Leaping into Entrepreneurship

About the Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author Program

The Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author Program is where Cambridge Who’s Who experts share their valuable knowledge on a wide range of subjects.

If you are interested in sharing your expertise and enhancing your online exposure just as Cambridge Who’s Who Author Cheryl Nordyke has done, visit the Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author Program page to learn more about this exclusive benefit. Do not miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to establish yourself as an important resource in your industry and profession.

For more information on our member executives and professionals, go to www.CambridgeWhosWho.com.

Cambridge Who’s Who would like to recognize the overwhelming response from members to the announcement of its first teleseminar, “Million Dollar Networking Strategies for the 21st Century.” It was truly a testament to the drive, determination and level of dedication to personal and professional development that the members of Cambridge Who’s Who share.

The call featured Mike Litman, multi-millionaire and best-selling author of Conversations with Millionaires, as guest expert. Mr. Litman has helped hundreds of thousands of people improve their lives and grow their businesses. Cambridge Who’s Who invited him to speak so that members could benefit from his strategies for success and learn how to develop their personal brand, achieve business growth and expand their professional network.

If you participated in the call, Cambridge Who’s Who hopes you enjoyed it and learned from it. (Thank you to all who responded with their feedback thus far.) If you were not able to dial-in, here is a summary of what Mike Litman had to say to members about networking in the 21st century.

Tip #1: Be Proactive and Make Yourself Visible
When you want to succeed, there are habits and characteristics that you must have in order for you to excel, for you to profit and for you to change lives. You need to learn how to build your business, yourself and your career. Especially in this day and age when the Internet plays a large role in society; if you are not a strong networker, if people cannot find you, if your exposure and visibility are not there, if your credibility is not there, then you do not exist in today’s economy. You must learn to become a successful networker to survive and to further yourself. All successful networkers are proactive. They do not just wait for opportunities and connections to come to them, but they go out and look for them.

Tip #2: Find Your Asset of Value
To successfully network with others you need to find what makes you a valuable resource. The key to big success is becoming valuable to others. Once you know what you can offer to others, your goal is to go the extra mile for your peers and customers by offering them your asset of value. What is your asset of value? Your asset of value is a platform that you have, control or possess that you can share with somebody else and by them leveraging it, you give them exposure and credibility.

Tip #3: Become a Great Problem Solver
Identify yourself as a problem solver. The people who are the most successful and climb the ladder the highest are simply great problem solvers. Everything was created to solve a problem. What problem do you solve?

Mid-way through the call, Mr. Litman opened the phone lines to all members listening in to the teleseminar. Those who entered the queue had great comments and questions for him. Here is some of the discussion that took place between Cambridge Who’s Who members and Mike Litman.

Cambridge Who’s Who member, Nicole from Connecticut, works in the aerospace business as a lean expert. “I have been very successful most of my career, but I am at the point where I am ready to go to the next level,” says Nicole. However, Nicole has been told by the higher executives and the VP of Human Resources that she gives too much away and needs to focus more on herself. Nicole thinks that she has learned a great deal from sharing with her peers. Even though in her industry the focus is on the individual, she knows in the long run that being an integral part of the team is more important. How can she further her career? What should she do?

Mike Litman Replies: Schedule a meeting with the executives and VP of Human Resources and ask them exactly what they mean and what direction you should go in to become more beneficial to yourself and others. Then determine if there is a value to what they are saying. Consider your self-worth, self-value and strength. If you have found that your way of being has been helpful in your career then do what works for you and be true to yourself. Look back at how you got to where you are today and consider your mindset at that time in order to determine how to move forward. People have rarely gone wrong with being valuable or a person of influence, power, vision and direction.

Cambridge Who’s Who member, Mary Lou from Phoenix, has experience in selling kitchen cabinets and countertops. The business specializes in kitchen remodeling but due to the housing market, business has not been so good. She asks Litman, “What suggestions do you have to get exposure?” and states “You have to have a customer to go the extra mile for people.”

Mike Litman Replies: You need to identify and research your competition. Are there other competitors in your town? What are the differences between you and your competitors? Do not focus on negatives such as the down turn in the housing market, but believe that your business is booming, can boom or can move forward. Your beliefs will dictate your actions.

