing transformation, and “Time of Renaissance”






Time of Renaissance
Original Abstract Oil on Canvas
Robert Lyn Nelson

Thank you Robert. It is an honor to work with you again. Sian Lindemann ~ Sian Design ~ Thanksgiving
2009

Thank you too to
Jim Zuckerman ~ Fine Art Photography
Michael Peterson Music ~ Michael Peterson of CMA Fame
Vortex Immersion ~ Matthew Fannon
Kenji Williams and “Bella Gaia”

And more…


For more information, please visit Sian's TNNW Bio.





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LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Kermit Was Wrong...

SALES AND MARKETING: The Art of Listening . . . for Success

Sales and Marketing with Bill Doerr

15 Second 'Speed Read'

Business people value a timely response from vendors. But they value an effective response even more. Effective listening - combining both active and empathic listening causes you to be seen as a person of interest and value.

This article explains WHY listening can be a challenge and HOW you can develop the ability to listen effectively, build relationships, invite trust and build revenues.

Listening is a Key Skill and Behavior

Public speaking. Everyone has taken a course in it or knows someone who did.

But, Public listening. Whoa! Where did THAT come from? Not so common, is it!

That's a problem. And, an opportunity . . . for you to develop an extremely important skill and artform: Listening.

Listening . . . taking in information and using it to engage, effectively with another person . . . is a skill-set that is not taught in schools. And yet, success in business depends heavily on your ability to process what people are saying and use it effectively.

Steve Porcaro - The Surgical Sales Coach

I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Steve recently. He's been 'on the circuit' a lot lately. He speaks before numerous networking groups, sharing his wealth of knowledge on various ways to improve revenues in these challenging times. Lately, 'listening' has been a very hot topic with his clients. For a good reason. It's a very valuable skill to possess!

"It's all about sales" (or, is it?)

Steve is a business coach who works exclusively with people who are selling medical equipment and services to physicians and other health care professionals.

"Someone becomes my client because he (or, she) is not getting sales as easily or extensively as he'd like. He's not sure why. And often externalizes the source of the problem citing: "It's the economy" or "My company isn't competititve" or something similar."

In many cases, blame-scaping on an external factor . . . the economy, the company, the product, the marketplace, etc. only serves to take the focus (and, pressure!) off of the one constant in every case . . . the person who's responsible for generating new revenues.

Sellling is Like Surgery

Before becoming a 'surgical sales coach' Steve actually was in surgery. A lot. In the US Navy, he was a surgical technician. After leaving the Navy, he sold medical equipment and services to civilian surgeons. So he knows the reality of both selling and surgery, first-hand.

"In surgery, you prep (prepare) the patient BEFORE surgery". Seems obvious. In an operating room! But in the business world . . . in sales . . . your preparation requires your ability and commitment to listen . . . to process what is being said by someone . . . before selling can begin.

"If you don't listen . . . you can't prepare to sell as effectively as you might like . . . and you learn that when, symptomatically, you lose sales you should have won, they take longer to close than you might like or you end up with a lesser sale when a greater one was well within your grasp."

Why People Aren't Listening

I asked Steve, "OK, why . . . aren't more people in business listening effectively - especially when the consequences of not listening are so serious?" "Good question", he said. "If I had to, I'd have to say either:

1. they don't know how to listen - it is, afterall, a learned skill, not a natural one
2. they're not used to 'slowing down' and 'digesting' the information they receive from a prospect" (the 'Ready, Aim . . . FIRE! syndrome)
3. they haven't considered the consequences that not listening effectively will produce
4. they're in a 'comfort zone' with their current level of success

Once you're receptive to change (Porcaro-speak for 'frustrated beyond all belief') then . . . you are ready to learn how to listen effectively. But, how?

Make 'Bare-handed' Calls!

"You must clear your mind. That way, your focus is on the other person, not you" (I swear, I thought I saw David Carradine there for a moment!) "When you first meet with a prospect for example, I recommend leaving all your brochures, pamphlets, etc. in the car and just seek to answer one simple question . . . "How might I help you, today?" or "What are you hoping I can do for you?" Either one will work!"

This type of question helps you focus on 'getting the top off of the soda bottle'. Unless and until you do that, the bottle's contents . . . the person's hopes, fears, dreams, goals, frustrations, etc. . . . will remain 'locked up' -- unavailable and unable to help anyone.

"It's not easy to do this" says Porcaro. "But it's not impossible, either." Steve believes listening is a learned skill more than a natural ability. "Until you do though, you're focusing more on giving your information to someone, than allowing their information to flow to you".

What's The 'Next Step'?

"Information gained from a focused conversation with someone must lead to a decision". I could imagine the granite rock on which that expression is kept in Steve's brain! Actually, Steve refers to that as the 'Next Step'. "Sometimes, there isn't one. But often there is. And the best one reflects whatever you learned by LISTENING to the other person!"

Everyday we connect with other people. How many of these points-of-contact are producing value . . . for both parties?

Listening effectively . . . actively and empathetically . . . will do much to ensure that you glean something useful from every conversation you have.

Final Thoughts

I asked Steve, "If there's ONE thing you'd like someone to take away from this article, what would it be?". He thought about it and said, "I like what Steven Covey said, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood". There's a sequence there - an orderliness. When I worked with surgeons, their success was always based on proper preparation . . . of the patient as well as themselves and the entire surgical team. Great results are often more reflective of great preparation than anything else. It's no different in business or networking. People. Communication. Every day each of us is exchanging information to create value for ourselves and others. So just remember . . . it all begins with learning how . . . and caring to . . . LISTEN!"

*******

Steve Porcaro, ACC is the 'Surgical Sales Coach' and founder of 1•4•All Coaching in Windsor, CT. To learn more about Steve and his services you can contact Steve Porcaro, ACC online at: www.14allcoaching.com or by phone at: (860) 243-9757.

*******

Bill Doerr is CCO of SellMore Marketing. He helps professionals and other service providers to market their problem-solving expertise simply, effectively and affordably.

You can reach him at www.sellmoremarketing.com, or by phone at 860-798-6964.

For more please see Bill's TNNW Bio.

*******

Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free - Click HERE.
The National Networker Companies





Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free For Your TNNW Newsletter and THE BLUE MONDAY REPORT! - Click HERE.
The National Networker Companies

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

SALES AND MARKETING: The Art of Listening . . . for Success