Just 10 days to Christmas.... are you ready yet?
I am not..its official! everyone around me is telling me they have only the wrapping to do, or that they presents are sitting under the tree already! Well I am pleased to say that somethings never change and I am not at all organised! To say I have done nothing would be a fib because I have bought a couple of presents but can honestly say I have not cracked it yet! ...Why have I not yet accomplished this annual feat of shopping endurance?.... well I am too busy! simple as that!
You may remember from an earlier blog that I was made redundant 2 years ago, becoming a freelance PR consultant, challenging at the best of times but despite uncertain economic times, my business is doing very well and have made 4 new business contacts since friday night.....and its still only tuesday! I want to ensure that January gets off to a flying start so I am busy writing business plans for exisiting businesses and working on my own 10 year plan.
So how come in 4 days I have managed 4 new opportunities? I have been networking! My mum always says "stick to what you are best at" and for me that happens to be talking...so I do, I am happy to talk to anyone about anything, but I always manage to introduce my business without ramming it down throats! Its not necessary and can overstep the boundary of polite conversation....some people like to leave their work behind...I dont ! I love my job and I know I can help other people from the experience I have gained over the past 25 years in sales, business development and communications and these are vital ingredients for business success...I am lucky and I appreciate being able to earn my living from something I am passionate about... but where do you come into this? Well from my experience the best networking period is upon us! The festive season with all those parties and social gatherings are an opportunity to good to miss! I am not saying that your sole reason for going out this Christmas is to get new business, but use the time to remind people about who your are and what you do, and that they may have friends who might need you or your services in the future and take some business cards...trust me, it doesnt look pushy, it just looks efficient and that you are serious about your business.
As for Christmas, its not Bah ! Humbug in my house....I am the proud owner of a new oven, the other one fell to pieces through overwork, so on sunday I practiced for Christmas...nearly all the trimmings, pork instead of turkey at this point, dont wish to do overkill...Huge success and doing it all again on Saturday for real..an early celebration before my we all go our separate ways for Christmas. For me , this will signal a time to down tools and let work take a nack seat, its about getting my "ducks in a row" , getting priorities right, I know that the groudnwork I have laid down this week now will reap massive rewards in the new year!
Make every conversation count and don't waste an opportunity...