DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS - Lessons From Busy Networking Professionals

Deepening Networking Through Relationships
with Christine Sotmary, M.S., L.Ac., CPC

The saying goes that we ought to play to our strengths. One of the strengths that we glory in as human beings is our ability to create. The way our brains are wired makes it possible for us to rearrange our experiences, skills and intuition to shape it into something very much our own.

Then what can happen when two or more folks create something together? They bring even more experience, skill sets and intuition to the project and best of all they inspire each other and keep energies high.

Taking our creativity "out to play" is a great way to network. Finding others who share the same dreams often brings out the best in us and them too.

When we think of creativity it is easy to first think of the lone writer or painter, holed away in their studio for years on end.

Recently I've been hearing about fun activities like gathering a group of friends in a circle and one person starts a story. Each person adds to the story as their turn comes around. It's a great way to nurture the collective creative juices. You could do the same thing with song lyrics I would imagine.

Yesterday at my Caregiver's Meditation group someone described a beautiful mandala that a group of caregivers created together. They are getting it framed and hanging it in the hospital lobby for all to enjoy. Imagine the pride and closeness that group of artists share.

When we think of networking it's easy to think of Chamber of Commerce events, service clubs and professional organizations. Sometimes these groups can feel cold with quick exchanges that are soon forgotten.

Enjoying snacks after singing together in a chorale group rehearsal, sharing excitement about the upcoming performance or exchanging recommendations for "must hear" music tends to live on in our memory banks and brings a smile every time we think of it again later in the week.

Sharing creative talents helps grow trust and understanding among the participants. How about back stage getting ready for your grand entrance? Can't you just imagine the shared energy and maybe even a few jitters? When people share these experiences they form a bond that can last a lifetime.

Most of us have a commitment to our business that takes up much of our time. By sharing our creativity from anything as simple as a quilting circle to the many traditions and special language of a jazz band, we renew ourselves and our connections to others. The rewards show up in a variety of ways.

I've certainly had my share of injured musicians and Salsa dancers in my acupuncture work. My jazz band has brought me in contact with many musicians over the years and they get to know me and trust me before hiring me to restore them to health. By dancing 2-3 nights a week you can bet that I hear about all the aches and pains of my fellow dancers. They trust me because they know that I understand their need to get back to dancing as soon as possible after an injury.

I've had many clients over the years who are in the film industry. I've often heard about the location scout's excitement when they found the perfect spot for a scene or the prop person describing a piece of furniture for the set that they discovered in a thrift store. These people are used to networking like crazy because they get paid for being creative and they want to do more. Musicians are similar. They are always calling around to see what jobs are available and keeping themselves in the minds of those that are doing the hiring.

Even if our creativity is non-professional it can enrich our networking efforts with shared experiences, fostering trust and relationship building that is so precious to our professional life.

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

For more information check out:
Getting On Track to Better Health
Getting On Track Coaching
Metabolic Nutrition
Acupuncture/Life Coaching weight loss

You can also read more at my 2 blogs:
Unplug and Get Your Groove Back
Metabolic Matters

You can also purchase my book at:
Living on the Verge of Insanity



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



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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/

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DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS - Lessons From Busy Networking Professionals

DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Lessons From Busy Networking Professionals

Deepening Networking Through Relationships

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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




*******
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/

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DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Lessons From Busy Networking Professionals

TNNW BULLETIN AND ARTICLES, APRIL, 2009, WEEK 4

Major Developments, Forward Motion, Events and Actionable Items: TNNW - We ARE Networking

April 27, 2009

Bulletin # 13

"PUTTING THE 'BULL' BACK INTO BULLETIN"

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SITES TO SEE -- NOW

There are several super sites (in the vast web of THE NATIONAL NETWORKER) which you should definitely look at and favoritize. We'll admit...we are still under construction, and are making constant improvements to the navigation "friendliness" of all of our sites -- and yes, we have a truckload of them -- more than 20 of 'em and growing. The trick is going to be centralizing the navigation right on the website. This should be in place very soon -- we are internally beta testing right now. We're just like Microsoft, except we do our beta-testing prior to releasing our product to the public.

For a complete sitemap and index of all of our sites, simply click on http://tnnwindex.blogspot.com/, and FAVORITIZE. {yes, yes...it sounds like a window cleaner} Keep this handy - when you're on any page, look for the INDEX TO TNNW SITES button to return to the Index at any time. Here are a few sites to visit right now (Put down that X-Box and get back to Networking!); they are just a sampling:

MEET OUR ADVERTISERS AND AFFILIATES

We have some fabulous services, affiliate programs and business development tools on this page. Take a look at what our advertisers and affiliates are offering (often at a significant discount to our Subscribers and Members) and click away. We do not give any space to any product or program which we have not examined for quality. Do some serious shopping. If you are interested in beling listed here, just navigate you way to our ADVERTISING AND AFFILIATE SERVICES Site. Hint: You'll have to use the index to find it.

