Software Testing Information

Networking - The Secret To Getting Referrals

2010-01-14T08:57:00.004-08:00

I went to a breakfast meeting when I first started my business, and met a photographer who recommended me to an accountant who needed help with his newsletter. I wrote and designed newsletters for the accountant for a couple of years until the partnership broke up. He then recommended me to a telecoms company. I produced newsletters for them for nearly five years, until they downsized. Six months later, they recommended me to another telecoms company. A year later, the new owners of the business ordered a newsletter. The original accountant has also come back for more work. All because I went to one breakfast meeting, on one occasion!

That was lucky - you don't often get a referral the first time you meet someone. It's unlikely that someone who's just met you would say: "Ooh, good, you're just what I'm looking for, let me give you the money in my pocket or pass your details to my valued contacts".

More often, it takes time to build up the relationship, to generate the understanding in what you offer and what you're looking for, to develop the trust that you deliver what you promise, and to grow the goodwill that makes people like you and want to help you. Not everyone is ever understood, trusted AND liked to the same level.

The secret of getting referrals is to:

Be friendly and nice so people like you
Do a good job so clients recommend you
Always turn up when you say you will so people trust that you won't let them (or their contacts) down
Present yourself professionally so your confidence in yourself increases other people's confidence in you
Make a contribution to the group (whether it's by giving referrals, or joining the committee, or being the life-and-soul of every party) - as with anything, the more you put in, the more you get out
Be memorable to impress people you meet, especially any influencers who are extremely well connected
Communicate clearly so people know the kind of referrals you're looking for and how you can help
Have a unique marketing message to stand out from your competitors (such as a catchy slogan summarising your USP)

To give referrals, you have to learn the trick of keeping your contacts in the front of your mind all the time, so that whenever a conversation arises where it's appropriate to recommend them, you can make the introduction on their behalf. You need to change your mindset from 'me, me, me' and recognise that you are part of a team, a group, a network. Eventually, your networking colleagues become friends, and of course we all refer our friends as easily as our friends would refer us.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Barrie

Guerilla Networking at Holiday Parties

2010-01-14T08:57:00.003-08:00

This time of year, our schedules are packed with business holiday parties. Many of us enjoy them, and many dread them.

For some, holiday parties have become a necessary evil. Not everyone enjoys interacting with coworkers on a social basis, yet the pressure to make an appearance is strong.

How can we transform our experience of the corporate holiday party from dread to enjoyment? With a little bit of planning.

First, think about your goals in the workplace. While the holiday party is not a place to conduct business, it's a perfect setting to build the foundation for a future move.

Are you hoping to get promoted this year? Maybe you'd like to make a lateral move into another department. Maybe you're sick of your company and are getting ready to make a professional leap.

Once you're clear on your professional goals, assess the players you'll meet at the parties on your calendar.

If you're looking for a promotion, it may benefit you to get noticed by senior management. It would also behoove you to make your boss happy. Think about ways you can make this happen.

For example, a well-placed comment to a senior exec about something your boss accomplished this year, ideally made in front of your boss. Be careful, though, as everyone can sniff out a brown-noser. You want to make sure your comments are timely, relevant and genuine.

If you're looking to jump ship, think about what other departments or companies may be represented at your parties. If they are entirely made up of your departmental coworkers, keep in mind that they have friends and family at other companies and in other departments. Make it your job to learn who they are. Begin to think about how you might build connections with those folks in a way that is casual yet useful.

If you're going to a mixer where you'll meet people from across multiple industries, think about which industries or job functions are most interesting to you. You don't have to be plotting an immediate move, but it will always benefit you to have contacts across multiple industries.

Do some research about the people and industries that will be represented at your party, then zero in on a few of them.

For example, if you've always been intrigued by start-ups and you know that several early-stage software companies will be represented at your upcoming party, investigate those companies and the products they're rolling out. Look for recent industry news about local players and deals.

The research you do prior to a holiday party can prime you for some useful conversations. Not only will you have a basis from which to ask useful questions about an industry that interests you, but you'll also be well-placed to build relationships with professionals who will likely think you're in touch with the world.

No matter what your goal or audience, the number one way to build relationships is to show interest in others. People love to be the center of attention. They love to be considered the expert, and enjoy being asked about their experiences and opinions.

If you're feeling bored at a holiday party, approach someone you don't know well and ask them about themselves (be careful not to ask questions that may be considered too personal or controversial in a business environment, like religion, politics or romantic relationships). At the very least, you'll build a relationship that will make the party more bearable. At most... well, the sky's the limit.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Miriam_Katz

How to Answer Your Prospects Questions With Confidence

2010-01-14T08:57:00.001-08:00

Are you in some type of sales but don't like being pushing or defensive when your prospects ask you questions. This is very common for most of us in sales and even those of us that work from home who may or may not have had a traditional sales background. In this article we will discuss specifically a technique that I have used to personally market well over a million dollars worth of products from home. It's extremely simple, three key things are very important you have to have an incredible amount of integrity, be confident (integrity naturally helps with this) and don't talk too much.

First off you need to ensure that you have nothing to hide or are fearful that your client is going to find out something you don't want them to know. Just be real, legit and honest with people. Integrity still goes a long way with people. You will develop trust and build relationship with if you have an incredible amount of integrity. It begins first by not focusing on the outcome some will decide to work with you and some will not, so what! But if you can't create trust no one will work with you.

The second part that must be in place to execute this one technique is confidence. You have to be extremely confident to create confidence in your client or prospect. Integrity helps with this if you are honest and truthful then there is no "fear" that they may ask a difficult question or find out that one thing about your product/service on the internet. When you are confident it leads to increased trust and belief in you as a person. People like that and people will start to like you. Most people only buy something from people they normally like. We have all wanted a product or service and the salesman was a jerk or slimy and we walked or went else were. When you are not confident sometimes in answering question/objections you appear slimy unintentionally.

Third and final concept to utilize this one technique is not to talk too much. When a client or prospect has a question, an objection or ask for more information do not bombard them will all the facts and figures you know. They don't care what you know they care about that you care. Unintentionally we talk too much when someone ask a question. Often times it's with good intention we want our client to know everything they need to make a good decision. You should work to answer all questions precisely and to the point with as little words as possible. One way of knowing you have given enough information is just ask your client. Does that answer your question? As soon as they say yes you are finished stop giving more information it typically only leads to confusion and no one confused ever buys anything or makes a decision.

Ok now to understand the technique which I dubbed the "sandwich technique". First when a client ask a question you compliment the question, answer the question and then end with something good again. One example would be say you charge a membership for a website and the client says, " Ok it seems good so if I understand this correctly it's 69.95 a month and do I have to pay that every month"? Proper use of the "Sandwich Technique" is.

"Great question and I was concerned about the same thing when I saw this service. YES it is 69.95 a month every month. You can choose not to use the websites but at least at 69.95 a month your website and marketing system is taken care of without any additional work on your part. It's updated for us every year for free and if you choose to become an affiliate with it will become free after you refer 5 people to the website"

Stacy O'Quinn is a Christian Dad, Husband, Business Owner, Motivator and Business Developer. He currently focuses heavily on helping others create Six Figure Income from home. He's assisted several already and believes that the biggest key is being a real person and providing real guidance to a new person just starting up. He openly provides tips and techniques to anyone looking to work from home and he has a vision of creating 10 New Six Figure Income Earners.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stacy_O'quinn

Proud to Be a Networking Tart!

2010-01-14T08:56:00.000-08:00

Through my own experience of growing my business through networking, I identified this ladder of success:

Me Me Me

Most people quite naturally join networking organisations to get business for themselves. They are in it for Me Me Me.

Team spirit

It took me a year to realise that's not how it works. Maybe I'm a bit slow, but it took me a whole year to learn how to carry the rest of my group members in the back of my head between meetings, so that when I fall into conversation about mortgages, for example, I can recommend my mortgage broker team-mate from the group.

Network the network

Having had that light bulb moment, it didn't take me long to move up to the next level. When you join a formal networking organisation, you usually join a whole network of groups. If your discipline doesn't clash with existing members, you can sometimes present your business at any group. Offer to substitute for an absent member and you even get your breakfast free, while extending your own network and seeing how another group functions.

Networking tart!

These are the people who belong to more than one networking organisation and accept just about every invitation they receive. Instead of knowing about 250 people, like average business owners do, they know 1,000 people or more. So who do you think gives and gets the most referrals? Well, it's not the Me Me Me people, that's for sure. When you're a Networking Tart, giving and getting referrals is easy! You become known as a hub of useful contacts, so people come to you to ask 'Do you know a good accountant' and you can say 'Hey, I know a great accountant', would you like his contact details?'

So where are you on this 'networking food chain'? And more importantly, where do you want to be? Like anything, the more you put in, the more you get out. So if you give referrals to people in the group, people will give referrals to you. If you belong to a group full of Me Me Me people, no-one will win much business and the group will surely fail. I recommend you shop around until you find a group with at least one networking tart, and you'll find you are soon connected with lots of new business opportunities.

Jackie Barrie is a copywriter, designer and marketeer who specialises in making complex information appear simple. She calls it 'writing without waffle'.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Barrie

Networking Minute to Win It

2010-01-14T08:55:00.000-08:00

I visited a networking group to advise certain members how to trigger more referrals in their 1-minute. After our conversation I compiled this article to summarise some of the ideas we discussed.

General

Remember you are briefing your 'sales team' to go out and find you suitable referrals each week - you are not asking for business from the people in the room (although that may happen as a by-product).

Structure

Top and tail your presentation with the same information each week, and vary the middle bit (the filling in the sandwich). Start with your name and company name and perhaps a 'tease' that gets attention. At the end, repeat your name and company name, with your catchprase or slogan as a memory hook.

Your ideal client

I find that many members are very good at describing what they do, but are not so good at asking for what they want. OK, all of us want clients that have big budgets, pay on time and don't mess us around! But requesting those clients doesn't make it easy for the people in the room to find you a referral. Instead, why not take one industry in turn from your existing client list, and ask for referrals to more of the same.

Synergies

You can also ask for referrals to people in the same industry as yourself - for example, as a copywriter it is always useful for me to meet other writers, graphic designers, web designers, printers, photographers, and others in the creative industry. Not because they will become clients of mine, but because we might have potential clients in common, I could add value to their service offering, and they could add value to mine. So who do you know that would be useful to have in your own network?

Be specific

A Facilities Manager was at a training session in Croydon, and he asked 'Who do you know that works in the Canon building in Wallington?' He knew they had an ugly old air conditioning system hanging out of their windows, and he knew he could offer them a better one. Someone in the room put up their hand, they had worked in that building for 15 years and still knew people there! The referral was made.

But do you think it would have worked if Steve had said 'Who do you know that needs new air conditioning?' or 'Who do you know that needs a facilities manager?' I know it's tempting to cover everything you do at every meeting, but if you ask for something specific, and change it every week, just see how the referrals roll in!

Trust and understanding

Testimonials and case studies sell you more powerfully than anything you can say about yourself. People love stories about people. So use your 1-minute to talk about what problem you solved for your client that week, what the solution was and what results you achieved for them. This technique gives the other members the confidence to refer you.

Be seen as an expert

How about sharing a weekly 'handy hint'? People learn something useful, it demonstrates your expertise and generates enormous amounts of goodwill.

Show don't tell

A picture tells a thousand words! So, if you have a product, then bring it along. Use a prop to demonstrate your service. Bring examples of work you have completed. This makes your presentation stand out from the rest, and visually demonstrates what you do.

Networking guru, Andy Lopata, tells the story of the IT expert who presented a red lacy bra and a can of oil and said, 'We provide support and maintenance!' He meets IT people all the time but has never forgotten her or her sales message!

Jackie Barrie is a copywriter, designer and marketeer who specialises in making complex information appear simple. She calls it 'writing without waffle'.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jackie_Barrie

Networking For Your Christian Business

2009-11-04T05:09:00.004-08:00

The two powerful tools that help any business become successful is networking and leveraging. It is not unethical and it does not compromise either your faith or your business ethics. So as a Christian business owner, you can use these tools to help your business succeed.

Targeting your network

You are blessed. As a Christian business owner you have access to the best developed and powerful network of relationships that share the same value system. It is your very own personal network, built over mutual trust, often the same parish and church. Within this network you have your own centre of influence, comprising of people who know you well, who trust you. These are people who will prefer to buy from you and value your judgment. This is excellent for your business.

Make the relationship mutual

Remember, for succeeding in your business, you need to make your relationship mutual. This is not just excellent business sense, it is also ethical. These are people who trust you and purchase products and services from you. If you are benefiting from them, extend them the same favor. Healthy relationships are built on reciprocation. Your family can visit the dentist who buys from you and you can get your taxes done by a person who purchases from you.

Social Media Tools

Creating your own profile and networking using Facebook, Twitter and MySpace is an excellent way to do business. Sign up and make your profile. It is an excellent way of reconnecting with long lost friends and acquaintances. Moreover, often your renewed relationships will be beneficial for your business. This way you build both your personal as well as professional network. Social media tools give you another wonderful opportunity. You can use these tools to leverage and widen your social and business network. This in turn means a wider market for your goods.

However, you need to remember that there is a thin line dividing business and spamming. Be very careful. On social media sites you need to put business secondary and your interaction first. Otherwise you lose out a lot. People take offense and stop dealing with you altogether.

Use Forums

Here again as a Christian business owner, you have the advantage of becoming a member of a number of forums that have members of the shared faith and similar value system. You can join these forums, interact with fellow members and build your network. This often translates as greater traffic for your website and greater sales.

Create an effective, full proof follow up process

Have an efficient follow up system in place. You need to follow your referrals within the shortest possible time, so that you can reap the benefit. Your ideas should be clear and logical, your sales pitch convincing and it should not contravene your faith and your values. This will ensure that your customers will be comfortable dealing with you.

By following the steps outlined above, you can benefit from your Christian network to help you build your business in an efficient and responsible way.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Guy_Yancey

10 Business Networking Tips

2009-11-04T05:09:00.003-08:00

Business Networking is the process of establishing a relationship with other business professionals and potential clients/customers that benefits all participating parties.

1. Remember that networking is about being genuine and authentic. The ultimate goal is to build solid relationships through trust.
2. Ask yourself what your goals are in participating in networking groups or meetings. You should join groups that will help you find what you're looking for. There are several types of meetings. Be careful when making your selections because some are learning based or volunteer driven as opposed to being focused directly on making business connections.
3. Have business cards and/or marketing material on hand. If you're at a networking meeting, the ultimate goal is to connect with people. Most people aren't going to remember your name or your company website. Always be in a position to hand out business cards or marketing material. Your material should stand out in a way that encourages the recipient to want to go on your website or call you to learn more.
4. Be on TIME. Perception is everything. If you want people to use your services or give you referrals it's key to make a good first impression. Being tardy can give others the impression that you are not prepared or that you're an amateur in the industry.
5. Ask open-ended questions during your networking conversations. This means questions that ask who, what, where, when, and how as opposed to those that can be answered with a simple yes or no. This form of questioning opens up the discussion for real communication and it shows that you are interested in what the other party has to say.
6. Become a good resource. When others feel that you are knowledgeable in your industry or field, they will come to you for advice and/or a request for services. Don't you feel more comfortable doing business with someone you feel is an expert in their field?
7. Know Your Business. In order to get referrals, you must first have a clear understanding of what you do that you can easily explain to others. You should be able to explain what makes your company different and how it benefits others. Know why they should choose you over the competitor.
8. Be able to articulate what you are looking for and how others may help you. If you want help or to build connections, you have to be able to explain what you're looking for.
9. React quickly and professionally to referrals. When people give you referrals, your actions are a reflection on them.
10. Don't be afraid to contact those you meet who may benefit from what you do and vice versa. Express that you enjoyed meeting them, and ask if you could get together and share ideas.

Trena Stubbs, owner of Apex Bizness Solutions has over 11 years of experience in the small business industry.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Trena_Stubbs

It's What's Up Front That Counts

2009-11-04T05:09:00.001-08:00

Back in the day of cigarette advertising they were all emphasizing their unique filters. Why there filter meant so much more to your smoking enjoyment than any other brand.

A larger percentage of the population smoked back then so they were going after anything they could to get you to try their cancer sticks. Well, one company did them all one better and came out with the phrase, "it's what's up front the counts!"

Well of course, it was the quality of the tobacco that really made the difference, not the stupid filter. The same is true of a company, whether your typical mom and pop to the giant corporation to the network marketing company you may be considering today, it's what's up front that counts.

Who is leading the way? Who are they? What is their record? What is their vision? Who do they have along side? Plus anything else you want to add. Since I am mainly interested in network marketing companies and the majority of those reading this are at least looking or thinking about doing something from home, how does this apply?

The same.

How far a company goes. How well they do. Do they even get off the ground, depends almost solely on who is at the top. Make sure that the company you are looking at or are invited into has the very best of leadership. How long have they been in business and what is their track record? Have they done this before or is this their first ride on the merry-go-round? Do they have some age behind them?

Personal experience: We were invited to join a new company in 1997, pre-launch. A great idea with online marketing, in the early stages of web sites for doing business, etc. Again, great idea, good enough compensation, took off like gang busters, $10 million in sales the first few months and we were all happy with bigger checks every month. Except for the big problem, they had not done this before and were overwhelmed, couldn't keep up with the demand, implosion. Done. Dead in the water. They didn't have any kind of a track record, just a good idea. Not enough.

If you find a company being built or having been built by people who have done it before and been very successful, have all the resources in place, front office, field leadership, top in class product, very fair, no hoops to jump through compensation plan, other than willingness to work and meets the demands of the trend of this time, that should fit all of your needs. Is there such a company or maybe even a few? Sure there are, but do your homework. Then go to work and be successful because "it's what's up front that counts."

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Doug_Sandquist

To Network Successfully, Do What the Professionals Do

2009-11-04T05:08:00.000-08:00

There are two sides to filling a job opening. On the one side are candidates looking for a new job, and on the other are people looking for the perfect employee to fill their open position. The companies doing the recruiting often spend thousands to use executive recruiters, commonly known as "headhunters". While it might seem strange to pay a recruiter in an economy with such a huge candidate supply, there's good reason. Headhunters have proven their value by using tested networking strategies to identify the very best candidates. You can learn something from these recruiters about finding a job, as the same networking technique can be utilized in a very similar manner by job hunters with excellent results.

The Executive Recruiter Method

When a recruiter is contracted by a company, they begin the process by contacting people in the industry, or in similar positions in other industries, that they are hiring for. To do this, they will use a personal database of contacts, industry directories or professional association membership lists. These days, recruiters can also sort through networking sites such as Linked In® where millions of people have conveniently posted detailed resumes. The recruiter will call the people on the lists and ask the same question: do you know anyone interested in such and so job opportunity? They are seeking referrals from people that can put them in touch with qualified candidates that they may otherwise not find on their own. Then, recruiters contact the referred people and repeat the cycle explaining they are seeking a candidate for a particular job and ask for more referrals. Note that they always ask the same question: who do you know that may be interested in this job?

The goal of the process is to find the person that is interested in the job for him or herself. When that happens, the recruiter has hit pay dirt. The process now shifts to screening and vetting the identified candidate to see if they are worthy to bring to the hiring company.

Job Hunters: Learn From The Pros

The networking process used by executive recruiters can be reworked for job hunters with very positive results. By using the same personal database (or rolodex), industry directories or professional association membership lists any one can begin the same type of campaign. The twist is this: instead of asking potential candidates for job candidate referrals, job hunters ask contacts for referrals in companies that may have a job need or companies where they may want to work.

Do like the executive recruiters do. Did you notice how the recruiters did not ask if their referral wanted the job? They ask for more referrals. When they make the right call, the candidate will make themselves known.

Job hunters can use a similar process. Meet with contacts and describe your qualifications and the kind of job that you want. Ask for referrals. Your contact may not know of anyone with a job available but they know someone and that someone might be the connection to an opening. When the person with an opportunity meets you and hears your qualifications, they will bring up the opportunity to you - just as the right candidate did with the executive recruiter. Think not? The hiring manager is just as anxious to fill the job as you are to get it. When the right person presents him or herself the hiring manager will reveal the job.

Case Study

This very process has happened to me a few times in my career. The latest time was a few years ago. I got a call from an industry leader looking for someone with technology licensing experience in the industry, which I had. The recruiter asked if I knew anyone that may be interested. It must have been a frustrating search for her because when I told that I may be interested in hearing more about it, she responded with a "really!?" that was spoken with both surprise and relief.

Since then, I have turned the process around and helped candidates tailor and apply the executive recruiter method to their own successful job hunt.

Conclusion

The executive recruiting industry uses a proven technique for finding candidates for jobs. They have been so successful with the outcome that they continue to use it time and again and get paid handsomely at that. Why not take their technique and use it to match a job with a candidate - you?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Phil_Roth

Building Personal Bridges In an Impersonal World

2009-10-25T06:18:00.001-07:00

A poster on a message board asks for interview advice and receives fifteen suggestions within minutes. Another shares news of her baby and how her maternity leave is going, and she receives congratulatory messages within minutes and more the next day. Someone else tells about impending layoffs at his company, and within minutes receives messages of support and encouragement.

The three examples are from strangers who have formed a community based on a common bond: they are all part of the same Internet message board. There are hundreds of posters on the board, which is viewed by 25,000 people a day. There is a deep bond there, which is shocking to many Generation X'ers and Baby Boomers.

People do develop, form, and maintain bonds via the Internet. In this impersonal work world, it is possible to form bonds and bridges with people without meeting them face-to-face. It is possible to bond with employees who work at different locations, with clients and their different divisions, with industry leaders--all without a personal conversation.

Would forming deep connections with employees and customers help your company?

Rather than resist, fear, or doubt the use of building bridges, learn how to use the systems (social media) out there to make you, and your organization, more productive and profitable.

The following suggestions can help:

Be selective.

There is no need to join every media outlet there is, and then ask the same people to connect, friend, or follow you on each. Join the ones which will help you most and use them appropriately. For example, you might have family and friends on Facebook, business associates on LinkedIn, and a blog especially for clients. Someone who uses all five or so versions of LinkedIn then asks to be connected on everyone is annoying.

Be active.

Update blogs two, three, or four times a month. Twitter daily. Tweet news of blog updates. Update profiles to reflect changes in work, interests, or contact information. Participate in discussions. The discussions form the community, so join in. Avoid being the in-your-face salesperson in the discussions. Repeatedly posting about your company's value-added service is annoying and probably working against those who invade the groups.

Be useful.

Offer advice, when asked for it. Answering discussion questions helps the members of the community and shows your expertise. Share your expertise and give of yourself. For example, offering a free job search target & tracking system has led to revenue for Kelly Tyler Training Services. The system was given free, as promised, then companies wanted additional copies. Revenue is the direct result of using social media well, which means no annoying, constantly repeating sales pitches.

Be humble.

Several sites invite members to post status updates. Pause to consider what that means to readers and post carefully. For example, an entrepreneur twitters about his every move: "I'm starting the day with CNN..." a few hours later, "I'm getting ready for a lunch meeting"..."I'm back from lunch. Ate too much and am tired."

No one cares about his every move. Not to be rude, but the same can be said for any of us. A sales rep who travels for work posts status updates on Linked In about his travels, and they are dull! "Leaving for Mankato...ate at the airport...traveling for work is hard." Blah! Blah! Blah! Share news but make it interesting and useful.

Social media haters are wasting their time. A forty-something executive recently bragged at a meeting about his insufficient technical skills. "When I need something done, someone else does it. When I need to speak with someone, I call them on the phone, the old-fashioned way," he said in front of his open-mouthed peers.

An old-fashioned attitude may be preventing the executive from building bridges with employees who work around the world or with clients who do. As a leader of a high-energy agency, the executive should be seen as more updated, more modern. He may need to be more visible in his industry, unless he is comfortable being viewed as irrelevant. If he wants to build relationships in today's world, he needs to be more socially savvy with regard to social media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Tyler

Seven Secrets of Business Success

2009-10-25T06:17:00.004-07:00

Have you ever wondered about the measures that most successful business men and women have taken to gain the success they enjoy? There may not be a set formula, but those who have tasted such success would agree there are certain strategies that can have a dramatic effect on how well a business functions. We reveal seven secrets that could transform your business today:

1. The importance of networking
Many entrepreneurs will devote time to finding and cultivating relationships with key peers, mentors and advisers. These relationships are important for fueling future business and supporting the business with crucial needs. Make the effort to network with people who can help your business become better. Websites like Meeting Wave are being used by more and more companies as a means of business networking.

2. Be 100% customer focused
First identify your customers' needs and wants. What can your business do to make their lives better? Then be committed to delivering the best customer service possible. Master these two things and you will help form a loyal customer base on which to grow your business.

3. Know your weaknesses and strengths
Evaluate what your business strengths and weaknesses are. Don't place the majority of your efforts into resolving your weaknesses. Instead, focus on your strengths and help your company become one that excels in these areas. Mastery will gain attention from potential and existing customers.

4. Be adaptable
Nothing is ever certain, especially in the business world. As the world changes, so do people and their needs. Make your company one that is able to change and adapt according to these needs. Be willing to do things differently or offer different services if you see the need arise.

5. Keep looking for better ways
High productivity is a key function of successful businesses. Evaluate the way your business works and always look for ways to improve productivity. Examples of methods used to achieve this are technology, automation, outsourcing and improving business processes.

6. Balance your business lifestyle
It's easy to become totally consumed with your business. Many successful entrepreneurs agree it's important to maintain a healthy balance between business and personal pursuits. Plan your time well and you will develop a business life that is more enjoyable.

7. See failures and problems as opportunities
When you come up against a difficulty or failure in your business, turn it into an opportunity for growth. Problems are a regular part of business life but how you deal with them could be the difference between true failure and success.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Boyd

How to Get the Best Out of a Business Reception

2009-10-25T06:17:00.003-07:00

Everyone gets nervous the first time they attend a business reception because they may not know how to approach and meet people, and this makes them uneasy to the point where they decide not to go. What they don't know is that, with a little planning, they can get there and turn it into the best night ever, one that may change their lives for good! Here is how:

1. The first thing is to decide to go. Mark the date and start thinking about your wardrobe and the image you want to give. Practice the attitude you want to face the crowd with and be bold.

2. Think about what you want to achieve by attending this event and what is the best thing that could happen to you. Maybe you can make new contacts, learn something new, improve your self-confidence, or just have fun.

