The right way to get a favor – networking

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This and other tips and techniques can be found in Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic CommunicationCheck out Litwin’s website.

Effective networking is the proactive solution. If you think ahead

and network well, asking for a favor can be an easy, natural thing

to do. Sometimes you may find that you don’t even need to ask.

Here are a few easy ways to maintain your relationships so that

favors come easily:

  1. Get organized
  • Keep track of your contacts whichever way works best for you.

You can use computer databases, smartphone or other device, or even index cards.

  • Keep track of birthdays, anniversaries and other miscellaneous information.
  • Know your contacts’ needs, such as information, jobs and other contacts (relationship management).
  1. Keep in touch
  • Review your contact list regularly and craft a follow up plan.
  • Send notes and cards on occasions such as birthdays and

holidays.

  • Regularly call and set up lunch meetings or dinner appointments.
  1. Nurture mutually beneficial relationships
  • Send any helpful information to your contacts.
  • Connect your contacts with others who can help them.
  • Use your skills to help others.

If you care for your network of friends, colleagues and acquaintances, it will be your best resource.Whether the favor you need is

information, a job referral, technical help or even more clients, the best solution is a strong network.Most importantly, always

remember to say thank you with an email, a hand-written note, or a gift.

(Source): Andrea Nierenberg – The Nierenberg Group

420 E. 51st Street Suite 12D New York, NY 10022 –

www.mybusinessrelationships.com/

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Calming those interview butterflies

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This and other tips and techniques can be found in Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic CommunicationCheck out Litwin’s website.

Many prospective employees get  ” butterflies”before a job

interview.

Here are tips to stay calm and present yourself in the best way:

  • Get a good night’s sleep and maintain your usual morning

routine – If you never eat breakfast, for example, don’t eat a

hearty morning meal on interview day.

  • Try remembering some of your happiest memories or a

proud moment before arriving for the interview.

  • Come prepared with a briefcase containing resumes, pen and

paper for recording your interviewer’s name and the date and

time for a possible future interview, an application and references

and examples of your work such as writing samples.

Federal Citizen Information Center – Pueblo, Colo.

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Techniques to Succeed: Recovering from a crisis

This “Tip” and dozens of others come from Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic Communication (available on www dot larry litwin dot com). [To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]

Executives believe it takes companies slightly more than three years – 3.2 years – to recover from a crisis that damages their reputation.

The top 10 crisis turnaround strategies are:

  1. Quickly disclose details of the scandal/misstep (69 percent)
  2. Make progress/recovery visible (59 percent)
  3. Analyze what went wrong (58 percent)
  4. Improve governance structure (38 percent)
  5. Make leaders accessible to media (34 percent)
  6. Fire employees involved in the problem (32 percent)
  7. Commit to high corporate citizenship standards (23 percent)
  8. Carefully review ethics policies (19 percent)
  9. Hire an outside auditor (18 percent)
  10. Issue an apology from the CEO (18 percent)

Burson-Marsteller – New York, N.Y.

Never forget: Tell it FIRST. Tell it FAST. Tell it ALL. Tell it YOURSELF.

Check out both The ABCs and The Public Relations Practitioner’s Playbook for (all) Strategic Communicators. Information is on www.larrylitwin.com.

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Organize better for networking

This “Tip” and dozens of others come from Larry Litwin’s The ABCs of Strategic Communication (available on www dot larry litwin dot com). [To comment: larry at larry litwin dot com.]

Organize your contacts to make the most of your efforts. Author Andrea Nierenberg, a nonstop networker, divides her list into three different categories: A, B and C, and follows up accordingly.

Here’s how you can make it work for you:

The “C” list consists of “touch base”people – acquaintances whom you want in your network. However, you’re not involved with them on a business or personal level. Keep in touch by sending:

  • A quarterly newsletter with a short personal note.
  • A card or note once or twice a year.
  • A holiday card in December.

The “B” list consists of “associates” – people you’re actively involved with, either professionally or personally and you would keep in touch by:

  • Meeting them for a meal, tea, or coffee at least two times a year.
  • Sending at least six personal notes in a year.
  • Giving them holiday and premium gifts.

The “A” list is for “close friends and associates” – people you keep in touch with often.

If you effectively follow up with everyone on your list, from your closest friends to the person you see only on rare occasions, your network will continue to thrive.

Source: Andrea Nierenberg – Author – Nonstop Networking (Capital Books)

www.mybusinessrelationships.com

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5 phrases you should NOT use on your resume

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Hanna Hamilton write for Monster. Her entire column appears in The Philadelphia Inquirer on Sunday, Nov. 2, 2014. These are the five words and phrases NEVER to be used in a resume.

  • Hard Worker
  • Out-of-the-Box
  • Salary
  • references Available Upon Request
  • Objective

The full column is a must read.

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