In my blog on ecademy yesterday I had a laugh when Carolyn Williams told us, "The best one recently, was him speaking down the mic pretending to be a Lady Gaga impersonator with a stutter saying PapapappPoker Face.. Brill!! Phone goes and I'm yep mimicking Papapppoker Face and it's someone (nameless ) quite straight laced."

It took me back to my days as a Regional Sales Manager in Manchester. Every now and then when you were on a sales call, guys would do all sorts of stuff in the background in an attempt to put you off. You know the idea pull your chair away, put on daft faces and masks etc.

I was also reminded of it in a crazy sketch by "chewing the fat" a hilarious Scottish comedy show where they specialise in "taking things to far!"



Dr Ivan Misner wrote an excellent article some years ago in BNI Successnet, It was specifically for BNI members; however, the points about whether we hold our friends accountable in buiness is very generic and useful.

In his opening paragraph he said "One of the strengths of BNI is that the members of a chapter become friends. One of the weaknesses of BNI is that the members of a chapter become friends."

Is it all laughs and fun in your business/networks? Are you able to hold friends accountable in business? Where do the lines cross between creating a good atmosphere and creating disruption?

Keep Smiling :-)

Charlie Robertson
www.bni-scotlandwest.co.uk

Charles, Do your homework...

My mummy always told me too......

1. Make friends
2. Play nice
3. Tell the truth
4. Take a bath
5. Do your Homework

What has this got to do with networking?

1. Make Friends
Will you introduce your best clients to someone you dont know just because you met them at an event? Relationship building is absolutely necessary, as is having structured 1 to 1s? Dr Ivan Misner talks a lot about V+C=P. The need to have visibility, then building credibility, resulting in profitability.

2. Play Nice
Do you practice Givers Gain or do you have a hunting sales mentality?Do you listen more than you talk and refrain from interupting others when they are talking, Do you treat people with respectful elegance face to face and online. Do you give genuine testimonials when they are earned? And very importantly do you thank people properly for their assistance.

3. Tell The Truth
Honesty is absolutely necessary in business, behaving and acting in an ethical manner enhances your reputation. If you mess up, be honest "I'm sorry I really dropped the ball on this occasion, please give me the opportunity to put this right". It is possible to create a good second impression when you get things wrong.

4. Take a bath
Not as big an issue online:-) However; In face to face meetings, body Odour is not the new cologne! Shower, wash your hair, look presentable, dress according to your profession.

5. Do your homework
Get prepared for your meetings in advance not last thing the night before or writing your elevator speech while others are speaking. Be specific, set goals on what you want to achieve, then measure and analyse. If you arrange a 1-1 find out as much as possible about the other person's business in advance so you are showing you are interested in them and not self centred.
What lessons did your Mum give you that have stood you in good stead?

Charlie Robertson
Thank you to Jason Smith for inspiring this blog.