Improving your Business Relationship Tip of the Week

In my weekly newsletter, I feature a weekly tip on how to improve your relationships. This newsletter is focused on business relationships, but hey...it could even help in your personal ones. And if it does, consider it a bonus: no extra charge! (Which is funny, because the weekly newlsetter is free. But I digress...)

So I've copied this week's tip. I launched the newsletter on Wednesday, to overwhelmingly positive response. There's also a fun contest running to help me name the newsletter. If you want in on that, look over to the right of your screen. Right under my picture is a place where you can subscribe for my weekly newsletter. Feel free to join in on the fun!

At any rate, enjoy the RelationTip below!

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This week's tip:

Be Yourself!

No one wants the fake version of you. No one.

Of course, I'm not suggesting you let it ALL hang out. There are different versions of ourselves, and it's never OK to let the "Out partying with guys" side of You show itself when you need to have the "Professional in a Boardroom Meeting" side in play.

If I'm going to build a relationship of any kind, I need to be me. That doesn't ever really mean ALL of me. After all, the "Me" that my daughters see will not be the same "Me" that shows up at a networking event.

Ha! Just thinking about this makes me smile. There's a game I play with my kids called Talk Like. At random, on different days, we will declare the day to be Talk Like a Pirate day. Or Talk Like a Southern Belle day. Could you imagine if I showed up at a Networking event on Talk Like a Pirate day as the "Me" that my kids see?

"Arrrr Matey, give me yer business er else I'll make ye walk the plank." Well...on second thought, maybe I should try this sometime. I guarantee you, no one at that event would forget me! The follow up phone call would be fun..."Hi, it's Jacki Semerau from SendOutCards. I don't know if you remember me or not, but I'm the one that was singing Yo Ho Yo Ho a Sale's Life For Me." Hmmm. Maybe Not.

Remember, It's All About You. If you want successful relationships, either personally or professionally, just be yourself.

Talk is Cheap: Gas Prices, Today's Economy, and Elections, Oh my!!

Have you noticed the shift in attitude lately? Does it seem to you that every time you meet with someone, talk inevitably goes to the following topics:

• Gas Prices: Comments such as, "What with gas prices being what they are..." or "Can you believe it? Over $4.00 a gallon?" or maybe a more creative and sarcastic comment like "Ahhh. (said in wistful tone) Remember the good ol' days when filling up your gas tank still cost LESS than the car payment itself?"


• Today's Economy: Often not a topic of conversation in and of itself, this one likes to simply infiltrate EVERY topic. No matter what you are discussing with someone, the obligatory sentence starter "Well, you know, in today's economy..." is bound to surface. If you are in sales of ANY kind, you hear this more often than most.


• The 2008 Presidential Election: "Can you believe what (insert Obama or McCain here) said the other day? Why, they'll never make a good president saying things like that." Or maybe you're privy to just bashing in general. And fear is always a big factor..."If so and so is elected, I'm scared to live in the US anymore! Canada, here I come."

Personally, if I hear this hype anymore, I'm afraid my head will explode. Let's face it folks, no matter what the Media's Doomsday Darling Topic of the Day is, we all still need to go about our lives. I still need to buy the gas, so instead of complaining, I'll just choose to thank God for Visa. I still need to purchase products in "today's economy" and so I will just adjust my budget. I still actually LOVE living in America, the Land of the Free and Home of the Brave, so I will vote and let the chips fall where they may.

Because in the end of the day, gas will level out. The economy will adjust. The country will march on no matter who is elected as our Commander in Chief. And as for all of us who are out there, trying to make a living as a self-employed entrepreneur, well, we still need to grow our businesses. And I, for one, am tired of the constant negativity that is bombarding us through the media, and then making its way into our everyday lives.

So hang in there, and keep on selling. These are the days that take an extra measure of creativity to make your business thrive. But if you hang on to your PASSION for your business venture, then people will still buy from you, no matter how cheap talk is, or how negative the news that bombards us every day has become.

So Until Next Time, STAY POSITIVE!

Jacki

When business turns personal: What are these guys thinking?

OK, in a blog that is dedicated to women entrepreneurs, this topic is LONG overdue. Women, does this sound familiar?

