However, without a simple strategy and intentional preparation, these events can often turn into missed opportunities. In this blog post, we’ll discuss how you can maximize your ROI at small business networking events.

The Importance of Defining Your Goals Beforehand

Starting your networking without clear goals is like sailing without a compass. Define your objectives—gather industry knowledge, gain clients or form partnerships. This clarity helps focus your efforts for the best results.

Setting goals also provides a benchmark for evaluating success after the event. Goal setting isn’t guesswork; it requires strategic thinking. Understand what success means for you at a networking event, and plan accordingly.

With that out of the way, you can use any of the strategies below to maximize your ROI at small business networking events.

Choose the Right Networking Events

This should be the first and most important in the list, not every business networking event is equally valuable. To use your resources wisely, research events thoroughly. Look beyond surface appeal to assess their history, reputation, and attendees.

Consider if they align with your objectives and provide a friendly environment for your business growth. The best event isn’t just about attendance or location but creating a space where your business goals can thrive. Choose an event that aligns with your specific goals for a glorious return on investment.

Preparing Your Pitch

Tailor your pitch to your audience. For investors, highlight the financial potential; for clients, focus on solving their problems. Keep it brief, as long as an elevator ride. Convey who you are, what your business does, and how it solves a problem. Aim to grab attention, spark curiosity, and leave a lasting impression.

Practice your pitch with friends or in front of a mirror. You don’t need to memorize it; just deliver it comfortably and confidently. Your goal is to engage and start a conversation for fruitful relationships. Keep it authentic. Showcase your personality along with your business.

Be Present and Engage Actively

During conversations, focus on the speaker and show genuine interest. Avoid distractions and actively listen to what others are saying. Ask questions to deepen your understanding and show that you value their thoughts. Instead of just waiting for your turn to speak, engage with the content of the conversation.

This not only helps in building rapport but also establishes a foundation for strong and lasting business relationships. Being present and attentive in your interactions contributes to a positive networking experience and fosters mutual respect and trust with potential partners or clients.

Also read: Top Digital Platforms for Online Networking

Mastering the Art of Listening

Networking isn’t just about talking up your business; it’s a chance to listen to potential partners or clients. By paying attention, you can discover their needs and concerns, aligning your offerings effectively and positioning yourself as a relevant solution provider.

Listening is an active process that requires focus and empathy. Be present in conversations, engage with what others say, ask follow-up questions, and show genuine interest. This shows that you value their thoughts, encouraging mutual respect and trust.

Remember, listening involves picking up on the unsaid—non-verbal cues, tone of voice, and silences. Pay attention to these, for a deeper understanding of your conversation partner’s needs, enabling you to tailor your business proposal more effectively.

In a world where everyone wants to be heard, becoming a good listener can set you apart, make you memorable, and ultimately boost your networking ROI. So, next time you’re networking, tune into the art of listening, it might be the key to unlocking new business opportunities.

Following Up After the Event

After a networking event, your efforts should go beyond the occasion itself. The follow-up solidifies the relationships you’ve built. The event’s end isn’t a closing curtain but an open doorway to deeper connections and potential business opportunities.

Consider your actions. You’ve engaged in meaningful conversations, shared your pitch, and focused. Now, make those efforts count. Reach out to your contacts and continue the communication. Send a personal email or schedule a coffee catch-up, mentioning specific details from your conversation to show genuine engagement.

Make your follow-up interactions as personalized as possible. Remember, networking is about relationships, not just transactions. Show interest in them as individuals, not just as potential clients or partners.

Hold off on sending the follow-up immediately. Give it a day or two, allowing insights to settle. Strike when the time is right, not when the iron is hot. This gives you the chance to process conversations and propose relevant next steps based on their needs and interests.

Don’t let communication go cold. Keep the dialogue alive, relationships growing, and potential business opportunities brewing. Post-event interactions are where the seeds planted truly bear fruit, turning collected business cards into tangible, beneficial relationships, ensuring your time and efforts pay off.

Tracking Your Networking ROI

To see how well your networking is working, keep a close eye on the results. Think about what you wanted to achieve before the event—did you succeed? Maybe you wanted new clients, partnerships, or leads. Remember, success isn’t just about numbers; think about the quality of relationships and what you’ve learned. Check if your company is more visible in the business community.

To track success, write down your interactions, what people said to your pitch, and what you did afterward. Keep this record over time to see patterns and improve.

Tracking success isn’t just a one-time thing—it’s ongoing. Watching how things go helps you change your approach for better results. It’s not just about looking back; it’s about getting better for the future. So, pay attention, learn, and keep moving toward your business goals.

The post Maximizing ROI at Small Business Networking Events appeared first on SME SCOOP.

Businesses are connecting with partners, clients, and customers worldwide, thanks to the rise of digital platforms designed for virtual networking. These platforms have become important tools for every professional who wants to grow their network and build solid relationships in their industry.

This post will introduce you to the top 7 digital platforms for virtual networking.

1. LinkedIn

LinkedIn is a great place for professionals to connect and network. It’s not just for people looking for jobs–it’s for all kinds of business professionals. On LinkedIn, you can show off your skills, work history, and education to find opportunities to work together.

What’s special about LinkedIn is that it’s easy to use and helps you grow professionally. There are courses on LinkedIn Learning to learn about the latest trends in your industry. You can also join groups related to your field to chat with others and make connections.

Plus, you can share your professional work to show your expertise and get noticed. LinkedIn isn’t just for networking; it’s a lively community where professionals can stand out and succeed online.

Also read: How to Use LinkedIn to Grow Your Business

2. Reddit

Reddit, a dynamic social media networking site with a diverse range of communities known as subreddits where users share content, network, and discuss trending topics.

Users are also allowed to submit questions, site links, and images and have discussions on them. With millions of active users and topics covering everything from business, news, and entertainment to niche hobbies and interests, Reddit provides a platform for everyone to connect, learn, and explore new ideas.

Its upvote and downvote feature ensures that the most relevant and engaging content rises to the top, fostering meaningful interactions and valuable insights.

3. Slack

Slack, renowned for team collaboration, has cleverly transformed into a powerful networking platform. Public Slack communities host channels spanning various industries, connecting professionals, experts, and enthusiasts for potential networking.

Joining channels aligned with your professional interests immerses you in insightful conversations, expanding your knowledge and deepening industry understanding. Each chat has the potential to generate new insights, relationships, or collaboration opportunities.

Slack stands out for its collaborative nature, emphasizing collective problem-solving and innovation.

Explore Slack communities, engage, collaborate, and connect. It’s not just about building a network—it’s about becoming a valuable part of one. Your next professional ally, mentor, or collaborator might just be a Slack message away.

4. Meetup

Meetup brings a fresh approach to networking, bringing together people who share common interests. From professional circles to hobbyist communities, Meetup offers different networking opportunities aligned with your passions. It hosts groups dedicated to specific industries, professional development, and entrepreneurship, providing insights and potential partnerships.

The platform’s beauty lies in blending personal and professional aspects. Joining groups centered on hobbies like outdoor photography or gourmet cooking creates genuine connections that go beyond business.

Meetup organizes various events, from workshops to informal meetups, offering platforms to engage with potential connections, learn from leaders, and foster collaborations.

Join Meetup to build a community connected by shared passions, making networking about genuine connections, not just transactions.

5. Facebook

Facebook, a huge social media platform, has surprisingly become a place for professional networking. With so many users, there are great opportunities for connecting with professionals that you might not have thought about.

The real magic happens in groups focused on specific industries, where people come together to make connections, share ideas, and explore working together. What sets Facebook apart is its mix of personal and professional aspects. This mix makes connections more genuine and long-lasting, adding a personal touch to the usually formal world of networking.

Facebook’s advertising platform is also a useful tool. If you use it effectively, it can make your brand more visible, attracting people in your industry, potential partners, or even clients. This not only strengthens your network but also helps your business grow.

6. Zoom

Zoom, a key player in the remote work era, has transformed virtual communication, creating opportunities for networking beyond daily work meetings. Besides work-related discussions, Zoom facilitates webinars, online conferences, and virtual networking events.

The platform hosts events, from virtual round tables to industry-specific talks, providing interactive spaces for professionals to connect. Engage in these events by asking questions and sharing insights to nurture your professional network.

Zoom’s breakout rooms offer intimate spaces within larger meetings for focused discussions and personal interactions, resembling mini networking sessions. Use these opportunities to have more meaningful conversations with fellow attendees.

