Posts

Accountability Partners

In the event world, you are surrounded by all sorts of people. Vendors, clients, guests… but sometimes you need someone who motivates and understands your position as an event professional. That is where an accountability partner comes in!

An accountability partner is someone who keeps you and your goals on track. An entrepreneurial definition is someone who “provides guidance and hold their partners to their commitments to help them take their success to the next level”, there is a “duality to the relationship” and each person “holds them accountable to their goals”.

This is a unique relationship, and unlike a mentorship, both partners help each other to reach their career goals. But this doesn’t mean that you won’t learn from each other! These relationships can be great for business and bring unexpected benefits.

An example for someone in the event profession could be another event professional, or someone completely different. Your accountability partner doesn’t need to be identical to you. For example it could be someone creating a marketing startup, a PR professional or another business area.

The point of having an accountability partner is to keep you motivated and on track. Everyone has bad days (or week), and it is good to get advice from someone outside your business who understands the struggles and successes.

There are many benefits to having an accountability partner, just make sure you choose wisely. The most important thing when choosing is making sure you will each benefit each other.

Here are 4 benefits that you get from an accountability partner:

  1. Business growth: An accountability partner will hopefully give you new insight into your business, and build on your own ideas. This relationship can bring business recommendations and referrals by your partner, and vise versa. The right partner will contribute to your career and push you to succeed.
  2. Motivation: An accountability partner should always motivate you and make sure you do your best! In times of stress or moments that you are unsure, they will pick you up and give you advice. This comes from a different standpoint than a friend or relative, because they most likely have gone through similar situations.
  3. Tracks your goals: Make it clear to your partner what your goals are in the beginning (and continue to update!). Their job is to keep you on the straight and narrow. They will be there to remind you why you are doing this.
  4. Friendship: Your accountability partner may have started out as an acquaintance or a stranger from a networking event. But, depending on your time talking, your relationship may have turned into a friendship! This is great! You know you can trust each other with business ideas and growth, but you have built something much deeper. This may not always be the case, but the point is mutualy understanding your goals and accomplishments and pushing you to achieve those.

There are many more benefits that come from an accountability partner, so start your search! Know what you want to get out of this relationship before looking. A great way to meet an accountability partner would be networking or joining a business group. Find out what there is in your city and don’t be afraid to try new things!

/by

11 Tips For Great Conversation

Engaging in conversation can be somewhat of a sport: listening to others ideas, collaborating, discussing deep subjects. It is something I love to do and find it to be essential to my wellbeing and the health of my mental state. I have learned to enjoy networking and find the new ideas and meeting new people fascinating. During various conversations I learn new things about the other person as well as myself with each and every encounter.

As an entrepreneur and with any social career where you find yourself interacting with others, conversations are bound to happen. Some discussions can lead to career advancement, building relationships within your business community, or just creating a valuable connection or future friendship. Therefore, it is something that cannot be ignored in most instances.

Conversing doesn’t always come easy, but I have found that applying the following tips in my conversations can help get the ball rolling:

1. When introducing yourself, use both your first and last names

When you meet someone for the first time, use both your first and last name. I know there are tendencies to use first names only if the other person does, but sometimes your last name can be a conversation starter or help others recognize what they have heard about you and your business from others. If this is all positive conversation, this will add instant credibility to your conversation. I like to say what company I am with as well. Sometimes others may have heard of your company only, so it’s a great way to put a face with the name.

2. Mirror body language

If the person you are talking to is standing with their arms crossed, cross your arms. Exchange a few sentences and then uncross your arms, see if they do the same. Subconsciously we follow each other’s body language and maybe you can encourage them to open up. If not, offer a pleasant ‘nice to meet you’ and move on to the next person or group. If they don’t open up maybe someone forced them to attend this event and they are just not in the mood to share.

3. Focus on others first

I find it fun to play a little game and watch the conversation. I ask the person I am speaking to what they do for a living, wait for the answer and see if they ask me. If not, I move on to the next subject and ask another question. I am waiting to see if and when they will ask about what I do, about my family, or something to engage the conversation both ways.

4. If you listen, they will think you are smart

The person conceived as the smartest person in the room is the one that is the best at listening, weighing the conversation, and then speaking. Be a great listener and you will project the interest that others are seeking to have fulfilled.

5. Put away the cell phone

This shouldn’t have to be said but a cell phone in your hand that you check often lets the other person know that they fall second to whoever or whatever is on your phone. Turn off the ringer, put it in your purse or pocket, and have a real conversation that you are engaged in with the person standing right in front of you.

