U.S. MID-ATLANTIC: The Power Of Dedicated Individuals - the 23rd Street Association

by Bruce Newman
U.S. Mid-Atlantic Bureau Chief
(New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, Washington, DC)

Having received weekly notices from the 23rd Street Association for several years, I decided to interview Miriam Cohen, its secretary and board member and Robert Schwartz, its managing director to examine this organization in greater depth. Both Miriam and Robert are very passionate and committed towards this association. This association is truly a terrific example of how a small group of dedicated individuals can create a growing and vibrant community.

Can you please provide a little background about the 23rd Street Association?

The Association consists of both business and residential members. Its footprint extends across Manhattan from river to river and between 17th and 32nd streets. We are committed to both businesses of all sizes and area residents, although our primary focus is towards the business community.

We have 3,000 people and 100 organizations as members. Our relatively small size has allowed us to remain focused and to concentrate directly on the needs of our members. In fact, we are about to distribute a new survey that will help us maximize our abilities to service the small business marketplace, particularly by refining our networking events to concentrate on the issues and areas most relevant to our potential attendees.

How long has the 23rd Street Association been in existence?

We are currently celebrating our 80th year. The reason we have survived for such a long period of time is largely due to our commitment to community. We’re a voice in the district for our members as well as an important outlet for those outside who want to do business within our footprint.

How have you been supportive of the business and residential community?

Our weekly newsletter informs business owners and residents of events in the community including opportunities to hear local government leaders like Manhattan Borough President Scott Springer and the wonderful happenings held in Madison Square Park. We also lend our voice on local issues. Right now, for example, landlords in the Chelsea area are forcing out many artistic and cultural groups so they can bring in renters who can afford higher rents. The Association is working with our sister group, Destination: Chelsea, and the community board to find a working arrangement for all parties.

We also represent the role of ombudsman for people within our working area. The parking problems in our area are enormous and there are traffic issues that grow worse each day as new buildings bring more cars and users of public transportation. The Association is an advocate for the needs of residents, real estate owners, and small businesses who suffer from these problems. We are working very closely with the Manhattan.Chamber of Commerce, the Greater New York Chamber, The Flatiron/23rd Street BID and other New York organizations to find the necessary solutions.

How frequently do you hold events? Are they often networking events?

We have regular networking meetings 4 to 6 times a year. We’re big on exchanging business cards through events that afford business owners the opportunity to introduce and promote themselves and their services while generating relationships between our members. Occasionally, we also invite guest speakers to these meetings.

In addition, we have done several special events including cinema nights and wine and cheese gatherings for our residential members. We also participate in events in conjunction with other organizations, one such example being our support of holiday celebrations in Madison Square Park.

What are some of the services available to members?

First, we publish a weekly newsletter to over 4,000 subscribers about happenings in the neighborhood. We have worked hard to make the newsletter informative and to incorporate many ideas from our members. We also make sure that the Association’s website is up to date, reflecting upcoming events on our calendar, keeping up an archive of full articles continued from our newsletter and perhaps most importantly, making certain that member-to-member discounts are current. These include promotional pricing for copying services, reduced rates for restaurants, car rental discounts and reduced prices on goods and services at local retailers.

One critical service that we’re still working on is obtaining a group discounted rate from health care providers. Since many of our members are small businesses, the premiums are likely to represent significant savings over their current plans or will help insure employers and employees who have previously not had any coverage at all.

Member benefits also include free advertising in our newsletter and a listing on our website. Furthermore, some of our networking events are only open to members.

We have also begun to do some training for members. Baruch College, one of our active members, has held seminars and supplied speakers in a number of business subjects.

It seems like you have a tremendous amount on your plate. How do you generate income?

Generating income is a big problem, especially in this economy. We currently have very limited funds – mostly from membership dues - and a lot to accomplish. All of our board members serve on a volunteer basis. Robert, for example, puts in on average over 25 hours of work per week and receives no remuneration.

We also generate some income from our events although the funds net very little and, given the current economic downturn, we have not asked for or received significant contributions despite being a 501C non-profit organization.

To achieve our many accomplishments requires an extremely proactive and passionate board of directors. This commitment is one of the major differences between our organization and many others. Our business model reflects our ability to reach out to small businesses and channel our passion towards helping them.

Our very reasonably priced membership is based on the size of an organization and provides access to a wide range of discounts, as well as free advertising and a listing on our website for businesses.

