Another Successful Introduction Tips…

May 23, 2013 by Leave a Comment

Here’s the short of it: if YOU want something from ME, be on top of it.

I got an introduction the other day from a colleague introducing me to someone who thinks I’d be a good fit for their networking group. And 24 hours later I still hadn’t heard from the person who “wants me” evidently. I was polite and replied because of the colleague who took the time to make the intro, but it amazes me: if you ask someone for a referral, they give you that referral and you let it drop, why would I trust you with my business?

If you get slammed at work with a big project and know it’ll be a couple of days until you truly can get back to me, that’s OK, just say so. I”ve gotten emails before that say “happy to connect- have a crazy client project for the next 48 hours, will send you info by the end of the week.”

Whatever it is, don’t leave me hanging bro.

Filed Under: Lessons Learned, Uncategorized

What NOT to Say on the News

May 21, 2013 by 3 Comments

I was watching the news the other day, and KOMO 4′s 4 pm news often has some fun in studio interviews. On Friday they interviewed a local distillery that recently opened. As the interview was taking place, the distillers were asked “how’s the feedback so far?” GREAT question. And the correct response is:IMG_2485

1. It’s great, people are really liking what they’re tasting and consumers are giving us great cocktail ideas

2. Feedback is growing, we’re in 25 bars in the Puget Sound already!

3. People are really enjoying it, they’re returning to the tasting room and bringing new friends.

The WRONG answer WHILE on TV is:

“We’re working the PR machine right now.”

Well no kidding, and good news- the PR machine is WORKING FOR YOU because you’re ON TV. Also, ANSWER the question.

I get you might be nervous when you’re going to be on TV, and it is hard to keep everything straight, and no one puts their foot in their mouth more than I do. So I encourage you to talk to someone BEFORE you go on TV. Watch your interviewer with other people. If you want to be on the news, then start watching it. What are people saying? What kinds of questions might you be asked?

What kinds of questions have you been asked or wish you were asked when interviewed?

Filed Under: Branding, Speaking

May Pop Culture Roundup

May 17, 2013 by 2 Comments

129149_459331_40I don’t know about you, but I really enjoyed sharing my pop culture obsessions of the moment with you guys last month. So I think we’ll keep it up. It’s season finale time, which means bad summer reality TV and more time on the patio with a good beer and a good book. I can’t wait! Here’s what’s going on in my pop culture world right now, make sure to share yours in the comments!

Reading

As you may have heard, May 4th was Free Comic Book Day. And yes, I did get up early, drove to my comic book shop in Kirkland and landed a BUNCH of free comics. It was AWESOME. You get a bunch of free comics to check out and learn about some stuff you might enjoy! Here’s what I liked: Ultimate Spider-man, Mouse Guard (and it had a cool secret Fraggle Rock Comic!), Jonathan Kellerman- “The Web” (I now REALLY want to read this book!), The Walking Dead (okay, was kind of disappointed that they just took 3 back stories and put them together, BUT I love TWD), and my biggest surprise was The Steam Engines of Oz. I can’t wait for what’s in store next year! I also discovered a great Sesame Street Comic that teaches kids HOW to read comics. I bought a couple copies (it wasn’t free) for 2 kids in my life who need to learn comics from someone, I decided it’ll be me.

I just finished Sacre Bleu by Christopher Moore. It was GREAT. It got me excited for my trip to Paris this summer and re-ignited my love of art! Double Whammy Score!

Now it’s time to figure out the next book to read, I have a bookshelf full of suggestions, but I really just want to read Dad is Fat so may pick that up this weekend. Or I’ll finally read Alison Bechdel’s Are You My Mother.

Listening

Nothing new has jumped out at me lately. I need to listen to more Justin Timberlake since I’m heading to the stadium concert in BC this summer! I’ve also been listening to a lot of Eric Hutchinson and James Morrison, it’s probably the rain. Any new albums you’re loving lately?

Watching

It’s season finale time, and I have to say, while The Office has been so bad since Steve Carrell’s last season, these past 3 episodes have been pretty great, I’m excited for the series finale and wedding episode (I know, didn’t watch it last night, already caught a few spoilers, grrr!)

I loved New Girl’s Finale, I need to stop watching The Mindy Project (it’s just not funny, or very good), I can’t wait for Nashville’s finale either! And Parks & Recreation did a great job of setting up Season 6. Every year they’ve been so scared of getting canceled they make the season finale able to serve as a series finale. I was excited they didn’t do that this year.

For the next month I’ll be plugging through Game of Thrones & Mad Men still. I can’t get enough. Plus, bear fights are awesome! And I can’t wait for the final season of Dexter.

