How Robust is Your Group Network?

Power Thought of the Week

By Patricia Parham, Ph.D., TNNW Contributing Writer

Networking is about expanding our resources and powerbase in new and unexpected ways. Take a look at your network and see how much “sameness” there is in your network. Do you attend the same meetings and see the same people every month? Do you interact with the same people at different meetings? What new group could you attend or new project could you take on that would expose you to more people and ideas?

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How Robust is Your Group Network?

Follow Through – One Day at a Time

People, Power & Possibilities

By Donna Fisher, Contributing

You've probably set some goals for 2008. Maybe you've even created a goals poster and/or developed your action plan. And yet some people are already off-track even though we're only half way through the first month of the year. What is it about following through with our intentions that seems to be so difficult?

Oftentimes it's because we just haven't developed and don't practice that "integrity muscle" with ourselves. When you say you're going to do something, does that really mean that YOU ARE GOING TO DO IT, or does it really mean that you'll "think about" doing it, do it if it's easy and convenient, or do it if you remember?

What if this year, you honored yourself by truly doing what you've said you will do – being your "word" with yourself.

Honor Your "Word" and Empower Your Results in 2008:

• Be clear about what you say (don't make haphazard promises).
• Be accountable to yourself.
• Create a support system (or buddies) where you are accountable for doing what you say.
• Document your promises and follow through actions.

Stop analyzing and judging yourself and just do what you say.

When you follow through on something that you said you would do you honor yourself. You strengthen your character, self-esteem and ability to produce results.

Donna Fisher
www.donnafisher.com
Houston, TX
713-789-2484

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Follow Through – One Day at a Time

Networking Your Website Using Link Bait

By Rita Wilhelm, TNNW Contributing Writer

Building incoming relevant links to your website is what will boost your search engine rankings the most. This is an ongoing process, and this is probably the most time-consuming task related to online marketing.

An incoming link from another site, basically tells the search engines that your site may have good information on it. It’s a vote for you. The more links (or votes) you get from other quality sites, the higher you will rank in the search engines.

But what is going to make quality sites want to link to you?

First of all, it is important to look at your content (what you talk about on your website or blog). Is your website basically a sales pitch? If so, then it’s not very likely someone is going to link to you, unless they are an affiliate and get a commission for referring new clients to you.

To get people to link to you really requires that you have something noteworthy on your website or blog.

You may have heard the term ‘link bait’ before. Link bait is basically content that you put out, that attracts other people, and makes them want to link to you through their blog or other sites.

Do you have an insightful report that people might want to link to? Do you have something that is interesting, educational or funny on your site? Maybe you have a special tool that people can use, or resources that you have gathered.

These links are not only good from a search engine standpoint, but also from a referral standpoint. If a well known blogger talks about something on your site and links to you, you may very well benefit from a burst of new traffic.

Make sure you have an opportunity in place on your link bait page, to convert your visitors to new prospects or clients.

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Networking Your Website Using Link Bait

Matthew Radin Esq. of Liberty Legal Plans

By SCOTT R. FORCINO Esq., TNNW Legal

This month I had the pleasure of meeting with and interviewing Matthew Radin Esq. of In House Legal Support Services and Liberty Legal Plans, based in Commack N.Y.

As Mr. Radin states, "Liberty Plan members receive the services they need to turn Relationships into Transactions and Transactions into Better Relationships while they Save Money".

Liberty Legal Plans assist Realtors to work with Paralegals, Virtual Assistants, Lawyers, Transaction Facilitators and helps buyers and sellers move the transaction from Listing to Initial Offer to Contract to Closing in less than half the time it currently requires. Most professionals donate one-half hour to clients to become familiar with clients' issues and offer discounts of up to 25% off their published professional rates.

Compelling reasons to participate in Liberty Legal Plans include gaining referrals from preferred qualified attorneys and earning compensation by offering Liberty Legal Plans to vendors and lawyers while creating an environment for clients to streamline the transaction. Ideally, attorneys inform other attorneys of the virtues and features of participation in the Legal Plan.

