Tip 11 - Brush up those “People Skills”

It’s important to make a professional impression on potential locations. It helps instill the confidence they need to use your refreshment service. It’s also extremely useful when you “network”—and although that word has been overused, it really comes down to building business relationships that can help you with referrals and expanding your business. But how can you do this if you are coming from another occupation, have no sales training, or are just starting out?

One of the best ways is to accent your “people skills”. Let’s face it; this is a face-to-face kind of business, and although some might be uncomfortable with that at first, it’s pretty easy to pick up some confidence of your own. Some people are born to “network”, others aren’t sure if they are or how to go about it. Here’s a quiz to see how your “people skills” rate:

3=always 2=usually
1=seldom 0=never

1. I assert myself in a positive manner.
2. I ask open-ended questions to extend conversations.
3. I listen to others with my full attention.
4. I present myself attractively and offer a clean and neat appearance.
5. I am viewed as skillful and knowledgeable about my business.
6. I enjoy hearing about others’ endeavors.
Here’s how to score the quiz:

Better than 16=Congratulations—you’re a professional “people person”! You know how to build an exciting and dynamic relationship with people you meet.

12-15=You have a pretty good understanding of the networking basics, and you’re already on your way to building your business relationships.

10-12=Keep developing those skills you’ve learned. One of the great things about this process is that you not only get back what you give—often you get more. Those distributors who actively work their relationships find it pays off handsomely—read our distributor interview in the last issue for a great example.

Below 10=This might all seem overwhelming to you. What to do? Look back over the questions and you’ll see six great tips. If your answer to the questions was “No, I never do”, then these are the areas to work on. They will help you!

Practice these techniques on your friends; they might help you with some feedback to speed you along. With practice, you’ll discover you have the confidence to meet new business contacts with the “people skills” of a pro!

Dana Bashor