3. Do not forget your business cards! If you do not have any, make some for the event. When you receive one from someone, on the back, write where you met the person and some key notes about him or her and what he or she does.

4. Greet and talk to everyone. Forget about appearances, if someone is there, it is certain that they have something that could benefit you, and that is why you are there. Introduce yourself and ask them why they are there and how they learned about the reception. Invest around fifteen minutes per person, turn off your phone and be present.

5. Share your knowledge. Start interesting conversations, talk about yourself and make contributions on different topics. Beforehand, take the time to make a list of interesting topics you can talk about, like great restaurants, recipes you like, cool technology, funny anecdotes, or even a joke (but only if you are good at telling them!).

Approaching a business reception with a purpose and a positive attitude will guarantee your success. We are all capable of contributing, thus, allow yourself to open up and share, you never know who you will meet!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Boyd

The Power of Meeting the Right People

2009-10-25T06:17:00.001-07:00

"Knowledgeable people know facts. Successful and prosperous people know people." John Demartini

Networking has been recognized by many business leaders as one of the best ways to be successful socially and in business. It has been described as the highest form of service; people getting together to help each other for the benefit of all.

For someone who knows about networking, it becomes an inexpensive marketing tool, assisting him or her in getting new contacts, meeting the right people, finding a great job, or discovering new ways to be the best.

Business networking is an attitude, a way of seeing life that helps people relate in a new way to other people and to the resources available. Remember the saying: "It is who you know, not what you know"? It is absolutely true, and networking is the proof.

It has been proven that a referral is 80% more efficient than a cold call, that over 70% of jobs are secured through networking, and that for most people who have more than 250 contacts on their lists, hiring costs are virtually null.

So, what is the secret behind networking? How do you make it work for you? Very easy, help others succeed. When you do this, people will look for you. Here are some tips to improve your networking skills, increase your contact list, and become stronger professionally and personally.

1. Help others meet their goals. If you help them, they will help you back.

2. Host some networking events and make sure you meet everyone there.

3. Hand out business cards to everyone.

4. Keep in touch and follow up with calls, assistance and appropriate gifts.

5. Be grateful for any help you receive, acknowledge the giver appropriately.

6. Decline events that are meaningless to your goals, but do it politely and with class.

7. Ask for help in a direct but courteous way.

8. Request advice from your new contacts as to who could help you with a specific project or idea.

9. Become a member of professional organizations that promote networking and skill development.

10. Become a renowned networker with a valuable and respected network.

Today, networking is recognized as a lifestyle, as a way of doing business and as a way of helping other people reach success. It is a direct way to care about others and support them, creating long lasting relationships, quality connections, and even friends for life.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jonathan_Boyd

7 Ways to Stand Out From the Crowd

2009-09-17T05:19:00.002-07:00

When most business owners think of growing their business, they usually think of advertising. But you know what? If your business has been up and running for a while, then you already have a customer base and it's likely that you also have prospects and business associates. Business associates are generally other people in the same or related businesses as yours. You see them at conventions, networking events, etc. They may be your vendors or suppliers. They may even be "competitors." The big "aha" here is that these areas are where you should be doing the bulk of your marketing.

Let me explain. A study was done with 1,000 Harvard Business School graduates who have been in business for at least 5 years. They were asked where the majority of their sales came from. Of the 85% who responded to the survey, it was found that over 60% of sales came from repeat business. Then these same graduates were asked how much of their marketing budget was dedicated towards those existing and repeat customers. Get this - NONE! Not one marketing penny was spent towards those customers!

So what does this mean for you? I'm glad you asked! (you WERE going to ask, weren't you?)

Since most businesses are doing the same old same old, and since you want to make yourself stand out from the crowd and more importantly, make big bucks and become a household name, should you do what most businesses do? Or should you take advantage of a market that they are either unaware of or just ignoring altogether?

The correct answer her is that you want to do what the others are NOT doing.

Well, what are some good ways to do exactly that? Here are 7 things that you can do to make yourself stand out from the business "crowd."

1. Network: Get out and press the flesh. Meet and greet. Get to know people personally and face to face. Ask questions. Share common interests.

2. Help Others: Be the "go to" person. Who was it that said, "You'll get what you want by helping others get what they want?"

3. Follow-up: You have to honor your commitments! If you told someone you'd call or meet them, or get them information, or connect them with someone, DO IT! And do it quickly. If you just met someone, reconnect with them while you are still fresh in their mind.

4. Planning: Decide what you want BEFORE you take an action. Otherwise, you'll possibly be wasting time and energy in the wrong direction and with the wrong people.

5. Goal setting: Can't have a plan until you decide where it is you want to go. After setting your goals, break them down into smaller time restricted increments. This makes them attainable in your mind and also gives you a ruler to see where you are and how far you have yet to go.

6. Stay In Touch: O.K. you've followed up and you've begun to form relationships. Do you think you should deepen them or maintain them? Do this regularly and it will pay off big time.

7. Referrals: Is is possible that your customers and friends may know others who would want your products or services? Why not ask? This is a great untapped market!

Some of these actions may seem obvious and no-brainers, but you would be surprised how many business don't put them into practice. As you've seen from the Harvard survey, even many of the big boys don't do the basics. Don't let that be you!

To your business success!

Networking is not sales! Networking is creating relationships that can lead to sales.

If you've ever wondered if you should network or how to network effectively, then we can show you how it can be done while having fun at the same time. Networking is the marketing strategy that can super-size your business without gaining all those ugly pounds or raising your cholesterol. If you're a people person, networking is for you. if you're not a people person, this can help you overcome your fears while profiting.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Blumenfeld

Networking With a Purpose in This Tough Economy

2009-09-17T05:19:00.001-07:00

Networking has always been important to business professionals. However, as we have seen in this tough economy, it has become an indispensable skill. It seems as though most people don't think about the value of networking until they are in a job search mode. Networking will build your reputation, raise your visibility and profile, and will provide hidden job opportunities.

Networking means developing a broad list of contacts with people you've met through various social and business functions, and using them for mutual interest or support. When you're looking for a job you can benefit greatly from having an extensive network. Statistics have consistently shown that at least 65% of all jobs are found through networking. People may introduce you to others to help expand your network, provide job leads, or offer advice and information about a company or industry. You can also grow a new business and customer base, develop relationships with individuals that offer services or products that you don't, or simply learn something new.

A good starting point in developing your network is with family, friends and within your community. Talk to former bosses, co-workers, and individuals you have met in your industry at professional organizations, conferences, and trade shows.

Familiarize yourself and use the social and business networking sites such as LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and blogs. Join industry related "Groups" on LinkedIn to increase your visibility, network, find resources and share information with other like-minded individuals in the "Discussion Tabs".

Explore organizations dedicated to business networking like chambers of commerce, and networking/social clubs that meet your professional and social interests. Check out the following websites for ideas and calendars of professional and networking events:

• Aggregate networking event website - networkinchicago.com.
• Chicago business networking events site - networkingmonkey.com.
• Site for groups of people with shared interests and identifies events by zip code - meetup.com.
• Calendar of events for different organizations/professions-calendars - techvenue.com/cgi-bin/techvenue.pl?CalendarName=USMidwest.
• Number one business events calendar in the world - garysguide.org/.

Write articles, give seminars, webinars and speeches. These are great ways to become involved and get your name out. Also, volunteer for committees that might launch into something for you.

The key to networking success is to regularly tend and water your networking garden. Building a strong network takes time and will provide you with better market penetration than you could never dream of on your own.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Toby_Nathan

Business Networking - You're Doing it Wrong

2009-09-17T05:18:00.000-07:00

Networking is something that every business owner will consider at some point. But few know what they're letting themselves in for and even fewer know how to do it properly. With that in mind, I present the following list of Dos and Don'ts in the hope that you're experience of networking will be better than my early attempts were:

DO wear something comfortable. But don't turn up in a gravy-stained Tee shirt and sandals no matter how comfy they are.

DON'T feel that you have to wear a suit. This is especially true if you've gained a few pounds since you bought the damn thing, trust me on that. If you're more the smart casual type, then go with smart casual.

DO take business cards with you, even if all you can get are the print 'em yourself type. Cards can be expensive and spending money where you don't need to won't get you more jobs.

DON'T push your card at everyone you meet. Many first timers (and some old hands) think that handing out cards is the only point of networking. It isn't. Worse, some people find it very rude to have business cards thrust upon them. If people want your card, they'll ask for it.

DO relax. Although it can feel like you're on show, most networking groups are quite informal. Have a drink if one is offered, but try to make it a soft drink. Alcohol can get real bad, real quick, even one makes my mouth water so I drool when I speak. If this sounds like you, do yourself a favour, stick to water or juice.

DON'T wait for oohs of admiration when you announce what it is you do. I caught myself doing this a few times. "I'm a writer," I'd say as I looked around the small group before me, letting them soak it in. I may as well have asked them if they'd like to touch me. I looked like an idiot, and so will you.

DO mingle and talk to as many people as you can. If you're shy you might be tempted to play it safe and only talk to people you know. That really does defeat the object of networking, so get over it and go mingle. Getting your face known is what networking is all about.

DON'T spend all night talking about you. I can guarantee right now that most of the people in that room will be thinking sell, sell, sell. Don't be one of them. If everyone's selling, then nobody's buying. Dale Carnegie - How to Win Friends and Influence People - says the best way to get people to like you is to let them talk about themselves. That should be your goal. Tell them who you are. Tell them what you do. Now, ask about what they do. Ask them why. Ask how they got into this business. Ask about their hobbies and family. Trust me; you'll make a better impression on people using this method.

DO consider how you can help everyone you meet. Even if you have no use for an office cleaner or a trouble-shooter or whatever, you might know someone who does. People remember people who have helped them in the past, so be helpful.

DON'T think that going to one networking event will be enough to get your phone ringing with job offers. It might... but it probably won't. Networking is something that you're going to have to stick with. The more you do it, the more people you'll meet. Soon, they'll get to know you and because you're following Dale Carnegie's advice, they'll remember what a friendly person you are. That's when the phone will start ringing.

DO expect to try a few networking groups before you find one you like. Some are more formal than others. Some require you to find referrals for other people before you're next visit. Some are in the morning. Some are in the evening. Some are just like meeting you're friends at the pub. There are plenty of groups in every town so take your time and try them out. Chances are you'll get a few invites from your new networking friends. I got three from my first group. Are you beginning to see how it works?

And DON'T forget to have fun. As much as networking is about business, it's also about making friends.

Hopefully, you now have a better idea of what to expect, and how to act, when you go networking. You've no excuse for not having a bunch of success, so have at it and good luck.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_Parkin

Networking to Make a Sale

2009-09-17T05:14:00.000-07:00

The buzzword, these days, is networking. Social networking via sites such as Facebook, Twitter and MySpace are no longer simply ways for college friends to keep in touch or post photos. They are how businesses attract fans and patrons, how celebrities maintain a coveted position of fame (think Ashton Kutcher and Twitter), and how bands get their music heard often for the first time. As a real estate agent, you can use social networking sites to keep in contact with other realtors and keep a pulse on the market/competition. But will Facebook help you sell a home? Probably not; to do that, you may need to rely on a different form of networking - face-to-face.

Face-to-face networking is a tool you should rely on regularly to help get the word out about a home you have recently put on the market or a business about to go up for sale. It will work much faster and more efficiently than depending solely on the sign in the front yard and a fervent hope that someone driving past notices the balloons you've bought for an open house. However, networking can also be tricky. There is more to it than smiling at an average Joe on the street, so here are three tips for how to network and make the sale.

1. Know your target audience - if you are selling a small commercial building ideal for a boutique or café, you do not want to network with CEOs and big business executives with little to no interest in starting their own small, unique company. If you are selling a home perfect for a young couple just starting out, don't network with well-established families working on their third or fourth child. They won't fit in the house. They'll know it, and your sale will be lost. Find the people who will make and can make the purchase.

2. Go to a networking event - Networking events are common and frequent. You can actually take advantage of almost any event within Austin to advertise your name, face and product. But again, know who you are targeting. Do the research to see what is happening when and where, and be selective. You don't want to waste your time trying to interest prospective buyers at an all day beer fest. It's likely they won't pay a moment of attention, and if they do, they may not remember it in the morning.

3. Follow up - it is not enough to go to an event, shake hands, pass out cards and mention briefly the home two blocks from Austin's Sixth Street you just put on the market. You have to continue the conversation. Get the person's information and make a call the next day or, at the latest, the next business day. Show that you are committed to the product - the house - you are selling and that person will likely call you back, meet with you and settle down to discuss the intricacies of purchasing and taking out a mortgage on the home.

There are many other ways to maximize the outcome of your networking efforts. Above are three basic. But don't be afraid to discover and adopt more rules of networking. The more you know, the better you'll be and the more houses you'll sell.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joe_Cline

Four Reasons Why Introverted People Can Be Excellent Networkers

2009-09-10T23:44:00.003-07:00

Contrary to the popular belief of both introverted and extroverted people, both personality types have characteristics that can help them be excellent networkers. Sometimes extroverts assume they are the best networkers because of their willingness to meet and interact with large groups of people. There is also the misconception that all introverts are shy or aren't engaging personalities.Introverts have just as much personality as extroverts, they just express it differently.

Here are four reasons why introverted people can be excellent networkers.

1. Networking is all about developing mutually beneficial relationships.

The key to starting a relationship is to make the other person feel appreciated and to show them that you are interested in them. Extroverts can meet a lot of people in a short amount of time through high-energy social interaction, but networking always comes down to one person interacting with another. Introverts prefer to have fewer and deeper relationships, so they will use their one-on-one people skills to help them cultivate constructive relationships.

2. Listening skills are vital to learning about other people.

People want to feel that they are being heard. And, to help them solve problems, you've got to hear them talk about their needs. Because introverts are less assertive in speaking, they are less likely to control the conversation. But this means that the other person is much more likely to steer the discussion toward whatever is heaviest on their mind. This creates an opportunity for the savvy networker to help solve the problem through an introduction, giving them a referral, or knowing how to solve it themselves.

3. Networking is about connecting people who can help each other.

Introverts tend to enjoy an inner world of deep thinking and problem-solving. Inside this inner world can be a great deal of knowledge and experience that can be put to use to help other people within their network. While an introvert may know know "everyone" (as people assume extroverts do), but if they will spend time reviewing their resources and know-how, they will become a valued friend to those they help.

4. Maintaining connections is vital to building long-term relationships.

With fewer contacts, introverts can put more resources toward keeping in touch with the people in their networks. They have stronger ties to fewer people. Even though the theory of "weak ties" (we get a greater variety of information from people outside of our tight circle) suggests introverts may be at a disadvantage, they can actually turn this to their favor. They may have fewer relationships themselves, but the stronger ties they develop should give them greater access to the people their contacts know.

Conclusion

While introverts may have to work a little harder at some aspects of networking, their personality style doesn't mean they are at a disadvantage. In fact, some skills that are vital to developing a strong network of mutually beneficial relationship depend on the strengths of introverts, including listening, staying connected and problem-solving. If you are an introvert, don't let those extroverts convince you that they have superior skills. Stay focused on your strengths to become a successful networker.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Bridges

Why Introverts Can Enjoy Networking at Trade Shows

2009-09-10T23:44:00.001-07:00

It seems like a contradiction: trade shows attract large crowds, but introverted networkers don't enjoy big groups of people. But there are characteristics of trade shows that make them a terrific venue for introverts to meet people, gain exposure, and learn more about their business environment.

Introverts like to study a situation and take their time before moving into a conversation or other interaction. But they feel self-conscious about standing by themselves at a mixer, after-hours, or other networking event. While they might be deep in thought, they worry that the might look anti-social. But at a trade show, you can just walk along at your own pace, not saying anything, just taking it all in, and you won't look out of place.

While extroverts tend to not worry about talking to strangers, introverts can hesitate about making the first move. But at a trade show, you don't have to initiate the conversation. Approach a booth, pick up some literature, and the person behind the table will start the conversation! How easy is that?

Trade shows are also a great way to be seen (be sure to wear a name badge). Remember, it's not as much about who you know, as who knows you. Introverts can promote themselves and their business without saying a word by dropping a business card into giveaway basket. Sure, you'll get a sales letter or call, but at least they'll have been exposed to your name, title, and company, at least once or twice.

Other great advantages of attending trade shows:

* You don't have to engage if you don't want to. You can look and listen without feeling out of place.

* No need for small talk, the topic of conversation will obviously be about the show and the exhibitor booth you're visiting.

* You don't have to talk about yourself if you don't want to.

* You can pick and choose among the many exhibitors to find the few that are the most relevant.

For introverts, trade shows are a great way to gain exposure and make a few, specific contacts without having to engage in the activities that make them feel uncomfortable. Plus, there's a nice bonus of refreshing your supply of pens.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Bridges

Business Networking and Biographies

2009-09-10T23:43:00.002-07:00

Business networking is a way by which business opportunities are created through networks of like-minded business people. It is nothing but a way of connecting business people. A network of professionals to connect, educate, share information and establish new business relations.

The process of getting to know people and interacting with them is the beginning of networking - and in turn growing your business. Networking can help establish you and your business as a vital part of the business community, and give you the opportunity to show yourself as a leader in your field. A business biography is a place where you find biographies of noted and professional Business Personalities. It can be considered as an invaluable reference and networking tool. It describes their professional history, their areas of expertise and then offering unique opportunities to interface globally, the ability to meet and network online. It is a place where you will get to know answers to your queries corresponding to your niche. Business networking directories like Who's who refers to publications, generally containing biographical information on a particular group of people.

The business biography includes famous and noted people and can network with like minded individuals which ultimately results in independent recognition and provides expanded business information.

The who's who registry comes in various formats like:
Hardcover registry: The Hardcover registry is used as a highly professional reference tool that can be displayed in homes and offices.
CD-ROM Registry: The CD-ROM is an invaluable and unique tool that does not require Internet access and is user friendly, high speed and efficient.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kenn_McCarthy

Lesson 3 - Developing Your Personal Network

2009-09-10T23:43:00.001-07:00

Lesson #2 provided some very basic, yet practical steps in developing your professional network. As discussed, your personal network can also have a significant impact on your goals whether they be personal or professional. Let's take a look at why you need to develop both simultaneously, and how to do that.

Developing both networks at the same time provides exponential opportunity in achieving your goals, whatever they may be. As mentioned previously, I know your personal network is much more powerful than your professional network. Why? Because they people in your personal network have experience with you and can lend significantly to your abilities and credibility. These people can refer you for a new job, or act as references for previous work done. Also, these people can cast a net for you amongst their networks that are FAR further reaching than yours that stands alone. Remember, we are all thought to be connected through only six degrees of separation. In other words, I know someone, that knows someone, that within six people can connect to EVERYONE IN THIS WORLD! Amazing power in networking! So, let's now list a few steps on how to develop your personal network as well.

1. Make a list of everyone you know in your personal network.
2. Highlight those contacts that correlate with the objectives you are trying to achieve.
3. Make contact with those individuals and inform them of your ideas and goals, and let them know unashamed that you NEED THEIR help in achieving those goals.
4. Offer some sort of incentive for their help. Everyone in your personal network will more than likely want to help you achieve your goals, but offering them an incentive like a golf outing, or tickets to the next sporting event will provide a bit more motivation for them to help you out, and will more than likely assure they will help you again in the future. Try NOT to take advantage of any of your relationships.
5. STAY in contact with these people on a frequent basis. Where you only contact some of your professional network possibly once per quarter, you need to maintain consistent, frequent contact with your personal network.
6. Ask your personal network to share their goals with you so you can help them any way you can. "Giving back" not only helps your friends, but will provide personal fulfillment and satisfaction that can only be attained through helping others.

Again, these are very basic networking steps, but if followed, will insure you maintain your network that will always be available to you when needed. Lesson #4 will discuss the available social and professional networking sites that are at our disposal in today's high tech world. Utilizing these sites properly will again help you achieve your goals much faster than ever before. Until next time...

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Michael_Tergerson

How to Dress When Business Networking

2009-09-10T23:42:00.000-07:00

If you don't want to damage your business without even having a conversation yet in business networking events, then you will want to read this article. The 3 best ways to dress when business networking are to go for stylish professional look, consider what impression you're trying to make, and to keep in mind that how you dress can have an effect on your performance - so the saying goes "dress to impress". After reading this article you should be able to dress for any business and networking events with peace of mind.

Going for professional look with style, you can never go wrong. Sadly some people still make the mistake of wearing too casual clothes or looking untidy and unkempt. At the same time, some people at the end of the scale goes too far and dress too flashy and over dressed. It's not a friend's slumber party nor is it a cocktail dress party, so dress for success but always remember this is business networking event. Dress your business attire up with stylish accessories. For the ladies, experiment with earrings, necklaces, bangles and scarves. Gentlemen on the other hand, experiment with your neck ties, shirt colors and tie pins. Be creative and flamboyant here!

When dressing up for these kind of business networking events consider the kind of impression you are trying to make. Because first impressions do usually tend to last so make your first impression the right one. It's not just your clothes that makes the whole appearance impression on people, it's also your smell. So remember to check before you attend the event for any garlic, smoke or any unlikely smells. Even your aftershave or perfume, is it too overpowering? Because some people have sensitive noses so too much perfume or aftershave can make them uncomfortable.

"Power dressing" didn't come out of nowhere. It does hold true especially on how you dress when business networking. We cannot help that people first judge us automatically based on our appearance. Wearing business or professional attire certainly gives us a sense of success and accomplishments. And what we feel affects our behavior and performance. So choose to dress up in clothes you feel successful in, so during the event you'll project that aura to everyone.

As it is a business networking function or event, this calls for professional or business image attire, but adding stylish touches here and there and voila, you will stand out from the crowd and not looking like everyone else. Also remember the impression you're trying to make and be aware that your clothes do have an effect to your demeanor. Now you know how to dress when business networking, get out there and dress for success!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Larissa_Martin

How to Be a Better Business Networker

2009-08-30T03:33:00.004-07:00

Business networking has been a core part of all types of businesses and with the introduction of internet business in its various types and forms; it is almost inevitable for any person doing any kind of business not to become a networker.

First of all, we would like to know, what business networking is all about. Business networking is the establishing of relationship with other business people, and potential customers and clients. This relationship has to be mutually beneficial for business networking to work. It is a way of pulling your connections, both personal and business in order to have steady supply of new businesses. It is all about relationship building.

Business networking is not an easy venture because you have to be focused; you have to take a meaningful step each day to ensure that your networking is making a positive impact in your business. It must be strategic and proactive.

Here are five principles you should apply, to become a better networker.

1. Drop the "What is in for me attitude"?: We all know that the main aim of business networking is to get more people interested in your product and service but that should not be the main focus whenever you are in a networking meeting or forum. As I said earlier, the relationship has to be mutually beneficial, meaning that just as you want something from someone, that person also wants something from you, and as the Good Book says, "It is more blessed to give than to receive" so your main focus should be what I have to give before I receive.

2. Participate fully in all network activities: It is very common to see in a meeting or organization where some people criticize anything their leaders do, but when you call on then to lead they refuse and they hardly volunteer whenever the need arises. This is a very bad attitude for a business networker. A much as possible, you should participate in all activities and functions. It is not all relationships that you will benefit from but you have a lot more to gain from developing relationships that you loose from being on your own.

3. Build relationships: Sometime we make mistakes thinking that networking is all about meeting people, exchanging business cards and after the event, the cards end up in your drawers or worse, in the trash. This is not business networking. You have to get to know people, make friends with them, complement them when necessary and call them up to know how they are doing from time to time. This will help to build relationships between you and your clients.

4. Be the first to give referrals: Still on the point of giving before receiving. Be the first to give referrals before expecting to receive. When you give, you inspire that person to want to give also and like they say, what goes around comes around. I can assure you, it would come around.

5. Listen: Communicating is not a one way street. To be a good communicator, you have to be good in both talking and listening, one cannot work without the other. Imagine you ask someone how the expansion of his business is going and he tells you all about what he is doing and blabs a whole lot more and before you know it, he asks your opinion on a particular issue. You are dumbfounded, not because you don't understand but because you were not listening to what he was saying not even a bit. Imagine how hurt such a person will feel and this can actually destroy your relationship with that person and you never know how many people he can tell about the terrible listener you are.

With this few facts, I hope you will start thinking about being a good business networker, it is not easy, because it pays.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Etuokwu

Twitter - Delete Your Followers!

2009-08-30T03:33:00.003-07:00

Do you remember the days when it was a daily occurrence to get spammed on MySpace? I was frequented by at least two sex bots, four bands and an empty profile almost every day. These are issues that made Facebook what it is today. Facebook has stronger filtering systems and a more difficult registering process that help to remove computer programs that create random profiles for God knows what purposes. As both of these sites matured, a new service arrived that is most commonly known as Twitter.

Twitter emerged from an age where Facebook was eating the MySpace footprint but it still seemed as if the percentage of people who logged on and stayed on continued to drop. What do people visit these pages for anyways? A recent study indicated that a whopping 81% of people that have a profile on MySpace or Facebook primarily log on to check for new messages, update their status and browse recent bulletins (or wall posts if you are a Facebook user). Twitter targeted the most common reasons for visiting these sites - updating your status. It seems, though, that spam bots are at it again and targeting people by simply 'following' them. So, what sort of harm could this do to you? After all, it only adds to the number of followers you have, right?

As social networking grows to be one of the first source employers are turning to for information on potential hires, business to consumer connection and personal branding, it is incredibly important to maintain your 'Big Three' on a daily basis. When I say maintain, I don't mean to just check for new messages or tweets, I mean to actually maintain your profile. Now more then ever, it is imperative to ensure you are not what I like to call a 'follower whore'. Younger generations love to build their number of followers and do whatever it takes to have more 'friends' than the next person, regardless if it is a real person with valuable input or not.

I suggest that with every new follower; take the time to do the following:

1 - Review their profile.

2 - Read recent tweets and consider there value to you.

3 - Look for how often they tweet.

4 - Check the number of followers vs. following.

5 - Decide to follow them or not.

6 - If necessary, delete.