Yearly membership rates are:
Residential members: $95
One person businesses: $195
10 person businesses: $595

Our Soles4Souls nights are great events we hold twice a year. The price of admission is a pair of gently worn shoes that is then distributed to people who really need them. Actually, Robert runs these charity events through Eneslow and brings the 23rd Street Association in as a sponsor. It’s all about helping and empowering people.

Soles4Souls is a great idea. Do you do other charity events?

Through Eneslow, one of our sponsoring members, we support a number of great causes such as the American Diabetes Association and Hereditary Neuropathy Association, and the Arthritis Foundation.

Finally, why should people join or create an association such as yours?

Consider how a group of passionate and focused people can make a difference. We have helped both businesses and residents in our association. Through our efforts, people promote their businesses, take classes, network, receive ombudsman help and support a variety of social causes. It only takes a small core group of people to achieve terrific results.

The 23rd Street Association: email: info@23rdstreet.org, web: http://www.23rdstreet.org/ .

Miriam Cohen is the Secretary and serves on the Board of Directors the 23rd Street Association. She can be reached at: 212-255-3037.

Robert Schwartz is the president of the Eneslow The Foot Comfort Center and the Managing Director of the 23rd Street Association. Bob can be reached at 212-477-2300.

If you know of a networking group or association you would like to recommend for one of my articles, please contact me by email. - Bruce

Bruce Newman, an expert on consulting, is the mid-Atlantic editor for The National Networker and the Vice President at The Productivity Institute (PI), LLC. The Productivity Institute locates, evaluates and supplies outstanding consultants, matching their expertise to the specific consulting requirements of any company. In addition, PI also provides a Critical Factors Needs Analysis (CFNA) that identifies a company’s productive and non-productive costs, thereby increasing their positive cashflow and financial flexibility. Subscribe to our informative and free newsletter (circ 7,000+), receive our RSS feed, and read our blog. Bruce can be contacted at bnewman@prodinst.com.

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U.S. MID-ATLANTIC: The Power Of Dedicated Individuals - the 23rd Street Association

FRANCE: Becoming a High-level Athlete in Word-of-Mouth Marketing

by Thierry Mazué

French Bureau Chief

Becoming a high-level athlete in word-of-mouth marketing
Social media marketing – Skills acquisition.

Competitive race car drivers, tennis players or golfers who seek to perfect their moves on a course or on a court, rehearse the same gestures over and over again.

Some successful athletes have described this process in great detail in published accounts.
The moments preceding a given move are perfectly orchestrated and carefully segmented, second by second, from visualizing the next move to identifying the factors that will perfect their aim…

What do all these phenomena have in common? Training, without a doubt, which serves to create the good habits and muscle memory that will make it possible, in a real-time situation, to reproduce what was learned and integrated.

How many of us know or have experienced these good practices? There are many of us.
What about your word-of-mouth marketing? What is your level of training?

How do you create the habits and techniques that ensure the best possible performance?

Growing your business through word of mouth is based solely on relationships, which require a significant commitment of time and effort.

Do you know a better way than to get out and regularly meet new people, while progressively learning to:
- better communicate with them,
- help them in their business,
- follow up effectively,
- expand your network,
- take control of the recommendations you receive?

Increasing your networking skills is essential to growing your business. This is even truer during a period of economic slowdown.

The real question is: Are you doing everything you should, in a structured and systematic fashion, to obtain the results you desire?

Imagine that you were in a position to know:
- Which recommendations you are going to receive
- When you will receive them
- From whom
- The amount corresponding to each one
- The number of prospects you need at any given time to reach your goals

Social media marketing (or word of mouth, or recommendation marketing), and its application to business development, is a technique that must be learned. It requires serious commitment, careful practice, and the rehearsal of specifically defined phases that allow a business relationship to progress.

Let there be no doubt: As an entrepreneur, you are already a high-level athlete, in need of specific training to grow your business through recommendation.

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FRANCE: Becoming a High-level Athlete in Word-of-Mouth Marketing

THE STRESS OF SUCCESS: How Do You Define Success?

The Stress of Success with Cinda Hocking, LMSW

When you think of a successful person, what attributes do they have? If you look at our values as they are reflected and influenced by advertising, our culture seems to define success primarily by the acquisition and retention of money and real estate, youthful good looks, stylish and expensive lifestyle items, and fame. While we all realize that money does not buy happiness, it is also obvious that it sure makes misery more tolerable!

