Communication and Email Etiquette. 20 Rules to Follow.

Email Etiquette. Is there such a thing?

In this ever growing world of technology and communication, more and more email messages have become like phone text messaging, I’m afraid. Email messages are exhibiting obvious signs of laziness or disregard for human sensitivity, not to mention just using manners. Should there be such a thing as Email etiquette? Who should be required to follow these rules, and is it always necessary to adhere to some form of email principles when communicating?

If you are a business person or entrepreneur and you are currently using email as your primary source of communication, your email etiquette speaks volumes about how you conduct business. Not only that, but it speaks volumes about your entire personality, mannerism and personal character.

I know many business trainers will try to convince the business owner that to streamline business, be more productive and respond quickly is the best way to communicate with email. Many will tell you to just type in a few words or a sentence and hit the send button.

I receive hundreds of emails every single day and I am surprised at some of them. I often wonder if the sender has any idea what kind of message he or she is truly conveying. Since personal accountability as a core value in the workplace and customer service is what I stand for, I have developed a set of email etiquette rule that everyone should try to adhere to.

Email etiquette. I have decided that there should be a standard, a rule of order, a basic understanding between people that everyone writes email with a standard of politeness and courtesy. This is not texting. So I developed my own set of 20 rules for email etiquette.

1. Make it personal.

Nothing can be worse than disregarding a person. Not only should the e-mail be personally addressed, it should also include personal appropriate content for that person. This rule can be broken if you are sending a template special email newsletter or event email. Contrary to what you have been told auto replies are usually not very effective and most people do not like receiving them. Please include a signature of some kind.

Never Make This Networking Mistake! 20 Expert Tips for the Successful Networker

10 Tips For The Effective Networker

I am writing this post after visiting a few new networking groups in the area and seeing the differences in groups, not to mention that I have hosted a successful group for two years.hosting my own successful group for nearly two years.

I feel confident as an expert in the field to write this column and offer up some advice for newbies, or a refresher course for the more advanced networker.

Recently I attended two different groups where the format of the introductions were similar. I met a woman in business and just happened to be a HOT LEAD, prepared to buy customer in her industry and I knew exactly what I wanted to purchase. She really had to make no effort for a large sale.

I am currently personally shopping for two items or services. I made my way directly to her to save her looking for prospects. With the amount of my purchase she would not have to make another sale all day, or week for that matter. I was in the market for her products that could have easily amounted to over $2,000.00. Noticing that she was busy with regulars at the meeting, or friends because the conservation was not business, I took her card and left.

Later that day I sent her an email stating that I wanted to do business today. Please call me or email me and I would order. I was very interested in saving the calling around or spending my time shopping. four days passed and no email, no call. I sent a second email again mentioning that I had met her at the networking group and wanted to make this large purchase, and again several days and no reply. In fact, I didn't make the next meeting and two weeks passed. I was desperate to make my purchase.

I showed up at the following meeting and there she was introducing herself telling the group what kind of prospect would be a good lead for her. Curious as to her reasoning for not contacting me, I approached her. I politely reintroduced myself to which she acknowledged she knew me. I explained the items I wanted to purchase, told her I knew they were high ticket, but I was prepared to pay today! To go a step further I offered to go with her to select my merchandise and have it ordered.

She said she had another appointment and she would email me something. A catalog or something to order from. I said "Great, please do I really want to purchase fast."

An entire week has gone by and I have not heard one word. When you go to network...be prepared to do business. Nothing looks worse than this.

Now here are 20 expert tips from a professional business growth consultant and expert.

