Sit Where It Counts: Get the Most from One-to-One Meetings
Collaborative Meeting
Believe it or not, seating arrangements can impact the outcome of your meetings. First, determine the audience and the purpose of your meeting. Where you sit in relation to a business partner, a prospect or a vendor should vary. For example, sitting on opposite sides of a table is a more confrontational arrangement, better suited to vendor negotiations or a meeting in which you wish to establish an authoritative tone. This confrontational arrangement is not as productive when collaborating with a colleague. If you are meeting with a business prospect, you should select a seating arrangement that projects a supportive tone. This will allow the other person to feel comfortable and more open to sharing.
Try it! Arrange the seating at your next meeting based on desired outcome:
- Confrontation: Seating – sit on opposite sides of a table or desk so you can freely disagree and negotiate
Application: negotiation, disciplinary action or to project an authoritative tone - Collaboration: Seating – sit side by side at a table to work together on a solution
Application: meeting with a colleague to brainstorm or to develop a strategy/solution - Acquiring support or new business: Seating – sit at right angles, with each person at one corner of a table, to allow eye contact
Application: meeting with business prospect (as financial advisor, agent, etc.)
Telephone Tips to Maximize Your Image
Golf Outing in Pittsburgh
Whether you are an avid golfer or a casual golfer, come join the fun on Monday, May 17th, 2010 at the Chartiers Country Club for an 18 hole shamble. All proceeds benefit Operation Troop Appreciation and other local charities. 98.5% of every dollar raised for Operation Troop Appreciation goes towards assisting our troops.
Cost per person is $130. Form your own foursome or request to be matched to one.
Contact Risk Canello at 412-996-0021 or print the brochure to register today!
Admission includes:
- 18 Holes Golf
- Golf Cart
- Prize for a Hole-in-One at a Par 3
- Skill Prizes
- Door Prizes
- Boxed Lunch
- Buffet Dinner of Roast Beef Au Jus and Chicken Marsala
- The opportunity to benefit the community
The event is sponsored by the Green Tree Rotary. Event day is Monday, May 17th. Registration begins at 12:00 with play time at 1:00 pm. Dinner buffet is at 6:00 pm. Course is the Chartiers Country Club, located at 601 Baldwin Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15205. For more information or to register, contact Rick Canello at 412-996-0021 or e-mail Rick at golf@greentreerotary.org.
Interested in sponsorship?
- Gold Sponsor, $1000 (includes a Fousome)
- Hole Flag Sponsor for $200
- Hole Sign Sponsor for $100
- Mention in Program $50
- Family Donation $25
- Also accepting prize donations for door prizes and auction
All registrations and sponsorships due by May 13, 2010.
Do You Need a Professional Photo?
When was the last time you had a professional portrait taken? If you answer high school graduation, you need to get on the ball! Today’s photo-friendly media options, including LinkedIn, Facebook, company websites and blogs, provide numerous opportunities to post your photo as a site enhancement.
You might encounter an unexpected need for a professional photo as I recently did. Consider this scenario: A newspaper reporter calls to request an interview. You, of course, oblige because you want to take advantage of this wonderful opportunity to build your personal and business presence in the community. Their next request: Please send a high resolution picture to accompany the article. Will you be prepared, or will you panic and send the best digital picture you can manage on short notice?
The solution is actually quite simple. Set an appointment at a photography studio at your local mall. I used a studio called ‘Picture People.’ For approximately $75 and in less than 30 minutes, you should be able to complete a ‘photo shoot’ with two outfit changes, select your pictures, pay, and be out the door with high resolution pictures in-hand on a CD. Why wait until you get caught in a bind? Schedule your photo op now!
Business Document Retention – Links to Compiled Recommendations
Spring is in the air and you are likely working on both your personal and business taxes. Now is a great time to get rid of extra paperwork. But first, you need to know how long you should keep certain documents. Below are links to some great resources. Different sources recommend various timeframes, so you may want to consider putting your own policy into place based on the suggested timeframes. Check with your accountant/legal advisor if you are not sure, and don’t forget to shred sensitive documents.
- This site has a link to a pdf document with a ‘Suggested Schedule for Retention of Business Records:’ Click Here
- This site provide a grid that includes administrative, advertising, insurance, legal, plant and property documents as well: Click Here
- And this is what the IRS has to say about document retention: Click Here
Advanced Administrative Services is not affiliated with any of the recommended sources. These simply represent sources found on the internet that may be of value to you and your business.