7. Twitter

Twitter, a hub of real-time conversations and trending topics, is a powerhouse for staying updated on industry dynamics and connecting with influencers. Beyond a social media outlet, Twitter is a dynamic space where thought leaders converge.

Use hashtags and follow trends to join ongoing dialogues, sharing your unique perspective and knowledge. Take part in Twitter chats, live Q&A sessions with specific hashtags, to enhance your presence and seize networking opportunities.

Twitter offers access to influencers and industry leaders. Engage directly with them, respond to their tweets, and present your viewpoints. Active engagement can catch their attention, potentially leading to meaningful professional connections.

Make Twitter a two-way street by sharing insights, articles, and achievements, establishing yourself as a thought leader. Engage with those who interact with your content, responding to comments, acknowledging shares, and reciprocating follows. This interactive approach amplifies your visibility and fosters a mutually beneficial network.

Also read: Benefits of Digital Marketing for Small and Medium Enterprises

Tips to use these platforms to the fullest

To make the most of digital networking platforms, follow these important strategies. First, take the initiative to actively engage, ask questions, share your thoughts, and respond. Networking requires active participation, not just observing.

Second, customize your approach for each platform. LinkedIn, Twitter, and Facebook have their unique features and cultures. Adjust your communication style to fit each one.

Third, add value. Networking isn’t just about gaining; it’s also about giving. Share valuable content, provide insights, and help others.

Fourth, remember to follow up. Initial connections are just the start. Keep the conversation going and nurture relationships.

Fifth, be authentic. Present yourself professionally, but let your personality and passion come through. People connect with individuals, not just profiles.

Last, be patient. Building a strong network takes time. Let relationships develop naturally. By following these tips, you can unlock the full potential of digital networking platforms and create a strong, meaningful professional network.

The post Top Digital Platforms for Online Networking appeared first on SME SCOOP.

Personal development is an ongoing process and is not restricted to a particular gender. Today, you can find lots of self-help books on the shelves of bookstores and online. If you are a woman looking to get better at what you do, then reading some of the best personal development books for women is a sure way to get started.

In this article, you will find out some of the top personal development books recommended for ambitious ladies.

1. “The Untamed” – Glennon Doyle

Women live in a world where they are occasionally conditioned or stereotyped to a particular role. In today’s world, women can be a lot more and this is why Glennon Doyle wrote the self-help book titled, “The Untamed.”

Here are the key points in the book:

• It encourages women to “break out of the box” and from the things they have been stereotyped into.
• The book also motivates women to go the extra mile to fulfill their goals in life.
• For women who find happiness only from others; this book is a good teacher of making oneself happy.

2. “You are a Badass” –Jen Sincero

You are what you say you are. If you think yourself to be way below others; then that is what you are.

The personal development book, You are a Badass is dedicated to women who feel less of themselves.

The lessons in the book include:

• Helping you figure out what to make of your life.
• Discarding other people’s opinions of what – and what you do.
• How to grow your confidence and comfortably express it when required.
• How to scale through some of the society-laden burdens that most women tend to face.

3. “Atomic Habits” – James Clear

Some attitudes are worth “purging”. Do you find yourself exhibiting a character that reeks of ignorance and disgust for others? It is time to stop!

Atomic Habits by James Clear is one of the best personal development books for women as it teaches the importance of dropping bad habits and adopting new, better ones.

4. “Girl, Stop Apologizing”– Rachel Hollis

Do women often find themselves apologizing when they ought to have been apologized to? Yes! And it has to stop.

This personal development book by Rachel Hollis titled Girl, Stop Apologizing, teaches you how to do the things you wanted to and quit thinking about what every other person thinks of you.

5. “The 5 Love Languages” – Gary Chapman

Love languages are not entirely spoken words. Sometimes, they take the form of physical affection and gifting.

If you are unsure of the actions and expressions that trigger that adrenaline rush for your loved ones; read The 5 Love Languages by Gary Chapman to gain clarity.

6. “How to Be a Bawse” – Lilly Singh

Being a boss or in a higher position of authority doesn’t always translate to treating others in a bad way. The book How to Be a Bawse (boss) is a guide on how to be a good leader.

From this book, you will learn important lessons, such as how to take challenges as they come, ideal ways to treat others and how to beat the temptations that come your way.

Related: How to be a Good Public Speaker

7. “How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen” – Joanna Faber & Julie King

For some mothers, childcare poses a problem. You don’t know whether shouting at the top of your voice is the best way to correct these kids when they do wrong.

Pick up the book, How to Talk so Little Kids Will Listen to learn new parenting skills that will make you a better parent – and one that kids listen to.

8. “Girl, Wash Your Face” – Rachel Hollis

This is another Rachel Hollis book. It is a motivational book designed to help women suffering from doubts.

This book will help you break away from the shackles of looking down on yourself and aiding you through the path of building back your self-confidence.

9. “Self-Love Workbook for Women” – Megan Logan

The fact that this book was written by a psychologist makes it more interesting. Megan Logan uses this book to teach the following:

• Inspire women to treat themselves right. They need to love themselves before anyone else can.
• How to build confidence and;
• Taking you down the memory lane to recall some of the enjoyable moments you’ve had.

10. “Everything is Figureoutable” – Marie Forleo

There is no doubt that we hit “brick walls” at different points in our lives. What really matters is the step we take after those setbacks. For some, it is the “end of the road” while to others, it is a motivating factor to make a comeback.

Marie Forleo’s Everything is Figureoutable inspires women to tackle their disappointments and stage a comeback after setbacks.

11. “Set Boundaries, Find Peace” – NedraGlover Tawwab

If there were no borders, then citizens of other countries will trespass into the neighboring countries. The presence of borders keeps all these things in check and creates room for struct regulations.

Likewise, you can control most of your lifestyle and related activities if you set boundaries. This is what this book teaches you:

• How to develop a solid, working principle and stick to it.
• How to reset your earlier perceptions of setting boundaries.
• The best ways to cut off the toxic people in your life.

12. “The Self Care Prescription” – Robyn Gobin

This book made it to the list of the top personal development books for women because of the inherent lessons.

The Self Care Prescription is a guide for women looking to take care of themselves, but don’t know how to.

From this book, you will learn:

• How to reduce anxiety.
• Tips on increasing your general well-being.
• Tips on coping with stress.

13. “The Confidence Code” – Katty Kay & Claire Shipman

This book helps women to regain their self-esteem, develop confident habits and have a general mindset conditioning to start seeing things like “winners” and not “losers.”

Conclusion

There are a hundred and one books for women’s personal development out there, but the ones covered in this article are some of the best picks. After reading these books and applying the lessons therein, you will get better at taking care of yourself, breaking through barriers and stereotypes, boosting your self-confidence, and looking out for others’ wellbeing.

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Sometimes when you attend a public function, that voice reminds you that you should be mindful of what you do in this place because these people here are NOT your CLASS. It goes further to explain to you the class of people in attendance, the type of luxurious cars they came in, and how gorgeous they are dressed, then, your heart begins to pound and wishing the occasion will just empty its contents in 10 minutes so that everyone will disperse. If this is how you feel or think, you have low self-esteem and this article is definitely for you.

People with this kind of mental problem find it hard to take the first step. They never move until someone gives them a push and that is what this article is set to do.

I had a friend who was qualified for a certain job position in a company but refused to apply for it.

Reason – He doesn’t think the position is meant for someone like him.

Wow!

I told him point blank that there is no difference between him and those people already in the company and I also cited other instances that made him realize his self-worth. His life changed after he took certain steps. In this article, I’ll be sharing those simple steps he applied to overcome low self-esteem, but before we get to that, let’s understand what low self-esteem is all about.

Meaning Of Low Self-Esteem

Low self-esteem can be referred to as how one thinks about oneself. The way you think or feel about yourself could be high or low depending on your mentality.

It is a state of taking oneself for granted or underrating oneself. A state of not believing in oneself no matter how good one is. A state of scoring oneself low in everything. A state of allowing others to take credit for what one has done. A state of being afraid to lead people.

Causes Of Low Self-Esteem

• Harsh criticism from authority figures such as employers, senior colleagues, parents, or teachers.
• Racial discrimination
• Physical disability
• Serious health challenge
• Poverty
• Religion belief
• Economic status
• Academic qualifications

How To Overcome Low Self-Esteem: 5 Simple Steps

1. Self-Value

One of the ways to overcome low self-esteem is by dealing with self-condemnation and being conscious of self-value. This involves a whole lot of mental work. Research shows that most of the things that happen around us are first processed in our minds. Low self-esteem is a psychological problem.

