TNNW, JANUARY, 2009, WEEK 2: "We're Looking for a Few Good Networkers"

By Adam J. Kovitz

CEO, Founder & Publisher

Okay...we're looking for A LOT of good networkers. Why? Because without good networkers:

1.) Nothing would ever get done

2.) You wouldn't be reading this right now

3.) There would be no trust

4.) There would be no TNNW

5.) There would be no community.

We're proud to have been the trusted source for better networking for nearly four years and we appreciate you being part of our subscriber community. It is because of you that we have been making significant improvements to this publication to better serve you.

To this end, for the first time in TNNW history, we are offering yearly memberships to our subscribers who want to take our TNNW community to a higher level. The benefits of TNNW membership include access to premium products and services that no good networker should be without.

And while we have not officially launched as of yet, we have been overwhelmed by those who have already chosen to join. THANK YOU AND WELCOME!!!

This is just the beginning...

TNNW is available and will continue to be absolutely no-charge. Starting in 2009, however, TNNW will be offering a yearly membership, which will be a nominal yearly fee - $18/year for an individual membership and $30/year for corporate members. While membership is optional, you will want to join right away (call it our "offer you can't refuse"), as it will include access to members-only services which you won't find anywhere else, including:

1.) Press release, publicity and public relations services - imagine sending up to three of your own press releases to over 20 premium newswire services with an aggregate of over 25,000 national and international publications (online and traditional) all for less than $100.

2.) Webinar and broadcast programs - produce your own fee-based webinars!

3.) Custom text messaging programs

4.) Trade and non-bank financing for growing businesses

5.) Post up to one event per week on the TNNW calendar at no additional charge

Plus many more to follow...

We have spent the past several years building a network like no other...membership in TNNW will grant to access to this network and open a whole new door of possibilities to you and/or your business!

Stay tuned for more.

TNNW Calendar

We have a new calendar and it's open to you! To post your event, please visit our calendar page. There are three options:

1.) Post your event for $5.00 as a non-member

2.) Purchase a package of 10 postings for $30.00 as a non-member

3.) Become a member and post up to one event per week at at no additional charge!

New Delivery Options

You mean I can get TNNW articles emailed to me? I can listen to them on the web? I can put all the TNNW articles (and then some) up on to my own website or blog? Click here to find out how!

Surveys and Polls

Yes...you've been making your voice known to us! Now you can do it even better with our new site devoted to letting us know what's on your mind. We will also be making your collective opinions be known. Click here to find out more.

As always, I look forward to networking with you!

- Adam

___________________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com. You are also invited to click our buttons:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

TNNW, JANUARY, 2009, WEEK 2: "We're Looking for a Few Good Networkers"

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Unlikely Connections, Part 2

Power Thought of the Week with Patricia Parham, Ph.D.

Microtriggers

It is very easy to make contact with persons like ourselves and less natural to do so across age, cultural and ethnic boundaries. What are the microtriggers that let you know that there might be some similarities underneath the seeming differences? Share something about the holidays, family or a vacation and ask about theirs. Listen for similarities (vs. differences) and respond to the excitement in the story. Themes that lead to connection might be having fun, loving adventure, family, learning risk-taking or hobbies.

___________________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com. You are also invited to click our buttons:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Unlikely Connections, Part 2

STRATEGY: WHAT SAY YOU?: What Does The Social Billboard Say?

Strategy: What Say You? with Jay Deragon

A billboard is a large outdoor advertising structure (a billing board), typically found in high traffic areas such as alongside busy roads. Billboards present large advertisements to passing pedestrians and drivers. Typically showing large, ostensibly witty slogans, and distinctive visuals, billboards are highly visible in the top designated market areas.

In 1964 the negative impact of the over-proliferation of signage was abundantly evident in Houston, Texas, and motivated Lady Bird Johnson to ask her husband to create a law. At the same time the outdoor advertising industry itself was becoming keenly aware that the existence of too many signs, some literally one in front of the other, was bad for business.

Currently, four states—Vermont, Alaska, Hawaii, and Maine—have prohibited billboards

Do Billboards Belong on the Conversational Highway?

The social web is a highway of conversations. Brands want their billboards on high traffic highways of relevant conversations. Consumers behavior is clearly showing a distaste for “old billboards thrown in the middle of their conversations.”. This is becoming more and more evident with the reduced click-through rates for what has been labeled as “social advertising”. The old advertising methods are being rejected and replaced by an older method that is more human and it’s called a conversation..

