If you’re like me you LOVE networking and meeting people but you just aren’t in love with the negative people you inevitably run into. Every group, in every town, in every state has at least one Debbie Downer or Grumpy Greg hanging around spreading their negativity to anyone who will listen. Sadly, everyone avoids them and they’re the only one that doesn’t realize it. No matter how much time goes by they still seem to attract an incredible amount of downfalls and depressing life dilemmas and drama. They never seem to run out of things to complain about and they always want you to listen to ALL of it!

I’ll admit to my share of dodging in all my networking around town but what I wish I could do was pull them aside and “wake” them up. I’d like to let them know that EVERYONE has problems and the economy is hard on all of us. The reality is that complaining never solved anything for anyone… not that I’ve heard of anyway.

The truth is that we all have to check our attitude at the door and make sure that we are putting our best face and best foot forward, always. We have to leave our problems behind and embrace optimism and just have faith that everything is going to work out in the end. When I look at the people that impress me the most and make me “feel” like I want to do business with them I noticed something they all have in common: a positive, happy attitude.

No one said life was going to be easy but nothing great was ever accomplish by easy either. The best way to get great results out of networking is by letting the people that will refer us tomorrow see that we’re going to handle that referral with confidence and by doing our best. They need to see that we have everything under control and that even when the going gets tough we just get going and get the job done.

So the next time you’re feeling down and out and have a networking event or sales call to go on, remember to check your attitude at the door and smile anyway. Allow yourself to believe in yourself and know that many people have been where you are and made it out ok – that means you can too!

…when it comes to reaching new customers and adding convenience to his existing customers:

Jay has found a way to bring his showroom to his customers!

In this day and age, everyone wants it now.

Not too many people want to take the time to load up the kids drive across town to your showroom only to find out you may not have the type of flooring or carpet they are looking for.

Jay knows by bringing his showroom to the door of his customers they will appreciate the money they saved in gas and the time saved in traveling to his showroom.

Using this approach, Jay says it’s so easy to establish a relationship with no interruptions, such as:

• the phone ringing,
• a new customer walking through the door,
• an employee interrupting him, etc.

Jay, I commend you on creating a win-win for you and the customer keep up the good work and keep sharing these great ideas!

If you’d like to learn more, be sure to contact Jay at (239) 574-5099, visit his web site at www.CarpetConceptsFL.com, or e-mail him at: jay@carpetconceptsfl.com.

About Carpet Concepts:

Carpet Concepts is a flooring company offering carpet, tile, stone, wood, laminate and vinyl flooring in Sunny Southwest Florida!

…I can honestly say that successful networking has been the key to my success in business.

Here are a few key thoughts to remember when networking:

• Don’t go to an event looking only for business – you should go in looking to establish a relationship first, once a relationship is established it almost always leads to work… not the other way around.
• Ask questions other than business.
• Make eye contact (don’t be looking over the persons shoulder for something better to come along!)
• Follow up, Follow up, Follow up - Yes, I said it three times it’s that important, really lets the person know you were interested enough to continue the relationship, I do this by (phone call, letter, e-mail, etc…)
• Keep it light – make them laugh.

I know a guy who isn’t the best networker and by no means a standup comic, however, he always has a joke up his sleeve to break the ice.

Don’t be afraid to use this tactic - what I’ve noticed is that many people will bring their friends over to hear the latest joke.

If you are looking to polish your networking skills you should consider a Lee Knapp boot camp held locally in Ft Myers Florida, learn more by visiting http://www.leeknapp.com/services/boot-camp/, or calling Lee directly at (239) 481-8557.