Monthly Archives: December 2018

Hug or No Hug

Kevin Willett says the hugging culture is nice, but in business there is a time and place for it.

I tend to hug everyone I meet, and I have learned it is not a great idea. There are people who simply do not want to be hugged. It is a horrible feeling when you hug someone, and you feel their whole body get tight and you know they are saying ‘why is this guy hugging me’. Please be cautious of this because it may be costing you business.

I read an article recently that suggested that you let the lady take the lead when it comes to hugging. I am not sure I agree with that, because I have a lot of male friends that really don’t like being hugged, by a male or female.

If you are not sure if you should hug someone or not, then the answer is you shouldn’t. I ended up in a weird situation recently. I had a woman asked me why I did not hug her. She noticed I hugged two other women in her industry, so her conclusion was that I liked them better than her.  I must admit that floored me. I did not realize the message I was sending her.

Hugging people in a business setting can be very confusing. It is much easier to simply shake hands to make sure that you are not sending the wrong message.

Watch my YouTube Channel  for more on this and other Business Networking Tips

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events

It’s as Simple as Wishing Someone a Happy Birthday

Kevin Willett agrees that little gestures can go a long way.

Last week I received my daily LinkedIn recap email and I noticed that it was a friend’s birthday. This guy always goes out of his way to endorse me on LinkedIn, so I wanted to take a moment to thank him and wish him a happy birthday. He sent me back the nicest email I’ve ever received, thanking me for taking the time to wish him a happy birthday. I have to be honest, I was having a super stressful day, but his email made me realize that everything was going to be okay. So take the time to wish your friends a happy birthday. It just might make your day.

Watch my YouTube Channel  for more on this and other Business Networking Tips

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events

What Will You Be Wearing

Kevin Willett says when in doubt about dress code, just ask

I know this tip seems silly and you may be asking yourself if I have run out of tips, but, every now and then this does come up. Last week I met a guy for coffee and he showed up wearing a suit, because that was how I was dressed when we met at my networking event. He was a little upset with me because I was wearing jeans and bright orange sneakers for this coffee meeting. He said the only reason he wore his suit was because he thought I would be wearing one. The meeting got off on the wrong foot and never recovered from him feeling like I slighted him by dressing casually. Again, I know this tip may seem silly, but when in doubt message the person and say that you will be dressed casually, and they should feel free to dress the same way. Now of course you can never go wrong being overdressed. You can always remove your tie in jacket if you like, but you cannot make your jeans and a polo shirt turn into a suit and tie.

Watch my YouTube Channel  for more on this and other Business Networking Tips

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events

What Happens the First Time That You Go to a Networking Event

Kevin Willett says not to expect clients or business growth after one networking event.

Often the first time that you go to a networking event nothing happens regarding finding new clients to grow your business. This will often discourage people and make them want to stop attending networking events.

Please understand that it takes time to build relationships and get people to know, like and trust you.  I find that most people want to get to know you before they are willing to connect you with their friends and clients.

We have worked hard to build our business and when we recommend you to our clients, we are saying that we trust you and that they should too. If something goes wrong, it may harm my relationship with my client, so I am careful about whom I want to recommend.

To me there are two types of referrals. The first is when you know someone is looking for a service and you say; I met Kevin at a networking event once, he seems ok, you should call him he might be able to help. That, my friends, is a super weak referral. The chance of that person calling is pretty low. With the second type, you reach out and tell the person how great I am and send my number to them and send their information to me, so that I can also call them. In the second case, you are telling them that you are personally recommending me and taking the steps to connect us to try your best to help both of us. This is the type of referral that most of us want.

By only attending once, you are failing to build a relationship and making a huge assumption that the person will remember you sometime in the future when they need your services. Take the time to let everyone know, like and trust you.

Watch my YouTube Channel  for more on this and other Business Networking Tips

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events

Go Watch TV

Kevin Willett thinks everyone is unique in their work ethic that leads to success

If you listen to the “Gurus” they will tell you that you need to work 24 hours a day in order to be successful. I am constantly seeing pictures online of people wearing their hustle and grind shirts.

I believe there is a time for hustling and grinding, but for me it is not every day. I have been that guy that works 18 hours a day and yes, I did grow my business with this approach. However, it was also taking a toll on both my mind and body. I have learned I am better off being super focused and working fewer hours.  I often get my best ideas while I am resting, watching TV or reading. These breaks give me time to recharge and come up with new ideas.

I think business is all about balance. It is up to you to define success.

Watch my YouTube Channel  for more on this and other Business Networking Tips

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events

Look for a Common Bond

Kevin Willett says a common bond can be a valuable business asset.

Most of my best clients have come to me because we share a common bond. It might be something as simple as our professions, our love of a sport or activity, or our belief in the importance of fighting hunger in our community. Always look to find that common bond to connect with people on a personal level. As we’ve discussed many times, we do business with people we know, like, and trust. Please understand that we may not do business right away. It takes time to build and go through the Know, Like and Trust phases. Sometimes only weeks or maybe years. People I served on boards with or met years ago have reconnected with me to get involved in my networking groups all because we have the same passions.

Watch my YouTube Channel  for more on this and other Business Networking Tips

Kevin Willett is the Author of One Connection How you can grow your business  (and change the world) one connection at a time. The business networking book is available on Amazon. Purchase One Connection on Amazon

Kevin is also the CEO of the Friends of Kevin Networking Group  and the New England B2B Networking Group. Please connect with him on social media to hear about his upcoming business networking events