Marketers must learn that the best way to get consumer attention is to enable customers to brag about their experience with your brand. The relationships that drive the quality of experience are upstream. Every brand has a system of production, distribution, sales & marketing and customer service. Production is collaboration with suppliers and employees. Distribution is a relationship with channel partners. Sales & marketing is a relational process with markets and customer service is an after the sale relational experience. Everything a business does is relational.

While much is being discussed about “how” brands can effectively engage in conversations a more important yet complex discussion needs to focus on “how” brands could create exceptional customer experiences in which the customer would share with others. The quality of an organizations product or service is directly correlated to the quality of relations which produce the product/service experience with the end customer.

If management cannot foster healthy internal relations, than it is folly to expect healthy customer relations. The old game of slick marketing messages and entertaining ads do not reflect the true customer experience with the product or service. Running ads on blogs and social networks will not capture consumer attention. When a consumer wants to “shop” for something the process usually starts with a referral from a “friend” or a conversation with someone who has experienced your brand. The “friend”, given the reach of the social web, is likely to be an employee, supplier or existing customer.

The social web and all its transparency is not turning up the heat on marketing and advertising methods rather the heat is turning on management. Management may in fact include senior people within the marketing and advertising departments. However unless the organization has a progressive leader, old management methods of the past will only reinforce old marketing and advertising methods that simply will not work in the new economy.

The web presents a new “system” that is ever evolving and creating new dynamics and new rules to old games. The irony of the evolving “system” of the web is that it is largely influenced by the preferences and privileges of people having conversations about everything, everyone and the experiences with anything. The new markets are creating new rules to old games. The new rules are people centric and value driven. The Socialutions lie not within the system of technology rather of the relational system of “people and values”.

Get it? The conversational billboards are loud, bright, connected and extremely the people read them. What will or are the people saying about your business? Check the social billboards and you’ll find out.

___________________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com. You are also invited to click our buttons:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

STRATEGY: WHAT SAY YOU?: What Does The Social Billboard Say?

FINANCIAL FREEDOM: Finding Financial Success in an Economic Crisis

Financial Freedom with Lynn D. Spencer

My wife and I have experienced incredible success for the past 2 years in Networking. In fact, in just two short years we have earned over $2 million dollars from Networking. The even more amazing part of our story is that, even in the past six months when the economy has tanked on so many levels, our business is steadily increasing. In fact, we are forecasting our best year ever in 2009.

How is that possible you may ask? The answer is very simple. When the economy experiences a major down-turn, millions of people are either laid off or experiencing wage reductions; an unprecedented number of people begin to realize that their future is not as secure as they thought and begin to seek renewed hope through starting their own Network Marketing business. Have you seen how many new companies are choosing now to launch their business, services, and platform? The number of opportunities out there is increasing everyday; and people are flocking to them in droves.

But that doesn’t begin to explain my wife and my success. We have experienced (and continue to experience) huge success due to some very basic principles that most people simply overlook. The principles are so basic in fact, that you’ve probably heard them a thousand times, but do you live them? Do you live these principles in your daily Networking or business lives?

If you’re struggling financially right now, pay close attention to what I’m going to share with you. Here are my success principles I live by.

S – Show up! This seemingly simple number one key principle is absolutely vital to your success, yet so many people don’t even show up to the training events, teleconferences, Webinars, Seminars, meetings, etc put on by their Mentors and Trainers. It’s pretty tough to be successful when you don’t even show up.

U – Understand the features and benefits of their respective product, business, or services for others. Unless you truly understand the features and benefits of whatever you’re selling (which typically means using it yourself), you’ll never be able to convey those features and benefits to your prospects. You have to “use” your own product, service, and business to be credible.

C – Consistent persistence. So many people stick their toe into their business venture, and then quit after their first “no”. Would you quit a new job when the first little thing went wrong? Of course not. So why would you even think of quitting or giving up so fast and so easy on your own success. Every successful entrepreneur I have ever met or known became successful through consistent persistence. Don’t ever quit!

C – Coaching. It is so important to find a successful person to be your coach and then be coachable. Doing it on your own is 100 times harder than following in the success footprints of someone who has already blazed the trail. Find a coach, a mentor, a trainer who has demonstrated that they are highly successful and ask them to coach you.

E – Everyone is your prospect. It’s amazing to me how many people pre-judge others and think they “know” whether someone would be interested or not and be successful or not. If there’s one thing I know, it’s that those who you think will do big things in your business typically don’t, and those who you think probably won’t make it often turn out to be your biggest superstars. Pre-judging anyone is a huge mistake.

