Sunday, 27 September 2009

Networking Stuff

Networking and First Impressions Count


Just a few thoughts on how to potentially lose a client or a useful contact before you had a chance. Jaimie Dobson on his blog talked about notices which show distrust of customers – only 1 child at once and so on; I want to just think about the face to face things which I think some people may get wrong.


Business Cards and what's on them

Everyone knows that its possible to get business cards very cheaply if not free but what does this tell me about you as a business be you a supplier or a contact to recommend . I feel it tells me that even the investment of around £70 is too much to spend to get that right impression . Am I going to recommend someone who can't spend that little bit to tell me good things about their business.

Lastly – domain names – very cheap – £100 a year or there abouts – can be paid monthly ,mine is. What would you think if my email address was Paulclarke4545@hotmail.com or worse dinkypoos@gmail.com – not a lot .

If a business is worth doing - invest and get it looking right.


Have a great time networking



Paul Clarke pc@bostonclarke.co.uk


on signs – Dave Spikey on “Something for the Weekend “ sign at Bolton Hospital –

Alsations Operating Inside

Thursday, 17 September 2009

ACRONYMS


The worlds of sales , marketing and personal development love acronyms ;TLA , FLA and the 4 P's and the 5 D's and so on . I use them ,combining sales and coaching is acronym heaven .


So I thought I would share a few -

SOS – State of mind – Objective – Strategy ; a handy list aiming to help with any sales call

SMART – target setting – specific,measurable,achievable,realistic and timed .This one is well known and has many variations .

GROW – another goal setting acronym – Goal, reality,opportunity and way forward - some of my coaching activity is built around this

ASK – Activity ,skills , knowledge – describes the attributes for account management

NME – no more excuses – used to move people along and also to remove reasons not to act - work with managers especially sales managers usually invloves this


TFN

Paul

Monday, 7 September 2009

More Thoughts on Coaching

The CIPD defines coaching as ‘developing a person’s skills and knowledge so that their job performance improves, hopefully leading to the achievement of organisational objectives. It targets high performance and improvement at work, although it may also have an impact on an individual’s private life.

Who is it for?
  • helping competent technical experts develop better interpersonal or managerial skills
  • developing an individual’s potential and providing career support
  • developing a more strategic perspective after a promotion to a more senior role
  • handling conflict situations so that they are resolved effectively


Coaching usually involves some or all of the following factors

  • It is essentially a non-directive form of development
  • It focuses on improving performance and developing individuals’ skills
  • Personal issues may be discussed but the emphasis is on performance at work
  • Coaching activities have both organisational and individual goals
  • It assumes that the individual is psychologically well and does not require a clinical intervention
  • It provides people with feedback on both their strengths and their weaknesses
  • It is a skilled activity which should be delivered by trained people


‘A study featured in Public Personnel Management Journal reports that managers who underwent a managerial training programme showed an average increase in productivity of 22.4%. However, a second group was also provided with coaching and their productivity increased by 88%. '

Paul Clarke

Saturday, 5 September 2009

Who needs coaching ? Most people -well I would say that wouldn't I , but apparently Tiger woods uses coaching -

http://www.thetimes.co.za/Careers/Article.aspx?id=1035340

Have a look and see what you think


Paul