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Click HERE for Program Overview
Click HERE for July Special Offers
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How
Introverts Can Be Better Networkers
Follow these tips to
help break the ice in social situations and get on your way to forging lasting
business relationships.
A common assumption that isn't
necessarily true is that an extroverted "people person" is the best
type of networker. While an extroverted person might be better at meeting new
people, someone who's more introverted can be better at the second part of business networking -- communicating his or her ideas and
forming meaningful relationships.
In my experience, introverted people
tend to be better listeners and ask more questions, which are essential factors
for getting to know a person and his or her business. But far too often,
introverts eliminate themselves from the benefits that come from networking and relationship-building because they
aren't comfortable initializing conversations.
Consider me, for example. One evening during a dinner conversation with
my wife I mentioned something about my being an extrovert. She looked at me and
said, "Um, honey, I hate to break it to you but, you're an
introvert."
An introvert? A networker like me? I
laughed, but she insisted I was, and she outlined all the ways I have
introverted tendencies. So, I went online and
took a personality test. It determined I am a "situational
extrovert," that I am a loner who is reserved around strangers but
outgoing in the right context.
It struck me then that I started the
BNI networking organization almost three decades ago because I was naturally
uncomfortable meeting new people. I found that the smaller, more intimate
approaches to building a network enabled me to meet people in an organized,
structured networking environment that did not require that I actually
"talk to strangers."
While there are numerous techniques that can help make networking easier
for introverts, here are three that can get you meeting new people now and
building valuable relationships for the long haul:
1. Be an 'ambassador.'
If you feel uncomfortable approaching strangers
at, say, a chamber business mixer, you can volunteer to be an ambassador for
that group. In this role, you are in effect a host for the chamber, which makes
it easier and more natural for you to greet people and say, "Welcome to
our event. My name is [your name]. I'm an ambassador for the chamber and . .
." Before you know it, the ice is broken and you're engaged in
conversation.
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*Do You Want More Business?
*Do You Want More
Customers?
*Do You Want FREE
Advertising?
*Do You Want FREE
Promotion?
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Dear Subscriber,
National Leadership
Award
President
Annie Winterbottom
Seminole County, FL
This award recognizes the person who
has proven to be a true leader in today’s economic climate. This leader practices selflessness, dedication,
and goes above and beyond to help stimulate growth and profitability, while
giving back to local non-profits and charities in their community.
This person is said to have
characteristics of the human mind that represent the highest and finest
qualities such as honesty, generosity, kindness, and humility while carrying
hope to the business community.
Congratulations President, Seminole County – Annie Winterbottom for setting
the benchmark for future recipients of this award.
CEO, John Bellave
said “Annie is deserving of this award. Due to her work ethics and
dedication, she built one of our largest chapters in the United States from scratch and has built
incredible value for VIP Card holders in Seminole County.
We are very proud of her accomplishments and know the best is yet to come.”________________________
Meet Our LeadershipPresident - Southwest Michigan
Jason Vrane
Jason Vrane
is an entrepreneur, start up enthusiast and social networker. He’s
currently the Chief Marketing Officer of eJobFairs.net and President of Strategic Operations
for Big Daddy Taxi of Kalamazoo.
Jason holds
a Bachelors of Science in Business Management from Davenport
University, a MBA in Strategic
Management and is currently enrolled at Walden University
pursuing his Ph.D. in Management with a specialization in Leadership and
Organizational Change.
Jason has
had to wear many hats in his current start ups, some to include: (social)
Marketing, operational management, sales management, business development,
strategic planning and fundraising (Venture Capital/Angel Investors). He understands
the challenges facing the small business owner today and sees MainStreetChamber
as the advantage needed in the current economic climate.
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When
to Hire a Bookkeeper or Accountant
When QuickBooks
takes you only so far, it's time to bring in a financial pro.
Entrepreneurs thrive on a DIY mentality: Do everything you can yourself
and don't pay for anything new until you have absolutely have to. It's
especially difficult to justify hiring financial help like a bookkeeper.
With user-friendly software such as QuickBooks available, many business
owners feel they should be able to do keep their records on their own, even as
they wrestle with finding the time and wonder if they're doing things
correctly.
Deciding about "hiring a
bookkeeper is something I struggle with all the time," says Randy
Mitchelson, owner of National Web Leads, an Internet marketing company in Estero, Fla.
While he finds basic accounting easy to do, it takes him away from working on
his business. Meanwhile, his accounting and taxplanning have
become only more complicated in the six years since he founded his business.
Entrepreneurs who hire accounting help usually discover they weren't
doing nearly as well on their own as they thought they were.
Zalmi Duchman, chief executive of The Fresh Diet, a meal-delivery
company based in Miami, lasted five years without a bookkeeper then hired one
three months ago. The new employee cleaned up records that incorrectly mingled
expenses and assets, reviewed employee purchases for duplications, and took
over the mundane but critical task of paying bills. Duchman estimates his
company is saving $500 to $1,000 in late fees every quarter. "I definitely
have been able to make better and more educated decisions," he says.
So what are a small-business owner's options
for professional help with financial tasks? Here is a primer:
Do I Need a
Bookkeeper or an Accountant?
Print Our Member Certificate
and customize it with Your Company Name
Download & Print the Badge of Credibility needed in today's Business World
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