S – Serve your existing clients, team members, and associates. Highly successful people approach their business with the heart of a servant. When you put others needs before your own, you will succeed more than you may have imagined possible. “No man can help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson

S – Set the example. The speed of the pack will always equal the speed of the leader. If you’re in the business of Networking with others or trying to build your own Networking business it is absolutely essential that you set the example. People will follow your example, and your results will equal your dedication.

Along with these key success principles, there are three more key words that you need to keep your eye on every day; passion, focus, and commitment. Ignorance on fire (passion) is far better than knowledge on ice. Get passionate about your product, business, or service and share your passion with others. Be committed. Tell yourself daily that quitting is simply not an option. And keep yourself focused. Don’t let yourself get distracted by the world around you. The more you focus on your goals, your daily activity, and achieving the results you are seeking, the more success you will have.

Here’s to your SUCCESS in 2009.

Lynn D. Spencer

www.lynndspencer.com

Futures by Design, LLC

405-237-3800

___________________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com. You are also invited to click our buttons:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

FINANCIAL FREEDOM: Finding Financial Success in an Economic Crisis

LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Letting Go…

Lasting Impressions with Sian Lindemann

The Art of Letting Go is an often occurring conversation these days, as we move into very different times in the financial and business world, for 2009.

I share with you an article I submitted to the Social Traffic Group http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=786410054#/group.php?gid=29368022143&ref=ts

with whom I am involved on Facebook, a wonderfully friendly and pro-active social networking site on the worldwide web.

It may or may not have an impact for you, but in the times ahead, for each and every artist, it is essential to blaze a trail with the vision you hold dear, make your work visible, and HAVE the kind of impact this artist, David Martorelli, had on me 20 years ago.

Your “voice” will soothe, awaken, and inspire humanity to move into more cooperative and authentic interaction, as what I have witnessed among a unique group of people who have joined and participated in The Social Traffic Group on Facebook.

Led by a very creative and innovative company based out of Australia, Simon U Ford defines for us a “successful” and viable new way of working together, world wide.

In order to act and to participate in the shifting paradigms upon us, it is first, essential to let go of those things that no longer serve our work, personal life and other areas…

ENJOY !!!

Letting Go....it has been about 20 years since this event occurred, and it was pivotal. I lived on Maui, then, owning and operating a chain of retail art galleries. I was involved with the galleries for about 10 years...I lived a perfect life, with the perfect husband, perfect kids, perfect clothes and perfect hair, ( especially, the perfect hair)…AND this day, unlike others, I had arrived in the store to view a new collection of works we had just displayed by artist, David Martorelli....an amazing surrealist, then from Maui, also.

With again, perfectly appointed lighting, placement and décor, of course, I RAN into the gallery this day, as in those days I was always in a hurry to get everything done, and I RAN to gaze upon David M's new collections...I had, what later, I came to understand as a complete and total spiritual epiphany. I mean the kind, where the day before this, had the conversation of God been presented, I would have stated, vehemently, "Talk to the hand" and get on with what ever else I was involved with.

In this moment I was profoundly, absolutely and completely taken over by the thought of "MORE", as if the sky above my head had been opened, the heavens revealed, and an understanding of the complete and entire universe and all of its construction, the angels were singing and I imagine, you get the drift… I was stunned to silence.

I did not understand this then, but is that not what art is supposed to do, LIFT, inspire, and AWAKEN?....David Martorelli's works had grabbed me, as if by storm, and I knew without a doubt, in that moment, that my life was going to change dramatically, and I had an inkling that it was not going to be delicate.

Original Fine Art Oils

By David Martorelli

Contact www.siandesign.com

Ultimately this event had a catalytic urgency for me to feel the need to give review to "what" I was doing and "why…." and I 'm not really sure where those questions arose from, simply that which had occurred was now a very LOUD internal voice and was directing and requesting my every step, from that moment on.

The guidance was "LET IT GO"...now….and apparently I had a new name, as I was hearing “SIAN…..Let it go…”

Not being a participant in anything relative to spirit, spirituality, religion or otherwise, it was a particularly unnerving experience to HAVE an internal voice, and it was particularly unnerving to have it call me by some wierd name, SIAN, ( my given name was Susan Jon) and then, to have it directly request for me to LET IT GO...

My response was, “who the hell is SIAN and LET GO OF WHAT...?”

