THIS MIGHT HURT... The Absolute Necessity of Entrepreneurship

by Douglas Castle, Featured Columnist for THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter.

The Absolute Necessity of Entrepreneurship

There is a saying amongst the late Johnny Cochran-styled personal physical trainers of the world; it is recited as mantra (and often given just as much original thought): "No pain, no gain."

Unquestionably, working the mind and working the body make them stronger, while ignoring them and taking them for granted leads to atrophy and an endless list (much of which is in Latin!) of potential psychological and physiological problems and vulnerabilities. When exercise is a requirement of our ordinary work or play, we do it without question, and it serves to keep us healthier. When our ordinary work or play makes no demands upon us to exercise, either by using our intellectual and analytical problem-solving skills, or by using the muscles of our bodies, we tend to view exercise as an option, or even as a chore. We lose our edge. Our survival skills decline. We become increasingly dependent upon mechanical transportation, large companies, generous bankers (with the exception of the late George Bailey of Bedford Falls, this has truly become a smirkworthy oxymoron), and big government.

The institutions upon which we had become pathetically, unimaginatively and unquestionably dependent upon have failed us. What is sadder still, is that we have allowed ourselves to let our skills atrophy to the point of incapacitating us. We, of the United States and many other industrialized nations were lulled off to a somnabulistic fantasyland by such prosaic propaganda as:

• You work hard, and you'll move up the ladder;
• You stay loyal to this company and you'll have a career for the rest of your life;
• Your pension will grow and grow until it can accommodate your comfortable retirement -- invest wisely in Blue Chip company shares, bank stocks and we'll even let you purchase shares in this company at a discount, too;
• Your home is like a savings bank, and your mortgage payments are just like a well-regimented savings plan;
• If a bank gives you credit, it's because they know that you're a good risk, and that you can afford to pay it off. After all, bankers are shrewd, intelligent people;
• Borrow and buy all the assets that you can, even if they won't service the debt...after all, they'll appreciate in value and you can always sell them at a nice profit -- perhaps on eBay, Craigslist, or in a yard sale. Besides, why postpone gratification when you can finance those things you haven't [technically] earned with borrowed funds? Don't worry, Bunky -- the boss is going to give you a raise;
• Good academic credentials and the right university pedigree will get you a great first job at a high rate of pay;
• Don't start a business (like your grandpa did with importing olive oil sixty years ago)... find a company that provides you with all of the benefits, play the right politics, make the right friends, and you'll get promoted to a directorship some day;
• If you are a veteran, an orphan, a single parent or a senior citizen, the government has programs to help you. Heck -- look at Medicaid and Social Security!
• Your health insurance will cover the cost of that chronic care treatment;
• Your bank will renew your credit line. After all, you've never defaulted;
• With all of those jobs at stake, the government will just have to bail that big company out;
• A good prosecutor like Elliot S. (I will not use last names, such as 'Spitzer', because hypocrites are entitled to at least as much privacy as ordinary sinners) will get rid of all that corruption and clean up government;
• Trust Bernie M. (I will not say 'Madoff' because I believe it's obvious) with your endowment fund -- everybody else raves about him. He's like an uncle to me!
• The cost to buy it doesn't matter, as long as you can cover that monthly payment; The Sales Representative at the BMW dealership said, "Golly, you can buy a lotta car if you can just squeeze out $100.00 more per month;
• Saddam has "evil weapons of mass destruction." (evil weapons are the worst kind, by the way). "We have proof that he's receiving shipments of yellow cake from Niger." [As it turned out, Saddam might not have been opening bakeries, but he wasn't actually importing fissionable 'nuke-u-lar' material either];
• There's always a "Greater Fool" to buy you out of anything. [In a tragic way, this turned out to be rather like the Twilight Zone version of a children's game of musical chairs, where the music suddenly stopped and all of the seats had mysteriously vanished -- perhaps the legendary "Greater Fool" was only pretending to be an inbred maloccluded doofus still dripping from the primordial swamp and waiting to be taken advantage of...maybe he stole all of the chairs and sold them to the U.S. military for several thousand dollars each in a lucrative sole-source contract secretly negotiated with some former Vice President...

