Friday, December 4, 2009

Why Can't I Lose Weight?

You are exercising, eating right (for the most part), and drinking lots of water and still can’t shed the pounds. What is going on?

There are numerous weight loss programs that claim to make you lose weight, in fact, weight loss business is a multi-million dollar industry because IT DOESN’T WORK! How many times have you tried to diet and tried different diet programs only to gain it back and then some? Why can’t you lose the weight like before?

Is it becoming more and more difficult to lose the weight as you age? Women are considered peri-menopausal from approximately 35 years of age and significant fluctuations in our hormones can cause such an imbalance in our hormones that can ultimately cause weight gain, fatigue, joint pain, DM, heart disease, breast cancer, to name a few.

As women age, we have various fluctuations in our hormones that make us prone to weight gain.

There are several culprits that make women gain weight:
· Changing ratios of ovarian hormones as we age: estradiol and estrone
· Increased progesterone relative to estrogen
· Excess adrenal androgens and cortisol relative to estradiol
· Increased insulin levels as we age; Decreased estradiol
· Decreased in thyroid function with age

All of the above has a negative impact on our metabolism. It causes a cascade of reaction:
· Decreased metabolism
· Loss of muscle mass
· Increased stress
· Decreased physical activity
· Fatigue
· Increased food cravings and intake
· Increased fat stores
· Increased weight
· Increased insulin production
· Increased fat store around the middle (waist)

We need to optimize our health by creating balance within our own body. We should not resign ourselves to not feeling and looking our best. It is our time to refocus, start taking better care of ourselves, and take control of our future. Understand your body and start taking the steps to find a balance between body and mind. Strive to look and feel your best!


Consider the following:

Reflect on your own health risks: are you overweight, have high cholesterol, medical diagnosis, blood pressure, etc.

Family History: Do your parents, siblings, cousins, grandparents, aunt, etc. have history of : Diabetes, Hypertension, High cholesterol, heart disease, thyroid disorders, cancer, obesity?

Find a physician who will measure objective testing:
1. Ovarian Hormones: FSH, estradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEA, DHEA-S
2. Cortisol, TSH, T3, T4, Thyroid antibodies
3. Fasting lipid profile: cholesterol, LDL, HDL, Triglyceride
4. Metabolic profile
5. Fasting Glucose: HgbA1C
6. Bone Density

Evaluate your lifestyle:
1. Types of foods you eat daily
2. Do you exercise
3. Smoke, Drink
4. OTC medications, supplements, herbs, etc.
5. Bad habits
6. Good habits

Stress: evaluate the stressors in you life and determine how you can minimize and participate in activities that may relieve and help you cope better such as yoga, exercise, counseling, etc.


By Connie Jeon, DPT, MPH, RD/LD, HFS, CPI, CYT http://www.elementssuwanee.com/

Monday, November 23, 2009

GET A GOOD NIGHT'S SLEEP

The body naturally works in tune with the sun, moon and earth's rotation. Research indicates the body's natural, involuntary system is interrupted when normal sleep patterns are skewed.

What types of activities interrupt normal sleep patterns? One is an altered work schedule – changing from a daytime work schedule to the "graveyard shift.” Another negative sleep habit is going to bed late and waking early, which doesn’t allow the body to get the 6-8 hours of sleep recommended for health. Finally, if you do not sleep continuously through the night, you’re setting yourself up for irritability, lethargy and possible weight gain. I’ve had clients report getting up at 1 or 2 in the morning to snack, read or watch television. This type of unnatural activity negatively affects the involuntary processes the body goes through when we sleep – digestion, cell rebuilding, and memory “download” or storage by the brain. Additionally, nighttime snacking increases caloric intake without expending those calories, which causes weight gain.

If you find it difficult to unwind and enjoy a night of peaceful sleep, here are a few tips:


*Avoid strenuous exercise 1-2 hours before bedtime. Metabolism increases during exercise and typically remains up 1-2 hours after a bout of rigorous exercise. Instead, participate in less active physical activities like gentle stretching, meditation, or reading.


