Networking is a tool that can provide a great opportunity to build your business, at the same time it is a skill that does not come naturally to everyone. Have you ever been at a function and felt nervous or uncomfortable talking with others? Have you ever collected contact information, but never reached out to that person after the event was over? Today, we will discuss how to use networking effectively and how to get the most out of it.
Looking for events? Try volunteering. Getting involved with a place of worship or a charitable organization is a great way to meet new people and establish contacts. Another way is to join your local Chamber of Commerce, just make sure you follow your company’s rules about doing so.
Prepare for the event. Make sure that you arrive at the event with a large supply of business cards and any flyers you have on hand. Have a plan in your mind, what is your goal for this event? Bring any business builder tools you may have such as CDs and DVDs, workbooks, etc.
Be Genuine. Just as you know in social situations when someone is mingling for personal gain, others will know if you do it. Be honest, respectful and genuine in your conversations. Listen to others and show them the same respect they show you.
Educate, don’t sell. When talking about yourself and your business, make sure to inform and educate your audience rather than trying to sell your opportunity. This provides you with the chance to build relationships and to gain interest without hard selling.
Connect. Listen to others for common ground ¬¬¬and common interests. These common interests provide a great basis on which to build relationships.
Be happy, be useful. Always be positive and happy when networking. Provide useful information and introduction whenever possible. As you establish yourself as the person to know at events, you can connect better with individuals.
Deal with Rejection. An introduction doesn’t always go the way you would like, some people aren’t interested. Don’t get discouraged, just move on. Remember the Golden Rule “One should treat others, as one would like others to treat oneself.”
Ask to be introduced. If you are new to a situation ask to be introduced. This allows you to establish contacts quickly and get a third person’s perspective on who is important to know. ¬¬¬
Be Brief. People will remember your information better if it is shorter. The longer you talk, the more difficult it is to maintain focus. Prepare a short synopsis about yourself and your business ahead of time.
Follow up. Make sure that once the event is over and you have collected the business cards of the people you have met, reach out to them, either with a phone call or a personally written note.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
J-O-B is a four-letter word
See what you think about this article I read:
When J-O-B Is a Four-Letter Word and How to Change That
In his bestselling book The Three Signs of a Miserable Job, Patrick Lencioni quotes a Gallup poll finding that 70 percent of American workers don’t like their jobs. According to Lencioni, “The primary source of job misery and the potential cure for that misery resides in the hands of one individual—the direct manager.”
Three conditions that create a miserable job:
1. Anonymity or “the feeling that employees get when they realize their manager has little interest in them as a human being.”
2. Irrelevance, which takes root when employees cannot see how their job makes a difference in the lives of others.
3. “Immeasurement” which is the inability of employees to assess for themselves their contribution or success.
Three ways to avoid job burnout and make yourself happy at work:
1. Use Trapped Downtime. If you’re at risk of burnout from boredom, find ways to fill trapped downtime with something enriching or uplifting. Fill your MP3 player with a good book or advice from a personal-development expert for when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to work. Read about trends in your industry and examples of how your job, your company and your industry are making a real difference in others’ lives. And we know you’re guilty of it because we are too, but don’t eat lunch at your desk. Get out to exercise, socialize, attend a brown-bag seminar or other way to enrich yourself.
2. Start Saying No. (But Do It Politely.) You know your workload and capacity best, so when you’re in danger of burnout from overwork, start saying no. Determine your highest priorities and make progress on those first. Achieving checkmarks on your priority list will give you something measurable to appreciate and invigorate you for new projects down the road.
3. Show Your Human Side. You’re not a robot, so quit trying to be. When something seems unethical, speak up. When something seems counterproductive, offer a solution. When something whole-heartedly tanks your job morale, share your concerns. When managers see your more personable side, they may break past seeing you as just another employee and view you as a conscientious, dedicated professional.
Blessings!
When J-O-B Is a Four-Letter Word and How to Change That
In his bestselling book The Three Signs of a Miserable Job, Patrick Lencioni quotes a Gallup poll finding that 70 percent of American workers don’t like their jobs. According to Lencioni, “The primary source of job misery and the potential cure for that misery resides in the hands of one individual—the direct manager.”