Let's break that down. If you cannot take the time to review someone's profile who took the time to follow you, you are not considering what others could bring to the table that may improve whatever it is that you are doing. Take a look at their recent tweets and if they post things that are interesting, compelling or even funny - follow them! By looking at their tweets you can also tell if they are spamming advertisements, are a real human or not and even see how often they tweet. You do NOT want to follow someone who tweets every two minutes! This will only make it more difficult to filter your tweets whenever it is you login and if you have every tweet texted to your mobile device, I sure hope you have unlimited texting! After that, quickly take a peak at how many followers they have versus how many people they are following. If they are following 10,000,000 people and have only 9 followers.... there's a problem - they obviously don't have anything valuable to offer anyone.

At this point, you should be able to properly determine if you should or shouldn't follow them.

"So, why would I delete someone?"

If someone (or something) is following you and you don't see a relationship there or you aren't Ashton Kutcher, delete them. I know that it may seem really neat to have a large number of followers displayed on your Twitter homepage but what isn't cool is when someone of importance (future employer, business partner, investor or client) decides to browse your followers to see what type of people felt your updates were of value and sees nothing but spam/porn bots. There are three points here. First, don't accumulate followers who do nothing but follow and second, don't be the follower that gets deleted. Offer value in your tweets, have fun with them and add personality. If used properly, Twitter can be a great place to meet new people, learn new things and promote you and/or your business. Finally, maintain what I call your online portfolio. Log into these websites daily and update your content, create something fresh for other people to enjoy. After all, networking requires more than just yourself - that's why it's called Social Networking.

If all else fails and you love bots, do yourself a favor and mark your profile and tweets as private.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Joshua_Hays

How to Stay Connected and Build a Massive Following of Raving Fans

2009-08-30T03:33:00.001-07:00

One fun and easy way to build your business and expand your network is to simply stay in touch. Many people overlook this simple, yet very effective way of staying connected with people and growing their business.

Here are a few ways you can expand your network, create raving fans, and have fun (isn't that what it's all about anyways!).

1. Follow up with people that you meet. Whether you send a card, make a phone call, or pass along a resource - the best way to create fans and have people remember you is for you to stand out and do something different. So I want to encourage you to follow AT&T's famous slogan "reach out and touch someone." (And perhaps, not just by email)

2. Thank people. Yep, that's right - do what mom always said and say thank you when someone does something nice for you. Be sure to do this in both your personal and professional life, from attending dinners and social gatherings, or from receiving referrals or getting a new client.

3. Contact someone for absolutely no reason, ask for nothing, but say I was thinking of you and wanted to see how you were doing. This time think Stevie Wonder "I just called to say...."

4. Remember their birthdays, anniversaries, children's birthdays and so on. Holidays work well too! Have you read Mr. Schmooze? This is a great short read on building relationships by paying attention to what really matters in people's lives. I highly recommend this for building your network.

Staying connected means setting yourself apart from the rest. Do something that stands out, makes a difference, and brightens someone's day and you will be sure to create a massive following of raving fans.

If you are wondering how you can stay connected and manage all of these things with a simple click of a button I highly suggest this program - Send Out Cards. You can even send a FREE card out on me! Visit my website for details.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andrea_Costantine

Business Networking at Its Best

2009-08-30T03:30:00.000-07:00

There was a time when most of us got a lot of reinforcement at home as we were growing up on how important it is to get along with others. Our parents, and later teachers and even coaches and ministers, pushed us beyond our comfort zone to give speeches, apologize for our mistakes and show good sportsmanship. Sometimes we hated it; later we admitted we needed it. Now with so many other issues drowning parents and teachers the development of social skills has fallen off the radar. The same situation exists in adult education, where the focus on being "job ready" has become so intense that many basics are being ignored.

No matter how sophisticated we believe we are, and no matter how focused on technology the research tells us that those old fashioned lessons on getting along still matter. Studies show us over and over again that people would rather work with someone they like, even if that person is incompetent. And by now we have all heard that "people quit bosses, not jobs". So understanding what makes you likable and being able to get along matters, even after we grow up and leave the play ground. Below are a few tips for those who have trouble getting started on this journey.

Do:
• Face the fact that social skills matter even in business. You may think it's not fair; you may be introverted and wish people would just leave you alone, but the society we live in values the ability to "work and play well with others".
• Pay attention when people talk to you. Look up from your desk or computer screen and make eye contact. Listen and respond to questions.
• Smile and show interest in your coworkers and colleagues. You don't have to engage in all day gab fests. Just put aside a few minutes each day to greet people at work; connect with them and then move on to your job duties.
• Consider getting some help from a specialist like a social skills or executive coach, or join a networking group for practice.

Don't:
• If you're introverted...don't try to convince a world of extroverts (the majority of the population) that they need to be like you and that social skills shouldn't matter. This will be a waste of your time and sound like "sour grapes" to those around you.
• Point out every mistake others make. For example, you don't need to correct grammar in a casual conversation. Save your critical eye for final copies of important documents and key presentations.
• Tell everyone over and over again about your impressive education and credentials. If people really want to know about your background they will ask.
• Stay holed up in your office for days at a time without "socializing" with your coworkers. Even if you are swamped with work, make time to say hello to people in the office. Your concentration on your job could be misinterpreted as standoffish or antisocial behavior.

Remember:
You want to be liked for positive attributes like being approachable, honest and easy to work with. Don't sacrifice your professional reputation or personal ethics in the name of being liked. Petty theft, cooking the books or turning a blind eye to dangerous behavior at work might make you popular with certain types of workers...but these behaviors will always come back to bite you later.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Karen_Southall_Watts

The Top 6 Topics to Avoid Talking About When You're Networking

2009-06-11T02:03:00.002-07:00

This is a tough one since we want to talk when we're networking and sometimes we can to share too much information. I have listened to hundreds, if not thousands, of introductions throughout my career and hear many topics of things being discussed.

If you're not getting many referrals, you might want to tune in to this article for insights that you might not be aware of. It's been my experience that there are a few things you should avoid talking about at least when you're just getting to know someone. I have experienced a few people who continue this approach without realizing the impact it's having on establishing new relationships.

Here are a few topics you should try to avoid:

1. BUSINESS: When you're asked, "So How's Business Going?" please don't reply with "The market is horrible and no one is buying". I hear this almost daily now and all it's doing is reaffirming that you won't be in business much longer. When you consistently say the market is the cause of your lack of business, you're basically bringing that theory to life. Instead, try looking for the growth in your company. Maybe reply with we're expanding into new markets and finding business where we didn't find it before. My all time favorite response when someone asks you how business is simply say, "Unbelievable!" because that could go either way!
2. TMI (Too Much Information): Don't talk about anything that is too traumatic or devastating, it lowers the energy in the conversation. This is not the right time or place to share anything too personal. I know that our personal life blends into our professional life but it can actually do damage to your reputation if you're known as the "downer" in the group. If you're experiencing any life changing event, such as, divorce, financial setbacks, death or loss, it's big for you and I'm sure you need someone to talk to about it. This is when you need to lean on your friends, not strangers you are trying to do business with.
3. SALES: If you are selling something or recruiting for your network marketing business try avoid saying things like "opportunity" or "lowest prices". People have an invisible shield up when meeting someone for the first time and will block these messages. Instead, explain the value and how it could help someone by making their life easier or saving them money. By the way, don't assume everyone is looking for another business or revenue source. Lead with your products or services and only mention the business only if they fall in love with the products.
4. COMPETITION: Never bring up your competition and how you are the better choice. First of all, they might not know about your competitor but they will as soon as you mention them. Second, you should never talk "smack" about your competitors since they are actually helping you build your business! Strange concept but the truth is there would be no comparison if you offer the best anyway. Your competitors can never be YOU! People buy from the person, not the company.
5. EXPERIENCE: If you are new in your company or just opened your business, it may not be a wise choice to share that information right away. Your goal is to let someone get to know you and if they like you, trust you and believe you can handle their business, they might take a chance with working with you. If you don't have a lot of experience yet, don't panic. Everyone has to start somewhere. Have confidence in yourself and your ability to provide the best you can with the knowledge you have. You can always find the answer if you don't know it.
6. CONFIDENCE: When you have reached a point of desperation, make sure to avoid saying anything negative such as "I need", "I'm struggling", "I'm broke" or "I must" etc. All this does is communicate how desperate you are and people tend to avoid insecurity. Sometimes, people assume this will help them get more business if they are a "charity" victim. By involving "drama" in your communication, you are jeopardizing your credibility and confidence. Try focusing on what is going well for you and ask for support without fear. People are very generous in general and want to support others that are dedicated to succeeding, not failing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Darlene_Willman

Five Pitfalls of Business Networking Everyone Should Know

2009-06-11T02:03:00.001-07:00

Business networking is a growing way in order for any organisation to increase their business reach and likely pool of prospects. Business networking is known to create a range of networking opportunities, if used wisely, known to bring qualified leads to your company. With no question, we are all aware of how quickly business networking is becoming the marketing strategy of choice today.

However, those that are new in networking are prone to fall into the common pitfalls that any beginner should be aware of. This article outlines five common pitfalls of business networking.

One of the most common pitfalls that many are prone to fall into is the lack of listening and showing interest. Many fall into the trap of coming to "hard on" in terms of selling themselves. You should expect to be on the back foot, asking questions, listening to what the other party has to say and then respond positively. You should only be talking 30% of the time and listening and paying attention to the other party 70% of the time. After all God gave us two ears and one mouth, and not two mouths and one ear. Show the other party you have interest in his opinions and experience.

Another common pitfall is not being aware of their surroundings. When talking to individuals around you, don't wonder off into a world of your own. Even though you are talking, make sure you are also paying attention towards the reactions and vibes that you are receiving from your listeners. In many cases, even when the other parties are getting bored or showing a lack of interest, it goes unnoticed to the person speaking. It's like a ball game. Keep your eyes on the ball at all times.

You must have clear objectives before going to a business networking event. What some people do is go to a business networking event and spend the entire two hours around two individuals. You need to prioritise your time wisely in order to take maximum advantage of your surroundings. Spending 15 minutes each with 6 contacts one example of an aim you can have in mind.

The fourth most common pitfall that many (even experts) fall into is lack of research. You need to know the market you are going to be talking to. Certain business networking events may only come a few times a year and you need to maximise the opportunity. Do research on possible people you will want to do business with. Gather some background information, possible problems they could be facing, facts, figures and have your pitch ready.

The final pitfall is some what similar to the fourth one. It is being prepared. Make sure you as an individual are presentable amongst a business crowd. Just simple common sense things such as having a pen and notebook on hand, a clean pressed suit, polished shoes, business cards etc. You'll be surprised at the number of people that forget the basics.

Brendan Yong is passionate about business networking, and has been in leadership roles to develop business networking skill into a fine art.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendan_Yong

Networking After College

2009-06-11T00:40:00.000-07:00

Trying to find a job by calling people you don't know and asking them for help probably sounds dreadful, like a cross between telemarketing and door-to-door sales. After all, nobody likes rejection, and this job-search strategy is sure to provoke a rash of apologies and unreturned phone calls.

Yet, what if it works? What if you can find a great job simply by making phone calls and meeting with people who want to help you? Would you try it? That's the premise behind networking, the practice of contacting everyone you know (and everyone they know) to ask for their advice and support. And it works.

A survey of more than 1500 successful job hunters shows that 63% found new positions by tapping their networks of friends, family members, acquaintances and anyone else who would help. In comparison, only 11% found jobs by answering ads, and just 2% by sending unsolicited resumes to company recruiters, reports a New York-based career consulting firm.

Although most job hunters have heard successful networking stories from friends and colleagues, some avoid the technique because they don't like the way it sounds. They hate the idea of "using" people to find a job, and the equate networking with sleazy tactics used by unscrupulous salesmen.

"It sounds like a 'what can you do for me' kinds of tactic that I'd only try if I knew I'd never see the person again," says one recent college graduate. He couldn't be more wrong.

An effective networking relationship helps both parties. Contacts enjoy talking about themselves, how they got jobs after college and how companies in their industry are doing. And if they can match you up with a job somewhere, they're doing both you and your new employer a favor that they hope will be returned one day. It's a win-win situation.

Where to Start?

The best people to enlist as you launch a networking campaign are those you know well and who know you, such as:

* Brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins and any other relatives who are willing to help, including your parents.
* College friends now in the workplace.
* Past professors who also work as consultants or who have left academia for the business world.
* Former bosses, and co-workers at full- or part-time jobs, internships or work-study assignments.
* Neighbors and family acquaintances.

Write down a list of people who might have information on available jobs or, more importantly, who know other people who might be helpful. Realize the importance of building a wide range of contacts. Although many of these people may never hear about job openings, they're critical because of the many friends and contacts they'll refer to you.

Next, decide what you'll say when you reach people on your list. An approach that works well is to first explain your status (eg, a recent graduate) and your interest (to gather information about hiring trends in their industry and names of others who might help you). If the person says she doesn't know of any openings, reiterate that what you really want is her opinion of the hiring market and the names of people who might know of openings. With this reassurance, most contacts will agree to a brief call, or will at least call back with a name or two. If the contact still doesn't understand, say thanks and move on.

When calling a contact you don't know who was referred to you, use the same tow-part approach, but add a new introduction: "Hello, Mr. Jones. My former college roommate Jill Smith suggested I call you." Or, "Jill Smith at ABC Corp. thought you might be able to help me." Then explain your status and interest and ask for a brief meeting.

Most people love to give advice and are very willing to talk about their filed and the job market if you approach them the right way, say career counselors, who say that recent grads typically face three types of potential contacts when networking. About 25% are real nice and will help you no matter what you say. About 25% are mean and won't help no matter how good or polite you are. The rest are in the middle and will respond based on how well you approach them. If you act like you're going to plop yourself down in their chair and say, "Tell me everything you know," they won't help. You have to guide them, coach them and ask good questions, they say.

Sometimes your best contact is the most unlikely. Christine Bowman interviewed on campus for insurance and sales positions before graduating with a business administration degree from the University of Iowa. But she landed her present position as a staff accountant in Chicago through her boyfriend's sister-in-law.

"Knowing the right people at the right time helped me get the job," says Bowman.

Preparation is Key

To elicit someone's support in a phone call, know all you can about the person you're calling. Getting through to a contact and making arrangements to see that person isn't a victory. That comes only after you've completed a successful interview, and that doesn't happen by accident.

Career counselors suggest researching contacts' companies and industries before each meeting. Develop an understanding of each person's interests so that you can discuss your education and experience as it relates to their background and to potential needs in the marketplace, he says.

After a successful exchange, send a thank-you email; then continue to contact the person every month or so to report your progress and ask for new leads. Don't become a pest, but don't think that one five minute call or meeting will engage their attention.

"You need to be relentless in using your network contacts, but don't be defensive if they don't return your calls," says Taunee Besson, president of a career consulting firm in Dallas, Texas. If you rely on contacts to remember you weeks after a brief meeting or phone call, you'll likely be disappointed.

Proven Approaches

To launch and maintain an effective networking campaign, consider the following five tips suggested by Ms. Besson:

* Set networking goals. Determine who you want to meet early on and what you want to find out from each person. As you efforts progress, evaluate the types of people who are most helpful and try to contact others who share their attributes.

* Build networking into your daily schedule. The months before graduation can be crazy, but you need to devote at least 15 or 20 minutes to your network each day for it to pay off. Remember, the best time to reach most executives by phone is early (before 8 am) and late (after 5:30 pm).

* People you respect but don't necessarily like can be helpful. Sometimes, they're the most objective sources of solid information. On the other hand, people you like and with whom you share common interests will be your most valued contacts over time.

* When networking, make developing a friendship -- rather than getting something -- your primary goal. If they like you, people who lack useful information now will think of you when an opening arises.

* Join professional organizations where you can easily meet people who work in the industry you hope to enter. Campus groups are great, but reach beyond them to join organizations composed of working professionals who can serve as terrific contacts and mentors.

Networking isn't easy, but compared to most other job-search strategies out there, it's a highly effective technique you can't afford to ignore.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_F._Lee

Building Relationships in Today's Marketplace

2009-05-24T02:50:00.002-07:00

There are so many ways to create and build relationships in today's market. Here are just seven.

7 Ways to Create a New Relationship:

* Referrals
* Social Networking/ Web 2.0
* Local Networking Groups - Chamber of Commerce, LeTip, Meetup.com
* Talk to other parents when attending your child's sporting or music events
* Visit with other members of your social clubs or religious groups
* Talk to your neighbors
* Talk to sales persons who are visiting your office

A financial planner came to my door just the other day. At first I was a little surprised- then I thought...SMART! We had a great conversation like you would a new neighbor and it ended with him giving me his card which I was more than happy to take. Now mind you I was in no way looking for a new financial advisor BUT if I or someone I know needs one...he's the guy...at least to consider having a conversation with.

He also, has done a great job of following up and keeping in touch. He's doing a great job at not only networking but building his personal brand for his career.

It never hurts to have more people in your network than you need.

Always remember to approach new people in a friendly NON-SALES manner. Your goal should not be to SELL them or want something from them but to begin a new relationship, a new contact, etc. Always offer to HELP someone before they help you.

Remember to GIVE before you GET!

When it comes to leveraging online networks in a job search, what tactics have you found to be successful? How do you handle the disappointments? What do you find you need assistance with?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Celaya

Make Your Business Card Work For You

2009-05-24T02:50:00.001-07:00

Since a business card is often the first thing you hand to a prospect, a lot of people, like yourself, may spend a good amount of time considering what they want their business card to look like. But, are they considering the right things?

The first thing to consider is the layout of the card. Most cards are horizontal, but some people want a vertical card in order to stand out. However, before doing a vertical card, consider how your prospects will use the card. Do you provide a service they will need only once? If so, then a vertical card may be a good choice. But, if you provide a product or service they might need on a regular basis, it may not be the best option. The reason is that things like a Rolodex organizer are largely designed for horizontal business cards. If they staple your vertical card to a Rolodex card, it would have to be put sideways or cut in half in order to fit. There goes your nifty design! If you provide a recurring product or service, you are better off with a horizontal card that makes it easier for your customers to store and reference when needed.

When considering the design of your card, you want to compare apples to apples. Many people look at different business cards they receive, and pick ones they think stand out. But, what you need to do is to have a card that stands out from the other cards your prospect will be receiving. In other words, if you run a delivery service, you need a card that stands out from the business cards of competing delivery services. If your competitors use a lot of red on their cards, you might want to use a lot of blue, for example. Worry about standing out from the competition, not the local florist or dry cleaner!

Full color or a simple one or two color card? Again, here is another area where you may wish to consider what your competitors are doing. If your competitors have full-color photographic business cards, you might want to consider something simple, yet classy, to stand out. For example, you might use a paper in a solid color with an attractive typeface and no logos or images. You could even consider foil-embossing to give an even richer look to your card. The business card that stands out in a crowd of photographic business cards is the one that's not. And vice versa!

Lastly, make sure that all of your important contact information is on your business card. You'd be surprised at how often people forget to include something as basic as a phone number. If your business name does not give a clear indication of what it is you do, you may wish to consider adding a line or two to do so. If your customer or prospect cannot remember if the "John Smith Company" is a plumbing service or a real estate agency, they're more likely to just toss your card then call and ask what you do.

Of course, if you need help designing your card or don't have the time to do it yourself, you can always have a professional do it for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Dan_C._Rinnert

Top 5 Attraction Tips For Business Networking

2009-05-24T02:49:00.000-07:00

One of the keys behind a successful business is the networking connections it has with other businesses. Business networking is simply a method which people use in order to interact for business purposes on both a formal and informal basis. Having the ability to connect to the right people and market your services effectively as one of the best in the industry, is a skill that many lack to master in the field of business networking.

In the current financial crisis, lacking the ability to network with other enterprises effectively and efficiently can mean the difference between business survival and prosperity. Below I have mentioned five networking tips that are proven to increase your business prospects regardless of the current financial crisis:

Get into a Goal-Oriented Mindset

One of the most important aspects of business networking that individuals are known to lack is: having a firm goal set in their mind. Many fall under the trap of either setting no goal or to set unrealistic goals which are unachievable. The purpose behind a goal is that unless you know where you are headed you are more that often going to wonder off where you actually want to be.

In a business networking situation, an example of a goal could be getting to know 5 to 10 people sufficiently enough to raise some interest in following up with an informal meeting with you sometime in the next two weeks. Or at least have them agree to be kept on your information mailing list.

You are more likely to achieve something from networking situations, if you start off having some goals in mind.

Delivering the Punch-line

Another networking tip one should always keep in mind is honing your "Elevator Pitch". You want to be able to provide concise and professional answers that don't seem too textbook-like and at the same time not to casual. When asked: "What do you do?", you should have a memorable Elevator Pitch that puts up owner benefit statements and your Unique Selling Proposition well. Can you imagine tripping over words and missing out on opportunities to present yourself well?

Dress for the Occasion

The third networking tip is making sure that you are dressed suitably in order to create the best impression possible. According to studies of human interaction, it takes only 8 seconds to formulate a first impression. A significant amount of that come from the visual impact. You must ask yourself questions like are your business cards up to date? Are you in fashion? Does your wardrobe need an update?

Follow Up is Everything

Another important networking tip that I feel is essential, is the follow through process after the initial contact. It is great to have won over your audience over but you must keep in mind that after first impression, you have to continue to build mind-share. Some simple rule of thumb is to follow-up with an email or text message not more than 24 hours after the contact. You can set separate campaigns to send different groups of contacts updates or information that they might find useful, so as to keep in contact. A good guide is once every 2 weeks, and providing a permission-based list for unsubscribing to your mails, which brings me to the next point.

Building Mind-Share & Expertise

The final business networking tip that tends to be over looked is educating your audience. It is important for you to be able to relate well to the type of client you are looking for. Your value-add as a long-term partner or service provider must be made apparent. You can achieve this goal by practising methods of expressing your expertise via online (e-newsletter, emails etc) and off-line (brochures, letters etc) methods. Allow for two-way communications, so you can sieve out interested buyers and maintain at least a presence with those non-responsive ones. After all, the buying cycle must meet the selling cycle before a sale can happen.

This part of communications require some thought into building that personal brand, unique selling points and marketing your value-add.

Brendan Yong is passionate about business networking, and has been in leadership roles to develop business networking skill into a fine art. He served 3 Leadership terms in BNI Renaissance and was instrumental in making the BNI Chapter the largest in the region.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brendan_Yong

Building Better Relationships

2009-05-10T06:34:00.001-07:00

How strong are your relationships with your prospects, current customers, and previous customers? It is crucial to your business that you develop strong, long lasting relationships. I have listed six ways you can start developing those relationships.

1. Be a giver. Always look for a way to be of service to others. This is probably the most important step in building strong relationships. Most people adhere to the WIIFM (What's In It For Me?) principle. When you are talking to someone at a networking event, their main interest is usually in what can you do for them. They simply want to know how what you do fits into their business or their life. They do not want to listen to you go on and on about how great you are.

2. Make the decision to like people. This is sometimes difficult because we meet people whom for whatever reason, we just don't want to be around. There is not always justification for this. It is just a fact of life that we will get along with some people more than others. Either way, we can still make the decision and make the effort to like everyone.

3. Cultivate the art of listening. When making a sales call, the person making the sale should only speak 30% of the time while the person on the receiving end speaks 70% of the time. We get impatient in today's multi-tasking, fast-paced world. This includes when we are listening to someone. Be considerate and give the person speaking a few minutes of your time and actively listen to what they are saying without thinking about the brilliant response you will have when they finish talking. Be interesting and be interested.

4. Find places you can go or events you can attend that will provide you with an ongoing list of people to call and follow-up with. Be careful how you spend your time. Some networking events are very serious about helping their fellow small business owners and growing their own business. Others are nothing more than social events. Nothing wrong with either of these. Both events provide the foundation for building the relationships we need in our businesses and in our life.

5. Develop a system for following-up with your prospects and clients. This is where most people miss so many great opportunities and cash. They go to networking events, collect business cards, and then the cards just sit on their desk or in a drawer with no action taken to follow-up.

6. Be flexible and be patient. Try to accommodate the other person when possible.

What one thing can you do today to make contact with someone? Put strategies in place to make it easy for you to make consistent contact with prospects and customers. Find events, associations, chambers of commerce, and other places where you enjoy the people and can get the contacts you need to grow your business. Look for opportunities to help others. Cultivate your circle of influence. Nurture your relationships. It does require some work on your part but your efforts will be rewarded. Above all, have fun and enjoy the process.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mike_Coleman

Easter Baskets For Clients and Referral Partners - Business Networking and Relationship Building

2009-05-10T06:33:00.002-07:00

It's almost Easter, and all those massive Easter egg and Easter candy displays in the stores suggest yet another interesting opportunity for strengthening your business relationships. Read on and find out how to use it the right way.

As you know, little tokens of appreciation are always appreciated, and some of that delicious candy that's available right now can be turned into very welcome gifts.

But there is the rub. Not everyone celebrates Easter. Neither does everybody indulge in chocolate and sugary sweets. So you should make sure you know the intended receiver of your gifts well enough to know whether such goodies will indeed be welcome.

If you have referral partners, you probably know each other well enough to know whether or not they would appreciate being on the receiving end of a little basket with cream-filled chocolate eggs. There are a variety of reasons why they may not be, or why an alternate version of that basket would go over better.

First, there might be religious reasons. Maybe they would prefer kosher chocolate gold coins, for example.

Or there might be health reasons. Diabetes is rampant these days, and while people may not want to discuss it in so many details, more and more people would appreciate sugar-free versions of the seasonal delicacies. And they're available. It just takes a bit of an extra effort to find them.

What about your clients and customers? They will enjoy a token of appreciation as well, and any kind of holidays make for a good excuse for giving such gifts.

Obviously, you may not be as familiar with your clients' and prospects' dietary habits or religious backgrounds, but don't get carried away with worrying about it. It's the thought that counts, after all. And chocolate bunnies, marshmallow peeps, and similar seasonal items are probably generic enough for most people to enjoy. And if they don't eat sugar themselves, they probably have family or friends who do.

Still, it won't hurt to ask. Get together for lunch, if appropriate, and bring it up in the conversation. You may learn something important about your client or (potential) referral partner. And if it's a bit late for this year, why not have that lunch anyway and make a note of what you find out -- after all, the next holiday season will be here before we know it.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sue_Clement

Top 10 Tips For Business Networking

2009-05-10T06:33:00.001-07:00

I firmly believe in the power of networking as I have seen first hand how this has helped me grow professionally and personally. You need to be consistent with your networking efforts and this holds true for both online and offline networking.

