UPDATES! - Must Read, August, 2009, Week 1

AUGUST, 2009, Week 1
UPDATE ISSUE 6 (New Format)
Get free subscription to the TNNW Weekly Newsletter: http://twitlik.com/OK

Brand New Stuff:

It's August."So what?" you ask, in a skeptical, somewhat disrespectful tone. Better start watching for new stuff every single week in every single thrill-packed Newsletter:

THE NATIONAL NEWSPICKER will be making its arrival. It will have the capability of making you into a current events genius (and give you the appearance of being the smartest guy/ gal in the room) in return for an investment of just 20 minutes per day of your precious time.

THE NEW FORMAT with navigation tools so easy that your pet ferret will be able to use them will be going live. Unlike Internet Explorer 8 (which is a piece of crap) we will actually improve the quality of your media experience, and your ability to MONETIZE your KNOWLEDGE.

THE NEW SPECIAL ITEMS will be featured every week, if nobody gets a chance to edit them out first. If you promise not to tell, I'll give you a hint...





















You're not laughing now.


Immediate Items Which Are No Longer Immediate:

1. Featured TNNW Columnist Yossi Feigenson (of Real Estate and Other Things of Value) received an invitation from the publishers at the European Wall Street Journal for us to submit a first article from TNNW on the subject of networking, to be released in Europe. After much arm-twisting, Yossi agreed -- being a tough real estate negotiator (although his clients adore him), he felt a need for at least a sporting show of some arm-twisting.

The result is a wonderful article, titled "Business Networking: TEN ESSENTIAL PRINCIPLES". It is a collaborative team effort by Douglas Castle, Yossi Feigenson and Adam J. Kovitz. It is an excellent distillation of some great unconventional wisdom, and it appears in this week's issue of THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. If you are an impatient type of person, you can download (and even reprint) this article by clicking on http://twitlik.com/WSJArticle .


2. We at TNNW are absolutely delighted to have made the acquaintance of Dr. Franco Oboni, one of industry's and government's foremost experts on risk evaluation, assessment and mitigation. He is a consultant and lecturer to international and multinational firms, as well as The United Nations on identifying, analyzing and formulating strategies to navigate around virtually every type of business risk -- from terrorism, natural disasters, erosion, government instability, domestic insurrection, logistical safety, toxicity issues, quality control, mechanical failures, human error to the slightly less exotic aspects of shipping, credit and a host of others. He has correspondent offices throughout the world...including some of the most troublesome and dangerous areas.

He and his firm are actively engaged at present in a humanitarian de-mining project in Lao, PDR (one of the most heavily mine-laden countries on the planet, dating back to the Vietnam War). It will indeed be an honor and a privilege to have Dr. Oboni become one of TNNW's Featured Columnists.

Prepare yourselves! Get a bit of background information and professional insight into Dr. Oboni and his firms. Some links follow. I highly recommend looking at them all:

Franco Oboni www.riskope.com

Riskope Risk and Crisis Management Blog (newly-begun) http://foboni.wordpress.com/

www.slideshares.net/foboni

www.youtube.com/foboni

Franco's CDA/ESM slideshow has achieved the "most viewed" ranking for two consecutive days on Slideshare.net. Looks like his favorite subject is becoming very popular.

By the way, have a look at this particular video. I believe that you will find it informative and quite impressive, as well: http://www.slideshare.net/ELPACTOPRODUCCIONES/daqui30anos

We are delighted to have found a new friend in Franco. In addition to his expert writing, we are going to have Adam J. Kovitz use his indisputable charm to have Franco become actively engaged in our INTERNATIONAL AGENT/ DISTRIBUTOR SERVICE very soon.


3. A week ago, I invested a good portion of the afternoon in learning about the art and science of constructing meaningful questionnaires, polls, surveys, market research focus groups and gathering (and profitably utilizing) market intelligence from Mr. Scott R. Gingold, a veteran pollster and industry consultant and the Founding Principal of both Powerfeedback (http://www.powerfeedback.com/) and Confidential Counselor (http://www.confidentialcounsellor.com/).

In addition to getting some fabulous feeds from Scott, who is quite active as an author and as a Twitter contributor, we are in the process of exploring a strategic co-venture whereby we can integrate some of our PUBLIC RELATIONS SERVICES and our TNNW SURVEYS Product with Scott's two organizations. We know how much our readers enjoy finding out about what other people are thinking, so we will be generating more surveys and publishing more results.

More importantly, with the addition of Scott's expertise, we expect to give our Members access to the research and analytical intelligence necessary to grow their businesses and plot any changes in course to stay ahead of the competitive curve.

It was wonderful to meet with you, Scott.


Coming This Month!:

Aside from the results of TNNW Surveys #88 and #89 (which will be published in separate Special Editions) which you can review to refresh your recall of the subject matter at http://TheNationalNetworkerSurveys.blogspot.com, we have a bullet series of goodies headed your way. Incidentally, if you should have ideas for surveys which you would like for us to design, publicize, analyze and use for your branding advantage, go to the Survey Site! As promised, here are the bullet points:

• High-Utility Killer Content



• Sharp New Look and Super-Simplified Navigation and Access



• The World's Best Suite of Member Services*



• Some Brilliant New Writers



• Direct Professional Introductions



• The Ultimate Intelligence Source - THE NATIONAL NEWSPICKER**



• TNNW BUZZWORKS - Our SWAT Team Becomes Available to YOU***

*Imagine These MEMBER SERVICES, Bundled for Optimal Efficiency:

• Complete Public Relations, Publicity and Press Releases;



• Financing! - For Ventures, Acquisitions, Development Projects, Operations, Purchase Orders, International Trade and Growth...Credit Insurance;



• International Agent/ Distributor Service - Go Global Instantly and Inexpensively;



• Targeted Multimedia Advertising for You, Your Organization and Your Services, Publications and Products;



• Custom Surveys and Market Research Packages.

