January 10, 2008
We Wish You Booming Success in 2008!
We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for your support over the years and wish you a superfantastic year in 2008!
Last year, we introduced our new event, CIRCUS MAXIMUS, and we were flattered that The Jamaica Observer saw it fit to rank us as the number one party for 2007 (see the article here). We think that all the parties have lifted their game and the good news is that it's only going to get better this year!
We have some exciting new events in store, while we will continue our business series, ensuring that you find that perfect balance between fun and personal development. We thank all our suppliers and sponsors, with particular props to Appleton V/X and the Scotiabank Group, whose unwavering support help us to aim higher.
In the end, it's all about you . . . so thanks, best wishes and get ready to party in 2008!!!
Posted by andre at 12:10 AM | Comments (0)
January 08, 2008
Circus Maximus
Posted by andre at 12:22 AM | Comments (0)
September 22, 2005
No Winner Yet... New Number Drawn!
The second draw for a winner for the weekend getaway at JAMAICA SUNSET GRAND RESORT.
NEW WINNING NUMBER: 419
Remember, if no one claims the prize another number will be drawn, so check back daily.
Posted by andre at 10:00 AM | Comments (3)
September 20, 2005
Winner of the Weekend Getaway!!!
This is just a short "thank you" note to all Boomers who came out to GET WET at S.Q.U.I.S.H.
But the fun's not over yet!
Some lucky Boomer who kept everything in their Starfish Oils' gift bag has an opportunity to win a weekend for 2 at the SUNSET JAMAICA GRAND RESORT.
Your coupon from FIESTA CAR RENTALS has a number.
THE WINNING NUMBER IS... 261
If you have the winning number then send an e-mail to fiestawinner@gmail.com with the subject: "I am the lucky winner"
You will have 24 hrs to produce the winning ticket at Fiesta Car Rentals | 14 Waterloo Road
If there is no winner after 24hrs, another number will be drawn until we find one.
Posted by andre at 06:07 PM | Comments (4)
Thanks to our Sponsors
Boom would like to extend super thanks to the sponsors of S.Q.U.I.S.H.
These include:
Appleton Estate V/X,
Scotiabank,
Mercedes Benz,
Swiss Stores,
Fiesta Car Rentals,
Starfish Oils,
Catherine's Peak,
Lascelles Wines,
Sunshine Snacks,
Heavenly Concepts,
Lithographic Printers,
First Magazine
& Kingston Ice.
And a special big up to everyone who was there... pics soon come.
Posted by andre at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)
September 07, 2005
Boom invites you to S.Q.U.I.S.H.
For the first time in Jamaica, Boom partners with TRIBE from Trinidad to bring you S.Q.U.I.S.H. at Morgan's Harbour on September 18th. The party starts at 3:00pm till 11:00pm. Come see TRIBE's costumes LIVE and get your last chance for limited registration for their 2006 Carnival presentation... What Lies Beneath.
This all inclusive event will cost J$2,500 and tickets are available from our committee members, or at Fiesta Car Rentals, 14 Waterloo Rd.
Posted by andre at 01:56 AM | Comments (2)
August 22, 2005
Tribe presents... What Lies Beneath
Boom's partner Tribe will be making registration available for their all inclusive section packages on THURSDAY Aug. 25th at 5pm. Go to their website at www.carnivaltribe.com for more details.
It will begin simultaneously online via their website (VISA and Mastercard only) and at the band house (Cash and Linx Only).
Please ensure that you have all your info (bra size, bottom piece size, waistband size, personal contact info etc.) ready for registration as you cannot be registered without this.
Minimum downpayments for registration are as follows:
Regular costume options - TT$600.00 (US$100.00)
Option A's and Option AA's - TT$1,200.00 (US$200.00)
We recommend that you register online from the comfort of your home or office, and have the same opportunity to book your costume as masqueraders living in Trinidad.
Boom will give you an opportunity to see these costumes LIVE & IN PERSON on September 18th. Details soon come!