To deal with it, one has to start from the root cause which is the mind. The power of the mind should not be underestimated because what goes through our minds influences our actions.

To conquer this common enemy of the mind, the mindset needs to be worked on by changing the things we process in it and the way we believe in what we do. We should think positively of ourselves, and value the things we do say irrespective of people’s different opinions.

2. Boost your Self-Confidence

• To overcome low self-esteem, one needs to build his/her self-confidence. One of the best ways to boost confidence is to believe in oneself and not allow people’s opinions about one to lower one’s morale.
• Attending motivational seminars and reading other people’s success stories can also boost one’s self-confidence.
• Making friends can also help to boost self-confidence. It is observed that most introverts are likely to experience low self-esteem.
• It is also important to make your voice heard when you are in a public gathering no matter how weird you think your opinion may sound.
• Focus on the things you are good at.
• Failure is not a death sentence.
• Love yourself.
• Believe in yourself.
• Don’t entertain fear.
• Don’t keep to yourself always.
• Learn to say positive things about yourself.
• Think positive.
• Socialize
• Don’t avoid public gatherings.

3. Seek professional advice

Low self-esteem is a mental or psychological problem that can cause stress or depression if not checked. If someone is struggling with childhood trauma for instance, there is the possibility that the person did not get a tap on the back when he did something that required commendation or is often criticized by his/her teacher for not understanding a particular subject.

Some parents are good at comparing their children with others especially when it has to do with achievements or they perform poorly at school. These are the root causes of low self-esteem. At this very stage, the help of a professional is required.

Also read:

• What are the Biggest Enemies of Succes and How to Conquer Them
• How to Make That Vision a Reality
• How to Build a Sellable Personality

4. Let the past pass

Another way to handle low self-esteem is by allowing the past to go behind so that the future can come forward. This can be achieved through forgiveness and laying to rest every wrong done to you in the past. The past builds a wall of limitations around your goals and aspirations, then, moving forward becomes a problem.

You may have heard someone say, “Forget that young man, he’s not good at anything.” Don’t be deterred by that, see it as a wake-up call to sit up. We should have control of our minds so it does not harbor things that are capable of destroying our self-confidence. If people’s opinions cannot boost your self-esteem, don’t allow your mind to nurture it.

5. Be proud of yourself

It is not pride to think highly of oneself. If you have low self-esteem, one important way to overcome it is to be happy with yourself. This can only happen when you remember that you are as important as the richest man on planet Earth. Fill your thoughts with beautiful things. For example, research shows that a male human produces on average, about 100 million sperms… these sperms move by wriggling their tails.  They “struggle” to fertilize JUST ONE egg. Any sperm that succeeds to enter the cytoplasm of the Ovum fertilizes the egg that forms the baby while the others die after a while. This was your first victory in life. You have to wake up with this consciousness every moment of your life and it makes you feel important. No human should make you less important by their negative impression of you. You did not fall from the sky, you were given birth to by a woman. And every man on earth got a purpose.

Conclusion

The effects of low self-esteem can cause long-term damage in the life of a person ranging from inability to accomplish set targets, decision making, associating with people, stress, anxiety, depression, etc. It is expected, therefore, that this material will help to overcome low self-esteem through the five steps outlined and discussed above. Finally, work on your mind and have control over it.

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Addiction as we know is a dangerous habit people cultivate over time. It starts by cultivating a certain habit and with time, it becomes a person’s part of existence. The chances of returning from this journey are minimal as many end up in rehabilitation centers and not all regain their sanity.

Meaning of addiction

Addiction is a condition in which a person is consistently indulging in a habit that can adversely affect their behavior but is unable to stop. This could be by way of using a substance or simply engaging in a certain type of lifestyle.

Individuals who are addicted to substances indulge in a manner for which the rewarding negative effects do provide a compelling incentive to continuously repeat the act not minding the recurring bad effects or circumstances.

As stated earlier, addiction does involve the use of dangerous substances that are harmful and detrimental to one’s health. Such substances may include; nicotine, cocaine, alcohol, etc.

One dangerous thing about addiction is that individuals who are addicted mostly are aware of the implications, but the ability to stop is what they lack even when they are willing to drop such a habit.

It is worthy of note that people suffering from addiction can also recover from it through improved physical and psychological means. However, others need special assistance to conquer this self-inflicted experience and it is through clinical-based recovery – rehabilitation.

Types of Addiction

1. Behavioral addiction: This involves the act of compulsive behavior, for example, gambling, sex, internet, shopping, video game, etc.
2. Chemical addiction: This involves the use of substances, for example, alcohol, marijuana, stimulants, opioids, and depressants.

If you are suffering from any form of addiction but seeking a way out, this material will be of help. So keep reading.

Dangers of addiction

• It can lead to loss of memory
• Causes cancer
• Damages kidney
• Leads to death
• An increase in anxiety is not avoidable
• Tranquilizers can cause damage to one’s veins and arteries
• Addictive persons are prone to depression

Signs of Addiction

If someone you know starts showing any of the underlisted signs or behavior, then you must consider taking stringent measures to stop them before it gets drastic;

• Change in personality and behavior
• Continuous taking of drugs not needed for health problems.
• Change and tremor
• Slurred speech
• Unusual need for money
• Lack of concern for personal hygiene
• Bloodshoot eyes
• Carefree attitude
• Unusual sleep pattern (Sleep too little or too much)
• Loss of interest in what they normally love doing

How To Avoid and Control Addiction

1. Avoid peer pressure

One of the ways to avoid and control addiction is by keeping a healthy friendship, “Evil communication corrupts good manners.”  Try as much as possible to keep away from a peer group that pressures you to take un-healthy substances like Tramadol or Nicotine. When you surround yourself with people who are addicted, you will get initiated sooner or later.

Choosing your friends wisely can help to get you out of this trouble.

Also read:

• How to Avoid and Control Depression
• How to be a Good Public Speaker
• What are the Biggest Enemies of Success and How to Conquer Them

2. Try to manage depression

People who are suffering from depression easily fall prey to hard drugs and substances to forget their agony. Depression is a serious mental disorder that negatively affects how an individual reasons and sees the world around him. Loss of loved one, job, racial or social discrimination can lead to depression and change someone’s world-view.

For example, if someone losses a loved one, the person if not monitored can fall into depression, then resorts to taking alcohol or illicit drugs as a way of escape from trauma.

It is believed that everyone is a victim of depression, but the ability to manage it can go a long way in keeping you from addiction of any kind.

Another helpful tip is to have big dreams and aspirations. This beautiful future in sight will make you keep away from anything that will not allow you to realize set goals and visions.

3. Observe environmental influence

If the environment that you live in is infested with people who are addicted to dangerous substances and you don’t want to be part of it, relocate.

Environment can also affect a person’s life either positively or negatively. Charles Darwin in his work called The Origin of Species, says that two factors necessitate human behavior and these are nurture and nature. In other words, heredity and environment. Heredity represents those traits one is born with, such as the shape of the nose, complexion, height, behavior, etc while environment has to do with outside influence and this comes from social groups such as classmates, colleagues, age groups, etc.

Study your environment, if it will influence you negatively, change same for the sake of your mental health.

4. Outline the consequences of addiction

If you can do yourself the favor, list the consequences of hard drugs and get them committed to your heart as you remember them on daily basis. The fear of tarnishing your image or your family’s reputation will keep you out of hard substances.

The problem with addiction is that from the beginning people don’t know the consequences until they are fully drowned. The effects are known after lots of damage has been done and at this point, the victim will not see any reason to quit because he has been psychologically affected.

The earlier you know the consequences of drug abuse, the better for you.

5. Share it with someone

One effective way of controlling addiction is by letting someone know what you are battling with. It is believed that a problem shared is half solved. Don’t be afraid of stigmatization or criticism from anyone, your aim is to seek a solution to your problem.

6. Avoid what lures you  into addiction

If you are addicted to masturbation, for instance, it is advisable you avoid pornographic sites or anything that triggers your urge for sex.

The same goes for other hard substances such as Nicotine and Cocaine. Try as much as possible to avoid anything capable of reminding you of your past life. Even if it has to do with friends who are addicted to any substance whatsoever, avoid and replace them with those who can help you to stay away from addiction.

The post Addiction: How To Avoid and Control All Forms of Addiction appeared first on SME SCOOP.

