Perl's Wisdoms

2010-07-02T01:00:00.001-07:00

Pfaff! Social Media simply doesnâ€™t work. Tell me Iâ€™m wrong! http://bit.ly/9TI5FC

2010-05-23T08:15:00.001-07:00

Helping MBA’s - Durham Business School http://bit.ly/dvirOR with LinkedIn. Does your team require some guidance? http://bit.ly/c9Z3iV

2010-05-04T01:55:00.001-07:00

Creating followers online - you cannot force but you can empower through Servant Leadership - ecademy @pennypower http://bit.ly/d45btN

2010-05-04T01:37:00.001-07:00

Spending the morning with @ecademy @thomaspower at Warren House. Tips and insights to help navigate the networked, connected world

2010-05-04T01:33:00.001-07:00

LinkedIn Training for groups or individuals - http://bit.ly/9qlCwV

2010-05-03T23:29:00.001-07:00

One Hour Showcase: showing you “How to Work A Room” - http://bit.ly/aRLgDE

2010-04-28T02:29:00.001-07:00

Visited Internetworld at Earls Court. Interesting keynotes http://bit.ly/bZA2vN See the cutting edge of our digital ecosystem

2010-04-23T09:12:00.001-07:00

For my father, as we celebrate his 80th. Holocaust Survivor, Wise Mentor & Patient Guide http://bit.ly/dhkvTj

2010-04-22T04:43:00.001-07:00

The connected decade. Ready? http://bit.ly/dnO59n Join us on this seminar http://bit.ly/deq9hX We’ll get you up to speed

2010-04-21T06:28:00.001-07:00

Yipperdy DooDaah, Yipperdy Day, Mandy’s UK VISA has been issued today. Yipperdy DooDaah, Yipperdy Day the next big date is the 7th of MAY

2010-04-16T11:48:00.001-07:00

Proud to have been part of the 2003 Tour I’ll be helping Billy and SA Chefs again in 2011 http://bit.ly/ckVws8

2010-04-15T00:40:00.001-07:00

Tribute to my Father during this milestone week of Remembrance http://bit.ly/aEnncS

2010-04-11T15:54:00.001-07:00

Remember. Holocaust Memorial Day ‘The Legacy of Hope’ narrated by Daniel Radcliffe http://bit.ly/dzbdhz

2010-04-07T16:20:00.001-07:00

Check it out. @equalman @RomanyThresher Talks to Erik Qualman about his book “Socialnomics" http://ning.it/aJYsLK

2010-04-06T01:29:00.001-07:00

Just what I needed! You’ll love it too - Remindeo - Free Reminder Service http://bit.ly/f8rVz via @AddToAny

2010-04-01T00:34:00.001-07:00

Top Tips Insiders Don't Want You To Know ! http://bit.ly/9BLbXV

2010-03-28T15:46:00.001-07:00

Passover http://bit.ly/95oHs2 is here again. Chag Sameach http://bit.ly/cyrJaK to family, friends & colleagues

2010-03-25T00:39:00.001-07:00

Today’s highlight? Cup-of-Chino and a chat with James Potter @matrixknowledge Few have more Intel on the NHS

2010-03-23T08:42:00.001-07:00

Delivering a LinkedIn talk in Guildford Evening of Wed 24th http://bit.ly/biNFUj You a member of The Tribe?

2010-03-15T00:20:00.001-07:00

Unveils NEW website http://bit.ly/c9Z3iV & email mark@markperl.com Now clearly expresses what I offer. Thoughts?

2010-03-11T23:46:00.001-08:00

Supplying to the SME sector? Trying to sell? Or are you ready to engage? http://bit.ly/bQ5o0k

2010-03-08T04:00:00.001-08:00

How to leverage social media for personal and business success http://bit.ly/bAdbBQ What about you? Adopter or bystander?

