Ask questions of those that you meet – Tip #3

GBN Tip #3: Ask questions of others that you meet in order find out exactly how you can best help them. BTW, you may not be the cure.

Interview people you meet. That is way you can learn more about them. Remember, as Maya Angelou said: “People don’t care about how much you know until they know how much you care.”

Check out this video:

I hope that you like the video.

Become a Better Helper – Tip #2

GBN Tip #2: When out and about networking, you must be able to gather as much info about others as you can in order to be a better helper.

A good way to remember this tip is to be CIA.

By CIA, I mean Care about people’s success. Have Interest in what they are working toward accomplishing. Act agressively on helping them with your knowledge, resources and network.

Here is a quick video disussing this tip:

I hope this helps.

Top 40 Tips for Networking Online and Offline – Part I

Tip #1: You must take the online conversations offline. Emails don’t always get read and social media can be a crowded, noisy room.

Please let me know what you think about this tip.

Thanks!

How to Give Quality Referrals

A lot of us micro business owners and sales agents know that referrals are the life blood of our respective businesses. We are eager to give out referrals but the question is do we really know HOW to give referrals? Well the above video and the 8 points below will give you some ideas on how to give a quality referral – and how to teach others to give you quality referrals.

1. Find out who the other person’s target customers are
2. Ask the person who else sells to that target customer
3. Think about who you know personally, and ask around
4. Reach out to prospects on behalf of the person you’re giving the referral to. Make sure to name drop so that they know that you are a ‘friend of a friend’
5. Ask permission to share the prospect’s contact information
6. Introduce both parties via e-mail
7. Follow-up with an e-mail and phone call to confirm that they both received your e-mail. Ask when they plan to reach out to the other person, and/or when the other person should reach out to them
8. Follow-up with an e-mail and phone call to find out what happened

I hope this helps.

Keeper of the ARC of the Covenant

At my day job, we just finished up staff appreciation week. The company was very generous. They gave us gift certificates, treated us to breakfast one day and cocktails the next. We can all do our part in making the world a better place by committing to being a Keeper of the ARC of the Covenant. What the heck am I talking about? Just read the poem below. I hope that you like it.

_________________________

“Keeper of the ARC of the Covenant”

© 2012 Tyrone Turner

All rights reserved.

When people hear about the ARC of the Covenant, they tend to think about it in a religious context.

We are not talking about religion here so pay close attention to the spelling of the text.

Not spelled A-R-K, but A-R-C is the way we spell this acronymn.

Even though it is not religious the meaning should be recited like a sacred hymn.

‘A’ is for the way you should appreciate those who help you in the various areas of your life.

It could be teachers, coworkers, employees, your husband or your wife.

Maya Angelou said, “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

So make sure to thank people while hugging them and they will probably give you a dazed stare.

They aren’t used to that as people have forgotten good manners and common courtesy toward each other.

A smile and kind words always helps as it makes for a beautiful life when you’re nice to one another.

‘R’ is for the way you should reward those who have earned their way by hard work and merit.

Incentives and recognition can help keep their fire burning bright and scurrying about like an excited ferret.

“Share the Wealth” is a favorite card in the Monopoly game’s deck.

It is wise to spread the love if you want people to keep giving a heck.

‘C’ is to celebrate the important milestones of those on your team which is really high-touch.

Birthdays, anniversaries, promotions, wedding gifts and such.

Those who give without strings attached oftentimes forget their good deeds.

Those who receive, however, remember how you fulfilled their basic human needs.

To be recognized and respected is the inaleienable right of every human being.

Caring for one another is the charge given to us from the ALL-SEEING.

These are natural laws of human relations for which we need no government.

Just commit to do the right thing to your fellow human beings and be a keeper of the ARC of the covenant.