Posted by andre at 11:24 PM | Comments (0)
June 03, 2005
E-Psychology: Increasing Your Sales On-Line
Selling your products on-line requires a totally different approach to traditional sales channels. As more Jamaican companies look to the web to take their offerings worldwide, we must understand how this medium differs from those we are accustomed to. We cannot just treat a website as an "on-screen" version of a press ad. BOOM explores this further with an interesting article from a seasoned web developer, Jim Ray.
As any successful entrepreneur knows, there’s more to generating on-line sales than owning a web site. To produce sales, your web presence must be effective, easy to navigate, and properly marketed – all of which require a well-rounded understanding of your target client.
But how do we get inside the collective mind of our market? The key is psychology – in this case, e-psychology – or the science of understanding how consumers shop on-line. Understanding how consumers make the purchase decisions on-line will allow you to develop web site content that appeals to the maximum number of prospective clients.
World Wide Psychoanalysis
Internet advertising isn’t the same as print advertising. Web surfers tend to read less on-line, instead using visuals such as photos, animation, and colorful graphics to gather information. From a development standpoint, this places an emphasis on site navigation and overall layout.
The motivations behind on-line purchase decisions differ from those generated by more familiar mediums. To achieve success, your on-line sales strategy must embrace these differences.
Let’s begin by glancing at the web sites of your biggest competitors by sales volume. Chances are, the primary content is designed to accomplish three goals:
• Generate interest, usually by eliciting or identifying a need
• Convey the unique value of their specific product or service, and
• Promote a transaction.
To produce sales on-line, your web site must do more than serve as an information resource about your company. Your site must ask for the business. Each page of the web presence should lead to an action step promoting a sale or contact request.
On- or off-line, asking for the business is the only way to achieve any greater result than educating prospective clients about your industry and product or service.
Writing for the Web
The foundation of any purchase decision is the desire for a product or service, usually based on a pre-existing need or want. Selection of a specific product or service provider begins when a consumer identifies a company that offers a value most compatible with the consumer’s perception of value.
Start by writing your web site’s content to elicit the general value the product or service provides. Introduce solutions generated by having the product or service, based on the typical ultimate desires of the target market. For example, the benefits of developing a web site for a small business may include increased sales, expanded credibility, and a 24/7 on-line purchase option.
Next, build on this general foundation by introducing the features, benefits and value of your own company. Remember that surfers tend to do less reading on-line, so you’ll need to accomplish a great deal in each line of text. Each sentence must:
• Convey the tangible and intangible value of your product or service
• Include key terms and phrases effectively describing your industry and products/services
• Promote prospect-to-client conversion
• “Hook” the surfer, encouraging further reading
Use plenty of bulleted lists to highlight information at a glance, making sure to limit the number of words used in each bullet. Regardless the space available or font size used, each highlight should not exceed one line of text.
Paragraphed text such as sales copy or product descriptions should be kept simplistic, yet appealing to the physical senses. How will your product or service enhance the individual’s life? What are the most common benefits of your version that existing clients do not recognize until after purchasing the product or service?
Keep Your Prospects Focused
One of the primary reasons prospective clients do not proceed with a purchase is their own inner dialogue. Typically, consumers will continually try to talk themselves out of a purchase, until absolutely certain it is the best choice for their need. When the positive elements of an opportunity outweigh the negative feedback generated by inner dialogue, a purchase will result.
Therefore, it is important to keep your prospective clients focused on the features, benefits and value of your company through effective site content. If you are serious about developing a business that will control a measurable amount of market share, your products or services will reflect Unique Selling Points (USP) upon which your entire sales strategy will be founded. Integrating your USP into all aspects of your web presence will help to build and maintain a cohesive, positive focus on your products or services.
Closing the On-line Sale
A client isn’t a client until after a purchase is completed. Bringing your prospect to the point of purchase isn’t enough; a smooth, effective closing process is required to maximize the potential for on-line sales success.