You meet a prospect who happens to be male. Now, I'm talking about meeting in a business setting....a networking event, a trade show, an office meeting, a seminar, etc. (If you meet this "male prospect" in a bar, you've only yourself to blame!!)

At any rate, you and the prospect talk shop and he acts interested in your professional product or service. You agree to meet. Only when you get together for that meeting, it strangely feels like a date instead of a business meeting. And sure enough, you discover that he's not really interested in your PROFESSIONAL products and services so much as your PERSONAL ones.

WHAT? Since when is this ACCEPTABLE?

Now, I understand that in sales, you must build relationships. And sometimes, you build relationships with members of the opposite sex. And sometimes people can take things the wrong way. I get all that. (Which is why it's SO important to always walk with integrity. The last thing any woman entrepreneur wants is to have a tarnished reputation.)

But what I'm talking about is the old Bait and Switch. Where the man pretends he's going to bring you business (which he knows you won't say no to) only to get you in a setting where he can then hit on you.

Now I'm not saying this happens alot...but it does happen from time to time. And I know I'm not the only one...many of my professional female friends have had this very same thing happen. And from what I can tell, status, looks, and style of dress have nothing to do with it. (In other words, I don't think we're "asking for it" at all.)

If you are a woman reading this blog, BEWARE of such behavior.

If you are a man, and you do this...STOP IT. It's NOT ok. And even if you don't actually do this, make sure you aren't giving the IMPRESSION of doing this.

For one thing, I'm out networking because I have a mortgage payment, a car payment, and two children to provide for. I don't need to waste an hour or more of my time meeting with you if you have no intention of bringing me business.

And women, how can you avoid having this happen to you? Again, it goes back to integrity. And try not to talk about your personal life (especially your love life) too much. Sometimes it comes up, of course. After all, there's bonding and repore to be done.

I'm not really saying I have the answer to this issue....I'm just saying that it's a business practice that I watch happen that really gets under my skin.

Any thoughts or suggestions on this topic? Women, how do you handle yourselves to avoid such things?

Holidays for the Self-Employed

With Memorial Day fast approaching, I'm reminded of when that used to mean a day off. Now I'm trying to figure out how I will balance business and pleasure during that extended weekend.

I'd be remiss if I didn't mention the true meaning of Memorial Day, as I'm certainly one that appreciates all the sacrifices that have been made that gives me the freedom to sit at my laptop and write a blog in my PJs about absolutely anything I choose. My kids are running around outside, and I'm taking a "blogging break" from real estate related computer work. I'm thinking about walking into my kitchen and making some coffee. A Kitchen I own thanks to my right to own my own property, the right to take out a mortgage, the right to be in debt up to my eyeballs, etc. And I know that I couldn't be here if millions of men and women over the past two centuries hadn't laid down their lives in defense of these freedoms.

I'll go to church tomorrow morning at Northridge Community Church, where I'll worship Jesus Christ...a freedom I enjoy because of their bravery and sacrifice. I can read my Bible, and send my kids to a private Christian school. I can watch my mom become an entrepreneur herself with curriculum that teaches the Bible. I can pray, I can worship, and I can admit these things freely and openly, all because courageous souls have been willing to die to insure these rights.

Hmmm. So what was I blogging about again? Trying to balance work and a weekend of fun? Nevermind. I'm pretty sure I'll figure it out.

Until Next Time,

Jacki

STAAR Night 2008 highlights

STAAR Night dress rehearsal, show, and cast party...WOW, what an amazing event! Thought I'd share this little slideshow of some of the highlights. Thank you to everyone who was a part of this amazing event...from cast and committee to sponsors and audience members. We did it again!

Until Next Time,

Jacki

STAAR Night 2008: A fantastic night of fun and charitable support

Come and join us on May 6th for a Broadway level variety show being held at the Scottsdale Center for the Arts! We have less than 80 tickets left, so click here if you'd like to purchase your tickets before it's too late!

STAAR Night 2008
Scottsdale Center for the Arts
May 6th, 2008
Cocktail Hour: 6:00 pm
Curtain: 7:00pm
Tickets: $25-$80

So what is STAAR Night? This is an annual fundraising event that is sponsored by Scottsdale Area Association of Realtors (SAAR) and benefits the Hutch Fund. The Hutch Fund is a charity that aids real estate professionals in medical crisis.

