Posted in Best Of.
By jennifer
– December 16, 2009
Have you ever noticed that most powerful negotiators are also superstar networkers? Since all negotiations are personal experiences, the image that you reflect to the other party is vitally important. If you have a reputation for being well liked and well connected, you may achieve a position of power before the negotiation ever begins.
Get Connected
To begin networking you can almost start anywhere. Depending on your goals for becoming more socially connected, there countless ways in which to network—from your hometown to across the globe. Here are 25 suggestions to get you started:
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Join a business networking group, i.e. BNI or Le Tip
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Attend conferences and workshops in your industry
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Become a regular at a local coffee shop or bar and get to know those who frequent the establishment
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Use social media, such as Facebook, Twitter, or Linked-In, to build an online community
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Contribute to online forums and make connections through common interests.
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Join a sports team, such as intramural softball
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If the opportunity arises, become a member on a board
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Join a private club, gym, or golf course and get to know the members
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Become a leader on your neighborhood watch
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Throw parties frequently and invite everyone you know
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Connect others
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Stay in touch with your network
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Practice altruism
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Request introductions to grow your network
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Send Birthday and Christmas cards
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Be a good listener and friend
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Never gossip, it will get around
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Invite people out
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Befriend extroverts with many connections
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Befriend introverts who will appreciate your acquaintance
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Always be sincere
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Take a class of interest, like cooking, dancing, or creative writing where you will meet others
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Talk to people everywhere you go, you never know who you might meet
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Always carry business cards, or other form of contact information, with you at all times
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Don’t be afraid to for something, they can always say no!
What is your favorite way to network?
Posted in Best Of.
Tagged with career, public speaking, relationships.
By jennifer
– December 2, 2009
I was in business school right around the same time the Enron scandal broke out. Cooperate corruption in the media seemed to explode like the waters breaking from a dam. I blame all the two-faced businessmen who made their way onto the nightly news for the reason why ethics was so purposefully beaten into us at school.
When you really think about it, ethics should be a disciple that deserves our attention, especially for those of the business world. After all, if you are in a position of supreme power, like so many scandalous CEO’s, your moral compass should point true.
One area of particular ethical concern is in negotiation. The line between right and wrong can often be hard to find when the pressures on and the stakes are high. How should you go about walking this tightrope of ethical negotiation? Read the following guidelines on negotiation ethics for a start:
Interests of Others
When faced with an ethical dilemma in a negotiation situation the first question you should ask yourself is, “Who and how will my actions affect?” If using questionable tactics in negotiation will have a negative impact on one or more parties, take this time for a detour to explore your next step. It is oaky to take a break during a negotiation if you need time to clear your head to find a better solution.
If you are able, open up and be honest with whom you are negotiating. Share your dilemma and work together to find a resolution. Sometimes candor can be the best way to create win-win solutions.
Relationship Value
If you have an established trust with the other side of the negotiation table, the rules of the game change. When negotiating with a stranger, such as when buying a car, it is expected that you may use more harsh tactics to get what you want. If on the other hand you are negotiating with someone whose relationship you value, like a friend or family member, you should respect that trust and be clear about your intentions from the get-go. If you ignore these unspoken rules, you could end up loosing a lot more than the negotiation.
Ethics Gap
An ethical gap is the point at which you question what is right and wrong. Take into consideration what was previously discussed, the interest of others and relationship value, when you encounter a situation that is not black and white. I will restate what I mentioned above, a time-out during the negotiation can bring light to the situation.
If you are still unsure about what road to take, consult an associate that you trust and get their thoughts on the matter. The act of taking through the decision making process in itself can often revel the answers you seek.
Your Moral Compass
When all else fails, listen to you inner conscious. Everyone has variations of what they consider to be ethical, but this innate moral compass is universal in all of humanity. Whether or not we choose to listen to the angel, or the devil, in us is another story…
Note of Irony: When researching for this article I came across a website selling term papers on Ethical Negotiation to college students. Talk about hypocrisy at its core!
Posted in Best Of.
Tagged with ethics, relationships, tactics.