Please pay special attention to my new ad (which is particularly direct and offensive) for DOUGLAS CASTLE - STRATEGIC PLANNING on this page. If you want to comment about it, criticize it, or just take advantage of the opportunity to abuse me, please either post your comments right to the bottom of this bulletin, to my current article, or to my email address which is douglas.castle@yahoo.com . Please avoid profanity. For the really mean ones, you may email them to my alternate email address, which is Whodoyouthinkyouaredouglas.castle@yahoo.com .

Expect CHAPTER TRACKER (Jay Rowland's ingenious organizational tracking product) and WILL BANTER (J.D. Gershbein's cartoon creation, and a possible candidate for TNNW's Board Of Directions) to be making appearances on this page very shortly. Years after Homer Simpson is gone and forgotten, the frenetic, caffeinated WILL BANTER will be a legend and role model to every networker on this planet. Oh brother.

SPECIAL TNNW PACKAGES FOR PRESS RELEASES, PUBLICITY AND PR

You cannot afford NOT to use the indisputable power of the press release (just ask ANY of our TNNW clients, or Featured Author and expert Rita Wilhelm). The cost is miniscule in proportion to the potential audience. It adds to your credibility, SEO, branding, potential client population and makes you instantly more visible and more popular. TNNW offers multiple press release packages at the best prices in the industry - plus, we will help in every aspect of drafting, editing, tracking and following up with your releases. A PROFESSIONALLY WRITTEN and PROPERLY DISTRIBUTED PRESS RELEASE IS THE WORLD'S MOST POTENT MARKETING TOOL. Bottom line: Do ALL of your press releases, and set up your press release campaigns through TNNW. Let us help you exponentialize and monetize your profession, business, brand, product or service.

TNNW BUZZWORKS

We have just released the TNNW BUZZWORKS page. Look at it very, very carefully. Here's the idea: If you write or reference THE NATIONAL NETWORKER in any article, blog or social media (Digg, Twitter, Facebook...), point it out to us, and we will give you (and/or your organization, service or product) a BIGGER BUZZ IN RETURN! Keep buzzing us, and we'll buzz you as you have never been buzzed before -- to hundreds of thousands of readers. Get buzzin', cousin.

TNNW SERVICES FOR MEMBERS

Explore (bring a lunch, binoculars and a pith helmet) our services. You will not find better services, at better value anywhere. You might want to become a Member...

CHRISTINE, ELAINE and ANN

We have three fabulously gifted Featured Authors, and we would insist (gently, of course) that you visit their blogs. These blogs are not only fascinating, but they were evidently prepared by a brilliant blogmaster -- some uncelebrated (and probably undercompensated - sigh -) Shakespeare of Javascript.

Christine Sotmary's blog about her widely-acclaimed book can be found at http://christinesotmary.blogspot.com/ .

Elaine Ingis, the Founder of SrMeetUp! has a blog for her BabyBoomer membership community at http://srmeetup.blogspot.com/. Her website can be found at http://www.srmeetup.com/. You might want to become one of her advertisers, writers, or Members. She is a dynamo.

Ann Barczay Sloan's blog can be found at http://annbarczaysloan.blogspot.com/ . She engaged TNNW to assist her in getting some artists and photographers to contribute (for some publicity and potential royalties) for her forthcoming book. Within two four days, we have received more than 100 email submissions. Investor interest is growing as well. We will be off to the publishers soon!

OTHER DEVELOPMENTS

TNNW expects to announce the filling of several newly-created positions within these next four weeks [cue drumroll]:

Newsletter Editor; Calendar Coordinator; Webmaster, and Director Of Membership Services.

REMINDER

You're missing out. To get the full benefit of THE NATIONAL NETWORKER and all that we have to offer, you MUST subscribe to either the RSS FEED or the EMAIL feed. Please do it now in order to keep your free subscription! Click on:

or on



and make us all happy.

And now, enjoy our articles.

Adam J. Kovitz and Douglas Castle

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TNNW BULLETIN AND ARTICLES, APRIL, 2009, WEEK 4

DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Deepening Relationships While Defying Time

Deepening Networking Through Relationships

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

The first time Denise Scotto and I met was at a new Salsa social at the Spanish Cultural Center's La Nacional in New York City. Dancers are creatures of habit and have their usual haunts. Most of the time their events start late in the evening. This was a new place and an early hour. Right from the top we hit it off as we sat there for over 3 hours waiting for things to get started. We talked and talked, sharing our lives and our philosophies. Having strong beliefs and similar values made it easy to engage on many levels and the time flew by.

Because Denise is an effective leader in issues surrounding women, children and health, I wanted to have her share with you her thoughts on how deepening her relationships has impacted her life and business.

I asked her what she values most about networking, and this is what she shared with me:
"What I hold dear about networking is building relationships--relationships require an investment of one's time and one's energy. It's not about collecting shoe boxes of business cards if you haven't established relationships. Some deepen as time goes on and others change."

