Build your self aspect

Feedbacks are very important in our daily activities. If you are working and you don’t get feedback, it is like working in the dark, that no one sees you.

It is always important to improve upon the feedback received from colleagues.

As a Toastmaster, we don't joke with our evaluations and feedback, it is what keeps us going. It adds value to our being. 

When you take the feed backs in good faith, you develop to become a better person. Planning is key to every successful business, before you embark on any presentation, it is always advisable to know your audience.Without knowing your audience it would  be difficult a difficult task to develop an effective speech.

The same way, In marketing you have to know your audience before you can package, target and  position your products and services to the market.

In building your self aspect as an entrepreneur, a businessman and woman, or a professional, you need to understand the acronym N-E-T-W-O-R-K followed by Time management and finally Branding, your reputation.

Networking plays a major role in our lives. The word network means getting together to get ahead with someone, with a group or a mate.The more you talk to people the more you get along with them. The more you prospect, the more you feel at ease with people.

The simple reason why we should learn the art of networking is to make our lives easier, happier, more peaceful and successful.

I want to share some tips about networking that you can easily remember and pass on.

Let’s take the acronym “N-E-T-W-O-R-K,” 

The "N" represent NEVER.

1.   N: Never meet a stranger — it has always been vital to remember we never get a second chance to make a first impression. Always have a smile on your face, a firm handshake and a nice greeting.Also, remember to use the person’s name.Lastly, have a business card with your name and contact information. Because, never know the person you are meeting for the first time. Create a positive first impression. You must be prepared for opportunities at all times. Take time to research about the person you are going to meet, ask about him, his business, his or groups, read about his or her profile, so that you can position yourself strategically. 

The "E" represent ENTHUSIASM

2.   E: Enthusiasm — We need to be enthused in helping others to remember us better and to become more interested in us, than showing eagerness to learn about them.

An import trait about enthusiasm is to be a great listener. Do not be selfish, allow for open conversation. Be willing to listen, be empathetic and be willing to offer assistance.

The "T" represent THINKING

3.   T: Thinking — we need to think before we speak. Without it, we must always fail. Listening comes with thinking. We need to be careful on what we say.

The "W" represent WORK

4.   W: Work — There is nothing that beats a strong faith than work ethics. When we think of learning how to network as an integral part of our personal and professional success, this means we need to work on learning our communication and networking skills. Our values needs to be well communicated, that is what would make us stay afloat.

The "O" represent OPTIMISTIC and OUTLOOK

5.   O:  (OPTIMISTIC and OUTLOOK)  it relates to success in networking. Be Optimistic to get on well with others. Optimism goes hand in hand with enthusiasm, and outlook is how we look at things. I believe happiness is a choice, and so is our outlook in life.The best networking is done by those who look out for others, not just for themselves. People will remember your generosity. It is true that givers get.

The "R" represents REAL and RESPOND

6.   R:  (REAL and RESPOND)  the first word that comes to mind is “real.” If we want to be truly successful and great at networking, we must be real in our feeling and empathy toward others. We can fool some people some of the time, but we can’t fool all people all the time. When we are real, this means we are also really concerned about helping others. People are attracted to real people, and the cream always rises to the top. Also, as it relates to the letter “R,” I think of the word “respond.” When we make others No. 1, they will respond in kind. Second to survival, man’s greatest need is recognition, and a great network recognizes others.

The "K" represent KINDNESS and KNOWING

7.   K: (KINDNESS and KNOWING)  I can think of a few words that are significant along the lines of networking. First, you should demonstrate KINDNESS when you’re building relationships and networking with others. Smile and make eye contact. Again, you never get a second chance to make a first impression. Keep the focus on the other person. Don’t brag about yourself during the entire conversation. Give the other person plenty of opportunities to share his or her story and insight. Right up there with kindness is the word “knowing.” Know as much as you can ahead of time. If you’re going to an event, know who will be at the event and what companies they’re with.The more you know about a person, the better you can communicate and network. Also, the more you know, the farther you’ll go.”

What time is it ? it is said that, anytime we have an appointment. We need to get there before time. Time management abilities counts in business. That is why in other jurisdiction, they say time is money. Because if you are paid according to time, then you would obey and respect time.

