Syncing Military Network Ops

Spectracom has introduced the SecureSync™ synchronization system at MILCOM 2009. Synchronization of field operations is critical for armed forces around the globe — virtually every network and communications system requires it. SecureSync meets the needs of defense departments and agencies and their contactors for flexibility, security, and reliability.

The compact rack-mount unit offers common timing and frequency functions that are expandable through modular option cards. Up to 6 cards can be accommodated to offer synchronization to a wide variety of references and devices. An extensive number of traditional and contemporary timing protocols and signal types are supported including: GPS (commercial and encrypted [SAASM]), digital and analog timing and frequency signals (1PPS, 10 MHz and more), timecodes (IRIG, STANAG, ASCII), network timing (NTP, PTP), telecom timing (T1/E1). The SecureSync system is a security-hardened network appliance that includes tamper-proof management. Robust network protocols allow for easy and secure authentication, authorization, and accounting/auditing. Reliability is also fundamental to design of the SecureSync system. Spectracom offers its industry-leading 5-year warranty on all SecureSync units and options.

5 Reasons Why a Leads Group Works - Word of Mouth Advertising at It's Finest

The 5 Reasons why a Leads group works:

Social media is truly all the rage. It is actually making a lot of people, a lot of money, but have you ever wondered, why not me? I know that in most cases, people become really good at their passion. Writer, Chiropractor, Marketer it really doesn't matter what the occupation, profession or passion is, you got into it because you loved it but what you didn't take into consideration is how to market yourself. IF you don't have the I.T. knowledge, to get on the World Wide Web of Squeeze pages then you are going to need a "lot of money"! to pay someone to do it for you, while you are busy doing what you are passionate about and what you do best. Actually, that would be the simple thing, but certainly not the most practical and affordable way to market ourselves. We can all make more money, the only thing that limits the amount is our limited thinking.

One thing we all have the same of, is time. We can make more money whenever we decide. Time? We only have now! So if you want the social media thing to work, you need to invest a lot of "time" #1 to figure out the etiquette, #2 figure out what to say, #3 figure out how it works and #4 have the patience and fortitude and discipline to keep checking in to write something clever, or see if someone responded.

OR, you can think about developing a group, where relationships prevail, your time and efforts come with great rewards, and you can multiply your efforts through helping others succeed, as they help you with introductions and referrals. So with much less time and effort, you can benefit from creating your own referral group.

1.) You create a Power group of referral partners.
These are people who would naturally refer to each other because they typically refer to each other. What about a "Home" referral team? people that support the "home" industry. More people are electing to keep their home and are willing to do the maintaining or fixing up. Electrician, plumber, window, roofer, siding, flooring, and so on. Think about these 8 people getting together once a week to talk about projects that they are working on and creating a core of competent, reliable partners that refer to each other. Inevitably, a person needs carpentry work after the electrician leaves.

2.) You are in people's mind because they see you weekly.
(Many groups like to meet only twice monthly and I really caution against this because if you need to miss a week, you actually miss 3 weeks, they tend to forget you!)When you have an opportunity to meet people on a weekly basis, a social network of people is formed. People refer you to their personal clients, they keep you in their mind because they just saw you recently, and perhaps even heard you talk on your business, so the best part is that in addition to yourself out marketing for your business, you have the rest of the members referring to you.

3.) The universal law " the more you give away, the more will come back" applies.
You just can't worry about the fact that you gave 6 leads and received none. I was in a group for 9 months before I received one referral. It really depends on what you are selling. A Realtor could be in a group for 18 months before they get any sort of a referral. The bottom line is NOT about what you are going to the Leads group to GET, but rather what you have gone to the Leads group to GIVE. You will look so very good to your personal customers when you give them the name of a really great handyman, or computer geek, that when they need something else, they will see you as a resource person for them.

4.) Word of Mouth advertising is acclaimed as the best from and it's FREE.
When you ask anyone what is the best form of advertising? The answer is always Word of mouth! WHY? Because it brings in the human aspect of getting the best value. Someone tried it, they liked it..... You might try it and like it as well.

The Titanic movie got more attendees from word of mouth at the water cooler. People loved the movie and told someone, who told someone, and so on and so on.

