Search Results for: blog dont overlook the power of small talk

Pets Bring People Together

Way back when I first started writing for the Families.com Pets Blog, I wrote about how my father and I don’t always see eye to eye. If there’s only one thing we agree on, it’s our love for our four-legged family members. On the rare occasions that we chat on the phone, the main topic of conversation is the pups. How are my dogs, Moose and Lally? How are the dogs back in New Jersey? Who’s been to the vet, who’s got a new bad habit, what was the last three-dog walk like? (My parents have one dog and my … Continue reading →

Figuring Out the Right Questions to Ask

I have written about how asking questions and being a great listener can be the cornerstones of successful business communication and negotiations, but how do you know the right questions to ask? Is asking about the weather and the local college football team going to be enough to close an important sale? As a guideline, you want to learn to ask questions that are going to help you see where the other person is coming from—what he or she wants and needs, what the motivators and values are. This is how you will be able to figure out what you … Continue reading →

Conversation Starter Trick—What Do They Have in Their Hand?

Finding ways to get conversations started and smoothly approach new people at networking events can be a challenge for some. Starting from scratch can seem hard, and making “small talk” can seem daunting too. One “trick” for approaching people and starting up an introductory conversation is to see if they have anything in their hands, and use THAT as a jumping-off point. Now, granted, people don’t ALWAYS have something in their hands, but they often do. Often, they are carrying a book, magazine, or newspaper, or may be holding a purse, bag or datebook. Making a casual comment, or, even … Continue reading →

Work Those Relationships!

I don’t think that enough can be said about networking when it comes to building our home businesses. And, while it is important to constantly be fishing for prospects and looking for new relationships that could benefit our businesses, we have to pay close attention to our existing relationships too. If there was one phrase of advice I could give to anyone thinking about or already operating a home-based business, it would be to work those relationships! But, what does this mean? What it doesn’t mean is to pester and try to slam people into being more involved with your … Continue reading →