:Where Worklife Matters

Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) was set up in the 70’s and in those days their specialization was in highly leveraged transactions. However, they have assembled a unique green project that focuses not simply on how much profit they can produce, but likewise on how ecologically aware each of their companies are. When Henry Kravis from KKR and the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) merged a year ago environmental matters all of a sudden became a mainstream concern. Big issues like greenhouse gas emissions and unmitigated water consumption rank high on their agenda. Eco-efficiency (the phrase was originally popularized by the World Business Council for Sustainable Development) is the method employed to achieve these targets, through applying green techniques like increasing the durability of products, fuel economy and improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance. Even though the project was a colossal success, staff simply did not recognize how fantastic the effects were until Ken Mehlman, the executive responsible for the program, finished the review of the first twelve months. Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken found that applying eco-efficiency not only served in proctecting the local environment, but also increased the the profit from every company too. Almost all of the businesses affiliated to KKR and Ken Mehlman now are involved in eco-efficiency. If you look at the fact that this group of companies is valued at nearly 100.000,000,000 USD, you can see what an enormous accomplishment this actually is.

The original project has developed far beyond its original purpose and at present encompasses new ventures. The Climate Corps Program administrated by the EDF is a great illustration of this, it raises awareness of eco-efficient business principles to students taking a Master’s degree in Business Administration. More recently, Ken Mehlman has cooperated closely with Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co to formulate a series of metrics and other related systems that businesses can employ to evaluate and oversee assorted resources. With this information available, companies may without very much effort examine all of their daily activities and find out how any problems may be solved while at the same time tracking their progress. The business community has been altered forever by the work of these individuals. So, to summarize, these systems have made green business practice not only viable, but commercially desirable, and their revolutionary ideas are setting a new standard in the business world of today.

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When Henry Kravis and his partner George Roberts launched Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co (KKR) in the mid 70’s with help from the First Chicago Corporation, the company’s specialty was in bootstrap buyouts. But aiming to make the companies they acquire greener and more profitable to boot, they have set up an unusual green enterprise that has completely changed the way business concerns and environmental activists work. Green business processes went mainstream in 2008 when KKR’s Henry Kravis and the independent Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) joined forces. The coalition aims to campaign against many all important green issues, which include hazardous chemical use, resource depletion, absurd consumption of water resources, and toxic waste.

Eco-efficiency (the phrase was initially submitted by the WBCSD) is the technique deployed to achieve these aims, employing policies such as reducing the dispersion of toxic chemicals, improving fuel economy through vehicle fleet maintenance and waste reduction. Although the project was a tremendous success, people simply didn’t realize how important the results actually were until Ken Mehlman, the man responsible for the program, finished the first annual review.

Much to everybody’s surprise, Ken found that utilizing eco-efficiency not only served in preserving the local environment, but also increased the the profit from all their business concerns besides. Nearly all of the businesses held by Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and Ken Mehlman at present are taking part in eco-efficiency principles. All The Same, when you consider that the group has a current portfolio worth eighty six billion dollars, you may be sure that this was not a simple achievement. Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co and the EDF along with Ken Mehlman have also expanded the initial project. The Climate Corps Program administered by the Environmental Defense Fund is just one of these, it raises awareness of planet friendly business techniques to interns studying for an MBA.

KKR and Ken Mehlman have made the effort to create metrics which have the ability to administer various resources. Products such as these allow staff see how they are progressing and identify any problem areas.

Henry Kravis, the KKC, and the Environmental Defense Fund have encouraged all sorts of businesses to cut down their environmental impact. These developments have set a high standard for business organizations in any industry and established that running a profitable business need not entail the hefty price of damaging the environment.

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We all know that giving your time as a volunteer lets you strengthen the bonds of your community and at the same go assist those in need. But how do you schedule this? You’ll also discover that it’s more straightforward to get involved when a volunteer event has been organized for you. Moreover, when you volunteer as part of a team effort with friends or co-workers, it will be more enjoyable.

