I enjoy conferences and networking events that bring women together to share knowledge and gain new contacts that ultimately grow ourselves personally and professionally. So over the weekend I attended the third annual Women Entrepreneur's Small Business Boot Camp in Scottsdale, AZ.
What I loved about this event is that there were so many women who had left corporate America and ventured out on their own and are now doing what they love and living life on their own terms, which is something that I encourage every woman to do. Life is much too short to stay in a job that you hate or live a life that you're not in love with.
If you have already stepped out on your own, events such as this one are great for connecting with other women to help you further grow your business. But if you're still trapped in cubicle life and want out, these events are an excellent way to find mentors and gather information that will help you explore your options and ultimately lead to developing your Corporate America-exit strategy and a game plan for your new venture.
I want to highlight a few great women from the conference and hope you check them out, because I think they have words of wisdom for us all...
Eileen Proctor of Top Dog Business Boosters and owner of It's A Ruff Life
Eileen was my absolute favorite. Wow! What a dynamic speaker. She's a woman who lives life to the fullest, and has contagious energy that keeps you wanting more. Her session covered the Essentials Elements of a Successful Marketing Program, which almost every business has, but what so many lack are personality and uniqueness -- two vital elements that are key to standing out from the crowd and getting your company noticed.
Eileen not only gets the importance of these two factors, but she has mastered them. Her company It's A Ruff Life has become somewhat of a media darling and her employees, customers and partners are all evangelists for It's a Ruff Life. Why? Because Eileen gets it! She is a savvy marketer, businesswoman and networker who loves what she does and knows how to get others to jump on the bandwagon with her.
She had way too many great ideas and tips for me to share them all here, but if you want to learn how to become a savvy marketer and top dog in your field, check out Top Dog Business Boosters. And if you ever get the chance to see her speak, go. You'll learn, laugh, and love it.
And if you're a dog lover and owner (in the Greater Phoenix area) and in need of doggy daycare, you must take your pup to It's A Ruff Life. You're puppy will thank you!
Laura C. Browne of Women Unlimited
Laura's session was on How to Talk so Your Customers Will Hear. She has a new twist on the old Myers-Briggs personality type. Identifying your own personality type and communication style, as well as those who you communicate with, is key to communicating effectively, especially when it comes to those who are opposite of you. Knowing this can literally transform your bad relationships into good ones, simply by adjusting your communication style to match theirs.
I loved Laura's refreshing approach and breakdown of the four personality types and how to communicate with each. The four are:
1) BOSSY TYPE: Takes action, focuses on facts, fast-paced, results-oriented, direct...
(I don't see myself as the bossy type, but I fall into this category occasionally, especially when deadlines are approaching.)
2) BUBBLY TYPE: Takes action, shows feelings, enthusiastic, past-paced, creative...
(This is definitely me, but I had better work
on not interrupting others. Laura said that Bubbly-types tend to
interrupt a lot. Us “Bubbly-types” certainly don't mean to be rude by
interrupting, it's just that we are excited about the project/topic
that we can't help but interrupt.)
3) BUDDY TYPE: Takes time to think before taking action, shows feelings, friendly, patient, team-player...
4) BRAINY TYPE: Takes time to think before taking action, focuses on facts, logical, structured, detail-oriented...
(Definitely my husband)
If you want to find out all the characteristics in each category and which category you fit into, and how to utilize them to improve your communications with customers and others, contact Laura.
Victoria Trafton of Work By Design.
Victoria session focused on Doubling Sales through Word of Mouth Marketing and the importance of developing "Strategic Partners" and "Power Partners" from your network. Strategic Partners are those who offer a complementary product/service, and together you bring more value to each other's customers. Power Partners are people who you have a mutually-beneficial relationship with because you have a common bond, respect and believe in each other's work, and are continually referring work to each other.
Victoria had a lot of great tips and nuggets of information, so contact her if you want to learn them all, but I will leave you with four that I liked:
1) Your database is not your network; your network comes from those you have relationships with.
2) Referrals are not leads, it's deeper than that. Referrals come from your network of Power Partners and have a higher chance of turning into new business than a lead would.
3) Don't treat prospects like a customer, because then it's a single transaction. Treat them as part of your referral network and it will increase your chances of them developing as part of your referral network. It takes time, but worth the effort.
4) Don't be a single transaction yourself. Be referable by referring business to others first, bringing value to others, and letting others know the value and benefits that you offer.






