Commitment...

Commitment... a word that generally gets an immediate reaction in people - either in a good, positive way or by making someone nervous (think about that guy that you've dated for the past five years....)  Is a commitment an agreement? You bet. It's an agreement that you will do what you say you will, within the timeframe promised. You've stated that you are on-board. You have agreed that the 'commitment' is do-able ... or at least you will give it your best shot.  You've committed to someone or something ... and what you do next, and how you honor your commitments, says a lot about you as a person - and whether people can view you as someone they can count on both now and in the future.
 
People commit to things all the time in business, but what are their true intentions when they commit to something? I think that most are admirable and have the truest of intentions when they say they will do something or provide something or take care of something. I have to believe this or I would become jaded and untrusting and those aren't feelings that work real well when growing a business. We've all had people fall short on their commitments- whether in our personal lives or our business lives -- and when that happens, we are left with all sorts of feelings that range from frustrated and bewildered ... to anger and, often, resentment.  Do we hold these people, who committed to something, accountable? Sometimes yes, but more often than not, especially in the world of business networking, we tend to write them off, at least in our minds, and move on.   
 
But... what if we did hold people who have made commitments to us - including networking commitments -- accountable? What if we at least had a conversation with  them and said "Hey, you said you would.... and I'm disturbed that you didn't come through" or "I'm really disappointed that the introduction you promised to me hasn't happened in the last ten months."   What if we held our networking relationships as accountable in their commitments as we did with our employees, our spouses, our children and our friends? Do you think that your networking relationships would suffer? I don't. I think they would flourish... I think that if we treated networking as seriously as other business activities, agreements and projects, that our relationships would stand true and tall to the test. I think more people would look at networking as a serious business activity -- and not one that is touted as important, but sometimes lackadaisical in commitment ... or more like a "favor" than a true commitment.
 
Networking groups sometimes have a reputation that is similar to a gym membership. People join gyms all the time with the intention of going, working out, losing weight, feeling better--- they go for a month, maybe two- but they aren't seeing the results that they either thought they were going to get or they were promised by the buff guy at the front desk.. .so they quit. They quit because they believe the effort they put in should yield the results that they saw in their mind.  Unfortunately, I've seen that same short-sighted mentality so many times when it comes to networking groups.  Business people join networking groups all the time with the intention that they will attend -- whether it's a weekly or monthly commitment. They have an expectation that they will achieve great results, make new contacts, obtain new clients... and their expectation is right. They should. However, just like going to the gym and working out, sometimes results take a while. Like working out, the effort you put in is in direct proportion to what you get out. If you are just going and working out for 20 minutes, instead of the 1.5 hours that you should be, you aren't going to get the results that you want. If you are only showing up to your networking group with your business cards in hand, but nothing for the other members, guess what? You are definitely not going to get the results you want.
  
If you choose to belong to a networking group, you may want to consider the following:
 
-  You are there to participate. By participate, this means you are actively (or should be actively) thinking of the others in the group. What can you do for them? What is going to make a difference in their business growth and success? What did you promise to do for someone and are you doing it?
You have a commitment to show up! And by showing up, I don't mean just physically.
 
- You are important to the dynamics of the group. Once your group has formed and gelled- when you don't show up, not only are you physically missed by others, but your energy is missed. The dynamics of the group shifts and by you not being there, the group doesn't function as well as when you are there. There is usually time spent wondering where you are and what you are doing. There is a feeling of loss. ( You don't want to be responsible for that, do you?)
 
- If you belong to a group that takes on other projects- whether to raise money for an organization, or organizes events open to others, volunteer! Stand up and say "I will take that on"- Be visible in your group and shine. The members of your group need to see you in action- so become active!
 
"Commitment is what transforms a promise into a reality."   This quote, attributed to Abraham Lincoln, perhaps says it all.  But what you personally do each time you make a commitment - each time you promise to make an introduction, every time you volunteer to help out with a fundraiser, every organization that you join -- says volumes about you as a person.  Sure, it's easy to make a commitment.  But it's what comes next that really counts - and what people will remember the next time they are looking for someone that they can truly count on to get the job done.   

Lucy Rosen, President and Founder
President, The Business Development Group, Inc.
www.businessdevelopmentgroup.com
516.222.0236

(c) 2009 Lucy Rosen, Inc.

Beyond Your Backyard

As a Women on the Fast Track member, I feel like the ladies in my group are my sisters. I know them like the back of my hand-what they need, and what I can give them. The business that has come out our group has benefitted us all-and the power of the women in our group is palpable. But sometimes, I forget that Women on the Fast Track is about more than just my circle of sisters in networking. It's a SERIES of circles-groups throughout the country that are FILLED with powerful women, women who can help each other's businesses grow. And it's time that we, as WOTFT group members, go beyond our backyard.
 
Today, I sat on a call with Women on the Fast Track Chapter leaders-ranging in location from Long Island to New Mexico. The ideas were fresh, the motivation was high, and the desire for us to have groups with successful networking stories was clear. These women were results oriented. It got me thinking about how often we, when networking, stick to who, and to what, we know. The women in my group ARE my sisters-and I'm unafraid to network with them, to ask for referrals, and to let them know what I need. But when it comes to my cousins-the ladies who are in groups throughout the country-I find I am not as good at keeping up with what they do, how they do it, how I can help them, and how they can help me.
 
So, what's a family gal who loves networking to do? Well, for starters, I think I can get to know my cousins better. I can share stories, and ask them to share stories, on our Facebook page. I can check out the Linked In Group, and see who each WOTFT member is connected to. Or (GASP!) I can pick up the phone and call them. Because, at the end of the day, we are all family-connected by a common bond of a desire and a drive to succeed, and a group that will help get us there.

