Boost Your Productivity, Networking and Sales: Make an Impression

Through out our career and lives we regularly get an opportunity to meet new people and form new relationships. Did you know you have seven seconds to make a first impression? Apparently in those seven seconds people assess your age, income, marital status, education level and interests ? in seven seconds! Regardless of whether people are right about their perception of you? we all subconsciously make assessments of people when we meet them. To ensure you make an outstanding impression every time? try some of these tips.

Appear confident. There's an element of 'fake it 'till you make it' here. Smile when you first meet someone and look him or her in the eye. Even if you don't feel it, your smile and eye contact will show the other person you are friendly and confident.

Be aware of your body language. Be aware of good posture; stand straight with your shoulders back. Don't fidget with pens or your clothing ? keep your hands by your side if you are someone who constantly fidgets. A smile, combined with good posture will boost your confidence.

Introduce yourself first. Rather than stand alone, be brave. Walk up to an individual, or a group, extend your hand and say, "Hi my name is Neen James, nice to meet you". Everyone will respond positively to your confidence and appreciate you making the first move. It will be a trigger for others to do the same.

Shake hands. This is an important skill; if you don't know how to shake hands properly, learn. Some women, particularly those who haven't been required to do it in business, can lack confidence with their handshake. It's important. Cultivate a firm handshake ? not too hard, but just right. Look the person in the eye when you shake their hand and say their name out loud: "Hi Robyn, it's nice to meet you". If you are unsure about shaking hands with someone, always extend your hand first. It is rude to not shake the hand of someone who offers theirs to you.

Learn how to pronounce their name. When you encounter someone with a difficult to pronounce name, ask him or her to repeat it, spell it and say it again ? and allow him or her to correct your pronunciation so you get it right. People will appreciate you taking the time to learn how to say their name properly.

Use a person's name several times when you first meet. This will help you to remember their name, it's a very personal way to communicate ? and, people love the sound of their own name!

Learn conversational skills. The ability to make conversation is what scares so many people about new social interactions, here a few questions you can ask anyone you meet for the first time:

What do you do?

Where do you work?

Where do you live?

Does it take you long to get from home to the office?

What inspires you?

What do you like read?

What has been your most valuable business lesson?

Ask people what they like to do in their spare time. This is a great question and most people become energised when you ask them about their life outside of work. Watch their eyes sparkle as they tell you about the activities they most enjoy. Take the time to discover that people are far more interesting than their work.

If you meet someone with an accent, ask where he or she is from. Find out something interesting about their country by asking:

Where are you from?

How often do you go to visit?

What do you miss most about that place?

Who is someone famous from there?

What food is that country famous for?

If you are at an industry or charity event, ask how they heard about the event. It's a great icebreaker and allows you both to share stories of how you came to be at the event and what you hope to achieve by attending.

Listen intently. Give the person you are speaking with your full attention. Use active listening techniques such as nodding, smiling and leaning towards them while they speak. Ask questions about the topics you are discussing. People will appreciate your attention. It is very rude to look beyond the person you are speaking with or to look around the room for someone more interesting.

Neen is a Global Productivity Expert: by looking at how they spend their time and energy ? and where they focus their attention ? Neen helps people to rocket-charge their productivity and performance. A dynamic speaker, author and corporate trainer, Neen demonstrates how boosting your productivity can help you achieve amazing things. With her unique voice, sense of fun and uncommon common-sense, Neen delivers a powerful lesson in productivity. Find out more at http://neenjames.com/

---

Quiz: What Kind of Sales Shoe Are You?

Have you ever wondered what type of saleswoman you are?... Read More

Do You Have to Be Aggressive to Make Sales?

A few weeks ago I was onsite at a company... Read More

4 Easy Ways to Boost Your Sales

Here are 4 easy ways you can boost your sales... Read More

Top 7 Psychological Triggers For Unlimited Sales

Did you know that there are specific psychological triggers you... Read More

Better Listening Skills = More Sales

Today's business environment is intrinsically tied together by ongoing information... Read More

7 Steps to Selling Artwork

Selling arwork is easy when you follow a road map.... Read More

Psychology of Converting a Prospect to Money

If you want a truly successful business, you need to... Read More

Five Tips To Increase Your Sales

1. You could end your ad copy with a discounted... Read More

Bite Your Tongue

Most people don't realize how powerful a negotiating tool silence... Read More

5 Powerful Tips To Persuasion!

Having excellent persuasion skills is one of the most important... Read More

4 Reasons Why the Sale is Not Made

When sales are down, a salesperson must begin to take... Read More

Anticipating the Audiences Reaction

Obviously, you can not know all of the things that... Read More

11 Powerful Methods of Sales Lead Generation

Are you searching for new and innovative ways of sales... Read More

In Sales, Words Just Don?t Compute

In studies conducted by Motivational Systems of West Orange, New... Read More

Why Salespeople Fail

Since 1990 I have focused on the three primary barriers... Read More

Youre Hired... I Think

I'm not a fan of "The Donald" and I had... Read More

Sales and the Law of Attraction

I'm about to challenge your belief system, or at least... Read More

Value Add Negotiating for Sales Professionals

Imagine this scenario. You are a sales representative for Baker... Read More

As They Approcah the Finish Line... The Winner Is?

Recently, right before I was about to deliver a motivational... Read More

The Choice between Yes and Yes: A Psychological Revelation

Three year old Kara was throwing a tantrum. She didn't... Read More

How to Sound Just Like a Salesperson

Prospect - "So now that I've told you what we... Read More

Sales 101: Asking for the Order

"Ask, and you shall receive", a biblical principal that offers... Read More

How to Sell a Feeling

To be totally in tune with the needs of your... Read More

10 Expressions to Avoid in Sales Communication

Keeping up with what words are in and out isn't... Read More

7 Sales Techniques To Differentiate You From The Competition

You have a choice. You can stand out or blend... Read More

Failed Salespeople Share Similar Traits

We are each responsible for our own success - or... Read More

Turning Sales Techniques Into Sales Success!

The goal of all sales training is not just to... Read More

Win More Sales With a 5-Step Sales Process

Facilitating the buying process can be very straightforward and fairly... Read More

Boost Buyer Confidence By Assuming The Sale

I saw something in town the other day that just... Read More

5 Ways to Increase Business Sales by Contacting Your Existing Customers

One of the best ways to increase your sales and... Read More

Three Ways To Get A Prospect To Say Yes To Your Offer

Here are three proven ways that will increase your sales:1.... Read More

Growing Sales Through Creating Connections

Your mission as a business owner is to develop a... Read More

Just Ask

For the 'big three' automobile sales consultants, the 'employee discount... Read More