The New York Times had some frightening news for those of us who had placed our trust in stability, continued growth, credit expansion, employers "too big to fail" and limitless prosperity:

Breaking News Alert---

The New York Times
Fri, October 02, 2009 -- 8:37 AM ET
-----
U.S. Economy Lost 263,000 Jobs in September; Jobless Rate Rises to 9.8%.
American employers cut 263,000 jobs last month, far more than
forecast, and the unemployment rate rose to 9.8 percent from
9.7 percent in August, the Labor Department said.
More: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/10/03/business/economy/03jobs.html?hp=&pagewanted=all


Here are the reasons why our economy is suffering:

1. We became completely addicted to credit, and forgot about the notions of earning, cash flow and saving;
2. We stopped innovating and fostering new enterprises and starting talking about career paths instead of blueprints;
3. We trusted every aspect of our lives to large, faceless institutions, and stopped being self-reliant, inventive, skeptical and inquisitive;
4. The banks stopped lending to consumers and businesses, and no credit facilities were renewed or rolled over (some just played "dead");
5. We wasted our time writing "winning resumes" to almost-defunct, frightened and fiscally-tenuous employers instead of optimizing our use of our own resources to either render services or produce products. We expected to have strangers pay us salaries based upon their confidence in our ability to produce results for them. Sadly, many inveterate corporate ladder-climbers who were papering the city walls with their curriculum vitae had never had to contend with issues of problem-solving, production, leadership and project management -- they had only dealt within the realm of office or organizational politics. The old, reliable employers were in so much trouble that they were actually looking for employees who could actually help. Most of us had little of substance, little of utility, to offer.

The solution to this meltdown will not come from a near-term infusion of printed scrip, little tax rebates, cash for clunkers, stimulus checks, incentives to home-buyers, government "jobs creation", a wartime economy, or endless revelations, proclamations and trial and error experiments with the fate of an entire civilization at stake. This puzzle box pile of solutions has already drawn a growing halo of flies.

The solution is individual and not institutional. It requires innovation and not imitation. It requires working while we wait. It requires the acceptance of personal responsibility for finding ways through which each of us can provide value, in the form of goods or services, to another. It requires soul-searching, deep thinking and incremental work. It requires some calculated risk-taking. It requires confronting fear, and overcoming paralysis and inertia. It requires having something special to offer, and having the willingness to present yourself, and your proposition to the world. Thankfully, we have super-efficient and inexpensive social media, public relations and broadcasting technologies and platforms at our disposal -- but the ultimate factor is non-technological -- it is uniquely and solely Human .

A person standing on any platform without a message will simply be perceived as mute. The same person standing on the same platform with a weak message containing nothing special or of substance to offer will be perceived as a psychotic, a loiterer or a beggar. The person on the platform must have a message, and that message must contain clear and compelling content about something that other persons want or need.

If we are to survive, we must re-discover and re-energize entrepreneurship. Entrepreneurship must be encultured and cultivated like a perfect pearl through education, mentoring, inducements, incentives and through plentiful support and sponsorship.

Entrepreneurship is the foundation upon which all prosperity is built. Every significant economic boom in recorded history has been preceeded by a surge in entrepreneurial activity. Do not expect big business or big government to fix what has been broken.

When you listen to business leaders and politicians, you do not hear the word "Entrepreneur". Some years ago there were tax credits, low-interest loans and grants for capital investments, jobs creation, energy savings, research and development, building of plants and factories... Remember junior achievement business organizations? Remember prizes for selling the greatest number of tickets? Remember science fairs and competitions? Billion-dollar businesses have been started in garages and basements.