Q: How did you live without this stuff?

**Imagine This One, Amazing, Time-Saving Resource: THE NATIONAL NEWSPICKER. One source of distilled business intelligence from over 25 of the world's most credible and authoritative sources. Twenty minutes of reading. Knowing it all. Being informed. Sounding lethally intelligent. Being more efficient, effective, powerful and valuable. Increase your Relationship Capital (Adam J. Kovitz is the Avatar of Relationship Capital, by the way). Also: We invite our Subscribers and Members to rename this thing. Please.

Q: How did you live without this stuff? (We're asking again!)



***Imagine This Kind of Artillery, Working for You: TNNW BUZZWORKS, giving you visibility, credibility, image, identity and a constant presence across all e-media. Full saturation marketing.


KNOWLEDGE + APPLICATION = POWER.


For more information, please visit TNNW Bio for Douglas Castle.

We will make you glad that you joined us and became a part of our growing, interactive international community. And of course, they'll be plenty of buttons...





With our Commitment of Great Things to Come,

Adam J. Kovitz and Douglas Castle (who is not quite as important as Adam J. Kovitz)




*******
Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER (TNNW). All rights reserved.

To subscribe for your free TNNW Newsletter, go to http://www.thenationalnetworker.com/ For the complete National Networker (TNNW) Relationship Capital Toolkit and a free continuous RSS feed (available either by traditional RSS or by direct email), go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com/

Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free - Click HERE.
The National Networker Companies
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UPDATES! - Must Read, August, 2009, Week 1

SENDING SIGNALS: Social Meteor Threatens the Earth

Dear Readers:

I owe you an apology. I have changed the name of my column to SENDING SIGNALS. The previous title, "The Re-Humanization of Networking," although brilliantly ambitious and possessing of a deep reformist social agenda and spiritual significance, was just too long and boring. It was so boring, in fact, that I kept forgetting it myself. The other problem was that I don't write about Networking. I view networking (per se) as a miserable chore, but as a necessary first step in the process of relationship-building and facilitating commerce. I try to avoid most networking events (unless a terrific dinner is being served, and there are real plates and silverware - if I see any plastic sporks, I feign a seizure or an attack of spontaneous Tourette's, and get out (sometimes in an ambulance!).

So the column is now officially title SENDING SIGNALS, and it will only remotely relate to networking. My guess (which is at least as good as yours) is that it will have to do with COMMUNICATION and PERSONALIZING RELATIONSHIPS . I do both.

It will also have to so with such exciting and arcane subjects as body language, subliminal messaging, hypnosis, NLP, speaking effectively and everything else that pertains to getting noticed, getting attention, publicity, image-building, being different than every grinning ninny with a business card, and, ultimately, turning conversation into commerce. Adam J. Kovitz, the Father of Relationship Capital [all rise!], says that repetition is important, so I'll say it again: TURN CONVERSATION INTO COMMERCE!

A quick and frightening fact --- on Twitter, and on the average, more than 1 in 4 postings (and growing) is something relating to:

1. Getting more followers on Twitter;

2. Applications using Twitter;

3. Applications linking Twitter and other Social Media;

4. Get-Rich-Quick opportunities (that can never, ever work);

5. Ladies who want me to go to their private website to see them on webcam.

As I've said before, on every social media channel the signal-to-noise ratio is shrinking. To glean a bit of useful or interesting information, you have to cull through a mountain of useless crap. And this process of "panning for gold" is becoming increasingly time-consuming. I think our society, and its possibilities for commerce and friendly interaction is due to be wiped out by a giant SOCIAL METEOR heading toward our planet at an amazing velocity.

We are so inundated with noise that the greatest challenge is to get noticed. The next challenge is to be memorable. The next challenge is to create a bond - a relationship. The next challenge is to make commerce happen. And the last challenge is to make it happen over and over again.

I'd forgotten what I had wanted to write about. Anyway, I have to get going... I left some stuff on the barbecue grill, and I hear fire sirens in the distance. Well done, anyone?

I'll be back soon.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

p.s. If you really want an article, there's one below:
-----------------------
THIS TREASURE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN DOUGLAS CASTLE'S BLOG,@ http://aboutdouglascastle.blogspot.com/, which you should read immediately after your bible study. Also, if you are not currently a subscriber to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter (which is free), you may salvage your position in in my pantheon of pals by subscribing right now at http://twitlik.com/OK ------------

WHAT IS DOUGLAS DOING? AND WHO CARES?

Dear Friends:

Yahoo!, jumping on the bandwagon of social media, has taken to asking me the same stupid question that every other social medium (or is it "media?") insists on asking..."What are you doing now?" They even try to help me out by starting the response box off with, "Douglas is.....", so that I don't have to struggle with the spelling of my own name. Sometimes I inadvertently add an extra "s" at the end (as in "Frederick Douglass"), which is silent, like the "p" on swimming.

My latest response to Yahoo! was:

Douglas Castle updated his status to Douglas is inundated with crappy "functionalities" being added to his browser and programs by Google, Yahoo, Microsoft, etc.
Status Updates.