Since she is so busy with all her projects, I wondered how she has time to work with so many people whom she considers friends:
"When I speak about investing time and energy, it's important that it be mutual or a two way street. Relationships can't be built by one person alone. In the past I have given and given and given and seen how it hasn't served me and doesn't lead to respect. Respect is another important aspect to all of this and I fully believe that without it, there is no possibility of having an enduring relationship. The ability to agree to disagree with another and to understand it's not a personal rejection but a difference of opinion is the key. It is important to keep this in mind and to talk things through. While we may not see eye to eye, if we have similar core values we can move forward with respect, integrity and trust. Communication and having a safe environment to talk can take us to another level."

I asked Denise how she keeps things fresh and open hearted in her networking:
"The ability to let things evolve and to not box things up is another difficult but important way to approach networking and building relationships. Exploring potentialities as we learn about others can lead to unimagined situations."

The last thing I wanted to know from Denise was what was the most important thing she learned from her experience building and deepening her relationships:
"I would say, trust your instincts. If you're not comfortable with someone then don't force yourself to make something happen. It's important to honor yourself and work through fear and lack of confidence, but if there's the proverbial oil and vinegar, then listen to the inner wisdom. Sometimes, it's about timing or things may not get off to a good start but, sometimes it's about the other person. Keeping open is important, but it's also important to recognize that we won't necessarily be liked by everyone or get along well with everyone, and that's okay too. I aim to be my best self and know when I look in the mirror that I like what I see and feel comfortable with who I am.

Here's what Denise had to say about how taking the time to deepen her relationships worked in a practical way in her life:
"Years ago, I was a practicing trial lawyer and felt deeply frustrated and burnt out. A major change in my life and career was calling me. Through my professional bar association activities with international law, I was invited to attend a reception organized as a parallel event in connection with the prepatory committee meeting for the creation of the International Criminal Court at the United Nations. At that reception I met two older women, one an attorney. As it turns out, the woman attorney invited me to be a representative of the legal organization she was involved in at the UN. Through this legal organization, I started attending various inter-governmental meetings and other events and later worked at the UN for many years on a series of short- term contracts.

“The other woman, I am happy to say, is a close friend. We collaborated on many issues at the UN by organizing high level events on matters including the situation of civilians in times of war and political instability, the rape of women and girls in war, the situation of child soldiers, the effects of war on veterans, important legal conventions that relate to women, children, the disabled, etc."

So you can see why I found Denise so interesting that first night as we waited for the dancers to arrive. We have stayed friends over this past year and gotten involved in more than just Salsa dancing. Denise is not only a lawyer but a holistic healer, too; since that is a world I know quite well, I have brought her to my networking events and introduced her to other practitioners and healers. She in turn has helped me get the word out about my memoir and introduced me to several powerful women at the UN who specialize in issues relating to long-term caregiving and the elderly. I look forward to our meetings every couple of weeks to find out what projects Denise is working on because she is living a powerful life that directly helps so many in this global village of ours.

You can find Denise Scotto at:
917-348-5483
denise.scotto@gmail.com
www.denisscotto.com


You can contact Christine Sotmary at:
Getting On Track Coaching
www.gotcoaching.com
917-273-1308sotmary@gmail.com www.livingontheverge.com www.christinesotmary.blogspot.com www.sotmary.com


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

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DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Deepening Relationships While Defying Time

TNNW BULLETIN, APRIL 2009, WEEK 1

Major Developments, Forward Motion, Events and Actionable Items.

April 4, 2009

Bulletin # 10

"PUTTING THE 'BULL' BACK INTO BULLETIN"

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I. MEMBER NEWS

***Visit Featured Columnist Ann Barczay Sloan's NEW BLOG about her book, WHAT TO DO WITH THE PIECES OF A BROKEN HEART, at http://annebarczaysloan.blogspot.com/. The site is fascinating. Be certain to download all of the documents (plenty of buttons to press, and no BIG RED ONES). Ann is also offering a chance for certain qualified participants to capitalize the publication and initial promotion of the book. This book will be a smash. In this economy, TNNW sees a participation in the capitalization of the publication to be a fabulous investment -- everyone loves royalties.

***Featured Columnist Christine Sotmary, author of LIVING ON THE VERGE OF INSANITY, a book about her personal experience as a caregiver to her late husband, who suffered early-onset Alzheimers Disease, is having a book signing on Saturday, April 18th at 2:00 pm, deluxe with film, discussion and reception. Christine's rare wisdom is crucial for anyone who has had the experience of being a caregiver to a loved one suffering from a chronic illness, or may face that situation in the future. Please call Christine directly at 917-273-1308, or email her at sotmary@gmail.com in order to make your reservations...advance notice will help Christine to be certain that she has adequate refreshments (hint) for all who attend. She is a brilliant writer.