*Engage in focused deep breathing while lying in bed. Inhale for 10-20 seconds, then exhale for the same amount of time. Don’t hold your breath between inhalations and exhalations. Let the breath flow evenly in and out through your nose. Breathing through the nose will filter and warm the air coming into the body. Slow, concentrated breathing relaxes the muscles of the body and slows the heart rate.


*Do not eat immediately before going to bed. Move around a bit after dinner – clean the dishes or go for an evening stroll. Light activity after a meal helps to burn calories and aids digestion.

*Take a warm bath with Lavender and/or Chamomile oil in your bath water. These two essential oils have a calming affect when inhaled. If you do not have time for a bath, take a warm shower and smooth Lavender or Chamomile scented lotion or cream on your body afterwards.

*Drink warm (not boiling) decaffeinated Chamomile or white tea about 1-2 hours before bedtime. Chamomile tea, like the oil, has a calming affect. Since tea is a diuretic, make sure to allow an hour or so before bed so you won’t wake up for a bathroom run.


*Sleep in your bed, not on the couch. I know this sounds simple, but how many people do you know fall asleep late at night in a chair with the television on? Your spine needs the support of a sturdy mattress and your neck and head need the support of a good pillow.


*Discuss any breathing and sleep challenges with your physician. Obesity, heavy snoring and sleep apnea are three common causes of abnormal sleep patterns due to interrupted breathing. Check to see if you suffer from these or other issues.

Be good to yourself – you might be pleasantly surprised with the results of 6-8 hours of peaceful slumber.

Althea Lawton-Thompson, Certified Fitness Expert, is the owner of Aerobics, Yoga & More Fitness Studios in Lilburn, GA and the Fitness Coordinator of the Johns Hopkins Youth Obesity Program in Baltimore, MD. See classes and workshops she offers at www.AYMFitness.com.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Stop Selling Failure by Talking Yourself Out of Success

By Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS

One of the obstacles I face with my professional clients is their inability to recognize and overcome sabotaging self-talk. Through coaching them I realize how personal image can be, and how easy it is to be overly critical of ourselves –when we really need to be our own biggest fans. We often catch ourselves saying things like “I am not good enough to get that higher position”, or “I’ve gained weight and I feel fat”, or “I’m losing my hair and developing more wrinkles.” But what’s worse is that we often do not catch those negative critiques and instead let them slip past our radar and become assimilated into our core identity. When that happens they become empowered because we start believing them to be true. So we need to instead empower ourselves with positivity, not sabotage ourselves with negativity. Being critical of our image blocks the flow of positive intentions that help us flourish. But a thriving inner drive is sustained by daily positive thoughts and expectations for the future. When you switch on self-talk it generates an inner dialog of positive thoughts and affirmations, and you start to believe it and get energy and confidence. The impact is transferred to your personal presence and inspires a happier, more successful life. Let’s explore five techniques to create more confident image through self-talk: Score More Points and Win the Self-Talk Game

I find it interesting that when I ask a client to rate himself or herself on a scale from 1-10, with 10 being the highest; the majority of people give themselves a rating between four and seven. Since it is your choice to evaluate yourself, why not award yourself a 10? We are all full of so much potential but we don’t tap into it because we get caught up in the negative talk that lowers our self-graded score. Think four or five and others will respond to you accordingly. But think and feel that you deserve a nine or 10 and your confidence will be contagious. Others will see you differently and respect you for it. Every morning, when you are getting dressed for work or sitting in traffic, think and say to yourself that you are a 10 – or even an 11 – and remember that you deserve it and are worth it. You’ll be amazed how much more positive and confident you feel by just owning and acknowledging your valuable self worth.

