The Importance of Networking

Why is Networking Important?

Networking works! Most practices know that business is generated through sustained networking activity. They know the nuances and benefits of networking:

• Quality relationships take time to build and get stronger over time. They cannot be maintained without regular communication.
• People tend to feel most comfortable with others in their age group. Typically, a range of five to seven years on either side of a person's age creates an atmosphere of compatibility.

How Can I Network Effectively?

Networking concerns two key issues: how you establish new relationships and how you maintain effective and ongoing relationships.

Building new relationships is difficult. Firms must clearly define who they would like to have as new clients and then develop a complete listing of their current and future network of contacts. A firm's network is a group of people who may, over time, refer business to the firm or become clients themselves. By taking the time to define its network, it is better able to utilize the network. Keep the many facets of any successful network in mind:

• All the people you used to know - former neighbors, old friends, former clients, fellow employees, school acquaintances
• All the people you now know - church members, family, current clients, social contacts, charitable affiliations
• All of the people who know you - former students, attendees at your speeches, newsletter recipients
• All of the people you would like to know - prospective clients (by person or company name), influential people, leaders of trade/business associations

Decide which people on your networking list are strong possibilities for a sustained business relationship. Make these the firm's priority contacts.

Obviously, the stronger the relationship becomes the easier it is to maintain. It is important to remember that all business relationships, no matter how solid, require time and attention. Older relationships can more effectively be maintained by introducing new and creative ways of staying in touch.

Many people may balk at developing a networking list. They believe they already know their business contact. Administrators should view this as a red flag which indicates employees are more interested in perpetuating old habits that produce familiar results. Prove that developing a network list can be illuminating. Formerly strong client relationships which weaken over time are indicators of poor networking. If it a firm does not communicate to its good clients, the door is open for other attorneys to develop relationships which could replace your firm.

Now that the network list is clearly defined, the firm may proceed. Keep this hints in mind to ensure success:

• Establish a strong relationship so that networking contacts recognize you even from among a large group.
• Maintain one-on-one name recognition.
• Invite the person to an office luncheon and exchange business information.
• Establish a mutual point of interest -- search for something you have in common.
• Send informal notes to confirm meetings.
• Follow-up with a breakfast meeting to stay in touch.
• Express interest in finding out more about the person's business -- extend a desire to visit the person's place of business.
• Forward articles of interest.
• Invite business contacts to social events attended by other friends and associates.
• Make some type of ongoing contact every four to six weeks until you feel comfortable that this individual is a viable part of your network.

Maintain Your Network

Consider yourself the "gardener" in maintaining business relationships.Gardeners know strong growth requires constant care. Only through long-term commitment and vision will a beautiful garden flourish.

Business relationships will prosper with diligent care and nurturing. If unattended,they too will wither away. Attorneys who recognize the value relationships will take the time to manage and nurture those relationships and ensure a successful practice.

Firms can never stop managing their network. Even well-developed networks can deteriorate within a year if they are not properly maintained. Keeping the network viable can be relatively simple:

• Make regular telephone calls to prospective clients.
• Invite people to quarterly or semi-annual luncheons or holiday parties.
• Send copies of firm newsletters with personal notes. Also send birthday and anniversary cards.
• Plan annual meetings with clients to review satisfaction level.
• Occasionally stop by clients' offices.

To manage effective networking systems, firms must define the strategic focus of their efforts; defining their existing and future contacts; and develop a specific plan of action for managing networking efforts.

An effective business network is the foundation of all successful business development efforts. Attorneys and administrators must be focused and deliberate about how they maintain current clients and generate new business.

"A year from now, you will have wished you started today"

Tips to Success

1. How You Think is Everything:

Always be positive. Think Success, not Failure. Beware of a negative environment.
This trait has to be one of the most important in the entire list. Your belief that you can accomplish your goals has to be unwavering. The moment you say to yourself “I can’t…”, then you won’t. I was always given the advice “never say I can’t” and I’d like to strike those words from the dictionary.

2. Decide upon Your True Dreams and Goals:

Write down your specific goals and develop a plan to reach them.