For this reason companies like Adaptive Marketing LLC, a Connecticut-based firm that developed programs including Leisure Exclusives, have stepped up as the organizing points which co-ordinate volunteer activity and help their employees find the time to pitch in.

If you think of company sponsored charitable effort, you probably think of blood drives, perhaps a Christmas call for donations, and no more, but that’s simply not true in the modern day. The employees of Adaptive Marketing are frequently provided with the chance to participate in a full range of community initiatives. Once all the information - date, location, time, specifics, etc. - had been clearly announced it became very simple for employees to decide the actual amount of time they could give and what they’d be doing as they did so. There should always be a opportunity to select activities. Companies who provide this kind of service like Adaptive Marketing, (as you’d expect from the company behind Leisure Exclusives) offer their staff members a diverse list of local programs to get involved with. There’s so much to be done, after all; working with young adults, helping with environmental programs, or supporting local artists among others. Adaptive Marketing’s staff members will be sure to choose something they enjoy to volunteer for, ensuring they’ll spend their time effectively and happily.

If businesses encourage employees to get involved at homeless shelters, it tends to be during a single event or a regularly scheduled, perhaps weekly or monthly undertaking. There are people who assert they don’t have sufficient time, but even they can squeeze in the public library’s sale of used books.

You’ll find plenty of tales of companies finding ways of helping the citizens of their hometown. Goodwill builds from the volunteer work carried out by Adaptive Marketing’s members of staff through these initiatives. The real bonus is, one of the benefits of volunteer work is feeling better about yourself - an upbeat feeling that improves the entire corporation. By now, we think, the rewards of a company sponsored volunteer program for everyone involved are are perfectly clear.

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This is the story of Stephen A. Schwarzman. Forbes Magazine named Steve the fifty third most well-off person in America recently, but it isn’t just money which makes this story fascinating but in addition Steve’s unbelievable success in the financial sector and his generosity to education and the liberal arts. This Blackstone Group co-founder is an inspiration and his life demonstrates that dedication and hard work are the keys to achieving success. The Blackstone Group was initially set up by Steve and Peter Peterson as a company offering financial advice and private-equity management. The company has grown from strength to strength and today is setting the standard in mergers and acquisitions. Steve spent his formative years in the suburbs of Philadelphia. After finishing high school he opted for an undergraduate program at Yale University. He set about taking a program of post graduate study at the internationally renowned Harvard Business school near Boston, MA. After concluding his post-graduate degree, Steve started his job in investment banking at Lehman Brothers. By his 32nd birthday Steve was already on the board. Steve doesn’t solely give his time and money to a broad range of not for profit organizations, but in addition he has also been a part-time professor at Yale. He is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the JFK Center for the Performing Arts in New York, New York. What is more, Steve recently gave the New York Public Library $100,000,000 to help fund their recent construction plans. In fact they named one of their new buildings after him.

Visit and inspect this comprehensive trusted resource for Stephen Schwarzman infos

As you would anticipate Steve Schwarzman is accepted as one of America’s elite: he was described amongst Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People on earth in recognition of his many attainments and influence in the financial sector. His meteoric rise to power in the financial world is nothing short of spectacular, and coupled with his willingness to support the community as exemplified by his unstinting gifts to the liberal arts and education galvanizes those individuals who want to emulate him. It would seem that at the moment, Steve Schwarzman has it all. Steve Schwarzman is doubtless an interesting person whose influence can certainly be viewed in the US and its business community.

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You’ll most probably have encountered Mr. Naveen Jain as being the CEO & co-founder of Intelius, Inc. a market leader in background checks and public records services. In addition to making the Forbes 400 Richest in America list 2000, this maverick business leader has been given a number of reputable awards, foremost the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, the WSA Industry Achievement Award, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. But that is not where it ends. This is because Mr. Jain and his relatives are likewise as ardent about philanthropy and will endeavor to help others when they can.

