professionalism: introduction etiquette

New 2-minute tip on Introduction Etiquette

Introductions happen everyday in life and how we do at those introductions remarkably affects our personal brand and business connections.

Here are some helpful rules of professionalism to remember:

• In business, GENDER MAKES NO DIFFERENCE. You do not introduce a man or woman differently to anyone in the US society. Now, If you’re in another country you best know the rules of that country just like any person coming to the United States best know the “rules of engagement” here in introductions. So, stop kissing women on the hand (oh, please! who ever told anyone that was “professional”?) or standing when a woman enters the room. For INTRODUCTIONS, everyone stands - men and women alike.
• Start by naming the person of HIGHER AUTHORITY first. For example, the president of the US would be introduced to me by someone saying “President Bush this is Ms. Maria Elena Duron”.
• In business, your clients and visitors are the HIGHER AUTHORITY - so you start with them first.
• Keep titles equal meaning is I start introducing you as Mister so & so, then I need to call the other business Mister of Miss or Ms. so & so. If you name someone with their title, then everyone that is introduced must also have ‘their title’.

Your brand speaks volumes before you even utter a word!

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

new audio posted: techno-etiquette

Click here to listen to this week’s 2-minute tip!

TOPIC: Techno-Etiquette - Top 10 Email Blunders

1. Being sloppy
2. Messages are too long
3. Using ALL CAPITAL letters
4. Blind copying (BC) and Courtesy copying (CC) everyone
5. Sending private information
6. Sending chain letters, jokes, and virus warnings
7. Forwarding email with no personal note or explanation
8. Not having a signature with contact information (phone, website, email address)
9. Being cutesy (coloring your fonts, excess use of emoticons or smiley faces)
10. Taking too long to reply and/or not acknowledging receiving the email

Chief Buzz Agent™ and Compelling Connections Coach Maria Elena Duron helps high performing entrepreneurs and executives learn how to manage their personal brand on-line and off-line, leverage their expertise and connections and generate “the talk that yields profits”. To claim your FREE gift, Crafting Your On-Brand Intro Toolkit, visit her site www.buzz2bucks.com . Ask Maria Elena branding & networking questions at www.askmariaelena.com

powerful personal brand: tip #1 - know what makes you unique

Whether you are looking to go into business yourself or open to new opportunities in the world of work, know what makes you so very unique. Research people and companies that mirror your values and passion. To identify what values you deem most important ask yourself this key question: What are three of your favorite brands and why? The AND WHY is the value to focus on. It’s not really important what your favorite brands are but it is important to know why you like them. Those attributes are ones that you value and deem important which means they are values you possess, strive for and seek.

It is so frustrating to hear people’s responses when asked “so, what can you do for me that’s different from other Realtors in town”; or “how are you different from another Farmer’s Insurance agent” and the resounding answer is NOTHING. I hear these painful words come out of the mouths of any professional, “We’re NO different - we can all do the same thing.” They themselves make themselves a commodity - no different from anyone else. If you were job hunting, would you say “I’m just like all the other candidates - pick me or another - we’re all the same.”? No, I’ve never met a job candidate who has that phrase in their repertoire of responses.

Yet, isn’t your business just as important as any job you would hold? Are you endeavors and dreams just as valuable?

Spend a moment now with what makes you unique - just doing that will make a huge difference in the way you present yourself. And, that “presence” is step one in developing a powerful, visible brand.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– strengthen your personal brand today
“turning social capital & relationship capital into financial capital”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

new audio posted: what does it take to be referred or recommended?

Click here to listen into to this week’s 2-Minute Tip on What Does It Take to be Referred or Recommended?

Here are three questions to ask yourself:

1. Do you exceed your industry standards?
2. Is it FUN to do business with you?
3. Do you follow-up?

No one, I repeat, NO ONE will refer someone who is not up to snuff on their own industry. So, you must know how are people in your industry measured? What standards must not only be met and upheld but must be exceeded? Where do you THRIVE in your industry as opposed to just surviving?

