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As a professional, you’re judged by your actions, abilities, results and your attire. Your job is to represent your company and clients to the best of your ability. Cydcor prides itself in being able to set-up its employees for success, and earn their way to the top. To get the respect of both your peers and clients, there are some major key strategies to follow. The following major keys are perfect for any entrepreneur who wants to do better.
Communicate Effectively
Let your customer know exactly how you can help them, and listen - really listen - to their needs. Be thorough in your explanations and don’t leave any questions unanswered. Make sure your customer understands both you and your product 100 percent.
Be Visible
Don’t stay under the radar; the key to success is to make a name for yourself. Speak up in meetings, take on new work and be an active participant in team projects. Let others know who you are and see what you can do.
Negotiate
Don’t be afraid to ask for what you’re worth when you start a new job or take on new clients. If you’ve been a stellar employee, ask for a raise. Let go of the fear and learn how to negotiate. Your confidence in your work as well as the effect your accomplishments have on the business you are part of can guide you through the process.
Shake Hands
It seems like such a small detail, but a handshake is a common first impression on which many are judged. Always offer your hand to clients, senior staff and hosts right away, and keep your shake firm. People will remember.
Have/Be a Mentor
There is always something new to learn. Seek out advice and knowledge from those who’ve been in the game longer, and ask them to help guide you through your career. Finding a mentor that works for you can give you a different perspective on how your career is going. On the flip side, be willing to give the same guidance to those who are new to the game.
Say No When Needed
It’s okay to say “no.” You are not required to take on extra tasks that will overburden your already hefty workload or take on work that makes you uncomfortable. Stop feeling bad when you can’t do a favor for a teammate. If you have to say “no,” do it, and then don’t feel guilty.
Say Thank You
Courtesy goes a long way. So does appreciation. Let your team know you are thankful for the work they do and the help they give. Let a customer know you truly value their business. It’s a simple statement that says so much, especially when the receiver wasn’t expecting to hear it.
Put Customers First
No, this doesn’t mean the customer can do no wrong; it means that customer satisfaction is the backbone of your business. If there’s a problem, fix it. If there’s a question, answer it. If you have a good rapport with a loyal customer, find ways to show them how much you value their business. Never forget that they are a big part of your career, and their satisfaction with your business determines future successes.
For additional blogs from Cydcor, be sure to check out https://cydcor-offices.com/
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services located in Agoura Hills, CA. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
For anyone working in a sales environment, your relationship with your customers dictates your success. You can turn a one-time deal into lifelong business by how you acknowledge, understand and treat your customers’ needs. At Cydcor, we put an emphasis on this aspect of the job from the start.
Begin by asking questions. Ask them who they are, what they want and what they expect from your business. Conduct surveys, hold events and meet-and-greets, set up customer profiles to help individualize your sales pitch. Let go of your assumptions and figure out what each individual client wants.
We know that customer loyalty is at an all-time low, especially among younger clients who use social media reviews and recommendations as a means of doing business. Social media sites like Twitter and Facebook are great ways to interact with customers and ask them the questions that will give you a better understanding of what makes them tick. Through social media you can:
Adding a personal touch to your professional relationship is also key. Gallup’s Marcus Buckingham and Curt Coffman found four levels of customer expectation that will help build trust between you and your clients:
It’s easy to get caught up in numbers. But the backbone of your business is the loyal, happy customer, and open lines of communication will work in keeping them coming back for more.
Getting in the mind of your customer isn’t the easiest concept to grasp, but it’s valuable in the long run. Have you found any good strategies to understand your customers better? Share with us on Cydcor’s Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Retail National Conference 2016 in Dallas, TX is right around the corner! In celebration of this upcoming event, Cydcor is holding a photo contest for attendees. All you have to do is post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #Gone2NatCon anytime from Friday 29th (6:00AM CT) until Saturday, July 30th (8:50 PM CT), and you will be automatically entered for a chance to win $200 cash awarded on site.
There will be one winner selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC), Cydcor’s Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/cydcor/), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (https://twitter.com/cydcor) on Saturday, July 30th any time after 9:00PM CT and no later than 11:59 PM CT.
Good luck, and may the best photo win!