Access Your Personal Attributes
Okay, so we all have a few challenges, but I have yet to meet the perfectly proportioned male or female who has no personal flaws. We are all human and that’s what makes us unique and interesting - versus looking like we were all cookie cutter people like something out of the Stepford Wives. Really look at your personal attributes or ask a trusted colleague to point out your greatest features. If you are a woman ask yourself, do you have a long neck, broad tapered shoulders, shapely legs, or a smooth complexion? Do you men have great eyes, broad shoulders, a genuine smile, long muscular legs, or chiseled facial structures?

Both men and women have numerous positive features we utilize in the image industry to highlight unique body architecture. Look for your own great features and then play them up by highlighting them through dress and style, to build a powerful look and stand out from the crowd.

Positive Thoughts = Positive Results
The negative thoughts that live in our subconscious mind are an invisible, silent and powerful force in our lives. But the good news is that so are those ultra-potent positive thoughts. Self-talk dialogs leak into our subconscious mind from the outer world, and they also percolate up from deep within the subconscious level to influence our conscious awareness. Flourish into a beautiful, sassy woman or a handsome, successful man through positive affirmation, not negative self-criticism. Realize that you can continue to develop and aspire to have that big corner office if you keep the flow of positive energy going to grow and expand. Capture the power of the positive mind, and then capture the opportunities that present themselves to you because of your positive outlook and demeanor.

Daily Affirmations
Affirmations are designed to help you overcome negative self-talk, however this process works only if you say them aloud. Knowing them isn’t enough to really move you from vision to action. State your affirmations in the present tense such as “I am a prosperous, young high achiever.” Don’t use the future tense, as in “I want to become a high achiever.” Future talk sounds like you are talking about something indefinitely postponed. Rather than delay success, go ahead and picture yourself as a prosperous high achiever. I recommend writing out some daily affirmations about things you wish to achieve in your life. Start today to say and think about them, to shift your energy toward improvement in those areas where you desire greater growth.

Positive Affirmations Fuel and Drive Our Dreams
Whether you are looking to change careers, achieve a high level position, or gain greater confidence – it all can happen through positive daily affirmations. As a Senior Level Executive with Macys, Inc. I often coached executives who didn’t believe in themselves and observed how positive self-talk, positive affirmations, and belief in themselves inspired an internal shift. They transformed a lack of confidence into a powerful presence of confidence and self assurance. Opportunities to work on key projects, chair committees, and lead teams were then presented to these people as they became major players in our succession-planning process.

Positive affirmations are powerful statements that lead to an end result you expect. Setting an intention, you expect to get the intended result – just like when you set an alarm clock you know that it will wake you up at the chosen hour. Think about your personal image or professional life and identify an area of your life that is not working to your satisfaction. Change those sabotaging and limiting beliefs and reprogram your brain with positive affirmations, such as “I am a confident credible business professional who is capable of being the Director of Sales,” or “I am a professional who is influential and trustworthy with a dynamic personality.” Look in the mirror when you first start this process or daily exercise of claiming affirmations, because the hardest sell is always to ourselves. Say them out loud. Allow yourself to claim them. Change those conversations and thoughts in your head to attain the results in your life that you desire.

Through practice of these techniques you will be amazed how your internal energies shift to create a more powerful presence, giving you greater productivity and many subsequent health benefits – as you bring to fruition the kind of results you deserve.

Sarah Hathorn is a certified image consultant, speaker, brand strategist and corporate image advisor. Illustra Image Consulting works with individual men and women who wish to update their fashion and professional presence. The company also provides corporate image services to organizations that wish to enhance their corporate brand within the marketplace. Illustra Image Consulting Copyright © 2009, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP, CPBS 678-528-1239, sarah@illustraimageconsulting.com

This article may be reproduced only in it’s entirety, including the above bio.

