Follow-up is the KEY to Successful Networking.

Ever attend an event, gather business cards and then forget where you picked them up or who the person is on the front of that card? This is the number one problem when attending an event - following up with the leads that you have made. When do you follow up? Do you contact them the minute you return to the office or do you wait a bit until the dust settles? Well - I am from the old school that when someone has been to an event and out of the office for a day it is best to let the dust settle and permit them time to catch up with the things they missed - so I wait a few days - no more than 3 business days - and then send an email thanking them for stopping by my booth if I was exhibitor, complimenting them on theirs if they were showing, or letting them know I enjoyed meeting them at the networking event.

No matter how you meet someone, the potential is there for a business contact. Even if they don't need your product or services, they just might know someone who does. I was at an event and spoke to a woman about S1 and our line of clear bags and backpacks and she said she really didn't think it was anything she could use, but found the company and concept interesting, so she asked me for a brochure. Well - I received a phone call from her the next afternoon because she had been talking with her cousin over morning coffee on the phone and her cousin said she was going to hunt to find a clear backpack because her son's school has just made it mandatory for the students. Well, she laughed telling me how she went to her bag and took out the brochure to give her cousin our website info. [BTW - the cousin ordered our large wheeled backpack]

Arriving at work, she was in the morning meeting when the boss came in and was complaining about the security lines at the airport and wondered why no one had a line of clear travel bags to cut time at security checkpoints. Well - again she reached into her bag and brought out the brochure to give him our website. [He wound up ordering our Gym bag - perfect for the overhead bins and our Deluxe Laptop Briefcase.] The woman I met called me because she had to laugh that the first two conversations she had the next day involved people who needed our clear bags - and here she thought she would never know anyone that would!!!

See - you never know where your next sale comes from or when you connect with someone where it might lead. So - follow-up with those contacts, share your business or service or product with the people you meet. You never know where your next sale will come from!!! Take a look at our site - www.s1bags.com - maybe you know someone who will need our products to raise funds, cut time at security, brand their logo, give a unique timely gift or perhaps just go to a ballgame and not have to empty out their bags!!! S1 - we ARE the CLEAR advantage!!!

Small Business is Big Business in CT!!!

Having just returned from the Small and Minority Business Showcase in Waterbury CT I have to say that Small Business is really Big Business here in CT!.

73% of the businesses here in CT have less than 9 employees! How amazing is that?!?!

The Secretary of State Susan Bysiewicz and Harland Henry, the amazing gentleman that runs these showcases, take a hands on approach to small business here in CT. I can only hope that other states have a Secretary of State and staff that care enough to know you by your first name on sight.

I am amazed at how kind and professional the entire staff of Ms. Bysiewicz is - which only goes to show what a gracious and caring official she is. In this day and age of businesses closing all around the country, she and her staff do all that they can to promote our businesses and bring us to the forefront to make our dreams a reality.

When so many of us feel that our elected officials do nothing for us on an individual basis I can honestly say that CT is so very lucky and blessed to have an official like Susan Bysiewicz who not only gives speeches and makes appearances but actually fights for Small Business each and every day! Talk about a CLEAR advantage! She is the real deal - and so is Harland Henry and their entire staff.

Many thanks for a great day!

Does Networking Really Work!?!?!

So - does networking really work? As someone who is becoming a queen of the networking scene I can attest to the fact that networking is the way to go. Utilizing the internet and the great networking sites out there can really open your company up on a global scale - but you have to be sure to make the most out of your time.
If you are looking for business networking check out ShopInUSCities.com and their networking capabilities. They are brand new and on the cutting edge. FastPitchNetworking.com is another great avenue for making the most out of your computer.
Believe me, the internet has opened me up to contacts that I never would have made otherwise, but I think I will always prefer the one-on-one meeting - but that is because I am more old school and have to get out of my own way and join the new century!!!
Make networking really work for you. Follow up with your leads and contacts and devote a specific amount of time each day or week to connecting with those sites that can promote who you are and the mission behind your company.
Find ways to brand your company and your logo so when people think of that product or service, they think of you! For my part - when people think of clear bags and backpacks I want them to think of Dori and S1 bags. Yes, that's right - I am the classiest "bag lady" out there and want my network to know that - so when you think of see-through bags that will speed your time at security checkpoints or brand your company and your logo as cutting edge think of dori@s1bags.com. Together, we can make a difference and make networking really count!!!