OPTIMIZING YOUR IMPACT: An Interactive Experiement

Optimizing Your Impact with Jeff Schomay

This month I'm trying something different. For almost a year I have been sharing insights on making an impact on your market and with the Holidays coming up I wanted to try an interactive experiment for some real results in the real world.

As I've said in the past, taking something neutral, mundane, or even boring, and finding a clever way to turn it into something fun, unique and interesting is at the core of making a strong impact. Some of the tips I've shared include: "Give 'em what they want, but not in the way they expect it," and "Facts tell, stories sell," and "Connect with something that resonates."

For this experiment we're going to combine two clichéd situations, but give it a twist to end up with something that makes a new kind of impact. Consider the following:

If you're a man, do you wear a tie often? Do you wear your tie when doing business? Has anyone ever said "Nice tie" to you? If you're like many businessmen you already see the cliché. If you are a woman who doesn't wear ties, have you even bought a tie as a gift for... your husband? Your son? Your dad? Your friend? Again, ties have become the biggest cliché gift out there. Guys have way to many ties and new ties don't bring any new reactions besides empty "Nice tie" comments.

Now it's time for the challenge: Can you take the boring old neck tie and change it into something that that is unique, fun, and interesting? Could you use this new tie to get different results and make a stronger impact? Could such a tie be an ice-breaker at a networking event that actually lead to a meaningful relationship? Could such a tie make you more memorable in the minds of people making a decision with who to go with? Could such a tie capture people to pay more attention to you? What do you think?

Here's the interactive part. Part one: I challenge you, the reader, to answer these questions in your mind. Predict the response you could get with such a tie. Part two: Imagine what would turn a tie into something that would turn heads and catch people's attention while still being tasteful. Part three (the most important part): Try it in real life and see what results you get! To help you out with this step, I have used the free online service called Zazzle to quickly upload unique designs for very unique neckties. Check them out at http://www.zazzle.com/jschomay to see theses examples, and note your own response to these designs. I'll bet you will respond stronger to these tie designs than you have to all the ones you have hanging in your closet. You can build from these examples and create your own personalized designs, or you can just order a design you like directly from the site and you'll get a good quality tie with the unique design sent to you in a week (for yourself or as a gift). Remember the challenge now - wear one of these ties to your normal interactions in life and business and see what reaction you get and if you do indeed make a stronger impact, and how that affects your goals. And the final part of the interactive experiment is to report your experience in the comments section below! I'll include a tally and analysis of the results in next month's column.

Good luck, happy holidays, and have fun with this experiment!

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

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OPTIMIZING YOUR IMPACT: An Interactive Experiement

LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Kermit Was Wrong...

Lasting Impressions with Sian Lindemann

Kermit Was Wrong …




http://www.corporatefineart.com
Jim Zuckerman Photography


It’s EASY To Be “GREEN”

Trending with the “trends”

The good news for nearly all business men and women, is that if one actually pays attention to what artists are up to…they might learn long before it becomes “trendy” what will be the up and coming “buzz” in business.

This trend took longer than most but for over 30 years, my companies, in a variety of forms have “voiced” the need for environmental awareness.

Now it’s the “hot” topic, of course…

But looking back now as early at 1980 in the state of Hawaii, a few outspoken artists started this idea, based on an unassuming interaction with the Humpback Whales, Dolphins and Marine Life that frequent Hawaiian Waters, and in particular the island of Maui.

It is where we find Marine Life Artist, Robert Lyn Nelson, still residing and continuing his 30 year devotion to preservation of Marine Life in the islands, and around the world.