There is also a Comprehensive Conflict Management Process that provides practical solutions through a network of professionals who are accountable for achieving excellent results for buyers and sellers through mediation and arbitration and do all they can to keep disputes out of court. Real Estate buyers/sellers enjoy the "One Stop Shop" which gives them more control over deals and reduces risk and stress and provides buyers/sellers with lawyers who can manage expectations and protect the right and obligations of the respective parties to the transaction. This is a clear benefit derived from networking among lawyers.

Mr. Radin explained that Liberty Legal Plans is a great opportunity for attorneys to gain exposure for their practices and also to meet and connect/network with other attorneys to promote the Plan in order to provide a benefit to buyers/sellers.

The sites www.clslegalplans.net and www.libertylegalplans.net are where one can find Liberty Legal Plans on the web. The immediate goal is to afford thousands of Realtors®, lawyers and buyers/sellers a chance to provide this Legal Plan while making money and reducing risk.

Matthew Radin Esq. can be reached at 631. 499 6499 or by email.

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Matthew Radin Esq. of Liberty Legal Plans

The Year for Social Responsibility in the Arts

By Sian Lindemann, TNNW Arts Editor

Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all of our readers at The National Networker. I hope that you had a most delightful holiday season, and that you look upon the new year, 2008, with refreshed motivation.

Courtney Milne Productions Fine Art Photography “Carefulness” From The Pool of Possibilities E Calendar

I am thinking differently about my articles this year, provided to The National Networker. Looking back over the collection of past articles, I attempted to provide access, description, and reference to those artists, painters, photographers and the like, who are garnering a significant income from their work. I also provided the insight and methods on HOW they achieved those results.

Those articles and that information has NOT, markedly increased readership of The Arts and Entertainment Department at TNNW….and I wonder why.

If I were an artist needing edification as to “knowing” that income can be produced in this industry, and if networking among specific arts organizations, is not how any of 2007’s artists have secured their success, then I would ask you the artist, WHY you would not subscribe to our publication to be made aware that financial success in very attainable in this industry.

It only provides the assumption that “income” and sales are not the primary reason that one wishes to have a career in the arts. Income is a bonus to actively pursuing one’s career, yet the discovery that income as a primary result is not very often what motivates an artist to produce.

I picked up two books over the holiday, and wish to share their source with you. Both had a profound impact on my thinking as I enter 2008. The first is a book that was published in 1991 and is titled…

“The Re-Enchantment of Art” by Suzi Gablik

The author, Suzi Gablik speaks specifically to the following need.

“Suzi Gablik's book Has Modernism Failed (1984) described an enervated contemporary art scene. She depicted the post-modernist art world as one in which the revolutionary impetus of modern art had degenerated into a market-driven form of parody and calculated indifference.

In The Re-Enchantment of Art (1991) she puts forward the more optimistic idea that there is indeed hope for the future, but it depends on the spiritual and ethical renewal of our culture, including 'a revitalized sense of community, an enlarged ecological perspective, and greater access to the mythic and archetypal underpinnings of spiritual life. '

Re-reading this in 2007, one has to wonder how much progress has been made towards this 'spiritual and ethical renewal of our culture.”

I find it interesting that in addition to Suzi’s concern to consider the complete spiritual and ethical renewal for our culture, she also speaks about the need to find a “socially responsible” reason for which to create and sell original works.

“I JUST love it when I discover new information that is now advocated in a recently published manuscript, something which I have been advocating for 30 years.” Sian Lindemann

The other book that I discovered is titled,

“Jumping Through the Hoops, Autobiographical Stories by Modern Chinese Women Writers”
Edited by Jing M.Wang

On the other side of the spectrum, here is revealed, and I have only read the Introduction, the reflection of a number of women, who as recent at 1945 were not even able to write in the first person, relative to their “life stories,” based on the culturally imposed limitations regarding personal freedom in the Chinese culture.

We are so incredibly lucky here in the United States, with the freedoms we experience, and that we so readily take for granted, to pursue and to actualize our “individual” dreams and ambitions….and we are so spoiled as to the treasure that is to do so.

So in light of these two discoveries, two great texts, fabulously probing questions, I am dedicating the New Year’s roster of articles to those artists, groups and methods who advocate Social Responsibility, the pursuit of spiritual renewal, and those whom take significant risk in so doing.

