Dance with who brung ya: Loyalty

Loyalty is a fleeting if not non-existent thing these days. However, it shouldn't be to relentless networkers or anyone else. It is the secret sauce, the dilithium crystals, the thing that powers all we do.

That and honesty.

Case in point: my own transition experience. Recently, my current employer changed my status with them. That is, I am no longer a salaried employee with benefits, but rather a contract representative. This is due to economic pressures on them.

Rather than get angry, I see this as an opportunity. An opportunity to continue the work we've done together. An opportunity to grow my own business (or not). An opportunity to move on to the next challenge. But because both they and I are looking at this in a sane, adult fashion, rather than a reactionary, angry scenario, we are able to get something constructive accomplished. While it is unfortunate for both sides, it is a fact of today's economy.

This scenario is possible because of the relationship we forged between us from the start. We each set guidelines for the other--and then followed them. While I will no longer be in their employ that doesn't mean (1) they disappear from my network or (2) either of us goes negative on the other (see "burning the bridge you are standing on" in an earlier post).

Loyalty has its cost, but it also, more importantly, has its rewards. In the meantime, anyone looking for a rep for their company or a new full-time employee, please reply. And, if you need a solid agency that knows marketing communications and market research, I know of one.

Relentless

Five unbreakable rules

There are a tremendous number of things we all have to remember as we move through life. But only a handfull are truly unbreakable. Always:

1. Be polite.
2. Return calls.
3. Make eye contact.
4. Have and carry business cards.
5. Keep your resume current.

Well, these are my five unbreakables. Let's take them one by one:

Be polite. Like Mom told you, "do unto others as you have them unto to you." The Golden Rule. People always remember a polite person and never forget a rude one.

Return calls. Somebody (no matter who) takes the time to call you, you need to return the favor. Answer their question.

Make eye contact. People will know you are serious and listening to them.

Business cards. Your calling card is indispensible. "Get back to me" now carries weight because they now know how.

Keep your resume current. There is nothing worse than having to scramble to either make one up or have to search files or your hard drive for the latest version. Your life is a work in progress--make sure the portrait is up to date.

Relentless

We're moving to a new location

Dear readers and followers:

Please go to http://www.zachryinc.com/therelentlessnetworkerfor future posts and the archive of this blog.

Thanks for reading and thanks for continuing to follow us.

Keep on networking!

Relentless

Relentless Live: at the NDCC September 3

On Thursday, September 3rd, I'll be presenting a seminar in the North Dallas Chamber of Commerce's Business Toolbox Series entitled “Using Networking and Social Media Tools to Build Your Brand and Grow Your Business"

The 7:30 am event is intended for business owners. Visibility and top-of-mind awareness are the keys to building your business. Over the past several years, I've used a number of tools and methods as a part of our strategy to build awareness of the Zachry Associates brand in the DFW Metroplex and beyond. By telling our story and sharing his examples, I hope to arm you with ideas and tools you can use yourself. In this presentation, I will cover how I have used these tools to build the ZA brand in the marketplace:

• Social media
• Blogs
• Face-to-face networking
• The US Mail
• Obvious things

For more information, please visit www.ndcc.org to register.

Relentless

Stay focused

No matter what, keep your eye on the ball. There are many distractions in this business world and you have to not be distracted by the latest tool, the wrong person or the things that waste time.

Be there and be square.

Relentless

Co-opetition

How often have you been in the presence of your competitors? Whether it is at a trade show or networking event or in a lobby awaiting an interview, we've all been around those we are competing with.

What should you do?

How about make friends and be courteous? Flys and honey and all that aside, it's the best thing to do. Sure, you won't divulge competitive-sensitive information, but you can have a polite conversation. It might teach you something about them, their motives and--you.

The latest version of this phenomenon I witnessed was with a group of marketing managers for credit unions. These folks are all competing for similar business and clients, yet they are will to set aside their differences for 2 hours a month to talk over ideas and learn new ones.

My personal experience is from my Honeywell days as a trade show manager. I made friends with the TSM of our biggest competitor, Johnson Controls. I still am in touch with Keith Tomaszewski as he is a great souce of knowledge about the trade show industry and the controls business.

I realize this is also the title of a book by Adam Brandenburger and Barry Nalebuff, but the term works well with a lot of industries and situations.

Relentless

Adam M. Brandenburger, of the Harvard Business School, and Barry J. Nalebuff, Yale School of Management, published "Co-opetition" in 1996 with Doubleday.

Managing your volunteer efforts

It is the best of things to do: you help an organization by lending them your skills. You get the satisfaction of having helped further a cause or organization.

However, it has it's pitfalls. Remember, you aren't being paid and it can't (shouldn't) infringe on your work time (if you have one; if you are in transition, be careful not to take too much time away from your search).

The good news is that volunteer activities have a way of working on an ebb and flow concept: if you can't do a task, don't be afraid to ask for help. The help also sees when things fall off and will jump in.

It always seems to work out, but you need to manage the time and effort just as you do your work flow.

Relentless