Posts Tagged ‘smallbizlady’

Every week as @SmallBizLady, I conduct interviews with experts on my Twitter talk show #SmallBizChat.  The show takes place every Wednesday on Twitter from 8-9pm ET.  This is excerpted from my recent interview with Kevin Knebl ( @KevinKnebl ), the owner of Knebl Communications, www.kevinknebl.com, a Colorado-based company specializing in Online and Offline Networking Skills and Social Media training. He is a professional speaker, trainer and coach whose clients include small, medium and Fortune 500 companies.  Kevin is an in-demand keynote speaker for conferences, conventions, company trainings, and many other engagements. He assists individuals and organizations in significantly growing their networks and businesses through dynamic, inspirational and humorous trainings, webinars, teleseminars, workshops and individual and group coaching.

Smallbizlady: What is networking?

Kevin Knebl: Networking is the cultivation of mutually-beneficial, give-and-take, win-win relationships.  It’s not schmoozing or throwing business cards at someone at a networking event.  It’s taking a sincere interest in helping other people grow their networks and businesses.  We are not dependent on each other; nor are we independent of each other; we are all interdependent with each other.   All things being equal, people do business with and refer business to people they know, like and trust.

Smallbizlady: How can we network more effectively?

Kevin Knebl: Have a strategy before networking.  Decide in advance who your networking prospects are and seek to connect with people involved in professions complementary to yours.  Be pleasant and approachable.  Seek out Centers of Influence and seek to add value to them.  Remember that you are there to work; to build your increase your contact list, which leads to business.  Have fun, be confident and smile.  Introduce yourself to people you don’t know.

Smallbizlady: What things can you do to set yourself apart from the masses?

Kevin Knebl: Develop great listening skills.  Focus the majority of the conversation on the other person.  Use questions that get people talking about themselves such as “How did you get started in your business?  What do you enjoy most about your profession?  What separates you and your company from the competition?  How can I know if someone I’m speaking to is a good prospect for you?”  Follow up with a hand-written thank you card.  Refer business to others.

Smallbizlady: Is there an etiquette to successful networking?

Kevin Knebl: Yes, there is.  When you give something to or do something for someone, do not ask for or expect an immediate repayment.  Make sure that you respect people’s time.  If you promise something, make sure that you follow through on your promise.  Treat all referred prospects with the best of care and service.  Always write a personalized thank you card. The little things mean a lot and many people overlook them to their detriment.  Huge doors of opportunity swing on little hinges.

Smallbizlady: What Social Networking sites are good for networking?

Kevin Knebl: LinkedIn is the premier business-networking site.  There are over 75 million professionals using LinkedIn to increase their visibility, showcase their credibility and grow their revenues. The average LinkedIn user is 41 years old with an average annual income of $109,000.  Twitter is the best real-time online networking site.  With laser-like precision you can identify people and resources by targeting keywords.  It’s like being at the world’s largest cocktail party.

Smallbizlady: How does Social Networking integrate with traditional networking?

Kevin Knebl: Social Networking is a great addition to traditional networking.  Through the effective use of Social Networking you can identify with laser-like precision individuals and organizations that you want to connect with.  Leveraging Social Networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter will enable you to learn about people and therefore accelerate your rapport building with your new networking partners.  When used strategically, Social Networking can greatly enhance your offline networking efforts.

Smallbizlady: How would you start building your Social Network?

Kevin Knebl: When you meet people ask them if they are on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.  If so, get their contact information and connect with them on those platforms.  You may want to put links to your Social Networking profiles in your email signature.  You may also want to put the links to the websites on your business cards.  Make it easy for people to find you.  In a more and more interconnected world it doesn’t serve you to be in the Witness Relocation Program.  Be findable.

Smallbizlady: Where would be a good place to start networking for people new to networking?

Kevin Knebl: There are many networking organizations where people can start their networking efforts.  BNI International is the largest networking organization in the world with chapters in almost all major cities in the USA.  Look in your local paper for local networking events.  They are usually listed at least once per week in your local newspaper’s business section.  I suggest attending a lot of events and determining which may feel right to you and your personality style.  You need to feel comfortable with the people and the format.

Smallbizlady: What are some networking mistakes to avoid?

Kevin Knebl: Don’t be “that guy.”  That guy could be the stalker .  The one who hangs onto you as you’re trying to meet new people.  That guy can also be the person who never stops talking about themselves and their business.  Also, don’t just hang around the people whom you already know and feel comfortable with.  Reach out and meet new people.  Certainly, say hi to the people you already know and then spend the majority of your time meeting new people and learning about them and their business.

Smallbizlady: Any last thoughts on how to network effectively?