Monday, July 6, 2009

Economic Downturn Creates Entrepreneurial Opportunity

Is now the time for women to pursue their dreams of business ownership?

by M. Lyn Reagan and Linda C. Christensen
March 4, 2009

These are the most difficult economic times that most of us have seen. But difficult times also produce opportunities. Many women executives, who have faced layoffs or other financial-related crises, are seizing this moment to pursue their dreams of business ownership. Some are doing so out of necessity, as good jobs are scarce. Some are choosing to embrace the changes forced upon them and traveling unexpected, new paths. In fact, many of the most successful business leaders would argue that now is an excellent time to start your own business. However, it takes a lot more than a brilliant idea to be successful. Good businesses are going to go back to basics and new entrepreneurs would be wise to follow their lead.

For many of the women entrepreneurs we advise, we recommend a simple, three-step program. They need to:
(1) Plan
(2) Execute
(3) Grow

With good planning and execution, the growth will come.

Plan

Write down your business plan and goals. Develop SMART goals; which are Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely. You should also prepare a realistic budget. Monitor it and your cash flow closely. Mostly importantly, establish relationships with a banker, accountant, lawyer, insurance person, and business coach/mentor. Establish these relationships BEFORE you need them. Meet them in person, and stay in touch.

These relationships will help you do the necessary foundation building of the business, such as:

  • Opening a bank account
  • Obtaining a tax identification number
  • Selecting appropriate accounting software
  • Organizing business records
  • Selecting type of business entity, tax elections, payroll set up
  • Obtaining a business license
Additionally, take advantage of other opportunities and benefits such as registering as a Minority-owned or Woman-owned business. Identify the appropriate networking and business organizations to enhance your marketing and business development. Affinity groups for women in business can serve as remarkable new business generators.

Click HERE to Read Complete Article

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M. Lyn Reagan and Linda C. Christensen are affiliated with Bennett Thrasher. Bennett Thrasher is Atlanta's 11th largest accounting, audit and consulting firm. http://www.btcpa.net/.

High Energy Journey

Suzanne Sitherwood already has four job titles, and she'll get a new one when she becomes the first woman to chair the Georgia Chamber of Commerce.

May 20, 2009

Suzanne Sitherwood didn't really have a career goal in mind when she went to the Atlanta Gas Light Co. as a co-op student. Her father, however, had an inkling. He told her she would end up running the company. Sitherwood recalls laughing - laughing really loudly - to his prediction.

Father does, indeed, know best.

Today Sitherwood, 48, runs three companies and also serves as the senior vice president of Southern Operations for AGL Resources. In that capacity she is the president of three of its utilities - Atlanta Gas Light, Chattanooga Gas and Florida City Gas. Her obligations for AGL Resources are mainly governmental, she says. "I spend most of my time making sure that people are in the right places. You can't get a job done without the right people. I have a lot of titles, and when I'm in Georgia, I say 'I'm the president of Atlanta Gas Light,' and in Florida, I say 'I'm president of Florida City Gas.' You can follow where this is going." She also will be running an entity that even her father couldn't have foretold. Next year, she will become chairperson of the board of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce. She will be the first woman in the chamber's 95 years to have that position

Read complete article at: http://www.atlantawomanmag.com/Articles/2009/June/High_Energy_Journey.html

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

The Introverted Leader: Thriving in the extroverted business world

Below is a wonderful article from our upcoming speaker, Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D., on June 19th! Please feel free to post questions and comments.


In today’s extroverted business world, introverts can feel ignored, overlooked, and misunderstood. In fact, according to my research—a two-and-a-half year national study of introverted professionals—four out of five introverts say extroverts are more likely to get ahead in their workplace. What’s more, over 40 percent say they would like to change their introverted tendencies, but don’t know where or how to begin.

The good news? Introversion can be managed. There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, but with time and practice, introverted pros can learn to build on their quiet strength and succeed.

What is introversion, anyway?

Introverts may be less noisy at work, but by all accounts they outnumber extroverts. Even many high-powered executives—a full 40 percent—describe themselves as introverts, including Microsoft’s Bill Gates and uber-investor Warren Buffett. Odds are, President Obama is an introvert as well. But what is introversion, anyway?