5.) You develop life long relationships with quality people who make you look good when you refer them to friends, family, and other business partners. Here is the best part of the sequence. I have clients, and friends who continue to buy from me and I continue to refer to them, long after they have left the group. They know that their best friends and colleagues will get the best value, for the best price and the best service. This form of marketing creates life long friendships and clients for a lifetime. I can think of one situation where I referred the handy man and I believe we are 5 degrees of separation at this time, Just because I took the time to refer to Bev who referred to Chrisite, who referred to Carin, who referred to Kate who lives across town.

Deb Villarese

Expert Networker and Developer of http://www.Napervilleleads.com

Learn more about starting your own at: http://www.startyourownleadsgroup.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deb_Villarese

Moving Beyond the Elevator Speech

We have all been there...at a party or a group gathering when you meet someone new. Whether in a business or social setting, this question is bound to come up: "So, what do you do?"

When this question is asked, you have but a short window of opportunity to grab the asker's attention and really make an impression. Unfortunately, we usually answer in one of two ways. The first is a way that causes us to fade into the background. "I fix computers." "I'm a lawyer." "I'm in real estate." "I sell insurance." In just a few words we've told the asker that we are just another "fill in the blank." In a flash, the opportunity is gone.

The second common way that we respond to this question is our Elevator Speech. We rehearse this in the mirror, polish it down to the word, and memorize it like a school play script. When someone asks the question: "So, what do you do?" we reactively spring the well-prepared speech on them. The active hearing turns off and a few moments later, the listener's eyes have glazed over and they are looking for a way to move away from you. They respond, "Oh...that's nice" and move on. Not the most memorable encounter, at least not in the way that you want to be remembered.

Let's Try Something New - The Talking Logo

If you really want to connect with the other person, try this useful engaging approach - the Talking Logo. This powerful, two-step process captures your listener's attention and gives you the chance to truly let them know what you do - without turning on the autopilot. It is targeted, informative, interesting, and sets you apart from your competition. It tells the listener more than just what you do...it tells them how you are relevant. It also invites a two-way conversation with your newly found acquaintance. It encourages them to ask more about you. The Talking Logo is flexible. If you have more than one product, you can adapt the Talking Logo to fit the occasion.

The 2-Step Process for Creating your Talking Logo

Step 1: Explain your target client market and their pain points. Use the following syntax when formulating the first part of your response: ACTION VERB (I help, I teach, I show, etc) THE TARGET CLIENT MARKET (young married couples, retirees, CFOs, IT companies, etc) HOW TO (solve or fix a specific problem or need).

• Example: A mortgage broker might say, "I help first time home buyers save tens of thousands of dollars on the biggest purchase they have ever made up to this point."

If your Talking Logo has hit its mark, you should get some raised eyebrows indicating interest as your listener asks, "Oh? How do you do that?"

Step 2: Part 2 of the Talking Logo explains how you fix your customer's pain points. You should focus on an answer that distinguishes how your exceptional product, process, or skill solves the client's problem. It is very important to be ready with this answer because you actually have the listener's attention thanks to Step 1. No missed opportunity here!

In Summary, the Talking Logo immediately differentiates you from your competition. The Talking Logo conveys more than what it is that you do, it communicates what problem you solve, your system, and how you do it distinctively. The Talking Logo makes you more memorable and referable. Try creating a Talking Logo for the next time you get that question, "So...what do you do?"

Joshua Willingham is a Small Business Therapist with the Gryphen Group ( http://TheGryphenGroup.com ). He helps small businesses get out of their peak and valley cycles and take their business to the next level. Joshua also is a marketing speaker, writer, and blogger who enjoys helping small business owners achieve their goals.

Find out more about Joshua Willingham and the Gryphen Group at: http://TheGryphenGroup.com/gryphen-group/

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_Willingham

The Network Economy - Developing Self-Direction and Social Networks For 21st Century Success

In today's economy, we are all awash in a sea of uncertainty, and there is no end game of which we can be sure. Things are changing in our social and work environments: the rules, the process, and the structures. Where the old frameworks emphasized the capacity to sell our product, our service or ourselves for maximum profit or personal gain, the emerging one will reward connections with individuals, organizations or communities in ways that reap enduring associational - as well as financial - capital. Being independent-minded about our vision and goals means going beyond reliance on an existing structure upon which to climb higher, focusing instead on developing sets of mutually-beneficial contacts through which we create ever-evolving opportunities.