2010-02-23T14:54:00.001-08:00

What happens when Facebook becomes a Bank? - ecademy @thomaspower http://bit.ly/bNoUsm

2010-02-22T14:53:00.001-08:00

RT @martindewhurst What do you stand for? - ecademy http://bit.ly/9Lywnt

2010-02-18T02:50:00.001-08:00

To enhance your brand, have you connected with the right conversations today ? http://bit.ly/bzufGk

2010-02-17T00:59:00.001-08:00

SHOCKED! Top Marketing execs at BIG BRANDS seem resistant/unaware of trending shift to customer engagement! http://bit.ly/ceUkKm

2010-02-12T05:46:00.001-08:00

On Sat it’s a Business Development session for NLP Practitioners http://bit.ly/ceujMI Call me now to see how I can help your team in 2010

2010-02-09T04:41:00.001-08:00

On Wed it’s St Georges University bit.ly/co7Ry7 to help Medical Management Skills students with their Business Development techniques

2010-02-04T00:11:00.001-08:00

It’s Portsmouth today to present at the Connecting for Business show http://bit.ly/cSviTH for Laura Swetman http://bit.ly/aS7s9n Coming?

2010-02-01T09:49:00.001-08:00

When technology and mankind blend, the 7th sense will appear. Marvel at what tomorrow holds http://bit.ly/ctkdHO

2010-01-31T07:23:00.001-08:00

Everything in the relationship between brands and consumers has changed http://bit.ly/9dvYBs. But why are corporates so slow to adopt?

2010-01-27T16:19:00.001-08:00

Presenting at the launch of the Nth Lincs Business Network sponsored by Business Link http://bit.ly/91d2vf Connecting to the North East!

2010-01-26T05:13:00.001-08:00

Telling is dead. Engagement and Networking with prospects both online and offline is the new Black. Adopt or fail! http://bit.ly/7T8dOv

2010-01-20T02:07:00.001-08:00

Just back from presenting to Marsh execs http://bit.ly/7ASAGh at a super Windsor venue http://bit.ly/8Amwuv Trying to snow here again. Ugh!

2010-01-13T13:04:00.001-08:00

A wise man said:"A man who is not reading a good book has no advantage over the man who cannot read at all" In 2010, which will be Ur 1st ?

2010-01-09T23:59:00.001-08:00

Most grateful to friends and associates for your many birthday good wishes. Back in the UK on the 19th Excited to kick it all off again !

2010-01-09T00:45:00.001-08:00

Consulting with big business in Johannesburg. Hunger for social media tools is high http://bit.ly/7ay0Eg. What will you change in 2010?

2009-12-23T08:09:00.001-08:00

Sundowners by the sparkling pool, chatting with old friends, romantic dinners with my wife. South Africa still rocks my world

2009-12-10T04:02:00.001-08:00

Last few training sessions delivered. Now all that’s left is packing for the sun - Fly on Saturday. Hurrah !

2009-12-06T14:28:00.001-08:00

Pacey week of training and meetings ahead. Year end accounts deadline looming. Looking forward to a Xmas breather. I’m sure you are too!

2009-11-30T08:34:00.001-08:00

Meeting Mark Sinclair yourBusiness Channel http://bit.ly/8lYxQY– It’s all in the Prep & Planning. I’m ready! Today – were you?

2009-11-26T17:03:00.001-08:00

Was a wonderful experience to present for Blackberry in Rome. Returned to enjoy my first Black Star Ecademy event. The journey continues..

2009-11-11T04:18:00.001-08:00

Really looking forward to Thomas Power’s 2 day social media retreat Thurs/Fri. http://bit.ly/dcC00 Can’t wait to stretch my envelope!

2009-11-10T10:52:00.001-08:00

Fun full day of training. Feet sore ! Delegates left motivated and I always feel so enriched when I see all their light bulbs get turned on

2009-11-09T00:54:00.001-08:00

Off to the Helsinki University of Technology next week http://bit.ly/Xzj03. Awesome opportunity. Nervous networker? May I help you too?

2009-11-05T03:44:00.001-08:00

Selected to present my 'Working The Room' session at the Blackberry world conference in Italy http://ping.fm/Aveff Excited & humbled

2009-11-03T05:21:00.001-08:00

Off to Wales shortly to present at the Institute of Business Consultants road-show and to reconnect with old friends. Great!

2009-10-29T11:33:00.001-07:00

Father admitted to hospital ! That quickly takes the lustre off a busy, fun week and recalibrates what’s truly important

2009-10-28T01:39:00.001-07:00

At University College London today. Always fun to help international students with the UK’s social differences & networking processes

2009-10-27T02:50:00.001-07:00

Helping Academics today. Answering the question “What do you do” is their Ahaa moment. What challenges your team when meeting new people?

