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Page 10 Volume 11 Issue 4 N etworking is about exchange – but not the simple exchange that so many people consider networking: trading business cards. Networking is the life preserver of a career professional. Your network can help you, even save you, in so many ways. Consider how powerful it is when you meet a stranger and in the course of conversation you discover they are close friends with a good friend of your own. The strength of the rapport that is built through this connection alone is inestimable. In that instant you’re able to make personal judgments about that individual, which you could not reasonably have made through your conversation alone. The key is to build relationships based on trust and mutual benefit. If you help others achieve success you will see success in return. Let’s say that again. If you help others achieve success, you will see success in return. Do not underestimate the power of this. If an activity, product, or service makes someone’s life easier or just makes them feel better, you have just developed a relationship based on trust and mutual benefit. Always remember that to be successful in networking, you are simply trying to make a friend and fill a need. If you do both of these consistently and persistently, you will no doubt achieve a high degree of success. Your network can be a virtual tennis GOOGLE to refer to when you need additional information on a subject. You cannot be the expert on every subject, but you can certainly build a network where you know someone that is an expert on every subject. Need a second opinion on a subject? Not sure how to handle a delicate situation? Judging a capital improvement and need to consult with a fellow professional who has already installed this item? Interested in a new job in a certain town? Your network is the key to open these doors. Also consider how difficult our jobs are these days. We are on an ISLAND, and often are caught up in running our business on a daily basis. By accessing your network, you escape the ISLAND and have a chance to see your world through a different lens. Consider these important Dos and Don’ts Do: • Treat everywhere, everyday as a net working opportunity; you can meet people just about everywhere who can be of potential long-term value to your business network. • Be yourself and be open, genuine, likeable and approachable when meeting new people. • Deliver two to three times as much value as you ask from your network. This keeps people eager to be helpful when the time comes that you need them. • Listen attentively and empathically and show real interest in the other party • Follow up regularly with all contacts made without being invasive or overaggressive. Regular follow-up is key to keeping the network alive. • Follow through on all promises made whether they be phone calls, e-mails, introductions, invitations, visits etc. • Your homework pre-networking events, find out who you want to be introduced to and don’t be afraid to ask for introductions. • Keep an updated contacts list to stay organized, use as a reference point and measure your progress. Don’t: • Be over-aggressive or over-confident or make immediate assumptions about people. • Dominate the conversation, aim to listen attentively and learn about the other party as well. • Pound that list of names with dumb jokes, updates about your life (unless it’s something insanely profound), or other clutter. • Make a huge deal out of helping others in your network. • Make empty promises. • Be afraid to approach people and circulate in networking events • Be over-friendly, over-familiar or overflattering; keep it professional. • Expect a quick return. Aim to build long-term relationships. • Be afraid to use your network to ask for referrals and be proactive about supporting your network in return. Networking is a two way street. Both sides need to contribute and share. It is not a network if you are always taking and never contributing. Today, more than ever, we need a strong network for both information and personal reasons. Start today by determining how you can help others. This is a big reason that people volunteer, and to volunteer for USPTA is a great start. Seek out an opportunity for 2011.
Standard Page 11 Killer forehand vs. Killer looks! by Karen Tenerowicz So there I am standing on the tennis court on Sunday and it is a bright and sunny morning, (hot and humid already) at 9:30 a.m. I play with men- mostly because they are not intimidated by the pace of the ball I hit. Most of the regulars of the foursome are there… On the court comes the "sub." This is the first time this lady has ever played on this foursome court. She introduces herself to me, Werner and Lou. Immediately, she decides to comment on my attire. Evidently, she would have picked out a "more appropriate" outfit than the one I was wearing - definitely a tennis dress or a skirt. Shocked, I took a moment and looked down at my attire. I asked her, "What's wrong… don't I match?" The guys just cracked-up. I guess the point of my telling this story is for several reasons. Tennis is a sport. Tennis is a game of love (at least for me). Tennis is addictive and healthy, social, and a joy to play. But for me, tennis is not about "who is wearing what." There are many different personalities in this world and also on the tennis court, as well. It may take some time to find a "niche" you fit into… but it is there. This 'sub' was never asked back on court with our Sunday foursome, but the people who show up each Sunday have a common love - for the game of competitive tennis. FIND YOUR NICHE!!! No one is ever alone :) …"I hit like a girl…. Yah Baby!!!" Reading a lob! by Brandi Bratek At the club level in doubles, especially for women, one of the deadliest shots to deal with is the dreaded lob. Many people have difficulty reading when opponents are going to hit this shot, and it is important to try to figure it out before it happens. Too often teams rush the net just to watch the ball sail over their head. When playing against women, a sure indicator of a lob is when you or your partner hit a groundstroke or volley that forces your opponent on the baseline to go backwards and hit off their back foot. If your opponent goes backwards, so should you and your teammate because the majority of the time, it will come back as a lob when playing a female opponent. Anticipate the lob in this scenario and don’t close in so far that you don’t have a chance to get the ball; and remember, it is always easier to run forwards for the lob than backwards! U S P T A
Page 1 and 2: INSIDE: Winter Convention 2.0 . . .
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Page 5 and 6: Standard Page 5 U S P T A As of Jan
Page 7 and 8: Standard Page 7 DRILL DETAILS Type:
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Page 13 and 14: Standard Working with Young Players
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