1. Choose two to three groups and be consistent.

2. Avoid talking with people you already know.
3. Wear a nametag it makes a difference.
4. Make eye contact, smile and shake hands.
5. Ask open ended questions to provoke a reply and conversation.
6. Be sincere and authentic, build a relationship.
7. Be prepared to tell your story in 30 seconds or less.
8. Do not spend more than 5 minutes with one person.
9. Remember your reason for being at an event, to meet and make contact, NOT SELL.
10. Know what you want to get out of a networking event. l
11. Be prepared to follow-up within a day or two with a call or card.
12. Look imortant and introduce others
13. Be welcoming and accepting to everyone.
14. Ask for someone’s card after you have spoken with them. Do not hand yours out without being asked for it.
15. Have fun.
16. Look for people who seem to know a lot of people. They can help introduce you to others.
17. Seek out the people in charge.
18. Donate a gift to the drawing and be a sponsor

19. Be prepared to do business immediately after the meeting. Know a customer from a lead.

20. Always keep a promise to call back. Your reputation depends on it!

I hope this helps and is useful information. Join us at the ABC meeting

For help building your business visit our Business Explosion Seminar help monthly.
http://www.businessexplosion.biz/

Trust me! No one will tell you this stuff.

Did you know that the true key to success in business is to know all of the things that the others want to charge you for. Knowledge gives you power and power brings you wealth and success.

My next powerful Business Explosion Seminar is coming up April 30, 2009 from 6 PM to 10 PM, and if needed a coffee follow up the next morning.

This seminar will teach you everything you need to know to get the edge on your competitors and increase revenue generating multiple streams of income using you current knowledge, talents and business skills.

The secrets to success are locked up in an ever so simple process that too many small business people stumble right over it. You will be amazed, maybe even shocked. You will be refueled with energy, passion and drive to grow your business. You will have an entire new outlook, thought about your business and marketing plan.

I call in "explode your business in 90 days" without implementing anything that costs you to purchase new or pay for.

I call it working and growing your business smart. You can earn back the cost of your seminar and more in 90 days if you follow these simple steps.

What do you have to loose?

www.BusinessExplosion.biz

Breakfast Business Bunch Meeting April 16th, Orlando FL

My Angel, "Dave"

My Angel, "Dave"

The Friday evening news reported that the worst snow storm of the year was heading toward New York City and would be pounding Manhattan with up to 18 inches of snow. The imminent storm was due to hit on Monday morning early, and last most of the day.

This was terrible. I was already frantic about flying into the city, but now there is an approaching ice storm. There is no way I am flying on an airplane and trying to land in that snow and ice storm. I was torn apart not knowing what to do.

I made plans to drive the entire 18 hour trip, but deep inside I knew I could not make that trip alone. I got on the phone and made reservations to take a bus all the way to New York City. I arrived in the city and spent my week taking care of business, but this trip was different from all others because I was alone. At the end of the week I thought I was staying one more day, however there was a mistake with the room and I found out I had an hours notice to check out.

They came to my hotel door at 12:45 because I had to be out by 1 PM. They came with a wagon to haul me out. I got a cab and arrived at the Port Authority. The cab driver pulled up to the front and set my bags out on the street.

2 X-large suitcases weighed over 50 lbs each, a laptop bag with two computers, chargers etc.... A backpack strapped to my back and another rolling backpack. All bags overweight as I am coming home with more Giroptic cameras.

I got out on the corner, pushed bags and dragged the heavy weight of my load one inch at a time. It was too overwhelming. I burst into tears. Just then I looked up and saw a man, very dirty, unshaven, tattered clothing, no front teeth, smelling of alcohol and obviously homeless.

He approached me and said "Can I help you?" At first impulse and scared to death of thee stories of the New York City Port Authority, I politely refused his help. He asked the second time and said "Please".

Afraid of what others would think and my stereotyping him as dangerous, I graciously and fearfully accepted. I said to him "If you will carry all this heavy baggage to the terminal while I get my ticket, through the food court so I can buy food to take on the bus and get me to the bottom floor to my gate, aI will give you $15.00. He agreed and told me not to be afraid of him and that his name was Dave. He offered to stay for five more hours till I left, but I strongly refused. We arrived at my gate, I paid him, he thanked me for letting him help someone and he left with the cash in a flash. Off to buy liquor I suppose.

I was moved by his compassion, his smile. He smiled so big even without any teeth. He kept telling me not to have tears because life was okay. Dave, my angel for today.