Of course, as I was to discover, Sian, is a name that relates to that which just occurred to me. In time, it made sense. I researched all of the derivatives of Sian, and came to the Mayan meaning that defines the name as “where the sky is born” …That is exactly what happened to me, the sky over my head opened up as if a Bolt of lighting divined right into my brain.

Let it GO now meant, Letting GO of what I had understood was everything I had worked for, everything I had acquired, all the money, all the things, all the supposed fame and glory that came with opening, running and operating a chain of successful galleries on the idealic island of Maui, my marriage, my kids, my stuff, my collection of more shoes than Imelda Marcos…..the request remained the same…”let it go”

Later that year, after much turmoil and confusion, I might add, I did, of course meet new people and with them, have a few new experiences that helped me to understand what LET IT GO, meant, WHAT had happened to me, What might now occur and WHAT, of course could be my “future”?

This was with the help of a psychiatrist, that my husband insisted I visit. ( Luckily unbeknownst to me or to him, she doubled as a “transformational” counselor.) I was unable to explain to him what was occurring in my thinking process, and was certainly unable to explain a newly found understanding of “my place in the universe.” He thought I had gone crazy, which was really confusing because for the first time in my life, I felt sane, and everything made sense. There seemed to be an order to things, and the life that I was living was as far from that order, as could be.

I discovered a new found state of vision, understanding, and visionary psychic capabilities which unnerved me, yet their presence and their understanding was really “right.” It was all just “right” somehow.

Since it all felt “right,” I decided I would just adopt the “let it go” agenda and THAT I did, in a BiG way.

I let it ALL go, the stores, the stuff, the marriage, the name, the kids, the dog, the shoes and everything, but as I got closer to the remaining few items, I asked the “VOICE” if it would be okay to keep just a “few” things…like my car, for instance…

“And could I keep those cute little dishes I collected from Japan”?

The Voice said ( and who was this voice, anyway) “OH yes…. Sian”

Can I keep my stereo, some of my shoes…..my jewelry?

“OH yes…. Sian”

Can I keep some of my 5 closets worth of clothes?

"Oh yes… Sian"

And so I did, and off I drove into the sunset into what was to become a brand new world……

However, ( and this is how I KNOW God has a sense of humour) In less than 30 days, that car, those clothes, those cute little Japanese dishes, the stereo and everything else which all just so happened to BE in the car at the time, were all stolen and the vehicle was driven off the cliff into the ocean at Pauwela Lighthouse on Maui, only to drift straight down to the bottom of the ocean, never to be seen again.

Let it GO, meant Let it ALL go, everything, absolutely, and NOW…. I did, however, enjoy the humour with which spirit did allow me a 30 day window to get used to the idea of operating from nothing so that I could BE myself without the imposed idea of some identity that I had conjured up that no longer suited me and was not authentic.

Hmm…funny, now, I am in the same business, I still cultivate and promote artists, but it is all for very different reasons. With a 20 year absolute, ruthless, and without reserve dive into the nature of creation, my own self – discovery, and personal development, I come back to the world, and I came back to the art world in a very different manner…

Let it Go, meant LIVE Big. Dream Big, Act NOW and IN significant ways, most of all Tell the truth, and BE authentic, and definitively HAVE a sense of humour.

I did not know, then, why my awakening was so Absolute. I did not know for many years that it would be so valuable. What I do know, is that if I had not let go of that life, and that assumed identity, I would not now be discovering the richness that life has to offer. It was worth it. It changed my world in every way. It changed my understanding of creation, and it gave me LIFE.

And I hope for you, that you don’t need to have your car driven off a cliff to recognize that “letting go” simply meant, be yourself, listen to your intuition, live passionately, LOVE profoundly, and take risks to try and to create the unimaginable…for it IS good, and it IS possible.

With love and sincere wishes for a most prosperous NEW YEAR

Sian Lindemann, 2008

www.SianDesign.com

___________________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com. You are also invited to click our buttons:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Letting Go…

U.S., SOUTHEAST: Old Fashioned Social Networking

By Larry Block

Southeast U.S. Bureau Chief
(The Carolinas, Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Florida)

It’s a new year full of great new opportunities. Despite the down economy, I have found that throughout the southeast everyone is getting much more creative in their networking. Many organizations are looking at new and exciting ways to connect to people. This past month at the various holiday parties that I attended, I ran across an organization that caught my attention. They combined the old fashioned sport of golf that so many send hours of leisure time each week and made it into a bonafide networking group.