If you’re not FUN to do business with then people will not refer or recommend you either. A man I know who is so passionate about what he does that it “hurts” (LITERALLY - it hurts everyone he’s around because he runs over them like a locomotive making sure they’re educated, informed and safe from further risk. Yet, because he’s so passionate and such a “man on a mission” he hits you like a bull in a china shop whether you’re ready for it or not.) He doesn’t get referred often and when he does there are usually stories of regret and woe in the aftermath. Or, often, people do business with him and sign up for his service just to get him out of their face and our of their place (or phone, or email, etc.). When they speak to others, they say “run for the hills” or don’t show up on his hit list. If it’s not FUN, worse yet if it’s painful, they will not refer or recommend you. I mean, who would do something like that to someone they know, like and trust?

When someone does refer you - do you follow up? Or, do you take that great gift of time and effort and that most valuable reputation they laid on the line for you and just get too busy to do anything?

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– strengthen your personal brand today
“turning social capital & relationship capital into financial capital”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

how to make a good connection: referral, lead, contact

Just tell them that I sent you.

Or, just use my name they’ll let you in.

Those phrases are often the “advice” that’s given when you ask someone “do you know so and so?”. Or, I know you’re connected to “so and so - could you help me make contact.”

Now, understand, for someone to make a really good connection for you, you must be in relationship with them. If you are meeting someone for the first time and asking these types of questions, it’s like asking someone to get married on the first date! You come across as someone with “commission breath” and they steer clear of you anytime they see you. Yes, it doesn’t even have to be at a networking event or business function, they will duck and cover from you even at the grocery store.

ONCE YOU HAVE a great relationship established, and there are some key things you need to know and key questions you need to ask to establish if this is a great relationship. If you want to know what those are, then consider attending a teleseminar I’m doing on “Mastering the Referral Edge”.

ONCE YOU HAVE those established, here’s how to make a good connection:

1. Send their business card to your contact in a letter with your envelope and business letterhead. Your contact is likely to recognize and open information sent from a friend as opposed to a stranger. Make references in your note that you would like to connect the two of you. Any promotional statements or recommendations you can make in the letter are equally helpful.

2. Make the call to your contact and let them know that you shared (or would like to share) their contact information with this person and WHY. This act alone shows that you’re a good steward of your relationships (and most importantly of your contact’s trust) and that you wouldn’t just send ANYBODY over to them.

3. Set up a one on one meeting between the two. You are involved from the stand point of facilitating the meeting. Set the tone. Make sure that no one gets too “salesy” or “pushy”. Set the parameters and be the guardian of those guidelines. You’ll look good to your contact and the person you’re introducing them to.

There are more - yet these are the top three. Get into practice with utilizing them and see your connections blossom!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

Lastly, To Own The Brand Of Self Absorbed

We’ve been covering the 3 Things To Own The Brand of “Self Absorbed”. This is the last in the installment so please check through the past posts to review the other points.

#3 - Immature or unprofessional responses

 

Responses that “give this impression” are often because the person providing the response is unaware of their own personality and communication style.

Responses such as “yelling, name calling, finger pointing, blaming, and revenge like behavior” often indicate the the person delivering that behavior is so disabled by their feelings and emotions that good sense has gone out of the window. Understand, that I’m sharing this from a “business perspective” and in business there are times when we feel “threatened” by someone’s behavior. I do realize and am no naive to the fact that there are actual “life threatening” behavior that warrants outward behavior, like yelling, yet for this purpose we’re talking about business behavior, either in owning a business or working for one.

Acting in inappropriate ways, in business, is often signs that you, yourself, have unmet needs. It’s time to explore what those needs are:

• Are you being heard?
• Do you communicate in a way that is heard?
• Do you check in to see if other’s heard you “correctly”?
• Do you check in to see if you heard other’s correctly?
• Do you allow your own personal insecurities or unmet needs to taint the flavor of every communication?

Those who are so focused on themselves = someone who feels insecure = enter every interaction wanting to get everyone else to focus on their needs.

So, let’s move to solution:

1. Identifying your behaviors and recognizing there might be something you need to work on is step one.
2. Identify what areas you need to work on.
3. Communicate by listening. Use active listening and “check in” on what is said in every conversation - even if you “think” you know.
4. Know what is expected to be respected. Do this,also, by checking in.
5. Respond instead of reacting. Respond rationally instead of impulsively.

People hear your music not your words - if you’re singing the song of “self absorption” then look for ways to change that tune to security and self confidence.