2009-10-24T03:00:00.001-07:00

Having a two hour training on Twitter by Romany Thresher. See what Romany may be able to do for you http://ping.fm/BNJgI

2009-10-21T23:04:00.001-07:00

From a corporate in St Pauls to a conference in Windsor. Today, my success is in the hands of public transport. Timings? Wish me luck!

2009-10-21T05:17:00.001-07:00

A delegate said he wished he’d started investing in training for his team 20 yrs earlier. Maybe I can help yours bring you in more business?

2009-10-19T15:02:00.001-07:00

Training Accountants and Insurance Execs in W1 today. My role? To elevate their interpersonal skills to their match technical excellence

2009-10-19T07:26:00.001-07:00

Its not what we say about ourselves that counts, rather what others say of us. Give and Offer testimonials for work done. Its courteous

2009-10-19T07:03:00.001-07:00

In our self-talk we often say 'yes I know that!' but there's a big difference between 'knowing' & 'implementing'. Need any Networking help?

2009-10-15T15:29:00.001-07:00

Looking forward to a day in studio recording some new products and downloads. ‘Life is a daring adventure...or nothing at all!’ (unknown)

2009-10-14T07:40:00.001-07:00

Of Edinburgh, Yehudi Menuhin said ‘it’s one of the most beautiful cities in the world’ Here to help Actuaries polish some networking skills

2009-10-12T11:01:00.001-07:00

IT issues today! Happily I've been helped by CISCO maven Jeff Moore. Whether big system stuff or scuba in Cancun he's the man who'll help..

2009-10-09T03:26:00.001-07:00

Steaming through some training quotations to try to get away early, en route to the beautiful Malvern Hills. You seeing Green shoots too?

Does the mere thought of having to undertake 'sales' activity, or even going out networking, leave you cold?

2009-10-08T00:40:00.000-07:00

Don't think 'sales' think 'help'.

Most of the clients on our networking skills course, push back against 'going networking' because they think it's a pushy or sales-y activity.

Though business development is critical to the survival of all commercial enterprises, 'selling' seems to have a negative connotation in most people's minds and they simply recoil from the thought of it.

But it's OK. That's normal !

The way to overcome this fear is to move from thoughts of 'selling' to 'helping'.

How can your services 'help' your prospect overcome a problem or a current challenge?

When you are clear on this, you will know the right questions to prepare, before you go networking, to uncover the pain people experience in their business and to see where your products or your services can 'help' your prospects in their business.

When you’ve found that, it's called 'spotting the opportunity'. That's what we go networking for !

As the green shoots sprout throughout our economy, consider the benefits that improving your networking skills could bring your business, to your colleagues and to you, personally.

By helping you to take away your fears and concerns and by turning you into confident and effective networkers, I am confident that we can help you attract the abundant opportunities that await you, out there !

Are you in pain, even at the mere thought of going networking ?

We're here to help...

Call me now for a chat and let’s see how I can help you.

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

2009-10-07T08:45:00.001-07:00

Settling in to clear a very scary Inbox ! Need to avoid distractions and use the 'touch it once' method to make some headway

2009-10-04T03:35:00.001-07:00

Working with small business marketing Maven Nathan Tarrant sorting my SEO for Page 1 Google ranking see www.rapidprofitmarketing.com to see how he can help you

2009-09-23T00:41:00.001-07:00

Before Mr Ahmadinejad's speech of hate and denial today - be informed
http://ping.fm/4yqRQ

2009-09-17T23:14:00.001-07:00

Penny's book is THE essential read for all those ON social media but who need help to GET it! http://ping.fm/Z6Olz

2009-09-14T00:23:00.001-07:00

Button on the F1 podium: The Springboks epic win over the All Blacks - Tri Nations winners. Great few days behind us, exciting week ahead..

2009-09-10T13:42:00.001-07:00

Early meeting with a key client, midday review with our events team, dinner with my Mentor and an F1 weekend ahead. Does it get any better ?

2009-09-07T04:24:00.001-07:00

Fired Up & Looking forward to helping one of the Banking Giants with their Networking Skills. If ever a sector needed to re-establish trust!