The Virtual Golf Society is building a community nationwide that encourages networking among its members while at the same time offering opportunities to learn, play and participate in the golfing community. Through their website www.vgsgolfers.com, you can join for free and find golfers, golf events, tournaments and instruction. The Virtual Golf Society’s social site will enable VGS members to communicate with each other. With their video, blogging and text messaging tools, members can exchange ideas and expertise with ease. The features and articles are restricted to golf, but reflect the various interests and expertise of their members. In addition, they have a portion of the site dedicated to businesses and business networking. As we all know, golfing enthusiasts can be found in almost all business classifications, so this website gives you the opportunity to market and network with whomever you choose.

The Virtual Golf Society is an organization whose purpose is to bring together extraordinary people to affect changes in our communities, and as a result, in the world.

They believe that everyone is a star in their own right and should have the opportunity to share their gifts with others. The fabric that binds us together is our love for the game of golf.

Build Relationships By Networking on the Golf Course and In the Golfing Community

The Virtual Golf Sociey also works with groups and organizations who want to host their own golf tournaments but don’t want to do it themselves. Brad Peterson, president of VGS, will work with your organization and guide you through the process. They work with various groups and organizations to help raise money for a variety of charities. Brad says he works anyone who is interested in putting on a tournament – all you need is the idea and some manpower – and Brad will guide you through the process.

Networkers and business people have long used the golf course as a means to conduct business and meet new people, now the Virtual Golf Society has given us an organized outlet to truly get some business accomplished while we enjoy an afternoon of golf.

For more information on this organization, check out their website www.vgsgolfers.com

Anyone who plays golf will benefit from this networking opportunity – and what better way to spend your networking time than on the golf course.

___________________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free, continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com. You are also invited to click our buttons:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

U.S., SOUTHEAST: Old Fashioned Social Networking

THE POLITICAL FRONT: Observations And Lessons About the Madoff Mess

The Political Front with Douglas Castle

Dear Readers:

Prosecutorial politics have not changed since the celebrated times of The Inquisition.

Networking politics have not evolved altogether that much either, except now, instead of conquering and acquiring other tribes or kingdoms with Greek Fire, arrows, halberds, maces and wooden horses, we use e-media and weapon-free psychological pursuasion. We connect with strangers and endeavor to convert them to colleagues. We generally do this without violence or coercion.

Sometimes we refer one of our networking acquaintances to a third party -- this can be a blessing or a curse, depending upon how it is done.

The objectives of prosecution are fairly simple: investigate, indict, convict and punish. The techniques involve threats to the target, and to persons beloved to the target. The "remedy" posed to the target to mitigate his or her exposure to long-term incarceration invariably involve helping the prosecution to indict, convict and punish others -- this approach allows the trapped party (i.e., Mr. Madoff) to provide the prosecution with as much nasty information as possible on every person with whom he has conducted business. This used to be called "singing," or "ratting out" your colleagues, but now it is called "cooperation and offering testimony."

Sadly for Mr. Madoff's every business acquaintance, they are all in the process of being spoken about and possibly targeted for prosecution. It's arithmetically equitable, in that Mr. Madoff's sentence can be divided up amongst a number of his colleagues (prosecutors call them co-conspirators), so that Mr. Madoff may not have to spend several consecutive lifetimes as an inmate. It's downright ironic that many crying "victims" might well be found, upon investigation, to actually have been accomplices, and compensated well for their complicity.

In this process, the turd (for lack of a better expression) not only rolls downhill (crushing the aiders and abetters), but it actually defies gravity and military tradition by rolling uphill, as well. By this, I mean that the prosecution would like very much for Bernie to give them some incontrovertible evidence that some very high-ranking politicians, charity administrators, and seemingly untouchable business leaders willfully participated with him. What prizes for any prosecutor! Remember the Clinton impeachment proceedings? Remember the late General Noriega? Remember the now demised Saddam Hussein?

What this says to every networker is:

1. Be careful of the company you keep;

2. If you're going to do something unethical or unlawful (which you really shouldn't, anyway), don't ever have a partner, and don't ever let anyone know about what you've done. Today's bragging is tomorrow's confession. Don't provide ammunition to anyone who may choose to target you;

3. Build a reputation for integrity -- while this allowed Mr. Madoff to suck many victims (and accomplices) into his scheme, his "integrity" was merely for sociopathic show. It was not genuine, as demonstrated by his actions both before and after he entered his plea. When your instincts tell you that something may be unlawful or wrong, either walk away, or get a third-party opinion (in writing) about the legality of what you are doing;

4. If you introduce someone to anyone else, preface the introduction with:
*Where you met the person;
*How long you've known the person;
*If you have actually conducted business with the person, and the outcome;
*If you are receiving any referral fees or other compensation for the referral;
*That the person receiving the introduction should conduct his own independent assessment of the person whom you are referring, as you cannot and do not act as surety for the other person, or for the actions of any other person;

5. Be cautious about introductions. If you are receiving a referral fee, be all the more cautious. Full disclosure and genuine transparency are the order of this era.

