Networking for Success

Let me be completely upfront with you. I don't do a whole lot of networking. At least, not in the way many of us think about networking - you know, picking just the right outfit for the occasion, milling around a roomful of strangers and perhaps a few acquaintances, asking about them and their business (Note: I did not say telling them about myself and my business), maybe following up with a potential new client or recommender. 

In reality, I just don't have much time for all of that. My coaching practice keeps me pretty busy and I have two children who hate to see me leave the house in the evenings. The answer, for me, is to be selective in where and how I choose to get out there, meet new people, make strategic connections, and follow up.

I'd suggest that you do the same. Be strategic in your networking efforts. Figure out where you can meet potential new clients, customers, business allies, employers, and so on. Pick an organization or two, become involved, take a leadership role, get visible! And remember to add value, first and foremost. Whatever you do, don't just get out there and start passing out your business card. This is a major turnoff for most people - and a real waste of paper, as your card will likely get trashed or shoved to the bottom of a drawer, never to be seen again. 

If you happen to live or work in the Philadelphia area, check out Jamie Broderick's Network Now. Jamie's a friend of mine and a fabulous networker and businesswoman. She's all about helping her members make great connections, gain visibility, and maximize their business success.  

Remember, networking is essential for career success. Be sure you're doing it wisely and well. 

Check back for more tips on networking for success. 

Until next time...

Liz

Success Strategies for Tough Times

This article was originally sent out to my newsletter recipients in December of '08. It's truly one of my favorite newsletters, as the ideas and tips were based upon an afternoon of lovely playtime with my then 5-year old son. Now here we are, almost 6 months later, and there are signs that the economic outlook is beginning to improve. (Thank goodness!) Read on, as the following strategies will help you meet with success in good times and bad.

There’s just no getting around it. Times are tough. The economy is in crisis, businesses are struggling, previously secure workers are now fearful of losing their jobs. The emotional impact can be great, leading to feelings of anxiety and depression - and a concomitant loss of focus and creativity. The potential effects on work performance consist of reduced productivity, innovation, and overall employee morale.

Yet there is opportunity for growth in the midst of these economic hard times. While it might go against intuition, success in difficult times calls for holding true to basic tenets of effective behavior. With the proper attitude and approach, you can indeed thrive in uncertain times.

In the interest of full disclosure – and to give credit where credit is due – I have to thank my 5-year old son for the inspiration for today’s tips. For it was during a delightful Sunday afternoon together – filled with game-playing, puzzle-assembling, artwork and general enjoyment – that my attention was drawn to the power of the basics. Here are a few tips I’d like to share with you:

Work as a team. Whether you’re putting together a Spiderman jigsaw puzzle (as we were) or advancing a new product to market, there’s nothing like the power of collaboration. Working together allows for faster progress and more creative solutions.

Be accountable. If you’ve made a commitment, stick to it. And while you’re at it, hold those around you accountable, too. My son didn’t waste a moment taking me to task when I tried to divert him from his much-loved game of Candyland. “But Mom, you promised!” And so I did.

Be supportive. When your coworker or report does something well, give him a well-deserved pat on the back. If he’s uncertain and needs a little encouragement, offer it up. I can’t tell you how lovely it was to hear my little guy comment on my drawing by saying, “Mommy, I love your work.”

Share resources. Lean times can mean limited access to valued resources. The temptation might be to get what you can for yourself and your team, even if that means leaving others empty-handed. Yet sharing resources (in my case, taking turns with the yellow crayon) with others means they’re far more likely to do the same for you.

Refresh yourself. Stressful times can take a profound toll on your physical and emotional well-being. Don’t forget to take some time to refresh and reenergize yourself at regular intervals. Your approach to refreshment may differ from my 5-year old’s (snacking on Cheerios and chocolate milk), so find what works for you. Then do it.

Be flexible. Challenging times call for flexibility and a willingness to do things differently. You may have to take on new responsibilities, modify your schedule, or work with a different set of people. Letting go of disappointment (for my son, that meant not finding his favorite program on TV) and being open to new opportunities will help you gain credibility as a resilient and cooperative team player.