Unlike shyness, a product of anxiety or fear in social settings, introversion is a key part of personality—a hardwired orientation—and may be best defined by several characteristic behaviors. Introverts process information internally, keep personal matters private, and avoid showing emotion. Other defining behaviors:

Seek solitude
Introverts need and want to spend time alone. They often suffer from people exhaustion and must retreat to recharge their batteries. At work, they prefer quiet, private spaces and like to handle projects on their own or with a small group.

Think first, talk later
Introverts think before they speak. Even in casual watercooler chats, they consider others’ comments carefully and pause and reflect before responding. They dislike interruptions, especially when they are thinking things through.

Focus on depth
Introverts seek depth over breadth. They like to dig deep—delving into issues and ideas before moving on to new ones. They are drawn to meaningful conversations—not superficial chit-chat—and know how to tune in and listen to others.

Let their fingers do the talking
Introverts prefer writing to talking. On the job, they opt for e-mail over the telephone and stop by only when necessary. Averse to excessive conversation, many gravitate toward social networking Web sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Exhibit calmness
Introverts are usually quiet, reserved, and low-key. Unlike extroverts, they have no desire to be the center of attention, preferring to fly below the radar instead. Even in heated conversations or circumstances, they tend to stay calm—at least on the outside—and speak softly and slowly.

The hard realities

“It’s not easy being green,” laments Muppet Kermit the Frog. Same goes for being introverted in an extroverted business culture. With their appetite for talk and attention, extroverts dominate the workplace. Meanwhile, introverts—with their quiet smarts and unsung successes—sit on the professional sidelines. Some hard realities faced by introverted pros:

People exhaustion
Introverts can experience an assortment of ailments at work—headaches, backaches, stomachaches, and more—yet feel fine off the job. This mind-body response to stress can result from a wide range of factors. The chief culprit: people exhaustion.

Project overload
Introverts tend to have difficulty saying no and find it equally hard to ask for help or direction. As a result, they frequently feel overloaded with projects and deadlines—hurting their on-the-job performance and work-life balance.

Underselling
Introverts typically stay mum about their accomplishments—seeming to abide by the old Southern adage, “Don’t brag on yourself.” Yet today careers are made or broken by what others know about a person’s skills and potential. Introverts, therefore, can miss out on promotions or plum assignments simply because they don’t sell themselves.

Unheard ideas
Introverts often have great ideas that go unheard. In group settings, they may show up with smart solutions, yet can’t seem to find an opening in which to share them. Even in one-on-one conversations—especially with talkers—they have trouble interjecting their ideas and being heard.

Failure to “play the game”
Introverts routinely retreat from office politics. Sure, politics can be nasty, but much of the game is natural and necessary, particularly for building relationships up and down an organization. Introverts, with their desire to be low-key, often fail to sniff out important politicking opportunities and wind up watching their extroverted colleagues get ahead.

Onward—and upward

There is no magic bullet for managing your introversion. But in today’s noisy business world and workplace, you can learn how to thrive. The goal is not changing your personality or natural work style, but embracing and expanding who you are. As an ongoing framework, follow the “4 P’s”: preparation (devising game plans); presence (focusing on the moment); push (stretching and growing); and practice (rehearsing and refining new skills). Seven practical tips for getting started:

Have a game plan.
Rather than wing it on the people part of your job, have a game plan. Prepare for high-stakes meetings and conversations—anticipating questions and rehearsing your responses. Fact is, just as you strategize for key projects and tasks, you need to plan ahead for connecting with people—and taking regular timeouts to refuel your energy.

Communicate early and often.
It’s easy for introverts to be out of sight—and out of mind. So, take the initiative in sharing information—communicating early and often with higher-ups, team members, and project stakeholders. Don’t wait to be asked for updates or news about your accomplishments. Find out what people need to feel confident in you and provide it to them—ahead of time.

Match the medium to the message.
Resist the temptation to hide behind e-mail. It may appear to be the easiest or safest channel, but it’s not always the right one. For every exchange, match the medium to the message—determining if texting, e-mail, phone, or face-to-face is best. Texting and e-mail may be great for quick exchanges, but they miss the mark in critical high-touch areas, including developing relationships and delivering difficult news.

