Special Guest Post: Five Reasons to not give up on the telephone

   

Much has been written lately about the phone becoming an obsolete communication tool. Some experts claim that texting, social media, and email make talking on the phone unnecessary. For many millennials, the thought of speaking to someone on the phone can bring on bouts of anxiety. But the fact is that the telephone allows us, as a species, to communicate in our most natural form. So before you start typing that next text, check out these five reasons to not give up on the telephone. More efficiency, more influence. From a quick one word answer to detailed explanations, speaking in real time on the phone allows for the most rapid exchange of information. This is because we speak and listen faster than type or read. And this allows us the ability to let the conversation naturally flow or influence the direction and tone. You can read emotions. When a response to news is met with an “OK” or an emoji, it can be interpreted in different ways. Is the person happy, angry, indifferent, or just being polite? When sharing news on the phone, you will receive the most emotionally honest response. Their tone of voice, pauses, inflections and choice of words will tell you way more about how they feel than could ever be shared in a text. Talking is the great equalizer. Anyone who’s received a text that went CU@8HAGD (See you at 8. Have a great day), knows even a simple text chat can be a confusing experience. Add to that any cultural or language differences and things can get pretty confusing. Speaking on the phone or in person allows for the natural exchange of dialogue and easy clarification of slang and technical terms. You can multitask. With your head down and two thumbs typing away, you can only accomplish so much. Tasks as simple as eating or walking can become challenging or even dangerous. Talking on the phone leaves both hands free and the ability to look straight ahead, allowing for easy multitasking such as taking notes, driving (with a hands free device), or just crossing the street. Improves both business and social skills. The ability to build rapport, convey ideas, influence opinions, and understand others is something everyone should possess regardless of profession or age. Choosing to only use certain technology to communicate only weakens these skills. Being able to effectively communicate in person and across all forms of technology will result in building the greatest number of personal and professional relationships.

Marc Gordon The Customer Experience Expert marcgordon.ca

About Marc Gordon Marc is an internationally recognized thought leader in the fields of marketing and customer experience. He works with companies that understand the importance of creating exceptional customer experiences that cultivate relationships and build loyalty.  Marc has consulted and provided marketing services for some of the world’s most respected organizations and has also spoken on stages from Toronto to Tehran and from Montreal to Miami. Marc Gordon Tel: (416) 238-7811 Visit marcgordon.ca for more information.

Special Guest Post: Five ways to be a nicer coworker

With the growing popularity of coworking and open work environments, people are more likely to spend a significant portion of their day sitting next to someone else. Perhaps someone they may not even know. In order to maintain a stress free work environment, you and your coworkers owe it to each other to be courteous and respectful. So here are five tips for being a good “office neighbour”.

• No personal grooming at the desk. A recent survey showed that people find nail grooming in the office to be offensive. They also included flossing and applying deodorant as things that bother them the most. If you would do it in the bathroom at home, then you should not be doing it in the office.
• Talk on the phone as if the person was sitting next to you. In addition to annoying everyone around them, loud talkers may also be inadvertently sharing private or confidential information. Especially if they are using their phone’s hands free speaker. Trust that no one wants to hear your conversation. Speaking at a normal volume will make you easily heard to the person on the other end. And if the room is too noisy, instead of speaking louder to compensate, step out or ask if you can call them back.
• Dress for public viewing. Showing too much skin can be offensive to some, and negatively impact people’s perception of you. Keep in mind that everyone is a potential customer. So while you don’t always need to dress in business attire, at least make sure you’re also not dressing for the beach.
• Avoid eating at your desk. While a cookie and a coffee, or some fruit and water is totally fine, turning your desk into a four course buffet is not wise. If you have to eat at your desk, try to bring foods that don’t have strong smells like tuna or strong spices. Most importantly, try to eat like you’re on a date. There’s nothing worse that trying to work alongside someone who’s attacking their lunch. 
• Hold meetings in a meeting room. Having a colleague come over to your desk to look over your work is one thing. But having a group meeting at your desk can be disruptive to everyone else. Using a meeting room is not only more thoughtful, it also allows you and your team to be more focused without distractions.