An effective closing process must reassure the prospective client’s decision to make a purchase before, during, and after a transaction. This can be achieved by:
• Offering visible customer support options throughout the purchase
• Employing a user-friendly shopping cart and multiple on-line payment methods
• Clearly explaining each step of the purchase process
• Providing immediate transaction confirmation by e-mail, telephone, or your web site
Each step of the sales process is an opportunity to develop trust between your company and a prospective client. Developing long-term relations remains the best way to build a faithful, strong client base that will remain loyal to your business.
The infinite potential for your success is dependant only on the satisfaction of your most recent client.
Jim D. Ray is a seasoned web developer and president of Web Presence, a national web design firm serving the small business market sector. To learn more, or for a free quote for your own web site, visit the Web Presence at http://www.web-presence.net.
Posted by andre at 12:21 PM | Comments (0)
June 01, 2005
Create your Vision of Success
by Kathleen Gage
Most marketing strategies are about being in motion. Have a plan, be proactive, and take the necessary action steps. Although being proactive is a necessary aspect of marketing, an often overlooked and yet equally important part is your company’s internal perception.
Many companies put a lot of effort into all the external aspects of what they do, yet completely overlook what is happening due to internal perception. Internal perception includes your thoughts and beliefs; the internal dialogues and thought processes you have regarding your business, your industry and your customers/clients. Often, we may not be aware of hidden thoughts. Our thoughts support or hinder our success.
To find out how what you believe take this simple test. For the next 48 hours notice what comes up when you are talking about your company, your products and services and the value you bring to the table. Do your internal thoughts match your words? Do you feel good about your interactions? Do you feel the prices you charge are fair and reasonable? Do you believe you are worth what you ask? Do you feel you are the best choice for your customers?
You can invest lots of money and time on external campaigns. Your true success will be determined when your thoughts and beliefs match your actions. Before you launch your next marketing campaign, ask yourself these important questions:
-How do you feel about your product or service?
-Do you feel the price you charge is matches the value your product/service -brings to your customers?
-Do you appreciate your clients?
-Do you feel appreciated by your customers or clients?
-Who do you want to do business with?
-Who wants to do business with you?
Whether you are in financial planning, training, banking, the beauty industry, day spas, or technology, take the time to know what sets you apart. In the consumer’s mind, Company A looks the same as Company B in many ways. The same with Salesperson A compared to Salesperson B. To stand apart your must help the consumer understand your differences.
A simple formula to clarify your differences is to write down every reason someone would want to do business with you.
-Are you an expert in your industry?
-Do you deliver in record time?
-Do you have a unique location?
-What is unique about your business compared to your competitors?
-What is most important to your prospects and customers about doing business with you? (If you don’t know – ASK!)
-What can only you do that your competitors can’t do?
Once you answer these questions, create a short message that incorporates these answers. When you meet with a potential customer and they ask what you do, you want to be able to concisely tell them. This process is also helpful with your current clients. Remember - they are only one call away from utilizing the services of someone else!
Before you begin to aggressively position yourself and gain visibility, think about the vision for you and your organization. Gaining a vision of what the organization stands for, the impact you want to have on your customers or clients, the quality of products and services, your contribution to your community, and where you want the organization to be in the future is essential as you move forward.
Your vision is your ideal future state and includes your values and what you desire your organization to be like. What’s most important to you? An essential aspect of your vision is understanding what makes you, your company and your team unique in the marketplace. What makes your product or service different from your competitors? Once you have your vision in mind, write it down. This will help you to solidify your thoughts and stay on track with what is truly important.
Periodically revisit your overall vision. Your core values should be the main driver of your vision, yet some of the details are bound to change. As you and your customer’s needs and wants change, you may find it necessary to update your vision.
Where do you want your company to be? Where do you want to be? Match your actions with your thoughts and beliefs. Create a vision for success!
Kathleen Gage is a keynote speaker, author and business advisor specializing in marketing and promotions. Access Gage’s’s FREE eBook Street Smarts Marketing On the Internet at http://www.streetsmartsmarketing.com/free-ebook.htm
Posted by andre at 12:00 AM | Comments (0)
May 06, 2005
Regret or Passion? Which Will Yours Be?