All our expectations for the years to come are carried in today’s young generation. Naveen Jain also views children as the deserving focus of his enterprises, and he takes each and every opportunity available to assist them. This is the main reason why he is always persistently exploiting every chance available to lend a helping hand if it is even remotely doable. Thus, Naveen Jain, his relatives and his staff at Intelius, Inc. apply their time to a range of charities like the Rotary Club, Hopelink, and the Overlake Service League. Obviously they will offer magnanimous material aid but most importantly they pledge their time and care to the most disadvantaged and risk prone children. Furthermore, Naveen Jain gives aid to the Children’s Hospital in an effort to restore children’s health too.

With Jain being a graduate of the Indian Institute of Technology and XLRI Jamshedpur, it comes as no wonder that schooling enjoys a tremendously significant priority in his charitable endeavors. This also includes campaigns and voluntary organizations that cover the spectrum from the local to the international. Therefore, Intelius and its CEO are sponsoring deserving interest groups and charities,like, for example TreeHouse, the University Preparatory Academy and United Way. Getting sustenance over to the hungry of the world is another great aim to Naveen Jain and those around him and it makes no difference in the least to him whether it is a child in Latin America or the Ukraine, or an aged destitute lady in Bolivia or Uganda requiring assistance. While he is intensely cognizant that the aspiration to feed every destitute mouth in the world can seem like an overwhelming task, he also knows that the unattainable can truly become feasible when everybody labors together. If this entrepreneur should have his way, there will be a definite conclusion to poverty and famine on this planet in the future. People may probably be pardoned for imagining that functioning as the man in charge of a very successful company on top of being a committed husband and father would leave him with little free time for philanthropic works. Nonetheless he sees to it that every one of his charitable undertakings obtains all the assistance he can feasibly ramp up. This doggedly energetic businessman is undeniably much more than just a business maverick. In actual fact, he is an outstanding citizen and a veritable community activist.

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Most if not all truly prominent business people make a point of being constructive community members and Naveen Jain is no exception. To all probability you may have come across Mr. Naveen Jain’s name as the CEO and co-founder of Intelius, Inc. the renowned information commerce company. On top of making the Forbes list “400 Richest in America” in 2000, this highly successful entrepreneur has been bestowed various prestigious awards, foremost the Albert Einstein Technology Medal, the WSA Industry Achievement Award, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award. However it doesn’t finish off there. Because Naveen Jain and his family are every bit as zealous about their charitable endeavors and will try to help people in need whenever the opportunity arises. Kids are certainly the world’s most treasurable resource. They are also a central motivation for this enterprising man and he uses any chance available to assist them. This is the main reason why he is always persistently exploiting every opening he can to lend a helping hand if it is even remotely viable. Thus Naveen Jain, his kin and his workers at Intelius, Inc. give their time to philanthropical entities such as Hopelink, the Overlake Service League, and the University Preparatory Academy. Expectably, they provide magnanimous material support, but more importantly they devote plenty of time and care to those children who need it the most. What’s more, he helps support the Children’s Hospital contributing to improve children’s health.

With Naveen Jain being an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology and XLRI Jamshedpur, it’s hardly surprising that education constitutes a vital hub in his charitable operations. This includes deserving causes and aid organizations local, state, and nationwide. In doing this, Intelius and its CEO are sponsoring aid agencies and charities such as the University of Washington, the Indian American Education Foundation and the Vedic Cultural Center.

Getting foodstuffs to the impoverished of the planet is another critical goal for Jain and those around him and to him, it makes not one speck of difference. While he is highly mindful that the ambition to feed every hungry person in the world can look like an insurmountable task, he also knows that the unfeasible can really turn out to be reachable assuming everybody labors in concert. If this CEO gets his way, the final curtain will is bound to come down on famine and neediness all over the world at some time. One could reason that as the man in operative command of a wildly flourishing market leading company on top of being a dedicated husband and father would leave hardly any resources for donating and support. All the same he takes care to make certain that all of his beneficent ventures will receive as much attention as he can plausibly give. This intently philanthropic entrepreneur is undoubtedly much more than merely an ordinary business captain. He is, beyond that, a unique personality and a veritable champion of his community.