Time magazine's May 25, 2009 cover story, "The Way We'll Work" describes the parameters of the new economy as "a more flexible, more freelance, more collaborative and far less secure work world." Among the values and abilities for navigating within it the article cites striking a balance between "doing well and doing good," an more independent-minded approach to career advancement to replace the "corporate ladder" that often rewarded allegiance to the company over integrity, collaborating with co-workers with increasing diversity - including older people working long past conventional retirement age alongside and taking direction from Gen X - and environmental sustainability. Here is another way to see the challenges of this paradigm shift: we can create a future in which making a living is intimately bound up with making a life.

We all have the tendency to want to do things the way we have always done them and a return to routine a great comfort after a destabilizing change. But the shift to a Network Economy has already begun. Things are not going back to what they were, so we are better off using the uncertainty to upgrade our relationship skills and invest in a range of social relationships that draw upon different strengths and expose us to diverse people and situations.

Start with self-knowledge. C. Robert Cloninger, a researcher at the Center for Well-Being at Washington University at St. Louis published studies showing that well-being goes up, and symptoms of depression and other emotional disorders are diminished for individuals who work to develop what he terms "mental self-government," i.e., becoming more internally directed than externally controlled, more cooperative and compassionate than competitive, more intuitive and thoughtful as a balance to rigid, structured thinking. A positive mental state is defined by some social psychology researchers as "a constructive and mature way of thinking that is hopeful and nonviolent." People with greater self-awareness have a higher proportion of positive thoughts on a regular basis and demonstrate increased activity in the cerebral cortex, the most recently evolved portion of the brain. This tells us that positive thoughts and emotions are essential to proper brain functioning as well as well-being, And that a constructive, creative approach to problems can lead to a sustainable and enduring share of good feelings.

Here are some ideas for expanding self-awareness that also expand social networks for personal and professional advancement:

Make a list of your established strengths and accomplishments. Be specific. Write down positive comments others have made about these, in letters, conversations, or performance reviews.

Make a list of undeveloped potential and unused abilities. Next to each of these, list actions to take that will tap those potentials. Research organizations, websites, conferences, or classes that offer opportunities to attend training, observe others already involved in these areas, and talk to people.

Take stock of all the people already in your life and the contributions they make to your well-being as well as what you do for them. Write down their names and list the gifts they have already given you. Write down all the roles you take in relating to them and the special skills you use in that relationship. If there are few relationships of this kind on your list, figure out why and change it.

Feel uncomfortable meeting new people? Get busy doing something important. The discomfort will be there, but with a higher purpose.

Volunteer for a not-for-profit organization.

Join local community organizations and sign up for committees.

Journaling, meditation, and creative experiences are excellent methods for increasing self-awareness and self-discipline, but have the added value of getting past the defenses we all constructed in school when we became fearful of making mistakes of appearing foolish. Creative, intuitive ideas flow when we develop a habit of self-reflection that produces a sense of psychological safety. Those ideas show us our most deeply-held passions and vision, and in the network economy it is people who have the combination of mental clarity, self-awareness, and the capacity to be self-initiating who will benefit most from emerging possibilities.

By Jude Treder-Wolff, LCSW, RMT, CGP

Jude Treder-Wolff, author of Possible Futures: Creative Thinking For The Speed of Life, (Lifestage Publications, 2009, http://www.thespeedoflife.org) is a Licensed Certified Social Worker, Registered Music Therapist, and Certified Group Psychotherapist in full-time private practice providing individual and group psychotherapy and addiction treatment, and President of Lifestage, Inc. in Smithtown, NY, a consulting company providing training seminars for professional and personal growth, health education, and stress-resilience. As Director of Clinical Services at the YMCA Family Services, a community-based agency providing addiction prevention and treatment services, she supervised a diverse professional and support staff, and as a consultant designs and implements training seminars for agencies such as Pederson-Krag, Options for Community Living, YMCA Family Services, Suffolk County Dept. of Mental Health, organizations such as the Multiple Sclerosis Society, Therapeutic Recreation Association, National Association of Social Workers, American Music Therapy Association, and American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama, and developed courses for the State University at Buffalo Summer Institute Continuing Education Courses for addiction treatment professionals. She has been published in The International Journal of Arts and Psychotherapy Special Issue on Addiction and Special Issue on HIV/AIDS, Music Therapy Perspectives, Clinical Social Work, and Recovery Press and has been interviewed for articles about creativity and stress-resilience that appeared in New York Newsday, L.A. Times, Woman's Day, and The Three Village Times. She served as editor of The Psychodrama Network News, the official newsletter of the American Society of Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama from 2001-2007, and currently writes an e-newsletter titled Lives In Progress which is archived.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jude_Treder-Wolff

