Network online, boost your career
Sunder Ramachandran
Popular networks
There are many online networks you can choose from. Some of the popular ones are:
Rediffconnexions.com
Ryze.com
Orkut.com
Openbc.com
How to get started
You just have to create a user ID and password, just like when you signed up for an e-mail account.
However, the real challenge is how you present yourself in your online profile, which is akin to a resume. Your popularity is based on the ability of people to remember three things:
Who you are
What service you offer
How to get in touch with you
Combine your business along with the benefits of your product or service. "I am an insurance agent, and I help people plan for their future." or "I'm an advertising consultant, and I help companies get the most out of their advertising campaigns."
These explanations are more effective than saying, "I do financial planning," or "I plan advertising campaigns."
Have a catch phrase or statement on your profile. This will act as a hook. Here's one that got my attention on Rediff Connexions: If you want to shoot anybody, call me. I'm a photographer!
Now that you know how to register, the next challenge is to make optimum use of this platform.
Part II: How to network effectively online
Have you networked online? Which are the best networks? Shares your experiences
Sunder works as a trainer with a leading BPO in Delhi.
Friday, February 02, 2007
Network online, boost your career
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
Common mistakes while sending a proposal to a client
Common mistakes while sending a proposal to a client
Deeksha Singh
February 01, 2007
I recently spread the word around in my network about the requirement for a technology consultant who can take care of all the backend IT work for my company. I even posted the requirement on a couple of business networking sites.
I received about a dozen responses and was taken aback by the poor quality of some of the business proposals and the sloppy effort in dealing with a prospective client. Being in the consulting business myself, it was truly a lesson in 'what not to do with clients'.
Have a question you want to ask?
Being sluggish in responding to clients
I called and e-mailed three consultants recommended by a close friend. I did not receive any response from them for two days. After sending two of them a reminder mail, I gave up, thinking that if they don't care when I am still a prospect, I am not sure what kind of service will they provide when I am their client.
Lesson -- Always respond to clients immediately. It's best to get back to a client within 24 hours of the request. If you are not available, set up an auto-responder for e-mails or leave a voice message. It's your responsibility to make it easy for your clients to get in touch with you.
Mind your language
I received an e-mail from a consultant with the subject line -- 'purposal as reqested by you'
While he was responsive, his e-mail did not create a great first impression. The e-mail had many spelling errors as well. I am sure he could have easily avoided it by spending a little more time. I lost confidence in him due to his lack of attention to details.
Lesson -- Do a basic spell check and grammar check before sending out a proposal. Ask a colleague to edit your proposal and provide feedback. Bad spelling and grammar send a message that you're sloppy. Keep in mind that you are communicating with a potential client.
How to make clients your allies
Sounding desperate
One consultant called about four times in one day just to check if I need any more inputs or information. While hiring a consultant was an important task for me, it wasn't the only thing that kept me occupied. Often consultants forget that their clients are busy with other key deliverables as well. The worst part was that he did not even do his basic research about our company.
Lesson --Make a follow up call after you have sent your proposal and wait for a response. Provide your contact details in your proposal and guide the prospect to your web site for more details. You don't need an elaborate web site -- just a basic one with the company's background, services offered and contact details.
Not doing your homework
One consultant, who called, asked me "What does your company do"? He was calling me after reading a post of mine on a networking site where I had mentioned about my company's background and our requirement.
Lesson --Learn more about the prospect and do a basic online search about them. You want to be sure whom you are dealing with. Make sure that your proposal is customised to the needs as stated in the advertisement.
6 reasons to thank your clients
Claiming that you're the cheapest
I certainly want great value for my money but at the same time I want quality as well. It's a myth that price is the only decisive factor. I have often paid more when I felt that the value derived would be greater. One consultant kept stressing about his rock bottom prices being his company's key differentiator.
Lesson --You don't want to be bracketed as a low cost, low quality service provider. Focus on other key strengths that will add value to the client. The consultant who kept stressing on low price actually made me think that there was a reason why he is so 'cheap'.
Deeksha Singh heads business development at W.C.H Training Solutions and can be reached at deeksha@wchsolutions.com
Deeksha Singh
February 01, 2007
I recently spread the word around in my network about the requirement for a technology consultant who can take care of all the backend IT work for my company. I even posted the requirement on a couple of business networking sites.
