Paisley Art Gallery Viewing Tomorrow

Dear Friend,

This is our final invite to tomorrows Gallery Viewing in West Kirby.

On display will be a large collection of historical artefacts from Kashmir.

These include ancient Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic handwritten manuscripts, ancient copper, silver and gold coins (from Indo-Greek period 1000 BC to 1946), Statuettes and relics from Buddhist, Hindu and Islamic periods, official seals from Moghul, Afghan and Dogra periods, traditional ancient silver jewellery, various household silver and copper artefacts, rare hand woven and embroidered Paisley shawls and silk rugs.

Old photographs and paintings of Kashmir will also be displayed.

Event:            Glimpses of Heritage of Kashmir

Where:         Paisley’s Emporium, 117 Banks Rd, Wirral, CH48 0RB

Date:             Open             20n on Saturday 26 January 2013 

The gallery is open to public for three days, Saturday 26 January – Monday 28 January 2013.

You are invited to attend the exhibition over the weekend at a time convenient to you.

However, for security reasons, all guests are required to register by email on:
paisleysartgallery@gmail.com.  We will send you a PASS to being on your visit.

 Agnes G. Fitzgerald
Linkage Point

tel                              mob                            web                         skype
+44 (0)8456 448 039 | +44 (0)7944 785 409 | linkagepoint.co.uk | agfitzgerald

Linking You to the EXPERTS: The Aftermath of Christmas

Shock Yourself – Be Amazing this Year

Some things never change... each year we set new resolutions, talk about change and make new promises. We go on about last year’s goals. How many did we achieve?  Where did we go wrong?  We discuss this for hours.  Generally do a lot of talking, mainly sabotaging our chances as the year starts. Suddenly it's May already...

But what about ACTION?  What do we DO?  To manifest our goals and dreams for 2013 we need to take some action. 

My first action was to read Rangy Gage’s Blogs.  I have followed Randy for a few years now.  Sadly, until now I have ignored lots of his advice.  Well perhaps not “ignored” but definitely not consciously put it into action.  I now know what I did was to store much of Randy’s advice in my subconscious.  I realise how lazy I have been.  So this year I am taking all of his advice on board.

Here are my ACTIONS

1                    Forget all about last year’s goals.  Last year is gone. Whether I achieved them or not is now TOTALLY irrelevant.  There is nothing I can do to change the outcome of 2012.

2                    Go to Randy’s site https://www.youtube.com/randygage  Here I will read 1 “Prosperity Tip”/day – just 5 a week and I will succeed beyond all recognition – even to myself.

3                    I have my running shoes on.   No more BMW’s in my life... yes all Bitching, Moaning & Whining is ruled out for 2013 and beyond....  Already I feel a TON lighter!

4                    Next main change for me is to work with & learn from only those already at the top. Then, even with the law of gravity, I cannot fall. I will only be pulled up!  Putting some personal daily time aside is another essential part of our BUSINESS day.

5                    A healthy mind requires a healthy body.  January is a huge time for dieting.  Something I have never done.  However, this year, I intend to pay attention to what I eat. I want more healthy food.  And on Sat 29 December I started daily exercise.

6                    Randy talks about a “Burning Bowl Ceremony”.  I was introduced to this many years back but, like so much else, I ignored it.  But it DOES work.  Learn from the master
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yiB7q4U0xS8&feature=youtu.be

7                Finally for 2013 and beyond I'm aiming higher than I ever thought existed.  Why not? Each and every single one of us can go just as high as we BELIEVE we can.

And just to prove this I'm ending on a really high note....this is Randy’s mantra for 2013.

Here’s my mantra for 2013 – I invite you to make it yours:

My vices are property of my learning, my virtues belong to truth, my wisdom comes from my mistakes, and my challenges create my victories.

Happy New You!

Randy, thank you so, so much for nurturing me this far.  Your patience is amazing.  At last I have found my wings.... and am using them.        http://www.randygage.com/

Here’s wishing you all the Blessings you all wish upon yourselves for 2013

Linking You to the EXPERTS: The Aftermath of Christmas

Linking You to the EXPERTS: The Aftermath of Christmas: Life is strange.... Just a few weeks ago there was a huge hype leading up to Christmas.  Today it’s history! Christmas has come and gone...

The Aftermath of Christmas

Life is strange....

Just a few weeks ago there was a huge hype leading up to Christmas.  Today it’s history! Christmas has come and gone. 

What was your experience of Christmas?  What does the whole season mean to you? Now that its past how has your life changed – if at all?

We spend a lot of precious time working up enthusiasm for an occasion.  We think, we plan, perhaps take a little action.  Then it’s all over.  If you measure the time spent in preparation and wishing compared to the time of the actual event do they balance?  Generally I think not....

How can we reverse this?   Spending so much time longing for something to happen seems to be a bit of a waste of valuable time.  Yes, preparation is necessary for every occasion but I want to balance the time in preparation with the time spent enjoying.  We need to live more in the here and now world.  Enjoy life around you.  Truly see the beauty we are surrounded by.