Terms and Conditions (Facebook)
Post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #gone2natcon anytime from Friday 29th (6:00AM CT) until Saturday, July 30th (8:50 PM CT) and you will be automatically entered in the National Conference photo contest for a chance to win $200 cash awarded on site. To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) a member or affiliate of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee attending the event (Cydcor employees not eligible). Multiple submissions per participant are allowed. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. There will be one winner selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor) on Saturday, July 30th any time after 9:00PM CT and no later than 11:59 PM CT. This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.
This promotion does not have a connection with Facebook in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Facebook from any and all liability.
Terms and Conditions (Instagram)
Post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #gone2natcon anytime from Friday 29th (6:00AM CT) until Saturday, July 30th (8:50 PM CT) and you will be automatically entered in the National Conference photo contest for a chance to win $200 cash awarded on site. To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) a member or affiliate of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee attending the event (Cydcor employees not eligible). Multiple submissions per participant are allowed. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. There will be one winner selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC?ref=hl) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor on Saturday, July 30th any time after 9:00PM CT and no later than 11:59 PM CT. This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.
This promotion does not have a connection with Instagram, Inc. in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Instagram from any and all liability, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
Terms and Conditions (Twitter)
Post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #gone2natcon anytime from Friday 29th (6:00AM CT) until Saturday, July 30th (8:50 PM CT) and you will be automatically entered in the National Conference photo contest for a chance to win $200 cash awarded on site. To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) a member or affiliate of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee attending the event (Cydcor employees not eligible). Participant may not create multiple accounts to enter the contest – the creation of multiple accounts will make participant liable to have all accounts suspended by Twitter. Any participant found creating multiple accounts to enter the contest will also be disqualified. Multiple submissions per participant are allowed; provided, however, that the participant posts a different tweet each time. Participants may not post the same tweet repeatedly (no duplicate tweets). Posting duplicate tweets is a violation of Twitter Rules and jeopardizes search quality. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. The winner will be selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor) on Saturday, July 30th any time after 9:00PM CT and no later than 11:59 PM CT. This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.
This promotion does not have a connection with Twitter in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Twitter. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Twitter from any and all liability, and agree to read and abide by Twitter’s Rules.
Twitter was created to build social networks, support conversations and increase engagement between individuals and communities. A successful Twitter strategy requires your full participation. You need to do more than share stories about your company, product or service. A successful Twitter strategy requires that you share messages that matter.
At Cydcor, we value communication skills and encourage our employees and sales associates to always tell engaging stories. Use your Twitter account to share news about your company and a bit of your own personality. Here are some strategies for optimizing Twitter for work.
Short and Tweet
Each tweet is limited to 140 characters. Write shorts tweets that start conversations or encourage conversations to continue. Ask a question. Offer a resource. Keep your comments professional but not too formal. Quality content leads to more shares, garners better engagement and grows your online community.
Tweeting on Time
You may be sharing the best messages ever shared on Twitter, but if no one sees them, then they’re not having an impact. You might want to try scheduling your tweets to be published when users are online and will notice them. Hootsuite and Buffer are two online platforms that allow you to schedule your tweets. Research suggests that most people check their tweets at lunchtime.
Learn to Use #Hashtags
#Hashtags allow users to search tweets for topics that interest them. Create a series of hashtags related to your company. Your company name, product names and terms relevant to your industry make good hashtags. For example, if you work in the travel industry, you could use #vacation to engage followers interested in planning a trip.
Create Quality Content
Use words that everyone will understand—not just others in your industry. It helps to engage potential customers by creating useful content that solves problems. Before posting a tweet, ask yourself if your followers will find your message useful and worth sharing.
Twitter is a great tool to add to your selling strategy. It provides you with a platform and a voice to attract new followers and customers. Put these skills into practice and you may soon see more opportunities for success.
What strategies do you use to make Twitter work well for you? Share your thoughts on Twitter and be sure to follow @Cydcor on Instagram to learn more about our company and our culture.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Resilience is a skill that teaches you to transform obstacles into opportunities. It helps you to see one rejection as a small part of a bigger picture: your career. Here are four methods you can try to help you build resilience. Developing this trait is an ongoing process, but at Cydcor, we recognize its importance for both new and experienced salespeople.
Celebrate Your Gifts
Resilience takes practice. To develop a resilient personality, you need to celebrate your gifts. What are you good at doing? What activities or tasks do you do that earn praise? Write these moments down and refer to them when you’re facing a struggle.