 Your Time Management Abilities Counts: 

Do not procrastinate to network; Networking is the key in achieving success.There is no greater waste of time than regret. You might be sitting with somebody for very long time in a plane and would not bother to initiate a meaningful conversation.If you want to manage your time better, the first step as suggested by Time Management Consultant Alan Lakein, is to ask yourself this question: “Exactly what are my goals?”

Good time management involves an awareness that today is all we ever have to work with. The past is irretrievably gone; the future is only a concept. Everything that is accomplished in the world is the result of someone’s realization that today is the only time to act.

If it seems rather elementary to you, be assured that the vast majority of your fellow human beings seldom fully grasp that self-evident truth. 

Thomas Carlyle put it this way: “ our main task is not to see what lies dimly perceived in the future, but to do the thing which lies immediately at hand”

John Ruskin had the word “Today” carved into a small marble block that he kept on his desk as a constant reminder to “Do it now”.

But my favorite quotation is this one by an anonymous philosopher: He said

Yesterday is a cancelled check,

Tomorrow is a promissory note,

Today is ready cash. Use it.

Upon all the time-saving techniques ever developed, perhaps the most effective of all is the frequent use of the word “No”.

In a whole, when you have the time, speak about your brand, and you business, because you are the number one marketer of your business.

YOUR BRAND IS YOUR REPUTATION

Branding is one of the most important aspects of any business.

Be it: small, large, retail, B2B, B2C and the like,

An effective brand strategy gives you a major edge in an increasingly competitive market environment. What exactly does "branding" mean, and how does it affect you and your business?

Simply put, your brand is your promise to your customer. It tells them what they can expect from your products and services. Your brand is derived from Who you are, who you want to be, Who people perceive you to be.

The foundation of your brand is your logo, your website, your digital presence, media presence, your packaging and promotional materials. Does it reflect the image of your business?

All of the aforementioned should integrate in your logo, in other to communicate your brand.

Brand Strategy & Equity

• Your brand strategy is to ask yourself, how, what, where, when and to whom you plan to communicate and deliver on your brand messages.
• Where you advertise should be part of your brand strategy.
•  Your distribution channels are also part of your brand strategy
• Your target business audience,
• And what you communicate visually and verbally are all part of your brand strategy tool.

Strategic branding leads you to a strong brand equity. This means, the added value  to your company's products or services, allows you to charge more for your brand than any identical, unbranded product.The added value is intrinsic to the brand equity which frequently comes in the form of perceived quality of an emotional attachment.

Defining your brand is like a journey of business self-discovery. It can be difficult, time-consuming and uncomfortable. It requires, at the very least, that you answer the questions below:

·         What is your company's mission?

·         What are the benefits and features of your products or services?

·         What do your customers and prospects already think of your company?

·         What qualities do you want them to associate with your company?

Do your research. Learn the needs, habits and desires of your current and prospective customers. And don't rely on what you think they think. Know  what they think.

Once you've defined your brand, how do you get the word out? Here are a few simple, time-tested tips:

• Get a great logo. Place it everywhere
• Write down your brand message. What are the key messages you want to communicate about your brand? Every employee should be aware of your brand attributes.
•  Integrate your brand. Branding extends to every aspect of your business,how you answer your phones, what  your salespeople wear on sales calls, your e-mail signature, etc
•  Create a "voice" for your company that reflects your brand. This voice should be applied to all written communication and incorporate it into the visual imagery of all materials, online and offline. Ask if your brand friendly?
• Develop a tagline. Write a memorable, meaningful and concise statement that captures the essence of your brand.
• Design templates and create brand standards for your marketing materials. Use the same color scheme, logo placement, look and feel throughout. You don't need to be fancy, just be consistent.
•   Be true to your brand. Customers won't return to you or refer you to someone else if you don't deliver on your brand promise.
•  Be consistent. I placed this point last only because it involves all of the above and is the most important tip I can give you. If you can't do this, your attempts at establishing a brand will fail.

REMEMBER:

·         Networking

·         Time Management Abilities.

·         Branding – Your Reputation

....to be continued

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