The Human mind is an immeasurably powerful tool. It is put to its greatest economic use when it is engaged in entrepreneurship.

Faithfully, and In the Spirit of Entrepreneurship,

Douglas Castle

Published by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. All rights reserved. Subscribe Free - Click HERE.
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THIS MIGHT HURT... The Absolute Necessity of Entrepreneurship

ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKING: Nature vs. Nurture

Entrepreneurial Networking with Lydia Sugarman

Lydia's article is brought to you by foundercontact group

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Meet Sara Trail was brought to my attention via Peter Shankman's HARO Tuesday afternoon queries.

As you may know, one question I always ask the entrepreneurs that I interview is whether they think entrepreneurism can be learned or if it's just part of our DNA. Another question that gets asked by many people who are thinking about going into business for themselves is how does one choose what that business is. the standard response (because it's true!) is to find something you're passionate about and turn it into a business.


When I followed the link and read Sara's story, I knew I wanted to share it with you. It is a short article by the people who are now handling her PR, but it addresses these two particular points as well as briefly alluding to the intrinsic value of focused, purposeful networking to the success of your venture, your life.

Hope you enjoy learning about Sara Trail as much as I. I think she'll be blazing a very bright trail for many years to come!

_______________________________________________________

Posted to THE NATIONAL NETWORKER.



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ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKING: Nature vs. Nurture

ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKING: Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates

Entrepreneurial Networking with Lydia Sugarman

Lydia's article is brought to you by foundercontact group

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I don’t know Andy Ciordia…yet. A long-time “friend” I’ve never met in person referred him to me. Marty Landman and I have been on the same discussion list, WWWAC (Worldwide Web Artists Consortium) for years and so, have built a trusting relationship. So, when he recommended Andy as a great interview subject, I wasted no time. When you read Andy’s responses, I think you’ll agree that he and his outlook on life and business is pretty extraordinary. I can’t wait to get to know Andy better and maybe even meet him in person one of these days.

I continue to be blown away by the great people I have the privilege of interviewing for this monthly column. I hope you enjoy this month’s installment.

Sincerely,
Lydia

###


1. Please tell us about yourself, personally and professionally. Where did you start out? Where are you now? Where are you headed?

Loaded questions! I've got more facets than a diamond. I find it hard to talk about myself these days because of the breadth of items I find myself in. I hope I found a somewhat middle-ground stream that works.

I'm Andy Ciordia and I have referred to myself as a highly driven creative soul. The line between personal and professional has never been blurrier. I've been the artist, photographer, skydiver, personal trainer, agricultural advocate and a lot more. I'm a husband, laying the foundation for a family and working close with much of my extended family. I love experiences and have long believed in living life, not just watching it go by.

Professionally, I started in computers at a young age and had a natural affinity for problem solving. I found programming too dry and switched into fine arts for a good number of years. Never staying far from technology I continually fell back into it, from graphic design, systems engineering, to enterprise level technology management.

Currently I find myself running on multiple tracks.

Slow Food Charlotte

I participate as the director of technology for Slow Food Charlotte, a chapter of the national and international Slow Food movement. We're trying to educate and build programs that help support Good, Clean, and Fair foods. Awakening consumers to the realities of our food systems and helping bring us back from the brink is hard work but inspiring.

Nuance Labs, inc.

Always close to technology, my best friend and I started Nuance Labs, inc. It was initially started as an application development company targeting solutions for the productivity community. Unfortunately, you learn a lot in your first major endeavor and our lessons included handling partners, momentum, investors, and what happens when everything is mistimed.

Every failure is a lesson and we try to learn from them. While our labor of love has had to take a back seat while we keep capital in the company we're still dedicated to finishing our initial project, Liquid Minded. At this time, we help small businesses understand today’s technology and how it applies to them. Leveraging that tech to get them further online and talking with the communities out there. It's been a lot of fun.

