Copyright © 2004 Rhonda Sher
Santa*s Secret to Holiday Cheer
http://www.SantasSecretSuccess.com
Do thoughts of going to all those parties during
the Holidays leave you feeling a bit short on the joy that this
season is supposed to evoke? If so, Santa has the perfect solution
to get you in the mood.
He knows that the Holidays are in fact a "most
wonderful time of the year" to network and meet new people.
That's why he trains Santas all over the world to adopt his jolly
demeanor and make sure he doesn't forget anyone on his list. By
the time his Santas-in-training graduate, networking becomes as
natural as breathing... just like it is for the real Santa!
Yet for many of us, taking on such a demeanor
to succeed seems like too much "hard work". So what
if, you stepped outside your preconceived notions for a moment
and looked through Santa's eyes? Would you not then see a wonderful
atmosphere of merriment that makes it even easier to meet new
people and reconnect with others you've not seen in a while? With
everyone infected with the feeling of the Season, what could be
a more perfect time to begin "trying on" your new way
of growing your business.
Every smart Santa knows that networking, when
done like a "seasoned pro", can exponentially grow your
business and widen your circle of influence. After all, who can
resist a warm Santa-like smile and a twinkle of the eye? And what
about those other endearing qualities of his like always having
a gift on hand, promptly responding to all fan email, delegating
with finesse and faith, and paying full attention to everything
you say. No wonder everyone falls under his magic spell.
For those of you who've already graduated from
Santa's finishing school, you know first-hand the many benefits
of networking. Have you ever stopped to add up the lifetime value
of an ideal referral? That's what happens when you know how to
convey the merits of your services to others. And how about the
resulting referrals from serving that perfect referral well? Likewise,
the same holds true when you do onto others the same professional
favor.
So why not begin now... while the Season provides
you the perfect playing field to fine-tune your style to become
a year-round Santa. Then you'll grow to understand that networking
is more than just being in the right place, at the right time,
with the right people. Rather, it's the art of having your heart
in the right place and your mind set on being a resource to others.
Alas, what if for all these wonderful miracles
of networking, you still feel that talking to strangers is more
difficult than going to the dentist? Know that Santa has been
listening to make it feel less like pulling teeth.
He's even jotting down a few "insider"
tips" he's gathered over the centuries to help you feel more
at ease with mingling:
- Greet people as if they're old friends and you've not seen
them in a while.
- Be both interesting and interested in people. Use the person's
name, ask open-ended questions and be genuinely interested in
what they say.
- Be conscious of your body language so you appear receptive
and always respect the personal space of others.
- Practice (until you sound natural) an effective 30-second
response to the question, "What do you do?" Leave
your listener intrigued and wanting to know more.
- Continue that memory of warmth with random acts of kindness.
Above all, seek to understand others. For it
is not your credentials that sell you, it's becoming a trusted
resource and friend. Then your Rolodex will runneth over... all
year through!