The attributes and material possessions our culture rewards and encourages are very compelling, but what truly constitutes a “successful” human being? I ask clients about what defines “success” and they always list spiritually and personally fulfilling characteristics: good relationships, passion about work, commitment to an environmental or social cause, or dedication to developing something.

Busy, success-driven people are starting to realize that cultivating small but fulfilling daily experiences is just as important as working towards grand lifetime goals. They are exhausted and complain to me that their day-to-day pleasure in life has disappeared because they are too busy working towards acquiring and maintaining “success.” And even when professionals don’t feel successful, they are still running themselves ragged just to give the appearance that they are!

Whenever a client expressed an underlying pervasive feeling of being unsatisfied, I ask them about their vision/idea of a successful life. I ask what are fulfilling characteristics of each day, not just what are their big goals. We focus on whether the ideas and ideals they are trying to manifest are truly what they want or believe in. Is their vision updated to who they are now, or is it frozen in their past ideas of what they “should” do or be? Is the vision really theirs, or is it someone else’s? Are they sacrificing having a successful daily life in order to avoid a fearful future or achieve a future success?

Here is a simple awareness exercise, that if done consistently, will help you to discover (or rediscover) daily fulfillment and success. This practice is also referred to as “mindfulness”.

We all have daily activities, chores and tasks that we find necessary, but not particularly pleasurable. They are often done mindlessly or even with a sense of resentment and boredom. However, even routine activities can become fulfilling when you do them with awareness, noticing how they enrich your life and the lives of others. Every day practice noticing and observing how each action you perform utilizes, reflects or supports your values, interests and abilities. How do your daily actions help the people you care about, your community, the environment? As you build awareness, you will begin to do these activities with more and more attention and positive intention. As you do so, you also cultivate a real appreciation of each moment. Try it, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain!

Cinda Hocking, LMSW

Health and Lifestyle Counselor

http://cindahocking.blogspot.com

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THE STRESS OF SUCCESS: How Do You Define Success?

POWER THOUGHTOF THE WEEK: Networks and Agency, Part 1

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

Networks and Agency

Agency is the ability to negotiate the environment in order to produce desired changes or circumstances. Your network is one conduit for exercising agency. How well does your network help you create the conditions in which you thrive? As independent individuals, we use networks to create favorable economic conditions, barter and broker goods and services, and meet our emotional and social needs. Our power grows as we become more effective with each of these.


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POWER THOUGHTOF THE WEEK: Networks and Agency, Part 1

Murderous Twist on Social Networking

Many of you that know my husband Adam J. Kovitz well may have heard about his involvement in interactive Poison Pen murder mysteries produced by his parents Susan and Joel. While I've always been a lesser fan of the mystery genre, Harper's Globe has changed my mind.

For 6 episodes of the CBS mystery event Harper's Island I have been trying, quite unsuccessfully to put together the pieces and search for clues. While admittedly I am not even an amateur sleuth, as past film student I do have the (often annoying) knack for seeing all too quickly what the director is trying to get at, so by the time it is reinforced in the plot a few more times I feel like they're beating a dead horse. Finally I have found a show that keeps me guessing and asking more questions. After seeing a good number of the suspects meet their early demise I finally, as instructed in the commercials that my husband likes to fast-forward through, went to the Harper's Globe website.

"Who are these people?" I asked myself not recognizing any of the main characters on the pages. "Who the heck is Robin?" Well, I got over the initial shock of disorientation and marched on even though it was quite excruciating for me to watch the blog videos because my computer is ancient and needed to be resuscitated after continually crashing due to memory overload. Fortunately it was only a technical issue and pencil and pad in hand I persevered and, wow, it was hardly the same show!

I totally love what they're trying to do to create an interactive experience. Life is made up of so many points of view and the people that created Harper's Globe get that. Weary of an omniscient author or director creating a seamless account to lull you into complacency? At Harper's Globe you can find a wiki of character and plot information, profiles of the characters, shocking and provocative video and social networking with other fans. How cool is that!

No spoilers here. The past episodes are online, everything else will far exceed any expectations. Enjoy the technotainment!

http://www.harpersglobe.com/faq/

- Wendy Kovitz
Cyberian of Networking
http://EpicInABottle.blogspot.com



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Murderous Twist on Social Networking

UK: The Importance of Clarity and Focus

by Dave Clarke

UK Bureau Chief

Last month I wrote about 'How Small Businesses Really Network in the UK' and quoted from the research findings of Alan Rae and Lisa Harris. I have also written previously about how networking activity is on the increase in the UK.

