International Networking Week: Feb. 4-8, 2008

News from Dr. Ivan Misner...

International Networking Week is right around the corner. Last year, thousands of people from around the world recognized the week and even more are expected to recognize it this year.

Start the new year out with a bang! If you belong to any networking groups, make sure to tell them that International Networking Week is February 4th - 8^th, 2008.

Below is a short, 8 minute video at YouTube that talks about International Networking Week 08. Share the video with others and show it at your networking meetings during International Networking Week:

Click Here for 2008 Video

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International Networking Week: Feb. 4-8, 2008

Business 3.0: Enter the social web

Jay Deragon talks about "Revolutionary Changes for Business" in today's

A Relationship Economy With Whom and What...

Business 3.0: Enter the social web

The past business models have been consumed with the end target, economic gains. While applying technology, knowledge and management advances the past business models have left behind the most important element of any business success, relationships.

Business cultures have suppressed employee participation rather the cultures have created an environment which encourages following rather than leading with self expression. Businesses have proclaimed the importance of the customer while creating barriers to customer participation and responsive service. Under the pressure of competition businesses have reacted by the numbers, cutting budgets, while not clearly understanding the root cause of poor performance, poor relations.

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Business 3.0: Enter the social web

Acknowledge People and What They Do

Power Thought of the Week

By Patricia Parham, Ph.D., Contributing Writer
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Acknowledge People and What They Do

Acknowledging people and their contributions builds loyalty and trust. Encourage each person in your network to savor the moment in which you share something that you appreciate, admire or value about them. It takes fewer than two minutes and creates a stronger emotional bond between you. People may forget what you do, but they will never forget how you make them feel.

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Acknowledge People and What They Do

Contrary to What You May Think, the Referral Process

Networking Success

By Ivan Misner, Ph.D., Contributing Writer
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Most everyone who has ever tried to keep a truly accurate count of how many “cold calls” led to actual, cash-in-your-pocket sales knows that this is not an easy task. The good news is that it is actually quite easy to measure success from referrals! We know this because we’ve designed a networking scorecard for tracking referrals and the business that results from them. You might want to develop a similar one for your own use. On this card you record the nature and source of each referral, how you followed up on it, how you handled it, how you conducted your networking activities—did you provide your referral source or contact an article of interest? a thank-you note? a phone call? lunch? business?—and the end result of these activities. It’s not that hard to analyze what you did and how successful you were in getting business from your referrals!

The referral process is about committing to a series of actions designed to create a result (not only for you, but for the other people involved) and then measuring it and improving the system. As long as you track your activities, it’s not that hard to measure the results.

For more of the article...

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Contrary to What You May Think, the Referral Process

Champion for Conscious Cooperation: Tahdi Blackstone

By Ann Barczay Sloan, Women’s Networking Editor

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“We can live as though everything is a miracle
or nothing is a miracle.”
-Albert Einstein

Yet another extraordinary woman in my life!

I first met Tahdi around 1995 when I was co-leader of a local IONS group in Orange County, CA and I was invited to a gathering of various area leaders held at her delightfully unusual home in a remote section of California’s San Fernando Valley.

Tahdi’s house is a small wooden cottage with a big brick fireplace, but what really makes this place so appealing is the huge deck in the back of the house. There are old live oaks overhanging, tropical and desert plants in an informal array, lots of outdoor tables and chairs, tinkling wind chimes, and, at evening gatherings, the flickering of countless candles. And now I must explain that – though this deck is in “back” of the house - when you are out there, it is clearly the front of the house, because it overlooks miles of valley, trees, hills, and vast fields with massive boulders scattered about as if by a powerful giant. It’s probably because of this primeval vista reminiscent of Africa that Tahdi has named her home “Serengeti West”.

When I lived in California, I always loved going to Serengeti West and attending Tahdi’s events, whether informal gatherings or salons featuring various luminaries in the consciousness movement, such as Planting the Peace Pole with Deborah Moldow from the United Nations, or conversations with people like Dr. Matthew Fox, lecturer, author of almost 30 books and Founder/President of University of Creation Spirituality; James O’Dea (President of the Institute of Noetic Sciences), and Mark Dubois, Recipient of the Beyond War Award.

Who is Tahdi and what is she all about?

Tahdi does not hesitate for a moment as she tells me: “I most want to help turn the world into a family that includes and honors all life and creation, and to support and work with organizations doing that.” As such, she’s definitely on the right track!

Rev. Dr. Tahdi’s formal title is Member of the Board of Directors of the Institute of Noetic Sciences, Founder / Director of the IONS ~ L.A. Community Group. She is a Member of the World Board of Unity-and-Diversity World Council, and Board of Directors of Arts Olympus whose vision is a global cultural exchange. In her home, she runs a healing center with light and sound frequency generators “where miracles abound”, she smiles. If you think this sounds like a complicated or heavy load, Tahdi is a most warm, light-hearted woman who makes just about everything she undertakes seem virtually effortless.

I’d better explain some basics about IONS at this point!

