Making Networking Work for You!

How do you make networking work for you? It is really quite easy.  When you decide you are willing to do what it takes to make success happen.

1. It is not about you … it is about them. When you meet someone at a networking event, do you go right into selling them? No, of course not. But, really in actuality, we do. From the introduction to every word we speak, we want the person we are having a conversation with to like us. Because we buy from those we like ~ those we trust. When we begin our conversation, it usually involves a series of questions to get to know the person better. Keep the focus on them. It is really good. Most people feel comfortable talking about themselves. And, you can see just how your product/service can benefit them ~ meet a need.

2. More than a business card. Most of us have heard the expression, “quantity over quality.” Same mentality when it comes to collecting business cards. You want to get to know the person before you get their contact info. A huge benefit when you are following up. Your new friend, “connection,” will remember you so much better. They won’t feel like just a number in the game called networking. Do you like it when someone pushes his/her way to your face demanding your card? Maybe you do, but when you start receiving all their emails, “spam,” you most likely ask to be taken off their list.

3. Help them remember your smiling face! Follow up … within 72 hours. Whether an email or a phone call ~ this is self-explanatory. Continue the connection before someone else does.

4. Use their language ~ build trust and rapport: The benefit to spending time connecting is your hear certain key words they use ~ whether it is “awesome,” “fabulous,” “outstanding,” etc. You can use those words back. And, the more time, the more you see and feel their energy, which, again, you can feed. Think about this when you are following up.

The key word: Awesome Energy: High

Hey Joe,

It was awesome connecting with you at the KFI event on March 23! I really enjoyed talking with you. Please look at your calendar and let me know when you have some time to meet this week.

Have an awesome day. Thank you in advance for your reply.

Signed,

You.

5. Set a time to meet again ~ Networking at its finest allows you to “sell” you immediately. When you have made a really good connection, go ahead and set the next meeting. If you don’t have your calendar on you, confirm to email each other some times to meet. It is up to you to make it happen.

6. Ask for a referral: Maybe your new friend doesn’t need your service/product. That is OK! Ask for a referral. Now that you are “friends” and understand what the other person offers … they will be more likely to refer. And, referrals are amazing things ~ warm leads! As a bonus, your new friend may just realize they do the product/service you offer!

Almost 2000 years ago ...

Yesterday was Easter.  I am proud to claim that I am a Christian, and I celebrate this day as part of my rebirth.

It is because of Jesus' death and resurrection that I may choose life.  Today, as everyday, I take a few moments throughout the day to be grateful ... to appreciate the opportunity to have an earthly relationship and heavenly relationship with Our Father because of His Son ~ Jesus.    

During the day today ... breaktfast with the family, church with our extended family, lunch with the in-laws, and now relaxing watching the Predators' game (LOL!) ~ 2 songs have been singing in my head and heart.

"From the cross to the grave from the grave to the sky ... Lord I lift your name on HIGH!"

... and ...

"Our God is greater ... Our God is stronger ... God you are higher than any other.  Our God is healer, awesome in power, our God.  And, if our God is for us, who can be against? And if our with us, what can stand against?"

And, I have to take a breath ~ because I stand in awe.  These words are so true.  Because our God is with us, for us, all about taking care of His family ~ nothing can stand against us.  Our God is powerful.  He knew our name before we were in our mother's womb.  Yes, He knew your name.  And, because of you ... He sent His son.

Today almost 2000 years ago... Jesus rose from the dead ... showing the world who He is and always will be.

What are you doing with your eternal life?

Coming Back ...

Why did Jesus fold the linen burial cloth after His resurrection? The John 20:7 tells us that the napkin, which was placed over the face of Jesus, was not just thrown aside like the grave clothes. The Bible takes an entire verse to tell us that the napkin was neatly folded, and was placed at the head of that stony coffin.

So you know this must be important.   

In order to see the significance of the folded napkin, you have to understand a little bit about Hebrew tradition of that day. The folded napkin had to do with the Master and Servant, and every Jewish boy knew this tradition.