BOOM presents this short article written by business advisor, Kathleen Gage.
I once attended a retreat on how to live with passion and fulfill one’s life’s work. The facilitator posed the question, “If money was not an issue, yet you had to work full-time, what would you do?” Answering this question was a turning point for me. Now - years later - I am doing much of what came up in my answer.
How would you answer this question? Ask yourself, “What am I good at? What do my friends say I am good at? What do I enjoy and feel passionate about? What do I think is important?” The key to your happiness may well be held in the answers.
The answers may not provide you with something you would do on a full-time basis, but it is a wonderful way to discover what will make your life more complete. The willingness to acknowledge and act on the answers may well create the opportunity to live with more passion and joy than you ever thought possible.
In the answers lie your dreams. They will provide you with a road map of where you can put your energy in order to move closer to a more fulfilling and balanced life. Perhaps for you the answers will be an indication of where you can volunteer your time. Living with passion and joy means we don’t have to have a monetary gain for everything we do. Many a career has been launched through the experiences gained from volunteer efforts.
Far too many people have dreams they have given up on. We often blame others or outside circumstances for the fact we are not accomplishing all we desire. Granted, there may be some outside circumstances that create real limitations. However, in many cases we may be using imagined limitations as an excuse to not move forward. It can be easier to blame other people and situations as the reason we have not achieved our potential than to walk through the fear of the unknown.
Limitations appear in many ways. Experience. Money. Time. Education. You name it, it is bound to be there. One of the greatest limitations is that of the mind. Determine which obstacles are real and which ones are imagined. Which excuses have been used over and over so that you will not have to face the fear of the unknown? Once you identify your real and imagined limitations, you will be able to work with them and move forward.
Granted, there is a lot that can dampen our spirits if we allow it. However, there are many opportunities to achieve your dreams if you are willing to step outside of your comfort zone, put effort into your vision and move forward little by little.
In order to break through your boundaries you must first realize what they are. Knowing what they are allows you to take action. Look for others who may have had similar roadblocks. Find out what they did to move forward. In their strategy may be your formula for success.
Are you secretly wishing you would do something with your life other than what you are doing, but fear holds you back? If you ask most people what their greatest regret is, more times than not they will say it is what they didn’t do rather than what they did.
One of the greatest gifts we can give to others and ourselves is to unlock the talents we have been blessed with and to have the courage to use them. Ask yourself, “How well do I use my gifts to contribute to the well-being of myself and others?”
Will your life be filled with regrets or will it be filled with passion?
Kathleen Gage is a keynote speaker and business advisor based out of Draper, Utah. She is the author of several books including Message of Hope, Inspiring Thoughts for Uncertain Times. To sign up for Kathleen’s free weekly inspirational thoughts visit http://www.turningpointpresents.com/messageofhope.htm
Posted by andre at 03:03 PM | Comments (0)
April 16, 2005
Sealing the Deal over the Business Meal
Doing business over meals is a ritual that has existed for centuries. Taking clients to breakfast, lunch or dinner has long been an effective way to build relationships, make the sale or seal the deal. These business meals are essentially business meetings. Knowledge of your product or your service is crucial to the success of the meeting, but so are your manners. Too many people jeopardize an opportunity because they fail to use good dining etiquette. Here are a few basic rules to make the experience pleasurable and profitable.
Know your duties as the host. You are in charge. It is up to you to see that things go well and that your guests are comfortable. You need to attend to every detail from extending the invitation to paying the bill.
Plan ahead when you issue the invitation. Allow a week for a business dinner and three days for lunch. Be certain that the date works for you. That might sound obvious, but if you have to cancel or postpone, you can look disorganized and disrespectful of your clients' time.
Select a restaurant that you know, preferably one where you are known. This is no time to try out the latest hot spot. Being confident of the quality of the food and service leaves you free to focus on business.
Consider the atmosphere. Does it lend itself to conversation and discussion? If you and your clients can't hear each other over the roar of the diners and dishes, you will have wasted your time and money.