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Father’s Day is just around the corner and it will be here earlier than you know it! Give your father, or other special man in your life, a truly unique and appreciated present. Make this year a different year by giving him something memorable.

Father’s Day gift baskets are bundled in all shapes and sizes and can be tailored to fit any budget. You can either buy a custom made gift or buy one off the shelf, just as long as it’s well-thought of.Whether Dad is a sportfishing nut, racecar fan or a lover of gourmet treats, you can easily find a basket that he will be delighted in. (And it doesn’t have to take up a lot space.)

If you Dad or special man is a movie buff, you can go for a Father’s Day movie basket. You can just imagine the look on his face when he finds all these goodies particularly fashioned to his likings.

If Dad is a “golf junkie”, there are plenty of Father’s Day golf-related gifts

Baskets that will fit him to a t. or in this case, tee. Pick Out small themed items. maybe a book filled with extensive golf tips, a getatable notepad or a perpetual calendar. Add to that, a bucket of chocolate golf balls, Dad’s favorite nuts, snack mix and a golfer’s coffee mug, filled with a smorgasbord of gourmet coffee singles.

If your dad likes to grille, barbecue related items may be a very good option to take. You can take a basket or a tray of preferred sauces and marinades. Finally, you can polish off the basket with utensils and BBQ related-items such as chopping boards, gloves, cookbook or even a grocery gift card.

There are a bunch of items to choose from. All you have to do is determine out what your Fathers Day Gifts are and then start from there. Make it a special “mission” if you like to call it to have your gift basket marketer come up with a special gift basket that will not end up gathering dust in the basement or closet.

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I remember the first time I opened the fridge to get a drink of water and accidentally grabbed the wrong pitcher…

Glug…glug…glug…

Ahhh! Lemonade! My cheeks tingled from the surprising tart flavor as I gulped down an unexpected swig of Country Time.

Woooo-weee! That woke me up at 6 in the morning!

When it comes to conversation, giving flavored answers to fruitless questions works the same way. Think about your responses to ritual questions like “How are you?” “What’s up?” “How’s business?” or “How you doin?” (If you live in New York City)

What’s your answer? Good? Great? Grand? Wonderful? Perhaps you use the ever popular fine.

Guess what? Your answers are BOR-ing! In fact, fine is probably the worst of the lot - it can mean anything! For example, last summer I went to a Cardinals game on a warm Sunday afternoon and felt fine until I vomited from eating 4 orders of nachos…after which I told my girlfriend I felt fine. (F.I.N.E is actually an acronym for “Feelings I’m Not Expressing)

Nevertheless, these close-ended, one syllable words are conversation killers. They offer limited spice to your encounters. And most of the time, people use them as fast getaways to be polite, say hello, and get on with their isolated lives.

On the other hand, when you offer a flavored answer to a fruitless question, it magnetizes people. It makes you more approachable. People won’t be able to resist talking to you because you will be so darn sweet! In other words, you will turn water into lemonade.

Fine Doesn’t Sell Couches
I first tried flavored answers a few years ago when I sold furniture in Portland. As a salesman, it was my job to greet every person that came through the store. Daily, my opener to customers was a simple, “Good morning, how are ya?”

People responded with “Good,” “Fine,” “Excellent,” or whatever bland, monosyllabic pseudo emotion that disguised their real feelings which ended the conversation so the annoying salesman would walk away.

But then, they’d ask the same question back to me. I would respond with such flavored answers as “Exhausted from lifting couches,” “This place is a circus on Sundays!” or “I’m hopped up on sugar from our free donuts!”

No customer ever walked away from me! No customer felt uncomfortable! And no customer avoided eye contact so he wouldn’t have to talk to some pushy salesman.

But every customer had fun. Every customer smiled. And every customer engaged with and related to me as they eventually offered their real states of mind.