Robert Lyn Nelson http://www.robertlynnelson.com is an artist with whom I have worked ~ nearly 30 years ago ~ and with whom Sian Design has rekindled a business relationship ~
The Image below is from Robert’s recent collections and this Original Oil on Canvas is headed for stardom. A recent trip to Shanghai, China on behalf of Sian Design, C & S Media ( California and Shanghai) and Fett Marketing ( Denver, Colorado) are, in combined effort, creating a coup…not because its “trendy” to be green, but because now, well defined as an exuberant voice for Environmental Protection, and Master Artist, Robert Lyn Nelson has been selected to be featured in a World Class Art Exhibition At Shanghai, World Expo, launching in May of 2010.














Emerald Green Dawn
Robert Lyn Nelson Atelier

The image selected here is slated to be given to President Obama in support of his recent trip to Shanghai and Beijing, in support of the furthering the development of new technologies and furthering the need for Environmental Protection…and Robert had the chance to travel to Shanghai just last week to initiate these efforts.

Two images were selected. The one, Emerald Green Dawn, shown here shall be gifted to the President of The United States.

A second, Titled “Society” shall be gifted to The USA Pavilion in support of the 6 month celebration of Shanghai World Expo, 2010.

Additionally two other options are unfolding for Robert as a result of his travel to China…an introduction to the President and Executive Director of the UN Pavilion in Shanghai now also wish to work with Robert on a particular project that will carry his name and his artwork to international fame, and interaction with thousands of children from all over the world, and a unique exhibition at the UN Pavilion.

And lastly, a meeting with renowned Chinese Artist and Press Conference with the Shanghai Art Museum will bring an opportunity for an international, cultural exchange between not only fine art painters, but will add the same option for photographers, musicians, and dancers from cultures both USA based and Chinese Artists.

WE are thrilled about this opportunity…for in one brief moment during Robert’s trip to Shanghai there was an illuminating “moment” ~ Where all discussion of politics, economic concerns, and world problems halted…and only beauty and the discussion of how better to achieve it were the impassioned topics.

Much conversation, sharing of delightful feasts, and communication brought to the table the “highest” and “purest” form of “networking” I’ve ever had the privledge to witness.

For all the trials endured over my 30 year career in the Fine Arts, this meeting was a pivotal moment for me personally, professionally, and spiritually…ultimately understanding that Peace is indeed possible…and it is through creativity and the arts that it can actually occur.

This Thanksgiving Day 2009 ~ I am blessed…and truly honored to be a part of international “history” in the blend of culture and the arts providing transformation, and “Time of Renaissance”






Time of Renaissance
Original Abstract Oil on Canvas
Robert Lyn Nelson

Thank you Robert. It is an honor to work with you again. Sian Lindemann ~ Sian Design ~ Thanksgiving
2009

Thank you too to
Jim Zuckerman ~ Fine Art Photography
Michael Peterson Music ~ Michael Peterson of CMA Fame
Vortex Immersion ~ Matthew Fannon
Kenji Williams and “Bella Gaia”

And more…


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





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LASTING IMPRESSIONS: Kermit Was Wrong...

SALES AND MARKETING: The Art of Listening . . . for Success

Sales and Marketing with Bill Doerr

15 Second 'Speed Read'

Business people value a timely response from vendors. But they value an effective response even more. Effective listening - combining both active and empathic listening causes you to be seen as a person of interest and value.

This article explains WHY listening can be a challenge and HOW you can develop the ability to listen effectively, build relationships, invite trust and build revenues.

Listening is a Key Skill and Behavior

Public speaking. Everyone has taken a course in it or knows someone who did.

But, Public listening. Whoa! Where did THAT come from? Not so common, is it!

That's a problem. And, an opportunity . . . for you to develop an extremely important skill and artform: Listening.

Listening . . . taking in information and using it to engage, effectively with another person . . . is a skill-set that is not taught in schools. And yet, success in business depends heavily on your ability to process what people are saying and use it effectively.

Steve Porcaro - The Surgical Sales Coach

I had the pleasure of reconnecting with Steve recently. He's been 'on the circuit' a lot lately. He speaks before numerous networking groups, sharing his wealth of knowledge on various ways to improve revenues in these challenging times. Lately, 'listening' has been a very hot topic with his clients. For a good reason. It's a very valuable skill to possess!