When you make your reservation, let the staff know that you will be dining with clients. If your guests suggest a restaurant new to you (perhaps you are hosting clients out-of-town), call ahead and speak with the maitre'd. Make it clear that you will be having an important business meal and picking up the check.
Confirm the meal appointment with your clients the day before if you are meeting for breakfast or that day if you are having lunch or dinner. Things do happen and mix-ups occur.
Arrive early so you can attend to last minute details. This is the perfect time to give your credit card to the maitre'd and avoid the awkwardness that seems to accompany the arrival of the bill.
Take charge of the seating. Your guests should have the prime seats-the ones with the view. As the host, take the least desirable spot-the one facing the wall, the kitchen or the restrooms.
Beyond being polite, where you seat your guests is strategic. When you are entertaining one client, sit next to each at a right angle rather than across the table. With two clients, put one across from you and the other to your side. If you sit between them, you will look as if you are watching a match at Wimbledon as you try to follow the conversation.
Allow your guests to order first. You might suggest certain dishes to be helpful. By recommending specific items, you are indicating a price range. Order as many courses as your guests, no more and no less, to facilitate the flow of the meal. It is awkward if one of you orders an appetizer or dessert and the others do not.
As the host, you are the one who decides when to start discussing business. That will depend on a number of factors such as the time of day and how well you know your clients. At breakfast, time is short so get down to business quickly. At lunch, wait until you have ordered so you won't be interrupted. Dinner, the more social occasion, is a time for rapport building. Limit the business talk and do it after the main course is completed.
When you know your clients well, you have more of a basis for small talk. However, because you have established a business friendship, you can eliminate some of the chitchat when time is an issue. When you don't know your clients well, spend more time getting acquainted before launching your shoptalk.
Sometimes you simply need to use your own judgment about when to get down to business, realizing that if you wait too long, your clients may start to wonder why they were invited. If you begin too early in the meal, your guests might suspect that you are more interested in their money than you are in them.
Keep an eye on the time, but don't let your guests see you checking your watch. Breakfast should typically last an hour; lunch an hour and a half. Wrap up your business dinner in two to three hours, no more.
Handle any disasters with grace. With all your attention to detail, things can still go wrong. The food may not be up to your standards, the waiter might be rude or the people at the next table boisterous and out of control. Whatever happens, make sure you are not the one to lose control. Excuse yourself to discuss any problems with the staff. Your guests will feel uncomfortable if you complain in front of or to them.
Limit the amount of alcohol you drink at the business meal. The three Martini lunch is mostly a thing of the past. However, cocktails and wine are still part of the business dinner. Since alcohol can have the same effect as truth serum, keep your consumption to one or two glasses. When guests are drinking liberally and you sense trouble, excuse yourself and discreetly ask the server to hold back on refilling the wine glasses or offering another cocktail.
Your conduct over the meal will determine your professional success. If you pay attention to the details and make every effort to see that your clients have a pleasant experience, they will assume that you will handle their business the same way. Before long you could have them eating out of your hand.
(c) 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com
Posted by andre at 06:21 PM | Comments (0)
March 23, 2005
BOOM Brain Cooler
Admit it... you tend to browse the web at the office when you're supposed to be at work. That's OK, cause sometimes you just got to relieve a 'lil stress. Use this little puzzle to 'cool your brains' a bit. Then... get back and finish all that stuff you're getting paid to do!
Posted by andre at 12:21 AM | Comments (0)
March 06, 2005
Body Language Speaks Louder Than Words
Has it ever occurred to you how much you are saying to people even when you are not speaking? Unless you are a master of disguise, you are constantly sending messages about your true thoughts and feelings whether you are using words or not.
Studies show that your words account for only 7% of the messages you convey. The remaining 93% is non-verbal. 55% of communication is based on what people see and the other 38% is transmitted through tone of voice. So think about it. In the business setting, people can see what you are not saying. If your body language doesn't match your words, you are wasting your time.