Networking is a wonderful social and business phenomenon, but don't insinuate yourself into a chain of fools (with apologies to Lady Aretha Franklin, Queen Mother of Soul) just to "help someone out" or to make some extra money. Whether you like it or not, if you catalysize a relationship which turns out badly for either or both parties, you might find yourself facing down a large, rolling juggernaut of waste matter.

In sum: Be careful with whom you associate, and be just as careful about whom you recommend. As an aside, don't let the natural human propensity toward greed impair your judgment -- avarice, like alcohol, can be very dangerously intoxicating.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

DOUGLAS CASTLE

THE NATIONAL NETWORKER- The Voice Of Networking
BRAINTENANCE - Stay Razor Sharp
INTERNAL ENERGY PLUS - Human Potential
THE INTERNATIONALIST PAGE
THE GLOBAL FUTURIST

________________________________________________________
Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to http://www.thenationalnetworker.com/. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free RSS feed, go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com/.You are also invited to click our buttons:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

THE POLITICAL FRONT: Observations And Lessons About the Madoff Mess

TNNW, January, 2009, Week 1: "New Year, New Changes, New TNNW "

By Adam J. Kovitz

CEO, Founder & Publisher

Here we are in a brand new year. Do you feel any different? I guess I do...a little bit. The beginning of the new year is always so full of hope and promise. The U.S. will be seeing a new Administration as well as history in the making when Barack Obama takes office as the first black president in U.S. history.

We still have our challenges...remember that economic thing going on? Yep...that's still here with us in 2009...no ball dropping in Times Square, New York seemed to fix that, no matter how energy-efficient it was. The fireworks launched off the London Eye and every other world landmark in honor of January 1, 2009 didn't seem to do much for the economy either...

...but there's still the hope...the promise...the potential for positive change...

One thing's for sure...no matter how scarce money seems to be at this time, there doesn't seem to be any shortage of networking opportunity. In fact, is it me or have the invites from colleagues and people we don't even know to every network under the sun(online or otherwise) seemed to increase?

As I've stated in many articles regarding the Laws of Relationship Capital (even in my article this month), Intellectual and Relationship Capital preced any Financial Capital. Perhaps it's no wonder then that we're either scrambling or continuing to scramble to build those connections that will lead to positive change for ourselves. It's a perfect example of "when the going gets tough, the tough get going".

So here's to the wonderful promise of networking opportunity this year. May those who have give to those that need and let's make this world a better place. To find the best opportunities and get some of the best ideas how to make the most of your networking, we hope you continue to make TNNW your networking publication of choice...you'll be glad you did!

Speaking of reasons to be glad, we are introducing a new column this week for the small to mid-sized companies out there looking to do business with larger companies. How do you get in? With whom do you speak? Where do you go to network? Please join us in welcoming Claudine Halpern, CEO of the YCH Group as she answers these questions in our new monthly column Dealing with Giants. WELCOME CLAUDINE!!!

There is certainly more in store over the next coming weeks. Most of the feedback we've received regarding our new look and new services have been quite positive. This is the year that we are committing to bringing more value to our subscribers (and now that it's 2009: members).

How are we going to do this? By growing TNNW from being just a publisher of networking content unlike any other and turning it into a provider of premium services that no networker can do without...all for the most reasonable rates that we can negotiate. We have and continue to grow one of the world's most phenomenal networks and you're a part of it - we want to share all we can with you

Let's make it a memorable 2009 together!

New for 2009...

Membership

TNNW is available and will continue to be absolutely no-charge. Starting in 2009, however, TNNW will be offering a yearly membership, which will be a nominal yearly fee - $18/year for an individual membership and $30/year for corporate members. While membership is optional, you will want to join right away (call it our "offer you can't refuse"), as it will include access to members-only services which you won't find anywhere else, including:

1.) Press release, publicity and public relations services - imagine sending up to three of your own press releases to over 20 premium newswire services with an aggregate of over 25,000 national and international publications (online and traditional) all for less than $100.

2.) Webinar and broadcast programs - produce your own fee-based webinars!