The Secret Chocolatier

The Secret Chocolatier is one of my personal favorites. What happens when an untimely job loss of a family pastry chef and a thought to make a family company come together? For us, it was finding a passion in artisanal chocolate and working it from the grass roots up. My father- and mother-in-law, with my wife and I, started the delicious idea and we've been vetting it at the local markets in the community. We've been growing our base and having a blast doing it.

To help matters, I've applied my tech background to their cause and our main shop is coupled with a target blog, Homemade Chocolate - The Secret Chocolatier's Diary. We also have a Twitter account that has been fun to get more in touch with like-minded chocophiles (@secretchocolate). Like with anything it is taking time to root but the benefits are starting to show their potentials and we are really excited.

Now the trick will be figuring out how to convert our market sales and momentum into a sustainable brick-and-mortar establishment. I wish the country were in a better state as I feel that no matter how profitable we are, this will be a harder
endeavor than it should be.

I've got more going on but I could bore your audience if I continue. Follow me on Twitter (@ciordia9) if you want to get further into who I am and what I am up to.

2. What does being an entrepreneur mean to you?

Keeping your feet firmly in touch with the earth (ready to run) and your head on a swivel looking for where opportunity is going to be. My wife and I took up ballroom dancing over the last year and I find a lot of analogies when it comes to being aware of life's rhythms, being a good leader, and having ideas and notions for how to do more with what you have, or where you find yourself to be.

3. Many people I’ve met have told me they were influenced at a very early age to follow the entrepreneurial path. What set you on an entrepreneurial path? Do you think entrepreneurs are “born”? Can it be learned?

Most anything can be learned. We are amazing creatures that are blessed with an adaptability almost unheard of in nature. It just takes willpower.

I was raised in a divorced family but one that had a great relationship. My father is a Doctor and always encouraged me to be better, do more, and know that the world was mine if I applied myself. My mother was the nurturing kind, sheltering but at the same time would raise me up when she knew I needed it. Looking back I don't think I was prepared for just how hard one has to work to achieve, but as long as you pay attention and don't let setbacks slow you down, you will achieve personal success.

The only thing I am not sure if it is learnable or is just part of your makeup is willpower. You can have all the desire in the world, but if you don't have the will to make it happen, it never will. I've coached a number of people from personal training to productivity and when people have that inner fire (whether they know it yet or not) they end up achievers.

4. What makes an entrepreneur? What makes entrepreneurs different? What do you think sets entrepreneurs apart?

Agility. You have got to be able to flow with the situations life kicks out at you if you are going to survive in the market. Many people stay in their sheltered positions and when times are tough they have a serious crisis. An entrepreneur, successful or rising, every day can bring some serious fireballs. I think we get used to handling dynamic issues of the day and good market or bad we are able to find what needs to be done where.

5. Have you ever experienced a seminal networking moment that impacted you as an entrepreneur?

I try and look back and find something monumental but I find a peppering of knowledge all around. My father’s charisma, Guy Kawasaki's momentum and leadership, global leaders who get behind a cause with the roar of approval of a large crowd.

6. What have you found to work well when networking? What caveats can you offer?

We teach this a lot to our Nuance Labs’ clients because everyone always gets this wrong on the first try. Networking is about relating to others and sharing things you find valuable that they will too. For some reason when you sit a newbie down to communicate, this hard salesman comes out of them and they want to SELL SELL SELL. What?! Where did the great person we were just talking to go? Where did the stories about your kids, your trip, your life, just go?

It's all about value. This is the beginning of the era of transparency, if you are not ready for it, don't play, but it's so easy to play. Share who you are, share why you are passionate about what you do, what you sell. Show the benefits but don't overdo it. The classic “treat people how you would like to be treated” is still how it should be. It's about building relationships.

7. What networking lessons can we learn from the way entrepreneurs operate?

Look, listen, and be proactive not reactive.