I received about a dozen responses and was taken aback by the poor quality of some of the business proposals and the sloppy effort in dealing with a prospective client. Being in the consulting business myself, it was truly a lesson in 'what not to do with clients'.
Have a question you want to ask?
Being sluggish in responding to clients
I called and e-mailed three consultants recommended by a close friend. I did not receive any response from them for two days. After sending two of them a reminder mail, I gave up, thinking that if they don't care when I am still a prospect, I am not sure what kind of service will they provide when I am their client.
Lesson -- Always respond to clients immediately. It's best to get back to a client within 24 hours of the request. If you are not available, set up an auto-responder for e-mails or leave a voice message. It's your responsibility to make it easy for your clients to get in touch with you.
Mind your language
I received an e-mail from a consultant with the subject line -- 'purposal as reqested by you'
While he was responsive, his e-mail did not create a great first impression. The e-mail had many spelling errors as well. I am sure he could have easily avoided it by spending a little more time. I lost confidence in him due to his lack of attention to details.
Lesson -- Do a basic spell check and grammar check before sending out a proposal. Ask a colleague to edit your proposal and provide feedback. Bad spelling and grammar send a message that you're sloppy. Keep in mind that you are communicating with a potential client.
How to make clients your allies
Sounding desperate
One consultant called about four times in one day just to check if I need any more inputs or information. While hiring a consultant was an important task for me, it wasn't the only thing that kept me occupied. Often consultants forget that their clients are busy with other key deliverables as well. The worst part was that he did not even do his basic research about our company.
Lesson --Make a follow up call after you have sent your proposal and wait for a response. Provide your contact details in your proposal and guide the prospect to your web site for more details. You don't need an elaborate web site -- just a basic one with the company's background, services offered and contact details.
Not doing your homework
One consultant, who called, asked me "What does your company do"? He was calling me after reading a post of mine on a networking site where I had mentioned about my company's background and our requirement.
Lesson --Learn more about the prospect and do a basic online search about them. You want to be sure whom you are dealing with. Make sure that your proposal is customised to the needs as stated in the advertisement.
6 reasons to thank your clients
Claiming that you're the cheapest
I certainly want great value for my money but at the same time I want quality as well. It's a myth that price is the only decisive factor. I have often paid more when I felt that the value derived would be greater. One consultant kept stressing about his rock bottom prices being his company's key differentiator.
Lesson --You don't want to be bracketed as a low cost, low quality service provider. Focus on other key strengths that will add value to the client. The consultant who kept stressing on low price actually made me think that there was a reason why he is so 'cheap'.
Deeksha Singh heads business development at W.C.H Training Solutions and can be reached at deeksha@wchsolutions.com
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
Tuesday, January 30, 2007
abt franchisee appointment
From: "SYED RAIHAN ...wanna fight??"Sent: Friday, January 26, 2007 10:40 PM
Subject: abt franchisee appointment.
> hi bhinti!
> i hv found out some way-outs for the franchisee appointment issue.
> 1/register yourself in franchise.com . thorugh this site u cn contract to several franchise-aspirants.the aspirants have already registered themselves. u can select those people by selecting them exact region-wise. it will b a very cost effective solution.
> 2/contact some add-agency to show-case ur proposed website with some demanded site..
> i hope these steps will fulfil ur need...
> anwz, did u hv a chat with mr. alam. for designing the website...if feel the need i cn also help u in stretetiging inputs for the site(in the marketing plan cllaboration aspect of the site)
> bye.gud nite.
Subject: abt franchisee appointment.
> hi bhinti!
> i hv found out some way-outs for the franchisee appointment issue.
> 1/register yourself in franchise.com . thorugh this site u cn contract to several franchise-aspirants.the aspirants have already registered themselves. u can select those people by selecting them exact region-wise. it will b a very cost effective solution.
> 2/contact some add-agency to show-case ur proposed website with some demanded site..
> i hope these steps will fulfil ur need...
> anwz, did u hv a chat with mr. alam. for designing the website...if feel the need i cn also help u in stretetiging inputs for the site(in the marketing plan cllaboration aspect of the site)
> bye.gud nite.
Environmental Entrepreneur,Green Biz.NRN Murthy of Infosys says that we Indians are weak in execution.We need to realize the need and practice of gud project management. Form a group of competent Managers,Give them responsibilities and review the project from day One.
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