While I am interested in what I am doing (some of the time, anyway), I cannot understand why anyone else would be interested. What if I were just shaving, or trimming my toenails? These are not interesting things. Then again, if I were Johnny Depp, these would be headliners.

In the future, I am thinking of inventing interesting things like:

• playing bocce in the nude on my neighbor's lawn;
• burning ants on a sunny afternoon with my magnifying glass;
• pulling a dead tapeworm, segment by segment, out of a horse's anus;
• barbecuing a rat;
• singing into my wife's hairbrush;
• passing a kidney stone;
• memorizing Pi to one hundred decimal places;
• sending resumes to the Vatican for a position as one of the Pope's guards;
• watching reruns of "The Fugitive";
• paying my bills with IOUs drawn on the State of California;
• hitting a hornets' nest with a short stickball bat;
• giving my neighbor's Siamese cat Viagra;
• tracking down the source of a bad smell in my root cellar;
• getting a tattoo on my buttocks.

I'm open to suggestions. Keep watching.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

*Follow DOUGLAS CASTLE on TWITTER - http://twitter.com/douglascastle
*Follow DOUGLAS CASTLE on THE NATIONAL NETWORKER - http://twitter.com/TNNW_BUZZWORKS

****Blogs to visit:
http://Braintenance.blogspot.com
http://theglobalfuturist.blogspot.com/
http://TheInternationalistPage.blogspot.com
http://humanitasmaximus.blogspot.com/
http://douglascastleiep.blogspot.com/
http://aboutdouglascastle.blogspot.com/
http://SrMeetUp.blogspot.com

-------------

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The National Networker Companies

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SENDING SIGNALS: Social Meteor Threatens the Earth

Peter Biadasz radio interview, Houston, Texas

Peter Biadasz radio interview in Houston, Texas today. Noon-12:15 CST on CNN 650 AM. Listen on the internet at www.CNN650.com. This is Houston’s only show dedicated to business and networking! Hosted by R.D. Yoder.

Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free - Click HERE.
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Peter Biadasz radio interview, Houston, Texas

VICTOR CATTERMOLE: It’s All About the Money

At times this city of Hong Kong never ceases to amaze me for reasons good and bad. Hong Kong is undoubtedly one of the financial hubs of Asia and will continue to be a gateway to China for the foreseeable future. The last couple of weeks I observed a few things I felt worth sharing with the readers.

The world is in an economic crisis and so Hong Kong Government has initiated a stimulus package where they will guarantee a business loan up to 80% and HK$12 million. (around US$1.6 million) What is even more amazing about this is that the Government website shows of the around 15,000 applications for the loan scheme less than 60 of them had been declined.

Further financial news was the first IPO from China for around seven months was released in the past week or so. The IPO was 750 times oversubscribed.

Finally in the busy area of Mong Kok a man who had regularly parked his wheelchair on a busy corner and begged for money passed away whilst sitting there. The people passing by just pushed him and his wheelchair over and parked him by the rubbish bin so as not to block the busy pavement.

Having the money is one thing, what we do with it is another. Big cities around the world like Hong Kong will cast you aside to a rubbish bin without missing a step. It's time society had a good long look at itself.

Victor Cattermole

For more details, please visit Victor's TNNW Bio.

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VICTOR CATTERMOLE: It’s All About the Money

JETNETTING: THE FIRST IMPRESSION FACTOR: XV - Your Handshake Matters

JetNetting with Heshie Segal

VALUE the power of the handshake; for, in that first instant, you will be judged.

A handshake is the first and only physical touch that is welcomed in business in the U.S. In a matter of seconds, your handshake will signal friendliness, hospitality, openness, confidence and respect, as well as contempt, ridicule, competitiveness and control. It is used to open and close business deals, make an introduction, welcome or greet someone, extend an invitation into someone's personal space as well as be the sign of departure.

A word of caution: any manner of shaking hands will be considered insincere if there is no eye contact. A strong grip can be painful and inappropriate for someone who has arthritis or any other debilitating condition. The same is true for the elderly or frail. The artist, musician, surgeon or any other person whose hands are used to create a livelihood should be placed in a similar category. A strong person should ensure the strength of their handshake is not overwhelming. Concomitantly, a weak handshake immediately raises questions related to the individual’s character.

Before judging someone based solely upon his or her handshake, consider the following:

Does your handshake have an attitude?

In Need of Life Support

A limp, wet noodle handshake usually indicates nervousness, a lack of confidence, disrespect or uncertainty.

The Aristocrat

A person who feels superior will likely grab your hand and attempt to turn it so that their palm is on top of yours. Offering your hand with your palm up suggests you are willing to assume a subordinate role.

Clash of the Sexes

When a man offers a woman a weak handshake, it may signify disrespect or superiority, a lack of confidence, not wanting to injure her or a cultural difference demonstrating respect by being gentle. A woman should initiate her own firm handshake, regardless of the man’s approach. When a woman offers another woman a weak handshake, it is usually a sign of low self-esteem.

The Crusher

A crushing handshake may indicate someone who is controlling or uncaring and conveys a message that the person is domineering, forceful and feels superior. A strong person should ensure that the strength of their handshake is not overwhelming. There is also the potential that someone is so strong or friendly they simply do not realize the strength of their handshake.

The Politician

The handshake that suggests familiarity is commonly referred to as the politician's handshake. A person who is trying to "win your favor or vote" will grasp the right hand of the other person and then cup the clasped hands with their own left hand. This person is anxious to have a familiar relationship without any basis and is often perceived as phony. This particular handshake is only acceptable (at least in the United States) for people who already know one another. There is a risk of offending the other individual by being overly personal before it is appropriate.