Whenever a matter like this is mentioned, some persons try to exonerate themselves by thinking that sacrificial giving is a duty for the wealthy alone. No, it is not true. Everyone is called to give.

We must note that the act of giving is a personal thing. It should not be done under pressure or compulsion. It is purely a thing of the heart based on self-conviction. Sacrificial giving has to be made unconditionally without any expectation from the giver.

John Bunyan says, “You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.”

That is why it is called sacrifice, you offer it and turn your back.

Imagine helping a beggar on the streets. What possibly can he or she give you in return for the assistance you provided or can you expect anything from this helpless fellow?

Remember, we don’t really need to trouble our hearts with whom to give. There are reports or statistics every day on the Internet, in Newspapers, etc that point the direction people need assistance all over the world. Just look around, you will see a hungry or homeless person or a child who is out of school, orphanage homes, etc.

Researchers tell us that this simple act of kindness to the needy is capable of giving the donor profound mental health. When you concentrate on putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged through charitable donations, community service, and volunteerism, this free service to humanity, research says eases STRESS and can control DEPRESSION.

Everyone can give. Not only the wealthy.

So, this article will focus on sacrificial giving and its benefits – what we stand to gain because there is a reward for everything under the heavens whether good or bad. If we don’t receive it directly, our children will. I have had cases where people say,

“Because of what your father did for me when he was alive, I will help you.” But if your father did him wrong when he was alive, you definitely will get no help from the person.

What is Sacrificial Giving?

Giving beyond your means. Simple!

However, it is that gift that costs you something. It is a gift that has VALUE and LOVE attached to it.

Mother Teresa says, “Love cannot remain by itself – it has no meaning. Love has to be put into action and that action is service.”

Sacrificial giving is beyond the normal prophetic seed or church offerings but, the kind that is so dear to you. In fact when I give my church offering I expect something in return – God’s favor, but, you cannot give arm and expect from the receiver because he/she does not have. Sacrificial giving is powered by love. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son.” – John  3:16.
Believe me, it must have pained Him because He gave His ONLY but, He was happy that it was done.

Ben Carson asserts, “Happiness doesn’t result from what we get, but from what we give.” 

Sacrificial giving comes with pain.

Follow me to the book of 1Kings 17:10 – 13, “So he (Elijah) arose and went to Zarephath. And when he came to the gate of the city, behold a widow was there gathering sticks. And he called to her and said, “Bring me a little water in a vessel that I may drink.” “And as she was going to bring it, he called to her and said, “bring me a morsel of bread in your hand.” “And she said, as the Lord your God lives, I have nothing baked, ONLY a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. And I am gathering a couple of sticks that I may go in and prepare it for myself and my son that we may eat it and die.”

A hopeless situation.

Just put yourself in the position of that poor widow. Someone who should be provided for because she had no husband and with a son to feed. Their only hope that moment was that ONE plate of food. But, she sacrificially gave it away in order to save a life.

“We make a living by what we have, but we make a life by what we give.” – Winson Churchill.

Also read: How o Make that Vision a Reality: 4 Ways to Actualize your Vision

Facts About Sacrificial Giving

• It is borne out of love.
• It is made on the altar of self-conviction.
• It involves something that is difficult to let go.
• It is a sacrifice that is made with no strings attached.
• It is a sacrifice that cannot be repaid by the receiver.

Benefits of Sacrificial Giving

1. Sacrificial giving is therapeutic

If it is in you to give, you will not find it difficult even when you have little. What actually prevents people from giving is the mentality that what they have is not enough, but a giving heart believes there is always something to give. It most not always be money. You can give your talent, time, idea, etc.

There is this relief that comes to your mind when you help someone in need to come out of his/her present challenge. This relief is called inner peace and it is medicinal to mental health.

For instance, if someone is suffering depression, perhaps contemplating suicide as often the case, venturing into philanthropic activity such as volunteerism can actually help to control stress and depressed mind. What volunteerism does is that it helps to refocus your mind, then little or no attention is paid to that problem that confronts you as an individual.

2. It Triggers Favor From God and Man

Sacrificial giving in Christendom is a spiritual sowing of seed. At the right time, you will reap what you sow. “Do not be deceived for God is not mocked, for whatever a person sows, the same shall he reap also.” – Galatians 6:7

When you are generous to people around you, God will cause men to be generous to you also.

You cannot lack that which you give out.

If you are the kind of person who pays no attention to the wailing of the needy, I think this might scare you as it does to me.

“Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be heard.” – Proverbs 21:13

It is the same measure you give to others that will be used for you. “Whoever sows sparingly will reap sparingly and whoever sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.” – 2 Corinthians 9:6

So, giving to the needy is not a waste of resources, because he who sows sacrificially will also be rewarded by the Lord.

Just remember the Law of seed and harvest time.

Sacrificial giving comes with blessings from God and man.

The post Sacrificial Giving and Its Benefits appeared first on SME SCOOP.

You have heard people or friends say to you that in the next five to ten years, they will become this and that or achieve so many things – sometimes they are specific. But later in life when you eventually see these friends, the only noticeable change around them is age – no achievement. The dreams and visions they once shared with you are no longer in their agenda.

You may have come across an article like this before, remember there is always room to update your reservoir of knowledge for “Knowledge” they say ” is power.” Read this article to the end as I guarantee you new ideas that can give your dreams and visions a positive direction.

Come with me

This piece of writing will dwell on four ways on how to make your vision a reality. This list is in-exhaustible.

What is Vision?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Vision as; a: something seen in a dream, trance, or ecstasy. Especially: a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation. b: a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination. c: a manifestation to the senses of something immaterial. In other words, a vision conveys a revelation, though immaterial but so real that we can feel it in the supernatural.

How To Make That Vision A Reality

1. The Direction Of Your Mind

So much has been said about our minds and how they determine what happens around us as humans. What becomes of a person, whether good or bad is determined by the mind. Jesse Duplantis says, “Thought determines a person, inflames action, awakens feelings and commands attention.” So, if that vision or dream must come to reality, channel your thoughts towards achieving them. Our minds have the capacity and drive to give our lives a particular direction or place you in a particular position. James Allen says, “You are today where your thoughts have brought you and you will be tomorrow where your thoughts will take you.” Never take your thoughts for granted for they hold the light to where you are going.

So, if those visions and dreams must come to reality, then, fill your thoughts with them. When you think about your vision, you behave it without knowing.

Let Me share this personal experience with you.

Somewhere in Abuja Nigeria, Karu village to be very exact. There I was one cool evening with my friends. Then drove in this gentleman. When he got out from the vehicle, some bodyguards followed him and others stationed around their vehicles. Upon enquiry I was told that he was a Senator of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. Trust me, I have been a positive thinker from day one. I went somewhere and began to think and imagine that if I worked with this kind of a wealthy man, my life would be better than what it was when I saw him. I so painted the picture in my head and impregnated my mind with that thought. Believe me, one beautiful day, I was called to go do some work in his house. That was how I started working and living in that man’s house.

It happened real.

If your mind can conceive it, you will become it. So I urge you today to channel your thoughts towards achieving your visions and dreams. If your vision is to be a medical doctor, see yourself in a Lab Coat at the Clinic attending to patients. That is how these things work. It will only take time, but one day, it will come to reality.

“You are today where your thoughts have brought you and you will be tomorrow where your thoughts will take you.” – James Allen

2. Keep Your Vision Highly Confidential

Sometimes in life, you have got to keep that which matters to you a secret – top secret. You never know who is wishing you well. Listen, enemies within are more dangerous than those very far from you. Mind who you share those visions with – some are dream killers. One bad advice can turn the direction of your mind – that is, if you are not killed.

Joseph was the most loved son of his father, that he gave him the well known robe of many colors. He told his brothers how the Moon and the Stars were bowing before him. The brothers noticed they were going to bow before this small boy, then envy and jealousy grew that the best way to abort that stupid dream of his was to sell him off.

“Now Joseph had a dream and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more. He said to them, hear this dream that I dreamed. We were binding sheaves and behold, my sheaf arose and stoop upright and sheaves gathered around it and bowed.” Genesis 37:5:8

Keep that dream and vision to yourself until it is necessary to share it.

3. Believe In Your Vision

The life of that vision is in your hands. The only one to make it live is you. Yes YOU!

You are the carrier of that vision, no one else is seeing it. Jonathan Swift says, “Vision is the art of seeing what is invisible to others.” When Joseph in the Bible saw the Stars and the Moon bowing to him, no brother was in that dream with him. They only got to know because he told them. He didn’t doubt the dream, in fact his belief about the dream made him share it with them.