Eye contact is the most obvious way you communicate. When you are looking at the other person, you show interest. When you fail to make eye contact, you give the impression that the other person is of no importance. Maintain eye contact about 60% of the time in order to look interested, but not aggressive.
Facial expression is another form of non-verbal communication. A smile sends a positive message and is appropriate in all but a life and death situation. Smiling adds warmth and an aura of confidence. Others will be more receptive if you remember to check your expression.
Your mouth gives clues, too, and not just when you are speaking. Mouth movements, such as pursing your lips or twisting them to one side, can indicate that you are thinking about what you are hearing or that you are holding something back.
The position of your head speaks to people. Keeping your head straight, which is not the same as keeping your head on straight, will make you appear self-assured and authoritative. People will take you seriously. Tilt your head to one side if you want to come across as friendly and open.
How receptive you are is suggested by where you place your arms. Arms crossed or folded over your chest say that you have shut other people out and have no interest in them or what they are saying. This position can also say, "I don't agree with you." You might just be cold, but unless you shiver at the same time, the person in front of you may get the wrong message.
How you use your arms can help or hurt your image as well. Waving them about may show enthusiasm to some, but others see this gesture as one of uncertainty and immaturity. The best place for your arms is by your side. You will look confident and relaxed. If this is hard for you, do what you always do when you want to get better at something - practice. After a while, it will feel natural.
The angle of your body gives an indication to others about what's going through your head. Leaning in says, "Tell me more." Leaning away signals you've heard enough. Adding a nod of your head is another way to affirm that you are listening.
Posture is just as important as your grandmother always said it was. Sit or stand erect if you want to be seen as alert and enthusiastic. When you slump in your chair or lean on the wall, you look tired. No one wants to do business with someone who has no energy.
Control your hands by paying attention to where they are. In the business world, particularly when you deal with people from other cultures, your hands need to be seen. That would mean you should keep them out of your pockets and you should resist the urge to put them under the table or behind your back. Having your hands anywhere above the neck, fidgeting with your hair or rubbing your face, is unprofessional.
Legs talk, too. A lot of movement indicates nervousness. How and where you cross them tells others how you feel. The preferred positions for the polished professional are feet flat on the floor or legs crossed at the ankles. The least professional and most offensive position is resting one leg or ankle on top of your other knee. Some people call this the "Figure Four." It can make you look arrogant.
The distance you keep from others is crucial if you want to establish good rapport. Standing too close or "in someone's face" will mark you as pushy. Positioning yourself too far away will make you seem standoffish. Neither is what you want so find the happy medium. Most importantly, do what makes the other person feel comfortable. If the person with whom you are speaking keeps backing away from you, stop. Either that person needs space or you need a breath mint.
You may not be aware of what you are saying with your body, but others will get the message. Make sure it's the one you want to send.
(c)2004, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com
Posted by andre at 01:28 PM | Comments (0)
February 28, 2005
Overcoming The Stumbling Blocks To Successful Networking
BOOM is all about networking. Let's get some tips from corporate trainer Lydia Ramsey on how to perfect this subtle skill.
The ability to connect with people is essential to success in any business. Professional networking events present opportunities to interact with others on a personal level and to develop profitable relationships. These occasions are critical for anyone who wants to grow a business or promote a career.
Many people are simply not comfortable walking into a room full of strangers and striking up conversations. Here are five common stumbling blocks that you may face and tips to help you overcome them.
A RELUCTANCE TO TALK TO STRANGERS. You were taught at an early age not to speak to people you don't know. It's not safe. In certain situations today this is still good advice. In business, however, talking to strangers is a way to generate interest and support for your products and services. If you only talk to the people you already know, you will miss out on opportunities to make new connections and establish valuable contacts.
To get past your discomfort in talking to strangers, set a goal for yourself before you attend any networking event. Decide how many new contacts you want to make or how many strangers you want to meet. In some cases, you may specifically target individuals whom you'd like to know.
Next come up with some icebreakers or conversation starters. Have questions prepared that you can ask anyone you meet at the event. You may want to inquire about other people's business, their connection to the sponsoring organization or their opinion of the venue.
