Enthusiastically Embracing August

Have you ever really thought about the word, embrace?

While we all automatically go to the heart of the meaning, "to hold someone closely in your arms", there is so much more to this wonderful word.

Another definition of embrace is:

to accept or support (a belief, theory, or change) willingly and enthusiastically.

WOW! Just wow.

I think that is why I just love this word. The idea of embracing something with enthusiasm opens a new perspective to "how" we interact with whatever "it" is.

 With that, let's catch up on what I've been up to this week...

Quote             

“I don’t want to be a savior.  I want to be a mirror.”  Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez

Reading

These are the 8 Lists That You Need When Starting a Job Search, by Stephanie Vozza.  True confession:  I am a list maker and I love to cross things off a list. This article, though intended for job seekers, has some really great insight for corporate contract seekers.  The article suggests that you think of your search like an ongoing project that you should track as though you are the project manager.

1. Employers—read target corporations—you should have 10 to 15 targets. Start paying attention to what these corporations are doing and how you can fit in.  Be sure to share this list with your team, your colleagues, and your support network.
2. Positions –read opportunities—register on their vendor lists so you can start receiving bids and RFPs. Use certifications to your advantage: WBENC, NMSDC, NGLCC, WEConnect International
3. Connections – who in your network has contacts at your target corporations? Leverage your contacts by creating strategic alliances.  Don’t be shy about asking for help.  We have one member who landed a multimillion-dollar contract because a fellow woman business owner made an introduction.
4. Local networking events – think about this in terms of networking where your contacts are AND where your target list networks. I suggest going a step beyond and attending events where the clients of your target corporations network.
5. Interview responses—making a list of answers to questions you will be asked when bidding on a contract or at a networking or matchmaker event is very important. Equally important is being comfortable with the answers you will give. 
6. Questions to ask—this is also a very important list because it will show the person you are interacting with that you have done your homework. Remember that you will impress someone more if you are a solutions provider than an information seeker.
7. Follow-ups – because things fall through the cracks and because there are many layers of decision-making before contracts are signed, it is your responsibility to follow up. Schedule follow-up emails/calls on your calendar.
8. Weekly action steps—you’ve heard the sayings what gets planned, gets done and what gets measured gets accomplished, right? Very true and the best way to keep track of things is to have weekly action steps and check-ins. 

Read more here:  https://getpocket.com/explore/item/these-are-the-8-lists-that-you-need-when-starting-a-job-search?utm_source=pocket-newtab

Want more great insight on how to land a corporate contract?  Take a look at our Growth Shift program https://www.thegrowthshift.org/

Following        

Marc and Angel Hack Life’s posts always inspire me and very often put a great big smile on my face because it’s like I’m getting a message that was meant just for me when I read it.  Here’s a post that resonated: “Goodbyes can be gifts.  When certain people walk away from you, and certain opportunities close their doors on you, there’s no need to resist. If they close you out, take it as an indication that these people and opportunities do not have a role in your next chapter.  It’s a hint that your growth requires someone different, or something more, and life is making room.—marcandangel.”

https://www.facebook.com/marcandangelhacklife

Connecting

I’ve got my business development hat on for this week’s connecting notes and anecdotes:  I’ve been focusing attention on LinkedIn over the past month.  I’m doing so intentionally and I’m impressed and inspired by the ease with which I have been able to connect with people, small businesses, organizations, and corporations. And since I’ve been paying more attention, I’ve noticed the many different ways that people share information.  It turns out that you can be very creative on LinkedIn and the platform actually supports and encourages creativity.

Are you and I connected?  Find me at https://www.linkedin.com/in/nancygallen/  My team is getting individual training on how to use LinkedIn effectively and efficiently for business development.  Need some help doing that for yourself?  Contact me… I know someone I’d be happy to refer!

Celebrating

This month marks the 16^th anniversary of the establishment of my book club.  I started the book club because I read a book that blew me away and I wanted to share my thoughts and questions about the book with friends.  So, I invited 3 friends to my house, they, in turn, invited 3 friends and that was the start of one of the most rewarding relationships I’ve ever had!  We meet every 6 weeks (every two weeks for short stories during the height of the pandemic via zoom) and we have a schedule of hostesses who propose a book and lead the discussion. Through the years we have read 123 books, we lost 2 members who passed away, one member survived cancer, one became a widow and we witnessed and celebrated high school and college graduations, weddings, and new babies and grandchildren.  And of course, we have traveled the world and traveled through space and time together through the books we have read. There’s a lot to be said about women and the bonds we create to help, support, and sustain us. 

Want to start your own book club?  Contact me and I’ll share more info about how we did it and the rules we have in place that serve as guideposts to keep us going strong.  And who knows?  Maybe one day you’ll tell me you’re celebrating a book club anniversary. 

So, what is ahead for you and your business that you need to embrace?

• Are trying to decide to grow?
• Are you considering going after a corporate contract?
• Are you looking to hire someone?

Whatever you are "deciding" to do, I want to encourage you to embrace it!

Tap into your enthusiasm for what that decision can mean for you and your business, "embrace it", and then go for it!

And if you need support, remember I am here along with my time and all of our resources. Click here to grab your 30-minute discovery chat.

Wishing you peace and joy.