Got Social Equity? The Quality of Your Network Impacts Your Net Worth

I'm in the midst of some big transitions in my business. Have you been there? It's scary and exciting all at the same time and it's got me thinking a lot about social equity, the strength of my network and quality of relationships within it.

Social equity is one of my favourite topics to teach and it is the reason why I'm moving forward in a new and more authentic direction with such confidence.

Social equity is simply the standards and mutual value of your personal and social relationships. The key to positive social equity is the element of mutual benefit.

When your social equity is high, the people within your network truly care about you and your success as you care about theirs. There's a great deal of mutual benefit and as a result, transitions are much easier to manage because it's easy to garner much needed support in many areas.

They are relevant in that they are interested in your area of expertise.

They are responsive in that they read and comment on your communications.

They are loyal in that they stay around as you and your company(s) grow and evolve.

And, they care in that what you do and who you are really do make a difference for them, they notice and it matters.

Does this describe YOUR network?

When you have a relevant, responsive, loyal and caring network it's almost impossible to fail. I like to call positive social equity an insurance policy for your success.

But the diversity of your network is equally important. There are specific relationships that are essential to long-term, high level success.

For example, if your network only includes customers and prospective customers, there are critical gaps you must consider.

Here are six specific types of relationships, in addition to your network of prospects and customers, that you should spend time developing high social equity with (and why):

1. Family and Friends who "get" what you do. What I mean by "get" what you do is these are friends who support vs sabotage success. When you share your plans and ideas they fuel your excitement rather than burst your bubble. They don't look at you like you're crazy ;)

2. Mentor(s) to inspire you and lift you to new heights of success.

3. Coach(es) to teach and motivate you to keep growing and moving forward.

4. Masterminds/Associations of like-minded and motivated people moving in the same direction as you to connect, collaborate, commiserate and celebrate with.

5. Complimentary Experts/Service Providers. These are business owners who share your target audience but serve them in a way that is complementary vs. competitive. These individuals or companies are perfect for co-promotion, collaboration, joint ventures, referrals and more!

6. Industry Experts to stay informed, remain innovative, and strengthen your expertise.

So as you build your own networks and strive to develop high social equity, remember the seven types of equitable relationships and the essential ingredient of mutual benefit.

You'll also want to stay tuned to upcoming blog posts where I'll share some specific ways to build and nurture relationships to create positive social equity.

I'd love to hear how your relationships are supporting your success. Please feel free to comment on my blog at http://www.ginabellinc.com

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR E-ZINE OR WEB SITE?

Please do! Just be sure to include this complete blurb with it:

Fun, Fame and Fortune Mentor Gina Bell is devoted to teaching multi-passionate and creative entrepreneurs how to embrace their multipreneurial spirit doing ALL that they love to do. If you're ready, she's ready to give your marketing and mindset a motivating kick-in-the-pants so you can claim more fun, fame and fortune too!

Learn more about Gina's products and programs at http://www.GinaBellinc.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gina_Bell

Reasons to Shop at Computer Discount Sales

Some people will not purchase a cheap computer because they believe that anything that costs so little can not be a good quality tool. This is not always the case. There are several places where you can buy high quality computers and laptops at discounted prices. These systems are offered at bargain prices due to many different reasons.

Technology Is Evolving Quickly

There are so many advancements in technology these days and companies are eager to produce products to keep up. This means that there can be a lot of surplus goods that stores have to get rid of in order to make way for the next best thing. If you look at what you actually need a computer for, you may find that you do not need to invest in the brand new systems. All the functionality that you require may be successfully gained from a computer system that is one year old. This would make it a great idea for you to spend a little less money on something that is still fairly new to the market. Most people will not change their computers for at least 5 - 7 years so you should really think about whether you need to spend that extra $400 - $500 right now.