Then all of the sudden, my sales skyrocketed! Customers loved me! We got to know each other through engaging, fun conversations which made the sales process relaxed and personable. And all I did was give a flavored answer to a fruitless question. (Therein lies a mini sales lesson on building rapport with your customers!)

Your flavored answers must also have a mixture of the right ingredients. Here are seven characteristics that will lay a foundation from which you can create your own flavor. Read these, and soon you will be turning water into lemonade with only a few words!

MAKE YOUR ANSWER…original. Become known for the way you answer mundane questions with something unique and creative. When I saw George Carlin in concert, he told the audience this: “I hate answering the same stupid, mundane questions in the same, stupid way. So I’ve decided that every month, I will use a new adjective just to keep my answers fresh. This month, it’s ubiquitous.”

MAKE YOUR ANSWER…a personification of your attitude. People can learn a great deal about your attitudes and values simply by the way you reply to “How are you doing?” What’s more, flavored answers to fruitless questions are self-fulfilling prophecies: tell someone you’re “On top of the world,” and you just might find yourself there.

MAKE YOUR ANSWER…surprising. Say something completely unexpected. Say the exact opposite of what the person expects to hear. Several years ago I was wearing a Michigan Football hat the day after Ohio State demolished them 49-10. A man wearing an Ohio jersey approached me, rudely got in my face and with utter arrogance said, “Hey man - did you see the Ohio State/Michigan game last night?!”

“No, I don’t like sports.”

He was silenced. Dumfounded. A complete a loss for words! I smiled back and he ended up changing the subject after which we had a friendly conversation.

MAKE YOUR ANSWER…appealing. Use your smile, tone of voice and even touch to activate and enliven the senses. This combination of words and actions will make your answers almost seem three dimensional! My friend Samantha once suggested the idea of having “National High Five Day” in order to make conversations more fun! Now that would add some flavor to the fruitless!

MAKE YOUR ANSWER…memorable. Discover words that differentiate you. Millions of conversations take place every minute. So, what can you say that resonates in someone’s heart that they haven’t already heard 20 times today? I’ll never forget the time I asked an elderly man, “How are you?” to which he replied, “I’m old, I’m Italian, and I’m rich!”

MAKE YOUR ANSWER…honest and open. People are afraid to disclose the way they really feel in response to mundane, ritual questions because: there’s little time to do so, revealing emotions doesn’t seem worth it, or “fine” is just the first word that comes out of their mouths. This isn’t conducive to much reciprocation or flow in your conversation.

But have you ever gone out of your way to truly answer openly and honestly? Here’s an example that demonstrates the reciprocal nature of self-disclosure.

A few months ago I was working the lobby door at the Ritz Carlton when my eyelids just about closed on me. I was exhausted from working all day. As a guest rapidly approached the hotel I greeted him with, “Welcome in sir, how are you this evening?”

“Fine, how are you?” he quickly replied.

“Tired.”

He almost flew right past me, but the moment that word came out of my mouth he stopped in his tracks! He looked back with a tilted-head smile and said, “Yeah… I guess I’m kinda tired too. I had a long day of meetings and I just want to get some sleep.”

That’s odd…I thought he was “fine.”

Cherise the Waitress
About once a month I eat at a restaurant in St. Louis called Ozzie’s, named after the great Cardinals shortstop. This is where I first met Cherise. One day, after taking note of my “ready to order” behavior, she walked over to my table.

“Good afternoon, my name is Cherise - how are you today?”

“I’m awesome, how about yourself?”

“I’m blessed, thanks for asking!”

Wait a sec. Did she just say “blessed”?

“Excuse me Cherise, but did I just hear you say ‘blessed’?”

“Yes I did! I’m just so fortunate to be blessed in all areas of my life and I love to share that with all of my customers!”

Wow. Now that’s a flavored answer. I inquired further about Cherise’s “blessed” life and discovered she was not only a waitress but a musician who was in the process of signing her first record contract.