If that vision must come to reality, believe it. The Bible asks, “How can two walk together unless they agree?” Amos 3:3

Agree with that dream and run with it as fast as your legs can carry you. Don’t allow any discouragement to re-direct your attention.

I will not guarantee you a smooth sail to victory, but slow and steady you will surely get there.

4. Entertain No Fear

Nothing kills vision more than fear. If you must make that dream a reality, be fearless. Fear gives room for inferiority complex – I am not equal with others kind of mentality. Your level of confidence should be boosted with the “I can” mindset. Fear can make you believe that you are a nobody even when you are wearing a royal robe.

The story of the four Lepers is worthy of emulation. They asked themselves question many people shy away from. In 2 Kings 7:4 ” They asked each other, “why stay here until we die?”

You have been nurturing that vision for so long, when are you going to take that necessary action? Verse 4 and 5 say, “If we say, we will go into the city – the famine is there, and we will die. So, let’s go over to the camp of the Arameans and surrender. If they spare us, we will live; if they kill us, then we die. At dust they got up and went to the camp of the Arameans. When they reached the edge of the camp, not a man was there.”

FEAR is indeed “False Evidence Appearing Real”

Remember, “Vision without action is merely a dream. Action without vision just passes the time. Vision with action can change the world. — Joel A. Barker

So, get up and start that business. Go for that interview, the panel of judges is only humans not Lions.

I implore you today to put into action these four steps and your life will be a testimonial.

The post How to Make That Vision a Reality: 4 Ways to Actualise Your Vision appeared first on SME SCOOP.

Then, build your personality.

Yes, it is possible if only one can adhere to certain applicable life principles. When you pattern your life according to the principles, you hear people say something like, “That man/woman has a reputation.” Reputation means a general belief held about a person which includes your behavior and how you treat people around you.

For instance, there are many reputable companies around the world, and they are known for what they produce, the quality and quantity of their products with respect to the services they render to members of the public. One such company is Coca-Cola. Since its inception till date, the taste of that soft drink has not changed, even though the cost changed, the quality has remained the same. That is what is called reputation – a name built over the years.

Believe me, this article will expose you to steps that can help you build a sellable personality and you become a model to many.

I will be sharing with us tested and proven steps I have put into practice for years and they worked for me.

So, we are going to look at how you can build a sellable and irresistible personality that makes you succeed in your relationships, at your place of work and also in business.

How To Build A Sellable Personality

1. Trust

Trust is a foundation on which reputation is built. If you cannot be trusted, you lack reputation and your personality is questionable. When you have trust issues, you will not succeed in anything. Even your relationship will come crashing before your eyes. A man who has trust issues will not be put in charge of public funds.

You the reader

If you had a company, would you make your beloved brother/ sister with trust issue your cashier?

Trust controls everything we do here on earth.

Tips on how to build trust

• Be a man/ woman of your word.
• Don’t say what you cannot do.
• Deliver exactly what you sell. It should not be what I ordered versus what I received.
• Don’t be biased in your judgment.
• If you notice there will be a breach in agreement, quickly put your client on the know.
• Be a promise keeper.
• Learn to under-promise and over-deliver.

When these become your daily watchdog, then, you have got a reputation, and people can trust and recommend you to a total stranger.

2. Be a good role model

Role models are pacesetters. They set good standards and people emulate them.

Who wouldn’t want to be like Nelson Mandela?

That man was a leader to the core. A selfless individual who stood for justice. People all over the world knew Mandela and identified with him as a man of peace. He put his life on the line to fight for his people. If he had wanted a second tenure he would have stood unopposed because he won the trust of many. No wonder he won one of the most prestigious awards, Nobel Price for Peace.

I want to be like him. If Mandela’s personality were to be a commodity in the market, everyone will like to buy it.

Role model tips

• Stand for what is right.
• Don’t falsify information to suit yourself.
• Never take sides with evil.
• Give to Ceaser what is Ceasers’.
• Don’t subvert anyone.
• Never allow evil to becloud your sense of judgment.

When people notice these genuine threats of personality in you, your news will spread abroad. You will be on the lips of everyone.

3. Build a good name

“A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold.” Both riches (silver and gold) and an honorable reputation (loving favor, i.e., respect) are good. Proverbs 22:1

It is very pathetic the reverse has become the case in recent times. Though it is common amongst people without reputation, but, a man with character to protect will not soil his/her hands with evil even at gunpoint.

“Whatever you lend let it be your money, and not your name. Money you may get again, and, if not, you may contrive to do without it; name once lost you cannot get again, and, if you cannot contrive to do without it, you had better never have been born.” – Edward Bulwer-Lytton

History will not fail to applaud Martin Luther King Jnr who put his life at stake to stand against the injustice meted upon Blacks at that time. For the same reason, he was assassinated.

Generations to come will still read about Nelson Mandela and Martin Luther King Jr and desire to be like them.

What will you be remembered for when you are no more?

Maybe you think you will live forever.

Also read:

• Personal Branding Skills you Need to Succeed in Business
• What are the Biggest Enemies of Success and How do you Conquer Them?

4. Be outspoken

This aspect of building one’s personality requires a bit of confrontation and aggression.

Sometimes, no good thing comes without a fight. But who will be that sacrificial lamb?

We remember the story of Adams Oshiomhole when he was NLC President and how confrontational and fearless he was and the people of Edo State found him worthy to entrust the future of that state into his hands. You must be someone who can stand for the people and be their chief spokesperson.

All the leaders we have made mention of in this article were outspoken and the people chose them to stand in for them.

Some characteristics of an outspoken personality

• Be fearless
• He /she identifies the needs of the people
• Hates injustice
• Likes to lead
• Very observant
• Listens to the yelling and aspirations of the people.
• Puts his life on the line to achieve desired result.
• Never gives up until a set target is met.

5. Humility

Meekness is one of the attributes that build a great personality. Humble people are always admired and easily spotted.

Nobody will like to identify with an arrogant person. It takes humility to be a person of character.

NOTE

Achieving a sellable personality is not something that can be attained in one day. Remember, “Rome was not built in a day.”

To your success.

The post How To Build A Sellable Personality: 5 Solid Tips That Work appeared first on SME SCOOP.

The reason why depressed people take their lives is traceable to human actions and in-actions. These reasons to mention only a few include: bad debt, dis-inheritance, racial discrimination, age-long health issue, social discrimination, loss of job, broken home, failed business transaction, low economic status, stigmatization, broken marriage, loss of loved one, the list goes on.

The main purpose of this article is to seek solutions and possible ways people can control or where possible avoid being depressed so that the percentage of suicides or suicidal thoughts can be reduced to the barest minimum globally.

Meaning of Depression

Depression is a serious mental disorder that adversely affects how a person sees the society and things around him or her. Depression does come with sadness and the victim begins to lose interest in the things he once enjoyed, and most victims often resort to suicide as the solution to their predicament.

Signs of Depression

(1) Lack of concentration

(2) Low self-esteem

(3) Lack of sleep

(4) Loss of appetite

(5) Withdrawal from social gathering

(6) Lack of interest in usual activities

(7) Loss of hope

(8) Anger

(9) Discontentment

(10) Isolation

There is nothing new under the sun. You cannot possibly be the only one going through that particular problem. I have read statement like, ” Let me end this thing called life and have my peace or rest.”

How do you know that you will have peace or rest when you take your life?

The book, Tough Times Never Last, But Tough People Do by Robert . H. Shuller is a reminder that no predicament lasts forever, only resilient people.

My dearests, suicide is NOT the way out of what confronts us as a people. Staying alive is the key.

Depression is a serious mental disorder that adversely affects how a person sees the society and things around him or her.

How to Avoid Depression

Have plan for the future.

A certain proverb says, “A Grasscutter that stores grains during the dry season never dies of hunger on a rainy day.”

There are two seasons in a man’s life: the dry and rainy seasons. These two seasons are symbolic. The former symbolizes when one is energetic and full of life. When you are still the MD of one Oil & Gas Company and your take-home monthly runs into millions. The dry season symbolizes your prime of life – your less active days.

The latter represents a time of weakness. In this period, you are no longer the MD of that Oil & Gas Company and your 70 years work experience cannot get you a job anywhere in the world. A time of retirement for those in Public or Civil Service. Woe betide you if you didn’t store like the Grasscutter, you will not only die of hunger, but depression. The beautiful world you once enjoyed will become meaningless and thereafter suicidal thoughts will begin to knock on the door of your heart.