Some Stores Specialise in Surplus Goods

Some companies, in particular online companies, have made it their business to sell surplus computers and they have made it a very successful enterprise. They source their products from stores that have either gone bankrupt or shops that are looking to get rid of stuff to make space for their new supply. Many online stores will sell these products with good warranties so you can make your purchase with piece of mind just in case anything does go wrong. This is definitely something that you should look into if you are hoping to buy a computer when you have a limited budget.

So if you are looking for a new computer or laptop, you could successfully grab yourself a bargain by choosing to buy products that have been on the market for a few months or you could look online for discount computer stores to look at what these sites have to offer.

Read more about buying a cheap computer via discounted computer sales.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Bennett

Basic Wireless Network in Your Home

If you are new to the computer world and want to get more out of your computer experience by learning how to build a wireless network within your home, then here are a few steps you need in order to get started.

A Wireless network is a network that uses radio waves to communicate via your home wireless router. When we talk about radio waves we are speaking about signals that transmit to and from your router so that you can view the internet from anywhere in your home without using a cable. In a home network signal travel through your cable line, small satellite dish or telephone line from your internet service provider through your modem (switch), which is subsequently connected to your computer to provide you internet access.

Before wireless we connected to the internet through a large area network cable (LAN) from the back of our modem to our computer. We also connected and some still use this method today, to the internet through dial-up, which of course is the least expensive method of connecting to the internet. Dial-up is the method by which you plug your phone line directly into your computer and connect to the internet through an ISP such as AOL. Which ever method you use, the downfall with using a wired network is that you computer or laptop will have to remain in the same location that the cable is located in order for you to connect to the internet unless you get smart and purchase a 10 foot cable or phone line, which in this case will cause a huge mess in your home.

With a wireless network, it is not messy at all as you connect to internet through radio waves that are transmitted throughout your home from your router. To build a wireless network all you need is internet service in your home, a wireless router, a modem from your ISP, wireless LAN cards for every additional computer or laptop in your home. If you have a laptop, then the wireless LAN cards look like credit cards and for wireless LAN cards for your computer, they are card like with an antenna sticking out of them.

Now that you have your equipment, the first thing you do is connect your computer to the router and the modem to the router, Before, your modem was connected directly to the computer, but in order to do wireless, everything will need to connect directly to the router. The modem will be connected to the internet port on the router and the computer will be connected to one of the ports on the router other than the internet port normally port one.

If you need assistance in setting up the router as you will need to make some minor adjustments with your router such as closing off your port so that you are not providing internet access to everyone in the neighborhood as I have seen this happen far too often. Your router comes with a manual that shows you how to set-up the router for your wireless network so follow the steps given in the manual.

After your base computer is set and you are able to surf the web through your wireless router from the base computer, then you are now ready to add additional computers or laptops to your wireless network. To verify that you have close the port so that only the people in your home will have access, every laptop added to the wireless network will be prompted to enter the secure password before they are granted access. After the password is entered, they are ready to begin surfing the web. That is all there is to it and you will love it as now you can roam from room to room with your laptop surfing the web whenever you go in your home and if you are in areas where you can not get a signal then you may want to invest in a long range wireless router.

Bypassing Internet Censorship Methods

Just like the World Wide Web itself has really developed over the course of the past 10 years or so, so have the censorship methods that are put in place to deal with subjects that appear to be a problem, or are comprehended as a problem to those people that have the authority to enact rules and the like.

While a couple of cases of censorship can, if nothing else but in theory, be advantageous, individuals deserve their right of expressing themselves. Also given, on the different side of things, the legal right to hear anything they might want to, regardless of what the subject.

That foundation of human rights is the basis of the whole US constitution, and the regulative laws that make up the government of most other developed countries. No matter who is putting the laws into effect, no regulative measure has the right to remove those basic rights from any person.

