Basic courtesy is an essential part of your image

This article is focused on the importance of basic courtesy. How good are you at following-up? I don't just mean on glaring business opportunities but on less obvious ones too, as well as doing things you've promised and thanking those that have helped you.

I've been amazed recently at the lack of following-up/basic courtesy I've experienced (if not personally, then second hand). From the ridiculous, where I have clearly signalled a business opportunity to someone that hasn't been followed up, through to the purely impolite - helping someone out with a connection, information or something else and having received no acknowledgement they received it, never mind thanks.
Do either of these sort of scenarios make any of us want to work with these people in the future? Not really! It certainly doesn't make me want to put them forward for opportunities in my network. If they then didn't engage with those people, that's a risk to my reputation!

I talk a lot about following-up after a networking meeting for your own benefit, to build on the started relationship and just out of general politeness. Surely, if you meet someone for a 1-2-1, especially if they bought the coffee, the least that you can do is send an email thanking them and following up on anything you discussed?

Read about 3 things that make all the difference to networking success.

Even worse still, is if they email you and you never respond.
So this week, it's a short and simple message, basic politeness and courtesy are major contributors to your personal image. Even towards those who will never be clients, it matters!

The best thing to do is to have a process and be organised. For example, a day after a day of meetings what do you need to do as a follow-up to each of those meetings? Perhaps it’s something direct with the person you met but it may also be to thank someone that connected you in the first place. Get into the habit of spending a few minutes thinking about each meeting and what you need to do as a result. Most importantly of all, never promise you’ll do something then not do it. This really ruins your image and reputation.

Need help staying in control of your follow-ups and knowing how to manage those and on-going relationships effectively in the time you have? For a no obligation 30 minute Career Booster session contact Joanna to see how she can help you.

Image courtesy of freeimages.com/dwayneblee