Click on this link for a press release on Christine's book, and about a later book signing in Manhattan: http://www.prurgent.com/2009-03-24/pressrelease33899.htm . Visit TNNW IN THE NEWS for a collection of TNNW-related news releases. To purchase your own copy of Christine's book, click on http://christinesotmary.blogspot.com/. You will want to own a copy of this book for your own knowledge and reference...you will also want to provide copies to many friends and relatives in need of Christine's first-hand words of wisdom.

***Be on the lookout, in this issue, and in future issues (as well as throughout the entire internet, webnet and blogosphere) for WILL BANTER, a cartoon character and the essential networking evangelist, created by cartoonist, writer and media expert J.D. Gershbein. Will shall be circulating and percolating (he is a frenetic, overbooked meeter-and-greeter, as well as a chronically caffeinated coffee drinker) throughout TNNW's publications and bulletins, and throughout the Networking Community. He is even threatening to become the Spokesperson (SpokesToon?) for THE NATIONAL NETWORKER. Step aside, Geico Gecko -- we have WILL BANTER! Creator J.D. has advised us (since he knows that we can be trusted with a secret), that Will has an acquaintance (female) by the name of BRANDY SHARE, who is just one of the many characters slated and destined to complicate Will's life --Brandy is one of Will's colleagues and networking contacts. J.D. Gershbein is more than a humorist and an artistic talent -- he sees the value in utilizing cartoons as a delivery mechanism for serious business media -- and you will, too. J.D. is a font of creativity, and we are lucky to have him.

[Incidentally, Douglas Castle is completely responsible if you should find J.D. overusing the term "cerebrotonic." And no, cerebrotonic is not a cognitive enhancement and energy drink like Red Bull, or its lazier counterpart, Sitting Bull]

***TNNW welcomes new Bureau Chief Karl Smith, a longtime TNNW fan and networker who is situated in Johannesburg, Republic of South Africa. Karl is an excellent writer, and opens up a shole new world to so many of our readers. Amazing possibilities abound on the Continent of Africa. Karl has much to offer!

***TNNW welcomes new Bureau Chief Stefanie Gorder, who will be situated and reporting from Alaska (which my eith grade teacher, Mr. Kilkelly used to call the Land Of The Midnight Sun, when he wasn't referring to it as "Seward's Icebox" -- Mr. Kilkelly was a cantankerous fellow, who gave me mediocre grades just because of my propensity toward insubordination and narcolepsy). Don't be foolish -- Alaska is becoming a new Mecca of innovative networking. watch for Stefanie!

***TNNW welcomes Yossi Feigenson, a new Featured columnist who shall be writing a column entitled REAL ESTATE - AND OTHER THINGS OF VALUE. Yossi is a successful real estate sales and rental broker, an expert on real estate finance and valuation, and he is, remarkably, a very gifted writer and observer of the Human Condition. Be certain to read his column, and be certain to also get the RSS feed or the daily Email feed in order to get Yossi's essays and articles between weekly editions of The NATIONAL NEWSWORKWER Newletter. He is a fascinating fellow, and we are delighted to have him on board! Yossi makes his home in Brooklyn, New York, the cradle (arguably) of American Civilization.

***Welcome to our new Featured Columnist for TNNW, Christine West, who resides in Alaska, and is a prominent speaker, organizer, networker, personal coach, hypnotherapist and speaker. Be on the lookout for her articles. also be on the lookout for announcements about her upcoming webinar series which promises to be SRO! Read these Bulletins and Updates as they come out, and be certain to check http://tnnw3.blogspot.com/ which is our site for Webinars and Broadcasts -- you can find webinars of interest, and you can also register to produce your own professional-quality webinars and briadcasts. You are advised to book any TNNW-sponsored webinars or other media events very early.

***Be on the lookout for Jake Thompson and Eagle Capital Management's upcoming webinar series (in three parts) about BEING YOUR OWN BANK. Registration will be extremely limited, and the information which you will receive will not only chnage the way you think about banking, investments and insurance, but it will absolutely change the way you conduct business and become a permanent component of your income-production and wealth accumuation strategy. This is brilliant fiancial planning. Be certain to check http://tnnw3.blogspot.com/ for updates on thise one-of-a-kind educational webinar series.

***REMINDER: Always check our Calendar of Events daily to keep current on all of the nation's and the world's networking activities. Always double-check http://tnnw3.blogspot.com/ for other exciting webinars which you can subscribe to right on that page!

***Member Rick Itzkowich (not related to Adam), a/k/a, the "White Frog," has a wonderful program called Quote Actions which you should explore of http://tnnw9.blogspot.com/ . While you are there, review the special offerings being made by our advertisers and affiliates. Rick's program is ingenious -- if asked, he will tell you this. Our subscribers and Members receive substantial discounts for Rick's Quote Action program. Rich, who is a terrific fellow, will be submitting his first article to TNNW within a week -- it looks great, and it is on our editing board right now.