2009-09-01T09:19:00.001-07:00

Training at Reading University then with Success Track this weekend. An Entrepreneur? Follow the link.. http://ping.fm/WhVs8

2009-08-24T07:38:00.001-07:00

Back home after 9 weeks of serial networking, meetings and deal brokering. Mission accomplished ! Excited to be getting going UK side again

2009-08-11T08:50:00.001-07:00

Still enjoying JoBurg. FIFA build up creating a tangible social excitement. Exciting to do business in an alternate culture. Loving the sun

2009-07-17T04:57:00.001-07:00

Table Mountain is the backdrop to my meetings under an azure sky, framed by the glistening waters of the fairest Cape. Business at it's best

2009-06-29T13:15:00.001-07:00

JoBurg offers a vibrant networking environment where new business opportunities are pursued with vigour. Different to the 'slow burn' in UK

2009-06-18T23:49:00.001-07:00

New Blog on Social Media posted on perlswisdoms.blogspot.com Feel free to comment and sign up for regular,free networking tips.

Pest or Persistent? Following-Up in a professional manner

2009-06-17T01:23:00.000-07:00

Following up on from my series of blogs entitled ‘7 reasons to make the follow-up call’ I’ve been grateful to receive several questions relating to how to follow up without becoming a pest.

I’ve given it some thought and now share my insights with you.

Like most things we do, in life ‘it’s all in the planning’. I always recommend ‘asking permission’ when developing relationships, when asking questions to uncover opportunities, when setting appointments and also when following-up. When I say this, I don’t mean that you continually ask permission, but choose your moment and gain consent for the future actions which are of importance to you.

Simply try “Do you mind if I ask you...?” or “Do you mind my asking...?” which has the effect of softening your enquiry and framing it in a less direct manner.

Networking is not the appropriate environment to sell. (Please don’t do it!) Only sell yourself, not your products or services. Imagine, you could be half way through your pitch and something going on in the room could distract your prospect, a colleague could walk over, a friend may be spotted from across the room or another random guest may simply interrupt you, then your flow is broken, the pitch rendered ineffective and null and you’ve lost your moment.

Setting an ‘Appointment’ for the follow-up call is another permission step. When you exchange business cards, this is often the time to ask permission to make your follow-up call.

“How would you feel if I phoned you next week, to continue our chat and see how we may be able to help each other ?” (note ‘chat and help’ not ‘meet and sell’)

I normally ask this question whilst simultaneously nodding my head slightly, which more often than not illicits a positive response, automatically.

If I follow-up and they say they can’t chat or meet right now, I simply gain permission for making another follow-up call to set a date to meet...

“Would it be OK if I called you at a more convenient time?” “May I contact you again in a few days to see if we can...?”

If this continues unsuccessfully, for a sustained period, I do ask, quite pointedly, though courteously, if they wish me to continue with my pursuit of the relationship. There’s no point in either wasting your time or theirs. This is about business after all.

In a recent email to a senior business development manager within a large firm I popped in the following after my opening, warm paragraph

...“I have left a number of messages on your mobile and landline, along with a couple of emails, but have, as yet, received no reply and I am concerned that I may turn from being professionally persistent into being perceived as a pest, which is certainly not my intention.
I would, therefore, be most grateful if you would reply to me, simply cutting and pasting one of the following comments into the subject line of the return email:

1. I am still interested Mark, please do call me.

2. I am still interested Mark. Please call in two months.

3. Thank you Mark, however (company name) is no longer interested in
Networking Skills Training...”

So, if you want a clear answer, I advocate asking a direct question. I often find the guilt factor secures the next step.

You’ve nothing to lose, anyway, since you have nothing in your grasp at this time!

After another rather prolonged and unsuccessful round playing telephone tag with a prospect, to secure a response, I tried...

“Forgive me if my interpretation is incorrect, but I was of the impression, after we met, that we got on well, you recognised an opportunity for me to help you positively resolve a current challenge within your business and that you were keen to meet with me so that we could continue our chat and see how we may be able to move forward together. Would you still like to pursue our discussion?

So in essence, I advocate that you pursue your prospect, persistently, until such time as you wish to draw a line in the sand.

Only you will be able to determine when it’s right for you to do this.

For me it will depend on the size of the potential opportunity.

If I feel like I’m getting nowhere, and wish to take a softly, softly approach, sometimes I simply desist and ask permission to stay in touch over the next few months and to keep my prospect up to date with news and opportunities. This, at least, keeps me on the substitution bench in-case things change; as they so often do in business.

It’s often good to remember that networking should be treated like Fly-Fishing not Harpooning !