So, plan for the future to avoid old age depression.

Don’t be a waster of resources.

Some people are so rich that the only problem they seem to have is how to squander the money. Whether you are doing it for fun or as a competition, the hard truth is that it is not a healthy thing to be involved in.

Stories have been told of a legendary American heavyweight champion, the Iron Mike Tyson, and how he wasted his hard-earned money. According to an article in the New York Times on August 5th, 2003 by Richard Sandomir, the Boxer was said to have made over $400 million during his boxing days and blew all away. When he was declared bankrupt, his debtors seized his assets to recover their money and he was said to have owed a total sum of $23 million.

According to him (Tyson) ” Since that time, although my fight income, various asset sales and litigation recoveries have enabled me to pay a lot of my debts. I am still unable to pay my bills.”

Somebody who once had $400 million.

At some point in his life, he said that he was surprised that he is still alive. Probably, he may have contemplated suicide.

LESSON

If you have the money today and is not put into proper use, it may not be there tomorrow. What happens to your mental health when you find yourself in this situation?

Don’t idolize a thing.

Anything that is there today and gone tomorrow is not worthy of much attention. When you are obsessed with what you have, you endanger your mental health. We have to come to that stage in life where we consider whatever we have as temporal not permanent. We have to know that people die young and some die old. Some are opportune to go to school and some are not. Some get jobs easily while others will search for donkey years. Some marry and some who desire it may never have an opportunity to. Some are born with Silver Spoon and others are born into abject poverty. Some secure admission into higher institutions at one sitting while people like ME had to sit for 6 years.

The fact is this. Every man on earth has a problem no matter how highly placed. So learn to train your emotion and accept things the way they are.

No bad situation in this world is worth taking your life.

Don’t borrow money you cannot afford to pay.

The popular slogan says, “Cut your Coat according to your cloth.” In bad English, we say “Cut your Coat according to your size.”

When you want to borrow money at all from anyone, consider your size. Your size here refers to what you are worth NOW – your take-home at the end of the month. Don’t spend more than you earn. Bill Earle says “If your outgo exceeds your income then, then your upkeep will be your downfall.” When you borrow more than you can afford to pay, you are likely to be a victim of bad debt.

How to Control Depression

Do things that give you joy.

Try as much as possible to get back at those things that make you happy in order to keep your mind free from suicidal thoughts. Mike Tyson did not die of depression because he now does what he has always “dreamt” of which is selling of Cannabis which launched in 2015. He is also into acting. When you keep yourself busy, no attention will be given to suicidal voice.

In conclusion, your existence is more important than that present challenge. If you stay alive to fight back, a hero you will become.

Try it and see. It works.

The post How to Avoid and Control Depression appeared first on SME SCOOP.

Listen to me.

What I am going to share with you now is real and capable of turning your life around.

You may feel that the reason why you are not making that progress is because a door is shut against you.

Here is the bitter truth.

No door is shut against you, YES!

It is just a figment of your imagination that erects what appears to be an insurmountable mountain in your life and destiny.

Let us skip the suspense and let the cat out of the bag.

You may be wondering or may have wondered why some persons have gone ahead of others in achieving success in almost everything they do. Perhaps the thought of being in one spot for a long time has eaten deep into your heart or you may be one of those who feel or think that someone has caged them down through a diabolical means. My friend, wake up, that may not totally be your case.

At some point in my life, I had dined with such belief, but when I realized it, I discovered I was building walls of limitations around me.

If I were you, I will take what I am reading from this blog seriously and apply where necessary the ideas from this article and you will discover that you have wasted plenty of your precious time blaming people for what they did not do.

This article will expose you to the four (4) biggest enemies of success and how you can conquer them.

So, what are these four enemies to a man’s success? Let’s meet them…

1. The Negative Mind

The human mind is very powerful. The human mind harbors all kinds of thoughts, both NEGATIVE/POSITIVE and whichever that dominates a person’s mind will surely reflect in what the person does. Do you know that what most people experience on daily basis is determined by what goes through their minds? The mind works like a photocopy machine, what it processes is what it duplicates.

The success or failure of a man is dependent on what he thinks “for the spiritual rules the physical”. If your spirit man is conquered, your physical man has lost the battle.

The negative mind never believes that any great height is attainable, it never believes in success. The negative mind is full of doubts. It never sees light, only darkness. Anything you cannot first achieve in your mind cannot be delivered in your hands.

Take this advice…

“Keep your heart with all diligence: for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23)

If your spirit man is conquered, your physical man has lost the battle.

Every successful person has stuffed his/her mind with positive things and that is why the great achiever like Thomas Alva Edison, the American inventor and businessman who had failed several times still went ahead to event POWER (Light). Believe in yourself, failure is part of a learning process. If you try again when you fail, you have learnt how not to do it the wrong way again.

Don’t be afraid to dare it again when you fail, every successful person has encountered failure before they succeeded.

A wise man said that “the successful person failed more times than the average person tried.”

2. Lack of Vision

Show me a positive visionary and I will show you a purpose-driven life. Vision gives your life a direction because your activities and thoughts will be channeled toward a set goal. The American English Dictionary defines vision as “An idea or a goal toward which one aspires.” I heard something one day. It says, “If you don’t have a destination, everywhere will look like a Bus Stop.” (Anonymous)

I had a vision to go to school even though I was born in a family ravaged by poverty. This set goal pushed me out of the village to the city. I surrounded myself with friends who talked about schooling. It took me six years to get my West Africa Examination Council result complete. Some friends gave up after three or four tries but, for me, I was head-bent, never ready to give up. At that time, I felt I had gone too far to go back without result. Today, I have that Degree Certificate. If I had given up like my friends, I would have blamed it on one innocent witch doctor somewhere.

“You are either running with a vision, going on a mission, or running with a passion… If you do not belong to any of these, life is reduced to a burden.” – David Oyedepo

The power to succeed or fail is in you, so get vision and run with it. Don’t look back until you have result.

Also read: How to be a Good Public Speaker – In 5 Steps

3. Lack of Self-improvement

The number 3 enemy of success is lack of self-improvement. This is one of the major reasons some people are stagnated in life. The world we are living in today moves with the trend. I took my modern TV set for a repair, the Engineer opened it, surprisingly coupled it back and referred me to another Engineer. I think a superior and one more advanced in experience. As a person, if you are not up to date, you become irrelevant and obsolete.

Why do you think Apps require an update?

If you say is to meet up with emerging trends, then we are thinking alike.

New things are emerging everyday. New ways of doing things and if you keep doing things the same way you did it twenty years back, then you have no place in the world of today.

At some point in my life, I had just Secondary School Certificate. I had to upgrade by adding Degree to it and got employed. I am not saying that one with the former cannot be employed but you cannot compare the latter with the former.

What are you doing to improve yourself? Have you learnt any skill yet? Self-improvement or development is not a waste of resources or time. It is a future investment that will pay when that opportunity comes calling.

Aside improve yourself with skills, you should also learn how to market yourself so people can notice you.

The more you improve or develop yourself, the more your worth increases.

4. Pride

The English Dictionary defines pride as “The quality or state of being proud; inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable conceit of one’s own superiority in talent, beauty, wealth, rank etc.; which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve and often contempt of others.”

Anyone who wants to succeed in business, politics, academics, etc. must deal with this common enemy of man’s progress. Pride has laid many great potentials to rest and has prevented many from taking the step that would have changed their lives for good. Pride is destructive, it makes you see high of yourself and low of others. A proud person does not have a listening ear.

My friend, if you have this enemy, do away with it and your life will take a positive turn.

If you want to kill these enemies of success, I implore you to put into action all that we have discussed, and you will be glad you did.

See you at the top.

The post What are the Biggest Enemies of Success and How to Conquer Them? appeared first on SME SCOOP.

Unfortunately, many job seekers don’t know how to maximize LinkedIn to help them find the job they need. Instead, they copy and paste their resume hoping they magically will be contacted with job offers. But here is some bad news, it is not going to happen.

If you are tired of applying for jobs after jobs and getting nowhere, then you are in the right place. In this blog post, you are going to learn some tactics on how to use LinkedIn to land the job of your dream.

After reading this post and applying the strategies that you learn from the post, it won’t take you a long time to land a job. That’s a guarantee because the tactics you’re about to read are tactics others have used to land their dream jobs.

