UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Mike Halliday on October 08, 2007, 10:01:48 pm
Title: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Mike Halliday on October 08, 2007, 10:01:48 pm
I cut & pasted this from an email i received
Grow your business through better networking
by Larry Galler
I’m a pretty shy guy. Always have been. But if you were to meet me at a convention, trade show, or networking event you’d never know it because I’ve learned to be comfortable in business situations since effective networking is a marketing tool I use to meet new prospects… and you can use it also.
I think shyness comes for being unprepared and those who come to a networking event unprepared are those who end up talking to the people they know rather than meeting new people and expanding their network.
Like most businesspeople, I attend a number of trade shows, expos, seminars, open houses, service club and Chamber of Commerce events every year. You probably go to them also. These are all an opportunity to learn, to socialize, and to meet new people while balancing a plate of cheese cubes, carrot sticks, meatballs, and a beverage.
While I have become coordinated enough to shake hands without spilling something, I have yet to overcome my amazement of the lame introductory comments of most people I meet. Most of them come unprepared and, because they have not prepared their message, they sound as if they (and the services or products they sell) are dull, generic commodities and therefore there is no reason why a prospect should select one over another.
This is what I hear: “I’m an accountant.” “I sell homes.” “I’m a mortgage broker.” “I’m a banker.” “I’m a financial planner.” “I’m a web designer.” Gosh, I even had a woman who owns a hair salon tell me, “I do hair!” Even though I’ve been bald for a long time, I wouldn’t go to her salon to have her “do” the little amount of hair I have left. Those dull, generic, answers announce their job titles, not the benefit of what they do, not what problems they solve, not why anyone should seek them out, not the differentiators that separate them from their competitors, not their passion for their work or for satisfying their customers.
Clearly every person I meet is unique. Each has reasons for working at the profession they have selected. They all have levels of expertise, specialties, and reasons for being at the event we have both attended, but they rarely, if ever, communicate their uniqueness.
Very few stand out. I don’t know about you, but I seek vendors who love their work, those are the people who take a craftsperson’s pride in their accomplishments and enjoy making their clients appreciate their efforts. And all that can come across in just a few words and a little “body language” upon meeting someone new… if you are prepared to engage the people you meet in conversation.
When you speak to someone new at these events, eventually the conversation gets around to talking about business and you have got to be prepared for that moment. Preparation consists of creating a very short answer to the opening question, “what do you do for a living?” Your answer should immediately engage the questioner in further, deeper conversation and, if you are well prepared, you will get that opportunity.
So, what is your response to the question: “What do you do for a living?” If it is, “I’m a carpet cleaner,” I’ll bet you can watch your new acquantence stifle a yawn while their eyes unconsciously roll up into their head! Compare that answer to this: “I help people enjoy their homes more by making them look fresh and sparkling clean.”
That’s more likely to get the question you want: “How do you do that?”
When the “How do you do that?” question comes out you have gotten your opportunity to show your passion, your excitement and pride in your work. You have just gotten permission to elaborate on your unique qualities, your certifications, the equipment and chemicals you use, the level of service you offer, the health benefits your customers receive, and all the other services you provide. You can leave a lasting good impression if you jokingly mention the pet stains you remove.
Now realize that this is something you are going to have to work at in order to sound natural. It is almost like being an actor in a movie. Actors look and sound like they are playing their roles as if it is natural, but it isn’t. They memorized a script. They practice saying the words. They practice their body motions and gestures and then they reherse with the other actors and the director coaches them to play their part so it is believed to be natural by you and me. I’ve learned to do that; you have to do exactly the same thing. In fact, I ask my clients to pretend that they are an actor playing the part of being… them. I know, it sounds stupid, but it really works.
So here’s how you can make the next function you attend a business-building function:
1. Write down your answer to the question, “What do you do for a living.” 2. Practice it out loud at least one-hundred times. Don’t give yourself the excuse that you don’t have time to practice because you can do it while driving to work, while in the shower, and while exercising so it won’t take any of your precious time. 3. Once you have the words memorized and sounding natural, practice it at least twenty times while standing in front of a mirror so you look natural also. 4. Go to your next business function with a goal of meeting at least two new people who you tell about your business so, when you arrive, please don’t run over to talk to the people who you know. Get into line for the veggie bits, cheese cubes, and meatballs behind someone who is new to you and start a conversation.
Next time you have the opportunity to meet someone new, don't be stuck for an answer and mumble generically. Be prepared! Excite their memory with your powerful, well rehearsed introduction!
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on October 08, 2007, 10:11:55 pm
Beautiful, I could cry ;D
I was once at a party and this American guy kept asking everyone what they did, my next door neighbour said "I'm an accountant", bloke across the road says "builder" another neighbour "solicitor", he then asks me "what do you do" and my reply was "what ever she tells me!"
Shaun
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Mike Halliday on October 08, 2007, 10:23:56 pm
I always introduce myself as a drug dealer :D :D
Mike
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: maxcarpets on October 09, 2007, 07:12:19 am
I liked to be known as 'THE PIMP'
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: David_Annable on October 09, 2007, 08:04:00 am
Hi
To be honest i read about half of that,i understand what he is saying & to a degree agree with it.