LACK OF A FORMAL INTRODUCTION. It's much easier to make a new contact when there is someone else to handle the introduction and pave the way. If you wait for another person to make the move you may not meet anyone. At networking events, the goal is to meet as many people as possible.
This is the time to take the bull by the horns, walk up to people you don't know, introduce yourself and start a conversation. You can do this if you have prepared your self-introduction in advance.
You will not introduce yourself the same way on every occasion. Perhaps it is your first time to attend an association meeting. In that case, you might want to say that as part of your introduction. Let people know who you are, why you are there and give them a reason to ask more abut you.
FEAR OF BEING SEEN AS PUSHY. You may think that you will turn people off if you are assertive and that if they want to talk to you, they will make the first move. If this is your line of thinking you will find yourself spending your time alone at the reception or meeting function and leaving without a single new connection. Being open, friendly and interested does not turn people off.
You will not come across as overly aggressive if you seek out the "approachable" people. These are the ones who are standing alone or who are speaking in groups of three or more. Two people talking to each other are not approachable because they may be having a private conversation and you would be interrupting.
THINKING THAT OTHER PEOPLE MAY NOT LIKE YOU. There is always the risk that the other person is not interested in you and doesn't want to meet or talk to you. It happens. If that is the case, don't take it personally. Nothing ventured is nothing gained. When you get a cold shoulder, smile, move on and say to yourself, "Next?"
HAVING YOUR INTENTIONS MISUNDERSTOOD. Approaching someone of the opposite sex to begin a conversation may seem more like flirting than networking. This is more of an issue for women than men. Women have an equal place in the work arena and need to make professional connections the same as men do. Women in business can no longer afford to hold back when there is opportunity at hand.
Neither men nor women will have their motives misinterpreted if they present themselves professionally in their attire and if they keep the conversation focused on business issues or topics that are not personal or private.
Whatever your stumbling blocks, face them before the next networking event and devise a personal plan for getting past them. Once you do, you will find yourself connecting with confidence and courtesy on every occasion and the results will be reflected in your bottom line.
c) 2005, Lydia Ramsey. All rights in all media reserved.
Lydia Ramsey is a business etiquette expert, professional speaker, corporate trainer and author of MANNERS THAT SELL - ADDING THE POLISH THAT BUILDS PROFITS. She has been quoted or featured in The New York Times, Investors' Business Daily, Entrepreneur, Inc., Real Simple and Woman's Day. For more information about her programs, products and services, e-mail her at lydia@mannersthatsell.com or visit her web site http://www.mannersthatsell.com
Posted by andre at 06:58 PM | Comments (0)
February 11, 2005
Get to know your Soca!!!
Did you go to Trinidad for Carnival? If you did, you already know that the soca was hotter than ever this year! Sherwayne Winchester mash up the Savannah with his Road March winner 'Dead or Alive' and we saw the re-emergence of Doug E Fresh, teaming up with Machael for 'We not giving up'.
An important part of your preparation for F3 on March 12 is for you to know your soca. If you haven't heard all of this year's favourites, then check out Toronto-lime.com to "ketch 'd riddum".
Posted by andre at 01:30 PM | Comments (0)
September 20, 2004
Winner of the Weekend Getaway!!!
This is just a short "thank you" note to all Boomers who came out to
GET WET at S.Q.U.I.S.H.
But the fun's not over yet!
Some lucky Boomer who kept everything in their Starfish Oils' gift bag has an opportunity to win a weekend for 2 at the
SUNSET JAMAICA GRAND RESORT.
Your coupon from FIESTA CAR RENTALS has a number.
THE WINNING NUMBER IS... 261
If you have the winning number then send an e-mail to fiestawinner@gmail.com with the subject:
"I am the lucky winner"
You will have 24 hrs to produce the winning ticket at
Fiesta Car Rentals | 14 Waterloo Road
If there is no winner after 24hrs, another number will be drawn until we find one.
Posted by andre at 06:07 PM | Comments (0)