Why am I blogging about this particular fundraiser? Well, because I'm in it!

Not only am I a performer, but I am also the choreographer. Check out this picture...that's me teaching the performers one of our dance production numbers. Many of you may not know that my major in college was dance with a concentration in choreography. My professional goals revolved around dance until after I was married, had my second child, and discovered my passion for the real estate industry in 2002. And I've been in the real estate industry now for 6 years...3 of which were spent marketing for a title and escrow company, and 3 of which have been in real estate sales.


And who knew that my background in dance would one day benefit my real estate career? Not me! But last year I had the opportunity to become involved with STAAR Night (Need more details on how that happened? If your "Enquiring Mind Wants to Know," click here!)



And now I'd love to see you there! Let me know if you plan on coming...I'll look for you in the lobby after the performance!



Until Next Time,



Jacki

Self-Employment ROCKS!

If you are an entrepreneur, then I'm sure that you and I have this in common: we do what we do (self-employment) because we are intelligent enough to make alot of money in our respective businesses. But it's more than just money...it's about quality of life. We don't all care if we end up the richest people in the world (although it would be nice!) but we DO care that we have enough abundance to be able to enjoy our lives in the manner in which we choose.

Two weeks ago, my daughters were on spring break. So on Friday, I got up and did some computer work and made a few calls. Then we headed off to the movies to see Horton Hears a Who. (Which we are STILL quoting!) Then we had lunch together, just the three of us, before I dropped them off at my parents house and headed off to a coffee meeting and then two phone meetings. What a great day! And back in my Corporate America days, I would have never DREAMED of doing something like that! But now, the only person to tell me where I can and cannot be is me. I LOVE self-employment.

I've done gift account walk throughs (A SendOutCards system introduction) in my pajamas. I've set client appointments sitting on my back patio, still in my work-out clothes, sipping on a cup of coffee. I've made follow up calls in my car on the way to lunch with a friend. I've gone and previewed properties on my way to my dance class. I LOVE my life!

It's one of the many common threads that every entrepreneur shares. But in my opinion, it's by far the most important. After all, no matter how you earn the money, what good is it if you can't ENJOY it?

So drop me a comment or an email. I'd love to hear about some of your "perfect moments" in the world of self-employment.

Until Next Time,

Jacki

To Whom Were You Referring?

Referrals. With them, you are a success. Without them, you might as well hang up your entrepreneur's hat and go back to Corporate America.

So why is it that so many entrepreneurs don't understand the true value and meaning behind referrals? Or how to give and receive effective referrals? It's important enough that I thought I'd take a couple of minutes of your time to visit the topic.

If you want to give and receive effective referrals, the first thing you need to do is get out of the "I don't want to interfere" mindset. If you are stuck there, then you need to realize that people WANT you to interfere. I'd give anything (well...almost anything) to have someone, ANYONE, give me the name of a good yard maintenance company. Do you have any idea how often I complain about the fact that I can't find a good one? (Well, maybe you do if you've ever heard me get on the topic). I've been a single parent living in the same general area for the past 3 1/2 years. I've tried so many yard maintenance people, it's not even funny. And they are all either too expensive, too unreliable, or both. PLEASE...interfere here! If you know of any good landscapers in the NE Phoenix area, I want to know!

People need to be led to other people. So don't hesitate. REFER!

Meanwhile, I'd personally like to give more referrals. So please...just ask! If you are in need of a professional service or product but don't know where to turn, let me know! Financial planners, insurance agents, lenders, car mechanics, doctors, the list goes on and on.

Also, did you realize that I'm connected to a network of real estate agents all over the US and Canada? Even Dubai! So if you're in need of a Realtor anywhere, just ask me. I can make sure you have one that's going to be able to handle your real estate needs...it's better than taking your chances by just calling an ad in the paper!

Anyway, where referrals are concerned, there's so much more to say! But I'll leave that for another time. For now, just get in the habit of asking the people you trust "Do you know someone who..."

Until Next Time,

Jacki