I was recently at a networking function with the the usual chat-chat and exchange of business cards.  Later that day there was a nicely worded but what I found mildly offensive  follow-up in my in-box.

You know the feeling.  “Justgotago Networking Function, 7.00 pm” pops up in your diary.  You know you should go, you know you could go, but you don’t actually WANT to go.  Catching up on admin, the TV, a good book and an early night are all much more appealing.

It’s called Network Reluctance and, like call reluctance, is a challenge to be overcome because we all know that networking is one of the most effective ways to build relationships and get those valuable referrals and alliances. The impact of the brief chat we have with the single person we connect with at a networking function can be just as fruitful as thousands of written marketing communications costing just as many dollars

To read this article in full and get lots of tips on overcoming networking reluctance visit  my link at the Flying Solo site.

When cash flow is tight, tit-for-tat contra-deals often come up as the perfect win/win solution to get what you need or want towards  achieving your goals, without actually paying for it in hard, scarce, cash.

“If you design my business cards, I’ll set up your filing system” sort of thing.  But caveat emptor – be aware of contra indications where the deal will fall short of a win for you.

To read this article in full and get lots of tips on making contra-deals work for you visit my link of the Flying Solo site.

I admit I’m a compulsive responder and acknowledger when it comes to emails. I send thank you notes, got it notes, get back to you soon notes, confirmation notes, and so on. Unfortunately people don’t always send them to me so I’m often concerned that my email might have got lost in cyberspace or is lying trapped and helpless in a spam filter.  Or I reluctantly decide that the person I’ve communicated with is either inefficient, ignorant or just downright rude.

“But I don’t have time to reply to everything”, I hear you say.  Or “I pride myself on only answering what I absolutely have to” or “but I didn’t have anything to tell you yet”. Good on you for your time saving diligence.  However, what you are saving in time, you could well be losing in good business relationships. I’d like to point out a couple of distinctions that might make you think again about the benefit of email acknowledgement.

To read this article in full visit my link of the Flying Solo site.

Real estate agents, bless their cotton socks, are often genetically prone to sins of omission.

 I  was recently negotiating on a lovely little villa in a country town,  The price was right  and the stated rates and levies on the selling spiel were reasonable.  Rented out to a good long-term tenant, it was a fantastic buy.   However, on further investigation