Be Brave! Be Confident! but most of all Be Persistent.

It’s often at the 5th or 6th contact point that prospect move to the next stage.

I wish you happy and successful networking

For more information on improving your Networking Skills follow the link to The Guru Garage

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

2009-06-16T14:09:00.001-07:00

Breakfast with Penny & Thomas Power of Ecademy, last training session @ a financial services Co. then home to pack - exciting day - off soon

Social Media - the new paradigm. Got it yet ?

2009-06-12T01:16:00.000-07:00

Online networking is rapidly emerging, worldwide, as the new business arena. The only impediment to its growth is the speed at which the 35 year olds, and over, incorporate it as a normal and non-negotiable part of their work-life. Those slow to embrace it, or reticent to accept random contacts and engage in conversations on the topics in which they specialise will be overtaken by those building their reputations and their presence online. The challenge for many will be to recognise and accept this social media revolution, to get to grips with the ethos and ultimately to lead the conversations in our individual spheres of expertise where we can offer best help and guidance to our audience. Those remaining in the old corporate paradigm and who wish to remain exclusive, removed and invisible will wither on the vine as a new and dynamic generation of business people spread their contact base in global context, unlocking abundant opportunities to create new relationships which, in their turn, and in time, will lead to new business. These linkages will remain out of the reach of mere spectators. As I specialist trainer, helping business people to improve their face to face networking skills, I believe that we will always need to sharpen our interpersonal skills to help people create good first impressions, be able to engage in the small talk that leads to big business and to ask the probing business questions which illuminate operational problems (which our services or products can solve) along with a host of other competencies to unlock the full potential that business networking promises, and this online forum for brand development, for both companies and individuals, has simply expanded to incorporate the world wide web. I find it to be an exciting time and certainly one of the most rapid periods of change I have ever experienced. Having taken the time to understand social media, I thrive on the opportunities it represents. I encourage all those who still have good mileage left in their tyres to do the same...

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

2009-06-12T00:34:00.001-07:00

Off to JoBurg soon. I'd be grateful for any contacts you may be able to help me with in Professional Services practices

2009-06-10T03:52:00.001-07:00

Negotiating to present at another international conference for a leading brand of mobile. Italy this time. Networking skills are in demand

2009-06-07T17:24:00.001-07:00

With only 11 days to go before leaving for SA the pace will pick up rapidly this week. Tally Ho!

2009-06-05T16:04:00.001-07:00

14 days till departure for South Africa. Admin weekend ahead ! Garnished with the Turkish F1 GP. I can think of worse things...

2009-06-03T08:42:00.001-07:00

Enjoying a training session on Twitter through ecademy. Getting the phychology, struggling with applying the technical links

2009-06-01T13:53:00.001-07:00

Humbled by a great response from the delegates over the weekend. If anyone needs competent facilitation see me on http://ping.fm/XSlxA

2009-05-31T15:21:00.001-07:00

Phew Just back from facilitating The Success Track weekend for@JonathanJay Pleasure to have worked with his organisation and for his clients

2009-05-28T21:52:00.001-07:00

Off to Willims F1 conference centre to negotiate sponsorship of the venue for my OxfordshireBusiness Connections event. If you don't ask...

2009-05-27T02:34:00.001-07:00

Off to Coventry to prep the UK's largest pharmacy chain before next month's NHS conference/exhibition. Should be fun..

2009-05-25T04:28:00.001-07:00

Back from Munich conference. Delegates from 22 countries. All ages-All genders. Networking is a universal language - everyone loved it !

Missing in action ! Where has all the ENTHUSIASM gone?

2009-05-22T09:30:00.000-07:00

On the economic front, things have been looking a little bleak over the last few months. But on looking around, when I’ve been out networking, one of the important things that I have found to be missing out there, everywhere, is simply ENTHUSIASM.

It seems to me that people feel that it’s not cool to be enthusiastic. There seem so many people out there trying to be very laid back and hiding any emotion about their businesses, their projects, their careers or about anything they're involved in.

All of the most successful people I know are enthusiastic.

Many of the people who know me, comment on my enthusiasm.

On our training course, when we look at the seven traits of good networkers, we highlight the fact that 'being enthusiastic is good for business’.

So I peeked at my Thesaurus to find some of the synonyms for enthusiasm and I thought I’d share them with you: Keenness, eagerness, passion, fervour, zeal, zest, gusto, energy, inspiration, excitement, vigour, fire, spirit, motivation, commitment, willingness, earnestness.

