How to score big in networking

networking

Building relationships from scratch is never an easy task. But folks who have to network with strangers for work frequently don’t really have a choice. If that is you, let us share some tips on how to score big in networking.

Be clear on your motives

Have you ever been on the receiving end of an approach and observed how “fake” a person can be? Don’t make the mistake of being labelled as “fake” by the person you intend to know.

Whether you’re keen on connecting with a potential employer, reach a target customer, or simply find out more about an existing project they’re working on, make it known clearly. The last thing you want to achieve is to appear dodgy to the other party.

Put in the effort before your requests

Dian Oved, CEO of a PR and digital marketing company, shares with us a common pitfall. “A new founder will ask me for a celebrity intro for a collaboration, but they haven’t yet built a website, prepared materials, or thought about what they’ll do if the intro is made.”

Before making requests, be sure that you’ve put in the necessary effort. Remember that your networking contact is trading on their reputation to arrange that introduction for you. Make it count.

Learn how to be likeable

While you can’t control someone’s first impression of you, you can learn how to be likeable through the words you say. Generally, people are looking to be inspired and intrigued by your latest venture or your point of view on a common topic.

However, be fully aware that braggers get nowhere. Though it’s applaudable that you take the initiative to speak up, humility is still essential when it comes to networking. There’s a time to share your achievements and a suitable time to listen.

Ask open-ended questions

Do you recall what we wrote at the start of this article? It’s great to start off being clear on your motives, but you want to ask open-ended questions to facilitate the conversation and direction. Just take a look at this example:

A: “Do you know anyone I can speak with as I’m learning more about job opportunities at Google?”

B: “Can you connect me to your ex-colleague, John, at Google? I want to ask him for a job.”

Do you think sentence A or B is a better approach? If you chose A, you’re on the right track. It’s an open-ended question that’s both direct and polite. It also allows your networking acquaintance to use their network to your advantage.

Final thoughts
two men shaking hands

Image Credits: randstadrisesmart.com

Some people may be born with the gift of the tongue, but the truth is that most of us have to go through trials to find the most appropriate way to network. Sometimes, all it takes is a little practice to get there. Don’t give up!

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6 Telltale Signs That You Need To Walk Away From A Job Interview

With the status of today’s economy, you cannot be too picky. In your efforts to filter out your job applications, sometimes the position just does not feel right. It can be in your best interest to pass on a position if any of the following red flags are present.

#1: HIRING MANAGER IS NOT EXPECTING YOU

Have you ever walked into a room and felt like a complete nuisance? If the hiring manager makes you feel that they are not expecting you, you may proceed with caution. Observe the questions of the hiring manager and determine whether the person you prepared for has glanced at your profile. Working for someone who does not respect your time and presence is not ideal.

The hiring process is an expensive endeavor, so potential employers should not be frugal with their time. It is highly likely that they frequently make hiring mistakes if they are paying less attention to you and other candidates.

#2: HIRING MANAGER’S SCHEDULING IS MESSY

A candidate can expect a few hiccups in the interview scheduling process. After all, it is not easy to coordinate multiple people’s schedules. Moreover, bosses often get pulled out for last-minute meetings.

Scheduling becomes a concern if the hiring manager keeps rescheduling your online interview or in-person interview. These actions convey that he or she thinks you can adjust your schedule endlessly to accommodate to them.

#3: HIRING MANAGER USES INTIMIDATION TACTICS

Some companies use intimidation tactics during the interview. Whether the hostile behavior reflects how people treat each other in the company or is a way to test its candidates, companies want to observe how you will act under pressure. Intimidation can go as far as forcing you to accept the job offer upfront. That happened to a friend of mine.

Hiring managers that use this technique expect the candidates to calmly approach the situation. Candidates with other options will not tolerate it.

#4: HIRING MANAGER IS NOT AWARE OF YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES

No matter if you are applying to be an entry-level staff or the chief financial officer, the hiring manager should be able to explain the responsibilities of the role as well as how success will be measured. If he or she fails to do so, you will probably have a challenging time forging a clear path in the company.

You deserve to know what the job entails before you take it. If the answers of the hiring manager changes, it poses a concern.

