Drew Dudley: Everyday Leadership
Despite how complicated leadership can seem at times, moments of leadership are accessible to all. Watch this 6 minute TED Talk and wake up to how you can make a difference in people’s lives.
Network Night - A social evening where women can network
IMPACT Consulting's Jennifer Campbell is taking social networking off-line... So, step away from the computer -- it is time for a girl's night out!
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Join us for Network Night, a social evening where you will:
Date: Friday, February 24th, 2012 - 7:30-9:00 pm Make it a social night and bring a friend!
Hope to see you there! |
Introverts
Introverts are hot. Lately, thanks to a new book by Susan Cain titled Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, the quieter folks among us are having something of a moment in the sun. Here are some great tips for introverts to better thrive in the extroverted world of work.
http://www.inc.com/jessica-stillman/the-introvert-cloak-of-invisibility.html?nav=linkedin
IMPACT coach Claire Carver Dias writes for CICA
Check out Claire Carver-Dias' most recent article for the CICA: "Make the Move to Partner Without Drowning"
Posted by Claire Carver-Dias on February 8, 2012
Career Management, Leadership, Personal Effectiveness, Perseverance
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Don’t Let a Bad Situation “Fester”
This video will make you think. Guaranteed! Having the right people trumps strategy every time.
4 Tips on How to Win New Work
To many professional service providers, the concept of finding new clients and winning work is intimidating. Even the very term “business development (BD)” strikes terror in the hearts of some professionals. Among my coaching clients, the fear often comes from a mistaken assumption that to succeed in BD one has to be an aggressive salesperson. This couldn’t be less true. So put away your fake smile and your clammy handshake. These tips will have you feeling comfortable and improving your BD results in no time:
- It’s a marathon, not a sprint: It may take multiple meetings and interactions via phone/email before you’re ready to propose your services or ask for work. Simply focus on advancing your relationship a little each time you interact. This takes the pressure off feeling like you have to land a big contract over lunch.
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Meaningful conversations: Sharing meals with prospective clients can help bring in good work. But the most effective business developers always make lunch more than a chit chat over chicken Caesar. Know what you want to achieve and plan some questions that will help you bring the conversation in that direction when the time is right. For example:
- What are you working on?
- What does success look like for you/your business?
- What gets in the way of achieving this success?
- What kind of help do you need?
- Talk less, listen more: In 2012, it’s no longer about the aggressive pitch. Instead, build a relationship and find common interests so you both win. Have your prepared questions and also let curiosity be your guide. When in front of the prospect, ask yourself what you’re most curious about and pose your questions from there. Your lunch date will find it refreshing.
- Let your prospect guide you when to ask for the work: It’s great to have lunches, drinks and conversations. It is also great to actually win work! Each time you interact with a prospect, check in with them. “What is the logical next step? Have I earned the right to propose on this work? Can we start on this small project so we can solve this problem with you?”
For more on effective BD, check out Get Clients Now by C.J. Hayden. Hayden provides an excellent 28 day plan that will get you into action and bring results. And remember: It doesn’t have to be hard. It could even be fun!
Feeling stuck? Get unstuck with this free iPad app.
Although designed for life coaching, this new iPad app could prove useful for anytime you feel 'stuck'. I think we'll have to give it a try!
How to be a Leader in the Workplace
In this About.com video, IMPACT Coach, Lisa Chandler, offers some basic strategies on how to be an effective leader in the workplace.
http://video.about.com/management/How-to-Be-a-Leader-in-the-Workplace.htm
Tips for Transitioning into a Management Position
IMPACT Coach, Lisa Chandler, shares tips designed to help make the transition into a management position smooth and successful.
http://video.about.com/management/Tips-to-Transition-Into-a-Management-Position.htm
Don’t Let the Duds In!
If you are like many of the professional services firm partners I coach, you are under ever increasing pressure to bring new clients to the firm, to deepen relations with existing clients and to increase firm revenue. You likely excel in your professional domain and struggle with business development (BD). And even if you are good at it, you likely feel torn between logging billable hours and investing in BD.
A few years ago, I wrote a post on how I was defining my target market and my niche. To help me, I used a concept from Michael Port’s Book Yourself Solid. Port recommends having a “red velvet rope policy” to help keep out unwanted clients and bring in only ideal clients. Defining your ideal client and your red velvet rope policy is a necessary step in laying a solid marketing foundation for your BD success. And it’s really quite easy (and arguably fun!):
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Describe your ideal client (be as detailed as possible):
- Who have you loved serving in the past? What kind of company? What kind of file? What kind of people were you dealing with? What did you like about the work?
- If you were bringing in only ideal clients (for your practice area or the firm in general), what characteristics would they need to possess in order for you to do your best work for them? Be selfish! Assume you will only work with the best of the best.
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Describe your dud clients (again be as detailed as possible):
- What kind of past clients have turned you off/ shut you down/ had behaviours or issues you couldn’t tolerate? What kind of clients/ files should not be getting past your “red velvet rope”?
Once you have a clear picture of your duds and your ideals, look at your current roster of clients and categorize them as ideals, duds or neutrals. Port challenges you to fire the duds to open you up to working with only ideal clients. In theory, I really like the notion. In practice, I believe most of my coaching clients would rather phase out the duds and target their BD efforts on bringing in ideal clients.
Well...your ideal clients are waiting. How about getting clear about who they are so you can find them?!
Dress for Success - Make a Difference Campaign
As a friend of Dress for Success Toronto I would like to invite you to support our first annual "Make a Difference" campaign.
Our organization provides disadvantaged women support on many fronts, including professional dressing services, career development support through mock interviews and our career centre, participation in our Professional Women's Group and mentorship programs. Providing these important services requires more than clothing contributions. Your donation can make a profound difference in a woman’s life.
- $50 provides one woman access to our suiting services
- $100 provides one woman access to our suiting services & job search support through our career centre
- $200 provides one woman access to the whole suite of Dress for Success Toronto programs
- $400 provides two women access to the whole suite of Dress for Success Toronto programs
- $1000 provides five women access to the whole suite of Dress for Success Toronto programs
I am humbled daily by the amazing women I meet that have benefitted from Dress for Success. I’d like to provide you with a quote from one of our successful Dress for Success participants…
“A suit will last a year or two but it’s the lessons and support we receive that will last a lifetime and help us become successful in our lives and career. Dress for Success was a driving force in my career development. This is about more than just suits; Dress for Success was a part of my survival.”
Helping even one woman means families & the community benefit directly!
Click here to join us in our Make a Difference campaign and make a meaningful difference in a disadvantaged woman’s life this holiday season. Any donation amount is welcome.
Thanks & warmest regards of the season,
Sheila Debly-Magnus
Executive Director
Dress for Success Toronto
IMPACT coaches now writing for CICA
We are proud to announce that IMPACT coaching expertise and advice will be featured in a column called “The Coach’s Call” in CICA’s CareerVision newsletter (found on the CASource website). Our first article was published today: http://www.casource.com/memberGlobal/initViewArticleAction.do?id=107061.
Enjoy and stay tuned for the next issue.
Eliminate distractions and set quiet hours
Great advice on when to get your best work done from the Heath Brothers:
7 Tips to Help Your Coaching Experience Succeed
In this article from the Globe and Mail, the author outlines 7 common pitfalls people fall into when entering into a coaching engagement.
Five Essential Leadership Lessons for Women
This is really hard-hitting advice -- good for everyone.
From Forbes.