Balanced Goals for a Successful Life

Cover these 8 areas for success:

• Family – “It’s all about the family.” ~ Don Vito Corleone
• Job – “There is nothing necessarily wrong with working in the E quadrant” ~ Robert Kiyosaki
• Business – “Having a home-based business can help you save a ton in income taxes.” ~ Sandy Botkin
• Education – “Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave.” ~ Mustafa Muhammad Al Amin
• Service – “Help others get what they want, and you’ll get what you want.” ~ Zig Ziglar
• Fun – “Party on, dudes!” ~ Wayne & Garth
• Health – “Your health is your greatest asset.” ~ Unknown
• Spiritual – “Free your mind.” ~ Morpheus

I hope that you enjoyed reading and/or listening to this blog post.

All the best to you.

Hey, do you know Vito?

I have been laying low for the past few months while I was conducting research and handling a few personal matters, but now I’m back. Thank you for your patience.

Pssst…

Do you know Vito? Vito is an acronym for “Very Important Top Officer”. Vito is the decision-maker in a given organization.

When I was an account executive and later a business developer for a major international litigation support company, I encountered scores of individuals who falsely conveyed that they are the decision-maker. This can cause you to waste time and money on the wrong people. Interview people carefully to separate the prospects from the suspects. Doing so will help you save a lot of time, energy, and money.

We are living in the information age, so check out your target company’s/prospect’s website to learn more about the company and to figure out who the decision makers are. Once you’ve done that, you are ready to start trying to get an appointment with Vito.

Here is an example of how to get a meeting with Vito…

Make a phone call to the company’s main line. You’ll probably be speaking to a receptionist or an operator from the message center. Say something like this:

You – “Hello. How are you today? [wait for a response]. I am putting together a information packet for Ms. Vito, and I’d like to send one to her assistant as well. Would you be so kind as to tell me his or her name, please?”

Receptionist – “Her assistant’s name is John Smith.”

You – “Thank you very much. I’m going to drop off goodies as well when I have the information packets delivered. What is your name? I’d like to drop off some for you too.”

Receptionist – “Why, thank you! My name is Mary Brown.”

You – “Okay, Mary, thank you so much, and look out for the little bag of goodies that I’ll be sending your way. Enjoy the rest of the day.”

<><><><><><><><><><>
Sidebar – goodies can be something like assorted candies, cookies, etc.
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Goody bags work nearly every single time. Now, you make sure to get goodies over to John and Mary (the assistant and receptionist) a.s.a.p.! These two individuals are gate keepers, and they are privy to Ms. Vito’s likes and dislikes, her schedule, and other “need to know” info within the organization.

The gatekeepers are very, very important resources and can be wonderful allies. Definitely get goodies over to them, and at the very least work to get a phone meeting so you can gather information. Take care of them, and they in turn will take care of you and help you get a meeting with Vito, and/or help you identify others that you can speak to.

That’s karma baby….

For more information, go to your local library and check out Getting to VITO (The Very Important Top Officer): 10 Steps to VITO’s Office, by Anthony Parinello.

Check out an interview that I did a few years ago on this subject. It is a 30-minute interview with my my then business partner, Lisa Torres.

CLICK HERE, to listen to the interview now.

Think on these things, and I hope you get good mileage from this info.

All the best to you!

The Warrior’s Code

The picture to the right is called “The Chase at Rattlesnake Springs,” by Don Stivers.

This poem is a series of 18 haiku poems that are strung together in a series to tell a story. I call this style that I created a haiku chain poem. According to Dictionary.com, a haiku is a major form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons; or a poem written in this form.

This poem is dedicated to the warriors who have influenced me as a martial artist. Special thanks to Soke Chaka Zulu, Kyoshi Roman Lutak, Renshi David Bunch (aka, “Sensei Buddha”) and Master Michael Griffin.

_______________________________

“The Warrior’s Code”
By Tyrone Turner
Copyright 2012
All rights reserved

Be a peacekeeper.
Do not provoke anyone
to war against you.

As the Swiss nation
understands, prepare for war
and peace will be yours.

