What you say to other people can make or break you and it can happen without you even knowing about it. That old saying "loose lips sink ships" is oh so true in business. If you like to gossip as most people do, learn to listen rather than participate. Oh, you're saying to yourself that yes maybe you do talk about the job or your co workers, but never to anyone who's involved outside your work.
That's the kind of thinking that enabled my friend Susan to land that $50.00 an hour teaching contract with one of the local businesses. You see, I happen to be at lunch with a person who was casually talking about her job. After all, I had nothing to do with her company. I was just a computer consultant that was going to send her business. How could I be a threat?
This is how it happened. At the time, we were working on Susan's game plan to become a teacher. I had a client that wanted me to teach 15 of their employees. Since my company didn't do classroom training, I referred them to a computer school. Upon class registration, they mentioned who referred them. The Director of Training, Colleen, then called and spoke with me. I advised her that my company only did one-on-one training and maybe we could trade business. That's when she invited me to lunch.
The first lunch was merely a business meeting and we exchanged business cards. However, the second lunch a few weeks later was quite different. Colleen gave me a new business card and explained she just changed jobs. I knew her former employer had a reputation for suing past employees because of a no compete clause. Therefore, I questioned her about this. She then began to fill me in on all the latest legal gossip at her new place of employment concerning her former employer. I didn't say a word.
Through legal means, her former employer obtained an order that forbid Colleen or her current employer to solicit or train former clients. I calmly asked.
"What former clients?" She started naming them as I listened.
"Does this mean that those clients are no longer being trained by either company?" I interrupted.
"Well, my former employer has sent letters to them to get them to sign affidavits for the upcoming court battle." She quickly replied.
I knew right then I had something. No client wants to be dragged into court. When I got back to my office, I called one of the clients she mentioned, and asked about their employee training. They already knew me as a consultant and asked if I knew of any independent teachers. Guess who got the contract - that's right Susan.
Colleen never found out about my association with Susan. Colleen called me a few weeks later and went on and on about this new company (Susan's of course) that came out of the wood work and stole three of their biggest clients. Again, I quietly listened.
That Director of Training's mistake was, although my company did not want her clients, I knew people who did. She didn't realize how well connected I was in the computer community. Being in the business for nine years, I had met most of her associates and my husband knew her current employer. You just don't know who is sitting in the booth next to you at lunch or hanging on every word of that cell phone conversation. Therefore, think before you talk!
### Gina Novelle (copyright 12-2004)
Gina Novelle is a published free lance writer. Her company sponsors the web site http://www.thirdpocket.com, a support site for the self-employed. Her book, "Business Secrets Men Don't Tell Women" reveals how women and men view self-employment differently and will be available in 2005. She currently offers her services as an Ezine Writer to optimize search engine ratings, and teaches high tech marketing. gina@exclusivemarkets.net
Best Practices StudiesThese studies can be defined as inquiries into... Read More
Why do managers create low morale as a product of... Read More
When approaching any decision, it's important for individuals to maintain... Read More
Recent studies have shown that industrial supervisors are working at... Read More
A major problem impairing an executive's performance is his Emotional... Read More
This article relates to the Senior/Top Level management of an... Read More
Managers who aren't loyal to their people can't expect loyalty... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
There is every chance that elements of this article may... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
It can be concluded with great certainty that certain organizational... Read More
As a child, you probably heard, "to thine own self... Read More
How Companies Are Like FamiliesLike a family, a company is... Read More
By sharing how well you are doing and how well... Read More
Color is a big factor effecting all indoor... Read More
A core activity in many successful businesses, Succession Planning is... Read More
I believe that whether corporations expense their stock options is... Read More
Imagine that you're a sports coach and you need a... Read More
You may have the MBA but if an internal critic... Read More
An individual's ability to forge effective relationships across cultures is... Read More
To get the best results you have to be very... Read More
During a recent seminar I gave located in the suburbs... Read More
Media relations can be difficult, but also rewarding. And the... Read More
It is essential to understand what work and what do... Read More
You open your computer, the flashing button says, "We have... Read More
There are wild variances in how much involvement organisations are... Read More
You, the Entrepreneur, are 'normally' a type-A individual. One who... Read More
Accounting is one area which every company has to maintain... Read More
This is a story about a man and three dogs.I... Read More
Ask almost any business leader how to most effectively develop... Read More
1. Let people know what you expect. If people know... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
When executives see themselves as solely responsible for the overall... Read More
This short story, Coworkers Collaborate to Complete Successful Initiative, was... Read More
Plan/prepare - lack of purpose causes aimless meetings. Know why... Read More
Although this performance discussion is an opportunity for you to... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Supervisor-employee relations are a critical part of a work place... Read More
Change is exhilarating. Change is terrifying. Change is badly needed... Read More
Having to manage a difficult employee is never fun and... Read More
"Can This Marriage be Saved?" So reads the title of... Read More
What IS assertive communication? Assertive communication is the... Read More
Step 1Get the proper level of Six Sigma expertise at... Read More
Are you planning your business or are you... Read More
Imagine the following scenario; Ten years ago you decided to... Read More
One of the most common complaints that business owners have... Read More
So you did such a good job in 2003 at... Read More
This article relates to the Senior /Top Level Management competency,... Read More
Many people believe that they conduct effective meetings, when all... Read More
Being a leader isn't easy. Every one looks to you... Read More
We all have been in meetings with certain people who... Read More
If you were to take the people out of an... Read More
What happens when a Project Manager asks one of his... Read More
My friend Delia is the owner of a small private... Read More
How do you get everyone on board the change train... Read More
This was supposed to be one of those sleepy flights... Read More
Effective leaders are known for being excellent communicators. Here's what... Read More
Good news spreads quickly News of the invention of the... Read More
Managing Client Relationships: Even the best run organizations occasionally run... Read More
Are you uncomfortable with delivering disciplinary action, even involving employees... Read More
One of the biggest problems we encounter in our consulting... Read More
Ten Money Saving Tips for Print ManagersDespite their stated desire... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
A series of articles exploring the seven critical areas that... Read More
Your organization's continued growth and success depend on making smart... Read More
Business owners and managers are busier than ever. As their... Read More
Business Management |