Carrie Kerpen, Queens Chapter Leader
Vice President, New Buzzness Development theKbuzz
A Word of Mouth and Social Media Marketing Firm.
www.thekbuzz.com
718 416 2899 (BUZZ)

3 Ways to Connect   

A lot of us have trouble with commitment.  We are afraid to commit.  Not to others, not to doing these, and not to a cause.  Most of us are afraid to commit to ourselves.  That's right.  We are afraid of being called selfish if we take time for ourselves, say no and/or tell people what we want and desire.  What you don't understand that when you don't commit to yourself, you are not committing to:

·        Abundance
·        Happiness
·        Growth
 
What does commitment to yourself look like?  The exercise below is created to help you determine place some words to your commitment to yourself.
 
Begin the exercise by taking a deep breath and allow your focus to settle into your tailbone (this allows the mind something to do, so the heart and Soul can speak).
 
You are going to close your eyes and ask your Soul to tell you three words that define commitment to yourself.  Take a moment and write those words down.
 
Now, you are going to close your eyes and ask your Soul this question: what is the first step to committing to yourself?  You might want to write down what that first step is and set the intention that to complete that step.
 
If you are interested in changing your life, your business, your abundance, then the commitment needs to start with YOU.

Jennifer Urezzio, Morristown NJ Chapter Leader
Intuitive Healer, Blooming Grove
www.bloominggrove.net
862.368.5877

Lead Me To A Referral Please

One of the things I'm often surprised by is the interchanging of the words "lead" and "referral".  I was recently asked the difference, so I thought now might be a good time to talk about it.  I know people that belong to "leads" groups.  Women on the Fast Track is not a leads group, we are a referral group.  The main difference between leads and referrals is that when someone's given you a lead, they haven't told the person/prospect that you will be calling them.  Basically, it's the equivelent of a cold call.   In commercial real estate, I get people all the time saying they "over heard a conversation and Mr. Jones mentioned he might be ready to lease or buy a larger building."  Leads are good and always worth following up on.  I welcome them and would never turn one away.  Fact is, some turn into real business.

However, what we focus on in a referral group is getting to know each other and each others business.  We build relationships with one another so that when someone in the group hears of a lead they step in and say "Mr. Jones I know somebody that can help you find the space you're looking for."   My contact information is then given to the prospect and their information is relayed back to me.  It's much easier to call on somebody that knows you will be calling them.  By referring you, the referring source has already established your credibility.  A prospect is more inclined to trust what they've heard about you from someone else, than what you've said about yourself.  This is, in my opinion, the most effective type of networking. 

Think of all the people you talk to in a month.  Now think of 12 people in other industries, and how many people they talk to in a month.  It doesn't take hundreds of people to refer you, it takes the right circle (sphere) that you can depend on to refer you everytime.  In turn, you're going to do the same for them.  Referral relationships!  This is how Women on the Fast Track work together to grow and build each others business.  This is why our groups are successful!  So the next time someone says they have a lead for you, say thank you, and then teach them how to lead you to a referral.   Lead by example... and they'll never forget!

Tina Dziuk, Albuquerque NM Chapter Leader
Associate Broker, Prudential Sandia Real Estate
www.prusandia.com
505.271.5800

Glass Half Full Always!

Whenever I go to a nice restaurant I always enjoy having a server that is attentive enough to make sure my glass of water is always filled. I like the sound of the water flowing over the ice cubes and the way the glass sparkles with glints of water droplets around the interior of the glass. It's in the little moments such as these that I feel cared for. I feel that the attention someone is paying me is directed solely toward me and my needs.

My intention this month will be to treat my clients as if they are glasses that are 1/2 empty. By focusing on their needs before they themselves even anticipate a need I"ll be able to forge a better bond with them. I want my clients to feel the same way I do when my glass is filled. The results could be astonishingly great. I encourage all Women on the Fast Track members to try to do the same thing. The other thought when I hear the phrase that the glass is always half full instead of half empty reminds me to appreciate all of the blessings we do have in life. And if you have a friend or a colleague whose glass seems almost empty be generous enough to share some of your water.


Donna Drake-Dunninger, Suffolk County NY Co-Chapter Leader, Center City - Philadelphia PA Chapter Leader, Chestnut Hill PA Chapter Leader, King of Prussia PA Chapter Leader, North Wilmington DE Chapter Leader
President, Drake Media Network, Inc.
www.drakemedianetwork.com
631.742.6839

Why Web Video?

Would you open a store and not have someone behind the counter?  Most websites are like that, and it is often where people go to "meet" your company.

Video... Professionally produced and presented on your website can give potential clients the opportunity to virtually meet you before they call for information or, better yet, make an appointment.  Posting an intro video about your company on your own site helps personalize as well as put a human face on your company. Just thank people for coming to your site and give them your "elevator speech."  It's affordable, simple to create and effective as a new and better way to promote your business.   And, a well designed video can not only live happily on your site, but can also be easily uploaded to Facebook and YouTube to promote you in the larger virtual world as well. Just remember when you post it, to make a comment that your friends should pass it around if they like it, and mention your company name again for the search engines.

And, if you already have video of something you or your company has done, that should be posted as well to drive people to your website.  There is easy editing and uploading software out there, or you can hire a professional to edit it.  The more you are seen online, the better.

Particularly if you do a TV interview, get a copy of it on DVD or even VHS that you can keep and edit later.  Put links on your site to any video your clients or potential clients might find useful or informative, and be sure it opens in a new window so they can stay on / come back to your site. 
 
Mary Scott, Suffolk County Co-Chapter Leader
producer, Make Believe TV LLC
631-425-5155
917-628-6322 cell
www.makebelievetv.com