There’s a golden rule of sales that I’ve found often gets overlooked and it applies just as much to building a professional or personal network as well. “Always ask for the referral!”
I’ve been thinking about this concept and started realizing how many of my friends, business partners, clients, and relationships in general have come through some form of introduction. This is something that many are either uncomfortable doing or simply don’t think about as part of their daily activity. The reality is that anyone you’re speaking with most likely knows someone else you SHOULD meet. And they are usually fairly willing and able to make the introduction as well. What ends up happening when you internalize this way of thinking is that doors start opening left and right.
I figured I’d try to put together a few rules that would help people get better at this skill in order to unlock the network you don’t even realize you currently have.
Rule #1 – Don’t be scared. When you start to realize that the worst possible thing that could happen is that the person you are asking will simply say “no sorry I don’t know anyone there,” it will make things easier. Fear... Read more
Tagged 'business' 
5 Ways to Expand Your Network
3 Tips For Choosing Your Next Job
At Crowdtap lately it has felt like much of our days are consumed with interviews. This is a good problem to have in the sense that we’re growing the team by 50% but it’s also one of the biggest challenges in a hot young start up. In NYC lately it feels like tech and media companies are popping up like weeds so unfortunately there are a lot of shiny balls out there for the talented few to chase. The challenge for us becomes finding the perfect few who have all the skills, personality and hustle that our team requires. This is not however an article about our hiring woes. This is about helping those who are searching for their next home, to find the best possible fit at this point in their career . I’ve noticed that in my experiences there seem to be 3 key factors that should be considered when on the hunt for your next role. When combined this should serve as a great roadmap to get you to the best possible fit for both you and the team you’ll be joining.
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Some people value this more then others but I think this is one of the... Read more
Ah-choo! The True Cost of Getting the Flu
Your sitting at your desk, minding your own business, when you hear a deafening, "Ah-choo!" spring forth from somewhere deep in the bowels of the other side of the office. Based on the time of year it is, your mind instantly goes into worst case scenario mode: the flu is upon us. The flu is no laughing matter, with nearly 40 million Americans being hospitalized every year. The best thing you can do for yourself — and your wallet — is to take a preventative measure and get a flu shot. The average cost is $35 per person, and is typically covered by most health insurance plans.
Facebook IPO a Good Case Study for Students in MBA Programs
In May 2012, Facebook engaged in one of the most hyped and sought-after initial public offerings, or IPOs, in recent history. Since then, shares have dipped dramatically from the opening price of $42 per share, and hundreds of millions have been lost because of computer trading glitches. The fallout from what was hoped to be a boost to the economy has left many financial professionals running for cover.
Both traditional business schools and MBA programs online could use this cautionary tale to teach their students about better trading practices. Learning about IPOs is something almost every business student will do, although new laws may soon set extra restrictions and guidelines for them to know. It is highly likely that the Facebook IPO is going to be information they are responsible for knowing on during tests and will eventually be used to navigate their careers.
The Facebook IPO became problematic early on May 18, the first day of trading for the company’s stock. Software delays from Nasdaq market makers caused trading of Facebook shares to delay for 30 minutes, which was all it took for investors to lose more than... Read more
