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How To Realistically Set Your Fees - Part 4
Effect Of Bad Debts
So far, we have covered the major factors involved in setting your fee structure. We have set a realistic number of billable hours, calculated the effect of expenses and taken into account the cost of a benefit package.
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Is Wayne Gretzky in or out when it comes to coaching ?
Gretzky has not said no to coaching, nor has he said yes, if and when the NHL labor dispute resolves itself. In June, Mike Barnett, General Manager of the Phoenix Coyotes asked Gretzky, who also is part owner, about coaching the Phoenix Coyotes. ...
Score At Least 5 More Points Per Game By Coaching Football Kicking Properly
I'll bet you're frustrated that your team's football
kicking skills are leaving at least five points on the field
every game you coach. Think about it , how often have you
been in a fourth and three situation on the opposition's fifteen
yard...
Sell More by Testing your Web Headlines and Home Page
A client asked me, "At what point do you change your Web site when not making enough sales?" My answer? Within a month or so because as long as your ad copy is weak, those weak sales numbers will continue. My Web master says "It depends on how...
The Key to High Productivity is Energy Management
One of the issues most often raised by my clients is better time management. People have tried prioritizing tasks, blocking out parts of their day for certain tasks, implementing new systems and getting better at delegation. While all of those...
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Who Loves Networking????
Many professionals who don’t enjoy networking equate it with selling. I have heard many say, I’m a professional. I didn’t go to school to learn to sell and they didn’t teach it. It is a common belief that in order to get new clients professionals need to make cold calls and do other activities they find distasteful and uncomfortable. It would be helpful and probably a relief to understand that networking is a different story.
The purpose of a good network is much more than a basis for getting new clients. A network of connections, which has been built over time, is a source for many things, such as career management in general, a resource for information and even valuable friendships. It is not an overnight way to get new clients. It is a support system for the long run.
The main feature of a good network is that it is mutually beneficial.
Did you ever put two people in touch for something helpful to both of them? Did you ever recommend a restaurant to someone? Those are examples of networking.
Despite the way it is commonly done, networking is not about elevator speeches, nor an exchange of business cards in the hope the recipient will become or refer a client. Networking is a sincere interest in learning and understanding the needs of someone else with the purpose of you being able to help them now or in the future with a referral, some information or other helpful gesture. Obviously you hope for reciprocity.
Effective networking assumes you have good communication skills that enable you to listen well and to articulate
clearly both what you do and how you can be of service. The ability to describe the client you best serve is basic. However, a conversation which includes talk about hobbies can be much more engaging than one limited to business.
When you get the hang of networking, you will note that it takes place everywhere, not solely in professional and business settings. How surprised I was to find that the owner of the gift store where I was making a purchase was a formerly practicing lawyer who gave me two referrals on the spot when our conversation led us both to reveal our career paths.
The maintenance and nurturing of networking contacts is as vital as making it in the first place. Renewing them through follow-up emails, holiday greetings, sending articles of interest, periodic check-ins, coffee meetings, invitations to play golf, referrals, etc. are all important parts of the picture.
Trade in your negative ideas that networking is a hard sell of you and your services in exchange for the idea that it is the practice of showing genuine interest and generosity to those you meet. Hopefully you will find the process enjoyable and enriching.
About the Author
Dorene Lehavi, Ph.D. is principal of Next Level Business and Professional Coaching. She coaches Professionals and Business Partners. You can get a free sample of her ebook, Stop Doing What You Hate‡Start Doing What You Love at http://www.StartDoingWhatYouLove.com. Contact Dr. Lehavi at Dorene@CoachingforYourNextLevel.com or on the web at http://www.CoachingforYourNextLevel.com
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