There are a few basic tips you should remember when it comes to networking and they are as follows:

1. Networking is not about selling your business or products to everyone you meet.

2. Don't come on too strong the first time you meet new people.

3. Share about yourself, not just your business. "People do business with people they trust and people they have gotten to know."

4. Ask people what they do and invite them to share about themselves and their business.

5. Listen more than you talk and ask questions that will get people talking - not just a yes or no answer.

6. Make notes on things people have that might be useful to yourself or others.

*tip* I keep index cards on business contacts in a file box. I will write down information about this business contact on the index cards.

7. Find common ground with the person you're getting to know. "People do business with people just like them."

8. If asked what you do don't give someone a long sales pitch. Keep it short and informative. If they want to know more they will ask.

9. Always tell the person you were talking with it was a pleasure meeting them and ask if it is OK if you add them to your contact list.

10. Ask for their business card - that way you can be sure that there will be follow up. You can exchange cards if you wish but always get their card or if online, their email or IM name. Ask permission to contact them again.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shelly_Hill

Have Fun Entertaining Business Clients

2009-05-10T06:32:00.000-07:00

However, hosting business clients is not like hanging out with your buddies at the local tavern.

To entertain clients successfully will require planning and extra effort on your part.

What Does Your Client Enjoy Doing?

What does your client like to do? Do they enjoy playing golf? Golf is always a popular choice. It offers an opportunity to spend an extended amount of time in a recreational setting relatively free from distraction. This allows plenty of time for you and your client to get to know each other and chat about business matters.

Everyone enjoys eating out at fine restaurants. There's something about good food and a glass of wine that reduces anxiety and makes people feel at ease. Eating out can be rather routine, so find an exclusive restaurant with a fine chef and entertainment. Make it a unique experience for your client.

Cultural events such as plays, concerts, and sports events are a nice touch as well.

However, there is little opportunity to talk business during these types of outings, so consider events such as these as simply an opportunity for you and your client to get to know each better.

Entertaining Clients Takes Work

Unless you are just a naturally outgoing and talkative individual, making interesting conversation with a relative stranger for an extended period of time can be difficult for many people. Here are some tips to consider:

• Make some notes on conversation points. If you've done your homework, then you'll know what your client likes and dislikes are. Perhaps you have something in common... an interest in classic cars, for instance.

• A great icebreaker is to study up on a couple of "nice" jokes, and practice your delivery.

• Minimize distractions. Shut off your cell phone. Send the kids to grandma's house, and be sure your car has plenty of gas. Make sure your full attention is on creating an entertaining evening for your client.

• Though you'll be in a more relaxed setting, maintain a sense of decorum. You are a reflection of your company.

• Determine your goals and what you hope to achieve, and build your evening around that.

Laughter and fun help to tears down walls, reduces tension, and paves the way to entertaining and productive conversation.

Plan and execute an evening that will be remembered by your client in a positive manner for years to come.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Tony_Jacowski

Be a Leader - Get Involved in the Operation

2009-04-14T04:43:00.002-07:00

Leaders are missing in most every aspect of life. There is a void of leadership that continues to weaken groups in all areas of our society, and networking groups are not immune. We need those who possess skills and enthusiasm to keep the group on task, on time, on purpose, and on going.

As with all things in life, successful networking requires careful planning, consistent attendance, full participation, and careful results measurement. But to truly soar you need to do more than just consistently attend events and participate. By volunteering to take a leadership role you will set yourself apart from the masses. Everyone values those who give of their time to ensure the success of the group. Giving of your time in a purposeful way will yield great results. You should seek out opportunities to serve where you can make the biggest impact for the group and for you.

Choose a leadership role that aligns with your unique set of skills. Those who facilitate groups in their business lives should facilitate networking groups. Bankers, financial planners, certified public accountants, and other financial professionals should volunteer to assist with management of the finances and financial reporting of the group. Always seek opportunities to showcase your skills when seeking a leadership role.

Check your ego at the door. While you may be the captain of your ship, leadership in a volunteer group requires a servant mentality. To lead is to serve others. Bring all your talent and skills to be sure, but resist the temptation to be overbearing simply because you are the expert. Remember that others are serving as well. The last thing any group needs is a dictator. Be empathetic.

Perhaps the best thing about being a leader in any group is that you will be considered a leader in all walks of life. People naturally assume that you are a mover and shaker when you are the head of an organization and they will ask you to lead in others. This gives you access to the heads of other organizations. They now represent your peer group.

Become known as a leader and you will be amazed at the level of people you meet and how many of them will want to know you.

Need a fatter wallet? More Warm Calls? Want more sales? Better Relationships?

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Gould

Consistent Action in a Purposeful Manner is the Key to Networking Success

2009-04-14T04:43:00.001-07:00

While most people don't want to hear it, the key to success in networking is consistency. Nothing will replace consistent action in a purposeful manner. You must plan your networking success and work your plan consistently, making adjustments as you go to ensure you are getting the most for your efforts.

Most of us have heard of someone who came to his or her first networking event and met a great prospect that became a client. Many have even heard of someone who has done business at a networking event. Perhaps you have had the good fortune of meeting someone who was in need of your product or service and you closed the business at the event. It does happen.

But patience and perseverance are required in networking as in most every other endeavor in life. Consistency is the key to success. Joining a health club doesn't make you healthy. Once you join you have a greater likelihood of going, and once you go you have a greater likelihood of using the equipment. Using the equipment doesn't ensure health either. It is the purposeful use of the equipment in the proper fashion and proportion consistently that ensures improved health.

Networking is very similar. Joining a group increases the likelihood that you will attend a meeting or event. Attending increases the likelihood that you will actually engage in a conversation with another attendee. Engaging in conversation increases the chances that you will meet someone who could use your product or service. But the purposeful planning of which meetings and events to attend and whom you wish to meet, coupled with the diligent execution of that plan, will ensure that you are successful in networking and in your business endeavor.

The old saying, "who you are speaks so loudly I can't hear what you are saying" applies in networking. While your appearance plays an important role, how often you appear at events is critical. People will begin to know, like, and trust you when they see you more often. This increases the odds that they will remember you when they meet someone who needs what you sell.

Therefore, you should plan out your networking for the next six weeks and stick to it. Measure your success at each event and determine if the right connections are attending the same events you are. Be honest with yourself. How well did you connect? How much did you give each event? What impacted your results?

Be sure to visit each event or group more than once before you decide to fully engage or eliminate it from your plan. Then be decisive. Choosing a few events or groups to fully engage in each month will bring far better results than taking a shotgun approach. You'll begin to see the same people and they will see you as reliable. Then they will open up their contact list to you. This is when networking becomes powerful. Remember, meeting people and doing business with them individually is great, but the real power comes when you gain access to their contacts and referrals.

Networking success requires a plan and that plan requires consistently attending events and meetings and measuring your success. When you fully engage and consistently attend you will find better relationships, better use of your time, more referrals, and greater success. Be consistent.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Gould

Get the Most From Your Networking - Prepare Before You Go

2009-04-14T04:42:00.000-07:00

Once you've decided on a networking event to attend, what can you do to prepare for a positive and productive networking experience? Here are seven pre-event planning steps to help you feel more confident when you enter the room.

Pursue a Purpose

What are your reasons for choosing the specific event you are planning to attend? You will have more success if you attend with a purpose other than just "networking." Perhaps your intention is to meet people with whom you can arrange one-on-one follow-up meetings. Or, you may be attending just to stay visible, to reconnect with business acquaintances, or to touch base with your social network and have fun. Knowing your purpose for going will help you get the results you want.

Create a Challenge - Go for a Goal!

Once you know your purpose, make a commitment to yourself for this event, such as:

* Meet and talk with three new people
* Introduce two people to each other
* Meet the speaker
* Make at least two really good contacts
* Give two referrals

Solicit Support

If you're nervous about going to a networking event, you might find a friend, colleague or business acquaintance to go with you or to meet you there. Better yet, find someone who is either a member of the group or has been to that particular event before and can introduce you to people.

When going with a friend, don't use that person as a crutch. Make an agreement to introduce people to each other and to invite others into your conversations. Know that if you stay glued to your friend's side all evening, others might not approach you, assuming that you are together and not open to meeting new people.

If you don't know anyone at an event, you can seek out the host or organizer. Introduce yourself, tell them who you are interested in meeting, and ask if they will help you with some introductions to some of the members or attendees.

Be an Early Bird

It's always a good plan to arrive early at an event. That way, the host, or people working the registration desk will have more time to talk with you and introduce you around. The event will be less crowded and it will be easier to meet and talk with people. Ideally, you will have pre-registered, so a printed nametag will be waiting for you, and you may have saved money as well.

Craft Your Conversations

You need to plan and prepare to talk to people! Although you want to be spontaneous, it helps to know in advance some things that you can say, either in response to common questions, or as a way to generate conversation yourself.

What will you say when you're asked the inevitable question "What do you do?" Will you freeze up and suddenly find yourself unable to explain what it is you do every single day? You need to have a short prepared introduction that lets people know who you are, what you do, who you do it for, and who you want to meet.

Prepare to engage in small talk with some opening lines and get-to-know-you questions and answers. It's easy to start with questions like:
* What brought you to this event?
* How does it compare to other events that you've been to?
* I'm new here, what can you tell me about this group?
* Hello, I don't think we've met yet. I'm Cindy and you are?

Plan answers to questions like "How's business?" and "What's new?" You could talk about a great new resource you've found, a client you've helped, a win you've just had, or a challenge you are facing in your business.

Pack Your Networking Toolkit

What do you need to bring? Business cards, and lots of them! Donna recently attended an event where one person told her he had left his cards in his car, and another person said he was down to his last card. Don't let this happen to you. Without your card, the people you meet have no way to contact you; they're dependent upon you choosing to or remembering to contact them.

Bring a pen to make notes on the back of cards you receive, paper in case you want to jot down some ideas, your business name tag if you have one, your calendar, your self-introduction, some conversation starters, a few exit lines, and a positive attitude.

You're On Your Way!

While you're traveling to the event, put a smile on your face, engage in positive self-talk, and remind yourself of your purpose in going to the event and the commitment you made to yourself about it. Then when you arrive, you will walk into the room with an air of confidence and calm, and will get the most possible out of the event.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Feldman

Observe the Multiple Networking Group Law - No Double-Dipping

2009-04-08T04:54:00.001-07:00

As you begin to find success in networking you will undoubtedly expand your network to include more than one group. Becoming active in several networking groups focused on varying interest, geography, or industry is a wise move that will broaden your exposure and increase your effectiveness. We encourage and highly recommend that you are involved in more than one group, chamber of commerce, or both.

With expanded exposure comes the opportunity to share your network with a wider variety of people. You will provide more solutions to more people and they will provide you with more connections. Your network will grow. This benefits you, your network, and your new networking partners.

However there is one rule that you must never violate if you are to succeed in multiple groups. Never under any circumstances give two people in the same business the same referral. If your friend Sam is buying a new house, you cannot refer Sam to two mortgage brokers in different groups. That is just like double-dipping chips at a party; you just shouldn't do it. It is not cool and everyone gets hurt when you share the same referral with two people in the same industry.

Your friend Sam gets a mixed message and begins to feel like he is just a number to you. He is likely to think you are not trying to help him as much as you are trying to help yourself. The two mortgage brokers end up embarrassed and looking like little more than glad-handing salespeople. And you end up with a loss of credibility that will lead to fewer referrals and potential expulsion from both groups.

But do not be confused. It is appropriate and desirable to share the same referral with solution providers in similar but different industries. You most definitely should share Sam's name with one mortgage broker, one realtor, one insurance agent, and one moving company provided you know that Sam has an interest or need for these services. Your knowledge of Sam's needs is a direct result of your relationship with Sam.

Your relationship with Sam may not be close enough for you to know all his needs and interests. You may have recently met Sam and you only know he is in the market for a new home. It stands to reason he may have a need a mortgage broker, insurance agent, realtor, and mover. But you are not close enough to Sam to know for certain. You should still share Sam's name with one provider for each service from your network. In doing so be clear with each person that Sam is a lead, not a referral. In either case, sending resources to Sam that can solve his problems helps him, the referral partners, and you.

Understanding how and when to share referrals is essential to your success in networking and in life. Observing the law of "no double-dipping" will ensure you have greater success.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Glen_Gould

Business Networking is Key to Success

2009-04-08T04:53:00.000-07:00

In business networking is key. You do not want to burn any bridges. Your business contact will often mean a leg up or a leg down on your path to success.

You should stay in contact with your business associates at least once every couple months. Here are some tips to stay in contact with your business associates.

1. Send a holiday greeting. Holidays are a great time to say hello, and just see how your business friend is doing. Sending a greeting card is inexpensive and shows you care.

2. Stay on top of the news about your business contact's businesses. Subscribe to their blog, and watch out for their name in local newspapers or industry journals.

This way if you see their name in the paper you can cut it out and mail it to them with a little note. This again shows you care about them and their business.

3. Call them up once and a while and chat. This doesn't have to be business related, however if they are busy, be sure you have something to talk about. Do you need their expert advice on something?

If you ask for their advice they will feel flattered. Be sure to thank them, a thank you card would be nice, if they spent a lot of time helping you.

The key is to stay friendly. These people are your friends, and will be happy to talk to you. People are often times too busy to stay in contact, if you take the first step and organize a networking strategy, you will have a leg up on the competition.

Next to staying in contact with your customers, staying in contact with your business associates is the next most important thing. Remember to not burn bridges and just stay friendly.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Quang_Van

Create the Buzz Then Invite

2009-04-08T04:52:00.000-07:00

Have you ever tried to invite someone to visit a networking group and felt like you'd driven straight into a rock wall? After all of your efforts to help this person build their network of business people, all you walked away hearing was, "NOT INTERESTED!" Yeah, I'm thinking most of us have experienced this at one time or another.

No matter whether it's a networking organization, a local volleyball or softball team, or the local Parent's and Teachers Organization, most of us are basically tapped out on extra time. One more commitment to join or visit a networking event just might be the final straw to break social interaction.

In BNI, the world's largest referral organization, members are taught not to invite people to "join" BNI. We just want to invite you to "meet some local business professionals that we feel would be a good connection for you and your business." Once you are at the meeting, you are capable of deciding if you want to make a commitment to the group and apply for membership. You are also probably considering if you can handle the extra business.

Introducing someone to visit other organizations should be approached basically the same way. Every day we drive into that rock wall trying to find a new way to get people interested in joining us at our networking events, church socials, or even scrapbooking clubs. An idea that I'd like to offer is that you become more open minded and start thinking of ways to get people interested in your organization, but still leaving enough to the imagination that is a call to action and makes them want to experience what they may be missing.

One great example is a video about BNI that was recently posted on YouTube. Created by Richard Swan for International Networking Week 2009 in London, Richard takes the classic song "American Pie" and adds his own twist to create a great marketing tool for BNI and its chapters.. Richard uploaded the video on February 5, 2009 to You Tube and within 2 weeks it has an excess of 5,000 hits.....not to mention what hits have been driven to his personal website as well!

And, I personally met one visitor at a BNI meeting this week who admitted that he had been sent the link to Richard's video and he was so intrigued by the video he said he "just had to come and visit a meeting and see what BNI is all about."

The link for Richard's YouTube video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UPZetC8jPhY

Richard for created a buzz. He capitalized on one of his talents and turned it into a marketing tool for his business and his organization.

You can do the same. No matter what organization you are in, you need to create a buzz if you want to get anyone to slow down long enough to hear your message. I challenge all of you to tap into your pool of talents and resources and see what you can do to create a buzz that focuses on you and your organization. You will be pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to market your organization when you're doing something you enjoy doing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jerry_W._Williamson

Growing Your Business in Difficult Times

2009-04-04T02:05:00.003-07:00

Have you ever asked yourself the question "How did they find that business?" or "How did he find that job?" because you didn't hear anything about it.

The answer is probably by Networking or through 'the grapevine.'

The old adage 'it's not what you know but who you know' still holds good today and in these difficult times probably even more so - this is the basis of Networking - building relationships with like-minded people, that can lead to mutually profitable business partnerships.

Networking is a critical skill for anyone who is looking to succeed in business. All companies lose approximately 30% of their customers each year - so you continually need to replenish your sales pipeline.

What can you gain from Networking?
• Meet new clients and grow your business
• Create new opportunities for you and your business
• Become known as an Expert in your Industry
• Provides a support network where you can go for help and ideas

Business Networking may be informal such as a meeting with colleagues over a coffee, or a more formal Networking Event to which you have been invited or found out about through the Internet or a friend.

Before attending an event, whether an organised group that meets regularly for breakfast or a one off event arranged by local business associations, always have a plan and ask yourself a few questions:
• Why am I going to this event?
• How many new people do I want to meet?
• Am I looking for a specific category of client?
• Am I looking for an introduction to a certain prospect?

When you have a plan and know why you are going, it's easier to stay focused and you will be able to measure the outcome. Just showing up at an event is not the best use of your time or money.

Attending a Networking Event can be more productive if you follow a few guidelines:
• If you are unsure, go with a friend but separate once you are there.
• Wear your name badge.
• Smile; smiling will make you seem friendly, approachable and confident.
• Introduce yourself, your company and how you can help people.
• Always use people's names.
• Carry plenty of Business Cards and make sure they are clean and have all your details on them.
• When talking with people, listen for the hidden message and the unspoken opportunities.
• Never try to sell at a Networking Event.
• Remember to follow up with any contacts you have made.

Be sceptical of people telling you that Networking is a waste of time. It is a process, not an end in itself and networking consistently will always bring results.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Paul_Ashbury

The Networking Cycle - Four Simple Steps

2009-04-04T02:05:00.001-07:00

Networking is a very simple process. Unfortunately today's business environment does not make it easy. We've got to work through our time-crunched schedules, unrealistic expectations and negative stereotypes before we can make networking a regular and productive part of our routine.

One of the biggest stereotypes of networking is that it is a very complex process requiring extreme social skills. There are only four very basic steps:

* Go places
* Meet people & get to know them
* Do something for them
* Follow up

You will repeat these steps over and over again, sometimes within a short period of time (even within the timeframe of one event), but usually spread over a few days. These steps will apply to your overall networking cycle, but also apply to each one of your contacts, new and established.

Go Places

Going places can be something as big as a regional trade show or as personal as coffee with just one or two people. The key is that you are somehow getting yourself in personal contact with other people. Yes, there is a rapidly growing trend toward Social Networking where people do business with someone they've met digitally, but if it came down to doing business with them or a person you've met and seen personally, chances are you will do business with the people you know in person seen. Face-to-face networking is still going to be the dominant form of business partnering for many years, especially if you live or work in a small city that is not on either coast of the U.S.

For some people, this is the most difficult step of all. They have a negative image of networking events, build up excuses in their mind, and allow their time-constraints to keep them away from events.

Unless you can figure out a way to meet people without going anywhere (and going online IS going somewhere), you are going to be severely limited in your networking results.

Meet People and Get to Know Them

Your goal in going places is to make face-to-face contact with like-minded people. Like-minded does not mean "the same," in fact some of the most productive networking is done with groups of people you have never explored before. "Like-minded" means they also believe in networking as relationship building and as an investment in their long-term future. If they are like-minded, then you do not have to worry whether it is appropriate to approach someone you've never met.

When you meet people, your goal is to get to know then personally. This misconception that every bit of conversation you have with someone has to be business-oriented has turn off more people than almost any other. If you believe that every conversation has to be completely business oriented, it will get boring. And you'll feel like you're selling (or being sold) because the conversation will come around to what you have to offer.

We are social creatures. Most of us enjoy our work, but it doesn't define us. We enjoy talking about our personal lives, family, and hobbies. It really is okay to talk about our personal lives (as long as it's not too personal) because this is how we discover what we have in common.

Finding common ground is the foundation of most relationships. Whether it's a sport you both enjoy, the same hobby, or growing up in the same city, having something in common makes it much easier to build rapport and develop a friendly relationship.

Do Something For Them

While it's nice to get to know someone and talk about the things you enjoy in common, the real depth of a relationship is created when you help the other person out. This is the source of the saying "Givers gain." In networking, it is vital that you give first and give often.

Giving creates a sense of gratitude. It brings you to the attention of the person you helped. They will start to think of you as helpful and as a resource. If they have come to see you as a problem-solver, you will be the natural choice when they or someone they know needs the product or service you provide. You will have become their "go to" person.

Follow Up

"The fortune is in the follow up." If you're in direct selling, you've heard this phrase hundreds of times. If you haven't heard it, commit it to memory. Understand this statement means you realize that the sale is rarely made the first time you meet someone, the relationship is rarely developed at introduction and the event is rarely where the long-term network-building activities take place.

If you want to develop a reputation as being caring, giving, and reliable, follow up with every person you meet and follow up every time you do something for them. Do you have a hard time figuring out what to say in that first email besides "itwasnicemeetingyouIhopetoseeyouagain?" To avoid that, find something you can do for them in that first follow up message. If you got to know even on thing about their background or hobbies, do a quick search on Squidoo or AllTop for a great page of information that they would appreciate. Now your follow up is "It was nice to meet you. I remember how enthusiastic you are about gardening, so I was pleased to find this site that you might enjoy."

Fewer than 10% of people actually follow up after a first meeting. If you use this approach, you will be in the top 1%.

Also follow up when you give something to someone, but not every time. You would hope that when you send an email, a magazine article, or other piece of information, that the other person would acknowledge it with some kind of response or even a thank you. But that may not happen, either their mother didn't teach them excellent manners, or the information you provided got lost. Simply prompt them the next time you see them, "Did you get that article I sent you?" This not only gives them an opening to acknowledge receipt, it also reminds them of what you did for them.

A very appropriate time to follow up is when you give someone a referral. Because you are involved in the process, your reputation is on the line. You either gave that person a reference to someone who needed their product or services, or you helped them find someone whose product or services they needed. Either way, you need to find out if that transaction was completed to both parties satisfaction. A quick phone call or email to say "Did you get in touch with Joe?" is sufficient. If the ball was dropped, you can help them pick it up again, too.

Conclusion

Apply these steps to your networking cycle. Go places, get to know people, give them something, follow-up. Do this for each place you go. When you start going back to the same events and activities, you'll start to see some of the same people. Apply the cycle to each one of them. One time through the steps is not going to create a lasting relationship with anyone. You must continue to get to know them better, do something for them, and follow up.

Networkers who are responsible for sales will find that this cycle can become a positive cycle of increasing trust and depth of relationship. If your product is well-known, an impulse item, low-cost, or has a short sales cycle, you may find that a sales opportunity will come early in your relationship. If you have a complex product, with a long sales cycle, or a great deal of competition, you are going to have to invest more time and make more rounds of the networking cycle with each person you meet.

Keep in mind that the selling process is separate from the networking cycle. Think of networking as four simple steps to keep yourself from being overwhelmed. Don't neglect any portion of the cycle and you'll find that the results of your efforts will come sooner than expected.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Beth_Bridges

The Power of Networking

2009-04-04T02:04:00.001-07:00

One of the most effective marketing methods often overlooked by many business owners is personal networking. Your local chamber or referral group (such as BNI) can be a huge source of new business. Here are some tips to help you network effectively:

Don't just pass out as many business cards as possible. What do you think of someone who just puts his business card in your face and quickly moves onto the next person? Don't be that guy. Two or three meaningful conversations are worth more than hundreds of cards passed out.

Join both your local chamber and a referral group. These two organizations are beneficial in different ways. The chamber offers some great "schmoozing"- type of networking events, often attended by 100 people or more, and a referral group offers quality over quantity. There's usually only one person representing each industry, and you get to build relationships with a solid group of 20 - 50 people. Both types of organizations offer great opportunities.

Join a committee. Make the most of a chamber or referral group by joining a committee. This enables you to get to know people and build trust and rapport, and we all know that people do business or refer others to people they know, trust, and like.

Don't go just once. If you think you can show up to one event and get your phone to ring, think again. Networking takes patience, and offers delayed gratification. People need to get to know you, so that means that you need to keep coming back to these groups. It can be months before you start getting business, but when you do, it's guaranteed to be quality.

So get out there and network!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Amir_Watynski

Networking - Dialing For Networking Contacts, Part II

2009-03-06T04:13:00.003-08:00

Since the advent of voice mail, one of the real drawbacks of using the telephone is that people will only return calls to callers with whom they want to speak. The pervasive telemarketing industry has soured many people in returning calls to names of people and/or phone numbers they do not readily recognize. Additionally, people are so busy these days that it is extremely difficult to get them to answer the phone the moment you call. You could play "phone tag" for days on end, which wastes a lot of your valuable time.

Hence, if you prefer to network by phone, develop a list of names, titles, companies, and phone numbers of the right selection of people to call. Make at least ten to fifteen calls per day.

From these calls, you may generate one to two great leads for opportunities. If you do not make ten to fifteen calls a day, you will not build up a head of steam and keep the momentum going.

Another point in phone networking is to:

• Make a call.
• Follow it with an e-mail.
• Follow the e-mail with a follow-up call.

If you receive no response, go on to the next contact. In your phone conversation, do not come across as being desperate.

Refrain from making repeated calls or queries to someone who neither returns your calls nor responds to your e-mails. In other words, do not be a pest. There is a fine line between being persistent and being a pest. You do not want to be a pest, particularly if the person you are calling is actively avoiding you. If he does not want to speak with you, chances are he will not hire you. So, why waste your time?

David Hale, Ph.D., PCC, a Corporate Performance Consultant, University Professor and Professional Certified Coach, is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and seminar leader. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the DHI-Communication. For more than 20 years, Dr. Hale has trained professional coaches, ministers, clinicians, executives, teachers, government agents and private individuals using the coaching methods and skills that he has designed.

David is the author of The High Performance Entrepreneur: 12 Essential Strategies to Supercharge Your Startup Business published by iUniverse in 2008. His newest book, Straight Talk From Corporate America's 10 Most Requested Speakers and Trainers, is written with the intent to make his personal and business success skills and principles widely available. David's work and books have been featured on national television, radio, and print media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hale

Networking - Dialing For Networking Contacts, Part I

2009-03-06T04:13:00.001-08:00

When I was laid off once before, I remember spending hours and hours on the telephone at the career center cold-calling everyone I knew, company after company. You know? It was a grand waste of time. I learned that the hard way.