Handshake Know-How

1. Clean, dry hands are key. If you have eaten or your palms are sweaty, wash and dry them completely. Since most people are right handed, hold a drink in your left hand so you do not extend a wet, cold hand, or find yourself needing to wipe your hand on your clothes.

2. A smile and eye contact are two necessary companions to the handshake. A smile indicates friendliness and direct eye contact suggests a genuine desire to meet someone.

3. If you are uncertain whether a man or woman should extend a hand first, social etiquette dictates, especially from past norms, the woman initiates the handshake. Someone disabled or otherwise challenged should initiate the handshake to indicate what is acceptable for his or her particular disability.

4. Offer your hand from about three feet away, at a ninety-degree angle to the floor for no more than three to four seconds. The hand should be engaged, web-to-web (the V-area between the thumb and forefinger).

5. The Potent Power Gripper handshake furthermore engages the entire hand, mirroring and matching the other person’s grip, thus creating instant rapport.

6. A negative message is sent when using a two-handed shake (especially during a first time meeting), fingers only, iron man and/or limp, wet noodle handshakes.

A proper handshake, as perceived by the recipient, can make someone more willing to listen and pay attention to you. If you are uncertain what your handshake says about you, ask for feedback, then practice your technique while being conscious of the message you want to convey. The more conscious you are of your handshake, the more you will realize it is more than just a handshake….more than just a socially expected or dictated gesture. It is a transference of you are.

In the next article, Posture and, especially the story it conveys, will be highlighted.

For more information, please visit Heshie's TNNW Bio.

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JETNETTING: THE FIRST IMPRESSION FACTOR: XV - Your Handshake Matters

BREAKTHROUGH NETWORKING: Work an Event, Not a Room

Breakthrough Networking with Lillian Bjorseth

Much has been written and said about ways to work a room. That’s only one-third of the process … if you want to be a master in-person networker. Those who remember the glory days of the Chicago Bulls recall it wasn’t just how they “worked the floor” that won them six championships. It was their attitude and preparation that enabled them to play like champions, and their follow through on and off the court that kept them at the top for so long.

The same principles apply to relationship building. There are specific things you need to do before an event, keep in mind as you work it and as you follow up. Ignoring them can lead to half-baked or even no results for the time you invest.

Before the Event

1. DISCover Your Relationship-building Strengths/Limitations.

Good relationship-building results begin with a thorough knowledge of you. What are you hot buttons? In what situations are you naturally comfortable/uncomfortable? Use a behavioral tool such as DISC to analyze yourself in the networking arena. Learn to read others so you can adapt and flex and quickly make them feel comfortable. If you are naturally confident and have a powerful stance, handshake and eye contact, ease up a little, lest you overwhelm others. Curb your natural enthusiasm and desire to do almost all the talking. You’ll benefit more from listening more. Introspective networker? Push your comfort level, and talk with three or four people, rather than just one who makes you feel safe. And, for those with a careful style, be less stoic. People may think you are aloof, don’t care and don’t want to be bothered with small talk and, therefore, relationship building in general.

2. Polish What You Say Before You Speak.

While there are 86,400 seconds in a day, it takes 10 or less for others to form an impression of you. It is based on your image, a combination of your appearance and behavior. Every color you wear sends messages. Decide what you want them to be. Authority, responsibility and knowledge? Wear navy blue. Dependable, practical, stable? Brown. Powerful, dignified, sophisticated? Black. And so on for every color. Body language is another key element that “speaks” before you talk. Your walk, posture, handshake, eye contact, facial expressions and use of time and space say volumes about you.

3. Create a Relationship-building Plan

To ensure that you achieve maximum results, you need a plan – in writing! Define what you do uniquely, the benefits of working with you, your target market and how and where to reach them. The time you spend planning will provide innumerable dividends as you put it into reality.

4. Craft an effective Verbal Business Card (VBC).

Think of your VBC as the 10-15 second front end of your elevator pitch. Make these introductory, benefit-laden words intrigue people while informing them. People are most interested in how what you do affects or helps them. Make sure to include active verbs, the most powerful words in the English language. Elicit the question, “How do you do that?” That’s when you can launch into all the things you are itching to say.

At the Event

Now it’s time to put your preparation to the test! Arrive early. This allows you to meet key people, and gives you an opportunity to choose the right seat, get the best exposure for your materials if there is a networking table, meet others in a less frenzied atmosphere, relax and adjust in the moment … and eat! Since it is impolite to speak while eating and you want your hands free, don’t walk around with a plate in one hand and a beverage in the other.

Think of attendees as guests in your home. Approach people rather than waiting to be approached. Events will appear warmer and friendlier and you will make others feel more comfortable.

My 10-Minute Rule for Working a Room breaks down into an introduction, body and conclusion. The introduction is for small talk and possible business card exchange. The goal of the body is to find a commonality. Have your “ask-for” questions prepared so that you can determine quickly if you wish to pursue building a relationship. Equally important are your “listen-for” answers, again, so you can determine if you wish to move to another level. The conclusion ends the interaction, and for some it is as hard as starting a conservation. Plan endings just as you plan initial words.

