The benefits of networking events are often discounted or overlooked by business owners. Some feel that they don’t provide a significant return for the time and effort invested. Typically, people go to these events with a specific objective in mind. They might want to gain new clients, meet prospective candidates for employment, or forge a mutually beneficial business relationship. However, not every business networking event attended is going to provide the instant gratification of a valuable connection.
You never know which event will yield that connection, provide professional inspiration or an innovative business idea. It’s about putting yourself out there and becoming known in your business community. With so many others trying to do the same thing, how do you make yourself stand out in the crowd? The key is to be memorable, so when the need for your services or expertise arises, your name will be a the top of the list. Here are some great ways to make a lasting impression.
It might seem counterproductive but most people love to talk about themselves. Ask open-ended, thoughtful questions, providing them the opportunity to share a bit about themselves and their business. People are more likely to remember someone who shows interest in them rather than some who just talks about themselves.
Asking questions may also reveal something you have in common with others. It doesn’t have to be business related. Maybe you both enjoy the same sport or hobby. People tend to like and trust others with similar interests. Identifying common ground helps create a bond and makes you more memorable.
It’s inevitable at business networking events – everyone asks “what do you do?”. Your answer should be more interesting than “ I own a restaurant” or “I”m in retail”. You want the answer to create interest and arouse their curiosity. For example, here at CapFlow Funding, the simple answer would be “We provide business funding”. The answer that gets someone’s attention and sparks their interest is “We help businesses realize their potential”. The second answer is not only memorable but makes people want to know more.
Did you ever go to a business networking event and think everyone looks the same? After all, a gray suit is just a gray suit. There nothing eye-catching or interesting about it. Find a style or fashion accessory that is uniquely yours. Think of Zuckerberg’s signature gray T-shirts or CoCo Chanel’s pearls. Let your personal style shine. Be the guy with the crazy ties or the woman who always wears a statement piece of jewelry.
It can be difficult to remember someone you’ve only met once or only spoke to briefly, especially when they are meeting a lot of other people at the same event. So whenever possible, follow up on that first meeting. Business cards are commonplace at networking events. Make notes on the back of the cards regarding topics you discussed or something you have in common with that person. This will give you the opportunity to reach out after the event by sending them an article or information about an event that might interest them. This gives people more reason to remember you.
You never know where you’ll make that connection or when it will be beneficial. However, on the occasions when it results in a productive partnership, you’ll be glad you made the investment in business networking. Know someone whose business could use a little help reaching its full potential? Keep CapFlow in mind. In addition to our funding options, we also offer sales and referral programs. When you’re ready to get started, let us know.
There is much debate as to whether or not Monday morning blues are an actual clinical condition or just a commonly held myth. While some academics tend to dismiss them, if you take a random survey among the workforce, you’ll probably find quite a few people who claim to have experienced them at one time or another. For those people, Monday morning blues can start off the work week on the wrong foot. Fortunately, there are things you can do to combat the blues and slide into Friday with a sense of accomplishment and another productive week at work behind you.
Before you leave the office on Friday, get your desk ready for Monday morning. Finish up as many projects as you can on Friday and then spend the last 10 or 15 minutes of the day cleaning up and organizing your desk. Coming in on Monday to the remnants of last week scattered all over won’t do anything to lift your spirits.
Set yourself up with a clean workspace and make a to-do list for Monday morning. You don’t have to plan the whole week or even the whole day. The to-do list just needs to have a few tasks with tangible results. This will let you start the week off with some direction and a sense of achievement.
We get it – sometimes this just isn’t possible, especially when today’s devices and technology make it so easy to stay connected. However, when you can, avoid checking your work email over the weekend. Letting work responsibilities creep into your time off can leave you feeling like you missed out and make you a bit resentful on Monday morning.
For many people, the Monday morning blues start on Sunday night. With the weekend winding down, some stay up way too late trying to make it last longer. Others had such a busy weekend that they didn’t get enough sleep overall. Whatever the reason, not getting enough sleep Sunday night can significantly impact the Monday morning blues.
Start the week off well-rested by getting a solid night’s sleep and don’t hit the snooze button on Monday morning. According to Rafael Pelayo, MD, a sleep specialist at the Stanford University Sleep Medicine Center, when that buzzer goes off a second time, your body and brain are taken by surprise, resulting in that groggy, fuzzy-headed feeling called sleep inertia. The more you snooze, the more confused your body and brain become. You’ll probably feel more out of it despite having actually spent extra time in bed.
Jumping out of bed at the last minute and racing to get to work can have you arriving at the office scattered and unfocused any day of the week. Getting up a little earlier may not sound like fun but it will allow time to collect your thoughts and mentally organize your day. You may even find yourself arriving at the office a little earlier. This can give you the opportunity to get a head start on your day with fewer distractions. Self-made billionaire Richard Branson gets up at 5 am every day. He has indicated that one of the reasons he rises so early is so he can work through his emails before most of the world logs on.
Branson also gets his workout out of the way first thing in the morning. He believes that exercise boosts his productivity and research suggests that exercise does energize you physically and mentally. We’re not saying you have to get up and spend an hour at the gym before you head off to work. If you want to, that’s great. If not, a simple 15 to 30-minute walk can do the trick. You could also do yoga or even some simple stretching exercises. Whichever type of exercise you choose, it can help you overcome the Monday morning blues and make it the first day of a positive and productive work week
This last tip may sound silly to some, but how you dress can impact how you feel. Putting on clothes that make you look and feel good can improve your mood. Even if your office dress code is casual, spend a few extra minutes on Monday morning putting together your version of a “power suit”. When you feel good about yourself, you tend to be happier, confident and more productive.
Don’t let the Monday morning blues sabotage your week before it even gets started. These simple tips can have you feeling good about Monday morning and may even have you looking forward to it!
When growing your business, kick-starting every week with a positive attitude is important. Unfortunately, concerns about working capital can derail even the best efforts to overcome Monday morning blues. If your company is in need of additional capital, contact Capflow Funding Group and find out how we may be able to help.