3.) Custom text messaging programs

4.) Trade and non-bank financing for growing businesses

5.) Post up to one event per week on the TNNW calendar at no additional charge

Plus many more to follow...

We have spent the past several years building a network like no other...membership in TNNW will grant to access to this network and open a whole new door of possibilities to you and/or your business!

Stay tuned for more.

Surveys and Polls

Yes...you've been making your voice known to us! Now you can do it even better with our new site devoted to letting us know what's on your mind. We will also be making your collective opinions be known. Click here to find out more.

New Delivery Options

You mean I can get TNNW articles emailed to me? I can listen to them on the web? I can put all the TNNW articles (and then some) up on to my own website or blog? Click here to find out how!

TNNW Calendar

We have a new calendar and it's open to you! To post your event, please visit our calendar page. There are three options:

1.) Post your event for $5.00 as a non-member

2.) Purchase a package of 10 postings for $30.00 as a non-member

3.) Become a member and post up to one event per week at at no additional charge!

As always, I look forward to networking with you!

- Adam

________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free RSS feed, go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com.
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

TNNW, January, 2009, Week 1: "New Year, New Changes, New TNNW "

BEYOND NETWORKING: BEING: Make the Connection: Connecting the Dots

Beyond Networking: Being with Ron Sukenick

Ron's section is sponsored by SmallBizAmerica.com

In Previous Articles, we identified and discussed your intentions for your life. With attention, we go into the world and engage with others. As you engage with others, some individuals stand out more than others as people you would like to know further. You may not know “why” but you sense that they connect to one of your intentions.

My writing partner Jane surges met Stacia Matthews, Indianapolis TV personality, she was part of a team of women who spoke at a conference called “Finding Your Voice.” Twenty chairs circled around the intimate setting she created. Her first words, softly stated, were, “I don’t have a presentation for you….I have a story.” they all leaned in! Jane was immediately hooked. Her story was engaging and Jane was among several people, who waited to meet her personally after her talk. They exchanged business cards, and Jane went away with the awareness that she is someone she would like to know further. One of Jane’s intentions is continued personal spiritual growth and attention to spirituality in the workplace. She seems to align with that intention.

That’s where this strategy takes hold….with awareness. With awareness, we hopefully will recognize the invitation that is appropriate for the next step. From there, we initiate by extending the invitation. Her response will set the tone for additional contact, and may determine if mutuality exists.

Following is a chart to help you heighten your awareness of the various relationships that surround you. Many of these individuals may clearly “make sense” on your path to your intention. Many that you record here may be based solely on a “feeling” that there is something you are to do or learn together. As you meet people, collect their business cards, or jot down their name on a napkin. It may also be helpful to us a worksheet such as this designed to capture the “feeling” associated with the person. Make up a chart for each of your intentions. While many of them overlap, this is one way to ensure that these individuals stay in your consciousness.

Intention:

Name	Sensation	Awareness	Tangible Information	Question	C H O I C E	Initiate
Stacia Matthews	Spiritual Depth; Approachable; Helps others through her story.	I’d like to know her;	Walker; Health bytes news personality	How? Business? Personal?	X	Invite to discussion group; invite to speak

Worksheets such as this will help you better “track” the relationships that engage you, and align with your life intentions. Use this worksheet as a reminder to connect the dots when idea meets up with energy attraction….or where the past meets up with the present.

A “Make the Connection” Tip

Before going into a family celebration, a large business conference, or a NetBeing event:

• Think about your intention.
• Who would you like to connect with?
• What conversation or deeper connection would you like to have?
• Focus on building a bridge to another.
• What “feeling” would you like to foster?
• What would you like to take away?

Now walk into that room, suspending your thinking and trust the flow of synchronicity.

Ron Sukenick is the Chief Relationship Officer and founder of the Relationship Strategies Institute, a training and Relationship development company that provides innovative, effective and relevant programs and systems for corporations, organizations, and associations. To learn more about the value of Relationship Development, visit his Web site at http://www.ronsukenick.com/. You can reach Ron by phone at: 317-216-8210, or by email.

________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free RSS feed, go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com.
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

BEYOND NETWORKING: BEING: Make the Connection: Connecting the Dots

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Unlikely Connections, Part 1

Power Thought of the Week with Patricia Parham, Ph.D.