Three conditions that create a miserable job:
1. Anonymity or “the feeling that employees get when they realize their manager has little interest in them as a human being.”
2. Irrelevance, which takes root when employees cannot see how their job makes a difference in the lives of others.
3. “Immeasurement” which is the inability of employees to assess for themselves their contribution or success.
Three ways to avoid job burnout and make yourself happy at work:
1. Use Trapped Downtime. If you’re at risk of burnout from boredom, find ways to fill trapped downtime with something enriching or uplifting. Fill your MP3 player with a good book or advice from a personal-development expert for when you’re stuck in traffic on the way to work. Read about trends in your industry and examples of how your job, your company and your industry are making a real difference in others’ lives. And we know you’re guilty of it because we are too, but don’t eat lunch at your desk. Get out to exercise, socialize, attend a brown-bag seminar or other way to enrich yourself.
2. Start Saying No. (But Do It Politely.) You know your workload and capacity best, so when you’re in danger of burnout from overwork, start saying no. Determine your highest priorities and make progress on those first. Achieving checkmarks on your priority list will give you something measurable to appreciate and invigorate you for new projects down the road.
3. Show Your Human Side. You’re not a robot, so quit trying to be. When something seems unethical, speak up. When something seems counterproductive, offer a solution. When something whole-heartedly tanks your job morale, share your concerns. When managers see your more personable side, they may break past seeing you as just another employee and view you as a conscientious, dedicated professional.
Blessings!
Monday, March 7, 2011
5 Simple Steps to Squash Your Stress
5 Simple Steps to Squash Your Stress
by Noah St. John
Stress is caused by a lack of perceived control. The more control we perceive we have in our lives, the less stress we feel.
That's one reason that the major life changes bring about the most stress. For example: getting married, buying a new home...
Wow, I'm doing both of those in the next 65 days. No wonder this is on my mind :)
With any life change, we often feel a loss of perceived control. The bigger the change, the more loss of perceived control, the greater the stress.
So here are 5 simple steps to squash your stress:
1. Use AFFORMATIONS.
Afformations are empowering questions you can use to lower your stress immediately.
For example, Afformations like:
"Why am I so calm?"
"Why am I so confident?"
"Why did everything work out better than I thought?"
These empowering questions cause your mind to search for answers - which effectively switches on your internal stress-relief button.
2. Install your Introspection System.
Like your house and your body, your life and business are made up of SYSTEMS that must operate effectively for you to lower your stress. Installing your Introspection System means you make the time to do things like meditate, journal, walk in nature every day. You want to make sure that the ladder of success you're climbing is leaning against the right wall.
3. Rate yourself from 1-10.
Let's say a really stressful event would be a 10 on a 10 scale - things like the major life changes I listed above. The problem is, we often act as if getting dinner ready were a 10! Next time you feel stressed, ask yourself, "What am I right now?" Rate yourself from 1-10, 10 being "Stressed out of my gourd." Then, ask yourself if the situation really warrants that kind of reaction. The BEST way to do this with a spouse or accountability partner.
4. Find Your No.
A lot of stress comes from over-committing. Remember that time you said yes when you really wanted to say no? That's called added stress. Next time someone asks you to do something you don't really want to do, just notice it. Then learn to say no with a smile. Saying no is like a muscle. You can build it with time and practice.
5. Finally... Breathe!
This sounds so simple, and it is. Sometimes we forget to breathe!
The healthiest way to breathe to lower stress is:
1. Breathe in through your nose.
2. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
3. Blow out through your mouth.
Try it right now. You will feel better instantly.
The health benefits of proper breathing are well-documented: better respiratory function, more balanced nervous system, healthier digestive system, even younger-looking skin. And of course, just think of the alternative :-)
by Noah St. John
Stress is caused by a lack of perceived control. The more control we perceive we have in our lives, the less stress we feel.
That's one reason that the major life changes bring about the most stress. For example: getting married, buying a new home...