Let me assure you, these are all powerful and valuable attitudes to bring to your networking
to your business and to your life.

But it does seems in short supply these days, doesn’t it?

Frank Bettger, a successful salesman and self-help author who lived until 1981 (so none of this is new!), discovered that if he acted enthusiastically, he started to feel enthusiastic.

It’s the "fake it until you make it." school of thought.

Try it! It works.

When you exhibit enthusiasm, it's contagious.

Everyone catches it!

Like many other of the traits of good networkers, enthusiasm sets you apart from the crowd.

People will see you as an achiever; and we all like to associate with achiever’s, don’t we?
People will see you as confident; and we could all do with more confident people around us, couldn’t we?
People will also see you as a winner; and we should all associate with winners shouldn’t we?

So that leaves me with a question for you.

Are you feeling enthusiastic about going networking right now?

If not, and if you feel your team would benefit from being more enthusiastic about their business development activities, then call me to see how I can help make you

more enthusiastic,
more effective
and more confident.

I'll guarantee, if you implement my training it will:

help YOU stand out from the crowd
help you bring in more business
help you prosper.

Can’t do better than that, can I ?

I wish you happy networking

For more information on improving your Networking Skills follow the link to The Guru Garage

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

2009-05-21T09:15:00.001-07:00

Packing for Munich ! Presenting at the pan European, JHI Conference. It's their 30th Anniversary - I feel so privileged to have been chosen.

Learn why Mark was chosen. Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

7 reasons for making The Follow-Up Call – Part 7

2009-05-20T09:30:00.000-07:00

By not making the follow-up call, you will simply never know how much business that client had for you.
You won’t be able to calculate how much business you’ve lost.

Not only how much business you’ve lost from that client, but how much potential business you lost from clients whom that person might have referred you to.

In economics they call it opportunity-cost. By choosing to do one thing, you are prevented from doing something else. There is a cost attached.

Here, by choosing, and it is a decision that you make, not to follow-up, the potential financial loss should be considered.

So if we look back at the last several outcomes of not making the follow-up call; and when you put a value on what you might be losing, then I hope it’ll make you reconsider.

I hope it’ll encourage you to make that call!

Now that’s GREAT for business!

Thank you for taking the time to follow this series and...

I Wish You Successful Networking !

You can read these seven blogs as a series of three articles by following the links
7 reasons for making the Business Networking follow up call - part 1
7 Reasons for making the Business Networking follow up call - part 2
7 Reasons for makeing the Business Networking follow up call - part 3

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

7 reasons for making The Follow-Up Call – Part 6

2009-05-18T09:30:00.000-07:00

By not making the follow-up call, you put yourself at risk when attending other events.

What happens if you bump into that person again when you are out attending other events?
How are you going to feel when you spot them and remember what you haven’t done?
Are you going to try to pretend you haven’t seen them and try to avoid them all night?
Are you going to pretend you’ve forgotten that you were meant to do something?

...and what are they going to think when they see you?

Long after people have forgotten what you said to them, they never forget how you made them feel

Your credibility will be lost.

That’s bad for business!

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

7 reasons for making The Follow-Up Call – Part 5

2009-05-15T09:30:00.000-07:00

By not making the follow-up call, you create a negative multiplier out in the marketplace.

People rarely remember when you do something right, but they never forget when you do something wrong. You’ll be amazed at how many people they’ll tell, when you let them down. For many of us in the ‘advice giving’ sector, referrals from satisfied customers underpin our success. Having a negative commentary circulating within our business community can seriously hurt our business development and our reputation.

Statistics show us that 80% of an SME’s client base is within a 30 mile radius. This can really hurt you.

Also, what if the person you failed to call, ends up talking with one of your satisfied customers at an event and says

‘you see that guy over there? Awfully unreliable! He said he was going to send me.... but just never called. How rude?’

That can plant seeds of doubt in your existing customer’s mind.

That’s bad for business!

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

7 reasons for making The Follow-Up Call – Part 4

2009-05-13T09:30:00.000-07:00

By not making the follow-up call, you tarnish your personal reputation and the reputation of your company. You are an Ambassador for your brand when you network.