8. How can thinking like an entrepreneur give one an advantage in the networking and in general?

You're an opportunity hunter. It's not just about business, it's about life. How can you help others and how can you be aligned to be helped? I forget the author who said luck doesn't happen, it's about positioning yourself at the right place, at the right time, to create the opportunity. Don't scheme for it, just engage your passions and relationships and the puzzle pieces have a natural way of coming together.

9. How do you network? (You can read this several ways, I know. Please choose how you’d like to respond.)

On a physical level I work with groups and causes that I love and this brings me in contact with hundreds of people who share my passions. I've tried to get involved with local business groups but for the most part they usually feel like old school networking events that are a bit hit-or-miss and feel more surface than engaging. Not that they aren't a method to use but everyone’s community is going to be different.

Digitally I engage on as many levels as I can from social media like Twitter to group building on Facebook. There can be a huge signal to noise issue you have to deal with but if you are about communicating and relationship building you can get good and fast at juggling the information stream. Now that our local social media groups are large enough we crossover to a lot of physical MeetUps as well. It's great to be a part of engaging communities.

10. What’s one secret you can share for successfully leveraging networking to build success into our businesses?

Be human. Sounds too simple doesn't it? Be a friend, care, share, and engage. Has it ever been this easy? With practice and care everyone has natural charisma, use that to start great things. Back it up with responsibility and follow through and you can't go wrong. Don't be afraid to ask for help or advice. As I said earlier, listen. Don't just hear, listen. Integrate, respond well.

10b. #1 Networking Don’t

Don't, don't, DON'T, hard sell people. The best way to sell is how your best friend sells you on something. They know you, they know your likes and dislikes and generally only sell you things you have an interest in. If there is no interest, isn't it a waste of time and energy trying to convert someone? With the amount of people online and in the world you can better spend your time finding those people with natural affinities.

11. Finally, what’s coming up in the next few quarters for you and your ventures? How can we meet up with you?

My technology business needs to find its calling in consulting so we can generate the capital to re-engage our primary passion of productivity. When you are so close to the finish line it really is painful to know that you have a beautiful project in cold storage.

The family wants to see The Secret Chocolatier turn into a physical shop and grow as best it can. As long as we keep it artisanal and pour our passion into great products I think we're in for some fantastic fun!

With everything else I apply energy for progress. Combine that with working with great people and there can only be great things ahead! I can be found plastered all over the net (http://claimid.com/ciordia9) and am as accessible as they come. If I can ever be of help from technology to friendly thoughts, feel free to reach out.

__________________________________________________________

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


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ENTREPRENEURIAL NETWORKING: Life Is Like A Box of Chocolates

The Daily Flip Guy, Jim Kukral Sings Happy Birthday

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By Lydia Sugarman

Entrepreneurial Editor

Lydia's article is brought to you by foundercontact group

This month’s installment represents a big shift that I hope you’ll appreciate and please, let the emails fly with your feedback sugarman@venntive.com!

We’ve had the privilege of interviewing entrepreneurs in the trenches. Now, we’ll be bringing you interviews of entrepreneurs who happen to have created businesses advising entrepreneurs on how to use every available tool to build in success.

We’ll get to read their personal stories as well as tap into their specific expertise. People like Dave Lakhani, Dr. Kevin Hogan, Edith Yeung, Deborah and J.P. Micek, and Ben Mack.

Some of you may already be familiar with Jim Kukral’s blog, newsletters, interviews, speaking, always looking for new toys to make it easier to get his messages out to his followers, sole bread winner for a family of four. In his words, he’s a geek marketer. To us, he’s one hard working entrepreneur who’s also taught himself to play the ukelele recently and will sing “Happy Birthday” to you. He disseminates a tremendous amount of useful information while maintaining his sense of humor.

Back in mid-July, he published a great interview with Suzanne Mulville where they discussed what makes an entrepreneur and I knew I needed to interview Jim for this column. I strongly enourage you to take the 18:30 minutes to listen to the interview at http://www.jimkukral.com/can-you-become-an-entrepreneur/, before or after reading this interview.