Wow, I'm doing both of those in the next 65 days. No wonder this is on my mind :)
With any life change, we often feel a loss of perceived control. The bigger the change, the more loss of perceived control, the greater the stress.
So here are 5 simple steps to squash your stress:
1. Use AFFORMATIONS.
Afformations are empowering questions you can use to lower your stress immediately.
For example, Afformations like:
"Why am I so calm?"
"Why am I so confident?"
"Why did everything work out better than I thought?"
These empowering questions cause your mind to search for answers - which effectively switches on your internal stress-relief button.
2. Install your Introspection System.
Like your house and your body, your life and business are made up of SYSTEMS that must operate effectively for you to lower your stress. Installing your Introspection System means you make the time to do things like meditate, journal, walk in nature every day. You want to make sure that the ladder of success you're climbing is leaning against the right wall.
3. Rate yourself from 1-10.
Let's say a really stressful event would be a 10 on a 10 scale - things like the major life changes I listed above. The problem is, we often act as if getting dinner ready were a 10! Next time you feel stressed, ask yourself, "What am I right now?" Rate yourself from 1-10, 10 being "Stressed out of my gourd." Then, ask yourself if the situation really warrants that kind of reaction. The BEST way to do this with a spouse or accountability partner.
4. Find Your No.
A lot of stress comes from over-committing. Remember that time you said yes when you really wanted to say no? That's called added stress. Next time someone asks you to do something you don't really want to do, just notice it. Then learn to say no with a smile. Saying no is like a muscle. You can build it with time and practice.
5. Finally... Breathe!
This sounds so simple, and it is. Sometimes we forget to breathe!
The healthiest way to breathe to lower stress is:
1. Breathe in through your nose.
2. Hold for 3-5 seconds.
3. Blow out through your mouth.
Try it right now. You will feel better instantly.
The health benefits of proper breathing are well-documented: better respiratory function, more balanced nervous system, healthier digestive system, even younger-looking skin. And of course, just think of the alternative :-)
Monday, February 28, 2011
The Wonder of Gratitude
Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom, and as you sing psalms, hymns and spiritual songs with gratitude in your hearts to God. Colossians 3:6
The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! Henry Ward Beecher
We need a strong immune system to keep our bodies healthy. And we need a strong spiritual immune system to keep our lives on the right track. So how do we keep ourselves spiritually strong? One of the most formidable elements in a spiritual immune system is gratitude.
When we choose a thankful attitude, our spirits resist the cynicism, discouragement, and pessimism that weigh us down. We're better able to thrive and survive no matter what life throws at us. And our love for God blooms.
Needing a fresh burst of spiritual stamina? Remember the wonder of gratitude.
The unthankful heart discovers no mercies; but let the thankful heart sweep through the day and, as the magnet finds the iron, so it will find, in every hour, some heavenly blessings! Henry Ward Beecher
We need a strong immune system to keep our bodies healthy. And we need a strong spiritual immune system to keep our lives on the right track. So how do we keep ourselves spiritually strong? One of the most formidable elements in a spiritual immune system is gratitude.
When we choose a thankful attitude, our spirits resist the cynicism, discouragement, and pessimism that weigh us down. We're better able to thrive and survive no matter what life throws at us. And our love for God blooms.
Needing a fresh burst of spiritual stamina? Remember the wonder of gratitude.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Charting Your Course
I read this article about successful people. See if you like it –
One of the first things successful people realize is the old adage, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” That is, for you, the fact that your success and your course is up to you. This doesn’t mean that you do it all alone. It simply means that you take responsibility for your life and your career.
Too many people today look at opportunity and figure it is up to someone else to make sure they get it. They look at financial security and hope that the government will make sure they live safely in retirement or in case of disability. They wait and wait, figuring that it is up to someone else. And then the wait is over, and it is too late to do anything. Their life is over and they are filled with regret.
This isn’t true for you however. You know that you must take responsibility for your life. It is up to you.
The fact is that nobody else is going to do it for you—you must do it yourself.