6. Don’t interrupt with ideas

I know you may have that great idea that just came to your brain that has to do with what the other person is talking about and if you don’t blurt it out it might disappear. Hold that thought! Literally. Give the person speaking the opportunity to finish their thought before you give them that really awesome idea that will save the world.

7. Know when to dig deeper

Sometimes a person needs to talk things out, so know how to ask questions that keep them talking. Make sure the conversation stays positive and keep asking those questions that can’t be answered with Yes or No. Encourage them to talk through the issue and keep your eyes open for what is really being said. Remove the emotions. This will lead to more productive outcomes for everyone involved.

8. Know when to stop digging

I’m not talking spouses or family members here. We all know how to push buttons of those that are closest to us, but for casual conversation if the content becomes negative, change the subject. If the conversation continues to be negative, politely excuse yourself and find someone else to engage. We all know that person that loves to have toxic conversation all the time!

9. Focus on the person you’re in conversation with

No eye darting, nodding to others, etc. There is no better way of making someone feel insignificant than you looking for your next target for conversation while talking to them.

10. Look into their eyes

When being really engaged with someone, look into their eyes or at least at their face when speaking with them. I know this is a no-brainer, but sometimes it is hard to do. Make sure you are not looking at body parts that make the other person uncomfortable.

11. Open yourself up to others

When networking, don’t stand in the corner with your arms crossed and a scowl on your face. Smile, drop your arms to your side, and stand flat on your feet. This is a power position and an invitation for others to approach you. You never know who your next client is going to be!

Next time you are out networking use these tips and you will converse like a pro!

/by

Body Language & Success

In this TED video ‘Your Body Language Shapes Who You Are’, social scientist Amy Cuddy examines not only how your body language affects how others perceive you, but how you see yourself. Simply by changing your posture or stance, chemical levels of cortisol and testosterone in the brain can change. These changes may have an impact on our chances for success.

When defining communication people often think of words and content, but nonverbal communication or interactions are extremely important as well. Do you ever take a second and realize what nonverbal behaviors you are portraying? Next time you are in an important meeting with powerful people, watch as they tend to take up space and show their power.

Next time you are in a situation, whether that be in a meeting or an event, watch closely how you portray yourself to others. Open yourself up, physically. This shows comfort and confidence which will make yourself feel better and in the end have your meeting or event go better.

Amy suggest trying these power poses to make yourself feel better. Fake it until you become it! Portray confidence until one day you just are no longer pretending. She says it is the presence that you bring, not necessarily the content that will make the difference.

To learn more click the link and watch!

/by

10 Networking Tips For The Self-Employed

Learning to network doesn’t come naturally, which I found out the hard way. When I started my business I was a young entrepreneur that needed to figure out how to make a business work. Very soon, I started to understand the importance of networking to help build my business and connections. This often meant going out of my comfort zone.

When going to networking events I would often pull into the parking lot and sit in the car giving myself a pep talk about what would happen at the event and how I would walk in the door. It was hard for me even though I consider myself an extrovert. It took time, but I have learned many important lessons about networking over the years.

Below are the most important lessons of networking I have learned in my 25+ years of business:

1. Be genuine:

People like knowing you can show your true self and that you aren’t trying too hard or making things up. Share a bit about yourself like your family, what you do for entertainment, where you travel. These things will give you all sorts of connections that you might not have already had.

2. Go with your goals in mind, but don’t be forceful

Have goals like passing out 5 business cards to qualified leads OR to those you can help with their career and connections. Helping others will ultimately lead to success for you.

3. Visit as many groups as you can when you start out

Look for groups with like-mindedness as well as where your clients might hang out.

4. Volunteer

Get involved in community service to lend a hand locally. Find groups or organizations that inspire you.

5. Ask open ended questions when you meet someone

Be a good conversationalist and learn how to pull conversation from others.

6. Become known as a source

If a hotel needs to know where to find a unique piece of furniture, they know you will be able to find it.

7. Know your elevator speech

You have 30 seconds to connect – make sure your speech is no longer than it takes for the elevator to get from the first floor to the 3rd floor. Be sufficient and clear about what you do and who your ideal client is.

8. Know your ideal client and how to tell others who your ideal client is

Being able to identify your ideal client will allow others to help you in your search for the perfect client. They will know exactly who you are looking for and when they come across that perfect client, they can share your contact information. Word of mouth is so much more valuable than that expensive ad you put in the magazine.

9. Follow through with contacts

Now that you have their information USE IT. You never know what will become of the connection.

10. Schedule follow-up meetings

Set up meetings with those contacts that have something for you or have something they need from you that you can provide. Giving first goes a long way to serve you.

A lot can benefit from networking, be yourself and use these tips next time you are out! Let us know, what networking techniques have helped you in your business?

/by