Three Steps to My Turning Point with Social Media

As I reflect on where I am at with social media I think about Experience, Engagement, and Decision; the three steps I followed to find help and the same steps your prospects use to find you everyday. About a year ago I began to realize I did not want to be left behind the social media juggernaut but I didn't know who to trust or how to engage. Maybe that is where you are at today?

I was attending a CEO breakfast put on by my friend, John Hartman, who runs the CEOtoCEO Breakfast series. The speaker was, Blaine Millett, representing his company WOM10. He talked about social media from the perspective of strategy and not just a training session in the web tools. I was intrigued and decided to engage. I stepped out of the anonymous crowd, took his card, and called to set up an appointment. My choice to participate was based on the positive experience at the breakfast and that first coffee meeting led to a couple more meetings which led to trusting Blaine to help craft a social media plan for myself.

Experience, Engagement, Decision.  Those are the steps that led me to a trusted advisor in social media. Those are the steps your prospects will go though to find you. Having the right people on your team who understand your heart and vision are crucial because they are the only ones who will create the experiences that will lead people to engage with your organization and make a decision to trust you with their business. 

When the Speaker Doesn't Show Up

I was at a seminar with about 25 business leaders waiting for the speaker to show up. Five minutes after the start time there was still no speaker. The facilitator went to call the person and asked me if I could do some filler time. I had a yo-yo with me and did some tricks and talked with the attendees. It was well received by the listeners and the facilitator was my new best friend. 

Are you ready to seize the moment – are you ready for when these things happen? Some of the best opportunities you will ever receive as a manager/leader come at inopportune moments. This is an all too common issue and those that can rise to the occasion are the ones everyone remembers and are attracted to. How well are you acquainted with the talents you bring to the table? What is your "yo-yo" in hand and are you ready to offer it?

Everyone has a talent to use in order to seize the moment and make the show go on.  This is a talent most managers have but rarely utilize.  Be prepared to seize the moment and turn something into a positive, rewarding, and memorable session, even in the face of disaster.

The speaker showed up and stood in the back an additional five minutes enjoying the impromptu yo-yo magic. Judging by the look on his face he hated having to follow me. Two of the executives in the audience came up to me afterwards and shared opportunities to collaborate. Always be ready to step up when the speaker does not show up.