~~ PUBLICITY: If you need help with publicity then you need to check out Joan Stewart’s site at http://www.publicityhound.com Although I don’t personally have any of her tools, I have heard Joan speak and she has a TON of ideas to help you get publicity you deserve.

~~ DOING INTERVIEWS: Joe Sabah has a database with 700 + radio talk shows who interview guests by phone at http://www.joesabah.com His database contains contacts, addresses, phone and fax numbers and it comes with a WONDERFUL book that takes you step-by-step on how to make first contact and how to get on radio talk shows. Tell Joe that Janet from MD says HI!

~~ SPEAKING: Speaking of speaking, make your speaking, presenting, or training dreams come true! When I decided I wanted to become a professional speaker I knew I had a lot to learn; especially when a meeting planner called to hire me for a BIG speaking engagement. I had no IDEA about some of things she was talking about! (I had experience as a presenter and a trainer but professional speaking is another can of worms and so is dealing with meeting planners!) Meeting planners have a whole different language and you need to know what to ask or tell them. So where did I turn? You guessed it, my friend Tom Antion. Tom practically gives away * trade * secrets and his speaking knowledge in his * Wake “em up * tools at http://www.antion.com .cgi/123221/public-speaking.htm If you want to become a GREAT speaker, trainer, or presenter, this is a MUST!

~~ NETWORKING: Is networking working you or are you working it? I want to caution you about joining every networking group that you can find. Networking can take up a lot of your valuable time, BUT networking with right people, at right place, and at right time can help BOOST your business. If you belong to any networking groups, make sure that group is right fit for your industry and type of business. Find out if there is an association for your industry and if they have a local chapter. One of best networking groups I’ve found and belong to is * Business and Professional Women * (http://www.bpwusa.org ). Yes, MEN can join and it’s national!

~~ VOLUNTEER: I’m a firm and true believer that you have to give to get. Don’t forget about one’s less fortunate in your community. Find something that’s of interest to you and see if you can help. It could also be a place to network, but remember, you’re there to help first.

After reading and checking out tools I’ve recommended, I hope you can now go back to those 10 questions and start yelling YES, YES, YES I CAN! Yes you can start BOOSTING and GENERATING more income into your business and life!

Smiles, not Piles, Janet L. Hall

Janet L. Hall is a Professional Organizer, Speaker, and Author and owner of OverHall Consulting. She has developed “The 5 W’s of Organizing, a TEASER, and a “TICKLE”ã”. Get booklet every business owner and office manager shouldn’t be without at http://www.overhall.com/wwwo1.htm Copyright Ó 1999, 2000 by OverHall Consulting P.O. Box 263, Port Republic, MD 20676 All Rights Reserved. Permission is granted to reproduce, copy, or distribute so long as this copyright notice and full information about contacting author is attached.

5. Delegate through dialogue. Don’t do all talking, and don’t delegate in hall. Delegate in an environment that is conducive to fully explaining project. Minimize interruptions and allow plenty of time for dialogue. Involve delegatee in discussion and encourage his/her suggestions and comments. Instead of asking “Do you understand?”, ask questions such as, “Any ideas as to how you’ll proceed?” You’ll get a better sense of whether or not your request was clear.

6. Establish deadlines and build in accountability. Don’t leave due dates uncertain or open-ended. Don’t say, “Can you get this to me as soon as possible?” or “Please do this whenever you can get around to it.” Be specific about when you want it done by. “I trust you to take full responsibility for getting this done. If you foresee any problems or need help, you know how to reach me. Do you see any problem in getting this done by May 31?”

7. Establish check-in dates. Be aware of status of project, but don’t hover. Without checking on progress, you have not delegated – you’ve abandoned! Keep a Delegation Log http://www.orgcoach.net/delegation_log.html to help you track each task you delegate. Ask delegatee to report progress on specific check-in dates you’ve negotiated.

8. Give positive and corrective feedback. Do not focus on what is wrong, but rather on what can be done to make it better. “It looks like there's a problem here. What do you need to do to get back on track?”

9. Provide necessary resources. Point delegatee in right direction if work involves other people or resources needed to get job done. “See Jim in Accounting. Sue in Purchasing can provide you with necessary forms you’ll need.”

10. Offer guidance and advice without interfering. Point out roadblocks they may encounter. “James in Purchasing never checks his e-mail, so it’s best to call him for anything you need back in a hurry. You may need to light a fire under Rick in Marketing to keep this project moving forward.”

11. Establish parameters, conditions and terms before you delegate. Don’t impose controls after you’ve delegated. State those up front.

12. Keep monkey on their back. Don’t let them delegate back to you. If someone brings a problem to you, you can listen without assuming responsibility for solving problem. The delegatee may stop you in hall and ask, “What do you think?” Turn question around and say, “What do YOU think?” Or delegatee may ask if it is possible to delay deadline for another week. Again, turn question around and say, “Is it? Will that help us reach our goals?” Or you can ask questions like: - What recommendations do you have for how to handle this situation? - What are some feasible alternatives? - Which move do you suggest we go with?

In other words, don’t rescue! In your dialogue, keep focus on delegatee and don’t let them put monkey back on you.

13. Provide back-up and support when necessary. There’s a difference between rescuing and supporting. If something is not going well, provide support from behind scenes, such as placing a discreet phone call to someone involved who is not cooperating with delegatee. Let them know they don’t have to fight their battles alone.

14. Give full credit and recognition to person who gets job done. Don’t take credit yourself. If delegatee is unsuccessful, take brunt of blame yourself rather than using him/her as a scapegoat. If delegatee has not developed their skills fully enough to accomplish task, you as manager can assume responsibility for that. Learn from experience so you can more effectively delegate next time.