By Marlena Reigh International Voice Image Specialist You have impressive visuals, the latest technology — you look great and your topic is hot, but have you invested time and energy in the most important of all personal tools — your voice? I know you have seen it. A presenter has all the “bells […]
By Marlena Reigh
Over the last five years or so networking – that is, meeting other professionals with which to do business – has evolved into making connections in order to build relationships. With the old model, you arrived at an event, passed out your cards to as many people as possible while giving them your best impression of how great your product is, and hoped that some of the tactics would get results. Some people would even rate their success by how many cards they gave away.
But now, because more and more people sell the same products or service at comparably the same prices, competition is hot and building relationships is essential. The truth is that what we are selling is ourselves. Our appearance counts for 55% of first impressions and the quality of our voice counts for 37%. Words only count for 18%. Yes, we can be remembered by how we look, but what is even more powerful in being remembered by how we use our voice and how we’ve treated others.
One evening I went to a networking event in a different city. In the elevator I had a conversation with a woman. As we chatted, she asked me if I was going the networking event. I answered, “Yes, it’s my first time” in which she then asked me about my business and the kind of clients I was looking for. Tamera (her real name with her permission) was a regular and when we arrived she said, “Let me introduce you to the people I know.”
As Tamera took me around the room, she not only introduced me to others but also mentioned my expertise to each person. She used her voice in an enthusiastic and engaging way that opened up conversations. Her posture and eye contact were strong and confident as though I was someone special and they were special too, yet she was genuine. I felt Tamera was part of my team. It turns out she knew just about everyone there. In my eyes Tamera was a star, a people connector. She gained my admiration, respect, and I wanted to get to know her better so I could be on her team too.
That day I left the event truly inspired to take networking to a higher level. Building connections through helping others build connections, not by only introducing them, but by sharing what I know about them. Someone who others could count on as a connector and resource; Someone to be remembered and with which to stay connected.
7 Tips On How You Too Can Be A Networking Star:
In networking the goal is to increase your sphere of influence, helping others, increasing the opportunity to improve lives with your products, and assisting in more prosperity and success for all.
By the way, because of this encounter I got a radio interview, contracted a new client and secured a presentation, which Tamera attended and I then could acknowledge her to the audience thus giving her the kudos she deserved.
Marlena Reigh, international voice image specialist since 1992, teaches unique, effective and powerful voice communication techniques which are critical in getting results in any speaking situation. www.MarlenaReigh.com 2359 Prairie Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Marlena@marlenareigh.com (734)395.3553
©2013 M. Reigh Radiant Communications (734)395.3553
By Joyce Weiss M.A., CSP Despite the gloom and doom economic picture presented in the media, now is when we must be most positive in order to persevere. With this attitude, what results can you expect? Benefit 1: You’ll Discover Opportunities for Growth When a challenge comes, people naturally want to focus […]
By Robert J. Reaume REBC, RHU, CLU, LIC February 2013 – Surprisingly, few business owners understand the importance of establishing Buy & Sell Agreements (BSAs). Generally, people do not like to think of a future that does not include themselves, or a business partner, but this is an issue that prudent entrepreneurs ought to address […]
Your Go-To Source about Health Care Reform and Its effect on your business. What to Know – What to Do – Essential Tools
As a writing agent with MBPA, you now have the answers that you need to help you as an agent navigate reform. Health Reform Connect will give you:
To take advantage of these services, continue to write your Blues with the MBPA (cluster code “AL”). This is a complimentary additional service for all members taking advantage of the MBPA BCBSM insurance offerings.
Our service team is ready to help you at 888-277-6464.
The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has published proposed registration procedures for Agents and Brokers to represent and sell qualified health plans on the Individual and Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) Federal-Facilitated Exchanges. The proposed registration process includes Agent-Broker personal identifying and contact information and, professional producer licensing information. CMS […]
Colonial Life’s new Group Accident Insurance is now available, which completes our comprehensive portfolio of group and individual voluntary benefit plans. Composite rates and a two-year rate guarantee are just a few highlights of this guaranteed-issue product, which offers four Health Savings Account-compliant plan options. Group Accident also features additional employer-optional benefits that can further […]
By Bonnie Bochniak
MBPA, Government Relations
The Michigan Business and Professional Association is asking the support of both the State House and Senate in appropriating the 31 million dollars in federal grant funding available to lay the ground work for establishing a health insurance market place for our state-federal partnership plan. The association sent a letter to all legislators, as we feel our state resources should not be utilized in order to lay the groundwork for the federal healthcare plan.
We also understand that this federal funding will be utilized for better customer services based in Michigan to help answer questions about the healthcare exchange, thus giving the agent community more options in participation. Bottom line, if there is federal funding to help defer that cost, and offer more opportunities for Michigan’s work force, we support accepting it.
Please see below for copy of letter:
The Michigan Business and Professional Association representing over 20,000 small businesses statewide, ask for your support in appropriating the 31 million dollars in federal grant funding available to lay the ground work for establishing a health insurance market place for our state-federal partnership plan.
Our associations did not support the formation of PPACA, and lobbied strongly against it. Despite our actions and the final outcome, it is the law of the land. We are moving forward to help our members, the business community, prepare for their future and give them the tools they need.
We believe that Michigan should be granted as much decision making power allowable by the federal healthcare law, which would be to establish a state-based exchange here in Michigan. Although, that is not the path our state has chosen, we still need to appropriate the 30 million dollars in grant funding that has recently become available to begin our operations as a state-federal partnership, to comply with federal law. We all understand that the 31 million dollars in federal grant monies in no way ties our state to any permanent healthcare decisions; it merely gives us much needed revenue to begin technical compliance, while saving our general fund dollars. We understand the political ramifications in supporting this grant, but ask you to look beyond that and do what is best for Michigan. The time to act is now. This is the last remaining option we have for Michigan to maintain some control over decisions made in regards to our healthcare. Please support and pass the supplemental, providing us with the 31 million dollars in federal funding our state desperately needs.
As always, please contact our Government Relations team with any questions. By phone: 888-277-6464 or by email: bbochniak@michbusiness.org We value your feedback.
By Kristi R. Gauthier, Esq. Clark Hill PLC January 2013 – Some of the most talked about aspects of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) relate to the employer mandate provisions (often times referred to as “employer shared responsibility”) taking effect in 2014. With 2014 right around the corner, employers are starting to […]
By Bonnie Bochniak Vice President, Government Relations MBPA/MFBA January 2013 – Inside our nation’s new federal healthcare law, a $63-per-person annual fee will be charged to all health insurance plans beginning next year that will aid in financing the new law’s risk-adjustment mechanism. The new law’s reinsurance provisions are an effort to lessen the cost […]