It is great to see more business owners and professionals networking. Often, however, people new to networking have little idea about the basics. In fact one of the most popular handouts I have is a postcard with '10 top business networking tips' printed on one side.

Alan has also written a couple of helpful articles about building trust which is at the core of effective networking. The articles entitled, Building Trust Part 1 and Part 2, are well worth a read and summarise some of the findings from his current research.

Alan writes that as well as being crystal clear about what you do, doing what you say and knowing your subject, the key skills of networking and building trust are:

* An attitude of Givers Gain
* Listening Skills
* Rapid follow up
* Enthusiastic can do attitude
* Trustworthy and sincere

Brilliant reminders about the basic skills required to be effective and successful in business networking.

He also provides a great summary of what it takes to make it work really well:

"Above all you have to be clear about what you want out of it – be it collaborators, referrals, employees, introductions to finance. If you are helpful and you let other people know clearly what you do and what you want, consistently – then the magic will start to occur."

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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UK: The Importance of Clarity and Focus

NET-TECH REPORT: Online and Social Networking – Productive for Business or a Waste of Time?

Net-Tech Report with Chris Kauza

I've been asked this question many times over the last few years, and people generally seem to fall into one of these two positions. Very seldom is there a middle ground. If the individual happens to spend a lot of time online, and are at least slightly familiar with some of the various social media tools out there (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc.), then they tend to be proponents of online networking. Those who are more “traditionalists” and spend most of their time in offline networking, tend to discount the online approaches. And the fact that my 60+ year old librarian neighbor is on Twitter indicates that some of the more "traditional" metrics are no longer the right ones to use..

The crux of the question, however, lies not in the tool but rather in the purpose and approach used in networking.

Effective networking relies more on the purpose and approach than any specific tool. In my experience, effective networking comes down to these three characteristics:

1. Be authentic. This means different things to different people. Indeed, different social networking sites and forums will have different “norms” and rules for usage. But, “be yourself, warts and all” is generally accepted behavior. You will find that you attract people into your network sphere of influence who appreciate what you are offering, and will most likely contribute something you see of value, back to you.
2. Build it before you “need” it. Quite simply, many people are using online networking tools to hawk their wares. And while that is certainly a legitimate use for the platform, I don't think one should look at it as simply another platform extension of your Sales and Marketing functions.
3. Be like St. Francis (seek first to understand, then be understood; seek first to give, then to receive). And in this instance, tools like Twitter can be very useful. Suddenly, the Tweet “I just had the BEST cheeseburger for lunch!” gains some relevance, in that you can more of a personal perspective on someone, or even “some-thing” if you're following a company's brand.

Where things really start to become interesting when you look at a person's interactions in the Web 2.0 space (loosely defined as “Internet content generated by a user”, and would contain things like blogs, forum postings, online networking activity, etc.). Almost all of this content is or will be readily searchable and accessible. This begins to establish a person's “digital footprint” (because once you publish it online, it's on a server “somewhere”). Thus, not only can you establish credibility in a certain subject or set of subjects (this is what most people refer to as “relevance” or “credibility” in a subject area), but one simultaneously builds “reach”. As both grows, individuals and companies establish areas where their words and actions either inhibit or reinforce their brand.

In answer to my opening question, I don't think it is a waste of time, although a lot of time can be dedicated to it, so each individual and company needs to manage it's time and money investment against the return they are getting (or not), using metrics unique to their specific situation.

Productive for business? I think it is, although if it's not managed properly it can be destructive for business.

As with any investment, businesses and business people need to be deliberate in their networking efforts – both online and off – in order to see a good return and feel the effort and expense are justified.

www.AskABusinessGuy.com

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LASTING IMPRESSIONS: The "Art" of Networking

Lasting Impressions with Sian Lindemann

Social Media - A Contagious and Addictive "Art" Form

The Art of Networking is well becoming an art form in and of itself, via the web. A recent immersion into a massively interactive study and ultimate campaign to celebrate Planet Earth, for Earth Day 2009, was the most remarkable gathering of strangers, who became enmeshed in a living breathing microcosm on the web.

It was remarkable for so many reasons. There was a guide. There were students of Social Media. There was a passion among them in favor of bringing awareness to the plight of our Earth…and there was of course, the human element….People…all unknown to one another before this point.