We are hoping to bring you an interview with Suzanne next month.

In the meantime, here’s Jim! Enjoy! And, please send me your comments and questions you want me to ask upcoming interviewees.

1. Please tell us a little about yourself, personally and professionally.

I'm a big time Internet geek. More specifically, a web marketing geek really. I'm a web marketer, speaker, long-time award-winning blogger, customer evangelist, writer, online monetization expert, and well, a bunch of other things.

For years I've been working on the bleeding edge of web marketing and

business. From owning my own web firms to consulting for some of the world’s largest companies, I've experienced just about everything web related you can think of. That’s why I've become one of the Industry’s most sought after consultants and public speakers.

My main focus is on helping businesses and brands find success online. Whether that’s through providing expert advice for the firm that can’t figure out how to get their web strategy right, or helping a business achieve more publicity, sales or leads, I have the experience and knowledge to get it done right the first time.

2. What makes an entrepreneur and what does it mean to be an entrepreneur?

It's such a cliché to say, but it takes passion. And you have to be able to take some risks too. For me, being an entrepreneur is all about flexibility and avoiding that 9-5 job where I'm doing something I don't enjoy. Not everyone is an entrepreneur.

3. Many people I’ve met were influenced at a very early age to follow the entrepreneurial path. Do you think entrepreneurs are “born” or can it be learned?

Sure, I think you can learn it. I think most "true" entrepreneurs will have an easier time with it though. By "true" I mean people who just have it in their blood. But you can learn it. Many new entrepreneurs learn by failure, or because they finally realize that they're not happy or "want something better". The difference between a regular person and an entrepreneur is that the entrepreneur goes for it while the regular person just dreams about it. So, if you can get the courage up to try, you can learn how.

4. Have you ever experienced a seminal networking moment that impacted you as an entrepreneur.

I realized I was an entrepreneur when I came to the conclusion that I didn't like working for other people. I really didn't like having a "boss" per say. On top of that, when my first child was born, I also realized that I didn't want to be the dad that was always working. So the clear choice for me was flexibility and working for myself gives me that. Sure, I work a lot, but I work when it's convenient to me.

5. What networking lessons can we learn from the way entrepreneurs operate?

You can never have enough contacts. Use sites like Facebook and Linkedin and build connections. You're going to need to connect with someone one day and if you have a strong network it will be much easier to do. The other way to network is to find a strong set of associates or mentors who you can trust to talk to and pitch ideas to. Whenever I have an idea, I send it to my friends and mentors and see what they have to say. It's a great reality check sometimes.

6. What have you found to work well when networking? What caveats can you offer?

Try the sites I mentioned above. Also, get out on your local scene and meet people in your city. Speak at events locally and nationally and spend time with people in your industry. Get your name out there. Don't try to be everyone's friend...don't try too hard or it may come off as you trying to sell something. Nobody wants a friend that sells them stuff.

7. Is there anything unique about networking from an entrepreneur's

perspective? Do entrepreneurs have an advantage in the networking arena?

I think all entrepreneurs think alike, so it's easy to network in a group of them because they all share the same thoughts and ideas. They also share the same pains and tribulations, so when you think about it, you're really spending time with close relatives who "know your story". They can relate, which can make the bond stronger. Avoid negative Entrepreneurs who will waste your time and energy.

8. How do you help other entrepreneurs find and network with each other in your business?

As mentioned above. Linkedin.com and Facebook.com are two huge ways to

connect. Each offers groups to join as well. Other options are to join other smaller social networks that cater to entrepreneurs and not just join... but participate. Don't sell... make friends and associates. Be transparent.

Look for local groups in your city too. Go out and meet others and help each other out. There's nothing better than finding another entrepreneur who shares your lifestyle and working together beneficially.

