10 Ways To Get What You Want In Business

Learning how to be bold and direct, and demanding respect, fairness and attention is part of being a successful business person. This isn’t to say that there’s no place in the business world for being friendly and nice but being “too soft” can delay your progress. As someone once put it, “If you leave room for people to take advantage of you, they will.” Here are 10 tips to help get what you want, when you want, from the people you need most:

1. Keep a record of your goals and objectives. Refer to it often to ensure that you stay on track. Share this with someone you trust and have them help keep you in line.
2. Figure out what you want before you meet with people. You’re then more likely to remember your goal, form your discussion around it, and ultimately achieve it.
3. Let people know when you need help with something. Even if they can’t help you themselves, they’re more likely to find you someone else who can.
4. Don’t leave questions unanswered. If you have them, ask!
5. Don’t be afraid to walk away. If you feel you may be wasting your time, or could be taken advantage of, your willingness to go elsewhere may be what prompts someone else to take action in your favor.
6. If you want to solidify a deal or an agreement, or just protect yourself, write it down. A lot of people will try to backtrack from promises they make if there is no way of holding them accountable.
7. Tell people what you want from them. Do use some tact, but be direct. Most business people will respect you more for it.
8. Give people the best reason to want to help you. Being a good person is the first step. If people like you, they’re more likely to go out of their way for you.
9. Always think in terms of creating win-win situations. How can helping you help them? Figure this out first and you’re one step closer to getting what you want.
10. Believe in yourself and your business. If you truly think you have what it takes to succeed, make it happen.

Become a Diva in Business

Did you ever want to be one of those people with such presence that every time they walk into a room, the mood changes? Even before you see them, you can just sense they are there, that something’s different. This is a very powerful tool in the business world – and it is what being a diva in business is all about. I’m going to share some of the lessons in personal style and professional success that I learned from my Aunt Joan, who is often referred to as the “first lady of licensing.” In her own business for the last 20 years, she started working with leading apparel firms and the most widely recognized international brands when women still held reign over the secretarial pools. She was clearly an enigma in a world dominated by executive men, but Joan was never one to take things lying down, especially when it affected the respect she earned from other people.

Divas in business are a powerful breed: They make things happen, stir the pot, do everything in style, and have a blast doing it. If you’re looking to become a business diva, below are a few of Joan’s trade secrets to help you look, play and become the part. Having money does help, but it’s the attention to detail, sense of personal style, glowing personality and exuberant confidence that makes a diva, well, a diva!

Attention to Detail
• Take immaculate care of your clothing and accessories.
• Always have everything clean, pressed and ready to go.
• Keep your living, work and travel space (hotel rooms) ready for visitors at any time.
• Take the time to plan so that events, meetings and projects go flawlessly.
• Know exactly what you want, and be direct with people if you expect to get it.

Personal Style
• Develop your own sense of personal style and make it a trademark.
• Pay close attention to the way others perceive you, but don’t obsess over it.
• Take care of yourself and stay in good shape. Take pride in your appearance.
• If you have any doubt that something isn’t right, trust your instinct and go with something you know works.
• Try to always stay calm, cool and collected. Even when you’re angry, dealing with problems tactfully and firmly often gets you further.
• Learn how to listen — there’s a reason why you have two ears and one mouth.

Personality
• Develop a personality that glows and excites other people.
• Be generous whenever you can.
• Treat people with respect and kindness.
• Try to always have fun. Be fun to be around.
• Let your passion pour out.
• Bring others along for the ride.

Confidence
• Be the best at what you do.
• Be bold.
• Don’t waiver from your beliefs and goals.
• Believe you can do anything.