What’s New?!!

 As I am sure many of you have experienced the “What’s new” question, it is particularly apparent during the Holidays.  Visiting for our holidays, were many cousins, aunts and uncles that we haven’t seen for many years. 

Now because I believe in A Plan and Strategy, not to mention my personal BRAND, I was fully aware that these questions would come on Thanksgiving weekend.  This took many hours to prepare myself for the inevitable. 

Plan ~ Be courteous and respond poliltely; be brief but good content; get them talking about themselves

Strategy ~ If I talked about my 5 years in Marketing/Promotional Product business and my love for Twitter and Social Media, my plan to get them talking about themselves would fall into place….because who doesn’t want to talk about themselves.

Brand ~ Being a good listener, interested in what others have to say and getting enthusiastic about others’ accomplishments is a part of my Brand that I enjoy to hear being communicated about me. 

RESULTS:  I know so much more about my cousins, aunts and uncles that we haven’t seen for awhile and they are all lovely and wonderful people that have interesting lives. 

“What’s New?” really means I would love to talk to you but I am not sure what to ask.  Telling a little about yourself is fine but by engaging them and listening well, will forever BRAND you as a loving and caring relative and friend…..AND you just may have a cousin in Minnesota who is an Executive in a large corporation, who is organizing a Golf Outing in May, and who needs golf shirts, hats and other items. 

Listening is a powerful communication tool that rewards.  I was listening but so was the Executive….a win/win!!

How did you answer,  “What’s new?”