After the Event

You will immediately stand out if you do what you promised. It separates those with integrity from those who merely say they will do something. Develop an effective way to store information and then follow up with the method that best fits the other person’s needs. Know whether it’s texting, email, telephone, lunch, an ezine, an invitation to an event or the most personal of all – a handwritten note. Gauge the right amount of time to wait between contacts and how often to pursue others.

Most importantly, follow the Platinum Rule. Treat others as they want to be treated. It is up to you to adapt and flex to each person and situation.

For more information, please visit Lillian's TNNW Bio.


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BREAKTHROUGH NETWORKING: Work an Event, Not a Room

MASTERING THE MEMBERSHIP MAZE: Weigh Benefits of Chamber

Mastering the Membership Maze with Glen Gould

Thinking about dropping your chamber of commerce membership? Better think again.

If you're like many small and mid-sized business owners you're likely seeking every possible way to trim the fat, cut costs, and draw maximum value out of every dollar you spend. And this is with good reason. Just listen to the conversations at the table next to you in any restaurant and within a moment or two you'll hear people talking about "this economy".

So it might stand to reason when you receive your chamber of commerce membership invoice that you'd think twice before sending the check. After all, this is one business expense you might be able to do without, right? And how can you tell if your chamber membership is really helping you? You'll likely do just as well without that expense, right? Well, not so fast.

In a study by The Schapiro Group and Market Street Services, consumers indicated that companies who are members of a chamber of commerce enjoy a 44% increase in consumer favorability, 51% increase in consumer awareness, and a 57% increase in their local reputation. It could take tens of thousands of dollars in advertising to receive such benefits, but for less than a thousand dollars in most communities (much less in many) you receive this and so much more.

That's a huge benefit for the investment. And there's more: Consumers report a 63% increase in the likelihood that they will patronize a business in the future when they know that business is a member of the chamber. Simply put, remaining a member of the chamber makes good business sense, now more than ever.

Once you renew your chamber membership, get involved in the chamber. Attend meetings regularly and network with business professionals and peers from across your community. You'll build your reputation even more; becoming known, liked and trusted, and being referred by your fellow members.

Chambers of Commerce provided the single best way to grow your business. Even in "this economy", being a member of your chamber of commerce just makes good business sense. If you're not a member, join your local chamber today.

For more information, please visit Glen's TNNW Bio.

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MASTERING THE MEMBERSHIP MAZE: Weigh Benefits of Chamber

NIGHTMARES OF NETWORKING: Clothes Make (or Break) the Man

Nightmares of Networking with "The Mad Genius"

Ahh, my little Networkers, welcome back to the Mad Genius' Lab. No, don't touch that, unless you want to be reduced to an ectoplasmic slime more resembling strawberry jelly than human being. Good, now back away slowly, those things are only for grownups and those with intelligence greater than your average Muppet, which discounts you and most of the Red Sox Nation.

I am somewhat impressed that you have returned after your last Network Nightmare. I was fairly certain that your barely humanoid brain could not absorb the horror and simultaneously learn the lesson of the Golden Ratio. You have evolved to at least the level of a amoeba. Maybe after today's Nightmare you can start to use that prehensile appendage called a “thumb” for something other than texting when you should be listening to someone talk.

What is that you say, my little troglodyte? You wish to know more about The Mad Genius? How do I afford my nuclear accelerator and secret castle complete with a moat and sharks with laser beams? Let us just say that I do some consulting with some other unique individuals, people with powerful minds, unlike you. But that is a discussion for another day.

Take a look at the monitor. This is John. Pretty good looking guy, very preppy. Notice the popped collar: he has been hanging around Bahston Hahbah too long with his sail boat. And yes, those are Brooks Brothers: having the look and the looks, even with some intelligence, does not necessarily equate to having social skills. And even one bred in the blue blood tradition can be subject to making a mistake and turning down the long dark alley to a Networking Nightmare.

John is an engineer, like too many of our Nightmare victims. A Biomedical Engineer, who worked at Hahvahd when not hanging out on his sailboat. He is also the child of an engineer, so has the genetic inclination to have a synaptic disconnect between cranial and oral functions. The mouth opens before the rational brain gives input, leading to some highly entertaining moments. Highly entertaining to watch, if you are not involved that is. Remember the difference between a comedy and a tragedy: it is a comedy if it happens to you, it is a tragedy if it happens to me. John was highly comedic at times.

John was actually a good networker, for an engineer. Something about a one eyed man in the kingdom of the blind. As such Harvard often sent him to orthopedic conferences to gather information and vet out individuals, and his business partners (all PhD's in Biomedical Engineering or world renowned surgeons, so they can't balance a checkbook or tie their shoes but they can design, build, and implant life changing technologies.) made him the “face” of their start-up company. So John is at a conference and chatting up a CEO in a bar, and builds a decent rapport over a few hours and many malted hops beverages. There were large symbiotic possibilities for the two organizations, so the CEO (who closely resembled Rob Lowe's character in Wayne's World) agreed in principle to an alliance, subject to his CTO/co-founder's approval.

Next morning at nine-ish John is waiting in the exhibit hall with the CEO when a pretty outlandishly dressed individual walks in. His pants were high waters (not Nantucket Reds!) and had some sort of genetic engineering experiment on them. Or it was his breakfast. Either way, it was almost enough to get the secret government agents from Area 51 to quarantine them. And the lack of length on the pants revealed mismatched socks. With holes. But what really caught John's eye was the jacket.

Bright green. A cross between the Masters Jacket and the Lucky Charms leprechaun's outfit. Sort of shiny. With white shoes, straight out of a bad 1970's disco. Patent leather, shined to the point of looking like a Storm Trooper from the ankles down. The matching utility belt was included, and probably held a slide rule.