If it’s the first time someone has met you, or a representative of your company, then everything you say, how you say it, how you act, how you react and everything you do, sets their perception. We try so hard to create a positive first impression that it’s criminal to let yourself down at the first turn. Both yourself and your company will be judged on your behaviour. Don’t ruin it by your actions... or lack of them

That’s bad for business!

You can read this blog and the other reasons as a series of articles by visiting:
7 Reasons for making the Business Networking follow up call - part 1
and 7 Reasons for making the Business Networking follow up call - Part 2

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

2009-05-13T00:40:00.001-07:00

Prepping to motivate 160 purchasing managers to Network with more enthusiasm. Looking forward to bringing some sunshine into a grey day !

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

7 reasons for making The Follow-Up Call – Part 3

2009-05-11T09:25:00.000-07:00

By not making the follow-up call, you show yourself to be unreliable and untrustworthy.

If, as most networkers accept, relationships are built on a foundation of Knowing, Liking and Trusting, then we fundamentally undermine the ‘like’ and the ‘trust’ by failing to call.

All that happens is that your prospect thinks you are unreliable.

They’ll think:

‘If that’s how reliable you are at the very start of a relationship, how bad might you turn out to be when I become a client ?’

They’ll also think you are untrustworthy:

‘He/she said he would call/send me some information on.../facilitate a meeting with.../introduce me to...’

It’s rude. They’ll think you don’t want their business and ...

That’s bad for business!

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

2009-05-09T06:03:00.001-07:00

Dare we forecast Button as another English F1 World Champ for the 09 season? Hola !

2009-05-09T05:50:00.001-07:00

Disappointed with Hamiltons repeated poor showing.. will we see somthing big in Quali 3?

Not disappointed with the input I am getting into my business though from small business marketing expert Nathan Tarrant

2009-05-09T05:33:00.001-07:00

Getting significant input from Guerrilla marketing Expert Nathan Tarrant ...and watching F1 time trials too ! Awesome day !

Learn more about why Nathan is a small business marketing expert, by visiting www.rapidprofitmarketing.com

7 reasons for making The Follow-Up Call – Part 2

2009-05-08T09:30:00.000-07:00

By not making the follow-up call, you are actually rejecting your prospect.

Rejection, in all its various forms, is the underpinning fear that many of us have when we go networking – and you are doing it to them!

That’s bad for business!

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession

7 reasons for making The Follow-Up Call – Part 1

2009-05-06T09:30:00.000-07:00

I was recently delighted to have been invited by Jonathan Jay to make a presentation to members of the Success Track Business Club. As you can imagine, my presentation was entitled ‘Discovering The Secrets of Outstanding Networkers’.

During my allotted hour, I focussed on the interpersonal skills and the interactive ‘front-end’ of networking. In such a short time, it’s just not possible to cover everything.

I had a great time, and the feedback, from those who pinged off emails after the event, was really positive. However, working with the knowledge that you can’t please all of the people, all of the time, there was one rather irritated respondent who instead of focussing on the nuggets that were covered, crucified me for not covering the importance of the follow-up.

Frankly, if you’re reading this...

I think you’re right!

So over the next few weeks, we’ll take a look at the ‘follow-up’.

This is where many people let themselves down. They simply fail to follow-up.

The same fears and concerns that they experience upon entering an unfamiliar room, full of strangers rise to the surface, in a slightly different guise. Fears of rejection inhibit them. Thoughts like

· They weren’t really interested
· They were just being nice
· They won’t remember me
· They won’t take my call
· They’ll just say ‘no’

If you fail to follow-up you become what renowned networking expert Will Kintish calls

‘Networking Criminals’

They’re everywhere, aren’t they?

They never call.

They never do what they say they’re going to do.

The business world is a desert of unreliability. I’d like to encourage you to be an oasis in that desert.

Do what you say you’re going to do, when you say you’re going to do it !

Furthermore, to do it quickly. In my experience ‘Speed Stuns!’

To embolden you to always follow-up we will look at the implications of not following-up.

Have a little think, yourself, over the next few days, as to why you feel it’s so important and then pop back for a visit to see some thoughts as we dissect the dangers inherent in not following-up

You can read this blog post as an actual article titled: 7 Reasons for making the Business Networking follow up call - Part 1

Mark Perl is a leading expert on the subject of Business Networking. He specialises in SME’s, business networking for solicitors, along with CPD training for the legal profession