3. Take Action:

Goals are nothing without action. Be like Nike and “Just do it”.

5. Be Persistent and Work Hard:

 Success is a marathon, not a sprint. Never give up.

6. Learn to Analyze Details:

Get all the facts, all the input. Learn from your mistakes.
7. Focus Your Time And Money:

Don’t let other people or things distract you.
Remain laser focused on your goals and surround yourself with positive people that believe in you. Don’t be distracted by the naysayer’s or tasks that are not helping you achieve your goals.

8. Be Honest And Dependable:

Take responsibility, otherwise numbers 1 – 7 won’t matter.

Confidence

“Pressure is something you feel when you don't know what the hell you're doing.”

-Peyton Manning

Motivation

“Motivation is not a product of outside influence. It is a natural product of your desire to achieve something and your belief that you are capable of doing it. It increases in direct relation to how strong you build your desire and belief in yourself.”
Here are some tips on how to get , AND stay motivated:


1. Start with visualizing your future successes and imagine the feelings you’ll experience when you achieve your goal. Intensify the feelings of accomplishment you’ll enjoy when you achieve your most important goals.
2. Mentally walk the path towards your success. Concentrate on how you will feel at different milestones on the way. Imagine how great it will be as you accomplish every step and expect each success to materialize. Celebrate your successes in your mind every morning and evening.
3. Assign a high priority to each task that you must achieve that will give each task a priority in your mind. Affirm to yourself that you will do what is necessary without fail.
4. Set a target for the amount of work you will do each day toward your goals. Schedule that amount of time in your planner and don’t allow distractions.
5. Visualize the desired outcome: Create a picture of what the desired final outcome will look like, and have this vision in your mind at all times during the day. Make up goal cards and carry them with you for extra motivation as you flow through with your schedule.
6. Set intermediate goals of the things you like to do, the things that you are good at and the person you want to be. Decide to make them happen. Make them a must have them in your life. Commitment improves motivation.
7. Use visual indicators to monitor progress and complete the task. Take pictures of your goals and create a “Vision” or “Dreams” board. Look at it, and monitor where you are with it. Write up progress reports.
8. Give yourself several affirmations to remind yourself of how capable you are and how committed you are to reaching your goals. Internalize and emotionalize each affirmation strongly. Affirmations work better when you intensely feel them as you positively speak them into your existence.
9. Watch movies that motivate you and move you to action. Visualize yourself as the hero.
10. Listen to music that motivates you, that excites you. Employ music that causes different responses for each emotion you need when you need them.
11. If you work better with competition, make a deal with a friend or family member to compete for the goal! Or, have them monitor your progress and present you with rewards for reaching them, or penalties for not reaching them. You must take it seriously for desire and motivation to kick in.
12. Get help and support from people around you or from professionals in the field you are working in, for example a personal trainer, finance manager, trusted business associates, etc.
13. Define your own version of success; don’t let others define success for you. Your goals must be your own for them to motivate you. You have to be mentally invested in them.
14. Ignore or discount any negative influences or responses to your efforts. Put on your blinders and ear plugs to these negative people. Always only take council with people who have succeeded in your area before. Persist!
15. Make a conscious effort to do better than you have ever done. Solve problems and accept challenges as they appear. Plans will always change. What is important is that the planning process is implemented so that you have clear direction without hesitation.
16. Focus on your positive achievements and not the negatives. All people have some things they are not happy with. Concentrate on the things or people who empower your progress. Stay positive and enthusiastic about your journey and the results you are going to make happen.
17. Share your successes with trusted others as this will help keep you focused and voice your accomplishments. Celebrate early and often! There is nothing so motivating as a completed task that you had to rise to the occasion to succeed in it.
18. Acknowledge your strengths and weaknesses and work on them both, but work on improving your strengths mostly. Strengths motivate you and make you feel good at the same time. Highly motivated people use this to their great advantage.
19. Train yourself to finish what you start by refusing to quit until you are done. Cultivate the habit of determination and persistence.
20. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes and if you make any, don’t punish yourself for making them. Understand that it is all in the process of succeeding. Successful people expect some failure on the way. They just carry on with their plans, or adjust and make new plans. The goal stays the same.

