Lessons from a "Flasher"… =)

BEWARE the Professional FLASHER

A flasher is slang for a person, especially a man who exposes his genitals suddenly, and usually briefly in public…. And there is much we can learn from this pervert in terms of business success. =) =) Stay with me, please…

I was motivated to write this amusing (and I think, really innovative) blog post after a completely engaged and empowering MasterMind meeting held in Chesapeake this week. (For more information about my new local offerings, email me directly at michelle@womenwhowow.com.)

Back to the flasher: These “flashers” we occasionally hear about in the news seem to go out with one objective: to expose themselves publicly. For whatever reason, this “exposure” gives them a thrill of some sort. It is about THEM, and what THEY want. There is no thought or consideration given to their “victims” and this abrupt exposure is not about creating relationship or anything mutual at all. We get it…so what can we learn from it?

We need to ask ourselves if our networking efforts are turning us into “professional” flashers… where we rehearse a two minute commercial – delivering it the EXACT same way no matter WHO we are talking to…. And then flash our business card before moving on to the next “victim”. WHOA… how one-sided, how non-relational, how abrupt, and how much more “ABOUT ME” can we get?

Yet, we see these “flashers” at every business networking event we attend. How can you AVOID “flasher” syndrome? Here are some quick tips:

 • Throw out your two-minute commercial entirely. They are passé, one-sided and sound ridiculous when you repeat it over and over again with the same painted on grin and feigned enthusiasm. SURE, you should KNOW how to boil down what you do for your market… but do it relationally. Your answer to “What do you do?” should be targeted to the person you are talking to. The “seed” of more clients is in the conversation… it should be two-sided and it shouldn’t end with you chirping out your name and business name. UGG!

• Leave Your Business Cards at Home. You already know blanketing an event with your business card is Ineffective… You’ve tried it already. Take their card instead and build in some follow up. Let them talk about THEM… let them give YOU their business card. You can always follow up with a hand –written card and your business card later.

• GO DEEP. We all know and accept that business comes from people who know, like and trust you. So, build solid relationships … going DEEP (quality) rather than WIDE (quantity). When you are moving throughout these networking events, don’t graze the surface by flashing those pearly whites and a business card. If this is what you are doing, you already know you’d be just as profitable by staying home. Go deep instead. Build relationships. Focus on the person – not the business. Be authentic… not plastic.

I think I may just start PROFESSIONAL FLASHERS ANONYMOUS… for those who are dying to break out of their flashing habit and start making some real money through relational marketing!! =)