Empty-handed skills.
Weaponry. Stealth. Surveillance.
Calm under all stress.

Principle-based and
not technique-centered. In fights,
there are no givens.

Prepare for it all
because you know not what may
come your way one day.

Striking defeats joint
locks and grabs. Clinching beats strikes.
Joint locks beats clinching.

Falling is an art
form. To know how to fall helps
avoid breaks and scrapes.

Sticks, saps, chains and whips.
Pocket sticks, pocket knives and
Griffin Grips™. Good deals.

Spears and tomahawks.
Cross bows, boomerangs, throwing
stars and sling shots. Guns.

Africa, Asia,
Europe, the Americas,
and Pacific isles.

All gave birth to some
form of combat method of
self preservation.

North America
gave rise to great masters. Like
Grandmaster Powell.

He is my martial
great-grandfather. He is the
Sanuces founder.

My grandfather is
Soke Chaka Zulu whom
laid a solid base.

Kyoshi Lutak
helped forge fighting spirit in
me. School of hard knocks.

Renshi Buddha is
who has opened my eyes to
possibilities.

I will continue
to train to become the best
that I can become.

Be gentle in life.
Be ferocious in combat.
The warrior’s code.

You Damn Love Hater

This poem is a series of 13 haiku poems that are strung together in a series to tell a story. I call this style that I created a haiku chain poem. According to Dictionary.com, a haiku is a major form of Japanese verse, written in 17 syllables divided into 3 lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables, and employing highly evocative allusions and comparisons, often on the subject of nature or one of the seasons; or a poem written in this form.

This poem is about how people “hate” on you when you’re happy. This oftentimes happens when you find love or when you’re on the rise.

Don’t let haters cause you to crash and burn. Be inspired. Be thankful. Haters give you focus.

This piece is written from the perspective of a man who’s new found lady has a friend who is all up in the business and trying to cast doubt all the time.

Whenever I mention a song title within the body of this poem, I hyperlink it to the song’s audio file on GrooveShark.com.

I hope that you like this piece.

“You Damn Love Hater”
By Tyrone Turner
Copyright 2012
All rights reserved.

______________________

I know you see me.
Hi hater. Bye hater.
You want me to fail.

I found a lady
that makes me happy and look
forward to each day.

Her sweet lips. Round hips.
Chocolate skin. Sweet perfume.
I just love that girl.

She cooks up great meals
and curls my toes and makes me
stomp my heels. REALLY.

We were at the lounge
the other night just sipping
and enjoying tunes.

You called her and asked
what she was doing. She said
she was out with me.

Attitude galore!
Why can’t you just be happy,
yo? I found lovin’.

Yes, misery loves
company. Folks, truer words
have not been spoken

Focus more on how
you can find happiness for
yourself. You’re so wack.

If you stop whining
about how men are no good,
you might get lucky.

No man will put up
with a quarrelsome woman.
Always arguing.

Be happy for her.
Behave. You are her friend, right?
So let her live life.

Maybe you’re not her
friend. Perhaps a “frenemy.”
You damn love hater!

Urgent and Important Matters

In Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Successful People, he has a graphic called the “Time Management Matrix.” Therein, he says that things that are both urgent and important are generally problems – usually a result of improper planning. However, in Robert Greene’s best-selling book, The 33 Strategies of War, strategy number four is Create a sense of urgency and desperation: Death-ground. This strategy recommends that you place yourself where your back is against the wall and you have to fight like hell ot get out alive. The conquistador, Hernan Cortes, did this by boring holes in his ships and burning them so that his men HAD TO fight the Aztecs and go deeper into Mexico.

The reason I bring this up is to ask you how your business resolutions for this year are going. It is the 26th of January now so let’s do an enthusiasm check. Are you still excited and motivated to accomplish your business/career goals that you set for yourself? If you truly are, you should be pursuing them aggressively. If you’re not pursuing them aggressively, why even bother in the first place?

I’m just saying…

Thanks for reading this post.