Wishing you a most delightful New Year.

Sian Lindemann 2008

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The Year for Social Responsibility in the Arts

Network to Shop Locally in Oregon

By Lori Richardson, TNNW Northwest Bureau Chief

Sustainable Business Network of Portland, Oregon is a network of over 400 businesses who are locally owned, independent businesses committed to supporting other local businesses. In addition, to be accepted for membership, businesses must agree to be ethical, offer a healthy workplace, purchase and source local items when possible, and operate in ways that protect and restore the natural environment.

The SBN says that their members "are independent, locally owned businesses, farms, organizations, and individuals who are committed to this region and its quality of life."

In the last dozen or so years, with the advent of the internet, we've created a worldwide marketplace - neat idea from the standpoint of opening the doors to the world, but what happened to supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses to impact our local communities? SBN states its member benefits very well:

Membership in the SBN of Portland is open to private businesses, non-profits and individuals who are interested in working together to create a Local Living Economy in the greater Portland area to: --Re-circulate more dollars in our community --Support and strengthen locally owned, independent businesses and jobs --Preserve and enhance our unique neighborhoods --Get consumers to commit to spending more dollars with our participating businesses. While benefits vary based on type of membership, the most import benefit is the ability to help create the type of community we want to live in.

Members can get discounts through group purchasing and deals from fellow members. There are opportunities for peer-to-peer advice and consulting, and ongoing networking events.

SBNP is a local network of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, began in Philadelphia in the late 1990's, and now an international alliance of independently operated local business networks dedicated to building Local Living Economies. This network personifies the good in Portland, Oregon - it is a green friendly, beautiful "big town" that seems innocent compared to Seattle to the north and San Francisco to the south.

They hold visionary luncheons periodically in the Portland area. For more information, contact them at http://www.sbnportland.org/.

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Network to Shop Locally in Oregon

Is Networking Schmoozing? In Atlanta it is!

By Glen Gould, TNNW Southeast Bureau Chief


The Schmooze is a monthly networking event focused on fostering relationships between professionals primarily in the hospitality and related service industries. Each month, The Schmooze takes place in one of Atlanta's hottest establishments. Join us as we gather to mix, mingle and sample some of Atlanta's best food and beverages.

It all began over a decade ago when Kenneth Jones of Dynami found himself constantly in the middle of connecting people to people and places. Having built a huge network through personal relationships in Atlanta, he realized the time had come to start linking all he knew.

Jones searched throughout Atlanta to find the right mix of networking events targeted to those in the hospitality and service industries and when he failed to find the right one, The Schmooze Atlanta (literally meaning, networking, making contacts and meeting people) was born.

Jones added more firepower to the Schmooze's growing success when he decided to link up with Suzanne Shaw Cashin of PennHouse Productions. Cashin has over 15 years of experience in sales and marketing for Atlanta's premier hotels, restaurants and nightlife venues. It was the perfect match – Jones’ understanding of individuals business and social networking needs with Cashin who had “her finger on the pulse of what is new and hot in this city.” Combining the talents of Jones and Cashin assures that each event features the highest quality in venue, food and guest list.

Perhaps one of the most important features of the Schmooze Atlanta is “the right guest list”. Together Jones and Cashin have brought together their years of being tapped into the social agendas of Atlanta's more mature, successful and professional population. These are the people who set the trends and can offer businesses both up front and residual results.

While true to its roots, today The Schmooze welcomes more than just hospitality and service professionals. So whether you want to see or be seen, the Schmooze is a must attend. For more information, please email Suzanne or visit TheSchmoozeAtlanta.com.
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Is Networking Schmoozing? In Atlanta it is!

Survey shows half of online Canadians are members of Facebook

By ZALE TABAKMAN, TNNW Canadian Bureau Chief

In between the Facebook and LinkedIn were all the standard ones, MySpace (16%), MSNSpaces (16%), Hi5 (9%), and Friendster (3%).

These results reflect the Canadian personality and how Canadians view each other and the world. Understanding this view can help when networking with Canadians online and in person.

