Tag Archives: Kevin Willett

Yes, But

Kevin Willett says to find the courage to do something and then be proud of it

I recently had a friend send me an invite to like her business page on Facebook. When I did, I sent her a message congratulating her on her new business. She replied ‘yes I do have my own business, but it’s just a corner in another store’. I quickly called her and said please do not say ‘yes but’, you should be proud of yourself for actually starting a business. I see this happen all the time, I have friends who start businesses and when I ask them about it they say things like “yes, but it’s small and I only have one client” or “yes, but I am only doing it part time”. My friends, being small or doing it part-time is ok because you actually started a business. Do you know how many people are reading this who would love to start a business but won’t? I guarantee it is a lot of people.

Now, I understand that many of us have responsibilities and families that we have to support, so we need a steady job with benefits. For people wanting to start their own business but think they can’t, when I suggest that they start it as a side hustle by getting up earlier or staying up later they laugh and say they need their sleep. I always smile and say well maybe you don’t really want to own your own business then. If you want to start a business you have to ask yourself what you are willing to give up to find the time to start it. Are you willing to sleep less, watch less TV, or spend less time with your friends? If the answer is no then entrepreneurship is not for you. I hope this tip gives you the courage to start today.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

Because it is the Right Thing to Do

Kevin Willett by doing the right thing you tend to get the same things back.

Last week I had a friend ask for a referral. When she called the person I suggested, their phone wasn’t working. When she told me, I sent them a message so that they could get the problem fixed. My friend sent me a nice message thanking me for going out of my way to refer him and tell him about his phone. I have to admit I chuckled when I saw his message, because to me it was no big deal and the right thing to do. Sadly not everyone would have taken the time to reach out to him. When you are faced with situations like this, always try to do the right thing. You would expect the same from your friends and clients. This one simple tip will help you build your reputation and business. This is just a small thing, but if you give value to people, help them and they will often want to help you.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

Did You Ask for Help Today?

Kevin Willett agrees with the song that says “we get by with a little help from our friends”

I find many business owners are often hesitant to ask for help and waste a lot of time and energy trying to figure out things that our friends could help us with. Or worse, we simply don’t do things to grow our business because we don’t know how and we are too embarrassed to ask. One thing I have learned is, if you want to grow your business, as some point in time, you will need to ask for help. You must accept that you are not an expert in all areas of business. There is nothing wrong with seeking consultants or turning to successful business people and asking them for help. Some of my best ideas have come from my friends. Also, my friends have helped me not make mistakes when I think I have a great idea and I really don’t.

I often struggle with asking my clients for introductions to their friends. If someone is happy with your services there is nothing wrong with asking them to tell their friends about you. I always ask my clients to introduce me to their friends by email if they are interested in networking so that I can follow up with them. I have found this method to work best for me. Personally, I am not a fan of asking my clients to give me three people to contact who may want to come to events. I have been on the receiving end of these calls, and they are often very awkward when I have to tell the person I have no interest in their services.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

How to Improve the Results of Your Networking Activities

Kevin Willett says that doing your homework before and event, can really make you stand out.

It amazes me how few people take the time to research event attendees before going to a networking event.  This one simple tip can greatly improve your results.

A few weeks ago I went to a networking event at a school and each one of the employees had taken the time to research me. They asked me about my networking groups, my book, my radio and TV show. It was very impressive and made me feel special.

I have a friend who calls me before every networking event he attends and we discuss each attendee and the possibility of them doing business together. When he arrives at the event, I introduce him to the people that we decided on who may be a good fit for him. He takes the time to review their social media accounts and website before he attends so that he can comment on their business and experience. Because so few people do this, you will really stand out at the event.

Wouldn’t you prefer someone walk up to you at an event and address you by your name and comment on your business and achievements? I think we all would, so take the time to be that person.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

The Importance of Time Management Skills

Kevin Willett thinks everyone can benefit from time management

This semester I am teaching a class at the University and one of the topics is The Importance of Time Management Skills. A great topic, because students often struggle with managing their time. When I was preparing for the class, I realized that my friends who struggle with their business often have poor time management skills. Here are a few suggestions to help you manage your time.

