2010
September 2
Women Networking Gifts – BIRDS of a FEATHER
Filed under: Business for Women, HLN Spotlights, Inspiring Articles, Marketing Tips, Networking, Relationships
Women Networking Gifts – Birds of a Feather
By Dawn Billings, Founder / CEO of The Heart Link Women’s Network
When I was younger my mother used to tell me that “birds of a feather, flocked together.” I was not particularly interested in the meaning behind the saying at the time but I have come to realize that your life and the things that you are truly dedicated to, show up in who you are associated with and who you choose to spend your time and life energies around.
In 2008, I had the great honor to be chosen as one of 15 “Women of Achievement” in the state of Georgia by the YWCA. As I read my name associated with the other extraordinary women I was humbled.
Dawn Billings, CEO and founder of the Heart of a Woman and the Heart Link Network; state Rep. Charlice Byrd (R-Woodstock); state Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta); Lillian Darden, executive director of Foundation of Wesley Woods; Nancy Desmond, CEO of the Gingrich Group/Center for Health Transformation; Helen Goreham, Cobb commissioner; Anne Hancock, regional representative, U.S. Department of Education; Vickie Haney, vice president of Bank of North Georgia; Denise Harden, vice president, commercial banking, SunTrust; Kimberly Paris, development officer of the WellStar Foundation; Holly Walquist, Marietta councilwoman; and Julie Whitehead, chief engineer, C-5M, Lockheed Martin.
As I stood next to these women, my only desire was to be worthy of their association. [Read more...]
2010
August 30
Professional Women Networking Tip: 4 from The Heart Link Network
Filed under: Business for Women, Inspiring Articles, Marketing Tips, Networking
Professional Women Networking Tip: 4 from The Heart Link Womens Network
by Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities.
My fourth professional networking tip is to listen as though your business depends on it, because it does.
Professional networking is a developed skill. At first, don’t focus on selling. Instead focus on listening. I know that you intend to use networking as a way to increase your sales, thereby building your business, but one of the worst things you can do is to overwhelm a person when you first meet them with YOUR sales pitch. No one likes to be sold. They want to be understood, listened to and cared about and then, they have room in their hearts to hear what you have to offer.
When you meet women networking for the first time, use it as an opportunity to learn. One of the best ways we learn is by listening.In fact we learn twice as much by listening, that is why we have two ears and only one mouth.
Everyone loves to talk about them, even if they are shy. Give a new acquaintance a chance to teach you about them. Listen. Get to know them. Don’t try to sell them anything. Rather, begin by giving them something everyone wants; to be listened to. This may sound like a colossal waste of time, but I assure you, it is the best time you will ever spend. Once a person feels listened to, they become much more open to listening and learning about you.
Women small business owners need many opportunities to share what they are passionate about, women entrepreneurs can often feel fragile because the weight is all on their shoulders. So when you are attending a professional networking event, listen carefully to the other women business owners and you will discover, they are just like you and you know YOU want to be listened to . . . right?
Dawn L Billings is an ardent advocate for women’s and children’s issues, the author of over 20 books and hundreds of articles on parenting, relationships, entitlement and networking. Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities. In 2008 Dawn was selected by Oprah Magazine and The White House project as one of 80 emerging women leaders in the nation. Find out more and buy Dawn’s books To learn more about women networking check out our videos
2010
August 28
Professional Women Networking Tip: 3 from The Heart Link Womens Network
Filed under: Business for Women, Inspiring Articles, Marketing Tips, Networking
Professional Women Networking Tip: 3 from The Heart Link Womens Network
by Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities.
My third professional networking tip is a rule you learned in kindergarten. After you meet, and greet – SHARE.
After you have met the new and interesting people I recommended you meet in professional networking tip number two, take them and find the people you already know, and like, and introduce them to each other. This is a wonderful and easy way for you to stay connected to those you already know, while helping the people you just met.
As you share your old and new acquaintances, you will automatically expand your circle of influence. Everyone loves to be introduced. Your already established acquaintances love it when you introduce the new people you have met and it gives them an opportunity to introduce the new people they have met to you.