All… well known to one another upon completion.

We came together like the communities of organisms that gather around a lava vent deep on the ocean floor, and who as quickly disperse when the source of that heat diminishes.

Why?

We’re changing as a species. We’re changing as a human community.

I rarely spend time in my own community for to venture forth into it feels surreal. It feels like being surrounded by those so busy with their task that they’ve forgotten the human element of thought and feelings and are mostly too busy to consider an emotion or real exchange of some kind.

It is strange to witness after immersion into ritualistic interaction in a way that conversation spreads across the globe through this box on my desk, connected by threads of communication and comment building upon a source, one source, many sources, and ultimately finding blend.

Much like musical composition….the multi – layered hues of music…
The conversation becomes the continuum. A beginning yes, a subsequent interaction, and ultimately, crescendos or not…and a continuum that ensues whether I am present or not.

It’s like being a voyeur of experience, and surreal is the best definition that I can give it.

I felt often during that time like the prime character of the movie, Lawn Mower Man…I knew that my intelligence and knowledge were expanding in a way that rational thinking could not explain. I was learning at a massive rate of speed. I was absorbing information at a rate and with a passion I’ve not known for some time.

I became obsessed with the interwoven nature of the web, the spread of information at the touch of a button, and the ultimately the enrapturement of this tightly woven group of people whose content was moving, personal and as individual as were the creators of it.

And then it ended.

Ended and found yet another thread. Another entry point. Another conversation, although a deeper at this juncture. And we begin again, with another topic. In the conversation people, who remain bodiless and only a personality or style of writing emerge.

It’s like a buffet of delights, of tastes, thoughts, colors that transcend culture, transcend country, transcend race, yet always remains human, by the nature of its source.

Strange and remarkable that this conversation and interaction is lucid and alive, and ongoing. Rarely the mention of being paid for one’s service to the whole as if the mention of money or exchange of services is taboo in this new community…and I wonder what those who participate do, to garner the income required to keep their computers illuminated.

People do “pitch” their projects. People do discuss the nature of their business, but it is a world so unlike anything I am familiar with in the traditional sense of “business”, i.e. a product, its development, and its ultimate sale.

However business ensues in this platform, but does not take root until an authentic state of “relationship” and development occur between the parties…yet will those parties meet in person. I have met some, but most I have only known through profile pictures, documented profile content, and in all truth, is it true? Who knows, really?

Yet each of those profiles takes form, personality and recognizable uniqueness in their ongoing expressions. One would have to have an excellent memory if they did not come close to their authentic nature….as the spontaneity of one’s interaction is not regulated, unless one I suppose could automate an entire identity.

My mind cannot wrap around that, although I would imagine it’s possible….I suppose that is where AI (Artificial Intelligence) comes in. One could create personality, automation and interaction based on a series of personality traits…and thus automates the whole conversation….

Too much for my mind to wrap around…

The point, however, is in this time, of 5-6 months; I have made more authentic friends and relationships on the web with people who I’ve never had the privilege to stand in front of and shake their hands, give them a hug or chat over a hot cup of tea.

Yet the friendships are real, caring and authentic. It’s a remarkable switch…and I find it artistic. I find it massively creative. And I find it a continual stretch to create engaging, deep, and meaningful things to share…which cause a reaction…both positive, and negative, but Mostly positive.

There are some who have expressed annoyance at my prolific use of imagery…..but there are so many more who appreciate the beauty that I share with them…collections of paintings, music, poetry, poignant and personal text that relate to real life situations.

The “new” edge of what has been known as a traditional ‘gallery.’

Its far more engaging than most of the intimate relationships I’ve had over the years. I’ve been more myself, more expressive and more daring in this context of interaction with others that I have ever done in day to day real life.

I’ve had relationships, I’ve been married, I’ve raised my children and they are off on their own, and at this time, this freedom to fully express myself has come to an intimate and ongoing interaction with friends, colleagues and “followers” on the web.

How strange it must be for someone on the outside of this art form….to enter, and expect immediate understanding. It’s been years of this growth, interaction and method of communication that has defined more me than any other immersion I have engaged in…

It’s a never ending web of wonder. It is art, It is community, it is communication, services and it is human…. and “it is HERE to stay.

