Expanding Ideas to Expand Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career

Expanding Ideas to Expand Business - Personal Branding Blog - Stand Out In Your Career Do you have a “go-to person” in your life? This is someone who will take your ideas into serious consideration and help you to develop them further. It’s a rare treat to find someone you trust and respect, and with whom you may reciprocate in this manner. When you find such a partner, whether you speak frequently or on occasion, your rhythm and energy increase upon brainstorming ideas for one another. Although you may be many miles apart, it helps to know you are advancing together. It’s similar to having a coach cheering you along. Keeping each other informed, following up, and conversing further helps to keep up the momentum of progress. Who do you know in your network that brings a smile to your face? I encourage you to connect with that person. Begin by asking what’s new in their life and what they are working on toward year-end, and for next year. Have you come across a special new social media site, met someone who may be of interest to your person, or thought of a new venue that they might partake in too? Schedule time to reconnect and offer your ideas. The magical part is when they reciprocate to provide you with new ideas too. Every once in a while it’s good to visit a new group as well whether online or in-person. Read articles, blogs, buy a new book, or take a class to further enhance your ideas in place. Self-education, formal education and talking out ideas with others will hasten your advancement. And as you learn, reach out to teach those coming up behind you. As you put these steps into motion, you automatically step into the leadership limelight. Reflecting upon what you have learned by embracing these activities and sharing through writing, speaking or training will further increase your audience reach. More and more people will be attracted to your activities, and more offers of opportunity will be presented. And when all is done with consistency, your personal brand is built well propelling you into becoming a recognized force. By the same token, many new possibilities will present themselves and you will need to discern which best match your priorities and vision. Once again it will be time to confidentially speak with your special person for greater insight. Traditionally, in the corporate sales world, most business takes place the last quarter of the year. This time period is fast approaching. September is the perfect time to begin reconnecting with those you enjoyed meeting in the past but with whom you have not communicated in a long time. Pick up the phone and ask for their updates. Exchange news of the day and speak to finding out if there are projects on which you may help or those to which you may refer one another. And should you be seeking new ideas, strategies and/or networking partners, consider attending our Vision to Reality Retreat. All of these ideas will work to greatly enhance what you already have in place, further build business, and lead you to the Smooth Sale! Author: Elinor Stutz, CEO of  Smooth Sale,  (800) 704-1499; authored “INSPIRED Business A New View for Building Business and Communities”; “Nice Girls DO Get the Sale: Relationship Building That Gets Results”, and “HIRED! How to Use Sales Techniques to Sell Yourself On Interviews“. Elinor was designated as a “Top 25 Sales Influencer for 2012.”