Be Open to Differences

The new year is a fabulous time to seek creative ways to expand and increase the effectiveness of your networks and networking. Be open to new opportunities to connect with people with whom you’ve previously felt no affinity. Look in unlikely industries and service niches for innovative ways to apply your products and services. Ask people in your network for contacts, industries and ways to market your wares more effectively. Seek ways to make meaningful connections with different kinds of people and businesses.
________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free RSS feed, go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com.
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Unlikely Connections, Part 1

DEALING WITH GIANTS: Networking with Large Companies

Dealing with Giants by Claudine Halpern

How smaller, entrepreneurial companies can position themselves to win business from the largest, best-established companies -- How to get inside, and stay inside.

In this new column we will look at how a small and mid-sized entrepreneurial business can do business with the largest and best-established firms (known in this column as the Big Boys, no offense to my female readers) to the entrepreneurs benefit. We will also take specific business problems from you, my readers, and answer your questions to help you accomplish your business goals.

Why do business with the Big Boys?

The Big Boy business can make or break a small or mid sized entrepreneurial business. The Big Boys have deep pockets. If done right, the Big Boys can support the growth of the business, can keep the business firmly monetized, can bring on more business and can be a great source of financing, partnerships, credibility and references for other potential customers, to name just a few advantages.

What are the disadvantages to doing business with the Big Boys?

The big boys have deep pockets, and don’t always know how to spend that money; they also may be working with a whole slew of other firms looking for the same product/service that you are selling without you knowing it. They may be looking to see what the marketplace has so they can knock it off. They can spend a ton of cash in analyzing and analyzing and analyzing, and in each of these iterations they will need something from you. The big boys take a really long time to make a decision, but when they do, they expect you to produce in an instant. They both change constantly and never change.

What are your goals?

It is critical to understand your business goals in your potential relationship with the Big Boys before you start. Are you looking to make money (of course) and create an ongoing relationship, or are you looking for something else altogether? You must manage the relationship or you will find yourself swinging on vines overlooking the abyss while your Big Boy business partner takes his helicopter elsewhere.

Why is this so important?

When an entrepreneur wants to do business with a large corporation, that entrepreneur will need to put substantial resources against that effort. While the entrepreneurial company is spending money on creating this relationship, it is spending money with the hope, but without the knowledge of return. Those resources need to be managed and targeted for success, the Big Boys have very deep pockets, they have no problem spending a whole load of dough in order to say no to you, you have a limited budget and need to have the best return on your investment.

Knowing the language and the Lingo

The language of business is like no other; it takes its form as a hodgepodge of multiple languages, punctuated by buzzwords that run the gamut from silly to insightful. When an entrepreneur is determined to capture the business of the largest and best-established companies there is a need for that entrepreneur to speak, and more importantly, understand, the nuances and underlying meanings of this language.

This language is not taught anywhere; you must learn it in the bosom of the motherland, within the large business. It also is not only words, like most communication it is a combination of words, intonation, innuendo, participants, body language of the participants during the conversations, and follow up actions.

Knowing who your dealing with:

There are so many layers upon layers of executives within the Big Boys that you never know if you’re talking to a potential decision maker or not. I have met people who work within the Big Boys who have a game they play when they get bored; they call in entrepreneurial firms and line up product demos. They play with them like a cat plays with a mouse before the feast. Many times these people do not have the responsibility, authority, or even interest in making a deal with you, but they will keep you on a leash for their amusement until they are busy with something else and then you will never hear from them again. Know the people that you’re dealing with.

This column will address all the subjects related to how smaller and mid-sized entrepreneurial companies can position themselves to win business from the largest, best-established companies -- How to get inside, and stay inside.

Please send your questions and business situations to chalpern@theychgroup.com.

The YCH Group, Inc.

The YCH Group, Inc. makes things work. We have a proven track record in delivering projects to a successful end state on time and within budget. We work with on site management to improve deliverables and control costs to primary and secondary firms in the financial sector and across a broad span of business sectors, domestically and internationally.

Claudine Y. Halpern, President

Claudine Halpern is a chameleon, she has worked in many different situations during her more than twenty five years in business; as a management consultant, Claudine advised many of the major brokerage, insurance, and financial houses, completing more than fifteen major corporate initiatives during the past ten years. As a crisis manager for major corporations, Claudine successfully brought in projects and products that other firms would not touch. As a specialist in business and management consultancy, Claudine consults to emerging businesses across the spectrum.

www.linkedin.com/in/claudinehalpern

________________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. To subscribe for your free newsletter, go to www.TheNationalNetworker.com. For the complete National Networker Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free RSS feed, go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com.
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

DEALING WITH GIANTS: Networking with Large Companies