Sian Lindemann
www.siandesign.com
siandesign.blogspot.com
Monument, Colorado, USA
May 2009

















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LASTING IMPRESSIONS: The "Art" of Networking

U.S. NEW ENGLAND: Socially Responsible Networking in Vermont

by Noelle Southwick

U.S. New England Bureau Chief
(Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut)

Robert Dean co-owner of Juniper Hill Inn Bed and Breakfast in Windsor Vermont believes in socially responsible networking. He networks by supporting non-profit organizations and his local community.

Non-Profit Support
Robert had been involved in non-profit organizations for many years. When he started the Juniper Hill Inn with his partner Ari Nikki they continued that commitment by opening their doors to raise funds for non-profit organizations. They have raised over a half million dollars for charitable organizations in the past 3 years.

Being open to supporting non-profit organizations has led to non-profit organizations supporting the inn. Now the organizations they have helped think of Juniper Hill Inn when they need rooms or to host an event. The people they have worked with on fundraisers know them. People like to do business with those they have the opportunity to get to know.

Local Support
From our discussion I know that Robert has a genuine appreciation for Vermont and what is unique about Windsor. He supports the local economy by directing guests to visit local businesses and attractions.

The first December the inn was open Robert and Ari decorated in celebration of Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa. They charged a $10 admission and donated the proceeds to improvements for the town park across the street form the inn. The fundraiser connected the inn with the local community.

The Juniper Hill Inn supports fundraisers for the Cornish Colony Museum as well. Robert says their association with the museum lasts much longer then simply putting an ad in a newspaper or a program.

Locals Support the Inn
“Locals can do a lot for an inn,” says Robert. Members of the community use the inn when they have guests or want an easy getaway. Robert recognizes they would not get as much business from the local community if they were not involved in the local community.

Results from Socially Responsible Networking
Robert acknowledges that it could be difficult to get statistics for socially responsible networking efforts. Results are not always immediate or measurable. However, being involved in charitable organizations and the local economy means the Juniper Hill Inn name gets associated with good things and the good work Robert and Ari are doing. Based on results, it works. Robert Dean and his partner were awarded the Innkeeper of the Year award for 2008 from the Vermont Chamber of Commerce and the Vermont Hospitality Council after being in business for only 3 year.

Networking Tip

“Think inside the box and outside the box. It takes both these days.” ~ Robert Dean co-owner of Juniper Hill Inn in Vermont.

Contact Information
Juniper Hill Inn
153 Pembroke Road · Windsor VT 05089
802-674-5273 · Toll Free: 800-359-2541
Innkeeper@JuniperHillInn.com
http://www.juniperhillinn.com/

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U.S. NEW ENGLAND: Socially Responsible Networking in Vermont

U.S. SOUTHEAST: Re:Focus on Careers

By Larry Block,
U.S. Southeast Bureau Chief

More and more in today’s uncertain economy, I find that people are turning to networking not only to get and retain business, but to find new and exciting job prospects. This month I have chosen to highlight an organization that dedicates itself to helping professionals enhance their careers through networking.

Debbie Rodkin is the Executive Direction of Re:Focus on Careers and offers everything from networking seminars to networking meetings to career workshops to referral sources and everything in between. Debbie began running networking events for The Layoff Lounge which closed in 2004 when Donald Trump hired its CEO, Kelly Perdew, during the second season of The Apprentice. Shortly thereafter, Debbie founded Re:Focus on Careers and has successfully grown the organization, speaking to audiences and facilitating events in multiple states.

Re:Focus on Careers offers seminars to teach employees to more effective at professional associations and trade shows. Seminars include: Networking for Introverts and Others Who Don’t Like to Network; Making the Most of Your Networking Time; Networking: Beyond the Handshake; Prepare for a Career Fair; Networking Your Way into Hollywood; Increasing Your Exposure (Without Losing Your Shorts!) Debbie also offers opportunities for a job change. If you have just been recently laid off, this might be a great opportunity to change your entire career. Through one of Debbie's workshops or seminars, you might find that now is the perfect opportunity for a career change.

In addition to seminars, Debbie also has workshops such as Mastering Executive Job Change as well as monthly networking meetings. The monthly networking meetings are held in two parts giving a little bit of everything to everybody. Before the meeting starts, there is usually a resume service company that is available to help anyone who needs it with their resume. Once the meeting starts, there is a speaker who speaks on a topic that is relevant to the current job market or to networking in general. The June topic is “Everyone Communicates – What Body Language is Saying” given by Gregg Amerman. The second part of the meeting consists of a speed networking segment. There are usually 3 or 4 rounds of networking depending on the time. Most of these events consist of half the room being possible candidates for a new career and the other half businesses that are looking to hire new employees. At the very end of the meeting, Debbie calls to the front all representatives of businesses that are looking to hire to enable prospects to pinpoint exactly who they need to speak with before leaving for the evening.