#5: HIRING MANAGER DODGES QUESTIONS ABOUT GROWTH

Test how open the hiring manager is about growth potential and other matters. Everyone should have an opportunity to progress in the company’s ladder. If the hiring manager acts weird or gets annoyed when you ask about growth potential, you can expect that they have something to hide.

An interview is a preview of what your life could be like in a company. You can politely ask about the exciting and frustrating elements of the job to increase your awareness.

#6: HIRING MANAGERS ACT LIKE THEY ARE DOING YOU A FAVOR

Yes! Times are tough, but the hiring manager should not act like he is doing you a favor. Telling you that there are many people competing for the position and that you are lucky to have an interview is an intimidation tactic. Perhaps, this is embedded in the work culture. It is not ideal, especially if you end up dealing with it every day.

Image Credits: unsplash.com

Interviewer red flags are not difficult to spot if you know what to watch out for. Do not disregard these telltale signs during the job interview. Instead, turn your attention to finding employment or opportunity elsewhere.

Sources: 1 & 2

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How To Showcase Your Achievements Without Being A Jerk

In an effort to avoid sounding like a braggart, many people become overly modest. Keeping mum about your success and minimizing your achievements can be a problem too. You worked so hard to accomplish your book, brand, and so on. Perhaps, you just had a promotion that you do not want to tell anyone. Consequently, they miss out on celebrating an important milestone alongside you.

There are other ways to showcase your achievements without coming off as a jerk. Consider the following tips.

#1: EXPRESS GRATITUDE

Showing gratitude is one of the ways you can celebrate your achievement gloating. Make it clear that you do not think you deserve prosperity merely because you are a great person. Be truthful when it comes to thanking the people who helped you along the way or the company that gave you the opportunity to grow.

#2: EMPHASIZE ON HARD WORK

People rarely talk about the sacrifices that come with success. Life is not always filled with rainbows and butterflies. Saying “I barely tried” makes you sound arrogant. When you accomplish something, emphasize on your efforts by saying: “I worked really hard to make this happen”. Listeners will respect your achievements when they know the struggles behind them. Furthermore, they will be able to relate to your stories.

#3: AVOID BELITTLING OTHERS

There is no need to belittle others to showcase your status! Leave out the comparisons, as much as possible. Saying statements like: “no one else has made this much sales” or “no one else has achieved this quota” will not elevate your status. Instead, you will just sound arrogant or mean.

If you crossed the marathon and finished in first place, it is alright to say that you came first. However, it is another story if you add things to belittle the second or third placer.

#4: GIVE CREDIT WHERE IT IS DUE

Remember to acknowledge your support system or the team behind your success. Similar to the contents of the acknowledgments in a book, you are not solely responsible for your success. People are more receptive to hearing success stories when credit is given where it is due.

#5: DO NOT PRACTICE FALSE HUMILITY

Avoid statements like “I hate to brag…” as it comes off as false humility. Sticking to the facts or being direct is a better way to get your point across.

Image credits: pixabay.com

Although it can be challenging to truly honor your wins without sounding like a braggart, these tips will help you deliver the facts to your co-workers and your clients without going overboard.

Sources: 1 & 2

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Benefits of using influencer marketing for your brand

an influencer at work

Influencer marketing, when done right, can advance a company’s branding and lead them onto the road to success.

However, therein lies the question of the type of influencers out there to choose from. With more people joining the influencer network, here’s a good way to segregate them into categories:

  • Mega-influencers: More than 1 million followers
  • Macro-influencers: From 300,000 to 1 million followers
  • Micro-influencers: Between 10,000 and 100,000 followers
  • Nano-influencers: 100s to 10,000 followers

Keeping the overview in mind, we will focus on the benefits of using influencer marketing for your brand in this article.

#1: Track conversions instantly

If you’re in the business of app-making or selling e-commerce products, then engaging influencers to market your product can allow you to track conversions almost instantly.

In fact, fast-moving consumer goods like beverages or even affordably priced cosmetics stand a higher chance for quick sales revenue since the decision-making process for consumers is relatively short.

#2: Elevates brand awareness

For items or services that are harder to sell instantly, that’s okay. Your marketing dollar invested in engaging the right influencers will not be gone to waste just because there are no conversions.

