Business Networking Sites

Today in the Telegraph, there was an interesting article about business networking sites: like Linkedin and Ecademy.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/7482116/Have-business-networking-sites-finally-come-of-age.html

I use linkedin, and I have to say that for an initial connection with people it is invaluable. It has also been useful for establishing myself as an 'expert' and to promote events my businesses are involved in. You are able to join sector related groups and contribute to discussions. I have discovered information that is informative and invaluable. I have also been able to connect with old colleagues, and through my existing contacts, connect with useful people for my business.

However, I don't just rely on Social Networks for establishing business; human interaction is an invaluable and might I say, the most effective business tool. I have heard from clients time and again that picking up the phone or even arranging a meeting resulted in our business being taken seriously - and leading to us winning contracts. Of course, it is great to connect via a social network, but realise that it gets very 'noisy' in there. You can be set apart by picking up the phone for follow ups, or even arranging a meeting.

Two examples that have worked for me recently are: we had bid for work with a large, multi-national company. I had spoken on the phone and also emailed the client. I offered to go into the office to introduce myself and discuss the contract, which she accepted. When the meeting ended, she said that it made such a difference that I was 'bothered' to come into the office, and this resulted in the business, and we have repeat business from them now.

We had a targeted marketing campaign; instead of just sending information via email or post, one of my assistants contacted everyone on the list to introduce our company. All agreed to receive the information; and immediately we received requests for meetings, specific jobs and to be kept in touch with any developments. The 'human' interaction had made a huge difference to our campaign, and resulted in more work.

Small businesses in particular have limited resources and time available. Social media sites are a cost effective business tool, but don't forget the power of human interaction; either by telephone or face to face.

Below is an interesting article by Cloud Net about the effectiveness of using the telephone (i.e. the human voice) for sales.

http://www.cloudnetuk.com/news/bid/36931/Cloud-Net-Survey-SMEs-still-use-websites-and-telephones-over-social-media-to-make-sales

For more information about Executive Voice go to our website or call us on 0844 576 3015

Human contact with a human voice

I caught an interesting phone in on Radio 2 a few weeks ago. The entrepreneur Karen Darby, who founded youswitch, was answering questions from exasperated parents, who could see their school or university leaving off spring weren't able to get jobs.

Karen Darby was brilliant. In fact I've seen her speak live and she's very funny: intelligent: humble - and talks a lot of sense. She also has children of a similar age.

She recognised that there is a shortage of jobs: particularly for this age group; what it does to self esteem and for carefully planned out career dreams. But she's lived through recessions and survived, and was able to reassure listeners that this isn't a permanent situation. However, she did have some good advice for job seekers. One stuck in my mind: the human voice. She said that this is the most powerful tool we have to communicating with others when searching for opportunities. Many people send off speculative emails: tweets: letters, but actually picking up the phone - which I know can be scary, sets you apart from others. Not just because it's more scary and takes more effort, but because there is real human contact and the person you are calling is able to engage with you more easily.

She actually suggested calling people or companies that were of interest and asking if it was possible to come in: observe and find out about the job. She cited examples of young people doing this. Although there was no work - and they hadn't asked for a job, because they'd taken an interest; developed a relationship - and kept in touch, they were contacted when an opportunity became available.

She also has people that have contacted her: asking her about the job and company: can I come in etc. She doesn't respond to the emails: text messages or letters, BUT does when the person calls.

Of course everyone is different, but in a world where it is easy to 'round robin' your CV to hundreds of email addresses with the push of a button, it is interesting to hear what a successful entrepreneur is saying about the voice.

So: my message is - pick up the phone as well as send those CVs and speculative emails out. And Good Luck!

For more information go to http://www.executivevoice.co.uk

The curse of the answerphone message!

Recently, I have been contacting a variety of organisations and companies. On a number of occasions I have been confronted by the dreaded answerphone! Now I understand that individual people aren't at their desks 100% of the time, but an answerphone can be the first contact a potential customer has with a company or service.

Answerphone messages varied from totally inaudible speaking, to messages that were so fast, one wondered whether the person was running out of the room as they recorded it! Other telephone numbers were largely inaudible and I did not receive much confidence in the companies' services.

There was even an accountancy company: with 20+ employees, that had an answerphone system that invited you to select 'speaking to an operator' as an option - only to be put through to - ANOTHER ANSWER PHONE!! In this case, the argument for a diversion service to a key person in the organisation, whilst the operator was busy, was quite a strong one. I certainly wouldn't bother about rephoning and I wouldn't bother to buy into their services.

There are a number of issues surrounding answerphone messages. Yes, companies need to have a number that people can contact them outside office hours. Individuals are not going to be at their desk for 100% of the time. However, any message a customer receives when they contact an individual or company should reflect positively on that company - otherwise the customer will be lost.

Key ways of ensuring your answerphone message is effective:

1. Speak clearly and slowly, pronouncing key words carefully.

2. Any other contact telephone numbers should re recited clearly and repeated to give the caller time to take the number down.

3. Take your time to compose yourself before leaving the message on the answerphone: a stressful person records a stressful message!

4. If you are leaving a message from your mobile phone, make sure you speak very clearly; if reception is not very good, this will be reflected in the recording.

5. Consider redirecting your personal number to a VA or a colleague to ensure the client receives a human/personal contact.

I think there is more blogging potential from this topic - including getting organisations and departments to take responsibility for answering calls effectively and also leaving answerphone messages more clearly! There will be more soon!