"It's all about sales" (or, is it?)

Steve is a business coach who works exclusively with people who are selling medical equipment and services to physicians and other health care professionals.

"Someone becomes my client because he (or, she) is not getting sales as easily or extensively as he'd like. He's not sure why. And often externalizes the source of the problem citing: "It's the economy" or "My company isn't competititve" or something similar."

In many cases, blame-scaping on an external factor . . . the economy, the company, the product, the marketplace, etc. only serves to take the focus (and, pressure!) off of the one constant in every case . . . the person who's responsible for generating new revenues.

Sellling is Like Surgery

Before becoming a 'surgical sales coach' Steve actually was in surgery. A lot. In the US Navy, he was a surgical technician. After leaving the Navy, he sold medical equipment and services to civilian surgeons. So he knows the reality of both selling and surgery, first-hand.

"In surgery, you prep (prepare) the patient BEFORE surgery". Seems obvious. In an operating room! But in the business world . . . in sales . . . your preparation requires your ability and commitment to listen . . . to process what is being said by someone . . . before selling can begin.

"If you don't listen . . . you can't prepare to sell as effectively as you might like . . . and you learn that when, symptomatically, you lose sales you should have won, they take longer to close than you might like or you end up with a lesser sale when a greater one was well within your grasp."

Why People Aren't Listening

I asked Steve, "OK, why . . . aren't more people in business listening effectively - especially when the consequences of not listening are so serious?" "Good question", he said. "If I had to, I'd have to say either:

1. they don't know how to listen - it is, afterall, a learned skill, not a natural one
2. they're not used to 'slowing down' and 'digesting' the information they receive from a prospect" (the 'Ready, Aim . . . FIRE! syndrome)
3. they haven't considered the consequences that not listening effectively will produce
4. they're in a 'comfort zone' with their current level of success

Once you're receptive to change (Porcaro-speak for 'frustrated beyond all belief') then . . . you are ready to learn how to listen effectively. But, how?

Make 'Bare-handed' Calls!

"You must clear your mind. That way, your focus is on the other person, not you" (I swear, I thought I saw David Carradine there for a moment!) "When you first meet with a prospect for example, I recommend leaving all your brochures, pamphlets, etc. in the car and just seek to answer one simple question . . . "How might I help you, today?" or "What are you hoping I can do for you?" Either one will work!"

This type of question helps you focus on 'getting the top off of the soda bottle'. Unless and until you do that, the bottle's contents . . . the person's hopes, fears, dreams, goals, frustrations, etc. . . . will remain 'locked up' -- unavailable and unable to help anyone.

"It's not easy to do this" says Porcaro. "But it's not impossible, either." Steve believes listening is a learned skill more than a natural ability. "Until you do though, you're focusing more on giving your information to someone, than allowing their information to flow to you".

What's The 'Next Step'?

"Information gained from a focused conversation with someone must lead to a decision". I could imagine the granite rock on which that expression is kept in Steve's brain! Actually, Steve refers to that as the 'Next Step'. "Sometimes, there isn't one. But often there is. And the best one reflects whatever you learned by LISTENING to the other person!"

Everyday we connect with other people. How many of these points-of-contact are producing value . . . for both parties?

Listening effectively . . . actively and empathetically . . . will do much to ensure that you glean something useful from every conversation you have.

Final Thoughts

I asked Steve, "If there's ONE thing you'd like someone to take away from this article, what would it be?". He thought about it and said, "I like what Steven Covey said, "Seek first to understand, then to be understood". There's a sequence there - an orderliness. When I worked with surgeons, their success was always based on proper preparation . . . of the patient as well as themselves and the entire surgical team. Great results are often more reflective of great preparation than anything else. It's no different in business or networking. People. Communication. Every day each of us is exchanging information to create value for ourselves and others. So just remember . . . it all begins with learning how . . . and caring to . . . LISTEN!"