I’ve been keeping an eye on the up fronts this week and it sounds like some pretty great shows will be coming out this fall. I’m most excited for the Michael J Fox show and Andy Samberg’s new show.

And, I finally watched Pitch Perfect this weekend. I need to apologize for taking so long to finally watch this movie. It was AWESOME. If you like music and general pop culture geekiness, you should see this. Don’t let the competitive acapella world distract you, It’s great!

This weekend is all about Star Trek, and I may finally see Iron Man 3 next week. As I get older I seem to become more of a junior high boy in my tastes it seems like…

What are you reading, watching, listening to lately that you love? Share in the comments!

Filed Under: Uncategorized

Are You Ready for the Intro?

May 14, 2013 by Leave a Comment

IMG_3486I met someone last week through an introduction of a mutual friend. It was a great meeting, this guy is getting his company started and looking for a couple of test cases to get started, which is great, my clients can occasionally be fantastic guinea pigs!
As we met, a few people came to mind for him to connect with. He had very prompt follow up (in my inbox by the next morning!) and when I replied I sent him links to the people I think would be good for him to meet. Instead of saying I’d do the intro automatically, I said “let me know when you’re ready for the intro,” and he asked to wait. Which is GREAT!
Right now there are 2 people in my CRM that I was introduced to by a mutual connection and said they wanted to connect, but we have yet to schedule a time.
It’s OK if you’re busy or aren’t ready to talk yet, just say so. When someone sends me an introduction I try to follow up with a quick thank you to them, and maybe more if it turns into a client. I always send a thank you email right after the intro email, but I appreciate the follow through of “that was a great connection thanks.” If you aren’t ready for the intro, it’s OK, just say so!

Filed Under: Lessons Learned, Networking, Uncategorized

3 Things Getting on my Nerves This Week

May 8, 2013 by 1 Comment

I’ll try not to make this a recurring blog series, but you never know. Here’s a couple of easy mistakes you may be making in your business that are unknowingly driving your clients or colleagues (or friends, family, etc.) crazy!

1. a lot- it’s 2 words. You know this. Your English teacher taught you this. Spell check may NOT be teaching you this, so pay attention.

2. Not Using BCC. When sending an email to a group of people more than 4 or 5, use the BCC line. If you’re sending out a document or piece of information to a group and it requires a direct response to you, use BCC. There’s nothing more annoying that having your inbox filled with responses you didn’t need to see because the sender isn’t sure how to use email. Here’s a great article from my friend Arden Clise at Clise Etiquette on Email Etiquette. Bookmark this post.

3. Texting- I am not a big fan. If you have a quick piece of information for me, an FYI, “call me when you have 5 minutes”, running late, sending me a Glympse, great. Asking me to review a website or asking me a question you need a lot of info and a thoughtful response on, pick up the phone and call me, or better yet, send me an email. If it’s not time sensitive, it shouldn’t be texted. Sure everyone else is on board with this, last week a friend said she called someone who’s voicemail said “texting is a better way to communicate with me.” That’s just fine, but it’s good to know HOW the people in your life like to be communicated with. I am not the fan of texting people seem to think I am.

Filed Under: Lessons Learned, Management, Uncategorized

Networking with Yellow Dog in May!

May 1, 2013 by Leave a Comment

mayfourth-500x375I don’t know about you but 2013 is moving right along. I can’t believe it’s already May! Based on last months newsletter my May is a little lighter than usual (did I scare you all away?) BUT there are a few great events going on worth checking out, including people continuing to ask me to speak!

Friday, February 8th

NWEN Breakfast Buzz

You know how much I love NWEN breakfasts. Great networking, great people, great inspiration. If you are a startup, NWEN is the place to be! This one’s in Seattle so I am more likely to skip out, BUT this month is Jim Sinegal, the retired CEO of Costco. They’re in the neighborhood, gotta represent!

Thursday, May 16th

eWomen Network Luncheon

As most of you know I’ve been a big fan of eWomenNetwork for a LONG time and the speakers scheduled in 2013 do not look to disappoint! If you can’t join the luncheon but want to check out eWomen let me know, they have smaller events throughout the month.

Tuesday, May 21st

Authentic Selling: Growing your Business When you THINK you Hate Sales

The fine folks at NWEN have invited me to speak to startups about growing your business without feeling like a sellout. It’s an early evening event and promises not to disappoint!

Hank is still recovering from his birthday vacation and we have some other trips going on this month, but with the sun shining more and more I’m sure swimming and some dog park networking will be happening, holler if your pup needs you to go networking!