Now, some people may say, “that’s a lot of responsibility.” Friends, that is the best news you can ever hear. You get to choose your life. Hundreds of millions of people all around this world would give anything to live in the situation you do—just for the chance to have the opportunity to take control of their destiny. “It is up to you” is a great blessing!
Here’s why:
1. You get to chart your own destiny. Maybe you want to start a small business and stay there. That’s great because you can choose that. Maybe you want to create a small chain of stores. Maybe you want to have a net worth of $100 million. That’s okay too. The idea is that you get to choose. You can do whatever you like. Different people have different dreams and they should live them accordingly.
2. You reap what you sow. Sleep in and go to work late and reap the return. Or get up early and outwork the others and earn a greater return. Place your capital at risk and earn a return—or place it at greater risk and perhaps reap a greater return. You decide what you will sow and thus what you will reap.
3. No one else can stop you from getting your dream. Yes, there will always be things that come up and people who may not like what you are doing, but you can just move on and chart your own course. There is great freedom in that.
4. You experience the joy of self-determination. There is no greater pride than knowing you set your mind on something and accomplished it. Those who live with a victim mentality never get to experience the joy of accomplishment because they are always waiting for someone else to come to the rescue. Those who take responsibility get to live the joy of seeing a job well done.
Let me ask you a question: Where will you be in five years? Ten years? Or 25 years? Do you know? Do you have an idea? Have you ever dreamed about it or set a goal for it? Are you willing to take responsibility and recognize that, “It is up to you?”
You will be wherever you decide to be in those timeframes. You decide. It is up to you.
And that is very exciting!
One of the first things successful people realize is the old adage, “If it is to be, it is up to me.” That is, for you, the fact that your success and your course is up to you. This doesn’t mean that you do it all alone. It simply means that you take responsibility for your life and your career.
Too many people today look at opportunity and figure it is up to someone else to make sure they get it. They look at financial security and hope that the government will make sure they live safely in retirement or in case of disability. They wait and wait, figuring that it is up to someone else. And then the wait is over, and it is too late to do anything. Their life is over and they are filled with regret.
This isn’t true for you however. You know that you must take responsibility for your life. It is up to you.
The fact is that nobody else is going to do it for you—you must do it yourself.
Now, some people may say, “that’s a lot of responsibility.” Friends, that is the best news you can ever hear. You get to choose your life. Hundreds of millions of people all around this world would give anything to live in the situation you do—just for the chance to have the opportunity to take control of their destiny. “It is up to you” is a great blessing!
Here’s why:
1. You get to chart your own destiny. Maybe you want to start a small business and stay there. That’s great because you can choose that. Maybe you want to create a small chain of stores. Maybe you want to have a net worth of $100 million. That’s okay too. The idea is that you get to choose. You can do whatever you like. Different people have different dreams and they should live them accordingly.
2. You reap what you sow. Sleep in and go to work late and reap the return. Or get up early and outwork the others and earn a greater return. Place your capital at risk and earn a return—or place it at greater risk and perhaps reap a greater return. You decide what you will sow and thus what you will reap.
3. No one else can stop you from getting your dream. Yes, there will always be things that come up and people who may not like what you are doing, but you can just move on and chart your own course. There is great freedom in that.
4. You experience the joy of self-determination. There is no greater pride than knowing you set your mind on something and accomplished it. Those who live with a victim mentality never get to experience the joy of accomplishment because they are always waiting for someone else to come to the rescue. Those who take responsibility get to live the joy of seeing a job well done.
Let me ask you a question: Where will you be in five years? Ten years? Or 25 years? Do you know? Do you have an idea? Have you ever dreamed about it or set a goal for it? Are you willing to take responsibility and recognize that, “It is up to you?”
You will be wherever you decide to be in those timeframes. You decide. It is up to you.
And that is very exciting!
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Successful Entrepreneurs
I read this article, see if you like it too...
What Qualities Are the True Tokens of Successful Entrepreneurs?
You've probably seen the bumper stickers that say "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." While the bumper sticker may be directed at the dreamer doing 10 miles less than the speed limit in the left lane, it also applies to everyone's life. Most people are followers, but others are leaders. They want to be at the helm of their own ship, charting the course that their lives will take.