In addition to the monthly networking meetings, Re:Focus on Careers offers a monthly Happy Hour where you can network in a more social environment, Referral Groups for those looking strictly for referrals, and Volunteer opportunities. There is also an opportunity for membership which gives the members access to networking meetings and career workshops, use of resource library, community service opportunities, an online chat arena in which to share contacts, job, networking, and volunteer opportunities, and receive discounts to national and local businesses and services.


For more information please visit the website at www.refocusoncareers.com or contact Debbie directly at Debbie@refocusoncareers.com.




Larry Block is a text messaging expert, president of Mobile Marketing Technologies, Inc. he provides text message advertising and marketing services nationwide. Need an advertising solution that actually works and gets directly to your target market – visit www.hippocketads.com, Larry can be reached at larry@RuTxting.com

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U.S. SOUTHEAST: Re:Focus on Careers

DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Lessons From Busy Networking Professionals

Deepening Networking Through Relationships

with Christine Sotmary, M.S., L.Ac., CPC

I'll be the busy networking professional today. We are having a holiday, so I gave my networking friends the day off.

I'm sitting outside on this sunny Memorial Day in the U.S.A., a day set aside to remember our military men and women. I got to thinking about how many additional groups deserve to be remembered and acknowledged. This isn't a competition, after all, I trust that our hearts can hold all of them. Starting with the hundreds of years of soldiers leaving homes to go off to often dangerous places, we can remember all the friends and families they left behind. Then there are the loved ones who cared for those many service people who came home injured or emotionally altered by their experiences.

Why discuss this in a networking publication? Because……people like to be remembered, respected, appreciated and acknowledged. It's human nature. When I remember the support persons that live in the shadows, behind the "main event", I open a world of giving and receiving. Some of these contacts may be good for our businesses but all of them are good for our souls.

Christine's 5 Networking rules for remembering the people in the shadows:

* I always get to know the support staff. They often are the ones with the "boots on the ground" information to make my life a little easier.

* When I remember, which isn't nearly as often as I would like, I make it a habit to ackowledge people who are quietly making this world a better place, such as medical teams, office workers, and cab drivers, thereby bringing sunshine to them and often opening the doors for me.

* I find the value in the people behind the scenes and marvel at their talents and skill sets. Let's see, in just the theater, there's the lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, hair, stunts, special effects and the list goes on. As I work on my projects I network to find the best folks and value their roles as much as my own. I would be a very lonely bass player if I hadn't found the talented musicians I work with.

* I love working on projects with a team. Divas are usually out front but the task of collaborating goes to the team making an event come to life. When was the last wedding you attended where things flowed effortlessly from one activity to the next? It takes teamwork to make things run that smoothly.

* I've learned that all of this is networking. Trying to contact a CEO without befriending their gatekeepers is a tough road to travel. I look everywhere for connections and by doing this have seen my network grow in depth and effectiveness in a relatively short period of time.

When we are able to see the value in all of our contacts and realize that it takes time to earn their trust and respect we can start growing a solid network of resources that we can count on later. It's like having a savings account of sorts, standing ready when we need it.

Just the other day I was able to give a friend 3 referrals only minutes after she finished a conversation with someone who was going to help her double her business sphere. Their deal was based on her quickly being able to fill 6 job positions and I was immediately able to help her with 3 of them. These were all support and service slots and I had gathered these connections over the last several years of networking. I was happy to be helping so many of my contacts find work, while helping my friend expand her business at the same time. Win, win for them and a win for me too!

So the lesson for me is to befriend the folks that are often forgotten, value them, acknowledge their talents and skills, work in teams with them and take the time to grow strong relations for future connections.

For more information you can sign up for my 3 newsletters or contact me at:
www.gotbetterhealth.com
www.gotcoaching.com
www.manhattanmetabolic.com
www.acucoach.com

You can also read more at my 2 blogs:
www.sotmary.com
www.metabolicmatters.com
You can also purchase my book at:
www.christinesotmary.blogspot.com
www.livingontheverge.com




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DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Lessons From Busy Networking Professionals