Marc Gordon is a recognized marketing expert. He regularly appears on TV and radio. His articles appear in over 200 publications worldwide. Visit marcgordon.ca or his online show at marctv.net for more business tips.

The story behind the Empower red shirt

                                      

Jim Pagiamtzis and Empower red shirt

                                                                             

    It was the spring of 2006 and I was headed to buy tomatoes for the summer season when I got  phone call from Empower Magazine that I had won a contest!  

     I wrote an article on Volunteer you way to success and the rest is history...

   Fast forward to July 2015 and my book Get Connected 21st Online and Offline strategies that work is due in a few short months.

 Moral of the Story: Always pick up the phone because it can lead to opportunities to change your life!

                                                         

Empower tattoo

Book Review: Get The Power to Change Your Life

                                                                   

    
 " Terry's shares powerful insights on the his journey and how personal events fueled his professional goals, it may be a thin book yet it has a impactful message for achieving your life goals!"
Testimonial from Jim Pagiamtzis
  Terry Gogna was my coach and mentor from 2003-2009



        Sometimes when life gets really tough, it's not strength or power that we always need first. Power without peace can become exhausting.

At those unexpected times, when life knocks us down, motivation to do something great with our lives is not always what we want at that very moment. Often, we first just need to feel a sense of peace amongst all the turmoil, stress and tears.

Where do you inherit the feeling that everything will be ok?

Where do you get that sense of peace from?

I have come to realize, there is a place, within each of us, that we can take ourselves to. A place that will give us that sense of peace. The kind of peace which comforts us and then, when the time is right, empowers us to chase our dreams with more determination and conviction than we could ever imagine.

 Buy book Click here

Spotlight: Ron Vereggen

1st  What's the single most effective way to grow your business and/or career?

 Networking

 The most successful people in business and in life have developed an effective network of contacts that they can draw upon. A quality network will help you develop your business, expand your career and lend a hand when time are tough.

 The Top 25 is bases on the universal principle that "Givers Gain" and is an simple way to build an effective, powerful and influential network of people that you can tap into. Let's jump right into the six steps:

 1. Create you Top 25 List:

 List out all the people you know or would like to know better. You want to surround yourself with elite performers that will stretch, challenge and motivate you. Select high achieving positive people that have outrageous personalities and different perspectives. The more diversity the better. Keep going until you have a variety of 25 names. If you are having trouble coming up with names think family, friends, peers, mentors, clients bosses, competitors, employees, business owners and service providers.

2. Meet with Each of Them:

 Take time to understand their story. How did they get where they are now? What challenges are they currently facing? What are their strengths? What are their interests? What are they looking for? What are their goals? The more detail the better. I suggest that you write this down so that you don't forget. You also want to get five business cards from each contact. Purchase a small business card book and keep it with you at all times!

3. Help Them Win:

 Now the east part. As you go about  your life, when you notice something that in your Top 25 is looking for, you make the connection. Maybe it's an article or book that they are interested in. It could be giving feedback or advice (only if asked) Perhaps it's just being there to listen and provide positive support.

Maybe it's connecting them with someone with similar interests, It might even be a referral! When possible hand out one of their cards (you are carrying their cards aren't you?) and follow-up with an email or phone introduction.

4. Give with No String attached.

To make your Top 25 work you need to be genuine. People know when you have ulterior motives. You want to be helpful and freely give your time and effort. Most importantly don't keep score! The point is to give without expecting something in return. We are tapping into the universal principle of "Givers Gain". If someone offers to help you or return the favor, jump all over it. Just make sure you don't take advantage.

5. Stay in Touch:

 You want to stay in touch with your Top 25 at least once a month. Anything form a quick email, phone call, cup of coffee or meal. Find out what's happening within their life. How has their story changed? How have they moved toward their goals?  Most importantly how can you help?

6. Upgrade Your Top 25

As you grow and expand you will encounter more people that you will want to bring into your Top 25. Go ahead! Twenty-five is just minimum. You also want to review the list and remove anyone that is draining your energy. Help and support then if they are going through a rough period. Put complainers and people with negative attitudes on probation. Drop them for your Top 25 if they don't turn around.

 It doesn't matter if you are in career or run your own business, having an outstanding network will accelerate your results. Surrounding yourself with the  Top 25 elite performers that you know will quickly challenge you to rise about  your best. Start building your Top 25 today!