What are your plans for 2013?  What do you aim to achieve?  What are you prepared to do to win that achievement?

If you have not already done it then sit down now and work out an exciting plan for the year ahead.  As always start with the end in mind.  Come Christmas 2013 what do you want to be truly excited about? Why do you want that?  What will you benefit from that achievement? Is it still the dream you want to pursue?   Great.  Now what do you need to do to set this dream in motion? Write it down. Map it out for the next 12mts.   Give yourself a little time to get this right.  Then once done you can start to enjoy the journey of achieving your goal. No more waiting and longing for.  Enjoy the journey to achieving that moment just as much as you enjoy the actual occasion.

Here’s wishing you every Blessing you wish upon yourself for a successful 2013

The Importance of Networking

Go Networking!

Last night I went to a regular Networking event.   Our speaker was Andy Preston who is a true Professional Speaker who “Walks the Talk”... fabulous, thank you Andy.
Have a look for yourselves - http://www.andypreston.com

The one thing I noticed was the number of attendees had declined as I have noticed at all the events I recently attend.  This confuses me....

People talk about a recession – still.   They say they are not getting the business they would like...  But what are they doing to win that business they would like?

Last night, and other events, are golden opportunities to Market your business in a very cost effective way.  From last night alone I have already arranged 4 x 1-1 with new clients.  Like the lottery says “If your not in it you can’t win it”.

Today I read the Networking Top Tip from Andy Lopata - “In Sight In Mind”.... 

This is a very interesting point and links in perfectly with my point about people not coming out to find new clients.  Have a read for yourself...

“Many people are critical of status updates on Facebook and LinkedIn and tweets on Twitter. Yet they play a much underestimated role in keeping people in touch with each other. 

Time is scarcer than it's ever been, with so many demands on it both in our work and personal time. It's harder for many to find the time to keep in touch with old friends, colleagues and clients, particularly when our circumstances change such as moving onto other jobs, into new areas or new relationships.

In the past, many people would have seen old relationships disappear and be replaced by new friendships. Yet, if the friendship was rooted in firm foundations, there is no reason for this other than time. Now we can keep in touch with friends and professional contacts by posting status updates and commenting on theirs. 

Such activity certainly doesn't replace physical contact, but can be very powerful in filling the gap when we don't see each other. And by keeping us in sight and in mind, it means that when we do see each other again, often it feels as though we've never been apart.”

Andy Lopata’s weekly “Connecting is not Enough”.. http://www.lopata.co.uk/

So, my message here today, backed by many other professionals is clear and simple...

To improve our business we MUST get out there and let potential clients know of our products and services. 

Go Networking!
www.linkagepoint.co.uk

You Suck At Sales

Recently I have written a bit on Professional Networking.   Included in this is the importance of building relationships with others when out and about.   To do this at events we must, at all time, avoid selling. 

And today, more than ever before, it seems we need to avoid selling at all times.   Instead we need to learn to handle a buyer’s marker because this is what the business market now is. 

Most people know what they want. All they need to find out now is who provides the very best goods or services they want.  My job is not to sell any more but to show I am the EXPERT provider of that product or service this potential customer need.

Today, when doing some research on Sales and Cold Calling I came across a wonderful article.  I found this so useful I have chosen to share some of it with you.   I do hope you get value for this too.  

Feedback would be great thank you. 

At the end of this is info on the provider....

You Suck At Sales

"Why? Very simply, it's because you're selling.

I define buying & selling different than most people. To me, buying is a pleasurable process where you happily exchange money for something you want or need.

Selling, on the other hand, is an uphill process of trying to convince someone that they want or need what you have. It's all about overcoming objections, coercion, manipulation... I'm getting a headache just thinking about it!

Selling is a tough job, and a losing battle. That's why salespeople suck at it. Likewise, being sold is not enjoyable to a customer. That's why people have built-in sales resistance, that's automatically and unconsciously triggered at any attempt at selling them.

A while back, author Neil Strauss came out with a book called The Game about his experiences in spending a few years with an underground society of so-called "pickup artists" who essentially boiled dating down to a science. Having met Neil a long time ago at a marketing event, I couldn't resist checking out the book, and it was interesting.

He tells the story of how women, who are approached by extremely attractive men they desire greatly, routinely reject them anyway - just because of how they approach the women!

In other words, they got rejected because they're basically selling instead of using a better approach.

And guess what - you're doing the same with your sales prospects. You may have a great product, at a great price that does a great service for your customers. But if you're selling you're not going to get anywhere.

The very best salespeople - the six figure earners - never sell. Instead, they create the circumstances for buying to take place, and sit back and simply let people buy."

If you are interested in following this further, as I am, then please check out Fran Rumbauskas.

Start Your Free Trial Now:
https://www.nevercoldcall.com/ordernow.php

The Rewards of taking ACTION

Have you ever done some consultancy work?  What are your thoughts on it?  

Ever stop to think the whole process through? 
What is the actual purpose of consultancy? 
How do you measure the outcome? 

For many years now I have worked in consultancy at all levels.  