Use social networking to set the stage.
Technology is a great tool for preparing to meet people. Use social networking Web sites such as Facebook and Twitter to set the stage for connecting with others in person at meetings and events. You can introduce yourself, send “news you can use” items, and warm up cold leads—all in a low-key yet friendly way.

Get your voice in the room.
Without delay, speak up in meetings and conference calls. Try to make your first comment no more than five minutes into the session. Even a quick question, remark, or paraphrase will do. You need to be seen as a contributor, but the longer you wait, the harder it becomes.

Stand up to “talkers.”
Don’t be afraid to take on the talkers in group or one-on-one settings. There are several ways to stand up and get a word in edgewise. One simple, sure-fire strategy: hold up your hand, give the stop or timeout signal, and calmly announce, “I’d like to say something.”

Value humor.
“A smile is the shortest distance between two people,” mused entertainer Victor Borge. As a reserved, inner-focused contributor, you can overcome perceptions of being standoffish or too serious by smiling, laughing, and having fun now and then. You need not “yuk it up”—just be good-humored.

Finally, practice, practice, practice. Learning new skills and behaviors may be uncomfortable at first, but with conscious repetition and refinement, you can manage your introversion—and thrive in the extroverted business world.


Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D., is a workplace and careers expert and author of The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Quiet Strength (Berrett-Koehler, $19.95). Founder and president of AboutYOU, Inc., an Atlanta-based leadership consultancy, she is an executive coach and corporate speaker. Contact her on the Web at aboutyouinc.com and theintrovertedleaderblog.com.


Copyright 2009 AboutYOU, Inc. All rights reserved.

Thursday, May 7, 2009

GLOW


IMG_3590
Originally uploaded by nswright1

Hi Ladies,

Click on the link below to view all of the photos from the April 2009 GLOW meeting -- "Networking Aerobics: Cardiovascular Exercise for the Wallet" with Wendy Kinney!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38151546@N07/show/


Monday, April 6, 2009

Networking With The Competition At Your Elbow

What are the odds, at any networking event, that there is someone else in the room who does what you do? Pretty good? Here are three techniques that maximize your promotion impact:

TALK ABOUT SOMETHING DIFFERENT: It’s easier to do this if you let the competition speak first. Then, if they talked about personal clients, you focus on businesses; if they covered first time buyers, you focus on experienced clients; if they talk about the sky, you stay on the ground. The don’t: never, never, never say “I do what she said.”

TALK ABOUT SOMETHING SPECIFIC: Fear makes us try to cover everything that we do. Reality, though, is that specific is always more profitable than general. So if the competition answers the “what do you do” question with a pigeon-hole, (I’m a Realtor), or a fog, (I help clients maximize their potential so that in circumstances where the situation…), you become valuable, and memorable, because you are understandable. You win.

INCLUDE THE COMPETITION: At a non-exclusive networking event I listened to Bill Reifsnider promote “a great client for Sindy or me.” Bill did this so comfortably, so confidently, that I thought they were in business together. A month later that I learned that Sindy didn’t know Bill – they are, in fact, competitors. I’m impressed with Bill.

The difference between confidence and arrogance is comparison. It is always appropriate to be confident. Don’t compare. Stand apart confidently.

Ready . . . Set . . . Go Make Money! That’s Wendy Kinney’s methodology, honed from 16 years of living and breathing referral marketing. For information on how to make networking profitable, visit www.ReadySetGoMakeMoney.com or call Wendy at 404-784-0699.

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

How To Stand Out From The Crowd

Dear Wendy,

I want to stand out from the crowd at a networking event – but still look like I belong. How can I figure out the appropriate attire based on the association or type of event I've chosen to attend?

P.B., Atlanta


Dear P.B.,

How astute of you to realize the importance of simultaneously standing out and fitting in. I have good news for you; there are three rules for answering your dilemma.

