What Kind of Leader Are You?

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If you’re looking to become a leader, it’s good to identify what kind of leader you’ll be. After all, every leader is different, each with his/her pros and cons.

Let’s first take a look at the 3 different kinds of leaders:
1.  Strong – strong leaders can come across as bossy (it’s a fine line) and insecure, but they don’t mean to be. They feel that if something is going to get done, they’ll have to make sure of it.

As individuals, they are very proficient and productive. They are loners to some extent. In a group they like to be in control. They enjoy telling others what to do.

2.  Quiet – quiet leaders can come across as soft and timid, but nothing could be further from the truth. They, typically, feel confident in their actions and allow their actions to speak for themselves.

As individuals, they are action takers. They can be alone, but prefer company because they know it’ll make them better. In a group, they love to be “the man/woman behind the scenes.” They enjoy unanimity.

3.  Fun – fun leaders can come across as being insincere and not serious. However, they feel laughter and joking around increases mood and productivity.

As individuals, they love messing around and having a good time. They get things done, but on their own time. In a group, they love making others feel good. They enjoy making people laugh when things go wrong.

While I probably listed more pros than cons above, you get the gist. There are different kinds of leaders. What kind are you? What characteristics do you want to add to your own style?

You see, if you’re a Strong Leader, you may want to add characteristics from the Quiet Leader and the Fun Leader; like being more humble and having more fun.

If you’re a Quiet Leader, you may want to add characteristics from the Strong Leader and the Fun Leader; like being more assertive and being less self-conscious.

If you’re a Fun Leader, you may want to add characteristics from the Strong Leader and the Quiet Leader; like being more serious at times and being less in the spotlight.

It’s up to you, of course. Make your own style unique and original. Make your style YOUR OWN. Blend these styles. Mix and match them. Become the kind of leader you want to be.

The #1 Secret for Hooking Back Up with Lost Clients

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To end the Month of Love, let’s look at hooking back up with someone you lost. In the case of love, maybe it was a boy/girl friend or husband/wife. In our case, as entrepreneurs, it could be a lost client or customer.

Christina Aguilera, in her song, What a Girl Wants, sings, “If you love something let it go; if it comes back it’s yours, that’s how you know. It’s for keeps, yeah, it’s for sure.”

While this may be true for love (though I can argue it from experience), it’s NOT true for getting back a lost client. You can’t wait for them to come back on their own…it’s extremely unlikely to happen.

So, instead of waiting around, go get ‘em back. That’s how you know.

Now, I admit it’s not as easy as I made it sound. In fact, it takes time, energy, and patience. If you don’t have any of these characteristics, you might as well stop reading here and now. However, if you do have time, energy, and patience, here’s the #1 Secret for hooking back up with your lost, loved clients:

Constant communication!

To get ‘em back; you have to stay in constant communication using as many different media as affordably possible. Here are 4 communication tools that are both effective and inexpensive:

Emails – this is the most inexpensive communication tool, however it’s also the least personal one. Use email as a way of passing your lost client information that may benefit them. Send them articles, mp3’s, and videos on topics that will help them grow their business or achieve a goal you know about.

Occasional phone calls – this tool is extremely inexpensive today and is very personal. Everyone loves an occasional phone call. Don’t sell them anything…just find out how they’re doing and if you can help in any way. The key is to stay in front of these lost customers and show them how much value you add to their life.

Postcards/Birthday cards – this tool will cost you a little cash, but it’s well worth it. Send your lost clients a birthday card or just a personal note out of the blue. Both say, “I’m thinking of you and here to help.” Again, make them feel good and they’ll want come back.

Networking Events – this tool is one of the most underutilized tools in the book. Before you go to an event, call or email your lost clients and tell them you want to see them again…and here’s the best place to do so. Give them the info on the event and invite them to come along to catch up. This is an awesome way to see them in person, while meeting new people. Think: jealousy.

There you have it. The #1 Secret for hooking back up with your lost, loved clients…constant communication! Keep in touch with them as much as affordably possible and make them feel missed and good about coming back. Some will…and that’s when it’s all worth it.

3 Secrets to Getting Over a Client Break-up

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Do you remember your first love? The guy or gal who you thought would never leave your side. The one you thought would love you forever. The one you…you remember!

Whatever happened to them? Well, if you’re like most of us, they ripped your heart out and left you for dead. Okay, maybe I exaggerate. But it did feel that way at the time, didn’t it?

Unfortunately, this break up process never goes away. Your loved one breaks up with you. Your dog runs away. Your client leaves. Hey, it happens to the best of us. Though it’s not fun, it’s a natural part of life and a part we all have to get used to.

The key, however, is to learn how to handle your break ups better. For our purpose, let’s look at a client break-up and figure out how to get over it faster and with less pain. Here are 3 secrets to help you:

1.    Find someone new – I remember my first break-up and what my dad told me. “You’ll find someone new.” As my mom comforted me, these were not the words I wanted to hear. However, years later and after many broken hearts, the old man may have been right. You will find someone new. And in our case, the sooner the better.

When you find another client, you tend to forget about the one that got away. Your focus and energy can now move forward without much, if any, thought of the past and what could’ve or should’ve happened.

