Barbara Walters Price

And Why Are We Doing This?

I've taken a week and a half off from posting, which in the blogosphere (I hate that amalgamation of a word) is an eternity. 

But I'm back.  Why?  Because I figured out why I really do this.

If you care, read on ...

Public Speaking Tip: Make Them Feel at Home

Tom Antion again had a great post on the importance of schmoozing before your presentation.  He says:

Whenever possible make it a firm point to have your presentation equipment and materials set up and tested long before anyone is expected to arrive at the meeting. When the attendees do begin to arrive, start introducing yourself as the speaker and shaking hands with them. If they are coming in a few at a time, you should be able to spend a few minutes talking to each group. Either make small talk or ask them what they want to get out of being there. Pay particular attention to people that are by themselves and facilitate introducing them around if it's appropriate . . . at any rate, make them feel at home.

Great advice.  Try it at your next speaking engagement.

You are in the Customer Service Business

Our firm's Monday morning training session was on the topic of Customer Service.  We were reminded that as providers of professional services, we are really in the customer service business.  In the case of my firm's industry, that does not mean giving the client a number he/she wants (we provide independent business valuation services to clients throughout the world).  That simply means being responsive to their questions and keeping the lines of communication open, especially when something goes awry as things sometimes do.

Take some time to consider what customer service really means to you and your practice.  This could be some of the most important time you spend.

And for giggles and examples of how NOT to do it, see the following two links:

• Seth Godin's post entitled "Clueless"
• "Yours is a Very Bad Hotel"

New Article Available - Top Ten Ways to Waste Money on Business Cards

The post on this blog that has received the most comments (both on the post and sent to me personally) was entitled, The Top Ten Ways to Waste Money on Business Cards.  Therefore, I've made the post into an article and placed it into the "Complimentary Articles" section to your left.   If you missed the post the first time around, download the article and, as always, let me know your thoughts.

Ad-Libbing is Hard Work

"I rehearse all my ad libs," said Winston Churchill.  Prepare and train for the media, and for beauty contents.  Learn how to sound off-the-cuff.

-- from 365 Marketing Meditations

I Haven't Got Time to Plan!

If you are like me, you try to plan your day, your week, your month.  You have short-term and long-term goals (that are written down).  You track your progress towards meeting those goals.  You try to focus on those things that make you most effective and add the most value.  Sounds good, doesn't it?  We're doing everything the professional career coaches tell us to do.  What they didn't tell us is that as we progress in our careers, our time is increasingly not our own.  We're pulled and pushed in a myriad of directions such that at the end of the day, we sometimes feel battered and bruised.  And our to-do list from that day sits there mocking us because we haven't checked off the first thing. 

However, failure to plan is a productivity-killer.  I know.  This week I told myself "I don't have time to plan" and spent the first two and a half days of the week in a reactive mode rather than in a proactive mode.  Lack of planning cost me and the company I work for in delayed opportunities which equates to real money.   As such, I found the information below helpful and want to share it with you.  There is nothing particularly new but it is a good reminder.  As providers of professional services, wise use of your time is vital (and income-producing).   

 

Do I Know What I'm Talking About?

I just finished writing an article that will be published in the November 2005 issue of the AICPA's Journal of Accountancy entitled "Marketing a Business Valuation Niche" (business valuation is the profession my firm, Mercer Capital, is in).  The article contained practical advice and information centered around making the phone ring with new business.  I spoke with the editor yesterday and she told me that the article had been reviewed by three valuation practitioners and one professional marketer.  According to the editor, the three practitioners loved it while the professional marketer said it sounded like I didn't know how to market.  Ouch - I think ... I'm just glad it wasn't the other way around!

The comment of the professional marketer pushed a hot button with me. 

We Cannot Escape Change

Change is constant, essential and inevitable. Resistance is futile and causes needless frustration and fear. Learn to embrace change; for change, is the essence of life.

-- Larry Anderson
http://onesentence.blogspot.com/

Public Speaking Tip: Don't skip these three things

When you have been asked to speak to an association or group, give yourself a chance to succeed right away by doing these three things:

Public Speaking Tip: Take a Breath

Tom Antion's blog, Great Public Speaking, has a good post about the importance of pausing.  Tom says:

A true NO ZZZZZs presenter doesn't feel that he or she must jabber away constantly to keep the audience awake. Skilled presenters use silence to add to the effectiveness and polish of a program.

He talks about the three most important types of pauses and their purpose:

• Short
• Spontaneity
• Long

He concludes by saying:

... Please [pause] [pause] [pause] don't be afraid to be quiet once in a while. It can dramatically increase your impact.

Take a look.  Link: Great Public Speaking.