Happy Birthday to Leads Club Founder Ali Lassen! September 18th is the day our family remembers her as our Mother and pioneering businesswoman. If she were alive today she be would 95. That means she started Leads Club when she was 55. To create an industry at that age, or any age, for that matter, is truly amazing. So many years later I’m still very proud to have been her protégé and the recipient of her mentoring and encouragement.
When I came into the Leads Club business in 1983 the first piece of advice she gave me was: “Go in and catch them doing something right”. I have to admit, my first thought was; that is kind of hokey. But then daughters don’t always see the brilliance in their parents right away. With nothing to lose, I tried it.
Imagine if you will, walking in cold, to a room of 25+ professional business women that all shared the Leads Club spirit and camaraderie. Not easy to do. Fortunately, there was a lot to compliment them on and I did so enthusiastically and sincerely. I was most impressed at their strength and commitment to each other and told them so.
One of my other business gurus is Dale Carnegie. We learned in his basic course, one of his many hallmark pieces of advice is similar to Ali’s. It discusses the power of a compliment. It’s a similar concept and one that can be easily integrated into your business and professional life. It’s free and doesn’t take a lot of studies. Just make sure your compliments are served up in a sincere and timely manner. Taken from Dale Carnegie’s book “How to Win Friends and Influence People”, Principle #2: Give honest and sincere appreciation. I just reread this book and the information he shares is timeless and a good reminder of common courtesies that are often lost today.
I used to think your compliments had to match the relationship if it’s a business relationship; you need to compliment them on a business issue or trait. Over time I’ve learned that is not the case. In fact, I surprised myself when I complimented a Chiropractor I met last week in Atlanta, on her stunning eye makeup. I said, “You’re going to think this is strange, but, I love your eyeshadow.” She immediately started telling me about how she learned to do it on YouTube and what a wonderfully artistic and meditative outlet is was for her each morning. I learned a lot about her from our conversation that started with a sincere compliment, how lovely is that!
You may ask; how is this a Marketing Tip? If you believe in the power of Relationship Marketing, then it is the best and first tip to help you meet and get to know potential business partners and clients/customers.
May I challenge you to give one compliment or catch someone doing something awesome, once a day for the next 30 days? It’s free and easy and if you do it for 30 days, it becomes a habit. What a lovely habit that is, wouldn’t the world be a nicer place if we all greeted each other with a sincere positive though?
Warmly,
Lisa Bentson, CVO Leads Club Inc.