MORE Principles from “How to Win Friends and Influence People”

As promised, here is the final list of 10 principles from the Dale Carnegie classic, “How to Win Friends and Influence People”.

These principles fall under the heading: How To Be A Leader

1. Throw down a challenge.
2. Begin with praise and honest appreciation.
3. Call attention to people’s mistakes indirectly.
4. Talk about your own mistakes before criticizing the other person.
5. Ask questions instead of giving direct orders.
6. Let the other person save face.
7. Praise the slightest and every improvement. Be “lavish in your praise.”
8. Give the other person a fine reputation to live up to.
9. Use encouragement. Make the fault seem easy to correct.
10. Make the other person happy about doing the thing you suggest.

Once again, I would like to encourage you to read (or re-read) the book for a more in-depth explanation on how and why to use these principles. Here’s the Amazon link to the book:  How to Win Friends and Influence People

This concludes the little 3-part series devoted to the principles of Mr. Carnegie’s classic. I hope it was helpful or that it at least ignited a spark to go and further study these principles. Thanks for reading!

I appreciate you!

Until next time, I remain,

Yours in Success,

Jim

SHOW, Don’t Tell!

I read a great blog the other day over at Copyblogger.com

It was written by Steve Kamb, and the title of the post was “How to Blog Like Bond. James Bond”. You can view it here.

Mr. Kamb demonstrates the importance of combining skill with confidence and style (like James Bond) in your blog posts. One point that he made really stuck with me and that’s what I want to talk about today.

He states that “a little modesty can go a long way”, and I couldn’t agree more. We never see James Bond brag about how good he is – he just IS!

I continue to notice an ever-increasing plethora of experts and gurus, especially on the internet, most of whom are “self-proclaimed” experts and gurus. People that brag and boast about how great they are, are generally looked down upon in real life, so why should the internet be any different? People want to follow leaders who get the job done, not those who say they get the job done. Talk is cheap, in fact it’s probably the cheapest thing in the world. And how can something so cheap have any value? It can’t! It’s only actions that have value.

I think there are 3 types of people in regards to this: There are those who talk and do nothing. There are those who talk and do something, and there are those who don’t talk and do something. (I suppose there is a fourth type – those who don’t talk and don’t do anything, but we don’t really need to pay any attention to that group). The first group are often the loudest and the ones we hear first, but it’s usually just a matter of time before we realize who they really are. The second and third groups will both get the job done; however, that second group will also keep telling you how great they are, while the third group will be  more likely to build you up instead of themselves. To me, that’s what real leaders do!

So, let’s not tell people how great we are, let’s show them!

What’s YOUR Business Card Made Of?

One of my favorite places to visit is the book store. I love those big book store chains because they have such a great and diverse selection in almost any category, and because I can also look at some of the latest in music, not to mention get a good cup of coffee.

While I was perusing some titles in the business section recently, I noticed some business cards lying around on a couple of the shelves, and on the floor. Obviously, someone had decided this might be a good way to get some new prospects for their home business opportunity….but is it?

I realize there are people out there in the network marketing profession that use this tactic to try to get new leads, but come on people – is that really working for you?

I think we need to be more professional than that. Your business card is an extension of you. It is your introduction to the world, another’s first impression of “you”. When you give your business card to someone, treat it as if it’s a piece of gold you’re giving them. They should feel privileged to receive it. The more value they place on your card, the more value they will place on you, and in turn, your business. If you scatter your card everywhere and anywhere, it lessens the value of it, thereby lessening the value of you and your business.

Who would you value more – the guy whose card you found in your windshield, or the guy whose card was handed to you in a personal conversation?

If we want the Network Marketing profession to become more mainstream and more accepted, then we have to treat it with more professionalism.

Having respect for your business means having respect for yourself. Don’t cheapen your image by throwing your business cards all over the sidewalk. Treat your cards with the respect your business deserves. Be selective where you hand out those pieces of gold.