I recently overheard someone at a business networking event use the expression “Eat your own dog food!”
It was a curious expression and I had not heard it before so I looked it up on Wikipedia and it appears it is quite a widely used expression in certain circles. Its origin is a little uncertain but it is a more colourful way of saying “practice what you preach”.
The person I overheard was talking to a marketing expert whom I know is struggling to find clients. One look at the appearance of the marketing expert would tell you that he knew nothing about personal branding. After a few sentences you would realise he knew nothing about marketing communications. His business card was one of those flimsy ones that you get for free off the internet. Get the picture?
Would you hire a disorganised Virtual Assistant to help you get organised? Would you entrust your IT support to a company that never answers the telephone and always lets it go to voicemail? Would you engage a web designer with an awful website full of broken links?
As a sales consultant and author of a book on business networking, I am always aware that my expertise is being judged by the way I network and sell as much as what I say.
Credibility is the currency of business networking and a critical factor in sales. Without credibility we are unlikely to get many referrals and we will really struggle to close the sale.
In these challenging economic times we need to ensure we have all the bases covered. One of those bases is eating our own dog food!
Phil is an Internationally sought after, keynote speaker, who speaks regularly on the subjects of Presenting and Networking effectively.
Andy Bounds is an award-winning consultant and conference speaker. To sign-up for his free weekly advice on communication/sales best practices, visit www.andybounds.com/tips
Rob Brown is an in-demand networking coach and speaker on business networking, LinkedIn, referrals, trust and likeability. If you want to make more money, win more business or accelerate your career through networking, go to www.therobbrown.com
Sandra runs BNI(Business Network International) in 19 counties of Ireland. BNI is Ireland’s leading business referral organisation, she is also BNI’s Director of European Affairs
Charlie Lawson – BNI National Director and Word of Mouth marketing expert, whose passion is to see BNI members succeed in their businesses.
Labelled ‘Mr Network’ by The Sun, Andy Lopata was called ‘one of Europe’s leading business networking strategists’ by the Financial Times.
Penny Power has dedicated her life for the past 13 years to the potential of the internet and digital tools for SME’s by helping them connect through and understand the ‘social web’. In 1998 Penny founded Ecademy, the UK’s first social network for business. 
Ewan helps business people grow their contacts by “word of mouth marketing” and is a key note speaker at conferences on the subject of referral marketing.
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Iain Whyte is an international Keynote Speaker, and published Author. Considered an expert in relationship-building, networking and word of mouth marketing.
David Wimblett is The Author of 