Now…in my life, I’ve had somewhere in the neighborhood of 30 bazillion waitresses. Give or take a few. But I never had anyone like Cherise. Her original answer turned water into lemonade because she created memorable presence. Once she said “I’m blessed, thanks for asking!” I no longer saw her as a waitress, but as a magnification of God’s love whom I would never forget.

Henry the Bellman
I met Henry during one of my first shifts at the Ritz Carlton St. Louis. You can’t miss the guy: fifty five years old, six-foot-six and always smiling! One evening as I waited by the front door, I noticed Henry strutting in my direction. As he passed by, I quickly glanced at his nametag and introduced myself, “Hi Henry, I’m Scott - how ya’ doin?”

I’ll never forget what he said next: “Alright! Everything is beautiful!”

Hmmm…awfully chipper for someone about to work 11 PM - 7 AM, wouldn’t you say? I later discovered that Henry had been the overnight bellman for more than 10 years. He strutted into work every night at 11:00 PM, and didn’t leave until every shoe was polished, every bag was delivered and every guest got his newspaper. And Henry always had a smile on his face.

I found Henry’s flavored answer to be incredibly magnetic because it surprised me. The overnight bellman is not the most glamorous of positions; it’s not the most profitable and it’s certainly not the most recognized. But Henry doesn’t care. To Henry, everything is beautiful. Even if it’s late at night. Even if there’s a million things to do. Everything is beautiful. And to this day, Henry still says that same sentence every time I see him.

Jeffery the Salesman
Last year I attended Jeffrey Gitomer’s sales seminar. During one of the modules in his presentation, Jeffery spoke about using positive sales verbiage. He asked the audience to chorally respond to mundane questions like “How is business?” or “What’s new with work?”

Most people in the audience yelled “Business is slow,” “It’s picking up,” or “Well, the economy is down.”

“Your answers suck!!” Jeffery said.

“You’re in sales to make money!” he continued, “So when people ask ‘How is business?’ say something like, “Cashin’ checks baby!”

Now, keep in mind Jeffery isn’t your typical salesman, so his answers won’t work for everybody. But his flavored responses are honest,open and funny. And I am lucky enough to call Jeffery one of my friends, so I will attest that as a person, he is honest, open and funny. Therefore his answers also personify his attitude.

Now that you have discovered which ingredients will enhance your flavor, you are ready to turn water into lemonade. Whether you’re with a customer, making a new friend, on a date or networking with colleagues, here are the six benefits that you will receive when you offer flavored answers to fruitless questions.

YOUR ANSWER WILL…show someone that you care. This is undoubtedly the most important virtue of communication. The openness and honesty of your flavored answer will show someone that you value the conversation, and therefore, them as a person.

YOUR ANSWER WILL…make a good first impression. We spend so much time on our appearance, dress and behaviors that we often overlook the importance of the first five seconds. This is the amount of time during which people decide if they like you or not.

YOUR ANSWER WILL…build trust. Self-disclosure - the act of making yourself manifest - is reciprocal commensurate with the amount of information you reveal. So, whether you’re at a sales meeting, on a date or joining a club, give part of yourself to the other person immediately. They will do the same, and as a result you will feel like you’ve known each other for years!

YOUR ANSWER WILL…remind people that talking to you was worth it. Have you ever left a conversation with someone and said, “Boy…I’m sure glad I talked to him!”? Now, what if everyone starting saying that about you?

YOUR ANSWER WILL…trigger someone’s psychological need to be included. I don’t care how much of a rush, how bad of a day or how tired people are - they need be included and engage with each other.

YOUR ANSWER WILL…magnetize people to you. How could anyone hear the words “Everything is beautiful” and not be completely drawn to the person who said it?

Make ‘Em Tingle
Every time someone asks a fruitless question like “How are you?” “What’s up?” or “How’s business?” they expect to hear you say “fine.” They expect to have their level of conversational depth reciprocated. In other words, they expect water.