So, to get over a client break-up I’m afraid I have to use my dad’s advice here: find someone new…fast!

2.    Focus on the good, not the bad – what happened after your first (or even fifth) break-up? You thought about it and what went wrong didn’t you? Of course you have…we all have.

The trick, though, is to NOT think about that kind of stuff. Easier said than done, I know. However, after you heartache was gone, what did you think about?  All the good stuff love brings and how you’re going to share your love with someone, right? And, I bet you felt better.

The reason is simple. What we think about and focus on, we feel. Our emotions are strong; and the more we think and focus on the bad, the worse we feel. On the other hand, the more good we think about and focus on, the better we feel. Focus on the good.

3.    Position yourself – after a break-up, did you look for love or did you just let it happen? More often than not, just letting love find you is faster than you actively searching.

The only explanation I can conjure up is this: when you search, you look desperate…and no one wants a desperate man (or woman). When you position yourself in the right way, love finds you. Same goes with clients. When you position yourself as cool and confident (not desperate), your next client(s) will find you.

There you have it – the 3 secrets to handling a client break-up fast and with less pain. Focus on the good, position yourself as cool, calm, and confident, and find someone new.

The Secret to Getting More Clients to Love You

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In the spirit of Valentine’s Day, I want to talk to you about getting more clients to love you. After all, the more clients that love you and your work, the more people you’re able to help and the more money you’re able to make. Both very important.

So, in my opinion, here’s the secret to getting more clients to love you:
Care about them!

I know this sounds simple, but are you showing your clients that you care? Are you showing them your appreciation? For them? For the business they give you? For anything?

People need appreciation, recognition, and love. Without it they’ll die. In our case, they’ll leave. They’ll go find another entrepreneur who can offer something similar, but who shows them love.

So, if you want more clients to love you, you have to love them first. Now, I’m not saying you have to send them roses and give them hugs – though that may be cool to some clients. You just have to show your appreciation for them. Here are 5 ways to help you do just that:

1.    Acknowledge their time and attention – everyone is busy, so when your clients give you their time (no matter what for), you should acknowledge that fact. Simply tell them you know they’re busy and you appreciate their time. Simple, I know. But it goes a long way with busy people. There is nothing a truly busy person hates more than wasting time.

2. Thank them – thank your client before they leave your office. Thank them before they get off the phone. Thank them via mail after they leave your office. Thank them via email after they get off your phone session. Thank them anytime you want to just for the hell of it. One caveat: your appreciation must be sincere in emotion and tone.

3.    Learn to say, “You’re Welcome” – I know this sounds contrary to above two ways, but this is crucial. Your client has hired you for a reason. They want to show their appreciation, too. Let them. Learn to say, “You’re welcome.” This simple exchange makes them feel good inside. It reinforces that they made a good decision by hiring you.

4. Send them a gift – of course you have to know the laws around your industry, but if possible, send your clients some kind of gift. Be creative. Be thoughtful. It doesn’t have to cost you much. It just has to show you care.

5. Give them FREE stuff – whenever possible (and this can and should be planned), send your clients free stuff; like articles, upcoming events, and ideas for them. This unexpected treat will go a long way in their eyes.

There you have it. THE secret to getting more clients to love you and 5 simple ways to show them you care. Remember, the more clients that love you, the more you’re able to help, the more people they tell, and the more you’re able to earn.

A Dirty Little Secret about Networking Groups

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Let’s get right down to business. There’s a dirty little secret THEY don’t want you to know about networking groups…wanna know what it is? Here you go:

Networking groups don’t work for 95% of the people in them!

Shocking?! Probably not. But it’s true. However, I’ve been involved in networking groups (and still am) – both as a member and as an ‘inside guy’ – and I can tell you why this is true…

First, most business owners and sales professionals don’t know anything there is to know about networking. They think (for some reason) they can enter a group and, BAM, walk out with business. WRONG!

Networking is a skill that takes time and effort. Networking is all about building relationships with other people. If, and only if, a relationship is developed (then nurtured) will business come your way.

Second, most business owners and sales professionals come into a group with a “selling mindset.” They immediately want to sell something to each and every member of the group because they think EVERYONE needs what they have. WRONG!

Most people don’t need what they have; and, they don’t even know the person. If they don’t know you…they don’t trust you (yet). Remember this: people buy when they know, like, and trust you AND when they need/want your product or service. That’s it…only when these stars are aligned will someone buy from you (or anyone else).

Third, most business owners and sales professionals come into a group with a “taking mindset.” They come into a meeting or group and expect to get leads and referrals. WRONG!

Again, networking is all about building relationships. All healthy relationships come from the mindset of NOT taking…but of GIVING! As my friend and mentor, Dr. Ivan Misner – founder of the largest referral organization in the world – says, “Giver’s Gain.”

In other words, you have to give first (and have a giving mindset). Then, and only then, will you be able to get. It’s simply the Law of Reciprocity. The more you give, the more you’ll get.

One important caveat: who you give to won’t always be who you receive from…the universe, somehow, gives back to you from other sources…3-10 times what you give.

To wrap this all up before THEY are on to me…don’t be a part of the crowd who comes in taking, selling, and running over people…they don’t last long in the world of networking. Instead, come in giving, listening, and helping.