Businesses can become self-absorbed and have a self-centered mind-set. They worry only about business growth and securing new clients. More importantly, business should question how they can become more valuable to their prospects and customers. Any business owner can create a strategic advantage through creativity, imagination and education. Educate your existing and potential customers by holding an informational session in your office. This adds value to the products and services that you offer.

Advertise your business in a creative way. Encourage your son, Mark, to tell the story of how he became involved in the woodworking profession and made the transition from the financial services industry. Make the woodworking process more interactive by holding demonstrations for customers. Offer specials and promotions with a call to action such as a 90-day sale and send a letter to your customers with an incentive for them to refer business to you.

Cambridge Who’s Who member, Dante from Phoenix, had his own advice:

Dante: Nobody cares what you know until they find out how much you care; and you do that when you listen.

Litman: What do you do when you problem solve?

Dante: I don’t see a problem, I see a solution. I like to lead, be accountable and find solutions.

Litman: I can already tell that you are successful in what you do.

Cambridge Who’s Who member, Gloria from Miami, feels overwhelmed at her job and wants to know, “What do you do when you’re doing such a good job but you end up with over a 60-hour work week?”

Mike Litman Replies: Eighty percent of your output is fueled by twenty percent of your input. You need to determine what your priorities are. It is easy to be busy but you want to have comprehensive success. Where is your twenty percent and what are your strengths? It is about being focused and doing things that have the greatest meaning and impact. You also want to make sure that you are celebrated and not tolerated; this is key to succeeding in your job and in business.

Cambridge Who’s Who thanks all of the members who participated in the first teleseminar. We look forward to having future teleseminars on other topics including becoming an expert in your field, increasing your online visibility, winning and retaining new clients, marketing your products and services and building your personal and corporate brands. For more information about the 2008 Teleseminar Series or to find out how you can serve as a guest expert, please email networking@cambridgewhoswho.com.

Make the move from entrepreneur to expert by sharing your knowledge with others.

By Cambridge Who’s Who Contributing Author and Member, Chi Chi Okezie

As an entrepreneur, your level of industry knowledge and experience can be a prime factor in determining your business success. Your potential clients, vendors and business partners should believe in your abilities as well as the products and services that your company offers. Developing your personal brand can greatly affect how people perceive you and influence their willingness to do business with you. Here are several ways in which you can define yourself as an expert in your field and position yourself and your company for success.

#1: Join an online networking group.
Globalization is becoming increasingly important in almost every industry. Get involved with an online networking group in order to create and expand awareness of your company, products and services. Building an international client base and developing relationships with professionals in other industries and geographical locations will enhance your credibility. It will also improve the appearance of your company or organization as it relates to cultural awareness and diversity.

#2: Write about what you do best.
Whether they will be published in a book, journal, newsletter, e-magazine, website or blog, write and submit articles on your industry or profession as it relates to your skill set and business knowledge. Keep your colleagues, customers and potential clients informed by updating them on recent industry trends and challenges. Offer solutions to problems that they or their companies may face. Help them to make decisions that will improve their business processes and practices.

#3: Teach an online class or teleseminar.
Teaching classes increases your visibility, credibility and professionalism. In particular, offering classes online allows you to reach a wider range of students (and potential clients) and can give you an edge over your competition. If you are more comfortable on the telephone, set up a teleseminar using a conference call service. Once you have selected your preferred method of communication, hold training sessions on your products and services. Lead professional or business development seminars to help others realize success in their endeavors. And offer additional coaching or one-on-one sessions for those who would like to learn more from you. The more value that you offer, the more people who will attend your classes and recommend you to others. Teaching will also strengthen your knowledge and experience in your field, thereby elevating your expert status.

#4: Do interviews with the media.
You can gain exposure and awareness from being interviewed by the media. There are several channels that entrepreneurs can use to soar in their professional and social endeavors. Online magazines, radio, press releases, blogs and newsletter interviews are excellent ways to build your image as an expert in your field. You can include transcripts of your interviews in your corporate media kit. This will build your credibility among your clients, colleagues and business counterparts.

Follow these tips to become a successful networker and business professional.