*******

Steve Porcaro, ACC is the 'Surgical Sales Coach' and founder of 1•4•All Coaching in Windsor, CT. To learn more about Steve and his services you can contact Steve Porcaro, ACC online at: www.14allcoaching.com or by phone at: (860) 243-9757.

*******

Bill Doerr is CCO of SellMore Marketing. He helps professionals and other service providers to market their problem-solving expertise simply, effectively and affordably.

You can reach him at www.sellmoremarketing.com, or by phone at 860-798-6964.

For more please see Bill's TNNW Bio.

*******

Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free - Click HERE.
The National Networker Companies





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SALES AND MARKETING: The Art of Listening . . . for Success

THE ENTREPRENEURIAL GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT: Why I'll Break Down and Buy an iPhone and Wii

The Entrepreneurial Guide to Entertainment

with Sandy McKee

I’m a late-adapter when it comes to technology. Seriously, I didn’t get a DVD player until a couple of years ago; and, to this day I don’t know which remote to use to start a movie. I have to call one of the kids. What I do is let my friends buy the latest gadgets, and I listen to their comments and complaints. I read the online forums and pay close attention to the fixes, updates, and upgrades as they become available. Then, if it looks like the technology is going to stick around, then I may take a leap of faith and actually buy it. Maybe.

So, no, I don’t yet have an iPhone or a Wii. However, that may be about to change for one very important reason: GAMES.

I am an avid casual gamer and have been since I was old enough to hold a card in my hand and say, “Go Fish!” To me, games are more than just entertainment----they are learning opportunities, as well as a means for strengthening relationships. (Yes, there is a dark side: isolation, gaming addictions, etc.; but, someone else can write that column---not me.)

I’m primarily a PC gamer and I’ll write a future article about the life and business lessons one can learn from my favorite PC games. I have a twelve-point essay in the works on Gazillionaire (published by www.lavamind.com) alone. Not to be missed, so stay tuned over the coming months.

But, as much as I love my PC games, I am being lured towards the Wii and the iPhone by innovative, creative, and sometimes quirky game developers who know as well as I that having fun is serious business.

Let’s start with the Wii. The company that got me to rewrite my letter to Santa and ask for a Wii is MASTIFF GAMES. They had me within a nanosecond of logging onto their website: http://www.mastiff-games.com.

The must-have Mastiff game for me is the REMINGTON® GREAT AMERICAN BIRD HUNT. I love to shoot; but, I don’t actually like to kill anything. Since I won’t go bird hunting for real, this game will let me go on a virtual hunt and get the Annie Oakley urges out of my system without hurting any critters. The game features more than 60 levels and you can win 50 trophies, awards, and power-up items. There’s even Hunting Party Mode where you can form up to a four-person hunting party. You know a game is fun when it’s rated T (Teens) for “comic mischief.”

Mastiff also publishes SHIMANO® XTREME FISHING, which is amazing in the range of fishing experiences that it encompasses. You can choose from rod and reel, spear gun, bow fishing, and more in interesting and exotic locales. Catch over 50 varieties of fish, and deal with sharks, alligators, and piranha. There is also a multi-player mode and 12 tournaments and 65+ stages. Again, I can get my fishing fix without having to wake up at 3:00 a.m. and touching icky bait.

Mastiff has several other interesting titles and I encourage you to visit their website and check them out. According to Bill Swartz, the Head Woof at Mastiff (that title cracks me up every time), they have “always tried to maintain a balance between casual titles like Top Gun, Remington Great American Bird Hunt, Shimano Xtreme Fishing, and Deer Drive on the one hand and harder-core fare like Moon (an awesome game, by the way). In either case we use the same metric: produce games that will exceed the expectations of the target audience.”