For those who are not familiar with this highly respected world-wide organization, here is a brief definition found in their mission statement:

The Institute of Noetic Sciences is dedicated to “Exploring the frontiers of consciousness to advance individual, social, and global transformation.”

The word noetic is derived from the Greek word nous, which means intuitive mind or ways of knowing.

My Interview with Tahdi

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Champion for Conscious Cooperation: Tahdi Blackstone

Alas- Lassie has a New Task!

By Linsy Guerrero, Social Networking Editor
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My recent acquisition of a new best friend, "man's best friend" to be exact though I am a woman, inspired me to do a little research. I rescued my dog Jake from a local Humane Society, but prior to his time at the shelter he had been picked up by animal services so there was no prior history on him. He was so cute and very sweet however, that didn't bother me. He seemed to have a very likable demeanor. One of the first things I noticed upon bringing him home was that he was very timid around other people as well as other animals. I had an epiphany; dog park! What a better place to familiarize your animal with both people and pets. I was determined to have a dog as social as I!

Once I started looking up information on all the swinging local spots for our four legged companions, I realized how much some people use their pets for their own personal socialization. I was well aware of sites like Dogster.com, where humans immortalize their canines and "every dog has a webpage". What I came across that intrigued me was an article on social networking for dogs. It was not the concept of socializing our animals that surprised me of course, but specifically a new device being tested which will enable the owners of the animals to be social with one another also long after the visit to the park has ended. The article written earlier this year boasts that this could be "the next step in the social networking revolution".

Here's how this works...

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Alas- Lassie has a New Task!

Interview with BizzFlip

By Lydia Sugarman, Entrepreneurial Editor

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I was all set to write up another interview for this month’s installment when I spotted an email from Adam in my inbox. He was doing what he does and making an email introduction to Will Randolph, a principal of a new online venture, BizzFlip. Within an hour, Will and I were chatting on the phone like old friends. Note: I think that’s something that happens very quickly when entrepreneurs recognize each other.

As Will talked about BizzFlip and his two partners, I knew you all needed to hear from them yourselves. These are young, but very seasoned entrepreneurial businessmen who really have a strong grasp on what it takes to be an entrepreneur, to be good business people, to be good business partners, and to effectively network. Hey! They found each other!

As I read their separate responses to my questions, I was also impressed with the similarity in their answers even though this was done by email and they didn’t hear or see each others responses until now. The similar mindset is exactly what it takes to have a successful partnership. The common generosity of spirit is a main component in successful networking.

I thought it is important to share their unfiltered and unedited responses to illustrate and illuminate how three entrepreneurs who are partners think.

The guys describe their business as follows...

BizzFlip nurtures direct trust-based relationships within a niche community. BizzFlip has altered the way businesses are sold, venture capital is dealt, ideas are shared, and much more!

At the tipping point of an economy in which only the connected will survive, we have created a platform for people to utilize as the painful hierarchy of Nine to Five becomes a thing of the past.

The Interview...

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Interview with BizzFlip

Year Round Networking at Tulsa Metro Chamber

By Peter Biadasz, Southern Plains Bureau Chief
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There exists a community in the Midwest which provides quality networking events for the first 11 months of every year. While you may be on your own for December, the month of countless holiday gatherings (I mean “networking opportunities”), from January through November you get to work the Networking Circuit provided by The Tulsa Metro Chamber. The Networking Circuit provided by the chamber includes:

(4) - Regular Breakfast Network meetings,
(1) - Power Networking Breakfast event,
(3) - Business After Hours events,
(1) - Restaurant After Hours event,
(12) - Business Owner’s Forums, and access to a host of open and closed networking groups.

The breakfast events and the after hours events are in alternating months. Therefore, if your schedule is better suited for only morning or only evening meetings, you have the opportunity to attend the most convenient event based on your schedule.

Per Elaine Walsh, Manager, Member Events, “the success of the events is not only in the quality of each event, but in effectively marketing each opportunity so that the membership can utilize the event to have maximum effect for the attendees as well as positive effect on the community”. Elaine mentioned that each event is marketed via several media including mailings, e-mails, tickets, post cards, the weekly Monday Morning Memo online newsletter and The Chamber Report magazine. An annual pass is available for purchase allowing access to all Breakfast and After Hours Events at a discount.

Here are the fun and important details:

(4) Regular Breakfast Network meetings – These meetings average about 200 people in attendance and features a program of organized networking (each participant meets at least 18 people) and a very interesting speaker. This meeting is always finished by 9AM so you can schedule a 9:30 am sales appointment.

(1) Power Networking Breakfast event – This event always has over 200 people. Each person networks at 5 tables of 10 people, 15 minutes at each table. At all breakfast network events a 90 second introduction is utilized and a computer program ensures smooth transitions from table to table.

(3) Business After Hours events – Averaging 500 – 600 people per event, Business After Hours features networking and lots of great food in a high quality trade show atmosphere. Chamber members can purchase booth space to showcase their products and services for several hours. The event concludes with a balloon drop in which you will find cash in select balloons. Networking, food and they pay you if you find the right balloons. A don’t miss event!