When the servant set the dinner table for the master, he made sure that it was exactly the way the master wanted it. The table was furnished perfectly, and then the servant would wait just out of sight, until the master had finished eating, and the servant would not dare touch that table, until the master was finished.

If the master were done eating, he would rise from the table, wipe his fingers, his mouth, and clean his beard, and would wad up that napkin and toss it onto the table. The servant would then know to clear the table. For in those days, the wadded napkin meant, "I'm done."  

But if the master got up from the table, and folded his napkin, and laid it beside his plate, the servant would not dare touch the table, because ~

The folded napkin meant, "I'm coming back!"

The Master was coming back.

So Jesus was telling the world by folding His napkin ~ 

I'M COMING BACK!

Shiny ... Pink ...Sneakers & Baseball

Shiny ... Pink ... Sneakers  & Baseball

Yes, you got it.  Tonight as Nathaniel's baseball team warmed up, another league was finishing a game on our field.  The league is part of the special olympics league ... and man ... did they inspire me.

And, it was more than just the players ... it was their coaches, the volunteers, and most of all the fans.  

Here Erin and I sat between 2 fields.  2 completely different games.  To the front of us was Sam's league.  A little girl wearing her shiny pink sneakers.  And, when she crossed home plate ... boy did she mean it!  

Behind us ... 2 travel teams playing.  And, one coach yelled to a 10 year old player, "You gotta learn how to catch that ball, boy." (Nasty attitude to fit those nasty words!)  Also, parents on cell phones, others gossiping~ and the ones who were watching the game were either bad winners or bad losers! So Sad.

So, we focused our attention to the front ... Parents cheered! Brothers and Sisters screamed in joy as the ball was hit and the runners took their bases.  

1.  Everyone got to hit the ball. Even if the pitcher (a volunteer) had to throw 10 balls ~ everyone got a hit!

2.  Everyone got on base!  

3.  Everyone got to score! Yes, they got to experience the rush of crossing home plate!

And, just when you think, "It can't get better than this!"  Erin sees that every time the batter hits the ball, the pitcher was throwing another ball behind his to either third base, short stop, or second.  Then the fielder who caught the ball would throw it to first.

The basics of the game.  And, you know what ... they were doing better than some professionals.  They were capturing the essence of the game.  America's Game ~ America's favorite past time.  Just like apple pie, baseball is something that belongs to us.

There was so much joy, pure excitement.  It was amazing.  And, I cried.  I admit it ... there were tears shed between Erin and I.  

I am okay with that.  So ... at the end of the game ... to go against what Tom Hanks said in A League of Their Own, there can be crying in baseball.

Just another day?

Was today just another day?  Will tomorrow bring anything special with it?  If you wake up ... you'll know it was a gift.

A gift to do something with.  Yes, each day is meant to be an interactive gift.  Those are the best kind.  

Think back to Christmas or your birthday ~ when you open your presents, what thoughts go through your mind.  

If you are a little boy ~ maybe you are hoping for a new bike ~ something you can get out there and ride on, or perhaps, a new baseball and glove ~ something you can get out and play catch with your dad and friends.

For little girls, a new baby doll to love, dress, change ~ or, maybe one of those easy bake ovens to bake and decorate cakes with your mom and your friends.  Isabella's (our daughter) favorite is always her new art supplies ~ because she knows she is ready to create a masterpiece.

The gifts we remember, the excitement we feel are for those gifts that require actions.  BATTERIES NOT INCLUDED!  We are creating memories.  Think of the movie Toy Story ~ any of the 3.  Andy loves is toys ... he is creating amazing stories and memories through play or action.

When we have to take possession of something, we are more likely to use it, remember it, and implement it!

The gifts that just sit on a shelf collecting dust ~ sure they might look pretty, they might bring fond memories of someone we care about giving us a special gift.  But, they just sit and collect dust.

Do you want your life to collect dust?  Or do you want to create a masterpiece with it?  God did.  He is waiting for you to continue the story.

Great!

The Great ...  What is "The Great"?

Alexander The Great ...

The Great and Wonderful Wizard of Oz ...

What made these people great?  What 1 more thing could they have done to becomeOUTSTANDING?