Strengthen Your Networks
Reaching out to your network provides a fresh perspective when you’re trying to understand how to solve a problem. Your contacts can provide positive professional and personal feedback needed to strengthen your resilience. They can also encourage and inspire you to try again, which is what resilient people always do.
Do Something About It
A resilient person takes action when they encounter a problem. Don’t get lost in negativity. Examine your situation and find ways to improve your performance. For example, if your customers need more time to make a purchasing decision, come up with a few options that identify customers with similar purchasing cycles. This strategy allows you to focus on when people are ready to buy.
Take Care of Yourself
Resilience is easier to access when your body and mind are in top condition. Eat healthy food, exercise, get enough sleep, and stay hydrated. Take regular mental breaks during the day to reduce stress and strengthen your focus. Think of resilience as a muscle. You’ve got to train it and give it rest in order to build and maintain strength that will last you for the long haul.
Resilient people control their situations and depend on their skills, not luck, to move forward in their profession. They’re able to maintain steady progress on their career path even when they face obstacles along the way and develop strategies that help them to maintain a positive outlook.
What strategies do you use that show your resilience? Share your thoughts on Twitter and be sure to follow @Cydcor on Instagram to learn more about our company and our culture.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Reaching your sales goals requires a positive attitude and the ability to motivate yourself and your co-workers. At Cydcor, we believe that motivation matters. We encourage our employees and sales representatives to find strategies that improve their ability to achieve any goal. Here are some quotes to can add to your motivational toolbox. Use them when your day needs a lift.
Begin by always expecting good things to happen. - Tom Hopkins
One of the best predictors of ultimate success isn’t natural talent or even industry expertise, but how you explain your failures and rejections. - Daniel H. Pink
Most people think “selling” is the same as “talking.” But the most effective salespeople know that listening is the most important part of their job. - Roy Bartell
For every sale you miss because you’re too enthusiastic, you will miss a hundred because you’re not enthusiastic enough. - Zig Ziglar
If you are not taking care of your customer, your competitor will. - Bob Hooey
All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to, those people they know, like and trust. - Bob Burg
Ninety percent of selling is conviction and 10 percent is persuasion. - Shiv Khera
Obstacles are necessary for success because in selling, as in all careers of importance, victory comes only after many struggles and countless defeats. - Og Mandino
To build a long-term, successful enterprise, when you don’t close a sale, open a relationship. - Patricia Fripp
Treat objections as requests for further information. - Brian Tracy
An inspirational quote is a dependable tool to use when you need to overcome an obstacle at work. Write down your favorite quotes. Display them where you will see them every day. You will get more motivation out of a quote if you make it part of your day.
What quotes do you return to for motivation when you face an obstacle that prevents you from reaching your goals? Tweet your favorite quotes and be sure to follow @Cydcor on Instagram to learn more about our company and our culture.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
The Cydcor 2016 Retail National Conference took place in Charlotte, North Carolina from June 21 to June 23. Cydcor was excited to welcome our attendees to this fantastic annual event.
The Cydcor 2016 Retail National Conference brings together sales representatives, owners, and recruiters from across the country. It’s a priceless opportunity for attendees to network, review company goals, share best practices, and recognize our outstanding business leaders.
During this year’s conference, a focus on new beginnings was put into full effect for attendees. Each day was full of great events and opportunities for learning in a fun and focused environment. Attendees enjoyed their stay at the Sheraton Charlotte Hotel, the location for this year’s Retail National Conference.
Known as the International Gateway to the South, Charlotte is nicknamed the Queen City. It was the perfect location for Cydcor’s Retail National Conference since its central location is easy to reach from any part of the United States.
Retail National Conference is an ideal opportunity to reconnect with colleagues and make new connections with sales professionals from around the country. Activities included a General Session with a Working Lunch, organization meetings, and breakouts during the day. There was also an awards dinner to recognize those who went above and beyond in the business this year. The guest speaker during the General Session was Dave Anderson, President of Learn to Lead, who discussed taking advantage of all opportunities and working toward success.
Cydcor was excited to put this event together, and we hope you had a blast in Charlotte! Learn more about Cydcor on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
Cydcor is heading down to Charlotte, NC for National Conference 2016! Interested in winning $200 cash from Cydcor at National Conference 2016? Just share your best National Conference 2016 photos on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter using the hashtag #Gone2NatCon and tag @Cydcor! Enter before Wednesday, June 22nd at 8:50 PM EST to be eligible to win.