But the Americans dont seem to have a sense of humour, which we do.
Dave
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: lands on October 09, 2007, 08:26:12 am
I agree with that fully David it's just that their sense of humour is very different to ours. Mike's response is a good example of English humour and generic American psyche would not get it, in fact they would probably find it offensive (but I know many English that would too)
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: PaulKing on October 09, 2007, 08:33:46 am
Whenever I'm ask what do you do,
Always say "about 15 years if they ever catch up with me"
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Mike Osbourne on October 09, 2007, 09:10:42 am
It's like the story about the 3 bricklayers, one says he lays bricks, the other says he's building a wall and the third one says he's building (insert some grand design here)
I can't help feeling though you say I'm helping people make their homes...blah blah blah. They then turn to their mrs and say he's just a carpet cleaner, pompous sod.
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: The Great One on October 09, 2007, 10:14:11 am
Hi
Ray Croc (McDonalds founder) went to Harvard and asked the students..
'What's my business'?
Easy they said 'Burgers'
'No, that's my job, my business is Real estate'
McDonalds is the largest owner of real estate in the world. In every franchise agreement, the franchisee is buying the land under the property, when they finish with the franchise, the property and land goes back to the parent company.
Genius
Regards
Martin 8)
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Mike Halliday on October 09, 2007, 11:47:54 am
I actually think its a load of American waffle.
if I went a business meeting and I asked someone what they do and they said I help people enjoy the full multimedia experience of digital technology I'd say so you're an aerial erector ::)
but the important thing about this email is, you want the person you are talking with to either use your carpet cleaning services or recommend you to other people, so do you think it will make any difference what you call yourself?
you can say;
I'm a carpet cleaner
or you can say;
I help people enjoy their home & soft furnishing
niether will create interest if there is no interest in the first place. but if that person is at the moment looking for a carpet cleaner then either introduction will work
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: David_Annable on October 09, 2007, 12:00:34 pm
Hi
Dosn't carpet Cleaning Technician fit the bill ?
Dave
PS Any job discription with the word erection in it gets my vote !
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Mike Osbourne on October 09, 2007, 12:07:16 pm
I agree with you Mike in some respects, cos it really does sound like American cheese.
However I guess what it's trying to convey is how you think about your business and yourself which does have an effect on people.
I think however this comes out in a conversation anyway. The 'technique' of having your set piece at parties for networking does seem a bit trite.
Best thing you can do is be interested in the other person and ask how you can help them.
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Ken Wainwright on October 09, 2007, 12:45:39 pm
Many people (quite wrongly) look down their noses at people who are "just cleaners". For this reason, many people are uncomfortable with introducing themselves as cleaners. So.....
I'm a businessman, or I own a specialist carpet cleaning business, or I own a carpet restoration business.
Safe and happy business building ;) Ken
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: stuart_clark on October 09, 2007, 01:08:08 pm
I just say i have a licence to print money!
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: vangaurd on October 09, 2007, 01:11:36 pm
iam a soill liberater , the poop you shed is the poop we dread
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Matt Lindus on October 11, 2007, 04:51:27 pm
When the aristocracy or similar ask me what I do, I simply reply "I clean carpets" "Why you got a problem wi that" "Outside now you monical wearing ponce" "Comon then if you think you hard enough" "Yes you might cry, no one can hear you, stand up like a man" "Yes you will take a ride wi me in my transit" "Stop screaming"
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Mike Osbourne on October 11, 2007, 05:43:31 pm
I quite like saying I clean people's carpets.
I actually feel liberated by it. I don't feel I have to justify myself to anyone anymore nor try and impress them.
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: mark_roberts on October 11, 2007, 07:39:24 pm
I was at an event recently and the guy in charge was making conversation and went round the circle asking what we all did.
First off was a doctor then an accountant by the third person i could almost see everyone else trying to think of a fancy job title to make them sound better ie. fabrication engineer (welder), electrical installation engineer (spark), marketing excecutive (sales rep), property development (builder) etc.
I was last and just had a great month turnover wise so held my head high and said I ran a carpet cleaning business. He then started a conversation with me about carpet cleaning.
Moral is tell it like it is and keep it simple. People can see through the nonsence.
Mark
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Shaun_Ashmore on October 11, 2007, 08:59:05 pm
It's not what you say it's how you say it.
Well done Mark.
Shaun
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: RAM Cleaning on October 14, 2007, 10:37:21 am
i love going to any of the trade shows and they give you those poxy entrance badges with your company name and title on, i always use fibre restoration technician, and for my bouncy castle business, inflation and entertainment expert. Trade shows are usually for people trying to show off what they do but most end up looking klike Wa*$ers the old "im richer than yau" attitude, most General public will know you as a carpet cleaner and i think its best to be known by your customers that way, but doesn't mean you cant use something fancy when applying for credit or a mortgage lol, they wont know
Title: Re: what do you do for a living?
Post by: Doug Holloway on October 14, 2007, 10:57:49 am
Hi Guys
When I was younger I was embarrassed to say I was a carpet cleaner and would say something like a cleaning contractor because I thought it sounded better.
Now I just say I'm a carpet cleaner and whip out a card, did it last night in the rerstaurant we went to :o