What You Need to Get Started

If you want to find a job on LinkedIn, then you need these three things;

• An optimized LinkedIn profile
• Good communication and networking skills
• An optimistic mindset.

So, here are 5 strategies each of which will bring you a step closer to a new job opportunity or a new career.

1. Set Up a Great Profile

It all starts with a well-optimized profile. It is the first place recruiters will go to find information about you. Your profile should show your personality and not just a place to stamp your resume.

There are a few elements to an optimized profile. They include;

• A professionally looking profile picture. If you don’t have a profile picture or if it’s outdated, then go to a studio and get a good shot you can use for your LinkedIn profile. Make sure your picture is showing your face. Your face should take up 60% of the image.
• A well-written about section. This is where you create a summary of yourself that tells your story. This is not the same as a biography. This is where you talk about your passion for the career, your skills, and strengths, how you got into the field, past jobs experience if any, your soft skills, etc.
• Your skills in the skills section. Adding your skills to your profile is an effective way to get your profile to show up in LinkedIn search results. But this can only happen when your skills have endorsements. To make this count for you, after including your skills in the skills section, invite your friends and family members who are on LinkedIn to endorse your skills.

Having a great profile is just a piece of the puzzle, there are still other tactics that come to play, and this leads us to the next tactics.

2. Be Active

LinkedIn is not just a platform where you go and stamp your resume and job experiences because you know recruiters use LinkedIn as part of their search for candidates. You have to be active. ‘Active’ here doesn’t mean always being online. You have to be putting yourself out.

LinkedIn is not an online resume. It is a social networking platform where to stay relevant, you have to be connecting with people and become a source of value to people.

Most people just create an account, fill in the necessary details like their skills and past job experiences, and go. No single post on their feed. They only come from time to time to either update their profile or check if they have a message or try to see if they can find a post with a job offer.

You will not get your desired result with this kind of behavior. Sometimes, recruiters want to read your post. They want to be able to confirm with content on your feed if you are truly a great fit for the position you are applying for.

That’s why most recruiters will request you drop a link to your LinkedIn profile. They are not just checking your profile details; they are checking your connection and your feed to rate you.

So, to stand out among other applicants, you need to position yourself as someone very knowledgeable in your field. Share content that gives value. Talk about yourself and include photos. Talk about past experiences. Talk about what you’re presently doing. Connect with other people in your field and build connections via inbox.

Get to know them and let them know you are looking for a job. You can never tell if the person you are talking to in your DM has a job vacancy where they are working and can connect you to the job.

Also read: How to Use LinkedIn to Grow your Business

3. Subscribe to Job Alerts on LinkedIn

Use this tool to always get a notification for jobs you’re interested in. When you subscribe to job alerts, you will always get notified when any company post jobs that match your ideal criteria.

How do you do this?

When you log into LinkedIn, look for the Jobs icon. Touch or click on it and search for your desired job in your desired location. When a list of jobs position shows up, you will see a message telling you to get job alert for that particular search by turning on a notification. Turn on the notification and you will start getting alerts for that position and location you searched for.

4. Join LinkedIn Groups in Your Industry

LinkedIn groups are one place you can land a job. Joining LinkedIn groups in your industry helps you connect with members who can tell you more about their career paths. You also gain career-development information from people posting in the group.

Don’t just join the groups to consume content. Make sure you are also contributing to the group. This will help you get noticed even if you are not just looking for a job but looking to market your business.

Make connections with other members and get to know them. Introduce yourself to them via inbox and let them know you are seeking a job. Be careful not to look too aggressive with your intent so they don’t block you. Let your conversation be fun and interactive.

5. Show You’re Open to Work

If you have noticed, some profile pictures have a banner stating, “Open to Work”. What that means is that the person is looking for a job. You can include the LinkedIn #OpenToWork feature in your profile picture to tell potential recruiters that you are open to work.

People use it because it is working. It is free and so you should include this strategy in your LinkedIn job search.

Conclusion

LinkedIn is a powerful tool you can use to land your dream job if you use it right. If you can apply these strategies shared in this post correctly, you may never have to search for another job again.

The post How to Use LinkedIn to Land a Job appeared first on SME SCOOP.

FEAR GRIPS YOU, RIGHT?

The act of public speaking is a skill and its techniques must be mastered by public speakers. If you are the type that avoids public speaking at all cost or when you are summoned to speak, your heart takes first flight out of your mouth or networking is a nightmare and the thought of getting up in front of total strangers to deliver a paper presentation fills you with anxiety, then, this article is for YOU!

Before we bang at the doors of those 5 steps that can make YOU a good public speaker, let us arm ourselves with the meaning of public speaking.

Meaning of Public Speaking?

“Public speaking also called oration or oratory is the process or act of performing a speech to a live audience…” – Desmond Gahan

We can liken this to mean that public speaking is “speech performance“. In other words, the speaker is an actor who performs before a live audience and without proper guide, he/she may not render the rendition well.

Now that we have a clear knowledge of what public speaking is and what is involved, lets look at the 5 steps that can make YOU a good public speaker.

5 Steps to Good Public Speaking

• How Well Do You Know Yourself?

The ability to think is what makes us humans and what goes through our minds is the reflection of who we are. The Holy Bible  says, “And there we saw the giants, the sons of Anak, which came of the giants, and we were in our own sight as grasshoppers, and so we were in their sight.” (Numbers; 13:33) Moses sent out spies to spy the land of Canaan, above was the negative report they returned with. The same happens to many public speakers of today. The presence of scholars at public gathering has thrown many speakers of balance. Don’t see yourself as a grasshopper, be bold and rain supreme.

• You Must Know Your Onion

“Certainly YOU will hear the voice of fear, DON’T listen to it, like Caleb, shout down the wall of fear around you“. But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “ Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to over come it.” ( Numbers; 13:30)

Public speaking is a thing of the mind

“If your heart falters in its leadership, the sword will drop from your hands.” – The Art of Public Speaking (Dale Carnegey and J. Berg Esenwein). Public speaking has nothing to do with one’s age or qualifications, it bows to application of certain principles. It Is a mind thing that requires self-confidence and conviction.

Some preachers in the Christian faith have said that David in the Bible became a General without being in the Israeli Army or going through any military training nor had any military experience. Just the “I can mentality” made him confront Goliath at that young age and that earned him (David) a spot in Christian history as a brave lad.

As a public speaker, I put it to YOU that you are an authority, that is why YOU have been chosen to speak or to be listened to. This thought alone should boost your morale.

Knowledge about the topic and proper research should not be taken for granted.

• Present The Paper To Yourself First

From the definition of public speaking we understood that it is an act of speech performance, that means, rehearsal is involved. You have to read your paper presentation to yourself at every free time you get and this helps to;

1. Get the words internalized
2. Check the meaning of words and how they are pronounced.
3. Once you get the words internalized, on the day of performance you may not spend much time with your paper presentation but still deliver the exact content of the paper.

• Avoid Too Much Gesticulation

This cliché in public speaking can be very annoying and distracting. As the speaker, let your mouth do much of the talking NOT your hands or legs. Try as much as possible to maintain your space around the Podium. You could put one of your hands in your trouser pocket and feel like the Boss that you are (this though depends on your audience and must not be applied when you are presenting to your boss or leaders).

It is also good that you go with your pen as a companion and play with it when you feel stage discomfort.

Also Read: Top Professional Negotiation Skills You Need To Succeed in Business

• Make The Atmosphere Friendly

Don’t be quick to start your presentation, it is a sign that you are not in control. Take a little time to look around the hall, possibly into the faces of your audience – you are taking dominance psychologically. Then, little by little you start off. You could even start with a joke. “All work no play,” they say, “makes Jack a dull boy.”

This is where creativity comes in. You have to quickly look for a SHORT and LIVELY story your audience can relate with and share it with them. You are relaxing your nerves and also getting use to your audience. You no longer see them as HYENAS and LIONS that can eat you up- they have become your friends. At this stage, all is set to eat them up with your presentation.

Finally, the day of presentation is like your wedding day, don’t spoil it, make it entertaining for your guests.

I hope you kill that next presentation after reading this. I would love to hear your thoughts on the comment box.

The post How to be a Good Public Speaker – In 5 Steps appeared first on SME SCOOP.

In whatever you want to negotiate, your best bet is to stay on top of your game and have the upper hand. Although that isn’t as simple as it sounds, you can cultivate the skills through proper knowledge.

One importance of negotiation mastery is that it equips you with the skills you need to effectively close any deal and handle all objections.