Another fascinating number is the percentage of people who had heard of Facebook and LinkedIn but were not interested in joining. For Facebook it was 30% but for LinkedIn at (22%) To look at the numbers a slightly different way, about a third of the people who knew about Facebook were not interested in joining, but about 75% of the people who had heard about LinkedIn were not interested in joining.

The report describes what people do in Facebook and other sites, the majority of which is some form of connecting with friends and making new friends. A small number of Facebook people use Facebook for business purposes (22%) but another group of people (38%) of people use it for developing or promoting their business. There were no statistics about how many people use the social network for career development. I am not sure if that is included in the developing or promoting their business or if the numbers were too small for statistical purposes.

These statistics are telling about the Canadian personality. Canadians are well known for apologizing when you bump into them. Bump into a Canadian and see what happens. Canadians. Canadians do not like aggressive people. (The most frequent expression I ever hear is “Zale!!! You Can’t Say That!!!”).

Canadians think it’s tacky to talk about money or to ask for an order. I was in a Flea Market the other day. Anybody who has been in a flea market understands the pure entrepreneurial spirit that exists there. It's in the air. But it was a Canadian flea market, it was unbelievable how polite people were. Nobody was trying to sell me anything, nobody even called out to us as we walked the isles. Compare my experience to walking down a New York City street or a souk in any part of Asia.

When trying to understand the numbers, it’s important to focus on the clearly different user experience on the sites. Facebook is social personal site with many ways of interacting with other members, but LinkedIn is all about business and a person’s resume. LinkedIn has no birthday nonsense nor places to post pictures of your son’s first tooth.

For a Canadian, putting their resume and all their accomplishments up for the world to see, is the essence of being aggressive and boisterous. But, to succeed in the LinkedIn world – you need to let everybody know about your accomplishments.

A few personal notes about LinkedIn.

I have created a lecture on the Seven Ways to Generate Business With LinkedIn. The first part of the lecture reviews different features of LinkedIn and how they can be used to generate business. The second part of the lecture explains seven common things that business people need to do and how LinkedIn can make it all happen. I think there in fact many more than seven ways described.

Sending me a LinkedIn invitation is now worth over 1,000,000 in your network. Yup, that is correct. My second level connections (which are your 3rd level) is over 1,000,000 people and growing daily. My profile is found at www.LinkedIn.com/in/ZaleTabakman.

You can review the Survey of Canadian usage of LinkedIn on Zinc Research.

Till Next Month!

--Zale
www.ZaleTabakman.ca

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Survey shows half of online Canadians are members of Facebook

Relationship Economy: Jay Deragon's Blog

Today:

The social web has and will continue to attract lots of attention from individuals and institutions alike.

There is an abundance of suppliers offering “free networks” for people and institutions to easily and quickly set up and start their own network. New networks are proliferating the landscape targeting literally every market segment one could conceive.

More of Jay's article...

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Relationship Economy: Jay Deragon's Blog

Chinese Social Networking

Old School BBS: The Chinese Social Networking Phenomenon

Written by Gang Lu / January 17, 2008

According to latest report from China Internet Network Information Center (CNNIC), by end of 2007, there are over 200 million Internet users (including 163 million broadband users) in China. 2008 is shaping up to be a very busy year for the Chinese Internet, and the Chinese market seems to be pulsing with social networking activity. But for Chinese Internet users, social networking has taken on a very different form than it has in Western countries. In China, the most popular form of networking may just be the traditional Internet forum system, or BBS.

For more of the article...

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Chinese Social Networking

Social Network for Learning Languages

Voxswap – 'a social network with a point' – launches today

Voxswap.com launches today to match the millions of people around the world learning one another’s languages so they can help each other progress for free.

In a bid to create what its co-founders call ‘social networking with a point’ the site allows people to set up profiles, stating which language(s) they speak and which they are practising. They can then browse fellow Voxswap users so, for example, an English person learning German, can be matched with a German learning English.
...

Visit Response Source for the full Press Release...

Sami McCabe
Ubiquity Communications
M: +44 (0) 7789 777 440
T: +44 (0) 20 8849 8180
E: sami@ubiquitycomms.com

Sean Hargrave
Voxswap.com
E: info@voxswap.com

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Social Network for Learning Languages