The winner will be announced on Cydcor's social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram) during the Dinner Show on Wednesday, June 22nd.
Good Luck!
Terms and Conditions (Facebook)
Post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #gone2natcon anytime from Friday June 17th (10:00AM EST) until Wednesday, June 22nd (8:50 PM EST) and you will be automatically entered in the Retail National Conference photo contest for a chance to win $200 cash awarded on site. To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) a member or affiliate of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee attending the event (Cydcor employees not eligible). Multiple submissions per participant are allowed. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. There will be one winner selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor) on Wednesday, June 22nd any time after 9:00PM EST and no later than 11:59 PM EST. This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.
This promotion does not have a connection with Facebook in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Facebook from any and all liability.
Terms and Conditions (Instagram)
Post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #gone2natcon anytime from Friday June 17th (10:00AM EST) until Wednesday, June 22nd (8:50 PM EST) and you will be automatically entered in the Retail National Conference photo contest for a chance to win $200 cash awarded on site. To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) a member or affiliate of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee attending the event (Cydcor employees not eligible). Multiple submissions per participant are allowed. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. There will be one winner selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor) on Wednesday, June 22nd any time after 9:00PM EST and no later than 11:59 PM EST. This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.
This promotion does not have a connection with Instagram, Inc. in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Instagram. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Instagram from any and all liability, and agree to Instagram’s terms of use.
Terms and Conditions (Twitter)
Post a photo on Instagram, Twitter, or Facebook using the hashtag #gone2natcon anytime from Friday June 17th (10:00AM EST) until Wednesday, June 22nd (8:50 PM EST) and you will be automatically entered in the Retail National Conference photo contest for a chance to win $200 cash awarded on site. To be eligible, entrants must be (i) at least 18 years of age and (ii) a member or affiliate of a Cydcor independent corporate licensee attending the event (Cydcor employees not eligible). Participant may not create multiple accounts to enter the contest – the creation of multiple accounts will make participant liable to have all accounts suspended by Twitter. Any participant found creating multiple accounts to enter the contest will also be disqualified. Multiple submissions per participant are allowed; provided, however, that the participant posts a different tweet each time. Participants may not post the same tweet repeatedly (no duplicate tweets). Posting duplicate tweets is a violation of Twitter Rules and jeopardizes search quality. Profanity or inappropriate language or images, as determined by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, will be disqualified. The winner will be selected by Cydcor, in its sole discretion, and announced via Cydcor’s Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/CydcorLLC) as well as on Cydcor’s Instagram (@Cydcor), and on Cydcor’s Twitter (@Cydcor) on Wednesday, June 22nd any time after 9:00PM EST and no later than 11:59 PM EST. This promotional offer is not intended to create a partnership, joint venture, co-ownership or other association between Cydcor and the participant.
This promotion does not have a connection with Twitter in any way and is not sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Twitter. By entering the contest, participants agree to fully release Twitter from any and all liability, and agree to read and abide by Twitter’s Rules.
About Strength Based Leadership: Great Leaders, Teams, and Why People Follow
Nearly a decade ago, researchers at Gallup concluded a 30-year study of leadership strengths. Over the course of the project, researchers examined over 1 million work teams, supervised over 20,000 interviews with leaders, and spoke with over 10,000 followers about who the most important leaders in their lives were.
Strength Based Leadership is the interpretation of that information by best-selling author Tom Rath and prominent leadership consultant Barry Conchie. In the book, Rath and Conchie identify strategies that will allow you to find and develop the strengths to improve your ability to lead.
Why Cydcor Recommends This Book
The authors thoughtfully interpret the data Gallup assembled over decades, using their insights to craft a guide that teaches readers to discover and develop leadership abilities.
Some experts might suggest imitating the leadership style of someone famous, but Gallup’s research proves that approach simply doesn’t work for long. Instead, readers are encouraged to be themselves and engage these three key findings from Gallup’s research in a personal and authentic way:
1. The most effective leaders are always investing in strengths.
2. The most effective leaders surround themselves with the right people and then maximize their team.
3. The most effective leaders understand their followers’ needs.
Cydcor recommends this book because it helps guide readers toward becoming a successful leader in a way that builds on their own unique strengths.