DRESS YOUR PROFESSION: If you are a doctor, it’s okay for you to wear your lab coat. If you are an attorney, it’s appropriate for you to wear a suit. Dress the way you would for an appointment with a very important client.

Clueless Carmen, who sells a $40,000 product, consistently wore jeans to a Friday networking meeting. Members, concerned that she would show up in their client’s office dressed casually, weren’t sending her referrals. When Good-friend Gloria shared this info Clueless Carmen replied that it was her right to wear jeans on Friday. She’s correct. So was her network.

STAND OUT BY CHOICE: When you stand out you make it easy for people to talk about you. (And buzz is, after all, the reason you’re networking.) The rule here is: always stand out in the same way.

Nance Donaldson has seven different pairs of glasses – each frame stand-out unique. Collected while traveling in Germany and Austria, Nance has worn them networking for the last 5 years. People notice, ask questions, and remember her. Lynda Martin wears her collection of 50’s glitzy costume jewelry. Iris Grimm stands 6’2” in heels and keeps her hair stand-up-on-end short.

BE VERY SURE YOU FIT IN: Use the athletic ruler ‘To the Edge, but not Over the Edge’. Standing out in an embarrassing way won’t benefit you.

I know a young businesswoman who wears bare midriff tops to networking meetings. Mistake. Don’t think that you can wear workout clothes to a business meeting if you are a personal trainer or on your way to meet her. Over the edge. You can’t wear a ball gown before seven pm, a t-shirt with words on it, or a ball cap to anything billed as a meeting. Ever. The Etiquette Grrls remind us to only wear one striking accessory at a time – the orange leather jacket or the teal purse or the flashing earrings – not all three.


Ready . . . Set . . . Go Make Money! That’s Wendy Kinney’s methodology, honed from 16 years of living and breathing referral marketing.
For information on how to make networking profitable, visit www.ReadySetGoMakeMoney.com or call Wendy at 404-784-0699.

Monday, March 23, 2009

How To End A Conversation By Beginning A Network

There are two tough times in every conversation—the beginning and the end.

Consider the ubiquitous close “We’ll have to get together soon.”
When you hear it, don’t you think “Oh yeah, right, I’ll be waiting by the phone?”

It only takes two changes to convert that brush off into a new
networking partner: say what and say when. What is a reason for meeting again; when is a time frame.

Try one of these five potential reasons the next time you have
the opportunity to close a conversation:

Invite them to visit another association with you: Bringing a guest is a valuable way to participate in every organization.

Send a resource by email: No matter how many times they repeat the dot.com address you recite, by the time they get back to their desk it’s forgotten.

Sleuth out a reason to send something by mail: Hand address the envelope. Personal touch makes you memorable.

Call with details: Ah, a reason to get back in touch and a reason to move on now.

Set up a 4-way lunch: Tell who you would like to introduce them to, and invite them to bring someone to introduce to you.

So go end a few conversations. That’s the surefire way to build your net worth.

Network and Prosper –

W!

Ready . . . Set . . . Go Make Money! That’s Wendy Kinney’s methodology, honed from 16 years of living and breathing referral marketing. For information on how to make networking profitable, visit www.ReadySetGoMakeMoney.com or call Wendy at 404-784-0699.

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

So What's New With You?

So, What’s New With You? (Wendy Kinney Blog Series -Part I)


People we haven’t seen in six days or six months routinely ask the profitable question: “So, what’s new with you?”

The common response is a bland, “Oh, not much.”

The profitable reply is a jazzy explanation of the part of your business that is the most profitable, including a SuperWoman story (with you wearing the cape) showing how you created great results for one of your favorite (read ‘profitable’) clients.

The SuperWoman Story has three parts:

Problem—describe the problem your client had before they found you.

“This week I worked with a printer who was frustrated with the level of information he gets from the standard reports in Quickbooks.”

Action—tell what you did. The more specific you are the more likely the person you’re talking to will think of someone who needs you.