But you’re not going to give them water, are you?
Negative. You are going to turn water into lemonade by offering a flavored answer to a fruitless question. You are going to give a surprising, honest, appealing, memorable and fun answer that personifies your attitude so they can walk away from your conversation feeling that special tingle.

© 2005 All Rights Reserved.

Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, “The World’s Foremost Expert on Nametags” and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.

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Do you have a business card? What does it say about you? About your company?

Could anyone pick it up and know instantly exactly what you offer and the benefits they could enjoy by doing business with you? If your answer is “No” you are missing a vital marketing opportunity…

Having said that, the content of your business card depends very much upon how you use it. If you only ever present it to clients or prospects you’ve spent some time with then the minimum amount of information is all you need. That’s because these people already know you and the purpose of your card is purely to serve as a reminder of your contact details.

But if you attend business meetings, networking with other business people then your card has to fulfil a completely different purpose. It has to work harder for you.

The challenge you, and your business card, is facing is making sure that the people you meet briefly DO remember you and DO remember what you offer. You want to know that when everyone else returns to their office or place of business and glances through the, possibly hundreds, of business cards they’ve collected, yours stands out.

Now I don’t mean it has to be a vivid colour, or a garish design or have wacky graphics on it (although if this is appropriate for your business that’s fine). What it does need is information that clearly explains what you do.

Just try this out - have a look at the business cards you’ve collected. Let’s assume you don’t know any of these people or their businesses in any great depth. Does their card tell you what they do? What they offer? And if it is clear, such as for an accountant or solicitor/attorney, what makes them stand out from all the other cards you have for people in the same profession?

What Does Your Business Card Say About You?

* Does it clearly show what you do or offer? (Your Company name / logo may not be explicit enough).

* Does it show your USP (unique selling proposition)?

* Does it give a testimonial from a happy client/customer?

* Is your photo on there?

* What’s on the back of your card -it isn’t blank - is it?

When I explained to a client the business card is a marketing tool and should include a photo, his response was “I don’t want my ugly mug on there” (actually he’s quite good looking, but modest). I told him being a ’shrinking violet’ was not going to help his business to grow. The intention of the photo is to make your card stand out and make it easier for people to remember you afterwards.

Plus, if you send a card with any literature in the post it gives the person receiving it a sense of confidence they are dealing with a ‘real person’ - not an anonymous company. Remember people buy from people.

The Alternative to Your Photo

If, like my client, you really feel embarrassed about having your photo on your card - try this idea:

Get a photo of you with a happy, smiling client/customer. Ask their permission to use the photo and a testimonial from them in your marketing. Make sure the testimonial is specific, not “Great company, would use again” but “I had problem and am delighted with solution you provided”.

Put the photo, with the testimonial underneath, on your card. (N.B. if you are a guy get a female customer to pose with you and vice versa).

Front and Back

Front:

* Company Name
* Your Name
* Your Contact Details
* Your Photo
* A Descriptive Strapline

Your descriptive strapline is a single ‘headline’ style sentence that encapsulates what your business does. (It could be your 1-liner from your elevator speech that we talked about in Part 1 and 2 of Networking Your Way to Profit).

Back:

* Your marketing message: a description of what you offer.
* Testimonial(s) from happy clients/customers
* Key benefits you deliver

If you are planning to use your cards extensively at business and networking meetings include some space for people to make a note:

We met at……………. On (date)…………….
We spoke about………………………………………..

In Networking Your Way to Profit Part 4, you find out how to position yourself and your company with your business cards and then how to put the cards you’ve collected from others to effective use.

©2005 Original Work by Carol Bentley

Author of ‘I Want to Buy Your Product… Have You Sent Me a Letter Yet? (How to create powerful sales letters, advertisements, flyers, brochures, web pages and newsletters that persuade hundreds, or even thousands, of additional customers and clients to buy from you!) by Carol A E Bentley (Rated 5-star on Amazon.co.uk)

Subscribe to your free reports, with no obligation, at
http://www.accelerateyoursales.co.uk or visit http://www.CarolBentley.com

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