The Dunstan Group

News

Stuff We LOVE About Charlotte

Like we’ve said before, it’s a GREAT time to be in Charlotte. Even if football season is over, there’s more than enough to love about being in the 704 right now. Here’s a short list of stuff we love from The Dunstan Group!

skylineLooking Up(town)

If you spend any time at all near uptown Charlotte, you’ve probably noticed there’s a ton going on within the loop. When we see our clients and friends from Heede Southest with their cranes dotting the Queen City skyline, we KNOW big things are happening! Plus lots of new small businesses opening up, the restaurant scene continues to offer new and more diverse options, and then some. What’s not to love?

The 704 has a BIG Heart

Whether it’s your company’s gift to the United Way, your church fundraiser or mission trip, a charity 5K or bake sale, folks here in Charlotte seem always ready to give for the greater good. Over the years, The Dunstan Group has been lucky enough to be associated with folks doing that kind of greater good, like Cookies for Kids Cancer, 24 Hours of Booty, All In to Fight Cancer, Charlotte Stands for Heroes, and more!

brawleysBeer!

Whether you enjoy a cold one or not, the growing Charlotte beer scene means more than just additional options in the beer aisles. From breweries, tap rooms, tours, beer and bottle shops, these entrepreneurs are creating jobs, interest, and a hip (hop*) vibe that’s attractive to young, new talent. And having dozens of opportunities to try new brews means even our favorite local joint always has something new. (*See what we did there?)

The Beach AND the Mountains

Yes! We’re lucky enough here in Charlotte to be close enough to some of the most beautiful country – in the entire country, we’d argue. In just a couple of hours drive we can dip our toes in the sand, or get our heads in the clouds. With all that Charlotte has to offer in a mid-to-big sized city, how many of our peers can say they’re this close to getting away?

panthersCarolina Panthers

Sure, the season ended on a heartbreaking downbeat, but this year’s Panthers gave us all something to cheer about. And for the first time in a long time, it gave our Super Bowl party some real meaning. The only downside we can see, is that with all the attention we got along the way, the secret is now ALL the way out about what a great place Charlotte is! #KeepPounding, y’all!

How to Network Like a Pro

Carolina_Panthers_logo.svgWhether you’ve got a dog (or in our case, a Cat!) in the Super Bowl or not, millions of us have a date with the big game on Sunday. Chances are, many of us will be watching the Panthers and Broncos with a roomful, bar full, or house full of people at some kind of Super Bowl party. These get-togethers are great for meeting new people from outside your regular circle of friends. And as icebreakers go, one of the go-to questions we’ll ask – and be asked – is, “what do you do?” Well, here are a few tips from us at The Dunstan Group for turning that question into a networking opportunity!

Shelve the Shop Talk: It’s easy to slide into your comfortable space and latch on to folks you already know, or those in the same line of work. Resist the urge to go easy and reach out to at least one new person at the party. You never know what it could lead to.

Ask Questions: You wouldn’t want to be grilled like some “60 Minutes” investigation, so ask questions you’d be comfortable answering. How’d you start your business? What got you into this line of work? What’s the most rewarding part of your work? They’re all good starters, especially for folks who aren’t natural extroverts.

Listen Like You Mean It: If you like what you do as much as we do, you may always want to talk about the great things you’re doing for other folks. But if you’re not in listening mode, you may miss the chance to make a new connection, pick up on a new lead, an opportunity to help, etc. Make an active effort to listen.

Ditch the Pitch: Odds are against you writing an order at the party, so relax. Consider this the time and place to perhaps learn about a new business or industry, or a growth opportunity you’ve never considered. It’s about starting a conversation, listening, and learning.

Remember the Golden Rule: Above all, be nice. No, not everyone we come in contact with could be a client, but that’s not all we should think about when we meet someone new. People want to do business with someone whom they trust and treats them well. If you’re capable of doing a favor or can help in some way, here’s the chance to do so.

Follow Up: If you’ve exchanged numbers or emails at the party, take a quick moment over the next couple of days to follow up. If you’ve promised to make an introduction, do a favor or share a connection, make it happen. A sincere follow up is the start of turning those contacts into relationships.