***Member Jay F. Rowland, innovator of CHAPTER TRACKER, an administrative, organizational aned amazing labor-saving tool will be finalizing the terms of his affiliate relationship with TNNW shortly. Look for information about ChapterTracker to appear on http://tnnw9.blogspot.com/.

In the interim, if you would like to learn a bit more about CHAPTER TRACKER and how it can organize your multilocational organization, club, or group, visit our provisional landing page at http://www.refma.org/tnnwSignUp.aspx . Jay is offering a fantastic deal to our Membership, for which we are grateful. The negotiations were rough, but Jay acquiesed, and as soon as he is able to stand up again (upon his release from TNNW's desert negotiations dungeon), we are going to promote the heck out of his wonderful, high-utility project. Importantly, Jay has the ability to actually customize the basic package to provice for specific applications, too. Welcome to TNNW, Jay!

***Member Elaine Ingis, CEO and Founder of SENIOR MEETUP!, a social and business networking interactive community (with actual get-together events!) for Baby-Boomers over 60, has made stunning progress on her website. Visit it, and leave your comments and complements today at http://srmeetup.blogspot.com/ . Make sure that you favorite her blog just to access her jukeboxes, quizzes and other great things to enjoy.

We at TNNW support Elaine's vision and her business. Visit Elaine's blog today, and make it a favorite. The SENIOR MEETUP website is still under construction, but take a peek at http://www.srmeetup.com/ .

Elaine is interested in gathering some good writers, advertisers and affiliates who can cater to the specialized Baby-Boomer market. Contact Elaine directly at esingis@yahoo.com. She is filled with positive energy, and it is highly contagious. TNNW is delighted to be working with Elaine and with SENIOR MEETUP! Her organization will be member-based, for profit, and enormously successful. A new lease on life starts at 60! Elaine says that Adam and Douglas aren't "mature" enough to get membership. We say: Just give us time, Elaine!

*** TNNW extends a warm welcome to new Member Gladys Kartin, who does job interview and placement consulting, and is a lecturer at several important venues. Elaine is going to be running a seminar (or several) for technologically -oriented students about networking. Be on the lookout for more about Gladys. TNNW will be posting more information about Gladys.

II. SPECIAL EVENTS, PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS/CALENDAR

***Will you be attending Chicago’s premiere business networking event on April 29th?. Lillian Bjorseth is asking you to!

Sign up now at http://www.greaterchicagonetworking.com/.

Lillian D. Bjorseth, speaker, author and featured columnist for THE NATIONAL NETWORKER (TNNW) will be co-producing this exciting event. You can contact Lillian via email at lillianspeaks@duoforce.com . Look for Lillian’s column, “Breakthrough Networking: Building a New Kind of Wealth” in the Featured Articles section of THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter.

Reminder: For your free subscription to the TNNW Newsletter, just click on http://thetnnwomnigadget.blogspot.com/, and press the buttons to 1) subscribe and 2) to choose either RSS or EMAIL delivery.

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--BUT WAIT...THERE'S MORE!--

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***We have several fabulous webinars which TNNW is co-sponsoring with ConferTel. They are part of the BUSINESS SURVIVAL STRATEGIES series. The schedule is:

WEBINAR DATE: April 24, 2009 – Get the Most from Your Website Redesign
WEBINAR TIME: 2:00PM (Eastern) / 1:00PM (Central) /12:00PM (Mountain) /11:00AM (Pacific)

WEBINAR DATE: April 27, 2009 – Financial Management for Small Business
WEBINAR TIME: 2:00PM (Eastern) / 1:00PM (Central) /12:00PM (Mountain) /11:00AM (Pacific)

Download a fact sheet and registration form about this webinar series by clicking on:http://www.mediafire.com/?twrminkmdht. Do this ASAP. Registration is limited. This series is an award-winner. Go to: http://www.mediafire.com/?twrminkmdht

III. CRITICAL FACTORS NEEDS ANALYSIS ("CFNA") - You'll Be Hearing About This.

CRITICAL FACTOR NEEDS ANALYSIS™ ARTICLE SERIES

Bruce Newman, Vice President of The Productivity Institute, LLC (http://www.prodinst.com/) and publisher of The Productivity Institute Newsletter, is presenting a series of articles, co-authored with Douglas Castle (http://aboutdouglascastle.blogspot.com/), which will be appearing in the EMAIL and RSS feeds of THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter (to subscribe for free, go to http://thetnnwomnigadget.blogspot.com/) and accross a number of social and business networking media.

These articles will discuss “Critical Factor Needs Analysis™,” which is an evaluative technique for making informed decisions about the potential restructuring of businesses, ranging from annualized revenue levels of $1.0 million to $100.0 million. The purpose of restructuring is to eliminate non-productive costs and to minimize any non-essential fixed costs in order to lower the business’ breakeven threshold level. In a difficult economy, this provides for increased levels of profitability despite temporarily deflated sales. It also provides the resiliency required to accommodate increased revenues in a post-stimulus expansionary economy. More information follows...