“Oh my god! Who the hell would wear something like that?!”

“John, that's my business partner.”

What sort of horrible things are going through your head at this moment my little networking Padwan? Horror? Shame? Dollar signs being flushed down the toilet at a rate that would make Washington envious? That maybe you should either shut up, or try to apologize and extricate yourself from the situation? What about John's response: “Well, it's obvious you don't dress him.”

Guess what two companies never did business together? Wrong! John had tapped into the CEO's unspoken body language and knew that he was less than thrilled with his partner's appearance. John also had the guts (or mental disconnect allowing him to speak the truth without a normal human filter, like a three year old does) to say what needed to be said, and that impressed the CEO. Instead of being scared of further offending, he went as far over the line as he could to make his point. And it worked. Maybe it was because of the mutual well accoutremented relationship or the breaking of alcoholic bread the night before, but the CEO and John had connected sufficiently for John to know that he would seal the deal or flame out with one statement. The Beau Brummel twins struck the deal.

John has since learned to keep his mouth relatively shut about how other people dress, even though it makes his blue blood curdle when brilliance is given too much fashion leeway. But with some guidance, that brilliance can be focused and be even more powerful. John's new business partner appears at conferences in a black suit with a fluorescent orange comic book tie that has the candlepower of an eighties hair metal band light show. With his back turned he looks like an extra in the Matrix, facing him is like looking into a surgical laser with its brightness and intensity, an apropos description of the man himself. And everyone remembers both the tie and the man for months afterwards: truly an effective use of differential visual marketing techniques. John just lets him for the most part be who and what he is, but helps to, ahem, influence the wardrobe choices a priori so as to not completely alienate the entire world with the CTO's almost satirical sartorial flair.

John was extremely lucky to escape this Networking Nightmare. You might not be, unless you learn how to extricate your lower appendages from your dental cavity. Do you have the mental and intestinal fortitude to accelerate to ramming speed when you make a mistake and start to fall into the darkness? If you are going to be in a train wreck, do you open the throttle all the way to at least make the explosion spectacular, and maybe be hurled beyond the carnage? Do you have the ability to ignore the common rules and jump through the small window of opportunity when it presents itself, or do you wait? The meek will inherit the earth, but only because the fast and smart have left it behind for them. And that is a Nightmare for another day...

For more secrets, you may visit the TNNW Bio of "The Mad Genius", if you dare.

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NIGHTMARES OF NETWORKING: Clothes Make (or Break) the Man

DAVE CLARKE: Reasons for Networking

We have conducted a survey at NRG business networking events over the last month or so amongst more than 100 first time attendees at networking events. They were given up to 3 choices as their reasons for networking.

It is probably no surprise to you that the biggest group gave 'more business' as a primary reason for networking. Looking for 'new connections' was the next most popular and then 'help with business issues' the third:

84% networking for more business
65% networking for new connections
29% networking for help with business issues

No surprise either that the most successful networkers are the ones who take the time to provide referrals, introductions and help to others first. They give the things that people are networking for and as a result they get the same back.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke

For more information, please visit Dave's TNNW Bio.

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DAVE CLARKE: Reasons for Networking

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 4

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

Power Networking Media: Teleconferences and Skype
When good decision making will be facilitated by sharing ideas, it’s time to add voice to the deliberations. Depending on the size of the group and the complexity of the decision, electronic displays and voting add power to teleconferences in which you may or may not “see” other participants. It is also possible to work out difficult issues, simulating a meeting with live cameras, even on Skype calls. When face-to-face is not possible, virtual meetings can sometimes be an effective alternative.

Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com



For more information, please visit Patricia's TNNW Bio.



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POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 4

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 3

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

Power Networking Media: Business Sites and Targeted Emails
Sharing technical information and reports is easily accomplished electronically. Limit distribution to those who have a stake or specific interest. Make the subject line explanatory, including a response date, if required. Attach data in an easily downloadable format and ensure that your presentation is interesting, as well as informative. Use charts, colors, italics and font sizes to highlight key points. Treat your network like CEOs; give executive summaries. Let them ask for more detail.


Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com



For more information, please visit Patricia's TNNW Bio.


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POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 3

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 2

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

Power Networking Media: Public Forums and Email

What wonderful places to share good news! Public forums and mass emails reach a large number of people. These are folks who may help spread the word if. You want these messages to go out far and wide and the more you can use them to reach people that may not have been in the address book, the better. Announce new products, promotions, breakthroughs, awards and recognitions. Invite your contacts to share the news! People love a winner. Look for referrals.


For more details, please visit Patricia's TNNW Bio.

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POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 2

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 1

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

Options
We have so many ways to stay in touch these days that it’s helpful to be intentional about our choices. When must we see or talk to people by phone or Skype? When are public pages and chat rooms the most appropriate places to keep in touch? Are there still times when networking is best done face-to-face? Yes, to negotiate intricate contracts and resolve emotionally-charged disputes. In general the more complex the message, the better it is to look the person in the eye to generate win-win solutions.


Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com



For more information, please visit Patricia's TNNW Bio.