(1) Restaurant After Hours event – With well over 600 in attendance yearly, this event features local restaurants in a showcase type setting. All attendees go from booth to booth sampling the wide variety of foods that the restaurants want to show off. This is an all you can eat for one price event so come hungry. No one leaves with an empty stomach. This event has been held in the local aquarium for several years allowing the attendees to visit the exhibits and walk through the shark tank in an attempt to burn off those newly consumed calories.

(12) Business Owners’ Forums - Every month business owners gather in a formal setting to discus topics that are of interest to business owners. A formal part of the meeting agenda is 30 minutes of networking, owner to owner.

Access to a host of open and closed networking groups – Within the metro area are at least 40 open and closed networking groups that meet weekly, bi-weekly, and/or monthly. You will find a networking opportunity of some sort on every day that ends in “y”.

As you can guess, ensuring that each event runs smooth involves quite a lot of manpower. Besides an incredible chamber staff, Karen Humphrey, Member Services and Resource Campaign Manager, has an army of volunteers called The Hospitality Club. These 50 individuals are involved in the many tasks required to have consistently successful events. Karen stated that she “feels blessed to have such a dedicated group of professionals who generously volunteer their time and energy.” These volunteers are many times involved in set-up and break down of tables and chairs, professionally facilitate the table commercials at the networking events, greet people at the door, ensure that vendors have what they need at trade show style events, and do whatever else needs to be done to ensure the success of the event.

By participating in the networking circuit you are not only full prepared to make the most of December’s Holiday Networking Season, but also prospecting to your fullest potential, ensuring a great year of satisfying business. If you would like more information about networking as sponsored by The Tulsa Metro Chamber feel free to go to www.tulsachamber.com and contact Warren Unsicker, Small Business Program Manager; Dennis Currington, Director, Small & Minority Business Development; Karen Humphrey, Member Services and Resource Campaign Manager; or Elaine Walsh, Manager, Member Events, at The Tulsa Metro Chamber.

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Year Round Networking at Tulsa Metro Chamber

The Inspired Networker Gives to Give

Inspiring NetWorkers

By Mark Sturgell, Great Lakes Bureau Chief Email article RSS feed Share on facebook

"Give to Get"

...why not put away the old credo for a day or two, if not for good? Why not spend today GIVING? Mark Sturgell bids farewell as Great Lakes Bureau Chief with a Grand Wish for us all...

The Inspired Networker Gives to Give

"Give to Get" may be the most common, most often-used credo of networking. Frankly, I don't like it. I founded this column to inspire networkers toward a much greater ideal; that is, just "Give". You will be amazed at the results. You may just become an Inspired Networker. You may inspire others - many others if you really put yourself out there. You may just change the world for the better.

Give-to-Get is a transactional act. Giving is a transformational act.

This is a Giving Season for almost everyone in the western hemisphere. It is also a time when we tend to rethink our lives, even in some small way. So why not try putting away the old credo for a day or two, if not for good? Why not spend today GIVING? Don't give with the expectation for some kind of "secret" transaction to take place, or for your blessing to the world to miraculously "attract" many more blessings back to you. JUST GIVE.

Give something away. Help people because they could use it. Appreciate the act of giving. Become a GIVER.

What if you made your cause one of restoring spirit and noble values to your workplace, to your business community, to your networking group? This means you would have to live these values, be an example of an inspired spirit to all around you. You would need to consistently give your most authentic self. How would your life be different? How would your life NEED to become different to become such an example? How would the lives around you be different as a result of your higher ideal?

Life is an opportunity where you get to give, not give to get.

What if your networking group was a place where people get to give instead of give-to-get? In other words, your group saw the privilege and opportunity in just giving to one another? Look at the list of people in your referral network. What have you given them lately? (That's no matter what they have given you - don't slip back into the old credo now!). Now, for each person, can you think of something to give him or her? No, not a tie or a knitted scarf, but something VALUABLE…something from your HEART.

Yes, your gift this year could most certainly be a business referral or a business introduction for each person in your networking group. That would be appropriate. It might look or sound something like this:

Friend, I am giving you a referral this week. I have already spoken to this person about you. I told them you are a person they can trust, because I trust you. I told them that, even though they may talk with other businesses, they should speak with you because you are a person who will look out for their best interests - and I know you will. I gave them your name, not just because you are in my network. I spoke to them about you because of who you are as much as for what you do. I care about this person and I care about you. I am really excited about putting you two together.

Make this your Giving Season. Make 2008 your Giving Year. Better yet, make this life your Giving Life. Give something away. Help people because they could use it. Appreciate the act of giving. Become a GIVER.

This will be my last column as your Great Lakes Bureau Chief, but maybe not the last time you will hear from me. I hope you have enjoyed my column. I hope you have been INSPIRED!

Please continue to contact Mark Sturgell or through his website at www.pdncoach.com.

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The Inspired Networker Gives to Give