People Are The Brand-

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
www.buzz2bucks.com - grow your personal brand today
“dedicated to helping executives & entrepreneurs connect strategically through a confident personal brand”

Buzz To Bucks Connections | personal branding agency

wall hanging philosophy

I was looking around at the wall in my office and there are some sayings that I feel compelled to share. I hope they touch your life journey in some way.

“You can’t make footprints in the sands of time if you’re sitting on your butt. And who wants to make butt prints in the sands of time?” - Bob Moawad

“Sometimes you just have to take the leap, and build your wings on the way down.” - Kobi Yamada

“Dreams come a size too big so that we can grow into them.” - Josie Bissott

“Our life is a gift from God. What we do with that life is our gift to God.” - Anonymous

“Are you making a living or creating a life?” -Anonymous

And my absolute favorite wall hanging -

“Mommy, you’re the best!”

It answers all the others!

Have the courage to make your dreams and live the best version of you that’s possible. Then, and only then, will you be your authentic brand and be the best for whom you’re meant to connect with!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - The Champion of Connections

Buzz To Bucks Connections | a personal branding agency

“buzz: compelling others to speak positively on your behalf”

event review: hispanic chamber christmas mixer

“Don’t tell me what you’re going to do - show me what you’ve done!”

 

The Midland Hispanic Chamber of Commerce is one of the organizations that I’m proudest to be a member of. It is because they “walk the talk” when they say the are small business advocates. Never, at any other local chamber, have I seen such a commitment to advocating, promoting and supporting small businesses. They are accessible to the small business owner, supportive, and proactive in doing things that are GREAT for small business.

 

They recently had their small business Christmas mixer and even in their holiday festivities they’re AUTHENTIC BRAND permeated everything!

 

Here’s what they did right:

 

 

1. As a small business advocate, they promoted LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS.

They booked their event at a local small business venue, the toy and toiletry drive focused on the giving season and supported a local cause, they utilized a local business for food and they highlighted local entertainment. Everything was local - as a true LOCAL chamber should do - give their business and support to their LOCAL members. Kudos to you for fighting off those who wanted you to do something “more grand” and staying true to your brand!

 

2. Members could MIX and NETWORK with other members.

Chamber members were able to meet, greet, visit and connect with other chamber members. The music wasn’t too loud that people couldn’t carry on a great conversation and the evening didn’t steer away from the BRAND of the chamber to “support and promote small businesses”.

 

3. Chamber staff made sure to welcome all attendees and introduce members to members.

Kudos to this small team! They made sure that members were not just “out there” fending for themselves to make introductions. They were active CATALYST in making sure that introductions and connections occurred. What we, as members, do with that connection is entirely up to us yet they did their very best to provide us a great successful start to a connection.

A large, red velvet sack full of BUZZ POINTS to this team! They lived their BRAND, supported their members and created a great, festive, connective atmosphere!

I mean think about it - REALLY - why did you join a chamber of commerce for?

Well done!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - The Champion of Connections Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connections | a personal branding agency

“buzz: compelling others to speak positively on your behalf”

 

 

associative branding

Show Me Your Friends And I’ll Show You Your Future - John Land, President, Frisco Chamber of Commerce

I’ve used this quote before in this forum yet it came to mind again as a long time association comes to the end for me.

You Are The Average Of the Five People You Hang Around With The Most.

Numerous motivational speakers, network marketing leaders and authors have shared the above wisdom. They share it so often because it’s foundational. It is a truth.

Your brand is also affected by the people you hang out with the most. Who you’re associating with, determines the brand attributes that people describe you by. These people you’re associating with are a part of your brand environment. And, your brand environment is an important part of your personal brand.

My brand attributes, as told to me by 140+ of my connections, is passionate, engaging, caring, action oriented and positive. Many of the people I associate with possess one or more of these same attributes. The more that we possess in common - the more we seem to associate with each other!

Yet, one of my contacts possessed none of these connections. He might, in some people’s eye’s, possess “passion” but most people describe him as aggressive, demanding and self absorbed. His “passion” is described as, “he’ll run over you like a high speed train”; “he’s focused on one thing - his needs”; “he wants command and control of everything and everyone around him”. In fact, he often SELLS his product because the other person wants to get him out of “their face” or their office and they later cancel the product or just keep it as “insurance” that they’ll not see him again (the good thing is that he’s horrible in follow up so one’s he’s SOLD you he’s onto his next conquest and you’re safe — ya know the type??)