They are most likely ENTREPRENEURS - people who have what it takes to start and succeed at their own businesses.
What qualities are the true tokens of successful entrepreneurs? Thousands of books and articles have been written on the subject. There is even a Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul and an annual event called "Entrepalooza" at the University of Michigan, where successful business owners relate their secrets. It turns out, though, that just about everyone who takes on the challenge of owning their own business has certain qualities.
1. They have a dream. It can be anything from wanting to make a living from a hobby to wanting to find a way to spend more time with their families. Along with their dreams comes the foresight to see a need for something or a problem that needs solving, and finding a way to supply that need or solve that problem. Instead of saying, "Someone will probably invent a way to make a profit from that," the entrepreneur says, "I'M going to be the one who finds a way to make a profit from that."
2. They visualize success. Lots of us have thoughts and ideas of how we'd like our lives to change. We say, "If only I could find a decent job," or "If only I could lose 20 pounds." Entrepreneurs don't just think about it. They see it. They spend a great deal of time "seeing success." If the goal is to spend more time with family, the entrepreneur sees himself or herself working at home, hears one of the children say "Mom, I'm so glad you don't go away to work anymore," and feels what reaching the goal is like. This "positive thinking" technique has been around for a long time-and it still works. It helps create faith in yourself, and that is a prerequisite for anyone even thinking about starting a business. They never stop using this visualization process: It keeps goals shining brightly, and for the entrepreneur, there are always new goals to reach for.
3. They're good listeners and observers. Aki Morita, who founded Sony, got the idea for the infamous Sony Walkman when he got tired of listening to teenagers blasting music from their boom-boxes. He knew he wasn't the only one bothered by the noise. By listening to what people are saying and observing what they're doing (or not doing), the entrepreneur identifies what people want. Lots of people.
They also listen to advice. While it's great to have people cheering you on, entrepreneurs find a wealth of knowledge in the doom-and-gloomers. They present the possible downsides, providing the business owner with some new ideas to think about as they develop their business plan. They read books and listen to motivational CDs. They stay psyched up for success by learning new skills and staying on top of technology.
4. They're good organizers. Once a new entrepreneur develops an idea and begins visualizing a goal, he or she makes a plan. They know they can't just plunge in and hope for the best. They do research, find out what others in similar businesses are doing, and find mentors who can help them figure out what steps they need to take to begin reaching for their goals and dreams. They find out how much money they need, what kind of equipment is essential, and if they will need to hire people or can go it alone. Ultimately, they consider all of the information and advice they've gathered and make their own decisions, taking the best ideas from each source.
5. They're focused. Once the course is charted, the work begins. There will be phone calls, e-mails, and paperwork. There will be days when nothing goes right, and when obstacles seem insurmountable. But because entrepreneurs are, above all, problem solvers who love a challenge, they have the courage and perseverance to keep going. They bounce back from failure like super-balls hitting the sidewalk. They keep their organizational plans in mind, and keep striving to achieve each step, one at a time.
6. They don't believe failure is an option. To be successful in your own business, you must believe 100% that you will succeed at what you are doing. You must have faith in your own ability to make things happen. You must believe that your idea is really a good one that will help other people or make the world better in some way. Sometimes, it simply takes guts-like the quarterback who decides to run the ball and, against all odds, scrambles over the pileup and scores a touchdown.
7. They have self-discipline. Running your own business doesn't mean that you can mosey down to your home office at 10 AM, go to lunch at noon, and take the afternoon off. Just like at a regular job, entrepreneurs work hard. In fact, many put in more hours and work harder than they did when they were someone's employee. But it's easier to put in the extra hour or two when you have a passion for what you are doing, a roadmap for where you're going, and the confidence that you will achieve success.
Does being in charge motivate you? Are you tired of working for someone else? Do YOU have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
I am offering some “Tax Strategies” from former IRS attorney Sandy Botkin in my next “Leadership Luncheon” on March 2, 2011 for the entrepreneur. Come and see how to save some money on your taxes.
What Qualities Are the True Tokens of Successful Entrepreneurs?