I asked Bill how the name Mastiff Games came about. He said, “Two of the three people I started Mastiff with love dogs. I wanted a name that was a proper noun so it could be turned into a logo. And Mastiffs are big, strong, friendly fellows who grow up fast. And, of course, the titles (Head Woof, Numbers Woof, Production Woof, Production Pup, and so on) are an outgrowth of the name. It’s a little silly and probably wouldn’t work in a big organization (how do you translate associate treasurer into dog terms? Assistant Money Guard Woof?); but, it suits us fine.”

Please check them out at: http://www.mastiff-games.com.

As for the iPhone, four companies can claim responsibility for edging me in that direction:

a. BINARY DAWN INTERACTIVE with their mobile game THROUGH TO IOTA. The premise and mission are deceptively simple: shoot the stones into the goals. It’s a mix between pool and curling; and, with 50 levels and four types of stones, I suspect it’s not as easy as it seems. This wins my award for Most Likely to Get Me Addicted (in a good way). Check it out at http://www.binarydawn.com.

b. PRESSOK ENTERTAINMENT with their variety of game genres from old-school GIN RUMMY to new-school AMERICA'S NEXT TOP MODEL, wherein they ask “Do you have what it takes to be on top of the modeling world?” One look in my closet will tell you I haven’t a prayer of winning that one. However, the game I have my eye on is BETTIE BARISTA. Yep, love my coffee as much as I love my games. It can’t get much better than the subgenre coffee-time management-tycoon. See what I mean at http://www.pressokentertainment.com.

c. HALF FAST GAMES with their popular word game WOXEL and with (this really is the title) BEE’Z NUTS. I can’t even explain that, but it doesn’t matter; because the one that is making me take the grocery money to buy an iPhone is….wait for it….PIN THE DONKEY. Why, you ask? Because, as the company states, “not every game needs to be as serious as Bee'z Nuts!” This one you have to see for yourself: http://www.halffastgames.com.

d. MOBILE DELUXE which has one of my favorite PC games, CHOCOLATIER (naturally); and, which is launching an exciting new game SHERLOCK HOLMES: THE GAME IS AFOOT.  As a Sherlock Holmes fanatic, I am really looking forward to this one.  In fact, I feel another twelve-point essay brewing in my brain.  Check out Mobile Deluxe at http://www.mobiledeluxe.com. 

If you’re as serious about casual gaming as I am, you’ll understand why these are all must-have titles in my peculiar (though I prefer the term “eccentric”) universe.  You’ll get why I must break down and buy an iPhone and a Wii----I mean, duh, how else can I play these games?  And, when we add it all up, you’ll understand why I’ll also have to break down and get a real job (to pay for it all).  HEY, game developers!  Any of you hiring?  Picture me holding a sign:  Will Work for Games.  Seriously.

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





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THE ENTREPRENEURIAL GUIDE TO ENTERTAINMENT: Why I'll Break Down and Buy an iPhone and Wii

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Holiday Social Networking, Part 1

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

Reach Out to New Target Audiences

The holidays are an opportunity to celebrate and meet new people – virtually. Powerful social networking during the holidays may involve getting to know a new group of people on-line. Use the advance search features of social networking sites to identify new target audiences, those who are not like you, but who need the services that you offer. While you may not discuss your business directly, you can help your new friends solve problems that they share. Start the sharing that builds relationships.


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: Holiday Social Networking, Part 1

NET-TECH REPORT: How To Write A Search Engine Optimized Press Release

Net-Tech Report with Chris Kauza

A tough economy can make it seem like three is very little good news, but the fact is great things are happening everyday – and usually in one of the millions of small and mid-sized business operating today. So how can you “tell the world” about your great news? This month's article is the first of two parts that will tell you how to cost-effectively let your customers and prospects know what's happening at your company.

A press release is a tried-and-true method of “getting the word out” out your company's products or services. And until recently, all you had to do was write the press release and send it to newspaper editors and various wire services – usually for a significant amount of money.