Our Favorite Part
Our favorite part of Strength-Based Leadership is that it provides a practical approach to building leadership skills. The Gallup researchers identified 34 leadership strengths. For each one of those strengths they suggest two or three ways to use them at work and in your personal life.
The authors connect the results of the Gallup study with strategies used by real-world leaders. They provide real-world examples to teach readers to continually develop their strength-based leadership skills. These lessons also improve organization and management skills.
Interviews with Wendy Kopp, founder and CEO of Teach for America; Simon Cooper, President of the Ritz-Carlton; and Brad Anderson, Chief Executive Office of Best Buy, provide practical insights into the leadership process that readers can apply to their professional development.
So, check out this book and let us know what you think. Share with us on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
About Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges by Amy Cuddy
Author Amy Cuddy came to the world’s attention in 2012, when her TED Talk on body language garnered over 27 million views online. Cuddy is a social psychologist and teaches business administration at Harvard Business School. In her new book, Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges, Cuddy explains that presence “is the state of feeling connected with our own thoughts, values, abilities, and emotions, so that we can better connect with the thoughts, values, abilities, and emotions of others.”
Presence is a powerful guide that teaches us how to identify and work in harmony with our true selves in order to make a bigger impact on the world.
Why Cydcor Recommends This Book
We recommend this book because Cuddy encourages us to embrace our personal qualities and abilities and let them manifest in the world around us. Presence empowers the reader to become an authentic, yet commanding, force in the world. You will learn how to command respect from your colleagues and inspire them to do and be more. You will also discover how to release any anxiety when facing challenges, and gain clarity and poise.
Our Favorite Part
In this book, Cuddy teaches us to activate our presence and consciously inhabit our bodies through power posing. She cites tests between two different groups, and talks about the results of enacting two sets of poses. She mentions how after only two minutes, the group of posers assigned with physically expanding themselves showed elevated levels of testosterone. They also showed decreased levels of cortisol, which has been linked to increased levels of stress.
We particularly liked Cuddy’s reminder to pay attention to our presence and her warning not to take anything for granted:
“Taking control of your body language is not just about posing in a powerful way. It’s also about the fact that we pose in a powerless way much more often than we think—and we need to change that.”
Have you used power-posing to improve your presence at work? We want to know the power poses that worked for you. Share your experience on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.
Great meetings can help us feel excited about work, but bad meetings can do just the opposite. These innovative meeting strategies will empower you to make the most of your meetings – something that will be good for not just you, but your team members as well.
Schedule Meaningful Meetings
The simplest strategy for turning a bad meeting into a good one is to set a meeting purpose and a leader. Bad meetings are almost always due to a lack of direction, goals, focus, or a sense of efficiency. If you are in charge of a meeting, prepare an agenda that you can send out to attendees ahead of time along with any materials you’ll be reviewing. Take 15-30 minutes before the meeting to review meeting goals and specific points you plan to bring up.
Change Your Attitude
Even if you aren’t running the meeting, you can still help improve it by staying organized and being actively engaged. Before the meeting occurs, make sure you can answer the following questions:
Prepare yourself beforehand to ensure you understand the purpose of the meeting and how you are expected to participate. Touch base with coworkers and find out what they will present. If you have relevant questions or concerns, write them down so that you will be ready to bring them up during the meeting. Arrive a few minutes early to greet the leader and review the agenda. Finally, always take detailed notes of what was discussed, especially as it relates to deliverables and deadlines.
Write a Meeting Summary
Once the meeting ends, don’t simply dive back into your work or head out for lunch. Sit down for a few minutes and think about the meeting: Review your notes, highlight the most important issues discussed and their outcomes, and take note of next steps and deliverables. Set reminders to follow up on items if necessary; don’t fall into the trap of taking great notes and never looking at them again.
If you take the time to prepare for meetings and approach them with a positive attitude, you will be able to make each meeting a productive part of your day and a positive influence on your career.
Getting more out of meetings requires a positive attitude and creative strategies. How do you get the most out of your meetings? Share with us on Twitter and follow us @Cydcor.
We are Cydcor, the recognized leader in outsourced sales services. From our humble beginnings as an independent sales company based in Canada to garnering a reputation as the global leader in outsourced sales, Cydcor has come a long way. We’ve done this by having exceptional sales professionals and providing our clients with proven sales and marketing strategies that get results.