You've probably seen the bumper stickers that say "Lead, Follow, or Get Out of the Way." While the bumper sticker may be directed at the dreamer doing 10 miles less than the speed limit in the left lane, it also applies to everyone's life. Most people are followers, but others are leaders. They want to be at the helm of their own ship, charting the course that their lives will take.
They are most likely ENTREPRENEURS - people who have what it takes to start and succeed at their own businesses.
What qualities are the true tokens of successful entrepreneurs? Thousands of books and articles have been written on the subject. There is even a Chicken Soup for the Entrepreneur's Soul and an annual event called "Entrepalooza" at the University of Michigan, where successful business owners relate their secrets. It turns out, though, that just about everyone who takes on the challenge of owning their own business has certain qualities.
1. They have a dream. It can be anything from wanting to make a living from a hobby to wanting to find a way to spend more time with their families. Along with their dreams comes the foresight to see a need for something or a problem that needs solving, and finding a way to supply that need or solve that problem. Instead of saying, "Someone will probably invent a way to make a profit from that," the entrepreneur says, "I'M going to be the one who finds a way to make a profit from that."
2. They visualize success. Lots of us have thoughts and ideas of how we'd like our lives to change. We say, "If only I could find a decent job," or "If only I could lose 20 pounds." Entrepreneurs don't just think about it. They see it. They spend a great deal of time "seeing success." If the goal is to spend more time with family, the entrepreneur sees himself or herself working at home, hears one of the children say "Mom, I'm so glad you don't go away to work anymore," and feels what reaching the goal is like. This "positive thinking" technique has been around for a long time-and it still works. It helps create faith in yourself, and that is a prerequisite for anyone even thinking about starting a business. They never stop using this visualization process: It keeps goals shining brightly, and for the entrepreneur, there are always new goals to reach for.
3. They're good listeners and observers. Aki Morita, who founded Sony, got the idea for the infamous Sony Walkman when he got tired of listening to teenagers blasting music from their boom-boxes. He knew he wasn't the only one bothered by the noise. By listening to what people are saying and observing what they're doing (or not doing), the entrepreneur identifies what people want. Lots of people.
They also listen to advice. While it's great to have people cheering you on, entrepreneurs find a wealth of knowledge in the doom-and-gloomers. They present the possible downsides, providing the business owner with some new ideas to think about as they develop their business plan. They read books and listen to motivational CDs. They stay psyched up for success by learning new skills and staying on top of technology.
4. They're good organizers. Once a new entrepreneur develops an idea and begins visualizing a goal, he or she makes a plan. They know they can't just plunge in and hope for the best. They do research, find out what others in similar businesses are doing, and find mentors who can help them figure out what steps they need to take to begin reaching for their goals and dreams. They find out how much money they need, what kind of equipment is essential, and if they will need to hire people or can go it alone. Ultimately, they consider all of the information and advice they've gathered and make their own decisions, taking the best ideas from each source.
5. They're focused. Once the course is charted, the work begins. There will be phone calls, e-mails, and paperwork. There will be days when nothing goes right, and when obstacles seem insurmountable. But because entrepreneurs are, above all, problem solvers who love a challenge, they have the courage and perseverance to keep going. They bounce back from failure like super-balls hitting the sidewalk. They keep their organizational plans in mind, and keep striving to achieve each step, one at a time.
6. They don't believe failure is an option. To be successful in your own business, you must believe 100% that you will succeed at what you are doing. You must have faith in your own ability to make things happen. You must believe that your idea is really a good one that will help other people or make the world better in some way. Sometimes, it simply takes guts-like the quarterback who decides to run the ball and, against all odds, scrambles over the pileup and scores a touchdown.
7. They have self-discipline. Running your own business doesn't mean that you can mosey down to your home office at 10 AM, go to lunch at noon, and take the afternoon off. Just like at a regular job, entrepreneurs work hard. In fact, many put in more hours and work harder than they did when they were someone's employee. But it's easier to put in the extra hour or two when you have a passion for what you are doing, a roadmap for where you're going, and the confidence that you will achieve success.