When your influencers market your product via personal recommendations, their loyal followers get to see it. While they may not buy at once, there’s a high chance of them spreading the information to their friends and family members. This could elevate your brand awareness!

#3: Retain more sticky customers
a woman keying her credit card details

Image Credits: retailcustomerexperience.com

Research has shown that customers generated via influencer marketing are likely to be more sticky than those attracted via other media sources.

But it’s also wise for the marketing team to plan out a long-term strategy to work with various influencers and keep the ones that help bring in sales or traffic. A one-time off partnership with an influencer may not generate much credibility, so plan for the long run and ensure your marketing budget is taken into account.

#4: Venture into new markets

With COVID-19 still raging strong after more than 1.5 years, businesses may be left in a lurch for their expansion plans.

This is where influencer marketing can help you venture into new markets because no one can speak a lingo better than the locals themselves. It will make perfect sense to engage local influencers if you plan to promote your products to a specific target audience. Try it, and you will see for yourself how effortless it is to reach global communities.

#5: A domino effect on other media spendings

As we come to a close, know that not all influencer marketing campaigns can bring in the revenue you desire (at least not immediately).

However, take heart in knowing that there is a domino effect on other media spendings. With elevated brand awareness, you will probably see more organic traffic to your website. This thus means that the cost of Google Ads may also decrease.

Final thoughts

We recommend that businesses allocate at least 10% of their marketing budget to influencer marketing.

You can choose to start small and experiment with small scale campaigns before you go big to finance your long-term influencer marketing plans. Sometimes, all it takes is a little trial and error before you get the hang of it.

Don’t miss out on the benefits of using influencer marketing for your brand!

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Be your own boss of a 7-Eleven store with ZERO franchise fees to get you started

We get it; life is hard.

Upon graduating, you spend the bulk of your time at work, have meals with entertainments in between, sleep, and the routine basically repeats itself. Sounds like your typical 9 to 5 routine you are in now? What about venturing to start your own business through partnering with a reputable international brand? If it’s the latter, we might just have a solution for you.

Before embarking on a new business, there are many things to consider, including your initial capital, products, and staffing. What if we tell you that 7-Eleven is presenting us with a superb opportunity to begin a business with minimal funds? By that, we mean lessening your load with a franchise fee waiver of at least $30,000. Thus, all you need is $20,000 to be your own boss of a 7-Eleven franchise store.

Sounds like something you can do? Read on.

Franchisepreneur Management Trainee Programme (FMTP)

Through the Franchisepreneur Management Trainee Programme (FMTP), as long as you have a tertiary education and less than six years of combined working experience, you will qualify to apply through the FMTP.

The FMTP route promises a waiver of the franchise fee, and you just have to fork out $20,000 (usually $40,000 under standard franchise scheme) as your capital to get started. This amount is also refundable at the end of your contract. You will also be taking over a ready store, fully renovated and stocked with past Sales Track Record to further lower your business risk. Very reasonable, right?

On top of that, you don’t even have to worry about having minimal experience managing a store. That’s because you will be employed by 7-Eleven for up to 6 months while training to become a top-notch franchisee. The contract term will be for 2 years and can be renewed for another 2 years.

Okay, so what if you don’t happen to meet the FMTP criteria of educational qualifications and working experience? Not to worry, as you can still apply to be a franchisee under the standard franchise scheme.

A comparison table for your consideration

Scheme 7-Eleven Franchisepreneur Management Trainee Programme (FMTP) 7-Eleven Standard Franchise Scheme Starting your own business elsewhere
Eligibility 21 Years, Tertiary Education with less than 6 years of working experience Open to all above 25 years of age N.A.
Initial Setup Cost: Renovation, Stocks, Equipment $0 $0 $200,000
Franchise Fee $0 From $30,000 $0
Initial Deposit – Cashflow (Refundable) $20,000 $40,000 $100,000
Franchise Contract 2 Years 5 Years N.A.

Reach out and apply now!

With all that said, please refer to 7-eleven.com.sg/franchising or download the PDF brochure for more details.

Need to connect with someone from the team? Email them at [email protected]. Once you’ve understood the full terms and conditions and ready to sack your boss, download the franchise application form and be well on your way to establish your own business!

Here’s wishing you all the best with the process.

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