  1. Are you a morning or a night person – I am a morning person. I do my best creative work early in the morning so I plan my day accordingly. I have some friends who are creative at midnight. It doesn’t matter when you are creative just schedule your creative tasks for that time.
  2. Remove distractions – I have checked my phone three times while I wrote this tip. Please close your social media accounts and put your phone out of your reach when you are working, it will greatly improve your productivity.
  3. Schedule your tasks on a calendar – I like to schedule all of my tasks on a calendar, allocating time for each one. Sometimes I will work too long on one particular task and it will throw off my whole day. By scheduling a set time for each task, it makes me more aware of how I am spending my time.
  4. Most important thing first – I try to ask myself two questions. What is the best use of my time right now and how do I make money. By asking myself these questions I am able to stay focused on what is important.
  5. Be flexible – sometimes you may have to change your whole calendar because something came up. That is ok just please don’t let it happen every day.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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 Does Thumbs Up Mean?

Kevin Willett says that business and emoji’s do not mix.

Last week I sent a message to a person on social media asking them if they were interested in attending networking events. He responded with a thumbs up emoji, which of course I thought meant that he was interested. When I later sent him further information, he responded by saying he was not interested. I encourage you to not respond to a message with a thumbs up or a ‘K’ or any other emoji’s. If you are busy, please wait until you have time to respond properly to make sure you are communicating the right message. Follow the same advice I give to my 3 year old nephew and use your words.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

Why You Should Be Cautious About Commenting on People’s Weight Loss

Kevin Willett shares how sometimes meaning well can have the opposite effect.

It seems like many of my friends are obsessed with weight loss and congratulating people when they lose weight. Although your intentions are good, please remember that not all weight loss is good.  Suffering from illness and life events can also cause people to lose weight, so please make sure that you understand the reason for the weight loss before you comment on it. I have a friend who is going through a divorce and he commented to me the other day that it makes him sad when people congratulate him. Sometimes meaning well can have the opposite effect.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

Be Able to Clearly State What You Do and Who a Good Referral is forYou

Kevin Willett says the more specific you are the more business you can get.

This sounds pretty easy and straight forward, but often when I ask someone who a great referral would be for them, they tell me anyone with a pulse. My friends, we’re back in the epic fail category. If you tell me financial planners and CPAs are great contacts for you, I can start helping you right away. There’s an expression in networking that “everyone turns into no one simply because people don’t know where to start.” Here’s an example. If you’re a CPA and you tell me everyone is a potential client, I’ll agree with you, but I probably won’t ever give you a referral. If you tell me you specialize in helping people and businesses that have tax issues, then I’ll know to refer you whenever I hear of someone with that issue. Remember, the more specific you are, the easier it is to refer you. I have a friend who’s a painter. If you ask who a good referral is, he’ll tell you the exact size and type of the house he wants to paint, including how many windows the house has. His description makes you visualize this house. If he said anyone who needs painting done, would that make you visualize anything? If it would, it’s probably not too pretty.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

Celebrate Your Victories

Kevin Willett says it’s OK to applaud your accomplishments without sounding like a braggart.

Last week I learned that the cable TV show I host won a local award for best talk show. I was excited and happy of course and wanted to tell everyone. But I paused and I have to admit, I was reluctant at first to share it on social media because I didn’t want people to think I was bragging about it.

However, when I thought about it, I realized I am proud that the show won an award, and happy for the all the businesses and non profits I am able to help by having them as guests on the show. Why shouldn’t I announce it to make other people aware of the show so that I can help them too?

I see this happen a lot with my friends. They are often reluctant to celebrate their victories because they don’t want people to think they are bragging or they don’t want to make their friends in business feel bad.

I believe that as long as you are tactful about it there is nothing wrong with celebrating your victories.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.

Ask Open-Ended Questions

Kevin Willett says this is a great way to chat with someone who is not comfortable with small talk.

Many people don’t like to network because they’re just not comfortable with small talk. We’ve all had those painful conversations where we exchange one-word answers. When I’m talking with someone, I always try to find at least one question that will make the person smile and open up to me.

Let me give you an example. I was talking with a CPA at a networking event and, my friends, it was painful. I asked him three questions and he answered each with only one or two words. So finally, I asked him if he ever uncovered anyone stealing. Oh my God, his eyes almost jumped out his head and he went into this rather long and involved story about how he figured out a bookkeeper had been stealing money for years from her employer. I’ve been friends with him ever since, because I invested the time to connect with him. I could have just walked away, saying to myself, this guy has no personality. But I would have missed an opportunity to make a great friendship. So when you meet people, ask yourself one question: What would be important to this person? Then ask them about that. If you’re not sure what to ask, simply ask what they feel is their biggest accomplishment. You’ll learn a lot about someone from the answer.

Watch my YouTube Channel for more on this Business Networking Tip

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.