Does being in charge motivate you? Are you tired of working for someone else? Do YOU have what it takes to be an entrepreneur?
I am offering some “Tax Strategies” from former IRS attorney Sandy Botkin in my next “Leadership Luncheon” on March 2, 2011 for the entrepreneur. Come and see how to save some money on your taxes.
Monday, February 7, 2011
Brain Colors
I read this article and liked it…see what you think
What Color Is Your Brain?
In her book What Color Is Your Brain? personality-type expert, author and speaker Sheila N. Glazov simplifies the traditional Myers-Briggs personality indicator into a four-color-based, easy-to-use assessment model. “Misunderstandings between people often are the result of not appreciating another individual’s unique personality traits,” she says. Getting to know the color of your brain and of those whom you are dealing with in business can increase your likelihood of success.
Glazov’s assessment shakes out as such:
Yellow Brain: Rule-abiding critical thinkers, who need to be “right.”
Attitude: “I like to be in control.”
Blue Brain: Intuitive and creative people, who think “the sky’s the limit.”
Attitude: “I’ve got a great idea.”
Green Brain: Problem solving, contemplative loners, who thrive on innovation.
Attitude: “I want to be alone to think.”
Orange Brain: Creative, risk-taking instigators of change, who get results.
Attitude: “I can do it all.”
Short of handing out a personality quiz at a meeting, how can you assess your prospect’s brain color? Start with the cold call. Include key information like the name of the person who referred you and listen for the clues.
Yellow immediately refers to an appointment calendar.
Blue waxes on about their relationship with the person who referred you and happily helps you out.
Green usually won’t answer the phone, but on the off chance he picks up he’ll want the facts and only the facts.
Orange is eager and spontaneous and wants to know how quickly you can get there.
Modifying social behaviors based on brain color keeps you from missteps that can set relationships back years. It can also win you sales. Don’t dare be late if you’re meeting with a Yellow Brain. It’s better to reschedule. Blue loves the chitchat before a meeting and doesn’t really get comfortable until you connect with them personally. Try that same tack with Green and you’re wasting their time. Fill them up with data and let them sell you with their knowledge. Get to the point quickly with Orange, but forget the facts and figures. They’re just looking for results and a spontaneous conversation about their Caribbean cruise.
What Color Is Your Brain?
In her book What Color Is Your Brain? personality-type expert, author and speaker Sheila N. Glazov simplifies the traditional Myers-Briggs personality indicator into a four-color-based, easy-to-use assessment model. “Misunderstandings between people often are the result of not appreciating another individual’s unique personality traits,” she says. Getting to know the color of your brain and of those whom you are dealing with in business can increase your likelihood of success.
Glazov’s assessment shakes out as such:
Yellow Brain: Rule-abiding critical thinkers, who need to be “right.”
Attitude: “I like to be in control.”
Blue Brain: Intuitive and creative people, who think “the sky’s the limit.”
Attitude: “I’ve got a great idea.”
Green Brain: Problem solving, contemplative loners, who thrive on innovation.
Attitude: “I want to be alone to think.”
Orange Brain: Creative, risk-taking instigators of change, who get results.
Attitude: “I can do it all.”
Short of handing out a personality quiz at a meeting, how can you assess your prospect’s brain color? Start with the cold call. Include key information like the name of the person who referred you and listen for the clues.
Yellow immediately refers to an appointment calendar.
Blue waxes on about their relationship with the person who referred you and happily helps you out.
Green usually won’t answer the phone, but on the off chance he picks up he’ll want the facts and only the facts.
Orange is eager and spontaneous and wants to know how quickly you can get there.
Modifying social behaviors based on brain color keeps you from missteps that can set relationships back years. It can also win you sales. Don’t dare be late if you’re meeting with a Yellow Brain. It’s better to reschedule. Blue loves the chitchat before a meeting and doesn’t really get comfortable until you connect with them personally. Try that same tack with Green and you’re wasting their time. Fill them up with data and let them sell you with their knowledge. Get to the point quickly with Orange, but forget the facts and figures. They’re just looking for results and a spontaneous conversation about their Caribbean cruise.
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