Fortunately, there is a thing that you can do to protect yourself from internet censorship. Though very solid internet blocking schemes have been created, they are able to be blocked comparatively easily if you know what you are doing. In the process of bypassing these internet censorship systems, you can put a stop to forced online censoring, and make your own decisions regarding which websites that you would like to visit and also what content you wish to view.

It should be said that, not all bypassing system are worth trying. It does pay off to take in some reviews from users prior to choosing any product aimed to help you resolve this matter.

So just go ahead and take the first step at this very moment: Learn how you can get around those pesky internet censoring systems, and say good-bye to censorship.

This work was written by Alberto Maeses. Visit internet censorship and bypass internet censorship to discover more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alberto_Maeses

What is Adware, Where Does it Come From and How Does it Affect You?

If you think you don't have adware on your computer, then maybe you need to think again. Adware affects an estimated 80% of all computer users who are connected to the internet. Adware is big business and adware developers are cashing in on the biggest and most lucrative industry namely internet advertising.

So what is adware? Adware, like software are applications that gets installed on your computer without you knowing. It's main purpose is to either "advertise" directly to you or to gather information from you that advertisers can use to advertise to you.

Direct advertising via adware is usually via pop ups and we all know just how annoying that can be. Other forms of adware advertising is with toolbars that add themselves to your web browser, homepage changers, sidebar add on's and even aware that will add itself to your favorites or bookmarks.

The new generation of adware is much more sophisticated and some of them will track your user patterns to monitor which sites you visit. This will allow advertisers to bombard you with advertising that's focused on what you already like which will give them a better change of making money.

Aware mostly finds it way unto your computer via downloads. Music, movies and (especially) shareware software and free games are known to be riddled with adware and the best part is that you won't even know that you "agreed" to have it installed on your computer.

Peer to peer (P2P) networks, download sites and torrent sites are one of the newest sources of adware and you need to be very cautious when visiting these sites or when you download files from them. It's imperative that you protect yourself with a good aware blocker if you spend a lot of time online.

Although adware isn't as dangerous to your personal security and your sensitive information as spyware is, it is still a great concern since someone else has access to your computer and can manipulate your computer screen. One of the biggest problems with adware however is that it can slow your computer down severely and even cause constant crashes and even permanent damage to your system files.

Protecting yourself from adware is something you need to pay attention to sooner rather than later. The best practice is to get a good adware/spyware software that can scan, remove and then protect you from all the many threats out there. Don't take a chance hoping that you won't become a victim of internet crime.

The Adware & Spyware GEEK
For more information of fighting cyber crime and how to protect yourself from the threats of spyware and adware, visit http://adwarespywaregeek.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Deon_Du_Plessis

Major League Networking

There can be many levels of networking depending on the ambitions and goals of the networker. In the big leagues, professionals and entrepreneurs can utilize networking to make some grand slams in their businesses or social endeavors. This is where the stakes for the game are higher and there is more space for playing the field. How can champion networkers move up to the next level with their objectives? How can they expand and develop their resources? How can they develop their network to an all star team?

Up the Stakes

For networkers to move up to the next level, they have to think bigger and play harder. Professionals should consider joining or being invited to exclusive clubs or organizations? Membership prices can sky rocket, but the potential of meeting class A players is a guarantee. In major cities, there are clubs which have hundreds of elite members and offer first quality events and services to their members.

Away Games

In order to find your ideal client, customer, vendor or partner may require a field trip. Individuals should not hesitate to travel to conferences, events and venues to meet their ideal network members. There are several areas which are known for attracting particular companies, individuals or business which can enhance anyone's networking endeavors. A popular lecture, professional or social event can easily attract the type of audience a person wishes to meet.

Read All About It

Advertising is another way to increase the flow of traffic and build the ideal network. Publicizing certain activities, new services and products in magazines, newspapers, billboards and internet ad banners are excellent ways of meeting people and companies. This form of mass marketing can build a personal or professional brand and gain instant credibility. It can also give the competition a run for their money.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

Networking Tips - 4 Easy Ways to Build an Effective Network

I can't emphasize enough how important it is for everyone to have a network and keep in contact with the people in it, but many people don't know how to do this well. Networks aren't something that you build by handing out business cards to everyone you meet. Networks are relationships. Not deep, BFF (best friends forever) relationships that are going to take all your time, but at least something that will ensure they remember who you are when you call. To avoid the inevitable panic that will accompany a job search in which you realize you have no one to go to for information, help, or support when you really need it, ALWAYS BE BUILDING YOUR NETWORK. However, having a resource like a good network will benefit you in good times, too.