Today, with the death of newspapers, the morphing of “wire” services and the continued exponential growth of the Internet, it has never been easier for the small and mid-sized business owner to get massive exposure for relatively little cost. I'll use this article to describe the process we use at my company (www.Fett Marketing.com), and show you a free tool and methods that you can use to do this for yourself. If you follow what I describe, you will help get the best possible exposure for your company's product or service.

SELECTION OF KEYWORDS FOR YOUR PRESS RELEASE

Before you begin writing your press release, the first thing you should do is to write down the primary keywords for your product or service. This is a time to brainstorm – you know it best – what do you think they will search for?

A tool you should use to help you is the Google AdWords Tool. This is an online web-based application, that Google provides to AdWords buyers, to help them plan their AdWords campaign. But you can use it – for free! - to get an idea of how may people each month are search for words similar to (or exactly the same as) the ones you use to describe your product or service. This will give you some validation for how you describe your product or service, using actual search engine data. Even though it's free to access, that is priceless information for you!

As a guideline, let's suppose that your press release is announcing that you are now launching your own recipe website with a database full of thousands of recipes. Obviously your target market here is to find the most popular but *targeted* keywords that deal with recipes, because your target market is people who want to buy recipes..

You can use the Google AdWords Tool to do your keyword research. You'll notice that the most popular keyword are the words "recipe" and “recipes” with a total of over 37,200,000 searches each month. Obviously if your site shows within the top ten with that keyword then you'll be very pleased. However, it will take you substantial time and money to get highly ranked for a search term like this, because it is very competitive. You will need to target your keywords more, so you can get more relevant traffic to your press release.

Adding other relevant terms will help; for example:

• christmas recipes – 110,000
• quick and easy recipes – 74,000
• low fat dinner recipes – 6,600
• healthy salad recipes – 5,400

Making your terms more specific results in a lower number of people searching for what you have. You might think it's counter-intuitive to want “fewer people” but you should know that generally speaking, the more specific the search term, the more likely you are connecting with interested people (A.K.A. - buyers!).

These so-called “long-tailed keywords” will do more to drive specific traffic / customers to your information, than trying to spend a lot of money and time to get ranked for very general keywords. Now that we've discussed keyword selection, let's discuss the actual writing of your press release.


WRITING THE BODY OF YOUR PRESS RELEASE

good rule of thumb for press releases is that each one should always answer the “5 Ws” - Who / What / Where / When / Why. Further, they should always be written in the third person – never “I / Me / My” - neutrally listing the main points of your product or service. Remember that you are writing a "news" story, therefore you cannot write it as if *you* are trying to sell the user something. A press release is not an advertisement, and it should not be written as one.

Your article should be approximately 300-500 words in length. The main body of the press release is where you are going to “sell” the reader on the key points of your product or service – these are the things that make it newsworthy. Answering the following questions should help you:

1. What makes this service or product special?
2. What separates this service or product from the rest?
3. Website Link (this is to ensure that those looking for immediate info can divert to your main site)
4. Conclusion that calls the user to action (to visit your site)

Next month I'll talk about how to “get the word out”so that you increase the likelihood that your press release will get get picked up and seen by the relevant search engines and customers. If you'd like more information, feel free to contact me directly at ckauza “at” FettMarketing.com, or review our website at www.FettMarketing.com.

For more information, please visit Chris' TNNW Bio.





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NET-TECH REPORT: How To Write A Search Engine Optimized Press Release

REAL ESTATE ...AND OTHER THINGS OF VALUE: Sometimes: Just Walk Away

Real Estate...and Other Things of Value

with Yossi Feigenson

I have finally arrived. I am now among the legions of great authors, novelists and essayists. I can put my name alongside them. What a monumental achievement to be in this illustrious company. Nope, I wasn't discovered up by a publishing house and given a three book contract. Nor have I written a groundbreaking bestseller. For the last few weeks I have merely suffered a severe case of writer’s block. I simply refuse to write. It’s not a lack of ideas. Not a lack of subjects to write about either. In simple words, it’s an intrinsic inability to put pen to paper.