Our job consultant told us that networking was the best thing to do and to call everyone on our contact list. Well, I did just that, and it was a huge waste of my valuable time. Telephoning for the sake of telephoning is not very productive.

Instead, find those individuals who can provide you with good leads, advice, and help. They are the ones with whom you want to spend your time on the phone. Do strategic phoning, not telemarketing. People hate telemarketing and telemarketers.

Make your phone calls work for you. You have more important things to do than just "shoot the bull" with friends and relatives across the country. Do you realize that some people actually do that? Because they can use the career center phones for free, they call all of their friends and relatives throughout the country just to chitchat. What a waste of time ... not to mention taxpayers' money!

Make Your Calls Count

Every person is predominantly either a talker or a writer. If orally oriented, you would probably prefer to network face-to-face in person or by phone instead of by e-mail. Making phone calls is good, but just making phone calls for the sake of making phone calls is not good. Cold-calling is a waste of time. We must focus on making calls to the right people in the right places at the right time.

In a CareerJournal article, Perri Capell said, "Perhaps it's not just lack of time that's holding you back, but lack of confidence. It's unnerving to make calls when you doubt the person you're about to contact wants to hear from you. However, when that nice e-mail comes back, the anxiety melts away. Take some time and try it."

David Hale, Ph.D., PCC, a Corporate Performance Consultant, University Professor and Professional Certified Coach, is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and seminar leader. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the DHI-Communication. For more than 20 years, Dr. Hale has trained professional coaches, ministers, clinicians, executives, teachers, government agents and private individuals using the coaching methods and skills that he has designed.

David is the author of The High Performance Entrepreneur: 12 Essential Strategies to Supercharge Your Startup Business published by iUniverse in 2008. His newest book, Straight Talk From Corporate America's 10 Most Requested Speakers and Trainers, is written with the intent to make his personal and business success skills and principles widely available. David's work and books have been featured on national television, radio, and print media.

Dave has twenty-three years' experience in design and delivery of training programs for public, private, government and non-profit centers. He also has twenty years' experience in coaching and training individuals and groups in state and federal agencies, and profit and non-profit corporate settings as well as coaching and counseling individuals on a private, fee-for-service, basis. After twenty years of developing and leading coach training programs David founded DHI-Communication, an international coaching and training consultancy, specializing in communication principles. Dave is widely regarded as one of the top business coaches for Web 2.0 Entrepreneurs. He can be contacted at http://www.HiPerEntrepreneur.com or DrDave@HiperEntrepreneur.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hale

Networking - The Best Route to Find Clients, Part I

2009-03-04T04:54:00.002-08:00

I think one of the best sources of clients are the references you have already cultivated in your network. The references are your contact points. Develop those nodes. I acquired consulting jobs because of networking. I obtained most of my regular projects through networking. Networking is the best source to find business and employment. Hence, start developing your network by developing good references.

Look for about five companies that you really want to perform work for and do the due diligence on these companies. Gather information, develop contacts, and keep up with the companies. Gather information from each company's Web site. Try to "break in" to meet and chat with employees within those companies.

Continue to develop your skills and experience that every business wants. Here is the best route:

• Prospectus. Continue to "beef up" and polish your company prospectus and executive summary.

• Organizations. Join a professional organization or two in your career area of choice and place them in your prospectus.

• Service. Get involved in serving on committees, run for office, and participate in meetings of these professional organizations.

• Education. Take additional courses and certifications in your business area of choice that you can add to your prospectus.

• Bullets. Continue to do great things at your present internship or job to develop good bullets to add to your prospectus.

• Meetings. Attend conferences, seminars, workshops, and trade shows in your business area of choice.

• Papers. Prepare papers for presenting at these conferences and publishing in their periodicals.

• Articles. Write articles to be published in these professional organization periodicals.

• Book. Write a book on your business area of interest and get it published.

Here are a few of the methods that will turn out clients in droves if implemented properly. Research your prospective clients, figure out what method would best attract them, then do it!

David Hale, Ph.D., PCC, a Corporate Performance Consultant, University Professor and Professional Certified Coach, is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and seminar leader. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the DHI-Communication. For more than 20 years, Dr. Hale has trained professional coaches, ministers, clinicians, executives, teachers, government agents and private individuals using the coaching methods and skills that he has designed.

David is the author of The High Performance Entrepreneur: 12 Essential Strategies to Supercharge Your Startup Business published by iUniverse in 2008. His newest book, Straight Talk From Corporate America's 10 Most Requested Speakers and Trainers, is written with the intent to make his personal and business success skills and principles widely available. David's work and books have been featured on national television, radio, and print media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hale

Networking - The Best Route to Find Clients, Part II

2009-03-04T04:54:00.001-08:00

If you do these things, you will have a dynamite prospectus and executive summary. You will receive many calls for work. You will perform well in negotiations and obtain several clients. You will be able to negotiate the best deal you can get with every offer. You will be able to leverage one offer against another to maximize your final offer and project. You will be able to prepare more "beefy" summaries for each new project you secure. The process will continue ad infinitum.

The Best Way to Break into any Company and Locate Client

The best way to break into any company is to have someone on the inside working to get you in. This is why networking is one of the most important strategies for seeking a good job. If it were not for networking, I would not have obtained most of my jobs. I would not have been on the consulting gigs I acquired if it were not for networking. Take maximum advantage of networking.

There are many ways to network. You can network in person. You can network on the phone. You can network with e-mails. You can network with letters (or snail mail). You can network using fax messages. You can network using text messaging on your BlackBerry. You can network on the Internet. You can network using teleconferencing, videoconferencing, and Web cameras on your laptop. You can network in chat rooms. You can network in Web logs (or blogs). The list goes on and on.

David Hale, Ph.D., PCC, a Corporate Performance Consultant, University Professor and Professional Certified Coach, is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and seminar leader. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the DHI-Communication. For more than 20 years, Dr. Hale has trained professional coaches, ministers, clinicians, executives, teachers, government agents and private individuals using the coaching methods and skills that he has designed.

David is the author of The High Performance Entrepreneur: 12 Essential Strategies to Supercharge Your Startup Business published by iUniverse in 2008. His newest book, Straight Talk From Corporate America's 10 Most Requested Speakers and Trainers, is written with the intent to make his personal and business success skills and principles widely available. David's work and books have been featured on national television, radio, and print media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hale

Networking - How Do I Build a Network?

2009-03-04T04:52:00.000-08:00

Build a network of people who provide mutual help. This is the most productive use of your time. However, there is a method to this madness. You must network smartly. Do not network for the sake of networking, but network for positive, constructive results. If you do not achieve good results, you are not networking effectively.

Build a network and achieve the following:

1. Build a network of people who provide mutual help.
2. Develop a wide network of friends and collaborators.
3. Develop a fine-tuned network of mutual, complementary job-searching peers and helpers.
4. Attend networking meetings and events.
5. Cultivate good job references through your network.
6. Join ClubNet (Job Club) and participate in professional networking.
7. Network through the deans of your college.
8. Network with friends of a friend.

Fallacy: "Network with Everybody and Anybody"

You can waste more of your valuable time following this bad advice. Judy Rosemarin, founder of Sense-Able Strategies wrote, "Networking does not mean making thousands of contacts. Instead, write provocative letters introducing yourself, then arrange ways to discuss mutually interesting subjects with a few key people. If you view your search as a personal research project on a compelling subject-your own future-you'll find it easier to collect critical information and ideas."

As the broader base of your business network triangle increases, the number of people you need to speak with to reach the right decision makers increases. Hence, the time it takes to reach the key decision makers increases.

You do not have enough hours in the day to talk with everyone. This is why it is not such a good idea to speak with every neighbor, postal delivery person, milkman, yardman, church member, door-to-door solicitor, friend, relative, former employee, classmate, and stranger in the marketplace. They may all be well intentioned, but are not connected to the apex of your business network triangle. Hence, you need to be judicious about whom you talk to in your networking activities.

It is more productive and effective to talk to people in your industry who know of business openings in their companies and within their networks. This approach enhances your focus and effectiveness, and further increases your odds of finding the clients you are seeking. A side benefit is that you can validate your value, experience, and credentials with those in the know within the industry of today's business market.

David Hale, Ph.D., PCC, a Corporate Performance Consultant, University Professor and Professional Certified Coach, is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and seminar leader. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the DHI-Communication. For more than 20 years, Dr. Hale has trained professional coaches, ministers, clinicians, executives, teachers, government agents and private individuals using the coaching methods and skills that he has designed.

David is the author of The High Performance Entrepreneur: 12 Essential Strategies to Supercharge Your Startup Business published by iUniverse in 2008. His newest book, Straight Talk From Corporate America's 10 Most Requested Speakers and Trainers, is written with the intent to make his personal and business success skills and principles widely available. David's work and books have been featured on national television, radio, and print media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hale

Networking - The Focus is on Job Networking

2009-03-02T02:11:00.001-08:00

If your networking is not helping you get a job or business, helping you meet people who can get you a job or business, or providing you information to help you obtain a job or business, then you are wasting your time networking. Do not mix and confuse career networking with business networking. If you are starting a business and seeking clients, your primary responsibility is to make contacts. Hence, if you are networking, it should be for capturing a contact or a client. After you obtain the business or contact, then you can continue your business-advancement networking.

Networking to create solid business referrals and future contacts is a critical element of your business start-up. Keeping in touch with your network contacts must be routinely done on a regular basis... even after you land your most important client.

Referrals really do happen more casually than you might expect. Your college roommate's husband's friend is as likely to land you your next gig as your roommate herself-but only if she knows you're looking for a job when she hears about one.

Networking is extremely important in consulting. I initially started consulting for Hughes Aircraft Company through a good program manager friend of mine. That first gig at Hughes grew into other subsequent consulting gigs, which resulted from networking that I had established while working there.

The following seven rules for networking success:

• Ask for information, not a job.
• Be considerate of others' time.
• Listen first; then ask questions.
• Expand your network.
• Follow up.
• Reciprocate.
• Send a thank you letter.

Successful networkers show a sincere interest in their networking contacts. They are constantly developing relations, establishing their credibility, and sharing information. They follow the rules of the game where everyone has something to gain. Like the lottery, you have to be in it to win it.

Dave Hale, Ph.D., PCC, has twenty-three years' experience in design and delivery of training programs for public, private, government and non-profit centers. David founded DHI-Communications, an international business coaching and training consultancy, specializing in business development and communication principles. Dave is widely regarded as one of the top business coaches for Web 2.0 Entrepreneurs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hale

The In's and Out's of Personal and Professional Networking

2009-03-02T02:10:00.003-08:00

Networking is defined as establishing contacts, exchanging information, and/or developing relationships with others in informal networks for the purpose of obtaining employment or a job, getting a date, or furthering one's career. The key to networking is to be a good reference and to cultivate good references in informal networks.

Definition of Networking Terms

What is the difference between "reference" and "network"? A "reference" is a person who provides either you or someone else (on your behalf) with a letter or phone response (i.e., verification/validation information) of you and your background, capabilities, and desirability. A "reference" is also the material/information that a "reference or referrer" gives about you to others. Hence, a "reference" may be both the person providing the reference information and the material/information itself that is provided.

A "network" is the list of names and contact coordinates of your "references." A "network node" is a specific person on your network list. Hence, a "network node or networking node" is a specific "reference" or person on your "network" list of references.

Types of Networking

There are several types of networking:

1. Job or Employment Networking-network to land a new job, business, or customers.

2. Career Networking-after you land a job, career networking follows to advance your career.

3. Social Networking-this is a lonely hearts club or networking for dates and/or a future mate.

You can enhance the success of your personal and professional skills by learning all you can about each of these networking types, then employing those that work best for you.

David Hale, Ph.D., PCC, a Corporate Performance Consultant, University Professor and Professional Certified Coach, is an internationally recognized speaker, author, and seminar leader. He is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of the DHI-Communication. For more than 20 years, Dr. Hale has trained professional coaches, ministers, clinicians, executives, teachers, government agents and private individuals using the coaching methods and skills that he has designed. David is the author of The High Performance Entrepreneur: 12 Essential Strategies to Supercharge Your Startup Business published by iUniverse in 2008. His newest book, Straight Talk From Corporate America's 10 Most Requested Speakers and Trainers, is written with the intent to make his personal and business success skills and principles widely available. David's work and books have been featured on national television, radio, and print media.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=David_Hale

Networking Business Cards - How to Increase Your Business Connections

2009-03-02T02:10:00.001-08:00

At every chance you get, you should have a crisp business card or two ready to hand out to potential clients. Networking business cards is the best way to add to your connections, both clients and allies in the business.

There are plenty of ways to make sure that your business card networking will be effective but you only need to remember these few but cardinal rules to broaden your set of contacts.

3 simple rules to networking business cards success

1. Be ready to give

Never leave home or the office without your business cards. It would be best if you leave a set at home, one in the office and one in your car. Keep in mind that you need to replenish your set if your supply is running low.

When you order your business cards, make sure that you make wholesale purchases. Not only do you save on the cost of bulk order, you will also get a sense of security that you have the year covered and that you would not run out of business cards, at least not in the very near future.

2. Seize the moment

The reason why you always need to have an ample supply of business cards wherever you go is because you will never know when an occasion to hand out cards to important people may rise.

The person sitting next to you in the mall might be your next biggest supporter and client. Or a friend of your friend may be sponsoring a trade show that you have been wanting to take part in.

What you think is a simple day in the office or just one of your usual Saturday nights may be your saving grace in the future.

3. Make it worth looking at

You spend so much time making yourself look good and presentable to your clients. You should also do the same with your business cards. They have to look good and worth keeping since this card will represent you whenever you are not around.

Online printing of business cards offers plenty of ways to help you achieve just this. Starting with the design, you can get hold of professional looking business cards designed by professional graphic designs at low or even zero cost. You can also get custom jobs which include size, shape, ink and finishings. You can get a regular sized card or those with bigger dimensions. You can also request for business cards with rounded corners, or irregular shapes. As for finishing, you can get scored or folded business cards. You can have thermographic letters or those that have been embossed.

Making your business cards appealing does not only make it worthy of being kept in another person's wallet but it also increases the name recall significantly.

Networking business cards is not an easy task. You need to have an eye for opportunities, as well as identify people who you think could help you, and whom you can help through your business. However, you know that it's all worth the work, especially once you start reaping the benefits of being well-connected.

This article aims to inform readers how to come up with quality business cards through online printing.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Zoe_Phoenix

Networking Fatigue?

2009-02-27T04:32:00.002-08:00

The holiday season gives us a great opportunity to meet lots of people. I actually love meeting new people, but I consider the holidays to be my "vacation time" and working is the last thing I want to do. Now that the holidays are officially over, all the parties are done and the decorations have been taken down, I've had some time to think about how I could have improved the golden opportunities that were presented to me.

First off, a changed attitude and a plan could have done wonders. Rather than thinking of it as 'work', I could have had more fun gathering interesting solid information, engaging in intellectual pursuits, and getting news I could use. Once the conversation turns to the weather, I know it's my time to either change the course of the conversation, or leave.

I also discovered a few ways to relieve the fatigue of networking, especially during the holidays

1. Enjoy the party!

You don't have to make it into a business function. Even though having a plan is important, most of the time the plan happens without much effort. So, sit back and enjoy the festivities.

2. Go with a purpose in mind.

A purpose doesn't mean it can't be fun. Find a person who has the same hobby or enjoys reading the same author. Seek out the Real Estate Agent and find out about the market in the area. Learn about community changes, new buildings, new streets and new pubic appointments. Meet your new neighbors and maybe meet a few old ones whom you don't know.

3. Make it a personal achievement game.

Again, make it purposeful, but FUN. Create a game to earn points for the number of people who meet a certain requirement you've set. (i.e. How many people have read a book by both Hemingway and J.K. Rowling? How many people have never seen 'The Wizard of Oz')

4. Schedule yourself

Plan to attend this event for 2 hours or specify a time that you must leave

A few more general suggestions:

* Remember Etiquette

If you have received an invitation, respond within 24 hours but don't ask "so who is coming?"

** Be Prepared 1

Add a small pen and pad (better yet an index card) in your pocket, in case you need to write down contact information. An index card is heavier and will stand out among your other papers.

*** Be Prepared 2

Create a list of interesting questions. The three below are just a start.

a. "What are you reading?" This question always takes me by surprise. Reading is such a solitary pursuit that I am delighted when someone actually asks.

b. "What interested you in your career? What has kept you in the field?"

c. "What are you passionate about today?" This question usually takes people by surprise, but I ask, tell them something that I'm passionate about (for me, it's a new found passion with music) and see where the conversation goes.

**** Networking is about attitude. Put on your best smile, bring an inquisitive mind and you're good to go.

The key components of networking are to remember that if you are in business, you are always selling. If you want to meet new people who can help you grow a business or a community, you need a plan. Know your outcome before you step foot into that crowd of people.

Make networking work for you - you'll enjoy yourself more and it will inevitably be profitable.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Linda_Reed_Friedman

Networking Tip - A Good Memory

2009-02-27T04:32:00.001-08:00

In the game of networking, being sharp, attentive and focused are necessary for meeting people and making great conversations. It is also important to present a professional demeanor and be prepared at events or meetings. One characteristic that can definitely boost your trust and likeability is having a good memory. Power networkers can capture the attention of potential clients and customers as well as colleagues and business mentors, if they are able to effectively put this skill into practice. Individuals tend to be impressed and interested when others take the time to remember certain details about them. These particular facts can range in aspects of professional or personal life. Memory skills can also build a good reputation for a professional, while increase their credibility and popularity among their colleagues.

Listed below are tips for sharpening the brain's capacity to remember big or small things!

Red Red Wine

At your next networking event, do not hesitate to order a glass of red wine. According to researchers, red wine has a compound called resveratrol which protects the brain against memory loss. Make sure to sip your glass in your right hand and use the proper sipping techniques. First smell the wine and then swirl it once or twice. The aroma should blossom and then take a small sip of the wine.

Iron Check

A great way to boost your memory is to maintain a sufficient level of iron. The brain is sensitive to low amounts of iron. It is important to eat foods that are high in iron and take supplements pills when necessary.

Food for Thought

There are several foods that Power Networkers can incorporate into their daily diets to boost their memory skills. Berries such as cherries, blueberries and strawberries are high in Vitamin C. Individuals can also eat different types of fish which stimulate the brain's function and development. So, the next time you eat at a restaurant or event, opt for salmon or tuna. And after dessert, choose to drink green tea instead of coffee.

Chi Chi Okezie is owner/producer of SIMPLEnetworking, LLC in Metro-Atlanta, GA. Newly published author of "SIMPLEnetworking: Creating Opportunities ... The new form of success!" View excerpts of the book and polish your professional approach: http://www.snseminars.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chi_Chi_Okezie

The Importance of Networking

2009-02-27T04:31:00.000-08:00

Everyone knows how important personal networking is right? If you do not know, you most certainly should!

The more people you know and maintain a good relationship with people the more likely they are to call you up and let you know about opening opportunities. Friends share with friends, that is a basic thing we are all taught from the moment we end up at our first day of school. The most important thing friends may share with friends is information.

Yeah, I know how crazy that sounds!

Information is so important that the entire internet was based on the concept that people would be able to quickly share important and not-so-important information with one another. Of course, radio, the telephone, and television are also examples of information-sharing technologies. People like to share what is going on with one another. That is just a fact. Which is proven time and time again, just look at the popularity and success of these recent "reality" shows on television.

The same concept has been used over and over: the sharing of information equals profit. So, the more people you know the more you can profit. Opportunities come and go, but the more people you maintain a decent relationship with the more people that are going to be willing to share the opportunities that they know about with you!

This is another reason why it is important, and maybe even more important, to make friends while managing to work hard at your job. It may sound a little like exploiting people for their good nature, but this is simply understanding how the world really works. It is just revealing a few of the fishing lines really holding up the stars in the background.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jimmy_Callahan

Social Networking and Web 2.0 - Are They the Same Thing Or Different?

2009-02-26T03:05:00.001-08:00

Web 2.0 is the buzz on the Internet, not some new software for your computer. But some are still mystified as to what Web 2.0 really is - as was I for quite some time. Now, I find it a fascinating exploration and journey to meeting and connecting with new people every day. If you are anything like me and still feeling puzzled by it all and how it relates to you, then read on!

Tim O'Reilly coined the phrase Web 2.0 at a conference. From there it took off and evolved or morphed into a new idea for increasing the effectiveness of Web 2.0 sites on the Internet. Web 2.0 sounds like it is social networking while it is actually a type of platform that supports and brings more to these social networking sites.

Let's talk about Social Networking. Social networking starts with individuals. They meet and connect forming new relationships. You could think of it like balls and sticks, with the ball representing the individual and the stick representing the connection. Without the social networking platform (the sticks) they would have made the connection.

Web 2.0 provides the space where connections and interactions can happen. The particular platform also determines the manner in which these interactions can occur. In some individuals create profiles and through their profile they are able to meet and connect with new people. On other platforms there are different means of connecting - through existing relationships and connections, or through groups or by invitation. Other features of the platform like news feeds, multimedia content, blogs, instant messages, social groups, audio and video, and message boards are also a huge part of Web 2.0. Through the unique combinations of these individuals are able to grow their connections and develop a large or gigantic online network.

Many sites use Web 2.0 as their basis. Some that you have probably heard of are:

* Facebook
* YouTube
* Twitter
* LinkedIn
* Wikipedia
* MySpace
* WordPress
* Blogger
* Flickr

There are many more, but this gives you a sampling and perhaps you are using one or two and didn't even realized you were part of Web 2.0.. If you are a member of any of these social networking sites, then you have sampled a Web 2.0 platform.

Web 2.0 sites use member generated content that is then ranked by the search engines. Good content is found on the site and the member that created it gains new connections and a "following" that is valuable. Your following can be used to increase your popularity on the web OR can create increased exposure and visibility for your business.

If you are a business owner, then you might wonder how Web 2.0 can be helpful to you. Web 2.0 platforms are already being used by businesses, universities, and families. The applications are easy to use so it becomes a great way to stay in touch. And, it is user friendly, so you don't need to have web design knowledge or html knowledge. You are able to update your presence on the web every day or multiple times throughout the day without the expense of a web designer or web host.

It is a way to keep in touch with easy to use and manageable applications. Your connections are able to subscribe to your updates using RSS Feed (Really Simple Syndication) This application automatically sends out an update to your subscribers desktop when changes occur to your page. RSS is frequently used on blogs and news sites as a convenience to readers, saving them valuable time. This enables them to be up to date without having to check your website for changes and updates. It keeps them posted. It also avoids the pitfalls of email.

Companies can also use Web 2.0 technology through Google Groups, Yahoo Groups and Twitter. It allows the company to update employees via one medium. They can receive important information about company projects, changes or new agendas.

Web 2.0 is also a useful medium for the business owner. It provides tools for driving new traffic to blogs, and websites. Several sites also provide places to post events and distribute event information to your network. The most useful part of these Web 2.0 sites is the ability to build new networks of people. Even if the site starts you out connecting to people you know, you are quickly able to move from those connections to their connections or other new connections. Each site is a new place for people to get to know you and your products. It is therefore vital that you use these sites with care, develop goals for your purpose and keep your values in check when using them. You want to protect your reputation and build a good online presence.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Donna_Price

How to Get More Referrals Even During a Bad Economy

2009-02-26T03:04:00.000-08:00

Even in the rallying bull markets of recent years I rarely met anyone--a client, colleague, or family member--who truly enjoyed giving referrals to a financial adviser.

The bottom line is that people don't get all excited and jump up and down and start bragging about you. It just doesn't happen; at least not consistently. Let alone, that person actually volunteering your name, in an excited tone, when you asked them who can help them manage their portfolio.

And how about a client recommending you now--after a disastrous 2008? Is it possible?

Yes. And quite frankly, it should be happening, regardless of whether your assets under management have tanked.

So how you bridge the gap between poor performance and wanting referrals? Seems counterintuitive, but it's not.

1. Re-visit and re-confirm objectives and goals of clients. It goes without saying that as wealth has evaporated, goals and objectives have changed dramatically. Unfortunately, it hasn't been easy to discuss such as dramatic loss of wealth, especially being the overseer of that money. It causes feelings of pain and angst with clients and is no easy picnic for you, either. But it's a necessary part of being a professional advisor. Rather than think of yourself as a part-time psychologist, think of yourself as a professional active communicator. Retrieve past intake forms and profiles in your client files. Review the tolerances for risk and also time horizon. Make notes, and follow-up with a written letter re-confirming this.

2. Focus why clients originally selected you as their advisor and re-confirm their decision. This isn't an exercise in your own peace of mind. It's designed to reinforce why the client began the relationship with you in the first place. If you've been hiding out and ducking clients, it helps further flesh-out whether or not the client still is finding value in your professional competencies, or not. (Probably not, I'd say). You need to remain neutral about other financial advisors services, rather than form your own judgments and conclusions, especially if a client has threatened to take their wealth elsewhere.

3. Communicate value via entry points and LCEPs (low cost experience points). One of the simplest ways of doing this and creating those LCEPs is to get your web site updated - it's an online brochure and as important as any hard marketing materials you now own (or plan on creating in 2009.) Showcase core competencies, cloaked case studies, and other illustrations that allow a person to come to experience you and your work.Also, it still amazes me how most advisors see referral marketing and building referrals from clients starts as a means of offering forced inducements (rewards or otherwise) to that client to get those new "experiences." That's both flawed and foolish.

Above all, keep your attitude in check. Are you making it easy for your clients to recommend you? If not, understand that the problem is likely with you, not with the client. It's not easy for your clients to recommend you because they do not always know why they should refer business to you in the first place. And why is this?

Because they do not know how this will be in their own best interests.

And why is that? Because, as I just said, they can not translate Me- Giving-You-a-Referral equates to this-form-of-benefit for me, today, in my life, in the here-and-now.

So what is the answer to getting more referrals for yourself? Transparency. As in, showing the client, colleague or family member why giving referrals to you and recommending you to others truly is in their best interests.