Now, do not pass Go, do not collect just $200, go directly to http://www.jimkukral.com. Anyone who will tell you right up front that Your Pitch Sucks! and, then offers to help you fix for a few sheckels is someone you need to know better!

And, a friendly reminder to send me emails lsugarman@venntive.com! I need your input. Just tell me what you want…

Lydia Sugarman

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The Daily Flip Guy, Jim Kukral Sings Happy Birthday

Northwest Online Entrepreneur Networking Founders are Helping to Change the World

By Lori Richardson

Northwest Bureau Chief
(Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, Alaska)

In the rainy, cloudy, sometimes dreary Seattle area, a phenomenon has been building, which is bringing isolated entrepreneurs out and socializing in coffee houses and venues around the Northwest. More importantly, it is based on a platform that works online and in-person all over the world, in 80+ countries.

Every entrepreneur and micro business owner should join Biznik, and I will tell you why. The design of this platform and the thought behind it is totally incredible. I know that even after I explain a bit more about the power of Biznik, you may be skeptical or just may not get it. That's ok, I suggest you check it out and learn a little about Biznik each and every week. It is worth the time.

First, I'll offer some full disclosure. I am crazy about Biznik, and I am a Biznik Ambassador, which means that in my locale, I host events and spread the word of this platform.

Here is one example of why I love Biznik: If you click on one of the Biznik links, and if you join, you'll join through my name. You can scour the site to see that this is not a trick or any sort of financial gain for me as an affiliate, but instead, Biznik rewards referrers by giving you a "badge" showing how many people you have referred to join this no cost site. I think that is amazing, because I'd rather be known as a connector than make a buck or two from referring anyone - and I love watching my connector number grow.

Another example of why I recommend Biznik to others: they have dozens of testimonials from members who tout how greatly beneficial this community is. I see it as a game-changer, once the word gets out. It is the best-kept secret outside of the Northwest.

A Biznik Ambassador is someone most anywhere in the world (outside of Seattle) who understands the Biznik way, which is a collaborative approach to business building, and who would like to share the joy of Biznik by holding a couple of events each month in your locale. Why? In the Seattle community, there are over 6,500 Bizniks - most all solo or indie-preneurs. Some are creatives, as you'll see, but many are service providers who don't call this group their target market - but they do gain benefit of participating, getting referrals, and connecting to potential alliance partners this way. Restaurant and café' owners should join - as forward-thinking Russell Lowell did recently, because they can tap into their local community by posting special offers and promotions.

In the last year and a half, I have learned about video, SEO, social networking, financials, and dozens of real business topics in addition to many sessions where the heart or soul in business are involved. Biznik touts collaboration - it is in their manifesto.

More facts about Biznik, straight from founder Dan McComb:

Biznik doubled in size and in revenue in first 6 months of this year. We currently have 17,000 members in 118 countries. Biznik is currently growing at the rate of 50 new members/day.

93 percent of Biznik's supporting members (they pay $10 or $24/mo) rank in the top results on Google for either their name or keywords.

Other interesting trivia: Lara (Biznik's other co-founder) and I were honored by Seattle Business Monthly, which included us in their top 25 innovators for 2008 list in the October issue.

We are looking for Ambassadors in communities outside of Seattle. And we are set to launch a Groups feature - that will allow any networking group to use Biznik's platform for their group - by Thanksgiving.

So don't take MY word for it….. try it yourself. And send every entrepreneur you know to this site, it could dramatically help them grow their business, increase revenues, become more innovative, and introduce them to local (and far-away) amazing connections.

________________________________________________________________________________________________

Lori Richardson is a Dun & Bradstreet blogger, writing for AllBusiness and Hoover's. She is President of Score More Sales, a sales effectiveness consultancy based in Seattle, WA.