I recently travelled on a lengthy plane ride. And, I had visions of writing deep into the night, high above the Pacific Ocean, while my fellow passengers slept. I had pad and pen all ready. I would fill up volumes. My thoughts would flow and the prose would be like nothing I had written before. Alas, nothing happened. Not a single word was written. Once at my destination I thought I would write about all my experiences; to record and document all I’d see. Not a word. I thought when I would return I would write about all the wonderful things I'd seen and felt during my travels; Still nothing. For full disclosure, I did scratch out one article but that was due to the fact that I have a writing obligation to The National Networker, who so graciously publishes me.

So how do you break the spell? And what does this obstruction mean and what does it represent?

I've always been told when you’re a bit frozen and not sure of how to proceed, just do what you know. Regardless of how you may think at the moment, action is the most important thing. Just push through whatever is blocking you. Be it fear, laziness, disinterest, disillusionment. Get through it.

What to write about? It doesn’t matter. The important thing: just write. Don’t think about it, simply write from the heart.

Lori Williams, an attorney from Michigan, who is one of my “online networking friends”, wrote this to me recently in an email regarding writing: “Yep, I believe that type of writing is inspired and authentic and that’s why it flows. Not everyone will relate to it, but you/I/any author has done our part when we write from the heart.” When you feel blocked, allow it to come from the heart, the words will flow much better and often write themselves. But, what do you write about?

Perhaps, here is the problem. There are often things that are being experienced that don’t want to find expression in words. Maybe, you’ve run out of inspiring and uplifting words? There may be confusion, and the point of writing is to enlighten, not to confound.

For many, across many industries, it’s been a very trying 12-18 months. I know this because I'm an avid networker and meet lots of professionals and sales people. I’ve heard many stories from a wide range of professionals; attorneys, architects, real estate brokers, mortgage brokers, retail store owners, restaurant owners, manufacturers, consultants, and just about anyone across all professions, about how this has been a period of time that far exceeds any previous difficulties in the past.

In my writing I like to look at a challenge, see it for what it is and find ways to use it to catapult us to more action, to improvement. To see a difficulty as a blessing of sorts, one that is placed there for us to learn from and grow through. That's the motto I live by.

However, you don't always have the words. When you've exhausted all words, when every conceivable idea has been tapped into, when you feel dry of any resource to improve what is the next move? The same question can be asked about your business. What is the next move?

Jump ship? Not entirely practical. If you are a bit older than fresh out of college, as some of us are the job market isn’t so hot. Your amazing skill sets don't count like they used to.

At this point the one thing left to do is reach deep within ourselves and understand that there are things that are beyond our control. We need to gain the understanding that we don't have all the answers; that as much as we try, if it’s not there it’s not there.

After hundreds of hours of thinking, meeting, strategizing, coming up with new approaches to marketing, new approaches to clients, new systems and renewed commitment to getting “out there”, you realize that this may a time period that is beyond what you can change.

How long can you go on questioning and doubting yourself? That's an unhealthy counter productive behavior. Negative thinking and constant “self analysis” leads to too much inward examination and not enough outward action. Becoming too self obsessed with what you may be doing right or may be doing wrong, especially when results are at less than optimum, can lead to complete disillusionment and ultimately burnout; from which it’s tough to recover and regain your vitality.

In discussions with several people whom I admire and hold in high esteem, this is the message that we need to heed: You need to stop obsessing about each and every thing. You need to stop letting your mind be so overwhelmed with everything you may be lacking. Your conscious mind needs to take a rest from it all. Allow your inner voice to begin taking its place. Somehow, keep doing what you know works. And allow for something to unconsciously happen.