They have been able to form an opinion of you based on their experiences, and have objectively (not by bribes or inducements) determined you are trustworthy professional who has earned their trust and counsel.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Daryl_Logullo

Networking at Holiday Parties

2009-02-26T03:02:00.000-08:00

'Tis the season for holiday parties! Whether you're looking for a job or just looking to make contacts in your field, holiday parties are a great way to build your professional network. And networking is really just another form of communication - so here are five guidelines for how to communicate/network successfully at holiday parties:

1. Have a Plan

Before you decide to attend an event, focus on your purpose for attending. Is there anyone in particular that you'd like to meet, or information that you are looking to gather? Will you share with people that you are in the market for a new job, or are looking for new clients? Having a plan will make it easier for you to focus your attention and make it more likely that you will be successful.

2. Listen

Good networkers listen more than they talk. Resist the urge to dominate the conversation with tales of your professional prowess or your favorite (and lengthy) holiday anecdote. Ask open-ended questions; these questions often begin with "how" or "what" and require more than a "yes/no" answer. And then actually listen to the answers. Demonstrate that you are listening by your non-verbal communications, for example, by making eye contact.

3. Everything in Moderation

Whether it's sponsored by your company or the local professional association, a holiday party is not the place to sample all the free booze you can swallow or stuff yourself with the free shrimp. You are there to meet and greet people and you can do that best when you are sober and focused on people, not the bar or buffet table. In fact, I recommend that you have a snack before you go to the party so you're not starving (which helps if you're dieting, too).

4. Be Confident

If you hate networking and are uncomfortable schmoozing with people, recognize that many others feel just as uncomfortable as you do. Reach out to them and they'll be grateful - and you may just make a great professional connection! Another way to network confidently is to "tag team" the event with a colleague. You both attend and each of you talks about the other person's accomplishments. For example, I recently attended an awards event with a colleague who had won an award the previous year - it was far easier for me to introduce her and say, "Have you met Lisa? She won last year's award," than for her to say, "Hi, I'm Lisa and I won last year's award." If you do tag team, be careful not to spend all your time just talking to your tag team partner or people you already know well, which defeats the purpose of networking.

5. Follow Up

If you meet someone interesting, make a decision to follow up within a few days with a quick call or email. It can be as simple as an email that references your conversation, such as, "I enjoyed meeting you at the Chamber of Commerce party yesterday and discussing our children's college search process." Unless you schedule time in your calendar for following up with your contacts, you will have a stack of business cards on your desk that will only collect dust.

If you follow these five holiday networking tips, you'll be able to communicate effectively and build your professional network. And having a strong network will be useful no matter what the future brings.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gilda_Bonanno

Software Interface Testing and Other Types of Software Testing

2009-02-08T23:14:00.001-08:00

Software interface testing is just one among the many types of software testing that are used by software engineers for software development. Automated testing is one of the most common software test approaches these days. With this, engineers would not have to perform tests or quality assurance manually.

Nonetheless, automation of software test requires that a prior manual testing procedure should be set up and that this conforms to a formalized testing process. To automate the process, special software is used to control test executions, to ready pre-conditions or requirements for the test, and to compare actual outcomes to predicted results. While automated testing enables developers to save time and energy, manual testing is still needed for more complex tests. One of the testing methods that cannot be entirely automated is interface testing.

Interface testing is one of the most important software tests in assuring the quality of software products. In a nutshell, human beings are able to communicate with hardware through an interface. Interface is actually software that consists of sets of messages, commands, images, and other features that allow communication between a device and a user. Various companies use this type of software testing to make sure that their customers will not encounter any problem when using a particular software product once it is delivered to them. In addition, developers usually want their products to be supported by more than one language thus, their need to understand the interface. In this test, developers come up with changes or revisions and introduce these to a software application by taking note of the feedback from end-users. Usually, each end-user is assigned a specific task. During the course of this test, the program flow is checked and evaluated to determine if it matches the natural strategy of the user in navigating within the application. Moreover, this test determines which application areas are initially and usually accessed and its user-friendliness as well.

A moderator is often tasked to undertake this quality assurance test. Throughout the process, he does not need to communicate anything to the end-user. Rather, he will only be documenting or recording the reaction of the user towards the application. At the session's end, he interviews the end-users and endorses their feedback to the software developer. This way, interface testing improves the software's overall acceptance and the consumer's user experience. Factors like functionality, performance speed, the time needed to use the program, the ease with which the user remembers using the program, user satisfaction, and the rate of user errors are the usual criteria that developers have for a well-designed user interface.

Other software testing types aside from interface testing include component testing, system testing, acceptance testing, and release testing. Component testing requires testing all individual components of software design. System testing, on the other hand, involves testing the functional and non-functional requirements of application systems. Acceptance testing evaluates and compares the system against pre-set requirements. Lastly, release testing is conducted to determine if a new system is compatible to the current technical environment.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Miller

Localization Testing

2009-02-08T23:13:00.001-08:00

Typically, localization refers to the translation or the adaptation of one format into another, such that the changed format is more suitable for a specific area. Localization is most commonly done for software. It involves redesigning the software in such a manner that the requirements and expectations of the targeted segment can be met successfully. The first step would be changing the interface. An interface can be the audio or visual display that is used to communicate between the user and the machine or software. For instance, the messages that the program sends to the user have to be translated to the foreign language. The process is labor intensive and very comprehensive. A number of tools and software programs that assist in the process of localization can be bought easily.

Localized testing is done not only for software, but also for websites as well. Large websites of multi-national companies need to be accessible to a large variety of people. While localization testing, a few factors that need to be considered are character sets, keyboards, ASCII, error message identifiers, hot keys and hyphenation, spelling and sorting rules. The quality is not usually checked during localization testing. It includes additional inputs such as testing for upgrades, in-country testing, and hardware compatibility. Validation and verification of applications, linguistic accuracy, and consistency checks can be purchased separately. One of the advantages of localized testing is that potential errors can be weeded out, before they are localized and correcting them becomes costly. Localized testing providers also take care of post-release testing and corrections.

The advantage of letting professionals do localization testing is that it saves valuable time. Some websites contain politically sensitive or religiously objectionable material. Such gross mistakes could result in irreversible damage to the company's reputation.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jennifer_Bailey

What Software Testing Strategy is Right For Your Business?

2009-02-08T23:08:00.000-08:00

Software testing is an important process that is all part of the process of developing software. Any companies that neglect this process and the quality control standards that are involved can destroy the reputation of your company and your brand. It can also result in the waste of the entire amount of money that you spent on your project costs. Having a test plan is a necessary aspect of project documentation. The different goals and needs of a particular software application are covered by a particular project plan. Test documentations are also created in order to create test scenarios that determine how best the application copes in different scenarios and in different working environments.

Most of the required test requirements for determining functionality of a particular type of software are used in the later parts of software compilation. Both the developers and various development teams will place the software program through various series of tests in order to determine if it satisfies the requirements that the project set out to achieve in the first place. These tests will later pave the way for other test teams as well as beta testing and end user testing procedures. It is also important to make use of certain forms of specialized and customized software during this testing process. Some of these forms of software include regression software which allows the development team to carry out modifications and record various changes along the way. Recording changes allows you to "rollback" the entire software development process in case a change comes up which comprises the functionality of the software application and project.

The software testing phase allows an entirely new set of eyes look over the software application in order to test it in a real world scenario and away from the formal procedures that the usual software development team carries out. Testing in the test phase may involve the testing of this software on various machines each with their separate operating systems. It also involves functional testing and testing that identifies how easy it is to use the software. Sometimes the software will be released to the larger public in order to receive a response that determines how efficient the software is in the general public. This sort of testing is usually called the best testing phase. Larger software companies usually practice this beta testing in order to utilize the entire skills and experiences that result from using a wider group of people to test the software product in their various environments. Sometimes usability software is used during the process in order to streamline the entire process.

Different software testing methods have been created to meet up with the different business and organizational requirements of the particular software development company in charge of their development. In order for a commercial software company to understand the software they create the better they have to thoroughly understand the software development lifecycle. In order to implement the best standards in the software industry, professionals involved in process of software development have to continually focus on improvement of their software products.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kelly_Hunter

Software Testing: Part 2

2009-01-31T01:24:00.002-08:00

Classic Testing Misconceptions and Mistakes

Let's take a look at some of the common mistakes or misconceptions that actually reflect on a Testers quality, his efficiency and effectiveness. A couple of assumptions that are the key culprits, are the assumptions that all defects in the software product have been detected and that he or she are capable of testing the program completely.

Other misconceptions like "quality assurance is the responsibility of the testing team" and "the goal of testing is only to find bugs" can lead to a very unhealthy form of testing. Another mistake (usually associated with Junior Testers) is a rather careless approach to with regard to the detection of major bugs and the negligence in reporting usability issues.

In certain organizations more emphasis is given to the unit testing front carried out by the developers leading to the starting of the testing phase too late, This will usher a false sense of security or complacence that they at times even go to the extend of delaying or putting off the stress and load testing to the last minute. This results in the whole testing process being rendered ineffective.

From a testers point of view "incomplete evaluation of the related projects documentation", "ignoring the testing of installation procedures" and the "failure to identify risk areas accurately" can also lead to the degeneration of the effectiveness of the Test. Another common complaint that is encountered is the excessive attention that is paid to running the Test rather than designing and planning the same.

What are the characteristics of a Good Test Engineer?

He or she should possess at least a minimum knowledge of software engineering. Often a Tester should be an expert in a number of areas. He or she should possess a substantial knowledge of the application that is tested. The tester should have a natural hyper-sensitivity to trivial things,

He should possess software engineering skills (understanding the rules of software engineering, knowing computer programming and having operating system level knowledge). Often a tester needs to be an expert in a number of areas, be steady to chaos and pressure of development, management, as well as pressure of different circumstances. While its ok for the tester skeptical of the developers claims, He should not take a Hostile Attitude!

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Prakash_Chakkunny

Software Testing: Part 1

2009-01-31T01:24:00.001-08:00

The other day a friend asked me what a tester does. In other words what is software testing? What’s a bug? What are the key terms associated with testing? This is a humble attempt to address these questions and initiate the uninitiated to the world of testing.

Software Testing is a process of software analysis and defect detecting. It’s the art (pun intended) of identifying as many defects as possible in order that they can be fixed. A Defect (bug) is the non conformance to requirements or functional specification. It is something that does not correspond to valid Customer’s expectations that are assumed but may be not described in product requirements.

The Test Manager in conjunction with the Project Manager develops a Test Plan which describes what, when, how and who will be involved in the testing process. This basic document also describes a list of tested components, quality criteria and risks of testing, resources and graphs of testing, testing strategy and testing types test budget etc.

The test lead/ senior test Engineer develops Test cases which is basically a set of test inputs, execution conditions, and expected results developed for a particular objective, such as to exercise a particular program path or to verify compliance with a specific requirement.

Classification of Testing Types:

Static Testing is a process, which is used for verifying any work product in terms of code, requirements, functional specification, architecture and design documents, etc. Static testing is one of the most effective ways of defects detecting in the early stages of a product process.

Dynamic Testing Dynamic testing consists of launching the program, running all functional modules and comparing the product’s behavior with expected one using user interface.

Black box testing. Testing software based on functional and business requirements at launching and operating it without knowledge of the internal structure or program source code. A tester tests a product so as an end-user would work with it at the time of its launch and operation. This method checks the proper working of all functions and whether they conform to functional requirements.

White box testing (glass box testing). The Tester uses his or her understanding of source code and accesses the code to develop and execute test cases. This method tests the architecture of the system. It tests the design and programming that goes into building system. White box testing is usually applied when application is not entirely assembled, but it’s necessary to check each of the components, modules, procedures and sub-functions.

Unit Testing. This level of testing is usually carried out by the software developer to perform the testing of a separate module of the system. It may be a testing even of any particular part of the code (class).

Integration Testing. Is the testing of various components of an application (in their integrated form) to determine if they function well together. Also, interactions between applications of big system can be checked with this type of testing. In this case this testing is known as Cross-product testing. Usually it is performed after unit and functional testing has been carried out.

System Testing refers to that type of testing which checks the operation of the system as a whole. It is usually associated with the testing of the functional as well as non-functional requirements of the system.

Functional testing is the process of attempting to find discrepancies between the program and its functional requirements or specifications. Its goals are

1. Defining defects in software product and its documenting

2. Determine if software meets its requirements as defined in the Software requirements Specification (SRS) and other relevant documents.

3. Take an objective decision about possibility of software product delivery to customer; the decision should be documented in test result report.

Smoke Test It is the first and the shortest test, which checks the basic functionality of software product. This test takes approximately 1-4 hours depending on program complexity, A smoke test helps the Test lead to take a decision as to whether to continue further testing or not.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Prakash_Chakkunny

Discovering Black Box Testing Advantages

2009-01-31T01:23:00.000-08:00

Testing is an important process in the software development business. In fact, there are many levels of tests conducted by software engineers before their product is being introduced in the market. Likewise, they use different approaches, and among them is black box testing. Many software developers these days opt to use this test approach. Below are the black box testing advantages shared by many software developers.

Software developers summarized in two reasons why they use the black box test approach. First is that the test can be conducted by any person, even the non-technical individual. This is because black box testing does not need prior know-how of the internal components of the program and the coding. Thus, it can be performed by anyone. The second reason identified by software engineers is that this technique can be made to verify contradictions between the actual process and the provisions.

To further understand this approach, it will be a big help to know what black box testing really means and how it works. Black box testing is also referred as data-driven based kind of testing. In this technique, the data tested is derived from the specified operational requisites without affecting the components of the application during the time of its completion. The major purpose of black box testing is to authenticate the functionality of the whole system. This test is anchored on implementing the functions in the application, as well as evaluating the input and output data. The functionality of the system is being computed by determining the output against the equivalent input.

Meanwhile, errors found in the application are also being classified. Since the goal of black box testing is to check how the process runs, then it is just appropriate that the attempt to seek errors in the system is categorized. With such move, software developers would be guided in checking the whole system. Among these error categories are: interface user, functions, data structures, database external access, performance, and initialization and termination of some variables.

Black box testing, however, is not all positive. Like any approach, there are also some bad sides of using this technique. One of these is that there are chances that an earlier undefined path may emerge during the testing procedure. Another disadvantage is that test cases to be written for the process may consume time and can be complicated. Also, identifying inputs can be difficult.

Now, you might wonder why software engineers test their products. The reason for this is quality. Software testing is the method of running a program to find whether there are errors during execution. The aim here is to evaluate the potential of a specific program. Testing is helpful for both the software developer and the company itself. Through testing, the developer gets the opportunity to improve his or her product. In effect, the software firm that employs the developer benefits as well. This is so since the company is better able to market a quality software product, which in turn can translate to more sales. The main goal is to provide clients a software product that is user-friendly and efficient. Thus, with the black box testing advantages, it is not surprising why many companies encourage its developers to use this approach.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sam_Miller

Gamer Testing Ground - Become A Microsoft Game Tester

2009-01-21T03:23:00.001-08:00

Microsoft is a well-known enterprise that owned computer software. The company develops video games for multi-platform such as personal computer, Xbox, and Xbox360. Game developing companies are contracted with Microsoft so more new video game titles are expected to be released monthly. Microsoft is back-up with huge capital and the pay rate of Microsoft game tester is higher than other video game company.

Gamer Testing Ground is a website which offers a membership program. The program contains useful information and tools that guide members to become a video game tester successfully. But the program does not guaranteed that you will be hired by a game company, it gives you a better chance to be employed. The program includes more than 50 company titles with open vacancies. Microsoft is one of their clients.

If you are a big fan of Xbox360 and PC gaming, you have probably aware there are thousand of game titles available on these two platforms which owned by Microsoft. The company also produced video games. Many game developers are working with Microsoft with a pile of pre-release game titles. Game company earns 50 billion of dollars each year so in order to increase their profit margin they have to ensure of their game quality. This is the reason why game company hires video game tester to be an eye-keeper for the product quality standard.

As a matter of fact, many people did not realize that this kind of job does exist. Even if they are aware they do not think a game company would want to pay them for playing their video games. This is an example of an opportunity forgoer. Many game companies are agree to pay game testers for testing their video games to avoid possible errors which are 'bugs' and 'graphic glitches'. Microsoft is a huge corporation that sells computer software and video games, so begin your game testing career with Microsoft has a huge benefit in earning more money and opportunity to work with game developers.

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The Logic Behind Implementing Test Automation Framework

2009-01-21T03:22:00.001-08:00

In a nutshell, test automation is the process of examining and evaluating software applications so that glitches and bugs in the program can be detected early on. This is done so that the proper corrective actions can be implemented so as to get rid of these bugs and glitches. As expected, this process is a formal one so there should also be a test automation framework implemented, to ensure that the proper mechanics are incorporated.

Furthermore, test automation also pertains to tool support for each and every aspect of testing a program or software being developed. This does not just pertain to execution. The process is placed into action by programmers who are also are also under the direction of testers. The progress of the whole process is then measured as to how problems are being solved for both the tester and the test manager. There are many factors that constitute the automation formula. This would differ according to the needs and preferences of the testers and test managers at hand. However, there are several steps that are commonly taken.

The first step is to purchase a GUI or Graphics User Interface test execution tool. A GUI test execution tool actually aims to test all the graphics that come with the software being tested. What happens here is that all tabs, links, and graphics used in operating the software are checked to see if they are working as they should be. It would be very harrowing on the part of software engineers if they release a newly developed media player, only to find out that the PLAY button does not work well.

After getting this tool, the next step is to identify and write down on paper all of the possible test processes that would take place. There is nothing more defining than to see all of these placed on paper. With such an outline to serve as a guide, the whole process can become official. After which, these test processes are then automated by their corresponding automation professionals.

The next step then is to build a framework comprised of a series of tests. These tests should be comprehensive as well as measurable and scaleable. There is no point in creating tests that do not give you concrete figures, to show you whether or not a particular application or program is already good for release with its glitches and bugs appropriately settled. You also have to make sure that the product specifications be consistent and should not change that much once they undergo the testing process.

With these steps, it is not difficult to see just how beneficial it is to have a test automation framework implemented. Through the process, you can enjoy improved efficiency because there are now concrete methodologies that you can use to back up your framework. You can also enjoy significant reductions when it comes to automation costs. Plus, with analysis and test reporting, you now have tangible results whenever you want to check the status of the test, providing you a more accurate way to interpret the results themselves.

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Introduction To Smoke Testing

2009-01-21T03:20:00.000-08:00

The method of smoke testing is generally used for shrink wrapped softwares. These are those softwares which are pre packaged for sale to many i.e. in contrast to custom made softwares. MS word is an example of pre-packages software. This method is used by the software developers for those projects which are time bound so that they can check the working of the software during the various stages of its development.

The method of smoke testing is inclusive of a number of points as stated below:-

1. "Build" consists of a numbers of small programs which are written in codes and are integrated together. All data files, sub modules, libraries etc which are necessary for the functioning of the product are included in the build.

2. A collection of tests are performed on the system to detect the errors and check its functionality. Stress should be given to detect those errors which can stop the system from functioning further.

3. A number of "builds" are integrated together and the whole software is smoke tested.

The users of the software can get a real view of the integration testing progress by frequent testing. McConnell explains the method of smoke testing as follows.

The method of smoke testing need not be extensive or meticulous but it should be able to test the whole software and find the "show stopper" errors. There is no need to go in the minute details of the programming till the time the entire software clears the smoke test. Once the integrated software clears the test, finer details can be looked at.

Smoke testing has a number of benefits when it is used by the developers of the complex softwares and also by the developers of those projects which are time bound.

· The daily application of the smoke test reduces the chances of "show stopper" errors and other incompatibilities between the various programs which are the part of the main build.
· The quality and functioning of the developed software is improved as functional, architectural and component level design defects are found earlier.
· Errors can be found easily by applying this test as this test is the easiest way of detecting the errors which might have occurred due to the addition of some new program in the main build.
· The progress in the development of the software can be estimated easily by applying this test. The working of the software on addition of each successive program to the main build boosts the confidence of the team and gives the manager an idea about the work being done.

By: SoftwareQAtestings

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Gamer Testing Ground Review - How To Become A Beta Game Tester

2009-01-19T04:00:00.002-08:00

Anyone can become a beta game tester as long as they enjoy to play video game. Gamer Testing Ground is a program that gives information and guide on how to become a beta tester. The game testing jobs have become popularity since game companies are earning 50 billion dollars in revenue each year. In order for them to earn more money, they want to ensure that their video games contain no errors which known as 'graphic glitches' and 'bugs'. This is the reason why they hire beta game tester to keep an eye on their product quality.

Gamer Testing Ground is a website which is also a membership program that offer useful information and tools to their members for a higher chance of being employed by a game company. The game testing position is open to people of all levels and game programming and developing skills are not required. The company will look through your resume instead of your experience, so you should understand how to write your resume the correct way to attract their attention. Gamer Testing Ground provides guide on how to write an outstanding profile and resume.

The beta game testing jobs are opened to the residents of United States, United Kingdom and Canada. There is no limit on how many video game you can test, the only limit is your time. It usually takes up to 8 hours per day to test one game. The more games you test, the more money you will earn. So there are enough rooms for everyone.

The pay rate is depending on your game testing experience. If you are a new starter you can earn at least $9 per hour. The highest paid is $150 per hour which also depend on how many games you can test each week. There is no limit in earning. Gamer Testing Ground included a list of game companies that have a higher pay rate due there are a few numbers of beta game testers. Beta testing job is a very profitable business since the video game consumer market has been expanded since last decade.

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Does Detox Work For Passing Any Alcohol Testing Device ?

2009-01-19T04:00:00.001-08:00

If your employer has asked you to submit hair, blood or urine for a drug or alcohol test in a matter of days or a week for a random drug test, or as part of an interview/promotion, and you are a user or abuser of drugs and alcohol, can you trust an online detox company to ensure that you will give clean results?

If you have taken drugs or drink alcohol excessively and you need to pass a drug or alcohol testing device, it’s possible to squeak by the less technical urinalysis test but it’s unlikely you can cheat the high tech system that “reads” your hair. Unless you plan to shave your head, which would give you away regardless, no bleach, hair dye or strange elixir is going to “clean” your hair.

Unlike urine alcohol testing, which can only prove whether or not you have abused alcohol within a very small time frame of about a week, the drug and alcohol hair testing exposes everything you have consumed from food to absorbed chemicals as far back as 12 months ago, using specialized equipment that reveals all.

How the Hair Drug and Alcohol Testing Device Works

Using ethyl glucuronide, (EtG) alcohol testing technology, no other test in the world can give detailed results for hair alcohol testing. EtG alcohol testing allows a scientist to segment testing into months of abuse unlike previous FAEE, testing alone which only shows alcohol dependency. FAEE or fatty acid ethyl ethers is a patented forensic process which reveals markers that are only exposed if a person has consumed alcohol. The more alcohol consumed the greater amount of FAEE and EtG markers become present in the hair.

What Detox Companies Claim

Detox companies claim that by using their products, pills, elixers or teas, that you will be able to pass any drug test. They claim that they are 99% effective and that you won’t have to worry at all. In the case that you decide to try one of the detox companies out, it is highly recommended that you use their drug and alcohol testing devices that come with the product as a home test for your self, not for submission for something as serious as final results to apply for a job.

Unless you are a clean and sober individual, there is nothing to worry about if your company asks you to give blood, sweat, urine or hair sample for any drug or alcohol testing device. If you are not a sober person and you are a risk taker, then you should trust the detox potions. If you are going to be giving your hair as a sample for testing…all will be revealed, including the detox potion you attempted to take under the radar. Unfortunately, if you are a drug user or alcoholic, there isn’t much you can do to prevent the truth from being revealed.

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Software Test Automation For Accuracy And Precision

2009-01-16T02:23:00.001-08:00

More and more companies these days are using automated testing tools for accuracy and precision. Testing is really important to make sure their software is working well before it goes into use. In this day and age, you have to guarantee that the applications that have been created for online use by the general public work perfectly.

However, automated software tests can be quite difficult, especially if you are a quality assurance manager or working in the IT department. Therefore, handling software testing without losing your wits can be quite a challenge for you.

The first thing to remember is that automated testing is not fully automated. Test automation can give you test execution elements, but there are other ways of testing with computers. For instance, there is software available that can do more jobs and do them well too. The different jobs it can do include test data generation, installations, file and database comparisons, and analyzing test results.

You must know the goal of testing before you begin testing. For that purpose it is a good idea to create a schedule and try to stick to it. Of course, you may have to re-evaluate your goals as the project moves along. You also have to use both computers and human strengths to help you figure out and prevent problems. Another good way to keep a project going smoothly is to make sure management is confident in what your team is doing. With all the different types of testing software available out there, it pays to find an application that will serve you well in the long run and test for many different things.

Testing software that includes a whole range of testing capabilities is very practical for testing software properly. However, although you may want to automate everything with such an application, just be aware that some tasks cannot be carried out through the use of an application tool. But sometimes you can still find out how to automate the process using other tools you can find elsewhere. Sometimes it is more practical to test manually using human skills and intelligence, but usually an automated software testing program really does do the trick. Some tasks cannot be automated, but most can.

The secret of success lies in the organization. Your aim should be to set up the project in such a manner that when you work with your team, each member of the team provides value. It is best to start from the ground level and plan for small achievements, and go from there. This is the way to about it when you are testing software for problems.

Test automation is a good solution for performing load testing, performance testing, functional testing, regression testing, and bug tracking. The automated process can make the process of finding problems in software more accurate and quick.

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Introduction Of Performance Testing Tools In Uk

2009-01-16T02:21:00.000-08:00

Software testing tactic is a vital method that includes mechanism of software development lifecycle. There are lots of firms that stopped working to execute QC (Quality Control) effectively and standards describe the range of tests for application can deconstruct product reliability, damage the overall project and create a cost feast.

Software testing plan form is a part of the project documentation. The functional, objectives and goals needs of software application are restricted and scoped by the project planning. Mostly, test documents are planned to make test cases to succeed the application for platform constancy, system strength, functional fit, performance and usability.

First of all, functional test needs are performed throughout the last all stages of the first software construction. Development team OR developer locates software through a cycle of tests to make sure that it rally the primary stakeholder needs and to prepare the path for more testing team, end user testing and beta testing, for testing sample. Sometime employed specialised software is during the testing phase. Deterioration software permits the development team to build record and adjustment the changes along the way. This allows ‘rollback’ in the occasion that a change negotiations accessible code utilities.

Testing phase permits fresh eyes set to subject the function to a range of ‘real world’ testing external the paperwork followed by team. It can contain testing software on different machines with different OS, testing for simplicity of application and functional testing. Reaction from this permits development team to make better applications performance and ease of use. In some cases, at first release of the software is offered to plan viewers to secure a wider range of testimonial.