Promotions!

“It is time for us to stand and cheer for the doer, the achiever, the one who recognizes the challenge and does something about it.”-Vince Lombardi


We are proud to announce that 3 of our employees here at Bold Marketing Strategies have been promoted! Terra Majors, Jasimine Townsend , and Shannon Kirkland were all promoted into leadership yesterday ! Although they have only been here at Bold for a few weeks, they focused on their goals and utilized resources in the office and reached leadership quickly.
CONGRATULATIONS  TERRA, SHANNON, AND JASIMINE ON YOUR PROMOTIONS!
Here are a few tips on how to better yourself professionally!
TGIF ! J

Challenge yourself
Top professionals constantly challenge and reinvent themselves, pushing the bar to achieve more every time. If you are able to produce 100%, try for 110%. Constantly challenge yourself to achieve more every time.

Become a valuable resource
Do people come to you for advice very often? If not, take steps to become an expert in your profession. From internal employees to the media, you must be viewed upon as a valuable resource. Look for publishing (articles, books, etc.) and public speaking opportunities in your profession.
Network, network, network
If I could, I would summarize this article in three simple words, they would be as follows: network, network, network. Knowing the right people, both within and outside the organization (especially experts, authors, and industry leaders) can do wonders for your career. If you don’t have a mentor, consider having one. The right mentor can make a significant difference in your career.

Become a better leader
The corporate world values leadership skills like no other. Irrespective of your profession or position title, leadership skills are always desirable. Be proactive and develop your leadership skills.

                                        HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND ! :)

BOOM!

In a few months Bold Marketing Strategies will be opening a new office, taking Bold nationwide! Were are expecting  so many BIG things in 2012!   What about you? Are you on your way to reaching your professional goals? If you're serious about reaching your big goals this year, the trick is to break through the obstacles that arise along the way. Here are a few ways to get past those obstacles , to reach all of your professional goals.  Making 2012 the most successful year yet!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

1. Procrastination
   
   Is there a voice lurking in your head, whispering to put projects off? Shouting, even, to wait another day, or week, or year? Procrastination may have made a nest for itself, right in the middle of the things you need to get done. That means that you're looking at your key tasks, or trying to look away, and actively avoiding them...
   
   Try this instead:
   
   Notice procrastination early on—right when the creature first begins to rear its ugly head. Then ask yourself an important question: What do I need to do to get the job done? Quickly write down your answer. Don't think about it too much. For example, say you've been tasked with planning the department’s summer party and planning is not your strength. Instead of staring at your blank MS Excel spreadsheet entitled "Party," start typing out the key things that need to occur: Location, Invitations, Activities, Food, Entertainment. Then type out the tasks that go with each area. This will spark momentum and build an action plan. Note: This is the first of four procrastination busters that I give in my book The Naked Desk (p. 52).
2. Lack of Time
   
   No matter who you are or where you are, each of us has 24 hours in a day. That’s a fact, right? Yet with all of the things that tug at your attention (work, family, commute, etc.) dedicating time to your goals can be tough. To get through your day and get to what's important, you have to stop your to-do list from growing…
   
   Try this instead:
   
   Narrow down your top 3 priorities of the day. How many things are on your to-do list right now? Change the way you use your list by focusing on what's important. Ask yourself, "If I could only do 3 things today, what would they be?" Then go to work on those things first. If you schedule and check off things that matter that day, you'll feel a sense of satisfaction at the end of the day. Wouldn't you enjoy that more than trying to cram in the 54 items on your list and wondering what you actually got done? Create a challenge at which you can win. The 3 priorities a day is that challenge.
3. Not Knowing Where to Start
   
   You walk into your work area and feel your heart pound. You look at the 6 project piles spread across the floor, then scan the 17 sticky notes with tasks on your computer desktop. Your chest tightens as you ask yourself, "Where do I start?" Walking into a scene like that can stall even the most disciplined professionals…
   
   Try this instead:
   