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POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Using Media to Power Network, Part 1

LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Tim O'Neill

Lasting Impressions with Sian Lindemann

Technology…and the Arts
Tim O'Neill
http://www.timoneillstudios.com

A Brave New World…

Tim O’Neill is an Artist to Watch…

“Tim began his career as a photographer working in a darkroom lab and processing film for a local company in his high school years. He joined the US Navy in 1979 and was trained as a photojournalist at the US Navy Schools of Photography in Pensacola, FL. Tim finished his Navy career attached the Combat Camera Group at the Atlantic Fleet Audiovisual Command in Norfolk, VA. Since 1979, there have been many different directions of study in fine art, photography and business that Tim has pursued. As a fine art printer and photographer many years were spent printing silver gelatin, various non-silver processes and platinum. Platinum printing remains a favorite of his today. The digital revolution found its way to Tim’s studio in 2002 and now commissioned mixed media portraits are becoming more and more prevalent with discriminating clients.

Currently Tim is a self employed entrepreneur creating art and growing his brand as well as teaching business and marketing skills to artists in online and offline workshops and seminars. His painting has taken on a new direction and he is working on two book deals and a calendar. A calendar featuring 12 paintings of children angels is being published, a book for artist on using social media marketing, and an instructional book entitled, “Digital Painting for the Artistically Challenged” are in process. On the entrepreneurial side Tim has owned various franchises in several industries including the health and fitness, insurance and securities and automotive industries. Current passionate pursuit is building his online businesses for residual income, painting commissioned portraits and other fine art pieces and finishing his masters degree”. Tim O’Neill

Tim has four children ages 24, 21, 10 and 5 as of 2009. The O’Neill’s live in North Platte Nebraska.



Tim O’Neill ~

“Grandpa’s Hat”

Tim O’Neill came to my attention because of this painting.

Titled “Grandpa’s Hat,” is from the collection of portraiture by American artist, painter, photographer, Tim O’Neill, whom I discovered in my newly adopted passion for Social Media.

Tim is a “friend” from Facebook.

Face Book, a viable tool, a Social Networking site, and like Twitter, YouTube, Squidoo and other Social Media platforms, is not only valid for the building of community and friends from around the world, but is an extremely valuable mix of “outlets” on which one can implement marketing strategies, via the cross syndication of information, that no longer require “retail” locations, ie galleries, as primary distribution for the sale of the works.

The technological applications do not end with Social Media Marketing.

The other most intriguing “piece” about Tim O’Neill, as an artist, is that he has crossed all the boundaries between technological “paint” tools and the known hand rendered techniques of traditional painting. He has adopted, mastered and has ‘included’ the technological tools available to all of us, in the creation of the “master” works themselves.

Step aside, George Lucas, and ILM masteries. Tim O’Neill is the “new age” of digital technologies in the arts.

It is no wonder that he has been “challenged” by elitists in the arts industries.

The man is a “walking” innovation.

There is MORE…

Currently engaged in the final design and launch of a “digital” painting magazine, Tim is creating the very publication in which he will be sharing these remarkable tools and methods with the public.

I am reminded of a request I made to a mentor of mine, posed nearly one year ago. I suggested that we create a “revolution” online, in the arts. Spoken like a true visionary, I asked for the revolution, studied the methods required to implement it, specific to sales, and never in my wildest dreams imagined there would also be a “revolution” in the methods and techniques used to create the original works, as well.

I am humbled, and I feel much like I imagine the early explorers of the “new world” to have felt. The world is NOT “flat.”

Tim O’Neill ~ make sure to watch, listen and follow him, as he is on the verge of opening the treasure trove of what is to be the new direction in the world of fine arts.

http://www.timoneillstudios.com


Sian Lindemann is the Executive Director of Sian Design, a company committed to the discovery and development of emerging artists.
http://www.siandesign.com
http://www.siandesign.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/SianLindemann
http://www.twitter.com/SianLindemann
Monument, Colorado, USA



For more information, please visit Sian's TNNW Bio.



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LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Tim O'Neill

KARL SMITH: Greed Destroys Business Relationships

Karl Smith

As a business networking coach I interact with people from diverse backgrounds and I am often intrigued by the reasons which motivate people to contact me. Needless to note, large part of South Africa’s population is still very poor. So you will find aspiring entrepreneurs hailing from these past deprived communities and those individuals from the opposite spectrum attending my courses. They have one thing in common: to make money. That’s why they attend a course dealing with “growing your business through business networking”

If you have attended my workshops, you will know that I make my point of departure for my course, my book and my life known, upfront. Why? Because I belief people should know from which perspective you as a speaker, chief executive officer, manager, employee etc. comes from. You may ask why? Tell me, how can they belief in what you say? How credible is your message? What will the impact be if people don’t know where you come from? Imagine the miscommunication, the doubt, suspicion etc. if people don’t know where they stand with you? So what is my point of departure? I have a people centric approach towards business networking and referral training. You will not find any manipulative techniques! Through my motivational presentations and facilitation I call on my audiences to genuinely and sincerely care about themselves and people. Why themselves first? Because if you don’t care about yourself, your own well-being, your own future…will you care about that of others?

My message about “caring and giving” is in sharp contrast to the challenge of greed, in particular for people who have a lot, and who want more. So what is greed? “Greed” as per the Webster’s dictionary is defined as “an overwhelming desire to acquire or have, as wealth or power, in excess of what one requires or deserves”. Dr. Duane Scott defines “greed” as “you work all day to try and keep up with your neighbour, your neighbour is trying to keep with your boss' neighbour and that neighbour is living well beyond his means in order to impress his latest girlfriend on the side…” The problem is that we never know when this wild card variable (greed) will take root. We cannot account for it in all of our statistical analyses and because of this humanity gets burned by it time and time again. Business in its present form knows it exists but at times wants to pretend it is not there.