By: nmqa.seo

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Material testing software

2009-01-13T04:49:00.003-08:00

Bluehill 2 software is a fully integrated, modular software package. Bluehill 2 provides laboratory managers and test technicians with easy, tailored application solutions, according to the company. Bluehill 2's next generation software features VersaChannel for data acquisition from up to 16 additional input channels, a raw data viewer, API (advanced programming interface), user defined raw data and results export, and test file export for use in databases, including Microsoft Access. From the simplicity of a basic peak load test to the complexity of a cyclic test, Bluehill 2 users can get fast results with minimal training. Intuitive features include color-coded tabs, screens tailored to the requirements of each test type and parameters such as fixture setup, test terminology, unit choices and calculations which are automatically configured. Enhanced graphics and report modules are available to improve the professional finish of results and graphics, while creating user flexibility.

Software package for GSM testing

2009-01-13T04:49:00.001-08:00

IFR has introduced the PhoneTest software package and 2935 GSM test head for PC-based digital GSM 900/1800/1900 system cellular phone testing.

The products embody not only a comprehensive test and repair solution but also optional software, additional management, clerical andadministration tasks necessary to the efficient running of a service workshop.

PhoneTest is the controlling software for the test head, and provides the man-machine interface using a Windows environment. This enables the generation of warranty claim forms, mobile repair history, repair hints and valuable workshop statistics which are vital tasks that GSM service centres undertake.

The test head provides the signaling protocols to simulate a basestation to allow a GSM handset to be out into conversation mode.

Software monitors test conditions

2009-01-13T04:47:00.000-08:00

Software that oversees test times and isolates problems in leak-testing applications is available from InterTech Development Co., which specializes in automated leak testing and functional testing. The software helps provide the means to show real-time traces of how test instrumentation transducers are performing versus actual cycle times.

The InterTech S3085 software enables data transfer between a PC and test instrumentation and can display records from up to eight InterTech M-10x5 test instruments. It can automatically calculate R&R percentages based on the number of trials performed. All data can be saved in a Microsoft Excel spreadsheet file format, facilitating SPC analyses. InterTech's $3085 monitoring software is fully Windows-compatible, with the ability to record two million test records.

The Software Testing Process - What Needs To Done

2009-01-12T03:23:00.000-08:00

When software is developed, there are many tests involved from the start of the development to the final release to the public. If you are in the software developing business, it is important that you know how to ensure your software is properly tested before release and free of problems which could in turn cause problems for potential customers.

Software is a major commodity in the world and with so many different packages being developed competition is very stiff. This makes it even more important that you make sure your software is reliable, functional and secure. One of the most important tests your software needs to pass before it can be released to the public, especially if the software provides a business function, is security testing. With all the cracking, hacking and viruses going on in the world, especially in large businesses, it is very important that all software be properly protected from intrusions from outside.

Another way to ensure that your software is properly tested before release is to make sure that it goes through the entire software testing cycle from the alpha to the beta testing stages, using verification (is the software made right?) and validation (is this the right software that is ordered?) methods of testing. There needs to be testing of the individual software units—a process called unit testing—to assure that each unit is operating correctly. When they are put together to create a larger entity, they are once again tested to make sure they continue to operate and function as a whole and individually. Integration tests should always be performed on the software at this point. Don't assume because the units performed well individually that they will perform well when joined together.

If a problem is encountered after the software has been already successfully tested, once the problem has been corrected be sure to run a regression test to make sure the software continues to function as it did before the correction. Often, this is when you will find a malfunction. Performance testing is done to ensure your software performs in the manner in which it was designed to perform. Functional testing is done to ensure that each separate function of the software works independently as well as a group. More information on the role of functional testing is available at http://www.softwaretestworld.com.

Compatibility and usability should also be tested before release of the software. It is important that the software be tested fully for loadability and traffic flow. Nothing will give you a unhappy customer quicker than a piece of software that moves too slowly to function correctly.

When the software has been successfully tested with all the important tests, put it in the beta state where other customers can try the software out to make sure it has no issues or bugs. If it does, this is your opportunity to fix the software so it is satisfactory before final release.

As you can see, the software testing process is a complex and time-consuming affair. However it is essential to ensure that any software you release does the job that the customer expects it to do. By bearing in mind the points mentioned above you stand a much better chance of releasing a software package which functions properly and provides you with a satisfied customer.

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Multivariate Testing Software - Fast and Easy Testing to Maximum Profit

2009-01-12T03:21:00.000-08:00

Testing is essential for business success. If you have been an internet professional for any length of time you probably already know that continual testing of ads, sales pages, and landing pages is crucial to continued success.

In the most common form of testing two ads are created. The first is the control copy and is published as is. The second is published with one element changed. This process can be long and laborious since only one element is tested at a time. The type of testing that I am describing here is call A/B or split testing.

Thank goodness that there is now a newer and faster way to test. Multivariate testing allows the internet professional to test as many elements of their sales page as they like ...at the same time. Multivariate testing is much quicker than the antiquated split testing method. If you really want to optimize your sales materials quickly then a multivariate testing software package is a must have.

Before jumping off into the deep end and grabbing the first multivariate testing software that you see there is one thing that you should know. Software packages range in cost from free to several thousand dollars. Just remember the old adage "you get what you pay for." Free or low cost might seem attractive but chances are that the software is quite limited in its functionality. Here are 5 points to consider when deciding on the proper multivariate testing software package.

1.) How easy is it to use?

You are purchasing a multivariate testing software package to save time. How much time are you saving if you have to spend a few weeks learning how to use it properly? I suggest that you stick to packages that offer windows based control panel. We all use windows every day and are very familiar with it.

2.) Installation woes

Some of these packages can be quite complicated to install if you are not well versed in database usage and scripting languages. When purchasing a multivariate testing software package try to find one that offers free or low cost installation.

3.) Speed

Multivariate testing software can cause your website to become very busy as it does its job. You want a package that is fast and does not slow the loading of your pages. My suggestion here is that you stick with one that uses PHP and mySQL. These packages tend to be very fast with minimal impact on load speed.

4.) Number of Variables

Lower end multivariate testing software is usually limited in the number of variables that you can test simultaneously. This gets back to getting what you pay for. To optimize your sales page as quickly and efficiently as possible you must be able to test many variables at once.

5.) Seamless integration

The multivariate testing software that you choose must be invisible to your customer. It must be capable of using cookies to ensure that should a customer leave without converting and return later they will be presented with the same sales page.

Multivariate testing software can save valuable time by conducting numerous tests all on the same page. There is no need to create multiple sales pages. Using this software is a very intelligent way to optimize your sales page continually and increase conversions. As an internet professional how can you go wrong with multivariate testing software?

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What Is Regression Testing Software?

2009-01-08T03:21:00.000-08:00

Regression testing software is a software series that is designed to help isolate issues that have arisen with software on the hard drive that was working fine, yet suddenly developed a problem. Essentially, the software works its magic by taking a look at diagnostics and backups from previous periods when the problem was not present, then compares the data to that of a current diagnostic. This simple process can often supply valuable clues about what has changed and created the operational issue.

The beauty of regression testing software is that it can identify problems with a number of different origins. For example, the software may be able to pick up on a local reason for the problem, such as some new virus or bug being introduced to the hard drive and becoming embedded in one or more of the files used to drive a program. In other cases, the regression software may uncover some factor that activated a bug in the software scripting that remained dormant until something caused it to activate.

Even if the origin of the issue is not local, there is a chance that testing software can still help isolate the problem. To illustrate, if one program interfaces and writes to a different database, and in the process creates some sort of a change, that change may in effect break some aspect of the receiving database. Until the change is corrected, the performance of the receiving database will be erratic at best.

Generally, regression testing software can isolate a problem, but does not have the ability to automatically fix the issue. However, knowing what is causing the issue makes it possible to select the right tools that can be used to correct the situation, and restore your hard drive and all the loaded software to the same level of efficiency that was enjoyed before the problem began.

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Find Software Testing Jobs In The UK

2009-01-08T03:19:00.000-08:00

If you are setting your sights at finding software testing jobs in UK, you are advised to keep a few things in mind. First of all, you need to know what software testing exactly is all about. Instead of using a lot of technical jargon it would be more effective to use simpler words to explain the functions and the job description of a software tester.

Although there are numerous aspects to the software testing job, the bottom-line for a tester is to look for as well as locate bugs in the software product. Finding a bug in the software involves developing tools for the customer to find bugs or finding them yourself or even finding them before they are introduced in a software product.

The other important thing that you need to keep in mind while looking for software testing jobs in UK is to make sure that you fit into their category of suitable testing professionals. The best way to ensure this would be to first decide on a particular company that you would like to work for; also you need to focus on finding a suitable position in this company in your particular area of expertise. For example, if you are a gaming software tester, you need to ensure that the company you intend to work for requires a gaming tester.

Finding software testing jobs in UK will not be very difficult if you are capable of fulfilling the various requirements that the software testing field demands from a professional software tester. Some of the companies that you intend to work for might even have a pre-determined set of skill as well as knowledge requirements that a particular prospective employee of the company is required to comply with, in order to gain a suitable position. For example most companies ask for a minimum qualification of an associate degree in Information Technology which is accompanied by a two year period of practical experience in the software testing field.

There are some other forms of requirements that you need to meet in order to find software testing jobs in UK. Some of these might be to have a thorough knowledge of computer application programs as well as analysis processes or knowledge of software and/or hardware troubleshooting techniques. In addition to this, you might be required to know about the coding, debugging as well as the testing processes for a computer software program. You are also required to know how to execute programs in various different programming languages. Most companies pay high significance to co operational skills in the work place. Thus being just good at your job will not suffice if you do not have satisfactory interpersonal skills as well.

Any further information that you might require about software testing jobs in UK can be found on the internet. There are numerous websites that offer helpful information.

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Testing Services

2009-01-08T03:17:00.000-08:00

Testing services are well catered to by certain providers who've got their own specialties to boast of. If you are a business proprietor, you want to give your customers nothing but the best. So, it is always wise to partner with testing services providers that can be of service to you. Obviously, you've got a name to protect. A company's reliable reputation when it comes to doing business is the main factor that attracts clients.

Testing services conquer a wide arena. The testing services suppliers all over America include material testing, product testing, non-destructive testing, educational testing, medical-related testing, acoustic and vibration testing, metal corrosion testing, analytical testing, particle inspection testing and more. Testing services have a lot of things under their care, and these service providers are engaged in a lot of facets and a wide variety of functions that are indicated in their portfolio.

Generally, testing services are categorized into the following:

Functional Testing - This application is conducted to meet designated business requirements via the functional configurations specified by the clients or by the designing squad. Functional testing includes services such as unit testing, integration testing, smoke testing, sanity testing, system testing, interface and usability testing, regression testing, user acceptance testing, globalization and localization testing, black box testing and white box testing.

Non-Functional Testing - This type of testing service is applied based on the specifications and conditions laid out by the client. Under this category are load and performance testing, stress and volume testing, ergonomics testing, data conversion testing, compatibility and migration testing, installation testing, security or penetration testing and more.

Automated Testing - This is an effective means of switching manual test scenarios into codes that are readable by machine. This testing service is a program that proves advantageous in marketing products and software.

Competitive Analysis Testing - This is an evaluation test applied to two or more products in order to detect their usability, functionality, and performance. This type of testing service guarantees that your merchandise will be perfectly capable of meeting the demands of the ever-growing competition in the market.

When it comes to product reliability and performance, it is always best to have it tested. With this, you will provide customers the satisfaction they truly deserve.

Testing Services provides detailed information on Testing Services, Educational Testing Services, DNA Testing Services, Applicant Testing Services and more. Testing Services is affiliated with RFID Tags.

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Know The Operational Of The Pat Testing Equipments Easily With A Few Helpful Guidelines

2008-12-29T01:25:00.004-08:00

PAT or Portable Appliance Test is the process by which electrical equipments are tested at regular intervals to warranty their safety safe for use.

All the electrical tools and appliances, based on the Electricity at Work Regulations 1989 are essential to be good retained so as to stop any possible danger. Every holder is required to assess the Electrical Equipment on a set schedule to assure the security of its staff and workers. Everything from monitors, computers, PC's, laptops, printers, photocopiers and fax machine to fans, heaters, and even microwave require to undergo testing. In simpler and short words, any and every electrical necessitate used by the employees or the tenants need thorough analyzing. Even the landholder who own the care homes or rent their assets need PAT testing for all the electrical apparatus used in the belongings.

Besides PAT testing, visual examination of the electrical equipments should be carried out more often within a year. A good visual inspection can lure awareness to unmindful defaults such as cracked casing, loose wire, missing grills and covers.

To ensure the constant security, most of the electric machineries entail frequent testing. The time interval for the assessments depends both on the type of equipment and the surrounding it is used in. However, there are no set guidelines for the frequency of PAT testing on electrical devices, still expected assessment of electrical equipment is essential to ensure the health and safety of employees.

You need to be extremely careful and also cautious while working with the PAT testing apparatus. Here are some tips that would help you to understand the working of Pat Testing Equipment easily:

Become proficient for carrying check :-You need to be expert and also practiced based on the laws so as to perform the PAT testing. By simply concentrating a training course related to PAT Testing from a good center, you can become highly trained for the assessment.
The IEE Code of practice
You are wanted to follow the IEE Code of Practice in order to perform the check. The code of practice for the assessment of the electrical apparatus and the in-service assessments, the manual provides a code of practice. It incorporates advice on compliance with health and protection legislation. Before starting the PAT Tests, make sure that you read it and thus become recognizable to it.

Purchase good authority Pat Testing Equipment
A high authority Pat Tester is a must to ascertain correct results. Try to avoid used or second hand testing machineries. Accuracy and longevity of any tools can be promised by a good PAT testing equipment.

Perform your check in correct order
To promise the accuracy of results, you need to perform the right assessments in a right order. Whatever results are received, the accuracy would be preserved.

Do not touch the Electric Appliance:-Don't ever touch the electric devices while performing the assessments. If performed in the correct order using a good checking devices, PAT testing can become a disturbance free job.

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What Diabetic Testing Supplies Should I Use?

2008-12-29T01:25:00.003-08:00

Dealing with diabetes means more than just having to pop a pill with the anticipation that the medication will keep the sickness at bay. Controlling blood sugar is crucial for a diabetic person so no matter which from the listing of diabetic testing supplies that can watch sugar level can be a huge help in introducing slowly preventive means. The same goes when it comes to supervising a diabetic person’s blood pressure level at any time of the day. For people with Type I diabetes, paraphernalia for insulin shots is significant. Blood sugar strips, BP monitors and insulin shots paraphernalia are but a few samples of the diabetic testing supplies that people with this medical condition have to subscribe to.

If you are wondering which product you would purchase, it will be the best idea to ask your doctor for advises first. Rashly purchasing supplies off the Internet is not a assurance that these products may or can work for you. Most of the obtainable diabetic testing supplies are inexpensive – that fact is true. But these wiil require each day and nonstop use. SomeFew of the more expensive products can be a great investments but only if the person with diabetes really has a need for them. Additionally, the kind of diabetes that the person has dictates what kind of diabetic testing supplies that the person should purchase. For example, Type I diabetics may need daily insulin shots and would therefore need a host of paraphernalia in this regard. There are a number of people with Type II diabetes who may not need these at all. Again, a lot depends on the recommendation of your doctor.

Some of the more common monitoring devices available in diabetic testing supplies shops include: glucose test strips, glucometers (glucose meters,) lancets and monitor kits. These, but, are usually inter-dependent on the actual brand of the monitor kits. This means that glucose strips must be used for specific brands of monitor kits, and not otherwise. When it comes to testing accessories, diabetic testing supplies are every so often brand-sensitive as well. These include glucose monitor electronic logbooks and data cables and software. There are also branded glucometer batteries.

Other online diabetic testing supplies stores also sell other monitoring devices like blood pressure monitors and urinalysis test strips. Though, these diabetic testing supplies stores are probably the best place to order all the necessary paraphernalia needed for insulin shots like needles and syringes; insulin pens (also works as insulin syringes); cooler; pumps; skin wipes and the actual insulin supply. A brief interlude of caution, though. There are many kinds, consistencies and brands of insulin, so a doctor’s prescription should be available when purchasing online. Try not to replace the prescribe insulin for something cheaper or easier to purchase, since these can severely influence your metabolism. Substituting other insulin paraphernalia are acceptable though.

additional products that can be seen in the diabetic testing supplies stores may include diabetic foot care products; diabetic (orthopedic) shoes; nutritional supplements; cookbooks and informational books about diabetes; incontinence diapers (for elderly patients) and even supplies and paraphernalia for pets that are diabetic as well.

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Risk-free Outsourcing Software Development

2008-12-29T01:25:00.001-08:00

Decision-makers are haunted by nightmares about dishonest outsourcing vendors, software that hardly works or software that you never get to see. There is also a fear of being unable to manage an offshore dedicated team efficiently with all fatal consequences possible.

To begin with, there is nothing worse than missed opportunities and rejecting the idea of outsourcing software development you are very likely to stay disappointed in the end. All you need to do is put aside horror stories told by companies who didn’t know how to outsource sensibly and read the following tips for safe and effective software outsourcing.

- Pay attention to scheduling. Set intervals of time at which you expect to receive information on the progress of your offshore dedicated teams. If you define what and when should be done, you are more likely to be in control at all stages and to actually know at which stage the development process is now.

- Pay attention to details. You opted for outsourcing software development because it was the way to get features that will keep your customers happy. So make sure these features are present in every release.

- Communicate with your offshore dedicated teams on almost daily basis. As it’s been said above, it keeps you informed in general, stimulates knowledge exchange between your in-house and offshore people and doesn’t let minor problems to pile up and block the process.

- Never underestimate the importance of unit and system testing. Insist on creating tests before software is created. It is useful for both clarifying what software should do in the beginning and testing for basic system functionality afterwards. Integration testing is needed to ensure higher levels of performance.

- Recompilation is something that will allow early detecting and quick fixing of problems and errors in your software. Make sure, offshore dedicated teams do not forget about it as this helps to avoid delays in software release.

- Along with offshore dedicated teams a team of your in-house specialists should be responsible for knowledge management. In other words, you should know how software works. Architectural documents and installation instructions are really useful for product installation and support.

Don’t be afraid to come across as meticulous and over-cautious. If you outsource your software development to good specialists you can count on understanding and support in all points mentioned above. Outsourcing software development can work wonders and you have the right to take advantage of this kind of cooperation.

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Gamer Testing Ground - Become A Microsoft Game Tester

2008-12-29T01:24:00.001-08:00

Technical Writing - Software Documentation Terms You Should Know As a Technical Communicator

2008-12-27T02:21:00.001-08:00

Software documentation is a distinct specialty within the larger discipline of Technical Writing. It's a world with its own rules, processes and lingo.

Here are some more software industry terms you should be familiar with as a technical writer...

Testing - All software are tested thoroughly by a team of testers before approved for final release to the market.

There are different types of tests, like "unit testing" which tests whether a single software component is working properly or not, and "system integration testing" which checks out whether different components of a software system are working well together or not.

There are "stress" and "load" tests which measure how well the software performs under heavy usage. Does the software break down, for example, when a thousand or 10,000 users log in simultaneously? That would be found out in a stress/load test.

Quality Control (QC) or Quality Assurance (QA) - two other terms used to refer to different types and modes of testing.

QA is a comprehensive sort of testing in which testers measure the degree to which a product delivers what it's supposed to deliver. Although they are used separately, in my personal experience, they both refer basically to the same process.

The distinction is that QA is usually regarded a more extensive, global and comprehensive review of product's market suitability whereas QC is generally regarded a more limited, local, component-by-component examination.

Build - Software development is a continuous process during which the developers change, add, correct, and delete pieces of code all the time, on a daily basis, depending on the feedback they get both from the project management and also from the testing, marketing, sales, and other departments.

The software is compiled on a daily, bi-weekly, or weekly basis to see how the product works with the new changes incorporated. Each of such individual compilations are called a "Build."

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Software Testing Fundamentals

2008-12-27T02:20:00.000-08:00

Test Objectives

The following can be described as test objectives :

1. Testing is a process of executing a program with the intent of finding an error.
2. A good test case is one that has a high probability of finding an as-yet-undiscovered error.
3. A successful test is one that uncovers an as-yet-undiscovered error.

Testing Principals

The following can be described as testing principals:

1. All tests should be traceable to customer requirements.
2. Tests should be planned long before testing begins.
3. The Pareto principal applies to testing.
4. Testing should begin "in small" and progress toward testing "in large".
5. Exhaustive testing is not possible.
6. To be most effective, an independent third party should conduct testing.

Defects:

The purpose of testing is to find defects. A defect is a variance from a desired product attribute.

Two categories of defects are:

Variance from product specifications

The product built varies from the product specified. For example, the specifications may say that x is to be added to y to produce z. If the algorithm in the built Varies from that specification, it is considered to be defective.

Variance from customer/user expectation

This variance is something that the user wanted that in the built product, but also was not specified to be included in the built product. The missing piece may be a specification or requirement, or the method by which the requirement was implemented may be unsatisfactory.

What is Software Testing?

Software testing is more than just error detection;

Testing software is operating the software under controlled conditions, to (1) verify that it behaves "as specified"; (2) to detect errors, and (3) to validate that what has been specified is what the user actually wanted.

1. Verification is the checking or testing of items, including software, for conformance and consistency by evaluating the results against pre-specified requirements. [Verification: Are we building the system right?]
2. Error Detection: Testing should intentionally attempt to make things go wrong to determine if things happen when they shouldn't or things don't happen when they should.
3. Validation looks at the system correctness - i.e. is the process of checking that what has been specified is what the user actually wanted. [Validation: Are we building the right system?]

In other words, validation checks to see if we are building what the customer wants/needs, and verification checks to see if we are building that system correctly. Both verification and validation are necessary, but different components of any testing activity.

The definition of testing according to the ANSI/IEEE 1059 standard is that testing is the process of analyzing a software item to detect the differences between existing and required conditions (that is defects/errors/bugs) and to evaluate the features of the software item.

Remember: The purpose of testing is verification, validation and error detection in order to find problems - and the purpose of finding those problems is to get them fixed.

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The Growth of Application Testing and Development Services

2008-12-27T02:01:00.000-08:00

It is commonly believed that the earlier a defect is found the cheaper it is to fix it. Any software product before it is launched has to undergo endless rounds of testing. Application testing is essentially an investigation conducted to inform its stakeholders about the quality of the product or service under test with respect to the relevant context. It could also aid the process of executing a program with the intent of finding software bugs.

A primary purpose for testing is to detect software failures so that defects may be uncovered and corrected. This is a non-trivial pursuit. Testing cannot establish that a product functions properly under all conditions but can only establish that it does not function properly under specific conditions. The scope often includes examination of code as well as execution of that code in various environments and conditions as well as examining the quality aspects of code: does it do what it is supposed to do and do what it needs to do. In the current culture of application development services, a testing organization may be separate from the development team. There are various roles for testing team members. Information derived from software testing may be used to correct the process by which software is developed.

There are many approaches to application testing. Reviews, walkthroughs or inspections are considered as static testing, whereas actually executing programmed code with a given set of test cases is referred to as dynamic testing. More than often the former is omitted, whereas the latter takes place when programs begin to be used for the first time - which is normally, considered the beginning of the testing stage. This may actually begin before the program is 100% complete in order to test particular sections of code (modules or discrete functions). For example, Spreadsheet programs are, by their very nature, tested to a large extent "on the fly" during the build process as the result of some calculation or text manipulation is shown interactively immediately after each formula is entered. Several certification programs exist to support the professional aspirations of software testers and quality assurance specialists. No certification currently offered actually requires the applicant to demonstrate the ability to test software. No certification is based on a widely accepted body of knowledge. Many IT giants have their in-house testing department. Satyam's Product and Application Testing Practice; QEdge is the new synonym for Quality in Independent Testing and Application Development Services.

Arun Gupta is a professional writer for an Offshore Software Development Indian IT company offering customized solutions including Application Testing,
Business Transformation and Infrastructure Management Services for clients around the world.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Arun_Kr_Gupta

Asp Agreement Components & Inclusions

2008-12-26T00:45:00.002-08:00

For Application Service Providers – anyone who provides clients access to licensed software and application services – implementing a system of checks and balances, risk management procedures and quality control is invaluable. Typically a solid Application Service Provider (ASP) Agreement will fulfill these needs.

An Application Service Provider Agreement manages the relationship between an ASP and the licensed user. In other words, it sets limits and expectations on the use of your software and applications server. It also controls who has access to the software or servers as well as where and when they can be accessed.

An ASP Agreement will also prevent modification or reverse engineering of the software and determine server storage space available for each client, which limits exposure to infringement on intellectual property rights and confidentiality. Most importantly, these agreements reduce the ASP’s liability for deficiencies and defects in the software or on the server.

ASP Agreements are not only necessary for large-volume ASPs; they also cover service providers who offer single applications to their clients. ASP businesses that would benefit from the agreements include:

* Specialist or functional ASP – provides a single application, such as credit card payment processing or timesheet services

* Vertical market ASP – provides a solution package for a specific customer, such as a doctor’s office

* Enterprise ASP – offers a wide variety of solutions

* Local ASP – offers small-business services in a particular area

* Volume ASP – delivers cost effective package solutions through its own Web site

An important component of an ASP is the Service Level Agreement (SLA). This formally negotiated agreement between two parties is part of the service contract in which the level of service is formally defined. This agreement might include delivery time of the service or performance. It clearly defines and documents the common understanding of services, responsibilities and guarantees, while typically covering issues such as serviceability, performance and operation, just to name a few.

Service providers can purchase packages that include a variety of templates, including a software license template. Software license Agreements set the terms and conditions for the end users of your software and includes disclaimers, limitations of liability, and confidentiality agreements, among other safeguards.

When searching for packages, most companies will provide ASP Agreement samples for viewing. Be sure the software license template and the ASP Agreement sample includes the following sections:

* Grant of License
* Use and Access
* Price and Payment
* Technical Support
* Terms and Termination
* Ownership of Intellectual Property
* Confidentiality
* Warranty and Disclaimer
* Limitation of Liability, Indemnification
* Relations of Parties
* Non-assignment
* Arbitration
* Attorney’s Fees
* Severability
* Force Majeure
* Waiver and Modification
* Entire Agreement

ASP agreements will safeguard your company from any future claims of damages, and reduce your exposure and liabilities. Many companies have made it easy to implement the agreements by providing packages specifically designed for the service providers needs. Be sure to preview the ASP Agreement samples to ensure it covers the needs of your business.

