This Month’s SuccessNet

This month’s Art of Networking article in BNI’s newsletter that goes out to over 100,000 people worldwide!

Internet Forums Can Make You the Expert by Beth M. Anderson

No shoes, no shirt, no service

We’ve all seen that sign a million times…but here’s one with a new twist. I saw this on the door of a local gas station/convenience store. “Shoes must be on your feet when you enter the store.“

Now what do you think prompted someone putting that sign up? Pretty easy to guess…some smarta** kid saying “But I have my shoes right here!” and the cashier thought ENOUGH and hand wrote out a sign, thinking that would solve all the world’s ills.

One of my favorite quotes of Dr. Misner’s is, Don’t Make Decisions Based on Exceptions. What “signs” are you using around your business that are outdated or foolish. Here are some thoughts to ponder:

• Have your prices stayed the same for too long?
• Do you have any employee rules that no longer make sense?
• Does your website or brochure have outdated material on it - obsolete products, old addresses, pictures of people or things which are no longer a part of the company?
• Are you handwriting or crossing off something on your business cards? (go to www.vistaprint.com - they’re cheap!)
• If you have a retail operation, are your windows clean and free of clutter? Old notices are not attracting new customers.
• Restrictive sales practices or billing processes because of one bad client experience.

Take a look around and spruce up your place, even if your “place” is virtual. Don’t spend so much time protecting yourself from the exceptions, and you’ll have more time, energy and space in which to blossom.

Small World

I live in a small world. Thursday night I was at the local wine bar (town of 900, we have just one) and ran into three guys who sail out of my marina. Turns out one needs some help with his website, so we exchanged cards and went on our way. Next day I’m telling a friend of mine in Minneapolis (70 miles away, pop. 2 mil) about the guy I met but just gave him the company name. “You had drinks with Bill Kirkpatrick?” Yes, they know each other. Turns out they’re on a ski team together.  Steve will tell Bill to hire me, and one more time connections are made, testimonials are given, and my world continues to be small. Ain’t it grand?