For all of you who have just made your first sale, congratulations!  You should jump up and down and dance a jig at your accomplishment.

Very soon, however, you will discover that a closed sale does not equal money in your bank account.  Based on personal experience and that which I have learned from smart friends, I share some guidelines for making sure that you plan and contract for a stable cash flow in your new business.  They include things like:

1. Carefully study your client's financial terms, conditions and processes 
2. Plan contracts carefully, with payment milestones clearly identified and contingency plans developed if the scope changes
3. Treat your accounts payable contact with ultimate deference and respect, lest you reap the wrath of an accountant scorned

Please share your horror stories, best practices and tips at the blog:  www.escapefromcubiclenation.com

We all get comfortable using email to introduce ourselves to people we find compelling or share common business interests with.  It is a quick and painless way to connect with people all over the world.

But with the influx of email in everyone's inbox these days, as an alternative, why don't you try picking up the phone?

In this episode, I cover some tips for phone networking so that you:

1. Know how to professionally and quickly get to the point of the call
2. Respect the other person's time
3. Make sure it is a mutually beneficial conversation

Share your thoughts about this at the blog:  www.escapefromcubiclenation.com