F is for Follow-up

How much is too much? How often is too often? How many calls until you quit? I hear these questions and more all the time.

Coach Honoree's Business Rule #1: Make it easy for people to do business with you. To me, that means make sure you are top of mind when they need you. Two weeks too early or two hours too late just doesn't work!

Try these guidelines:

• Be in touch 7 times in the first 60 days after you meet someone. This includes the initial meeting, the follow-up note, any meetings (breakfast, lunch, coffee, drinks), emails, brochures or other mailings, etc. By the 60-day mark, you'll know if the relationship has potential.
• Be sure to pay attention to what you're getting, or not getting, from your new relationship. If they don't return your call or e-mail in a reasonable amount of time (2-5 business days, depending on urgency level), feel free to reach out again. Then space out your subsequent follow-ups to stay on their radar but not be overwhelming. You might wait a week, then another week, then two weeks, another two weeks, then monthly. If you're not getting a response, go ahead and follow-up monthly or at least every 6 weeks. They could be busy and yet still wanting to connect with you. I see this all the time and I hear about it all the time from my clients.
• Follow-up in ways that don't require a yes, a conversation or even a response! You can be top of mind by sending emails, post-cards, notes, writing a blog, or just leaving a message in the wee hours of the morning when no-one (sane) is in the office. Differentiate yourself by being consistent and creative.

In short, follow up until. Until they say yes, say "no means never," or you attend their funeral.

Remember, the smarter you work, the luckier you'll get.

To your success!

Secret #6 to Super Success: Rest, Relaxation & Recreation

To achieve your goals and outcomes, you can schedule every moment, be intentional, and make everything happen you want to have happen. To achieve your goals and outcomes, you also need to take time, each and every week (even a little each day) to recharge, be quiet, and connect with family and friends. None of these seemingly get you closer to your goal and they certainly are not revenue generating activities.

That's exactly my point. What's all the running around for, if you don't use what you've earned to have magic moments and some good old-fashioned fun!?!?

I don't work weekends. Friday nights are Family Night and we take turns planning the fun. Saturdays are used for shopping, running fun errands (read: "I need new shoes.") and Sundays are spent, generally, laying around, playing games, and watching movies. By the time Monday morning comes, I'm ready to go again for my weekly sprint.

Both being in action and being at rest contribute to your overall progress. Take some time this weekend to kick back and enjoy the view.

P is for Pay

A friend of mine called regarding an awkward situation she encountered, and I'm pretty sure you've encountered it at some point in your life or career also.

She was invited to a luncheon that included an introduction by a peer to their boss. When the check came, it sat uncomfortably on the table for what seemed like an eternity. The "inviter" made no move to suggest they were going to pay. My friend, being schooled in proper etiquette, was under the assumption that the person who invited her would be picking up the check. However, since it had been sitting there, she thought perhaps she might be expected to pay, and she offered to pay. The check was then picked up by the boss, not even the person who arranged the lunch!

Here are some guidelines for taking the awkward out of this situation:

• If you invite someone to lunch, coffee or drinks, you are expected to pay. If the event is not hosted, make sure that's clear while you're doing the inviting.
• They may offer to pay. This is because they are polite. Pay anyway. Insist on paying anyway. Tell them they can invite you next time and they can pay (be sure to offer to pay then, too, because you're also polite).
• The Business Etiquette lady has some things to say on the subject. Click here for her take.

Tip: arrive before they do and hand your credit card to your server. You'll be signing the check by the time they realize its arrived, and they will admire your stealth!

To Your Success!