One of the Best Business Books I have Read
One of the first books I ever read on business and still to this day one of the best was, "How To Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carneige. My entrepreneurship teacher in high school made it mandatory for us to read it. I remember thinking that the author made the book very easy to read and straight forward. However, only being a junior in high school I did miss out on most of the real world advice and great business ideas Carnegie laid forth.
Become Genuinely Interested In Other People
It is amazing to me how much we all can get caught up in our own agenda and what we can great out of deals that we forget this basic and fundamental principle of business. When you take your focus off yourself and put it on the other person, doors begin to open and life gets a whole lot easier.
Ask Lots of Questions
Some of the best advice I have ever had in business was to ask more open ended questions. To me, this is the very best indicator if you have taken Carnegie's advice to heart about becoming genuinely interested in others. The more time you spend on listening and asking well thought out questions to others the further the conversation will lead you and the more success you will have.
Smile
One of the first things Carnegie tells you to do in his book is smile. Wow, what a simple concept. If you are looking for bang for your better business buck...look no further. I recommend trying to smile in every business interaction you have for the next day and see what happens. Whether you are talking on the phone or across from a plate of food over lunch, by smiling you will portray a more positive energy and create a warm environment others will naturally be attracted too.
Do They Like You, Do They Trust You & Do They Have Faith In Your Ability?
My first job out of college was working with a private portfolio manager as his investment analyst and assistant. He had this amazing ability with people when he would meet with them to win them over to his way of thinking and by the end of the presentation they always liked him. So, one day I asked him the secret to his success and he told me it was real easy. Do they like you, do they trust you and do they have faith in your ability? Don't you love it when people make things easy?
If I could tell you the single greatest influence anyone has had on my professional life it would have been those three little questions. I promise if you look back on those deals that fell through the cracks or when things went wrong for you in business, one of these three things were missing. If you follow Carnegie's advice on becoming genuinely interested in people you will already get two out of three right off the bat. So, that leaves faith in your ability which can always be improved upon with learning and experience (or by reading my blog of course).
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Friday, June 10, 2011
What Can Graphic Design Do For You?
The Importance of Graphic Design
Speak to any business owner and they will tell you how crucial marketing is to a small business and how important this cornerstone is to the success or failure of a business in today's marketplace. A cohesive branding strategy for your business is extremely important in today's competitive environment and is crucial in helping to create a polished and professional image that will help you stand out from your competition. Your company website and online marketing strategy, promotional displays, marketing brochures and flyer's for products and services, distinctive logo's and signs all have one core component that will dictate how successful they are - Graphic Design.
Graphic Designs Proven Success
Graphic design has always been important to marketing and business success. The information age has caused the explosive growth of the Internet and e-business and incorporating graphic design that is suited to print and web has become absolutely imperative in today's economy.
The Face of Your Business
Graphic design is the first image that your customers and clients see of your business. Your company branding and design sends a very clear message to your vendors, customers and business peers and can have real negative or positive results for your business. Furthermore, graphic design needs to have the ability to transition between all media today including web and print media.
Consistency of branding
All of your marketing material should be consistent with your overall company branding. A consistent look and feel to your marketing material creates confidence in your company image and brings credibility to your business. In striving for a clear competitive advantage for your small business, consistency of your branding and developing a strong relationship with a talented graphic designer will cultivate continued success for your business.
Leveraging our Free Business Services Network
LowCountry Welcome partners with the best of the best that the local economy has to offer. Let our consultants show you how our LowCountry Business Services Network can cut your costs and maximize your success in working with the best of the best graphic designers.
Speak to any business owner and they will tell you how crucial marketing is to a small business and how important this cornerstone is to the success or failure of a business in today's marketplace. A cohesive branding strategy for your business is extremely important in today's competitive environment and is crucial in helping to create a polished and professional image that will help you stand out from your competition. Your company website and online marketing strategy, promotional displays, marketing brochures and flyer's for products and services, distinctive logo's and signs all have one core component that will dictate how successful they are - Graphic Design.
Graphic Designs Proven Success
Graphic design has always been important to marketing and business success. The information age has caused the explosive growth of the Internet and e-business and incorporating graphic design that is suited to print and web has become absolutely imperative in today's economy.
The Face of Your Business
Graphic design is the first image that your customers and clients see of your business. Your company branding and design sends a very clear message to your vendors, customers and business peers and can have real negative or positive results for your business. Furthermore, graphic design needs to have the ability to transition between all media today including web and print media.
Consistency of branding
All of your marketing material should be consistent with your overall company branding. A consistent look and feel to your marketing material creates confidence in your company image and brings credibility to your business. In striving for a clear competitive advantage for your small business, consistency of your branding and developing a strong relationship with a talented graphic designer will cultivate continued success for your business.
Leveraging our Free Business Services Network
LowCountry Welcome partners with the best of the best that the local economy has to offer. Let our consultants show you how our LowCountry Business Services Network can cut your costs and maximize your success in working with the best of the best graphic designers.
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