Take a Vacation for Renewed Focus and Energy
A hint of spring is in the air, or for those in the more snow-laden states, at least the hope of spring is in the air. And for many, it’s time to consider upcoming vacation plans.
-
You may think your business can’t survive without you at the present time, especially if you are a small business owner. The truth is, however, your company will likely benefit more from your renewed focus and increased energy once you return from a well-deserved hiatus.
-
Overworked, stressed-out employees can have more problems at home, creating a potentially vicious cycle that will have a negative impact on business. Focus and motivation tend to wane when business gets tedious and stressful, and this will impact the quality of work as well.
- Everyone needs an opportunity to rejuvenate – physically and emotionally. By respecting each employee’s need for life balance, you will ensure a more contented, productive workforce. Be a healthy role model, and begin now to plan your own vacation time.
Looking for some new vacation ideas? View Travel Channel’s Weekend Getaways for ideas. Skim the navigator on the left for a myriad of travel tips and ideas.
Improve Your Time Management
- Prioritize: Revisit your long-term goals on a regular basis. Are you prioritizing what is most important to you and your business? Don’t get caught up in tasks that add little value.
- Set Realistic Goals: Ask yourself, “What do I need to accomplish today?” Then create a plan that can realistically be accomplished in one work day.
- Don’t Procrastinate: Identify your most productive time of day, and focus on your most difficult tasks during that time. Block off this time on your calendar, and keep your commitment to complete these tasks. Save easier tasks for another time.
- Take Time for Yourself: Everyone needs a break. It’s not healthy to be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Take a day off, and find a creative way to take a break through the week. It might be as simple as going out to lunch rather than eating at your desk. And don’t forget to make time to enjoy your favorite hobbies.
The Basics of Great Customer Service
Negotiating Tips to Benefit Your Business
- Want More of This? Improve Your Negotiating Skills
Some people love to negotiate, others dislike it, and still others avoid it at all costs. Regardless of which category you fall in, a few minutes of your time may be all you need to better negotiate your next contract, sales pitch and more.
Take a few minutes today to brush up on your skills by selecting any of the links below. I personally like the ‘10 Tips for Better Negotiation’ – It’s quick, simple and to the point. Most business owners can benefit even by focusing on only 1 or 2 of the tips.
Reuters/Entrepreneur: The Art of Negotiating
Yahoo! Small Business: 10 Tips for Better Negotiation
About.com/Small Business: 5 Ways to Negotiate More Effectively
Through the Eyes of Your Customers
- PHONES: Call your phone(s) – are you satisfied with the hold time, the hold music, how the phone was answered? If not, make the applicable changes and make sure your staff is trained to present the image you desire.
- AUTOMATED PHONE SYSTEM: Do you have an automated phone system? Pretend you are a customer and try the system from their perspective. Is it easy to use or do you get frustrated? If you get frustrated, you may be losing out on potential business.
- WEB REQUESTS/ORDERING: Does your website allow for requests or ordering? Then process a request and/or order today. Was it easy? If you processed a request, was the turn-around time acceptable, poor or great?
- OFFICE BUILDING: Do you accept customers, prospects and/or business partners in your office? Then pretend you are customer the next time you walk into you office, meeting area and lobby. Do these rooms present a professional image, or are they disorderly, out-dated or messy? The atmosphere should match your desired image, whether that is creative, professional or fun.
- OFFICE BUILDING / COMPETITOR VIEWPOINT: Enter your office pretending that you are a competitor. Are you able to pick up on any trade secrets, special systems, or other information that would give a competitor posing as a prospect an edge?
- WEBSITE: Review your website from the perspective of a prospect. Based on the website, what are 3 key words that describe your business? Do these words match what you are trying to accomplish with the website? Is it easy to navigate your website? Does the layout invoke the image you desire? Does the content reflect your up-to-date information?
- THE FINAL TEST: Based on your experiences with the above tests, would YOU do business with YOUR Company? If yes, congratulations! If not, you now have a specific list of items to address.
- AND LAST: Schedule yourself an appointment to complete this test again next January. Don’t procrastinate, do it now.
Not sure if you are being objective? Then ask a friend or business colleague to help with this test. You may be surprised at the results. If you know a business colleague whom may benefit from this particular tip, please forward this e-mail to them via the ‘Forward to a Friend’ link at the bottom of the e-mail.