By jennifer
– December 1, 2009
I recently had an encounter with my bank, the grand ol’ Bank of America, regarding surprise bank fees on my statement. Unlike a party, this surprise was not welcome. The account in question had a balance of $5.00 for over three years and no activity. Now all of a sudden I owe them seventeen bucks and need to pay up NOW or suffer the consequences (more eloquently put, of course). Well I was not about to pay for something in which I was receiving no benefits whatsoever, and had been meaning to cancel anyway.
You may have encountered a similar situation yourself recently. Banks have been inventing new fees left and right to keep the money flowing. They need to do something to stay afloat during this financially tumultuous time. I don’t begrudge their efforts. Like so many Americans in my shoes, I just don’t want to be the one to pay for it!
If you want to join the fight against fees, read the following guide to get started and liberate yourself, and your money, today!
First, Ask Nicely
Sometimes all you need to do is ask nicely. If you’ve had an uneventful history with your bank, they will want to keep their customer happy and most likely fulfill to your request. Why might they be so apt to readily agree to your request? It generally costs 10X more money to attract a new customer than it does to keep a current customer!
So many people would rather not deal with the headache of calling the bank, waiting on hold, and haggling with the customer service rep that they don’t even bother to get their $5 or $10 back. The bank gets away with this sort of thing all the time. Think again next time you just accept new fees as part of your monthly expenses. Ten dollars a month for a year will cost you $120 and $600 in five years. It is probably worth 15 minutes of your times to get your bank bill corrected.
Persistence Pays
If your bank wants to play hardball, don’t give up. Ask to speak with someone else of higher authority that can help you. If speaking with that person doesn’t do the trick, call back the next day and you may hit an immediate homerun with the first person you reach. At some point the bank must consider what it’s costing them to pay their employees to negotiate with you, and the goodwill they’re losing with a customer in the process.
Bluff Your Way Out
The last thing your bank wants to do is lose your business (assuming you’re a customer worth keeping). If your bank flat out refuses to refund the fees, tell them that you are ready to take your business elsewhere if they do not stop with the charges. Most likely they’ll back down at this point and find a solution to ensure you stay a customer. If you do use the bluff tactic in this situation, be prepared to follow through. Have a reputable bank lined up, or better yet a credit union, to open an account.
Join a Credit Union
I mentioned earlier that I have not used my BOA account in several years. This is because I am now a member of a local credit union. The credit union has so far exceeded my expectations of customer service, without the snarky attitude the employees of corporate banks seem to share. Not to mention fees are virtually nonexistent! You are also able to use member credit union’s ATMs for free. Bonus!!!
If all else fails, there is sure to be another financial institution waiting to welcome you with open arms who will offer all the bells and whistles without the costly fees.
Have you negotiated bank fees with Bank of America, Chase, Wells Fargo, Key Bank, or another financial institution lately? What was your experience?
Posted in Best Of, Financial, Personal.
Tagged with bills, credit, debt, negotiating.
By jennifer
– November 30, 2009
If you’re reading this today is Black Friday and you’ve survived Thanksgiving. Yeah!!! Today is the first official day of the holiday shopping seasoning (even though the stores have been ready since August). How do you navigate your way through without leaving your family in the red? Well, budgeting, of course. Read the following for a guide on how to navigate your family’s finances this special time of year.
Create a Budget
If you would consider yourself a shopaholic, even slightly, a budget is essential to making it through this season without paying for it next year. Don’t just consider gift purchases when deciding how much to spend, but ALL the expenses you are likely to incur before the New Year. Here’s a list of what to include in your holiday budget:
- Gifts
- Christmas Cards and Postage
- Holiday Meals
- Decorations
- Travel Expenses
- Charitable Donations
- Holiday Wardrobe
Avoid Financial Infidelity
Did you know that 29% of North American’s admit to lying to their partners about money? Don’t be like them! If you are, admit your financial infidelity and change your ways today.
Once you have set a budget with your spouse, do you part and stick to it. Be honest about what you have spent and disclose any financial missteps as soon as they occur. Your spouse will then be better able to hold you accountable the next time you are tempted to splurge on something off-budget!
The True Meaning
Remember that end the end, the true meaning of Christmas has nothing to do with how much or how little you are able to spend during this time of year. Quite the opposite, actually. It is about celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ and the life he gave for all of us. Put this truth into perspective next time you find yourself stuck focusing on the materialism of this holiday.
And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled ’till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.
Dr. Seuss
Posted in Best Of.
By jennifer
– November 27, 2009