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10 Tips On Lms Implementation

2008-12-26T00:45:00.001-08:00

“Ok, we bought an LMS, put up a course and turned it on. We can start using this thing tomorrow.” So says your manager, as you look at him half in shock, and half with that can-do serious face that has got you this far.

Of course nothing is that easy. Listed here are ten tips that you can apply to make your LMS implementation go more smoothly. If you decide on these “philosophical” issues before you start an implementation, it will progress much faster.

· Naming Conventions – Every data category needs a naming convention. Some might be very specific – for example:
o 'Smart' Class IDs — ABC-SAF-1-English-11-16-2008 — Where you have a code for your company (ABC), the category of the subject (Safety Level 1), the language it is being offered in (English, Spanish, Hindi), and the date it is offered (November 16, 2008). Or it can be a simple code like 'Safety101'
Think about the people who will need to use this information and how to make these conventions both easy for them to identify and understand, and for you to organize. Here are some LMS areas where you can effectively decide on such conventions:
o UserIDs – employee numbers, email addresses, auto-generated?
o Passwords – email addresses, user-defined, or a fixed standard password changed by users when they log in for the first time?
o Courses – simple or complex coding structures?
o Classes – simple or complex coding conventions, or something in between?
o Course categories - subject-driven (safety, operating systems, nursing); organizational (Management, Corporate Mandatory, New Hire); something else?
o Hierarchy levels - Organizational or geographical?
· Reporting Needs – Perhaps better defined as “who needs to see what information.” Think of the different groups in your organization – students, managers, administrators, upper management, training managers – each of them probably needs different training information at different levels of detail.

For example, students might need detailed transcript reports, to let them know exactly where they stand in their training. Managers or supervisors may need to see who in their group is doing their training and who isn't – giving them a tool to remind the people who must still complete their training. Upper management probably wants total numbers, without details – such as percentages of people in their organization who are training according to plan, and percentages who are not – broken out by the separate groups they are managing.

Don't forget that these are training reports only - they aren't about job performance, pay scales, or anything outside the training realm. So be sure to investigate and understand your whole organization's training-information needs. You can then define the reports that need to be built to provide that information, including hierarchy-based reporting structures.

· Catalog Management — Think of how you want to organize your course catalog. Some organizational techniques may be:
o Offering certain classes to specific groups in the organization – A hospital group may want nurses in a specific hospital to take classes only at that hospital, and not at any another facility.
o Creating a separate pricing structure for certain large customers – They might need their own catalog.
o Management leadership programs – You may want to limit courses and classes by management structure.
o By third parties – Such as, offering different distributors different course offerings.

All such cases separate out a portion of your entire catalog for a specific group. So consider defining those groups, and make sure you are able to deliver only the training products that you want them to access.

· e-Commerce If you are going to offer your courses and classes through an e-Commerce portal, you will need to identify a merchant account that will handle all credit-card verifications and back-end banking. Authorize.net and Paypal are popular examples of such organizations.
· Competencies and learning paths – Many companies spend countless hours defining learning paths for attaining job roles, promotions, or other corporate goals. These are often scattered and loosely defined, or are adapted throughout the organization with no standardization. If you need to implement these types of plans, first spend some time understanding what is currently defined in your company and if it needs to be standardized (perhaps even streamlined) for training purposes.
· Branding – Some LMSs let you customize the look and feel or your training site. Determine what those needs are for you. Will your training portal need to parallel your company's existing Website design or its intranet's look and feel? You'll save a lot of time if you gather all company graphics (such as logos and special pictures you will need) and define the color schemes you want to use before your first LMS implementation meeting.
· User Information – There are many ways to get user information into an LMS. This will be defined by your organizational needs, for instance:
o You are an online learning provider - In this case, people will probably need to register for training through an online process.
o You have a stable employee work force - Here, you might need only an initial user-information upload, after which you can maintain the information manually through user editing screens.
o You have a very mobile work force - Maybe a nightly feed from your HR system would work best?
So you should define your organization’s user base and your administrative capacity, and then select the appropriate loading and updating process for your user data.

· Certificates – Do you want to issue certificates to students who pass courses? If so, then define upfront what the certificates will look like and which course/class information will appear on them.
· Interfaces – Will the LMS need to connect with any existing corporate systems? These may include an HR interface, or a backend link to order data on your accounting system. Define what your needs are in this area. Talk with your IT department to see how hard it will be to create such connections, and how long it will take to get your project on their active project list.
· Help Administration – Who will handle help-desk requests from students? Will the requests be centralized in the training department or de-centralized to information experts throughout the organization (IT, course subject matter, networking, and so on). Depending on the size and needs of your organization, most LMSs allow you to disperse this help-desk load. So be sure to identify the people who will fill these jobs, especially their email addresses and phone numbers.

Finally, print this article and give it to your manager. It will help them understand the size of the job you face. Some of these items can be defined and decided easily, while others may take some time and involve other organizations (like marketing, IT, accounting, and sales).

A very simple installation, where all of these items are defined ahead of time, could be done within days (or a couple weeks). But for larger organizations, an LMS installation could easily require months before all necessary decisions are made and everyone reaches accord. Either way, this list should give you a good start on that process.

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How To Choose The Best Automated Forex Software

2008-12-26T00:44:00.000-08:00

So you’re on the hunt for an Automated Forex software to automate your Forex trading activities?

A glance at the internet is more than enough for you to realize that there are tons of Automated Forex software and systems you can choose from. And all of them are claiming to be the BEST Forex trading robot around.

It’s VERY easy for a newcomer in the biz to be overwhelmed by the endless options.

And it’s even easier to waste his money for an Automated Forex software that’s nothing BUT crap…and worse, would wipe out his Forex trading account faster than he can say – “Forex trading.”

How should one go about choosing an Automated Forex software that’s right for him?

If you’re asking that question at the back of your head, then read on!

I will be revealing the 4 things that you should look at when you’re out to shop for an Automated Forex software. Here they are…

Choosing An Automated Forex Software Factor 1
First of all, you want to learn the trading strategy of the software you’re looking at.

Is it going for short term or long term results? Does it have a cautious or “All Or Nothing” approach in Forex trading?

Many of the Automated Forex software out there adopt a risky trading strategy and go for broke…all or nothing as some would say. The gains with such a strategy can be BIG when the software hits a winning trade.

HOWEVER, the losses can be as great when you’re on a losing streak!

Choosing An Automated Forex Software Factor 2
Another thing you should look at is the winning rate.

This represents in percentage how many of the trades that the software went for resulted in gains or profits. Logically, the higher the winning rate of the software the better.

Choosing An Automated Forex Software Factor 3
Drawdown – this is another factor that you should keep an eye on.

By the way, drawdown is the representation in percentage how much of the starting capital was lost during the trades. In contrary to winning rates, the drawdown of a Forex software should be as low as possible.

Choosing An Automated Forex Software Factor 4
RESULTS – all of the benefits of a Forex software is USELESS if it cannot deliver what it claims.

And we’re NOT just talking about back testing here. Back testing results are nothing if they can’t be backed up with profits during live trades. They’re nothing more than a representation of an Automated Forex software’s potential.

This is where reading reviews and users’ experiences would help greatly.

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Gamer Testing Ground Review - Get Paid For Playing Video Game

2008-12-26T00:43:00.000-08:00

You can become a video game tester and get paid for playing video game. Game companies are hiring new game tester so there are enough rooms for everyone. Become a video game tester does not require programming experience and education degree. The job is opened for everyone. As long as you enjoy to play video game, then you are qualify for the job. Gamer Testing Ground will guide people who are interested in game testing job for a higher chance to get the job.

Game companies are searching for new game testers each month due there are a few number of game testers. Many people do not know that this kind of job does exist. That's why game companies hardly recruit any candidates each month. Video game tester is scarce and game companies are in demand of testers. This is the reason why they are paying more for the position. This is the best opportunity to get the job and earn at a high pay rate.

Become a video game tester and get paid for playing video game can be a real fun and entertaining. But the job is often tedious and stressful due you need to spend at least 8 hours per day testing video game. There is no limit on how many games you can test, as long as you have enough time you can test as many games as you like. It usually takes more than 8 hour per day to test one game. The more video games you can test, and more money you will earn.

Gamer Testing Ground has the valuable source that guides you through the application process. If you understand how to create your profile the correct way, you will have a higher chance to be employed by a game company. Your resume is the most important factor that a company will determine whether or not to hire you.

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Testing safety-critical software

2008-12-24T03:06:00.000-08:00

Testing safety-critical software differs from conventional testing in that the test design approach must consider the defined and implied safety of the software at a level as high as the functionality to be tested, and the test software has to be developed and validated using the same quality assurance processes as the software itself.

Test technology is crucial for successful product development. Inappropriate or late tests, underestimated testing effort, or wrong test technology choices have often led projects to crisis and frustration. This software crisis results from neglecting the imbalance between constructive software engineering and analytic quality assurance. In this article we explain the testing concepts, the testing techniques, and the test technology approach applied to the patient monitors of the HP OmniCare family.

Patient monitors are electronic medical devices for observing critically ill patients by monitoring their physiological parameters (ECG, heart rate, blood pressure, respiratory gases, oxygen saturation, and so on) in real time. A monitor can alert medical personnel when a physiological value exceeds preset limits and can report the patient's status on a variety of external devices such as recorders, printers, and computers, or simply send the data to a network. The monitor maintains a database of the physiological values to show the trends of the patient's status and enable a variety of calculations of drug dosage or ventilation and hemodynamic parameters.

Patient monitors are used in hospitals in operating rooms, emergency rooms, and intensive care units and can be configured for every patient category (adult, pediatric, or neonate). Very often the patient attached to a monitor is unconscious and is sustained by other medical devices such as ventilators, anesthesia machines, fluid and drug pumps, and so on. These life-sustaining devices are interfaced with the patient monitor but not controlled from it.

Safety and reliability requirements for medical devices are set very high by industry and regulatory authorities. There is a variety of international and national standards setting the rules for the development, marketing, and use of medical devices. The legal requirements for electronic medical devices are, as far as these concern safety, comparable to those for nuclear plants and aircraft.

In the past, the safety requirements covered mainly the hardware aspects of a device, such as electromagnetic compatibility, radio interference, electronic parts failure, and so on. The concern for software safety, accentuated by some widely known software failures leading to patient injury or death, is increasing in the industry and the regulatory bodies. This concern is addressed in many new standards or directives such as the Medical Device Directive of the European Union or the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. These legal requirements go beyond a simple validation of the product; they require the manufacturer to provide all evidence of good engineering practices during development and validation, as well the proof that all possible hazards from the use of the medical instrument were addressed, resolved, and validated during the development phases.

The development of the HP OmniCare family of patient monitors started in the mid-1980s. Concern for the testing of the complex safety-critical software to validate the patient monitors led to the definition of an appropriate testing process based on the ANSI/IEEE software engineering standards published in the same time frame. The testing process is an integral part of our quality system and is continuously improved.

The Testing Process

During the specifications phase of a product, extended discussions are held by the crossfunctional team (especially the R&D and software quality engineering teams) to assess the testing needs. These discussions lead to a first estimation of the test technology needed in all phases of the development (test technology is understood as the set of all test environments and test tools). In the case of HP patient monitors the discussion started as early as 1988 and continues with every new revision of the patient monitor family, refining and in some cases redefining the test technology. Thus, the test environment with all its components and the tools for the functional, integration, system, and localization testing evolved over a period of seven years. Fig. 1 illustrates the testing process and the use of the tools..

sorce: findarticles.com

Testing software

2008-12-24T03:05:00.000-08:00

This provider of testing equipment to evaluate mechanical properties of materials and components has released Bluehill Lite software. This general purpose software package is said to provide a wide range of tailored application solutions to meet the demands of today's laboratory managers and test technicians. Bluehill Lite is said to be ideal for fundamental applications and standardized tensile, compression, flexure, peel, tear, friction and simple cyclic test requirements. A lighter version of the company's Bluehill software, it is said to be compatible with all of the company's 3300 Series universal test systems. Bluehill Lite is said to be an extremely flexible, easy-to-use materials testing package with an intuitive web-like user interface that consolidates testing, test method definition and reports, and system administration. The software is divided into color-coded tabs and has a home screen that is said to make navigation effortless and increase efficiency of the test set-up.

Source: findarticles.com

Software Product Development Outsourcing - Testing & Quality Assurance

2008-12-23T04:00:00.000-08:00

If you are company providing software product development then you must be aware of the importance of software testing and software quality assurance. Testing is something which plays a vital role in any software product development as it lets you know where your software development is heading.

According to the experts, software testing service is the process used to spot the accuracy, comprehensiveness, security, and eminence of developed computer software product. This is a core process which is also known as technical investigation and is professionally performed on behalf of stakeholders. The main aim of any testing is to expose all the quality-related information about the developed software product. This is done with respect to the context in which it is intended to operate.

Thus, it shows that this work is best suited for the professionals in this field as software testing involves various complex processes to expose the product to all possible and applicable situations ensuring its functionalities. Therefore if you are going for software product development then simply choose the best one. Softage is one such company which provides software product development along with the rigorous testing rounds. Softage’s testing not only includes the procedure of executing a program or even an application with the intent of finding errors but also assuring the quality.

In any software product development testing quality is the core issue however, it is also said that, testing can never entirely establish the accuracy of capricious computer software. But according to few IT experts, testing that compares the state and behavior of the software product against various specifications.

That’s why it is said while going for any software product development; software testing should be distinguished as a separate discipline of software quality assurance. This not only includes testing but all the quality driven areas. Whenever anyone goes for software product development its main concern is the approach taken towards software testing.

Software testing should be rigorous and effective as it is not only a matter of creating and following custom procedure. In fact it is most intellectual processes which play a very vital role in software product development. Thus, if you wish to go for software product development then Softage is there for you. For more information on software product development, software quality assurance and testing, outsourcing software development and software product development outsourcing please visit www.softage.ru.

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Levels of Software Testing

2008-12-23T03:59:00.000-08:00

Software Testing is the process of running a program in order to find the errors and mistake of the program at the time of execution. The main intention of Software Testing is to evaluate an attribute and to check the potentiality of the program whether it gives the required output. Testing is not just giving data’s and obtaining the output, it is entirely different – it works at the time if the software fails to function or if it never gives the required output. Discovering the various nonstarter modes of software is quite not possible. Software Testing helps to find and check the quality, safety, security, perfection and completeness of the software developed.

There are different stages of Software Testing and let us go through the process one by one.

Black-box testing:

The Black-box testing is one of the method that is involved in testing. In this method the test data is derived from the defined functional requisites without affecting the structure of the program at the time of completion. It otherwise termed as Input/Output driven, Data-driven or Requirement based Testing.

The major functionality of Black-box testing is to check the functionality of the module. Black-box testing also denotes to functional testing, which is a method of testing accented on carrying out the functions and assessment of both the input and the output data. Here the tester will indulge the software under the black box test, where the specification of the input and output will seeable. The functionality is calculated by detecting the output to the equivalent inputs.

White-box Testing:

White-box testing is just opposite to Black-box testing. The software is considered as a glass-box or white-box under this category, because the structure of the software and its flow rate is clearly seeable to the tester in this type. White-box testing is otherwise termed as Logic-driven testing, Glass-box testing or Design-based testing.

There are various proficiencies accessible in white-box testing, as the trouble of intractableness is alleviated by particular knowledge and care on the formation of the software below this test. White box testing includes a couple of design techniques and they are:

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Software Testing & Its Functionality

2008-12-23T03:57:00.000-08:00

Software testing is the technical process used to recognize the correctness, completeness,security, and quality of developed computer software. Software testing is executed to display quality-related information about a tested product. Software testing is a vital part of software quality assurance.

Some of the common quality attributes of a product a tester looks for are capability, reliability, efficiency, portability, maintainability, compatibility and usability. A good test not only bring out errors, it also displays interesting informations new to a project community. Software testing play a crucial strategic role for transporting the quality of the product higher in the hierarchy in the software development process. It also underlines the customer's requirements all the way through the product cycle.

Some of the vital software testing procedures involved in testing a product are functional testing, negative testing, customer scenario testing, stress testing, performance testing, scalability testing, international testing, and more. The sole purpose of software testing is to assure that customers receive maximum product quality.

Some of the common types of testing a test engineer consider while testing a product are Black box testing,White box testing ,incremental integration testing,functional testing,

system testing,end-to-end testing,sanity testing or smoke testing,regression testing,
acceptance testing,acceptance testing,performance testing,usability test,uninstall testing, recovery testing, failover testing, security testing, exploratory testing, ad-hoc testing, mutation testing and more.

Though all projects are profited from testing, some projects generally don't need independent test staff. The requirement of test stuffs depend upon the size and context of the project, the risks, the development methodology, the developer's skill and experience and more. A short term, low risk project handled by experienced programmers employing unit testing or test-first development do not need test engineers. Considering the different goals in software testing, different roles are established for software testers. They are test lead/manager, tester, test designer, test automater/automation developer and test administrator.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Shyamolima_Mutsuddi

Using Forex Signal Software To Put You On The Right Side Of A Trade

2008-12-22T03:27:00.002-08:00

Forex signal software can help to keep your portfolio looking incredible when you are new to trading and cannot find the time to keep up with the fluctuations of the market on your own. This software can tell you to invest, when to keep existing investments and when to get rid of them.

Forex signal software can make a big difference in whether or not you make a profit or take an enormous loss on your investment. When you first start out you will require time to gain the knowledge of when you should buy and sale. You decrease your chance of losing dramatically with good software. It is a needed to tool to keep from missing the goings on in the exchange market.

You need to get in the game and start testing out these Forex signal softwares. Not having to do the analysis yourself can make successful trading easier and less time consuming though. For those that wish to enter into trading receiving the correct alert at the proper time can be vital.

Forex killer is just one of many versions of forex trading software available today. This software is for those who would like the job of trading Forex to be easier. Not having to pay a regular fee to a company is benefit of this software. Comprehension of the market is what these systems were designed for so there is no need to worry about missing an investment. All the major currencies of the world are still available for you to trade in as well as the various time zones.

With the forex killer you get every upgrade you will ever need for as long as you keep the software. Keep up with the evolving world or currency trading.

ProSignal is another popular product. It claims you will be making a profit with trading in a matter of hours. There is an ongoing fee due to it being a program that requires a subscription though rather than being something that you only purchase once.

Hundred plus strategies help give this software an advantage. You can get as many as twenty-seven matches for currency to allow you to be kept up to date on the forms of currency that you find interesting.

A simple Internet search will allow you to find numerous amounts of forex signal software on the market today. This basic task of taking trading signals is simplified to 'yes' and 'no'. But which product do you chose?

It's best to short cut the research and find someone who can direct you or find someone you can emulate in your search for Forex trading success.

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Cold Soak Filtration Test Mandated For Biodiesel Testing

2008-12-22T03:27:00.001-08:00

The newest testing requirement for biodiesel fuel testing is the cold soak filtration test. The procedure was added to the ASTM Method in October 2008. It is designed to improve purity standards in alternative fuels for consumers.

Biodiesel fuel is a non-petroleum based fuel that is made by the transesterification of vegetable oil or animal fat. It can be used to run unmodified diesel engine vehicles. It differs from straight vegetable oil or waste vegetable oil, which require the use of a converted engine.

Blends of biodiesel and regular diesel fuel are available around the world, and the fuel is graded with a "B factor" to indicate how much biodiesel is present in the mix. For example, a mix containing 20 percent biodiesel is rated B20. In its pure form, B100 may require engine modifications to be made to the vehicle to prevent long-term performance problems, but it presents a wonderful alternative for people interested in reducing their dependence on fossil fuels.

In the past, substandard biodiesel has been known to precipitate material out of solution when exposed to cold temperatures. If a solid material were to precipitate out of the biofuel when it is used in an engine, it can lead to extensive damage. Therefore, legislators took action to prevent such substandard product from making it to the market.

The standards are established by an organization known as the ASTM, otherwise known as the American Society for Testing and Materials. For years, the ASTM has set the standards by which the fuel source is deemed eligible for the marketplace.

The ASTM recently added the cold soak filtration test to prevent the precipitation of solid materials in inferior biodiesel during cold weather. But what is the cold soak filtration test, exactly? In scientific terms, it measures time in seconds it takes for cold soaked biodiesel to pass through two 0.8 micron filters. It also measures the amount of particulate matter collected on the filter.

This works to ensure that end users will not have clogged filters or worse problems with their engines when using biodiesel in cold temperatures. It also ensures that producers will maintain a high level of brand integrity as guaranteed by their customers' satisfaction with their product.

The transesterification of vegetable oil was performed as early as 1853, long before the diesel engine was even functional. Since then, biodiesel applications and standards have come a long way since then. In order to ensure that the fuels you are manufacturing are meeting the newest regulations passed by the ASTM, it is important to subject them to testing.

A lab trained in the cold soak filtration test, as well as the many other tests mandated by the ASTM, will ensure you offer the best product possible. Maintaining high quality standards is the key to customer satisfaction. Be sure your end product is up to snuff by employing a trustworthy lab to test your products and ensure they are held to today's rigorous testing standards.

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Understanding Ul Testing Of A Sentry Fire Gun Safe

2008-12-22T03:24:00.000-08:00

How much fire protection do you need for your Sentry fire gun safe? And what do all those ratings mean anyhow? All Sentry safes undergo UL fire testing. This means that safes are tested by the independent Underwriters Laboratory. One very important thing to realize is that you want a safe that is “UL Listed”. This means that the product has actually passed a UL test. If a product is labeled “Tested to UL Standards” that means that the product has been submitted for testing, but does not mean that it passed the test. All Sentry Fire Safes are subjected to fire by UL for either 1/2, 1 or 2 hours. In order for a safe to earn a UL classification, documents stored inside must remain completely undamaged. Here are some of the different tests that a Sentry Fire Gun Safe may endure.

UL 1/2-Hour Fire Endurance Test - Subjected to temperatures of 1550° F for 1/2 hour, and interior remains below 350° F (necessary to preserve documents).

UL 1/2-Hour Class 125 Test - Subjected to temperatures of 1550° F for 1/2 hour, and interior remains below 125° F and humidity below 80%. This is necessary to protect media files.

UL 1-Hour Fire Endurance Test - Subjected to temperatures of 1700° F for 1 hour, and interior remains below 350° F.

UL 2-Hour Fire Endurance Test - Subjected to temperatures of 1850° F for 2 hours, as well being subjected to a flash fire of 2000° F for 20 minutes without explosion or rupture. The interior remains below 350° F.

UL Explosion Hazard Test - All UL Classified Sentry safes pass an explosion hazard test, as well as being subjected to a flash fire of 2000° F for 20 minutes and do not explode or rupture.

UL Fire-Impact Test - Many Sentry fire Sentry gun safe models also pass a UL Classified Fire-Impact test. In this test, after the safe is heated to 1550° F, it is then dropped 30 feet onto rubble, cooled down, inverted, and then reheated to 1550° F for 1/2 hour. To pass this test, the safe must remain intact and locked with an interior temperature below 350° F.

A Sentry fire gun safe may also have an ETL rating. This means that the safe has undergone independent testing by the firm ETL Semko. ETL Semko verifies that the product complies with the manufacturer's specifications for fire endurance.

Depending on the model, SentrySafe products can carry the following ETL ratings:

ETL verified 15 ft. Drop Test

ETL verified 1-hour fire protection for CDs, DVDs, USB Drives and Memory Sticks up to 1550° F

ETL Verified 1-hour fire protection for CDs, DVDs, USB Drives and Memory Sticks up to 1700° F

ETL verified for 2-hour fire protection of CDs, DVDs, USB Drives and Memory Sticks up to 1850° F

ETL verified to manufacturer's fire protection specifications. Up t 1200° F for 30 minutes, interior temperature remain below 350°.

ETL verified to manufacturer's fire protection specifications. Up t 1400° F for 30 minutes, interior temperature remain below 350°.

So, as you decide which Sentry fire gun safe is best for you, now you will have a better understanding of what the ratings mean on the various Sentry safes available.

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Crash Testing New Products - Performance Testing Guide

2008-12-18T03:13:00.001-08:00

When it comes to new products, there is always that one final task that needs to be done before the said product can actually be approved or not for by the target market. Road testing, otherwise known as performance testing, is actually a good way for the manufacturers of all sorts of products especially in the field of technology to be able to obtain the objective kind of feedback that they need from their prospective buyers in order to ensure the success or failure of their products or services. Companies need this kind of software application because they can obtain answers about performance testing related concerns that can make or break their company.

1. Know Where You Stand

The idea of this whole performance testing software is for companies to be able to have a good background when it comes to their potential customers concerns, feedback as well as suggestions about a certain product. This is why there are so many benefits that a company can reap from the performance testing application software, that is a great breakthrough in the business and IT technology.

2. Improve Your Product

No matter how great a product may be, people will still have some hesitations concerning the product where in one way or another we would want to know some information about the product. With performance testing, you can provide customers with sound advice about a certain product to help them decide if it is actually worth their money or not, or at least reassure them that the product they purchase has been checked that it works.

3. Go Direct To Customers

Technology related magazines as well as IT feature programs are sometimes a bit unreliable when it comes to learning the inside scoop about a certain new product because some companies actually just send out press releases for the media to be able to just feed the public with some marketing ploys by companies that are disguised as news items, media people actually feed this to the market since aside from getting incentives from companies for doing them a favor, rehashing press releases into news items is actually a worn out practice in journalism (if you can still regard it as such). Moreover, companies want to also take part of the performance testing technology since it will enable them to further reach out to their target market more by being able to find out the things that they are actually interested in.

4. Advance Your Product Knowledge

Also, the performance testing advantage that a lot of companies can enjoy if they avail of performance testing is that they will also be able to get some inside information as well as some product knowledge on a certain product that can only come from performance testing. The knowledge, as well as the inside information on these products, are incredibly valuable since many points in the product life cycle even from the development to its marketing and up to technical support will be closely watched and they will give you that precious information if you avail of the performance testing service.

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