Taking another step up ... to reach the top of the slide. What are you willing to do ... to leave behind in order to achieve OUTSTANDING?

As I mentioned yesterday ... in life, people tend to do what is necessary to avoid pain rather than doing something to GAIN PLEASURE !

The same can be said for greatness.  People avoid leaving greatness to achieve a level of outstanding.  Greatness becomes comfortable.  Greatness is the normal for us.  If I achieve greatness, then I have done something with my life.

Does this sound like you?

What if the difference between greatness and being outstanding was 1 small step?  And, you know what, most of the time it is.

What is huge ~ the REWARDS!

So, what exactly do I mean?  

Being a Parent.  A great one versus an Outstanding one.

A great parent takes his/her kids to the ball games, friends' houses, movies, out to eat, gives them the iPhone, iPod, all the latest gadgets, TV's in the bedrooms, etc.  It seems like they are doing a great job, right?

An OUTSTANDING parent turns the TV off, the electronics off every once in awhile.  We have a deal in our house.  We each pick a night to watch TV.  That is 4 nights the TV is on. Guess what! The other 3 nights ~ we are playing outside, playing the Superbowl Monopoly when the Giants beat the Patriots!, Guess Who, UNO, Old Maid, Legos, and the favorite TROUBLE! We talk to our kids and we also listen to them(and hear what they are saying)!

A Great Spouse ... Financially taking care of the family.  Taking care of the household responsibilities.  Remembering your anniversary! Taking date night every once in a while.  Thinking of your spouse while at the store and bringing them home a surprise.  WE all want a great spouse, right?

I have an OUTSTANDING spouse.  And, I believe I am an OUTSTANDING spouse.  Putting the computer aside and just sitting on the couch after the little ones are in bed ~ talking, reading together.  Making date night important ~ no kid talk or work talk.  Being present in the moment.  Knowing it isn't always about the material things. Would my wife rather have a new car or time with me?  

(Many of you are probably saying the CAR!)

A Great Human Being vs. An Outstanding Human Being ...

I want your feedback here.  Let me know where you feel you can leave greatness behind and become truly outstanding.  When you become outstanding, you are one of the few ~ compared to one of the many.

Gaining ...

By gaining ... or success ... what are you afraid of losing?

I recently asked a coaching client this question.  And, the answer came with tears.  It was an all of a sudden kind of thing ... the wall came crashing down.  Yes, there was a breakdown ...

But, then the rainbow blossomed over the sky ... A BREAKTHROUGH!

This is a pattern many of us fall into.  We do things out of fear ~ the fear of losing rather than the pleasure of gaining.  We want to "avoid the pain."  No one likes to get hurt?  Pain, yuck!  Do you run from the bee or do you run toward it?  Come on, I'm crazy right?  Running toward the bee?

Now, please don't take this literally.  I am not looking to see a story on the news about how 100's of people went chasing after bees!

WE MUST FOCUS ON THE PLEASURE ~ the goal ~ the achievement.

1.  Working out ... it can hurt.  Yes, as we push our muscles, stretching them, it burns.  So, most of us associate pain to working out.

Instead of the pleasure ~ of wow ~ I am getting my body into shape.  I am going to feel so good, so healthy! I am adding years back to my life!

2.  Getting caffeine, sugar, fast food out of your system ... THE WITHDRAWLS, the HEADACHES, the BODY ACHES .... ohhhhhhhhhh.  Makes me hurt all over just thinking about.

NOW FOCUS.  How good do you feel?  Healthy?  Feels good to accomplish your goal right?  Mentally and physically.  It is a natural adrenaline rush!

3.  Getting up an hour early for your "quiet time."  Whether you need to some alone time, time to just sit & think, pray, read your Bible, journal ~ or just watch the sun come up ...  I NEED THAT EXTRA HOUR OF SLEEP!  I can't function without it.

YES YOU CAN.  Right now, all I can picture in my mind is the Little Engine that COULD.  I think I can. I think I can.  KNOW in mind before you set your alarm tomorrow to get up earlier that you are going to accomplish great things with that extra hour to live ~ that extra hour to be awake and to do something amazing with!

I KNOW YOU CAN!