-------THE NATURE OF THE PROBLEM: ENTRENCHED BAD HABITS

Every business generates its profits subject to the same basic methods and constraints, regardless of the nature of the products it sells or the services which it renders.

It takes in revenues from sales or service activity, pays out variable costs, meets (by paying) its fixed cost obligations, and ends up with either a pre-tax profit, or a pre-tax loss. In a Not-For-Profit organization, the same dynamics apply, but the nomenclature is different: they collect contributions or donations (in lieu of revenues), and pay out variable and fixed costs. For the purposes of this article, we will address all organizations as if they functioned in a For-Profit environment.

The objective of every going concern is to collect more money than it pays out. Simply put, this means maximizing revenues and minimizing costs, thereby increasing the spread.

This would seem to be simple – in fact, as business organizations evolve, they become so filled with complexities, diversions and conflicts, that they lose sight of these basics.

There is a need to re-evaluate these business basics periodically – to take a fresh look at the business of the organization, instead of at the whole organization as a socially complex entity with a variety of objectives, many of which conflict with or constrain profitability. Stripped of these other factors, one can examine the inherent profitability structure of the business. At the risk of being politically incorrect, and of sounding callous, CFNA™ does not focus any of its energies on corporate citizenship, environmentalism, jobs creation, and the like. CFNA™ works precisely because it deliberately eliminates all of these largely qualitative factors from its evaluation approach. We isolate and we focus. Distraction and diffusion are the enemies of analysis and decision making.

We also have a tendency to look at cash inflows and outflows, rather than theoretical accounting constructs such as accruals, amortization and the like. These are good tools for properly matching expenses to the revenue-generating process, but they are not representative of “in the trenches” reality. CFNA™ does not delve into the world of best accounting practices. It is our objective to see to it that our Client Companies survive and thrive.

-------THE CFNA™ SOLUTION, IN BRIEF

Every business requires an outside evaluation overseen and conducted by a CFNA expert who is:

1. Completely objective, viewing the business apolitically, without bias, and from the outside;

2. Thorough, who will aggregate the right data, break it down into its smallest meaningful components, and ask the right questions about each revenue item and each cost item. For revenue items: a) Can you control your volume of sales? [a market demand and competitive issue], and b) Can you control the price at which you sell? [another market demand and competitive issue] – For variable costs: a) Can you renegotiate your purchase costs and terms with your supplier/s? , and b) Can you use alternative sources of supply who might provide you with better prices, given your quality parameters? – For fixed costs: a) Are they truly fixed? Can they be re-negotiated or reduced? , b) Are they productive?


The proper CFNA expert can and will:

1. Identify every area which can be restructured;

2. Suggest an implementation plan;

3. Identify pre-qualified consulting, outsourcing and supplier resources;

4. Eliminate the tremendous expense associated with the amateur trial and error process, and with pursuing the wrong path with the wrong person or plan, only to have to begin again in a series of false starts;

5. Accelerate the process of change to maximize savings and minimize further losses, whether actual or potential (opportunity costs).

NOTE: This requires specialized and detailed cost accounting and financial analysis which your accountants and auditors are neither qualified nor inclined to do. It also involves the continued survival of the business – many self-professed “turnaround” experts stop the bleeding by removing the company’s heart… and its future. CFNA™ always works on a “continuity of operations” assumption. Scorched earth and burned bridges do not make for a long-lasting business.

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Links to this series of articles will be provided in posts to a number of social media groups, such as Linked In, Face Book, Twitter and others.

You cannot afford to miss learning about CFNA™. Be on the lookout!

Reminder: For your free subscription to the TNNW Newsletter, just click on http://thetnnwomnigadget.blogspot.com/, and press the buttons to 1) subscribe and 2) to choose either RSS or EMAIL delivery. Don't make Adam angry.

Reminder: For your free subscription to The Productivity Institute Newsletter, simply send an email to newsletter@prodinst.com and type: “Subscribe Me” in the subject line of the email. Please also provide your first and last name, or your official company name in the letter. Don't hurt Bruce's feelings. This series initiates a whole new avenue of business for The Productivity Institute. Every company and organization will need a CFNA evaluation.

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V. CRUCIAL REMINDER: DON'T LET YOUR SUBSCRIPTION BE STOPPED!

If you are have gotten a forwarded copy of this Newletter, please get your very own FREE subscription by 1) going to http://subscribetothenationalnetworker.blogspot.com/, and clicking a subscribe button, and 2) going to http://TheNationalNetworkerWeblog.blogspot.com and clicking on your choice of delivery by either RSS feed or daily EMAIL. You must choose one (or both) in order to get all of the news, opportunities, invitations and other communications between published weekly editions of the TNNW Newsletter.