“In two hours, less than $200, I showed him how Quickbooks data can be exported to Excel and used in a pivot table to create totally customized reports.”

Result—wrap up with your client’s situation now.

“He said the report we created saved him from a $20,000 mistake. Then he thought of four other reports that will make him money every month.”

That’s the good news. Even better is the knowledge that you can prompt a “So, what’s new with you?” by asking other people the question first. Odds are that after their standard reply they’ll toss the same script back.

You could make some money.
Network and prosper -

W!

Ready . . . Set . . . Go Make Money! That’s Wendy Kinney’s methodology, honed from 16 years of living and breathing referral marketing. For information on how to make networking profitable, visit www.ReadySetGoMakeMoney.com
or call Wendy at 404-784-0699.

Friday, February 6, 2009

The Power of Dressing Up in a Down Economy

I received a newsletter about "The Power of Dressing Up in a Down Economy" and I wanted to its tips with you! You can check out www.dressingwell.com for more articles.

Professional image is a powerful yet often overlooked tool for getting results for yourself and your company. While it may seem counterintuitive, spending money on the way you look and present yourself in tough economic times is actually a sound investment. The confidence you gain helps you become more secure, calm, confident and prepared for things outside of your control. It also inspires trust and confidence. This is true whether you work inside or outside your home.

Hiring someone to coach you through the process of developing an authentic personal presence that supports your lifestyle is not frivolous. As in most things, a seasoned professional cuts through the clutter, uses years of experience to make the process go quickly and has an intuitive sense of what will be right for you. A coach specifically trained in professional image consulting can make necessary edits to your closet and then help you select the correct colors, styles, brands and cuts of clothes and accessories to help you effectively communicate, connect and build relationships with colleagues, customers, community leaders and business partners.

Here are some of the principals that our team of experienced professional image consultants brings to the table when guiding people from many different walks of life to package themselves for success:

Appropriateness, Boundaries and Respect. Whether shopping in the store or shopping in your closet, adopt these three words as your personal litmus test. Ask yourself, is this outfit appropriate for my business environment, position in the company and the industries I serve? Do my clothing and accessory choices create good business boundaries or am I overexposed and therefore going to come across as vulnerable, insecure or, worse, lacking judgment? Does my attention to detail show respect for myself, which instantly shows respect for others?

View your professional image as communications tool. An appropriate and effective professional image enhances communication and allows you to present ideas and information in a highly effective way. Eliminating distractions commonly caused by ill fitting clothes, poor grooming and a lack of attention to how clothing and accessories are coordinated together is one sure way to come across as credible and confident, even if you are nervous on the inside. Best part — the more effectively you communicate the more confident you become.

Ground your look for business. Think like a professional contractor and start with a solid foundation. While not the only choice for business today, dark base neutrals are a cost-effective way to build a functional and versatile wardrobe. Black, brown, and gray suits, pants, skirts, and shoes are price neutral, hide wear and tear and can slim pounds off your frame. If you crave color, add it strategically with a tie, shirt, blouse, tote, coat or scarf. Worn this way, color is more apt to add interest to your overall look instead of being overwhelming or distracting.

Business first, fashion second. Fashion is fun, exciting, and seductive. After all, the fashion industry is big business and the thought of wearing your favorite trends to the office in new and innovative ways can be intriguing. However, think about your environment before you go outside the boundaries of what’s acceptable. Remember business is about dollars and sense and people may have reactions to inappropriate attire that can undermine your credibility. You don’t have to be a corporate drone by any means — just be smart with your wardrobe choices and how they will impact your goals and objectives on the job.

Last Word
The economy may be down but don’t underestimate the power of dressing up. When you feel good about yourself, it’s contagious and everyone around you benefits from your good choices and confidence. It’s really that simple.

© 2009 Organization By Design, Inc. / Wardrobe Management & Fashion ConsultingNo portion of this article can be used without permission.Contact info@dressingwell.com if you would like to discuss our dressingwell.com syndication program.