I believe that business networking coaches and networkers should be aware of this risk to sincere networking and mutually beneficial business relationships. Where there is money, wealth and power, greed and vice are sure to be present. Top that with no checks and balances or no consciousness, and you have the perfect recipe for dishonesty. I fully agree with the comment made on the Financial Awareness Blog: defining greed should focus on the first part of the definition “an overwhelming desire to acquire or have, as wealth or power …” Desire is usually created from feeling lack. This can apply to several situations, including, lack of self-worth, lack of self-love, lack of money etc. Many people look at money as the cause of greed.

Yet, greed is not about the money. Greed is about the reason why a person wants money. Yet, you may ask, isn’t greed about abundance (having too much)? No, greed is about feeling of lack. If a person believes in abundance then he would not feel the need to acquire excess wealth or power, rather he will share it freely. The first step in transforming lack into abundance is to identify all areas of lack (or fear of lack) in your life or an area that you fear having lack. Look at any areas where you believe if you have a little bit more, you will be happier. For some, this may be money. For others, it may be love (self-love), respect, self-worth, kindness, caring, etc. The next step is to believe that you already have an abundant supply of what you lack.

A good way to do this is to tithe and practice gratitude. Taking the opposite action (being thankful and giving it away) is what changes belief in lack. To practice gratitude, make a list of things you are grateful for around the area of lack. To practice tithing, give what you believe you lack because the action of tithing symbolises that you already have enough. By being grateful for what you have and freely giving it away (tithing) will show you that you have enough versus having a lack. If you believe you are lacking money, be grateful for the money you have and give it away freely. If you believe the world lacks kindness, then give more kindness and see the kindness that is already all around you. This is because what we focus on (with gratitude and tithing) will expand. A mindset of abundance also defeats relationship killers such as “self-interest” and nurtures the principle ingredient “giving” or “reciprocity” required for mutually establishing and building beneficial business relationships.

Karl Smith is South Africa’s Business Networking & Referral Coach and the owner Business Networking South Africa, a division of ExecuEdge Consulting - a successful consulting and business relationships training company. Visit www.businessnetworkingsouthafrica.co.za to see Karl in action, see what Karl’s clients says, book Karl to speak or to do in-company training, attend a public event, subscribe to his newsletter, to use the free networking resources or to buy his book “Beyond The Business Handshake: Dare To Build High-Trust Business Relationships”


For more information, please visit Karl's TNNW Bio.

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KARL SMITH: Greed Destroys Business Relationships

DEALING WITH GIANTS: More on...Making it Legal

Dealing With Giants
with Claudine Halpern

I have received many comments on last months article, Making it Legal, so I will take this opportunity to dig deeper into some of the issues that I spoke about:

• First, I am not a lawyer; I never claim to be a lawyer.

• Second, I use the services of lawyers when I need them.

• Third, I have no compunctions about going into court to collect monies owed to me.

That being said, let’s get to the nitty gritty of legalities and business as I’ve experienced it.

I believe that counting on lawyers and legal arguments to get paid is not the type of business that I want to be in or participate in.

There are firms that are built on the premise of lawsuits, mostly legal firms. I know a legal firm that buys unexecuted patents from inventors who have not been able to execute their ideas. They then scrounge the Internet to see if any firm is using anything that even has a whiff of their “Owned Patents”. They will then sue those firms, sometimes justifiably, and sometimes less than justifiably. The small firm has no choice but settle with the “Owner” be it in a single payment or ongoing upside. Large firms can fight and they have legal staff to cover these contingencies.

If you are a small business, you want to spend your time growing your business, in positive pursuit of more business, and better relationships. If you count on legal remedies to getting paid all the time, then good luck.

Now back to contracts and other agreements, a contract is only as solid as the contract signers’ willingness to pursue legal recourse. What does that mean, it means that if you can’t or won’t go through the legal recourse associated with a contract, it’s not worth much.

Many years ago, I was a Vice President at one of the BIG BOYS of the time. They announced a merger and asked me to stay on with the new firm and signed a contract with my new job duties, title, salary etc.

At the same time they requested that some people stay on through the merger and leave afterward, those people received contracts with guaranteed small bonuses at the end of the period.

After the merger was complete they terminated my employment, along with about 15 other people that I knew, without any reason. I felt that I was entitled to the guaranteed bonus, as I had stayed through the merger.

I contacted a lawyer with the intention of suing, after a single consultation I realized that pursuing the lawsuit may be great publicity for my lawyer, but bad for me, let me explain why:

1) I could not look for work while the lawsuit was pending as no one would hire me

2) I had to pay the lawyer up front

3) The BIG BOY had internal legal staff and had not lost a lawsuit yet

4) There was no guarantee that I would win

In the end, my decision was the right one; I founded my consulting firm and found business within 90 days. Three of the other people sued, it took two and half years, they each won $20,000. They all left the business, as no one would hire them. Yes they won, but lost more.

So, always have your legal ducks in a row, but work with people whose reputations you know and trust, if you can. If you don’t know or trust the reputation of the firm that you are working with, create a payment structure that mitigates your losses in a worst-case scenario.

Next Time: Selling to the BIG BOYS; Doing the Job, Managing your Reputation

and GETTING PAID

About Claudine Halpern

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.

email chalpern@theychgroup.com

http://www.linkedin.com/in/claudinehalpern

For more information, please visit Claudine's TNNW Bio.

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DEALING WITH GIANTS: More on...Making it Legal