Remember, just an introduction is not sufficient. When you introduce two people it is wise to tell each of them about the other. Be courteous and a bit flattering. You can tease people you know well, but make sure that everyone knows it is just good fun and never let that be your primary way of relating to others.
Another benefit of sharing is that introducing new acquaintances to established acquaintances will help you solidify them in your memory. And if you are like me, your memory can use the help. : )
Dawn L Billings is an ardent advocate for women’s and children’s issues, the author of over 20 books and hundreds of articles on parenting, relationships, entitlement and networking. Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities. In 2008 Dawn was selected by Oprah Magazine and The White House project as one of 80 emerging women leaders in the nation. Find out more and buy Dawn’s books To learn more about women networking check out our videos
2010
August 27
Professional Women Networking Tip: 2 from The Heart Link Womens Network
Filed under: Business for Women, Inspiring Articles, Marketing Tips, Networking
Professional Women Networking Tip: 2 from The Heart Link Womens Network
by Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities.
My second professional networking tip is logical but not necessarily intuitive. Meet as many NEW people as you can.
When you first arrive at a networking event, avoid gravitating to people you already know and like. Of course, this is the most natural thing for people, especially women, to want to do, but after thanking the host, you should immediately find someone NEW to introduce yourself to. Networking is about meeting NEW people. This doesn’t mean that you have to ignore those you already know and love, but make sure you meet new people and introduce them to those you already know and love.
Challenge yourself to meeting at least 3 to 4 new people each time you attend a business networking event. This challenge will help you to get in the right frame of mind and focus on why you chose to attend the event in the first place.
Remember networking is all about meeting NEW people and creating NEW relationships. When you attend a networking event you need to be focused on expanding your circle of influence. Outside of networking events, you can meet your new and old friends for coffee, a jog in the park, a protein shake, or even a yoga class. But at the meeting, do what you came to do—MEET new people.
Dawn L Billings is an ardent advocate for women’s and children’s issues, the author of over 20 books and hundreds of articles on parenting, relationships, entitlement and networking. Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities. In 2008 Dawn was selected by Oprah Magazine and The White House project as one of 80 emerging women leaders in the nation. Find out more and buy Dawn’s books To learn more about women networking check out our videos
2010
August 25
Professional Women Networking Tip: 1 from The Heart Link Womens Network
Filed under: Business for Women, Inspiring Articles, Marketing Tips, Networking
Professional Women Networking Tip: 1 from The Heart Link Womens Network
by Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities.
What is professional networking and why is it important?.
A professional networking event is really nothing more than an organized, or sometimes unorganized, way to get to meet people you might otherwise never meet. Networking is nothing more than socializing with focus, purpose, and if you are lucky, fun.
Networking for some women can feel similar to a trip to the dentist. Networking can feel frightening to some. Professional women know how important it is to go, but they are do not look forward to the experience and often experience a great deal of anxiety. For others, networking events are truly enjoyable; they can’t wait to arrive and begin the networking process. So makes these same events feel differently to people? A couple of the things that truly impact how you feel about networking is your confidence around networking and meeting people and your attitude. If you feel confident, and have an optimistic and excited attitude, networking can be as fun as it is, effective.
Regardless of your feelings about networking, when you decide to attend an event, it’s important to choose to arrive with the proper perspective. Your goal should not be to take the room by storm and hold everyone you meet hostage until they make a commitment to do business with you, although I have attended a couple of events where I felt that was the perspective of the people in attendance. But, if you really want networking to work for you, I will share 33 important networking tips from my ebook Tips that can help you create a Real Buzz at Networking Events that can help you to not only succeed, but to enjoy yourself whenever you are networking.
Women Entrepreneurs Professional Women Networking Tip 1:
After all is said and done, networking is really about earning the right, privilege, honor, and respect to be able to meet with someone again. It is the beginning of a potentially great and powerful relationship. As with all beginnings, how we handle them determines how strong our later relationship will be.
A Networking event is not a license to sell yourself, but an opportunity to meet new people and begin to build actual relationships. If you desire to sell yourself and showcase your products and services, building relationships is the very best, most powerful, and effective way to do it.