By Contributing Author and Cambridge Who’s Who Member Jo DeMarco

Whether you are part of an organization, have your own business or are contemplating starting one, do not discount the value of networking. Sharing effective business strategies and addressing the roller coaster ride that the economy today keeps us on is vital to your success as a business professional. Here are some fundamentals that have proven essential to me and have contributed to both my personal and professional growth and development.

Know thyself – Create a realistic picture of your strengths and weaknesses. Focusing on your areas of improvement will help you to identify when somebody else is dealing with the same issues. You would be surprised to hear how many people admit to having issues with time management, turning good ideas into reality, working with a team, etc. Having a realistic picture of yourself will allow you to network more effectively, as you will know what you need to learn from others and what advice you can offer someone else.

Know what your ambitions are – Where are you now in your professional life and where do you want to go? What are you striving for? Having the answers to these questions will help you to realize which types of networking environments best suit your needs. For example, if you are currently looking to open your own business, you should search for small business owner groups and workshops through local newspapers, libraries or via the internet. If you are employed by an organization that you would like to progress in, speak to your Human Resources Director and inquire about cross training, management courses, after hours groups, off site conferences, etc. Knowing where you want to go is the first crucial step to getting there.

Listen as well as you speak – We all want to be heard. We also want to find out useful information that will set us on the road to the success that we seek. When you have the opportunity to network, it is often more important for you to ask questions and listen well rather than talking a lot about yourself and stating what your goals and ambitions are. Also, do not be afraid to apply what you have learned from others; obviously it worked for someone else, why not for you too?

Be courteous – Once you have had great conversation and exchanged business cards with another professional, make it a priority to reach out to him/her again. If you have received advice from this person or found that your conversation led to improvement in any way in your personal or professional life, be sure to communicate that to them in your follow up email or phone call. Knowing that they have helped someone will inspire them to keep doing so. It will also keep the door open for future exchanges or references.

Be engaging – Never think that you know it all or do not have room to grow. You can learn something from just about everyone, so keep your eyes and ears open and embrace the people who you meet. You might be surprised to find out what you can learn from the most unusual people and in the most random places. Take the initiative to introduce yourself and spark conversation. Make your dialogue as engaging as possible by asking challenging questions and sharing your own experiences and expertise.

Following these strategies will help you to place yourself in more fruitful networking environments and make the most of them while you are there. Also, taking yourself and your goals into consideration before networking with other professionals will prompt you to ask better questions and listen more attentively to the answers you obtain. Networking starts and ends with you; it is filling in the middle that is the tricky part. Hopefully these tips will help you to fill in the gap and become a successful networker and business professional.

For more information on Jo DeMarco and Contessa Knows please veiw her contributing author profile.

Biography

Jo DeMarco is the president and chief executive officer of Contessa Knows; an online department store for men and women. The store features premium organic skincare products, apparel, jewelry, greeting cards, home accents and more for a sophisticated lifestyle. On the company website, http://www.contessaknows.com/ she showcases her insights, reflections and creative writing through her books, greeting cards, note cards and stationary as well as Contessa’s blog page which is not to be missed.

Jo has had several years of experience writing fiction. She has written novels, screenplays and whimsical books that focus on strong women, their roles and their experiences. She has a love for vintage romantic melodramas that, coupled with her passion and talent for writing, provides a platform for her to communicate tales of love, romance and good triumphing over evil. She is also the author of a children’s storybook, “One Little Christmas Tree.”

Her success is due to her strong faith, determination and desire to reach her goals. She views mistakes as an integral part of the learning process and necessary for personal growth and development. Jo studied at the Notre Dame School for Girls in Chicago, Illinois and total quality management under Dr. Donald Rice at Texas A&M University in 1994. She has also completed courses at the American Institute of Banking, American Management Association and Screenwriters Institute of Los Angeles. She is a member of the Writer’s Guild of America West and is the founder and creator of the Louis J. DeMarco Educational Foundation.

Articles by Jo DeMarco

• Networking Starts and Ends with You
• An Expert Lesson from Dad
• Overcoming Adversity to Find Strength
• “Sassy, Brassy, Direct and to the Point”