Remember, if you are a parent advising your child that’s a form of consultancy.  When you are having a 1-1 advising a friend that’s consultancy.  Or you may be doing it on a professional business level as I do.

The very best outcome for me every time is to see the client act on my advice.  It’s very rewarding.

Recently I did a 30min presentation on “Professional Networking” to a Wirral business group called “Morning Mums”.  Although it was only 30min I wanted to share as many of the very important points as possible so this meant little time to explain anything in too much detail. 

Among these points is a list of homework to do ever before you leave the office.  They include:-

      Choosing your meeting properly to reflect the type of client you want

      Get yourself plenty of decent business cards

      Buy a professional, magnetic backed, name badge

      The ONLY place to wear it is on your TOP RIGHT shoulder

      And finally wear a jacket with 2 pockets.  Pop a wad of your own cards in your left and leave the right empty for all the new cards you will pick up.

This went down such a treat I have been asked to do the full 3hr workshop soon.  I’m delighted.

Then last week my colleague Paul Ashbury, from “Focus On Networking” www.focusonnetworking.co.uk did the 3hr workshop in Manchester on “Professional Networking”.   The workshop included the above list and much more.  Also there was more information on the “why do this”. 

As the workshop came to a close no one wanted Paul to stop.   The interest was phenomenal.  People are really becoming aware of the power of Networking and it’s great to see that the smart ones see it as a real profession. 

Hot Stuff:

      Really informative, good use of examples and great materials.

      The workshop was really great. It really got me thinking, very important information.

Thank You.

      The presentation was very informative and gives you a very good idea of how to

meet others and introduce yourself and your business to new people. Introductions to everyone first was a defrosted. (Broke the ice)

Yesterday I went along to Mark Greenwoods “Simply Networking” – www.simplynetworking.co.uk

This time we used the amazing Liverpool apartments “One Park West”.  The view from the apartments is unbelievable.  Have a look at www.oneparkwest.co.uk and chat to Jane Corlett. 

Among others networkers was a very special young lady who had been to the Manchester Workshop.  Lindsay is new to Networking.  She turned up as a very professional lady with lovely suit including the 2 pockets.  She had her own cards in the left and added the new cards to her right. 

As soon as Lindsay say me enter she came over to meet & greet me.  We had a great natter on her homework since the workshop.  Her enthusiasm was fabulous.  I could not have asked for a better pupil.  It’s people like Lindsay who make my work so rewarding.  Thank you Lindsay for listening to my advice and then taking ACTION.  Well done. Have a look at www.arbonneinternational.co.uk

I’m also very pleased to say that Lindsay kindly donated a gift to the fundraising raffle for the “Student Exchange to Hong Kong”. 

Who Says Networking is Useless!

Yesterday I had an excellent time at Mark Greenwood’s “Simply Networking” in Manchester.  As ever a wonderful host Simply Networking Site

And the venue was really different Chill Factor, Manchester Thank you Mark

As I had not been to the Manchester event before I was not expecting to meet people I know so my strategy was to speak to 10 new people.  That is an average of 12 minutes per meeting – 4min for them to make an introduction, 4 mins for me to do the same and 4mins for us to see how we can help each other. I say an average as some may be faster and, after all, we must allow time for a few cuppas!  I have come home with 9 new cards plus I actually found one person I know. 

And today is “follow up” day.   What is the point of making my way to Manchester, spending 2 hrs of my very valuable time there and trotting off home again if I do not follow up!!!  Yet, it is amazing how many behave in exactly this way.  They rush about to events, do not know how to work the room professionally and so annoy the professionals, waste lots of their precious time and do absolutely no follow up.   Then they moan that the event was no good!!!  So far ONE person has the initiative to contact me before I did him.   I’m impressed Gary...... you know who you are.  And of the remaining 8 no one has responded. So what responsibility and action are people taking for their own success?

Who says Networking is useless?  Those who do where did you learn the skills? How long were the training courses? What follow up did you learn?

Wondering what the hell I’m rambling on about?  Most people do when I first ask this and they are surprised to learn that the power of Professional Networking is very powerful indeed.

One experience yesterday was when I was in a “closed two” and interrupted by a lady.  She started her sales speal... Being a bit naffed off as we were talking some serious stuff; I said this is a “closed two”.  The poor lady is stiff looking at me as if I had horns on!   But she continued.  Only out of courtesy did I stop and listen to this lady.  As it happened she had some useful info to share but I now have a very bad opinion of her.  Remember business is all about other people’s opinions...

Why are people surprised to learn that networking is a real skill, a profession and like any profession, it must be learned?  If you walked into a bar for the first time would you expect to be able to pull a great pint of Guinness?  I doubt it.   So why are people thrown in at the deep end with networking?

Everyone serious about networking for new clients will want to know and DO more about this:-
Networking Skills Workshop

Here’s to a profitable week.

Agnes G. Fitzgerald
Linkage Point

tel                              mob                            web                         skype
+44 (0)8456 448 039 | +44 (0)7944 785 409 | linkagepoint.co.uk | agfitzgerald