If you are already a Subscriber or a Member, PLEASE -- go to http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com/, and choose your delivery method immediately...RSS, EMAIL or both. If you do not choose a delivery option, you may stop receiving your newsletter after may 1st, 2009. Don't let this happen.

Again: If you do not choose a delivery option (RSS, EMAIL or both), you may stop receiving your newsletter after May 21st, 2009.

Faithfully,

Adam J. Kovitz and Douglas Castle

p.s. Please take the time to visit http://Braintenance.blogspot.com and make it one of your favorites. In fact, subscribe for the RSS or EMAIL delivery option. Then, please do the very same for http://aboutDouglasCastle.blogspot.com. Thank. Your participation is truly appreciated.

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TNNW BULLETIN, APRIL 2009, WEEK 1

DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Howie Gershman

Deepening Networking Through Relationships

with Christine Sotmary

Let me tell you a little about how Howie Gershman and I met.

I was just coming to the end of 7 isolating years of taking care of Alan, my sweetie, who sadly acquired early-onset Alzheimer's disease. I was introduced to my first BNI meeting by my friend Barb Bodnar (see last month's article), who encouraged me to bring Alan along. Howie was one of the members of this BNI chapter; he invited us both to the table and made me feel welcome. I’d come nervous about delivering my weekly 60-second presentations for the Life Coaching Business I have, but the warmth in the room helped me to relax.

I learned much from Howie and the others about how to present my business but also how to trust that these new found BNI friends would soften my re-entry into a busy, plugged-in world.
Howie has been networking for years and years both for his catering company and now with his financial planning business. These are his wise thoughts on networking:

"When I hear the term 'networking' my thoughts easily picture a room of sleazy, slick-looking salesmen throwing business cards at each other and promoting their product or service. Networking in the 21st century is as different from that image as an iPhone is to a rotary dial phone.

"Today networking is about building tight relationships with real people and becoming a center of influence. Become the 'go to' guy (or gal). Be that person to go to who has valuable information and knows important people.

"Here are a few steps that keep me focused in that direction. Keep in mind that all these steps can take a significant amount of time to accomplish, but it is worth your while to spend the time:

1) Become an expert in your particular industry or at least a niche within that industry. In conversation, be able to provide interesting facts about your field. Have ready 6 – 8, “Did you know that…”

2) Keep a database of people and companies. Not just names, phone numbers, and emails, but also hobbies and info about their families. And more important: whom can I refer them to, and to whom can I refer them, to facilitate positive connections?

3) To be respected by your contacts, provide them useful information (not sales information about your products) by email, blogs, or even 'snail mail' if appropriate.

Eventually, you’ll get to know who should contact whom and you can act as matchmaker.

But that’s only the beginning...Taking your database online with tools such as Linkedin, Plaxo, Twitter, and Facebook can bring your matchmaking possibilities to a new level. These online tools not only help you find new connections but also help your connections to find new connections.

As people connect with each other, new ideas and collaborations naturally develop. There’s no telling where it all can lead.

I know the owner of a new quick serve restaurant. The restaurant theme and menu attract 18 - 30 year-old customers. The owner decided not to advertise his new restaurant for a while because of a lack of funds and because he felt his demographic didn't respond that readily to newspaper ads.

Knowing that the relatively young customers did spend significant time online, I felt that there ought to be a way to use online marketing techniques to promote the restaurant. I know some online techniques, but I don't know everything about the newest technologies. I asked several people for advice on whom I could talk to about an online marketing plan. Each person I talked to led me to another person. Each step added to my knowledge, focused my marketing ideas, and added people with specific skills to my team.

We now have a team in place and are ready to launch the first phase of our marketing plan. If successful, we'll be able to expand our marketing system to other restaurants both locally and nationwide. "

Thanks to Howie, I'm all over Facebook announcing book signings, radio interviews and information about my memoir. Since I have started focusing specifically on supporting caregivers and ex-caregivers going through re-entry once their task is complete, my internet life has taken off. Howie's right about having statistics ready. "Did you know that there are 50 million nonsalaried caregivers each year, saving our country around 400 billion dollars by providing volunteer services?

Adam J. Kovitz suggests that we may not need money some day in the future. Well, caregivers have learned that lesson only too well. The 8 years I spent in the trenches as a caregiver have prepared me to reach out to my audience with useful information, inspiration and connections to fabulous resources. So all in all I'd say Howie is right on with his advice about quality networking.


You can contact Howard Gershman at:
Primerica Financial Services
845-531-9222
www.primerica.com/hgershman
Come join Howie online:
Linkedin profile: http://www.linkedin.com/in/hgershman
Plaxo profile: http://hgershman.myplaxo.com

You can contact Christine Sotmary at:
Getting On Track Coaching
www.gotcoaching.com
917-273-1308
sotmary@gmail.com
www.livingontheverge.com
www.christinesotmary.blogspot.com
www.sotmary.com

________________________________

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DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Howie Gershman

DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Lessons from Busy Networking Professionals

Deepening Networking Through Relationships with Christine Sotmary M.S., L.Ac., CPC

I learned back in the early 1970's that moving to a new place and starting all over again was no fun unless I was able to quickly make friends. Sometimes I would feel comfortable socializing with my co-workers and sometimes my interests would lead me to new contacts like the time I joined a women's softball team and was surprised to meet musicians and theater buffs like myself.