Finally, at the risk of sounding rather Pollyannaish,

Be positive. Even the worst of storms passes with time. Remaining optimistic, grounded, and focused on the future will help you weather the hard times and move bravely ahead. I was so proud of my son, who had been feeling somewhat under the weather, when he declared, “I’m sick but I’m happy.” Now there’s an attitude that will serve him well in both good times and bad.

Until next time...

Liz

Welcome to Career Success!

After much prompting from clients, colleagues, friends and family, I am finally ready to embrace this 'newfangled' technology of the Blog. (Okay, maybe not so newfangled, but hey, I'm over 40, not much of a techno guru, and the mother of children still too young to teach me!) 

In retrospect, I'd say that starting this blog was a gradual process, although I didn’t recognize it as such at the time. Kind of like how a young couple doesn't realize that bringing home a puppy is really just a precursor to having their first baby. So, here’s how it went:

A few years back, I set myself up with a Linkedin profile and started making connections. Next, I was cajoled by my cousin, Brian, to set up a Facebook page. Okay, not so bad. Pretty easy, in fact. It started with friends and family, has grown to include some clients and colleagues, but remains fairly contained. Most recently, I entered the 'miniblog' world of Twitter. I have to admit, this is one of my favorites. Takes just a few seconds to post, keeps me from getting too wordy (really, just try typing more than 140 characters and see for yourself the everything-turns-really-red reminder to get to the point), and is a great way to share some wisdom, link to a relevant article or blog (hint hint), and engage in dialogue with folks you otherwise would never have met.

Okay, so that’s the background. Now let’s get to the important stuff. Why we’re here. I can tell you why I’m here and, with hope, that’ll be clearly connected to why you’re here, too. I am writing this blog to share with you my experience, perspective, and practical advice for doing your best work, feeling your best at work, and having the career of your dreams. Caveat: The career of your dreams may not be the career of your childhood dreams, such as being a prima ballerina, fire fighter, or chief of police. (Then again, it may!) The career of your dreams is more likely something that brings you, as an adult in the working world, a sense of satisfaction, meaning, purpose, challenge, and just possibly some real financial reward. It may be a career that allows you plenty of flexibility, so that you can have the type of work-life balance you prefer. The career of your dreams may be an executive position in Corporate America, a key position in your favorite non-profit organization, or perhaps an entrepreneurial venture, in which you run your own show.

We’ll talk about finding the career of your dreams and we’ll look at making the most of the career you’ve got (so that it’s as dreamy as possible). We’ll discuss the things you need to think about and do in order to be most successful and gratified in your career. Here are a few of the topics we’ll be looking at in the coming weeks and months. All are designed to help you do your best work, feel great about the work you do, and meet with maximum success at work, home, and everywhere in between:

Communication Strategies that Work: How to Talk, Listen, and Converse for Maximum Impact

Finding Balance: Achieving Peace of Mind in a Demanding World
 
Practical Goal Setting: From Intent to Achievement

Leadership in Good Times and Bad: 5 Skills Every Leader Must Have

Managing for Excellence: How to Inspire, Motivate, and Maximize Employee Performance

Conflict Mastery: Harnessing the Power of Creative Conflict (and Avoiding Conflict Nightmares)

Stress Management for Work, Home, and Everywhere In Between

Now, you may be thinking that these topics sound a bit like the titles of my speeches and, well, you’re absolutely right. Although my posts may not ultimately have the same titles or precise content as my speeches, they will address several key elements for maximizing performance: communicating like a pro, leveraging relationships (in a positive way!), managing stress, and being an influential leader.

If this sounds like information you can use in reaching maximum career success, visit often and please engage in the conversation. I’d love to hear from you!

You can also visit me on the Web at www.bywaterconsultinggroup.com. While you're there, why not sign up for my free newsletter? It's filled with practical tips for improving individual, team, and organizational performance. 

Until next time...

Liz