P.s

Had the great opportunity to share the stage with Ron Vereggen many years ago when I first started speaking career in Toronto. An amazing entrepreneur!


Rapid Success Coaching Inc.
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Article was from Common Sense Mentor: Real Professionals.Real Ideas.
Prominent local professionals sharing their valuable tips and ideas on their sucesss.

3 Ways to become a professional inviter

Three people say “No not interested” and then 4^th person you speak says “Yes I am coming” this is just brief example but in the world of networking and speaking to different people you will meet in a given days or weeks ahead. Social media world has created the follower effect online which is a powerful movement. The only thing that can beat that is world of mouth marketing. Being a walking talking great networker can create interest in what you do and also path you take in your journey to create better value in attracting clients.

1. Events

Going to various events in your city you begin to better great understanding of the caliber of professionals and entrepreneurs you meet. As you do this you will get better understanding on the types of event and various entrepreneurs and professionals you will meet. Networking and exchange business cards you will begin to increase your list and resources.

When you are at a event you can ask specific what other events they will be attending in the coming weeks, you can make a big impact on building a long term relationship with them and help each other grow your businesses.

Have engaging conversation and ask key questions about their business and types of clients they are looking for will create an reciprocal interest in you.

                               

                 “ You have two ears and one mouth, use them effectively and listen more”

2. Social Media

From Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter you can make daily comments as where you have gone and who you had met throughout the day. Take notice of the “like” feature and how many make comments about this. There are contacts that may be following you with interest because they are interested in your expertise or have met you in previous events.

Social Media as created this type of community and being aware of it can create an opportunity of emailing and calling this contacts to join you at other events. Reach and send an email or if they are online click on their name and engage in a conversation online. “Great to see you at the SOHO even last week. Would you be interested in joining me at the Small Business Forum I have an extra ticket?” Simple strategy to have group dynamic who are attending this upcoming event.

3. Phone call

Picking a business card and calling the script below can be a great way to invite people to other events. Hi  John, this is Jim Pagiamtzis. We met at the International networking show last week. As  I recall you said you had worked in the insurance industry there is an event happening next week in Toronto that I will be attending there will be ideal clients for your business, would like you to be my guest”

Having a strategy to utilize your network effectively will lead into stronger relationships with you contact and the ability to create better long term value in the future.

Jim Pagiamtzis is a published author, writer and entrepreneur who has written for the Toronto Public Library and spoken at various venues such as universities, Enterprise Toronto and Initiative TO. Popular topics include How to become a Networking Success and How to attract Mentors in Business Life and Achieve Success. He can be reached via email at jim@pagiamtzis.com

www.jimpagiamtzis.blogpspot.com and link below for links

Articlesbase.com (multiple articles written)
http://www.articlesbase.com/authors/jim-pagiamtzis/163965.htm
http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jim_Pagiamtzis
http://www.selfgrowth.com/articles/user/378116

 

Jim Pagiamtzis

416-894-7859

jim@pagiamtzis.com

www.getconnetedmakewealthhappen.com

http://www.constantcontact.com/index.jsp?pn=jimpagiamtzis Solution Provider

 

About Get Connected Make Wealth Happen!
Published Author, Speaker and Elite Entrepreneur Jim Pagiamtzis is the founder of Get Connected Make Wealth Happen! has been articles published online by Toronto Public Library Small Biz Express, Centennial College, Happen.ca Linking People and Entrepreneurs,How's Business blog (Staples Business Depot) and Metro Active.org.  Printed articles for FedEx Freight Canada (Newsletter) Centennial College Ascent Magazine. Has been on That Channel.com speaking on How to become Networking Success.

Jim Pagiamtzis in 5 years has successfully leveraged his written articles into speaking all over the GTA from consulting with Burkert Fluid Control, Enterprise Toronto, Career Door, Skills for Change and Trios College. Has delivered keynote for Monarch Park Collegiate spoke on 3 keys task to success and How to attract a Mentor. His dynamic speaking style has empowered and inspired his audience to learn, do and apply his simple and effective Parformance Selling System. Jim has also volunteered with Junior Achievement in Toronto on "Economics of Staying in School"