Dawn L Billings is an ardent advocate for women’s and children’s issues, the author of over 20 books and hundreds of articles on parenting, relationships, entitlement and networking. Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities. In 2008 Dawn was selected by Oprah Magazine and The White House project as one of 80 emerging women leaders in the nation. Find out more and buy Dawn’s books To learn more about women networking check out our videos
2010
August 18
Visualization and Women Entrepreneurs
Filed under: Business for Women, Inspiring Articles, Marketing Tips, Networking
Visualization and Women Entrepreneurs
by Dawn Billings, Founder of The Heart Link Network® for professional women business owners, TROVA Business Directory and TROVA Women Business Directory and creator of the new Parenting tool/toy called Capables
I have been asked many times, does the use of visualization techniques really help someone achieve their goals in life? Research tells us the answer is yes. But I believe it is especially important for women entrepreneurs.
Perhaps you know someone who uses mental rehearsal, or visualization.
Many great athletes, executives, entrepreneurs and other successful people use visualization to help them improve their performance and develop their skills. It is considered a standard tool used by many Olympic and professional athletes, as well as people who simply want to develop new behaviors. But I have found that women entrepreneurs and women in general, spend more time visualizing, hoping and dreaming for the people they love, than they do for themselves. This is one of the beautiful things about being a woman, as a gender, we have enormous hearts and we dream big for those we love. But we must take the time to include ourselves and our dreams. We must be disciplined to spend as much time visualizing and dreaming our dreams as we do visualizing for our children, friends and loved ones.
How does visualization work? It is simple rally, human beings think in the form of words, which trigger pictures and emotions. Emotions are very important when we visualize. They are the fuel that lifts our dreams into reality. Our subconscious cannot tell the difference between something we imagine vividly, with great passion, and a “real” experience. As long as we feel the vision passionately, our subconscious believes it IS real. So what we envision with a burning desire to have, our subconscious begins to manifest.
Actually we all use visualization to one extent or another. Whenever we look forward to something and create a picture in our mind of how we want it to be, we are using visualization even though we may not realize it at the time. The most difficult challenge anyone will face in their lifetime is the challenge to control the thoughts that fill their heads. Listen girls, I know how difficult this is. I teach this stuff and truly believe in the power of thoughts and visualization and yet, it is extremely difficult to keep those nagging fears, anxieties and worries from clouding my vision. It takes incredible discipline, dedication and determination to visualize your future with the passion necessary to turn your dreams into reality.
Visualization helps you direct your thoughts by allowing you to project yourself into the future where you can witness the outcomes you most desire. There are many real life benefits to visualization around even simple tasks, for example, if you are nervous about meeting new people in your community, and yet know that it is critical to growing your business, just relax and picture yourself meeting new people with confidence and ease. Picture every little detail, and see you speaking enthusiastically, passionately and powerfully, and listening carefully and respectfully as well. Picture what you are wearing, your posture, and your smile. Hear the words you’ll say. Feel your body, comfortable and relaxed. Your visualization will be aided if you also attend events where you can feel safe, secure and welcomed like The Heart Link Women’s Network, networking for professional women in over 140 locations in the US, Canada and Australia. Once you have attended a few events, you will more easily be able to add details to your visualization exercises, as you picture the outcomes you most desire.
Repeat the visualization process over and over, as if you are watching a movie starring yourself. When it is time to network and introduce yourself to others, your subconscious will kick in to help you do it just like you imagined. It won’t take long until you understand that what you can see and believe, you can achieve.
______________________________________________________________________
Dawn L Billings is an ardent advocate for women’s and children’s issues, the author of over 20 books and hundreds of articles on parenting, relationships, entitlement and networking. Dawn is the CEO and Founder of The Heart Link Womens Network, Trova Women Business Directory and Trova Small Business Directory and The Heart Alliance.com international women’s networking organizations and communities. In 2008 Dawn was selected by Oprah Magazine and The White House project as one of 80 emerging women leaders in the nation. Find out more and buy Dawn’s books To learn more about women networking check out our videos