Kevin Knebl: Remember that networking is primarily about building relationships.  Think relationally and not transactionally.  People are not commodities although many people’s actions would indicate that they think that other people are commodities.  What we do speaks so loud that what we say others cannot hear.  You’re networking with people.  Little things mean a lot.  Be someone that people see value in because you see value in them.  Learn as much as you can about people and their business and then stay in contact with them in a non-intrusive fashion.  All things being equal, people do business with and refer business to people they know, like and trust.  Position yourself so that you are that person.

If you found this interview helpful, join us on Wednesdays 8-9pm ET follow @SmallBizChat on Twitter.

For more tips on how start or grow your small business subscribe to Melinda Emerson’s blog http://www.succeedasyourownboss.com.

Melinda Emerson, known to many as “SmallBizLady,” is a Veteran Entrepreneur, Small Business Coach and Social Media Strategist who hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs. #Smallbizchat is the trusted resource on Twitter to discuss everything entrepreneurs need to know about launching and running a profitable small business. Her first book Become Your Own Boss in 12 Months was released in March 2010.

Did you know that mastermind groups have the power to change your business and keep you sane as an entrepreneur?

For the last few years, I have participated in two mastermind groups that have made all the difference in my business. One is a mixed group of professional speakers and coaches that is focused on a specific career goal and the other is a group of three women in different industries in which I participate every other week. What I enjoy the most about these groups is that it’s a safe environment to share and get strategy advice about my business.

The History of Mastermind Groups:  Napoleon Hill founded the principle of the mastermind group in the early 1900s. He studied Andrew Carnegie, who was known to use the concept of the mastermind to keep his businesses growing and prosperous. Andrew Carnegie kept 50 men on staff just for the development of ideas to grow his steel business. In 1937 Napoleon Hill wrote the now legendary “Think and Grow Rich” book based on these ideas.

One of the biggest challenges in starting a business from scratch is building all the processes and systems by yourself. You spend a lot of time alone with your endless “to do” list and feelings that can be overwhelming. Even more dangerous to an entrepreneur is the isolation—which is the enemy of all small businesses. Your own thoughts can defeat you in business—quicker than any competitor.

Mastermind groups consist of 4-15 people who meet regularly to talk through issues that may be personal or directly related to running your small business. Masterminds groups function best when participants feel comfortable to share their unique views.

The Benefits of Mastermind Groups 

• Mutual support  Regular people do not understand the entrepreneurial lifestyle.  It is a great thing to be able to lean on other small business owners for support.  There are times when only someone who has walked in your shoes can give you advice.
• Resources  Everyone in your group will have access to a different materials, contacts and skill sets. I’ve often found that when I ask for help in my mastermind groups, those resources that I need are a click or a phone call away. 
• Accountability  Mastermind groups hold members accountable to short and long-term goals. Having regularly scheduled meetings forces you to follow-up on your own action plans for your business because no one wants to be the person at the meeting or on the call who hasn’t don’t their homework.
• Differing perspectives  You can always benefit from someone else’s experience. Your fellow mastermind participants may see issues and opportunities with customers or employees that you would otherwise be unaware of. The other good thing about hearing other’s viewpoints is — you can choose to take their advice or not. Most of the time you will take away nuggets that will improve your situation.

Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group   If you have been following this resource blog, you know that my mission is to end small business failure. This September, I am launching a new program called the Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group.  It is an intensive 8-week program where a small group of people, led by me will work together to kick-start or reinvent your small business.

I have created this group coaching program to give you one more leg up as you start your business. As a member of the Become Your Own Boss Mastermind Group you will benefit from all of these services.

Here’s an itemized list of what you’re getting.

• Each class is a 90-minute working call
• An autographed copy of Become Your Boss in 12 Months
• Convenient classes available via phone and Internet
• Unlimited email access to Smallbizlady for feedback on homework
• Access to all class recordings
• Access to private Become Your Own Boss member forums
• Step-by-step outline to action plan to Become Your Own Boss
• Discounts on Smallbizlady’s one-on-one coaching services
• Recommendations on start-up tools that will save you time and money
• A special FREE gift worth $197

You can get more info about the program here:  http://succeedasyourownboss.com/mastermind-group/

I also have a payment plan that can work for your budget.  Reach out to me personally — melinda@melindaemerson.com 

At the end of the 8-weeks, you’ll leave the class with a written ACTION PLAN to start or reinvent your small business.  The program starts Sept 7^th, and we have a limited number of slots left; I suggest you jump on it right away. 

Melinda F. Emerson, known as SmallBizLady is one of America’s leading small business experts. As CEO of MFE Consulting LLC, Melinda educates entrepreneurs and Fortune 500 companies on small business start-up, business development and social media marketing. She hosts #SmallBizChat weekly on Twitter for emerging entrepreneurs and publishes a resource blog www.succeedasyourownboss.com.  Melinda is also the author of the national bestseller Become Your Own Boss in 12 months; A Month-by-Month Guide to a Business That Works. (Adams Media 2010) For more information http://www.becomeyourownbossbook.com