In my quest to be helpful, caring and positive, I had a sincere desire to help. That is, until a mastermind team that I work with finally asked the question, “what is associating with him doing to your brand?” One, district manager called him “crude and rude” and said that our brand attributes were so different that this couldn’t be a good connection for me. Another leader of a fairly large organization, stated “there are only two people in this world - those who build you up and those who tear you down. This is someone who is not only tearing down your energy but your brand reputation.” And, then a resounding piece of information came forward - THAT ASSOCIATION HAS KEPT US FROM SENDING YOU SOME BUSINESS. Woah! My first thought, no one can dictate who I spend time with.

But, wait, there’s more….

His brand was overshadowing my brand. And, due to his highly publicized controlling nature there was concern for their contact and information. And, most importantly, one shared - “it’s really all the energy it takes from you when you’re with him. You’re spent. And, we want to send out contacts to “you” when you’re WHOLE.” Wow! More powerful insights.

 

Birds Of A Feather Flock Together

Can’t Fly With The Eagles If You’re Surrounded By Turkeys

All of these resounded for me on my personal brand that some choices had to be made.

So, for YOU, is your brand ENERGIZED by your associations of DEPLETED by them (and, worse, REDEFINED).

1. Review all of your associations and the “why” behind the connection.

Let EGO go and see why you really need to or want to connect with who you know. Realize also, do they DESERVE to connect with you?

2. What served you in the past might be “outdated” and even draining. What or WHO are you keeping from your past that you need to let go?

Read the CHANGE IS INEVITABLE - GROWTH IS A CHOICE post in this blog for the great discussion of “reason, season and lifetime associations”.

3. Do you match in attributes?

I’m all for the wisdom that “opposites attract”. Yet, while opposite personalities might be evident many times in CORE VALUES they match perfectly. For example, you might see a husband and wife team and think that they are totally opposite personality styles. Yet, look closely, and they match on “how to raise the children”; “how to spend the money”; “living in a big town or small town”; “being energy or environmentally conscious” or a variety of core values of living life.

You might have friends that you would go to a play with yet you would never talk about religion, politics or child rearing to them because they’re people that you go to entertainment venues with but not people you have deep connection with.

So, what “associations” do you have that are building (or tearing down) your brand?

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - The Champion of Connections Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connections | a personal branding agency

“buzz: compelling others to speak positively on your behalf”

when you lose

When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

December, after all the hustle and bustle of the holidays, always seems to draw some time for reflection. Either if it’s over hot cocoa by the fireplace or even sitting in a recliner while you’re in the “turkey or ham” coma.

Remember, we all lose at one time or another in our lives.

Or, in other words, we will all experience failure. The key to success is what you do AFTER you experience the failure.

Thus, when you lose, don’t lose the lesson.

So, here are some key PERSONAL BRANDING LESSONS, I learned this year:

1. Personal branding is about authenticity.

Not about shouting your brand from the highest mountain or bullying other people into thinking they way “you’ve positioned yourself” is your brand.

2. You have to know who you are and where you’ve been to be authentic.

If you’re radar is off and you don’t have a great read on what your brand is now, then everything will be OFF.

3. You cannot “re-brand” yourself but you can evolve your brand.

People always remember the way you made them feel. You cannot “wipe the slate clean” and expect them to forget. Yet, you can give them great samples of your character and competence and wonderful experiences with you that will evolve that brand.

4. Branding is about emotions and trust not about hype.

5. Everything, everything, everything matters in personal branding.

This year I lost some connections: they needed to go, they were full-fledge ENERGY VAMPIRES.

And, after I LOST those connections I GAINED a deeper connection with those who matched perfectly to my brand and core values.

This year I lost some business: they needed to go, they had become unprofitable associations developing “scope creep” and robbing me of my time and energy.

And, after I LOST those connections I GAINED more profitable business that provided me BOTH pleasure and profit.

What have you LOST and GAINED?

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - The Champion of Connections Coach

Buzz To Bucks Connections | a personal branding agency

“buzz: compelling others to speak positively on your behalf”