Category Archives: Learning Library

Authenticity & Networking

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It’s been my privilege to part of several networking groups over the years and I love to watch the interactions of ‘the players’.  Why do I call them ‘players’ you may ask, well, many seem to be acting a part when communicating with others and not just ‘being who they really are’.  You know the people who are not authentic, your ‘gut feeling’ tells you quite quickly but we still ‘play the game’ Alan Sugar has often talked about how he ‘always listens to his gut feeling’ Why I ask doesn’t everyone (that another BLOG)

However, there appears to be a new movement emerging ‘the mask free individuals who are fed up of wasting energy being someone they are not, espousing values and beliefs that are not theirs and are now just being ‘who they really are’ and its not just about the bottom line (yes, ok I know that important too.)

Years ago I remember speaking about being authentic in business and just being yourself and got laughed at, this did not deter me I continued being me and was thought to be a bit ‘eccentric’, ‘strange’, and unconventional in my approach.  Well, why not the world would be boring without a few of us……You know who you are!

Cast you mind back to the last networking meeting/event you went to, where you authentic or did you pop on that mask and play your part?

Diane Windingland wrote a brilliant article in her November blog http://smalltalkbigresults.wordpress.com/ about Tips for Authentic Networking; ‘vomiting out their elevator speech’ made me chuckle, how often do we see that? And ‘passing out cards like a blackjack dealer’ it all goes on.

I decided a long time ago the breakfast meetings were not for me and it got me asking colleagues what their views were, we are all different so hey ho I meet some and I miss some – but I know I only ever really meet those people I am supposed to meet and connect with. So whats your take on Networking Authenticity what do you do and how much Empty Rhetoric are you seeing?

Till next time

The Diva

‘Doing the Doing’

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‘What you can do, or dream you can do, begin it; boldness has genius, power and magic in it’ (Goethe 1749-1832)

So do you ‘do the doing’ or talk about it but never follow through? I have met many human beings who have so much potential but some fail to achieve their goals and visions because of not following through.  Which are you and why might you fail? What enables you achieve?

I travel in all walks of life, observe, listen, mentor, share, facilitate and regularly I hear people say I can’t…because of… or I’ll do it tomorrow, I’ll think about it and then there are the other excuses; ‘I don’t have time/money/space/support’. I find it so poignant that if only they ‘stopped’ and started to ‘do the doing’ – Wow how exciting would that be for them?

My journey into ‘doing’ started 45 years ago when I was told I couldn’t study to be a Nursery Nurse – through ‘doing’ I was privileged to be teaching on NNEB courses 20 years later. As ‘factory fodder’ (career teacher speak for not very bright) I knew I wanted to ‘do’ a degree – I did several academic awards. I made a decision I wanted to pay off my mortgage by the time I was 50 and I succeeded at 49.  In my 50’s I was in a wheelchair and told I may not walk again – I can walk!  But I also ‘do’ lots of other tasks/goals rather than put them off as I dislike having ‘mad monkeys’ whizzing round my brain reminding of all the unfinished ‘stuff’ I have around and keeping me awake at night.

I have realised as I am sure all of you do that to get to where you want to get to, to achieve your dreams you have to get off your bum and get on with it, not just talk about it.

My challenge to you is:   Jot down 1 thing you want to do, now the planning begins, try the 5WH method, What do you want to do? Why do you want to do it?, Who else is there to support you? Where do you expect this to take you? When will you start?  How long have you allocated? NOW START! It may take you a few minutes/hours/ days/weeks/years (it took me several with the mortgage) but you will have started ‘doing the doing’ rather than talking about it. Have a go at visualising how it will feel when you have done it – Feel that Fabulous inner glow.

Its ok not to always know where you want to get to as it’s the journey you take which will enable you determine which pathways you decide to take and small steps are key to all ‘doing the doing’ – as Buddha said, ‘A journey of a 1000 miles beings with the first step’ So what’s going to be your first step in ‘Doing YOUR Doing’? And when will you start?

Until next time

Donnah

Dec 2011

 

What is TRAIT – How can it help Business Growth?

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TRAIT – A quick and cost effective method to cut the guff and get to the nitty-gritty of your development needs
DM Training is delighted to be working in partnership with ABA an Aston University Spin Out Company to offer an easy to use assessment of personality traits which offers a more detailed assessment of personality, enabling individuals to identify their potential development areas and improve their self-awareness and understanding of what skills, knowledge, competencies, and abilities they require to grow both their business and themselves personally.
Now the Science bit!!
☺ Trait is a measure of personality – It enables you to understand your preferred style of behaviour and how it is likely to be demonstrated in your business
☺ Trait is short – and is designed to be very quick and easy to use, it is online and uses simple language, its concise use of 127 items means it only takes 15/20 minutes to complete.
☺ Trait is well validated – It has been thoroughly tested and researched to ensure that it can be used to accurately predict job performance.
☺ Trait is detailed – simple is not always easy, but ABA have created a simple measure that still covers personality in detail, 13 scales in total, covering all the main aspects of personality that lead to effective job performance and behaviour.
☺ Trait is based on the “Big Five” model – it is now largely agreed that personality is represented by 5 major personality domains, Trait uses this agreed structure in order to derive its 13 scales. In their research ABA found Trait fit with the Big Five structure giving confidence that the model is sound, and up-to-date.

And here’s the FUN bit!

You can:
☺ Incorporate TRAIT into your mentoring sessions
☺ Have a one off package with feedback and your report
☺ Use it to build your skills/competency development
☺ Plan your development profile far more accurately year on year
☺ It is VERY COST EFFECTIVE
☺ And you get to spend time with ME!

The Online TRAIT questionnaire, detailed report and a Mentoring Feedback Session
Package £95. contact Donnah Morgan

Charging for your Services/Products SCARY!

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One of the biggest issues which are raised in Mentoring by many sole traders and micro businesses is asking for pricing/charging customers/payment so some of the tips I have offered my mentees have been as follows…

You’re having a brilliant meeting with your prospective customer, and then they ask ‘ok so how much will it cost me then?’ Opps! You haven’t covered everything you need to with your possible client! Don’t Panic……Breathe. For some business people talking about money/cost/prices can be really difficult, are you one of them?

You are not alone – practice is the key and it does get better. My guidance would be to get comfortable with it! You won’t become an empowered and confident salesperson if you don’t like to ‘talk about numbers’ I know this having been in the same position myself. So what do you do? A few quick top tips:

  • Consider everything you are putting into the sale DO NOT reveal your price until you’ve built up the value of what packages of services/products you are offering first.
  • If they do ask for the cost/price and you haven’t given it then you need to get in with something like, ‘If I can just ask a few more questions, to ensure I understand what it is you require, then I will be able to give you an precise price/cost’ use your own words.
  • Don’t ever reveal the price until you’ve built up the value of the product/s or service/s you offer they are unique to you and you have put hours into developing them using your skills, knowledge and competencies.
  • Also remember SMARTER and keep practicing!

You can’t win them all but remember not to take a rejection of your product/services personally – you may not be the right fit – just move on to the next possible customer and enjoy the journey reflecting on what you learn.

Warmth,
Donnah