Judy Parkinson asked: The world of business and employment can be a cutthroat one, which is why it helps to be ahead of the game and gain an advantage over competitors whether individuals or entire companies.
Business Internet Domain Names
As with all aspects of selling yourself, choosing a name for your website is as vital as any other way of making sure people notice your business and, most important, remember it.
Here’s the list that the UK Freeserve website defines as the key to success: RAIL
Recall — Will the name be easy to remember?
Aesthetics — How will the name look on the screen or on paper?
Impressions — First impressions always count.
Length — Keep it short and sweet. Less is definitely more.
Business Presentations
In any type of public meeting, seminar, or lecture, never forget your ABC and always be:
Accurate, Brief, and Clear
PPPPP
To give a good presentation, plan ahead and remember the 5 Ps:
Proper Planning Prevents Poor Performance.
PRIDE
Whatever line of work you’re in — take PRIDE in what you’re doing:
Personal Responsibility In Daily Efforts
To B or Not to B
Be Brave and Believe; and don’t be Boring or Bashful.
KISS
No matter how you earn a living, never forget to:
Keep It Simple, Stupid.
The KISS acronym is applied to principles of business, advertising, computer operating systems to science and learning. Albert Einstein’s maxim was: “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler.”
SWOT Analysis
SWOT is a study off our crucial elements of a business’s planning process:
Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats
Never ASSUME Anything
Every business person knows that making assumptions is the mother of all screwups:
To assume makes an ASS out of U and ME.
Office Egos
In the world of employment and life in general, it’s sometimes wise to keep your ego under control to avoid making enemies of at least half the population. Stick to the FASTA technique:
Focus on your goals, not just on yourself.
Ask for other people’s opinions.
You can learn from others.
Say thank you. Always a good idea in any situation.
Treat everyone as your equal.
Other people know stuff that you don’t.
Allow yourself to fail.
You learn from your mistakes.
Sales Techniques
If you have something to sell, always PLAN in advance:
Prepare with research (don’t forget your 5 Ps)
Lose time, lose all
Analyze the situation
Never just call (always have a viable reason)
to make contact if you are making a “cold call.”
During a sales pitch, meeting, or presentation, these should be your AIMS:
Arrest the senses
Interest by questions and novelty
Move by proof and demonstration
Succeed in getting a “yes.”
Think ETC after the pitch has been made:
Evaluate the outcome
Teach yourself and others
Check for results.
How to Interview
The first mnemonic ajournalist learns is the five Ws and the H. The worst moment during an interview is when the subject gives only yes or no answers. Phrasing a question with these words gets people talking and should prevent single-word replies.
Who? When? Where? What? Why? How?
SMART
Use this mnemonic for setting goals. It’s a powerful tool for personal planning and kick-starting your career. Setting goals is all about knowing what you want to achieve and where to concentrate your efforts. You have to be SMART! Your daily “to do” list must be:
Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, Time bound
AIDA
Advertisers need to urge people to buy their products, so they design arresting images and messages for consumers. The key principles of advertising are:
Attract Attention — “Look at that!”
Arouse Interest — “Mmm, that looks interesting!”
Create Desire — “I want it!”
Urge Action — “N ow!”
Job Interview Techniques
Preparing for meetings is vital in business, and job interviews are possibly the most important meetings in your business life. Your aim at an interview is to sell yourself — you are the product. Hence the need for the STAR system:
Situation — Describe your previous experience regarding situations that you have managed successfully.
Task — Give details of exactly how you managed the situation. What was your contribution to the task? A tip from the professionals — don’t make it up, and don’t exaggerate, because you’ll be found out!
Result — Congratulations. You’re hired!
The above excerpt is a digitally scanned reproduction of text from print. Although this excerpt has been proofread, occasional errors may appear due to the scanning process. Please refer to the finished book for accuracy.
The above is an excerpt from the book i before e (except after c): old-school ways to remember stuff
by Judy Parkinson
Published by The Reader’s Digest Association Inc.; April 2008;$14.95US; 978-0-7621-0917-3
A Reader’s Digest book published in association with Michael O’Mara Books Limited. Copyright © Michael O’Mara Books Limited 2008
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