Sometimes, when I’m anxiously waiting for a phone call from a client or a business associate, regarding a business matter, I simply go out for a walk, stop focusing on it. Inevitably, each time I do that the phone rings.

So I needed to put the pen down for a while. Something was telling me to step away and not think. It was time to NOT try and make sense of everything; to NOT attempt to find all the answers; to NOT try and uplift and motivate. But rather, to let it be. Only after that can you come back and pick up where you left off, with, perhaps, a new perspective, or at least, some renewed vigor.

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






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REAL ESTATE ...AND OTHER THINGS OF VALUE: Sometimes: Just Walk Away

KARL SMITH: Women can break career and other barriers through networking

by Karl Smith

Networking as a career management strategy is important as the burden of responsibility for one’s career has shifted from the organisation to the individual, with the notion of employability becoming one’s career goal says Karl Smith, author of Beyond The Business Handshake: Dare To Build High-Trust Business Relationships. Moreover, more and more corporate, government and other organisations see building social capital as an organisational priority.

Social capital is ‘the structure of individuals’ contact networks - the pattern of interconnection among the various people with whom each person is tied’. It constitutes a valuable resource. Relationships possessed by an individual can provide one with access to new information, resources and opportunities says Smith. This information, resources, and opportunities, both within and outside one’s current firm, can result in direct enhancements of one’s career and the firm’s competitiveness.

Well-connected employees contribute more to the bottom-line because they know how to get on board quickly, get the job done, get the business, get behind organisational initiatives, get the most from conferences and meetings and they get ahead. One of the topics that often arise in the corporate world is why the networks of men in the workplace are more “close” than the networks of women.

Networking is simply building relationships says Smith. Another expert, Kram defines networking as a proactive behaviour that helps develop one’s relationship constellation. Research conducted by Forret and Dougherty in 2001 suggests that some individuals are more likely to engage in networking behaviour than others. Utilising factor analysis, they identified five types of networking behaviour: maintaining contacts, socialising, engaging in professional activities, participating in community, and increasing internal visibility.

So is there a difference between men and women in networking? In a business magazine, professor Herminia Ibarra at INSEAD - a women herself, says that men have more in common because they do more activities together. Many men have an overlap between their professional and personal network. Forret and Dougherty seem to concur with this sentiment. They suggest that the only gender difference in the five dimensions of networking behaviour found was that men engaged in more socialising behaviour than women. Other research found that women build two separate networks: one for their job and one for activities outside their job. What are the consequences?

Men know their professional contacts also more personal. This leads to a natural bond and trust which women often do not have with their professional contacts. “When a company has to take risks, then it is pretty normal that a man gives a tough task to another man. Because he knows him better, he trusts him more”, says Smith. Ibarra offers the following tips for women:

When there are not enough women in your own company try to enlarge your network with female professionals from other companies. By having contacts with those “peers” you get a bigger overlap between your personal and professional network. Women can also strengthen their relationships with men through having more lunches with them or finding other activities they can do together.

Smith says that the practice above all others that opens the door to connection with others is to look for common ground. That rule applies whether you’re searching for a job, resolving conflict with your spouse, teaching a child, negotiating a deal, selling a product, writing a book, leading a meeting, or communicating to an audience. People who connect are always searching for common ground. That probably seems obvious, because all positive relationships are built on common interests and values. They build upon agreement, not disagreement. But if that’s true, why do so many people neglect to search for common ground and build upon it?

Copyright 2009 by Karl Smith
This article may be copied or republished with the following credit: Authored by Karl Smith, Founder of Business Networking South Africa (http://businessnetworkingsouthafrica.co.za). This article was originally published in The National Networker Newsletter (http://www.TheNationalNetworker.com) , and is reprinted with permission.

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

Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free For Your TNNW Newsletter and THE BLUE MONDAY REPORT! - Click HERE.
The National Networker Companies

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KARL SMITH: Women can break career and other barriers through networking