Author Archive

I attended a wonderful ‘s networking event last night hosted by Reid & Reige law firm and their Women’s Alliance. The main activity was speed networking. The purpose of the speed networking exercise is to make multiple new connections in a short amount of time and to practice and get more comfortable giving your elevator pitch. If you haven’t experience speed networking yet, look for opportunities to do so.

In addition to meeting new motivated women business leaders, I learned a valuable lesson. Be careful not to use too many “I message” when you introduce yourself. You might even count how many times you use it in a 2-minute introduction. For example, how many times do you find yourself starting a sentence with the word “I”?

Click through to read why I think this is a real networking turnoff and what you should be doing instead.

U.S. Army Lt. Col. Christine Harvey is on a mission: Transition into the civilian working world.

I first met Chris Harvey at the 2009 Business Women’s Forum in Hartford, CT. It was hard not to notice her commanding presence and radiant energy. She is what I call a “motivated leader.” We have since networked together quite a bit and I am motivated to help her accomplish her “mission” in whatever way that I can. In my opinion, she is the kind of principled leader that “civilian” businesses need.

Read about about Christine Harvey’s four-point strategy for orchestrating a successful career transition from her military life into the “civilian work world.”

The power of non-verbal body language is huge and most of us are unaware of what we “do” when we are face to face with other people.

Becoming more aware of and learning to control your body language will help you to be more successful in securing second interviews, team meetings, peer encounters, selling, networking and more.

Research studies* show that 55% of the meaning of your communication is derived not from what you are saying, but from what you are doing with your body and movements. (source: Professor Albert Mehrabian, UCLA, 1970 study known as The 7%-38%-55% Rule)

“The fact is that body language is more honest than words.” Allan Pease, author of The Definitive Book of Body Language.

A tilt of your head, crossing your arms, pointing your index finger at someone when you are speaking to them, rolling your eyes: these and other physical motions communicate volumes without even opening your mouth. So the question is, are you signaling what you want? Is your non-verbal body language congruent (or aligned with) your spoken message? Is there a conflict with what you say and what you do and if so, which message will be believed?

“When a person’s words and body language are in conflict, women ignore what is said.” Allan Pease, The Definitive Book of Body Language

Click through to watch a TV interview with Kathy McAfee and PBS TV host, Steve Adubato on the importance of vocal power and body language intelligence for professionals.

Does it really make that much difference?

I first become fascinated with non-verbal communication when I Read the rest of this entry »

How many of us …

• have written new year’s resolutions fully knowing that we will soon abandon them?
• have our resolutions in our heads, but have not yet put them to paper?
• have not shared our resolutions with someone who will help hold us accountable?
• have the same lofty resolutions year after year after year…but fail to accomplish them?

When in doubt, turn to the Webster Dictionary for insight:

• Resolve (vb): to deal with successfully. To reach a firm decision about.

• Resolution (n): the act or progress of reducing into a simpler form. The act of determining.

• Goal (n): the end towards which effort is directed. An aim or end of action.

The Thesaurus says: Determination. Will. Decision. Strength of Mind. Steadfastness. Firmness. Energy. Perseverance. Tenacity. Devotion. Courage. Desire. Aim. Ambition.

5 Tips for Creating New Year’s Goals that You Can Achieve:

1. Focus on what you want, not what you don’t want.  For example, instead of writing Stop Smoking, how about stating it as “Increase Health and Energy by Eliminating Smoking from My Life Forever, starting TODAY.”
2. Less is More. Don’t set yourself for failure by making a huge list of goals. Focus on the most important 5-7 things and put your energy and resources towards them.
3. Clear the Fear…Fast! It takes courage to get out of your comfort zone and to move into the Stretch Zone. Need help? Call the expert – Mark Shepard, The Rapid Change Specialist. Mark’s Clear the Fear Fast program is amazing. He helped me overcome my fear of cold calling and selling. (Tell him that The Marketing Motivator sent you).
4. Invest in Yourself. If losing weight has been a forever-goal, then consider hiring a health coach.  If you need to acquire new skills or knowledge, then attend workshops, start networking, carve out time for reading, become a learning sponge.
5. Get Support. Stay Motivated. Even the most motivated person needs help to stay on track. Engage the services of an executive coach, business coach or accountability partner so that you can continue moving forward.

Watch this video “The Motivation Song” by Mark Shepard and remember, wherever you desire to take your life, career, business and community in 2010, start visualizing it now. Set your goals. Get help. Get it DONE!