Launch - Spring 2009 - (Page 26)

Polish the Company Pitch Compose and memorize a 15-second, two-sentence elevator pitch. Most people can’t distill their life, company or product down into two simple sentences basic enough for any layperson to grasp. If you have a short and simple elevator pitch on demand, you have a huge advantage because, let’s face it, most people lose interest after just a few seconds of talking to you anyway. Memorize your elevator pitch but be able to recite it with verve, not like you’re reading from a script. Speaking of elevator pitches, do you have your personal branding elevator pitch down pat? Remember, your networking contacts may one day help you find your next job so let people know who you are and how you shine. Know why you are valuable to an employer and be able to state it in two sentences or less. Networking Etiquette It’s all in the eye contact and handshake Ellen Reddick, owner and partner of Impact Factory (www.impactfactoryutah.com), a certified protocol and etiquette training company, offers the following tips when networking: Introduce Yourself Be brave. Most people will appreciate that you’ve taken the initiative to speak to them. I recommend always introducing yourself with both your first and last name, company affiliation without any titles or honorifics, and a smile. Make eye contact and smile a warm and friendly smile while saying their name and telling them it is a pleasure to meet them. Everyone likes to hear his or her name and feel appreciated. It is not what you say to people but how you make them feel that counts. Extend Yourself Always be quick to extend a hand for a firm and friendly handshake. When it comes to shaking hands, I believe whoever extends their hand first is the winner. It should be you, regardless of being a man or woman. Good Handshaking Techniques: >> Always stand (both women and men should stand to shake hands). >> Always push your hand in all the way to meet web-to-web, with your fingers together, your palm straight out and thumb up. >> Never give a fingertip hold or short handshake, which is commonly just squeezing the other person’s hand short of meeting web-to-web. >> Remember a good, professional handshake is completed by shaking a woman’s hand no differently than a man’s hand. 26 launch spring 09 http://www.impactfactoryutah.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Launch - Spring 2009

Launch - Spring 2009 Contents Editor's Note Dashboard Mentor: Mind Your Business Ps & Qs Diary: Great Idea, Now Show Me the Money Sales: Buying Eyeballs Funding: Stay Focused! NETworking Do’s and Don’ts Be the Networking King Entrepreneur Spotlight

Launch - Spring 2009

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