When I moved to Peekskill, New York I had a dilemma on my hands. I was the full time caregiver for my partner who was afflicted with Alzheimer's disease and wasn't getting out of the house very much. I also had 3 businesses to manage and needed to network in my new area and find some local clients. How was I to make new contacts and meet new friends?

That's when I met Barb Bodnar. We were at a local jam session, she was in the audience and I was playing jazz bass. I had taken Alan, my partner, with me and he was happily enjoying the music, sitting in the audience next to Barb. When I sat down, little did I know how much my life was about to change. As Barb and I began talking and I described a little about myself, she immediately had suggestions, referrals and offered more support than I ever imagined could come from one person. She recommended networking groups for my businesses and Rotary for my need to find a connection to my community. She knew everyone in town and whenever I mentioned something I might need, she had a name and a phone number ready for me.

Fast forward to 3 years later. My sweetie has left this planet and now Barb and I are fast friends. We network like crazy locally at live meetings, BNI breakfasts, Chamber events, or more recently online with social networking groups.

She is a residential real estate broker and has many wonderful, qualified people that she works closely with: stagers, inspectors, lawyers, mortgage brokers, bankers and the list goes on. She is always the first to volunteer to chair a committee for the Peekskill Rotary and is planning the club’s 90th Anniversary celebration.

I recently asked Barb for her ideas about networking and relationship building as they relate to her business and social life and this is what she said.

Barb's rules

· Relationships underpin who we are, whether they be with family, friends, work associates, mates. They require nurturing and will change over time.

· All kinds of relationships offer the opportunity to network. This is why it is important not to dismiss how a friend, or family member, for example, can further your goals.

· Don’t dismiss the opportunity to network for fear that it will be interpreted as seeking personal gain. Give first without expecting to receive and it will come back ten fold.

· Fruitful networking is not about how many people you know but the quality of your “database.” What’s important is the ability to individualize those contacts, bearing in mind who might be helpful to you and in what way.

· Be open to business relationships blossoming into personal friendships.

· When “our cards are right” we do business with people whom we’ve learned to trust. We can then feel confident they will treat our referrals respectfully and reflect well on us.

Barb is a busy gal around town, is completely plugged in to modern technology and still finds time to meet with people for social events. She told me this story to illustrate how her networking with friends has come back and supported her in her business.

Some years ago, she was having dinner with an attorney friend who was also a client. Her friend introduced her to a man who was a commercial broker, appraiser and a property manager. Barb, a residential real estate agent, and her new acquaintance became friends over the next several years.

As the friendship grew, her new friend began to refer residential business to her. Depending on the situation, Barbara would work with the new client on her own, or she and her broker friend would share the referral. One cooperative venture resulted in the sale of 8 units for one client followed by another 6 with a referral for the initial attorney. Both friends were pleased.

Today, their friendship and their business relationship endure because it is one based on trust, integrity and good will.

Like Barb, I have been able to leverage many of my relationships into clients for my businesses. Earning their trust and showing my interest in what I can do for them comes first. A licensed acupuncturist, I have been able to help many stressed out friends with acupuncture when they start to feel overwhelmed. Others feel exhausted all the time and might need to know what foods to eat. That's when I'll do my Metabolic Testing. Still other busy networkers I encounter need help with time management in their work lives so and we'll do some Life Coaching to find some balance in their lives.

I recently wrote a memoir, "Living On the Verge of Insanity: loving lessons learned from my sweetie's early-onset Alzheimer's disease," and sent it to the printer. I was able to send announcements to people I have built relationships with over the years and the orders are already coming in. I am now focusing on coaching and talking with caregivers who need to be inspired to receive as much as they give including our utmost respect. More on that in the coming months.

One of my important rules is that I am never too busy for a conversation or a chance to meet a friend. I consider relationship building the top of my to do list.

For more information you can sign up for my 3 newsletters or contact me at:

www.gotbetterhealth.com

www.gotcoaching.com

www.manhattanmetabolic.com

www.acucoach.com

You can also read more at my 2 blogs:

www.sotmary.com

www.metabolicmatters.com

You can also purchase my book at:

www.livingontheverge.com

Barb can be reached at:

Barbara Bodnar, Associate Broker CRS SRES GRI ABR

ColdwellBanker Residential Brokerage

www.barbarabodnar.net

914-649.2018

"Real Estate with Heart"

___________________________________________________________

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


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DEEPENING NETWORKING THROUGH RELATIONSHIPS: Lessons from Busy Networking Professionals