No matter who you are, you already have current contacts. These aren't necessarily close relationships-acquaintances are fine. These are people who you have something in common with: you used to work with them, your spouse works with them, you went to school with them, you are/were in some kind of group with them...you get the idea. Make sure you have and maintain current e-mail addresses.

What do you do with your contacts?

1. Every 3-6 months, send a quick e-mail. You aren't asking anything of them, you're just saying "Hello." Your e-mail should say something like, "Hi, this is Peggy. It's been a long time since we've talked. I'm still at _______________, still doing _____________. If you need anything, please give me a call. Here are my phone numbers if you need to get in touch with me or give someone else my contact information if I can assist them." If you can (but you don't have to), offer something-an article you just read, some new industry info, something that might interest them personally. (No e-mail chain letters, please.) This will keep you in their minds so that when an opportunity DOES come up, they are likely to think of you.

2. Get more contacts. Sign up for LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, or other social networks. Join specific groups, where you can get posted on current blog posts, or join conference calls where you can give or get information. You also need to be on those so that you can be found by recruiters who might have the perfect job for you. As you add contacts, add them to your e-mail routine.

3. When you leave a company, ask your boss if he will give you a positive reference. If he will, get a personal e-mail address, too. If he leaves the company, you'll still be able to get in touch with him when you need the reference.

4. Be honest with your network. Everyone has problems-we all know that. I'm not saying we need to hear all the sordid details, but being honest about issues you have or situations you're dealing with just might lead to an otherwise missed opportunity. We don't always think of someone who tells us "everything's fine," but we all like to help someone if we can.

Peggy McKee is the owner and chief recruiter for PHC Consulting, a recruiting firm providing top sales talent, sales management, marketing and service / support personnel to some of the most prominent high growth companies in the medical and laboratory products industry for over 9 years!

We provide top talent (usually the top 10% of sales force rankings) and reduce turnover (through exceptional client knowledge and candidate screening) this in combination with our reputation for smoothly facilitating the hiring process makes us the search firm of choice in this arena.

For more information, see our website at http://phcconsulting.com

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Get the Right Business Networking Attitude

As a business owner, you understand how important it is to get new leads. Successful lead generation can bring thousands of dollars into your business and it is what will keep your business in the money. However, many business owners often have difficulty when trying to get new leads. In order to be successful, you have to get the right business networking attitude.

The first thing you must do in business networking is to be proactive. You must take the initiative and go after the leads. Many business owners often sit back and wait for the customers to come to them. This method may allow you to stay in business, but it is a guarantee that you won't make as money as you could if you enlisted a business networking strategy to get more leads.

Business networking will also require you to step outside of your comfort zone. You may feel completely comfortable answering emails from potential clients, but the minute someone wants you to return their call, you freeze. The age old expression of "practice makes perfect' is good advice. Anyone in business networking should take the time and practice their telephone etiquette and finalize what they would like to get across to their prospective customers.

With business networking, you must also learn not to take a rejection as a personal rejection against you. There is no way that everyone will want to purchase your product or pay you for your services. If you make a phone call and they hang up on you, you must not let this get you down. Business networking will not always be easy, but you will learn to take it in stride.

On the other end of scale, business networking also requires you to be patient, as well as persistent. Be prepared when you make that phone call. Come up with a list of objections the caller may use and write down what the appropriate response should be. Stick with it until you have given all of the information you can give them. If they still are saying no, follow up with then in a few days and ask if they have thought of any more questions. The more you make yourself available, the better your chances are of converting them to a sale.

In order for business networking to be successful, you must come up with a great introduction for yourself and your business. Callers who simply hear, "I'm trying to sell you something," are more likely to hang up on you than if you let them know you want to simply give them something. This something just happens to be information on how they can benefit from what you are offering.

Don't let business networking scare you out of potential sales. Practice your proposal with friends and family members and this will give you a chance to figure out what works and what doesn't. Business networking should be an important part of your marketing plan and if done correctly, can lead you to a prosperous income.

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