   Pick one project and spell out a specific goal around it. For example, suppose you've been collecting vacation days for the past 3 years so you can take some time off. It's hard to know where to begin because the idea, "It would be nice to take a vacation some day" is vague. So what do you do? Get clear on what specifically you'd like to do with that time off and by when. Do you want to attend a workshop? Travel? Sit at home for 5 days and read? Pinpoint the goal by writing out what are you going to do by when. So, if you want to use time off for travel, your goal could read: "Go on a family vacation to the Bahamas by June 30, 2008." Then take one action toward that goal.
4. Self-Sabotage
   
   As you walk along the path toward your goal, suddenly someone stands in front of you and blocks the way. But it's not your boss, your sister, your spouse or your kids who are pushing you off track. What blocks your path is a giant mirror. You're staring right at yourself. As one woman, Trish, says, "I keep sabotaging my own efforts." If you're like Trish, read on…
   
   Try this instead:
   
   The key to breaking through self-sabotage is to first notice that you're doing it. Listen carefully if friends and colleagues tell you that you're getting in your own way. Trust them when they say you're interfering with your own success. It could be because you equate success with something painful or challenging. Let's say you're in real estate, for example, and you say you want to sell more houses. Yet, at the same time, you fear losing your friends if you become wealthy. The way out? Alter your all-or-nothing thinking. Accepting one thing does not automatically cancel another. Think it through. Talk it over with the key people involved.
5. Lack of Organization
   
   Did you know that January was "Get Organized Month"? According to National Association of Professional Organizers President Standolyn Robertson, “Getting organized is one of the top 5 New Year's resolutions… NAPO will help over 10,000 people get organized during this month-long event.” Did “get organized” make it to the top of your resolution list? Do you long to dig your way out of disorder and clutter, but have no idea where to start?
   
   Try this instead:
   
   Pick a specific area that you want to work on. Then open a word document or grab a sheet of paper and write "Get Organized Challenge 50" at the top. As fast as you can, jot down 50 things you can do to organize that area. For example, if you chose your cubicle, you might write: reduce paper pile on my desk by one inch; combine paper calendar with digital calendar and ditch the paper version, etc. Look at your list at the beginning of the week and decide how many items you're going to knock out. Put them into your calendar and get them done. Do both big and small things because you don't know what's going to make the most difference for you.
6. Lack of Motivation
   
   One problem is that a lot of goals are set from the head or from the ego. For example, you set a goal to go to law school because your father's a lawyer and your sister's a lawyer, and you want to make them proud. But is it really your goal? If it is, go for it. If it's not, you'll experience much more resistance. It’s tough to motivate yourself for something that in your heart of hearts you don't want to do…
   
   Try this instead:
   
   Review one of your yearly goals. Why is this important to you? Your answer gives you your purpose for doing something. If your "why" is compelling, it will motivate you. If it's not, make your "why" stronger or re-consider the goal altogether. For example, a manager says, "I want to make more money this year." But money for money's sake isn't that motivating. It may interest you when you think about it, but it has to be enticing enough for you to work toward. Why more money? "I want to make more money so that I can send my daughter to a private school where I know she'll thrive." When you clarify the "why" behind what you want you’ll feel much more driven and connected to your goal.
7. Distractions
   
   How can you block the world out to get the important stuff done? Co-workers stop by, friends call, e-mails pop up in your inbox, the Internet lures you, your iPod ear buds beg for a listen… Our world today brims with distractions. Do you long for a moment of peace before you rush out the door in the morning? Do you wish you could find a quiet 2-hour block of time to get that project done? What can you do to close yourself off from distractions?
   
   Try this instead:
   
   The solution links back to Obstacle 2: Lack of Time. Carve out concentrated blocks of time for priorities. For example, if you're meeting a client in a conference room, close the door, let mobile calls go to voice mail, and mute any “ding” reminders that come from your PDA. This will allow you to give your full attention and provide the quality your clients deserve. Also let people know when you're in a no-interruption time or focused work time. In a cubical environment, get creative. Wear a phone headset so that when people peek around the corner they’ll have a signal that you're busy. Or wear earplugs to buffer out office conversations.