Filed Under: Events, Networking

The Bad Speaker Issue

April 30, 2013 by Leave a Comment

imagesI was at a luncheon recently and during the structured networking portion I ended up with the speaker in my group. As each person gave their elevator pitch the speaker kept looking away as if she was looking for someone and was clearly not interested in what we all had to say.

Having done some speaking in my life I know the most helpful thing before you speak is to learn about your audience, directly from your audience. Knowing your audience in advance means you can tweak your speech in the moment and make sure your audience gets what they need from you. Listening to your audience when you have the chance means they’re more likely to engage with you during your presentation, and buy your up-sell package at the end of the event.

Not paying attention while you have that chance means I’m writing this blog post while you’re speaking.

Filed Under: Lessons Learned, Networking, Speaking

Happy 7th Birthday Hank!

April 26, 2013 by Leave a Comment
"Hulk"

“Hulk”

Today is Hank’s 7th Birthday and Yellow Dog Consulting wouldn’t be what it is without him.

In the fall of 2007 my husband and I decided that wanted a dog. After dinner with friends who have a GREAT retriever we decided that a larger breed would be a good fit for us. So, we started paying attention to all the rescue groups and shelters in the Puget Sound, and one afternoon in October my husband found “Hulk” a big yellow lab who had been transferred from the Kittitas Shelter to the Seattle Humane Society.
I was there Saturday morning when the shelter opened and went right to check him out. He was sick with kennel cough and was laying in his kennel and very mellow. And HUGE. What was I thinking? My dad was up visiting so we went to play with Hulk and check him out. Even then I was calling him Hank. I decided to check out another dog, who was way too much energy. As I was going back, they were putting Hank back in the kennel, and I asked to see him again. I was hooked. We adopted him, and they had to keep him until Tuesday because he needed to be neutered and micro chipped (all included in the ridiculously low adoption fee) so that October we adopted an 18 month old yellow lab who was found on the side of the road in Ellensburg that wasn’t neutered or microchipped. We figure he’s a farm dog that got lost, I think he was just trying to find us.
We’re glad he did, he changed our lives. And now on his 7th birthday we get ready to celebrate the 2 year anniversary of Yellow Dog Consulting, which all started because I adopted a dog to hangout with him, not pay for a dog walker and dog sitter and to never see him. I needed to not be in my car and be out with a leash and my lab, and it was one of the best decisions of my life!
Happy Birthday Hank!

Filed Under: Hank, Holidays, Uncategorized

Why I’m Not Meeting with You

April 22, 2013 by 1 Comment

imagesA couple of weeks ago I met someone at a networking event. This person asked for my business card and mentioned getting together. This person work for one of “the nations fastest growing health and wellness companies” AKA, she works for some MLM. Not only do I not want to waste my time with this person, I want my card back.

Now, I actually know a lot of people and have some great friends with successful direct sales based businesses. And they’re successful because they run it like a business. They also are upfront and proud of the company they work for, not trying to hide it. Man that annoys me.

Flash forward to the following Monday night (we met on a Friday). It’s about 8:30, I’m sitting on the couch after dinner with my husband, watching TV and drinking a glass of wine. My phone rings. I don’t know the number so it goes to voicemail. I listen to the voicemail and it’s this person leaving an almost 2 minute voicemail. Strike ONE. Tuesday is a busy day of meetings, so even if I hadn’t deleted (oops!) the voicemail, I didn’t have time to call back. Tuesday night, 7:15 PM, Phone rings again. Goes to voicemail. This person again (and another 2 minute message!). Seriously? You have to give me more than 24 hours to respond.

Here’s the deal: My business is a BUSINESS. I don’t run my business on evenings and weekends (unless I choose to). And I certainly don’t want to talk to some stranger about setting up a meeting at 8:30 at night. If you’d like to conduct business with me, do it during normal business hours like everyone else.

And, there’s a major red flag going off in my head that you are calling two days in a row (and then a follow up email). You look DESPERATE. Chill out, people are busy leading their lives and running businesses. Give us a couple days to respond. And that you can’t find time during business hours to make those calls.

So, how do you deal with overly desperate people at networking events?

Filed Under: Networking, Sales

Hank’s 7th Birthday Party!

April 17, 2013 by 1 Comment

IMG_0676Hank turns 7 on April 26th and to celebrate we’re heading to Central Oregon for a long weekend getaway. But he’d love to celebrate his birthday with you all! Join us for Hank’s birthday party on Friday, April 19th at 2 PM at Luther Burbank Off Leash Park on Mercer Island. Hank loves to go swimming, and this is the perfect spot!

Let us know if you & your pup can join! And if you don’t have a pup but need some puppy love, please join us!

Filed Under: Events, Hank, Holidays
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