Below is a list of top negotiation skills for professionals

1. Planning

You need to plan ahead of your negotiation. You should prepare yourself for possible objections and how to handle them. Know how to start a conversation that will lead to closing your deal.

You would also need to plan what to say and what to respond. This doesn’t mean memorizing a script but preparing a scope of what might arise as a conflict and how best to possibly resolve them.

One unique way to do this is determining your Zone of Possible Agreement (ZOPA) and Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement (BATNA).

Zone of Possible Agreement is the range where the two parties bargaining tend to come to an agreement.

For example, supposing you want to sell a house between $10,000 – $15,000 and the buyer is looking to buy at a range of $9,000 – $11,000, you both have a Zone of Possible agreement. This is called the positive bargaining zone; at this range, you can close sales.

But what if the buyer intends to buy at a range of $8,500 – $9,500, there’s no possible zone of Agreement. So, what would you do now? Walk away? I hope not. This is where your BATNA comes into work. This is your next best option, your last shot at closing your deal. Maybe provide a paying plan or list out some benefits but you should also know your walk-away price.

Always have a plan in order to seal off any deal.

2. Strategy

After having a plan, the next should be how to go about it and that’s your strategy. You need to define and outline your steps.

Your strategy could be:

• How to introduce the subject at hand
• Knowing when to listen and when to respond
• Knowing when to ask questions
• Create an atmosphere where you have the upper hand
• And how to present your value by letting them realize by themselves that you are the best option

An example of this strategy is to tell them to re-state why they need you for the job like

“So, Mr ABC why do you need my services/my products?” this throw-in question can give you the upper hand by affirming that they actually need you. This is actually the best way to start a conversation after pleasantries.

3. Communication

This has two parts:

a. Effective listening

b. Responding

Most of the time, your prospect should do more of the talking and you listen. You listen to know exactly what they need and how to place your offer.

Prospects a lot of time don’t actually know what they want or how to go about what they want. You can help them figure that out by actually listening to them and asking them questions that help them have an idea of what is good for them. If you can do this, you will find out that you will close sales more efficiently.

When discussing with your client, you should always have the upper hand, make sure to have the situation under control. You should be relaxed and confident about what you are offering. You need to be authoritative in talking about your services but not inconsiderate.

This will not only let your prospect know you are fit for the job but also be able to negotiate a good offer.

If you don’t really know how to communicate well in person, it would do you good to go with a written short proposal. Make it precise and straight to the point.

4. Value Creation

Know the value you have like what are you bringing to the table in exchange.

A good question you can ask yourself on this can be: “does my client really need this?” if your answer is yes, then you should have a great pack of value to bring to the table.

Let them know that what you are bringing to the table is worth what they will give in exchange.

With this, you build a sense of trust with them and you get closer to sealing the deal.

5. Emotional Intelligence

Emotional intelligence will help you to determine when your client is just shying away from purchasing a product. Most of the times, prospect do not want to straight up tell you they don’t like this or that but you can discover that by listening to them, asking further questions and understanding their body language.

You on the other hand need to keep yourself in check. Avoid being nervous and always know you should have the upper hand. Keep calm and be calculated. Know when to listen and when to respond.

6. Presenting the offer

When you want to present your offer, the best practice would be to give them a range.

State your walk away offer. Do not be desperate to close the deal.

The range can be from your walkaway offer and above. Doing this will give them a sense of deadline or ultimatum and will help you close sales faster. There will be little or no bargaining.

Another practice can be to offer them choices/options. Let the first choice be something that you know they won’t go for, something not so great.

Then maybe a middle option which would be the actual thing you want to sell or you are offering.

The last option can be something that is most probably unthinkable or the jumbo pack. Doing this will make sure you don’t leave the table empty handed.

In addition to that, also create a sense of urgency this will help the client feel as if there is little or no time left to already conclude and make a decision.

In a research by business insider, it has been proven that the first five minutes is the moment to strike an impression on your client and pave way for a good deal.

Experience is really the best way to master negotiations. Reflecting on past negotiations and mistakes and working on poor areas will help you master negotiating. Making a good appearance is also crucial to closing that sale or deal.

The post 6 Top Professional Negotiation Skills You Need To Succeed in Business appeared first on SME SCOOP.

Personal branding is therefore how you promote yourself. It is the combination of your expertise and personality that you want the world to see. Your personal brand tells people your story, your character and your professional qualifications. It is what you are known for both online and offline.

If you can be able to control what people know about you online, you also should be able to control what you do offline for a perfect balance. You can’t be saying one thing online and doing a different thing offline.

If you want to be successful at what you do then you should have a good personal brand. This builds your credibility and trust for your client. You get to control what information about you is out there.

If you have a business brand, you also need a personal brand. People only transact business with people they trust and believe have the answers to their problems; your personal brand should bear that. Also know that your personal branding is your life long legacy.

Importance of Personal Branding

Unless you want the whole world to think anything about you, then you should brand yourself. At different times, people will google your name to try to find out more about you; your personal brand should be there to tell them about you.

Personal branding can help you land gigs if you are a freelancer as it builds your credibility and trust. Most importantly when going for interviews or applying for jobs online; recruiters are most probably going to search you on the web. You would want them to see things that will make you seem right for the position. Branding yourself will do this and more for you.

Your personal brand can help you in selling your business to people. When people understand who you are and what you do, and know that it solves their problem, they will not waste time in connecting with you. Building your brand gives you clarity and makes it easier for people to understand who you are.

Personal Branding Skills

If you really want to brand yourself, there are some necessary skills you need to master. These skills will help you at building a good brand.

Below are the major personal branding skills required to succeed in business.

1. Effective communication:

If you cannot communicate to people what your brand is, why have a brand? The very first skill you need to master is communication. Your communication will show in how you present your brand. It will show when you upload posts on social media. It will also show when you market your brand.

You need to know the right words to use to describe yourself. You need to know how to respond to people online and offline.

Listening is one part of effective communication. If you listen to people, you will understand what they want and how to communicate their needs to them. Listening is important in a brand as you will know what people want and how to respond to their wants and need.

When next you reply to a comment, be sure to know what it is you are communicating as it says volumes of your brand.

2. Leadership skill:

Your brand should show that you are quite knowledgeable in what you do and that is the quality of a good leader. It means you have authority in your field of expertise and people will like to listen to you. A leader should know what he does and how to do it.

Being a good leader means being ready to do the extra and this is important for a good branding. When people meet you, they should notice this. A good leader influences other people to accomplish goals by taking up more responsibility that he can handle. He goes the extra mile to complete a project where others would have naturally stopped.

People always need to be led by someone for tasks to be done. If you present yourself as a leader in your field then you will attract more clients and close more deals.

Read more: Top Negotiation Skills you Need to Succeed in Business

3. Collaboration:

If you don’t know how to work with people then you will automatically fail at what you do. The truth is we need each other. No matter how independent you want to be, you need people and people need you.

It is important you learn how to reach agreements with people; how to work with others to accomplish a goal. Collaboration means doing your own part to accomplish a task. You need to master this for a good brand.

4. Work ethics:

A strong work ethic is undeniably important in personal branding. Are you the type of person who can’t wait for work to be over before you head out the office? Do you volunteer for extra responsibilities at work? Do you keep all the rules at work?

The best place to market your personal brand is where you work. This will help build professional references for you. A strong reference can go a long way in helping a client make the right choice about you.

Steps to Personal Branding

If you are ready to start building your brand, then these are steps you can follow to build a good personal brand.

1. Image:

The first step is setting your image. This includes have a professional picture on all your social platforms.  Let your brand tell the story you want people to know about you. Make sure to make it short and targeted at what you do.

As you gain more experiences, regularly update your profile on all your social media accounts. Also update and control what information google has about you.

2. Performance:

Your performance is what information you regularly post online. What do you talk about? Do they reflect your personal brand?

If you can make your posts about one thing, it will be possible for people to understand you and what you stand for.

Try to avoid scandalous posts and keep your profile clear and precise so that at a first glance, someone can recognize what you do.

3. Exposure:

How many people know your personal brand? After having a good online and offline presence, you need to market and expose your brand.

Let people know who you are and what you stand for. The best way to do this will be to use paid adverts or hire brand influencers. Although you need to make sure your brand is in order before doing this.

Conclusion

Personal branding can pave way for a good business image. It will help you stand out in what you do from the crowd. Personal branding will also help you connect to prospective clients.

The post Personal Branding Skills You Need To Succeed In Business appeared first on SME SCOOP.