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Northwest Online Entrepreneur Networking Founders are Helping to Change the World

Fly Like A Bumblebee

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By Lydia Sugarman

Entrepreneurial Editor

Lydia's article is brought to you by foundercontact group

Joshua Brinen is one of those brilliant lawyers any large law firm would be thrilled to have. However, very early on after a stint as a corporate lawyer for dotcoms that no longer exist, he knew his career path lay in founding and building his own firm his way.

To say that Joshua is bigger than life is no exaggeration. We met a few years ago at a business Development Institute cocktail party where his big personality immediately made an indelible impression. He also made sure to take me around and introduce me to people that he’d just met.

Joshua’s a big man in a three piece suit, gold watch fob, and fedora, the quintessential New York corporate attorney who’s brilliant at what he does. His body of knowledge is expansive, his love for his family is boundless, his integrity is unimpeachable. He brings everything he has to the table every day for his clients, friends, and family.

Yeah, he’s my attorney and how many people do you know who will tell you they love their attorneys?

We might not immediately think of attorneys as entrepreneurs, but the people who provide professional services have to get out there and network, ingratiate themselves with people, and land new business. Just like the rest of us. So, without further ado, please meet Joshua Brinen, Esq. from New York.

Oh, that detail about being from New York should clue you to his slightly sarcastic, self-deprecating manner in which he responded to our questions.

Please tell us a little about yourself, personally and professionally.

Not much to tell, I am a corporate and tax attorney in New York City. Not terribly interesting from a “cocktail party” perspective. Most people confuse what I do with what an accountant does for them. What complicates matters is that I have an undergraduate degree in accounting, I just chose to not practice accounting, but rather corporate and tax law.

As a tax lawyer, I put together deals and the structure of the deal and add value by lowering the taxable burden on the transfer of wealth or property.

I run my own corporate & tax firm here in lower Manhattan. We just moved to our more spacious offices at 7 Dey Street. We’re not just a planning shop, like so many of my colleagues, but we’re an execution shop – we have the knowledge and experience in house to do the deal, not just structure the deal. Think of us as your mechanic who also has the doctorate in mechanical engineering.

I am the proud father of two daughters – Eleanor and Francesca – and married to a wonderful artist, Luciana Mallozzi. I live in Metuchen, New Jersey, and have lived there for about a year, having left my long-time residence in Greenwich Village.

What is the single biggest reason you have followed an entrepreneurial path?

I am a bad employee. It took me almost eight years to figure that rather obvious fact out, but I am a horrid employee. I had no good role models – both my parents and my closest uncle were all small business owners. I never had relatives who knew how to instruct me on how to be an employee.

Was there a signature event as you were growing up?

My father teaching me a very important lesson – that I would not value things if I did not achieve them on my own. I had gotten my license and all of my friends were getting new cars from their parents. I got my dad’s old car. He explained it to me as: “if I just give it to you, I’d be taking the joy from you when you earned it.” And he was right.

He did not, however, impart the same lesson on my two younger brothers.

Are entrepreneurs born or can learn along the way?

Born and learned. They are born into it by watching friends and family run their own businesses. I also believe that it can be learned. Not at conferences run by scam artists telling you about sequence and spouting meaningless jingoism but out of necessity and hard knocks. We all have to make our rent. When life gets tough enough, I think we all step up to the plate and make it work.

What makes entrepreneurs different?

A fundamental understanding that no matter what we do, no matter what service or product we provide, we are essentially salespeople. We all – to some extent – get a rush from making the close. And we’re all closing, all the time.

Also, we’re a little thick in the head, and that thickness allows us to fly like a bumblebee. Bumblebees don’t know that aerodynamically that can’t fly. If you explain it to one, they will just drop out of the sky. ;) So, in the ignorance, the bumblebee flies.

What do you think are the qualities/characteristics that make entrepreneurs different?

I think to be a successful entrepreneur you need to have a certain amount of stick-to-it-ness, a determination to succeed that exceeds a normal, sensible person’s perspective. Entrepreneurs keep pressing. I often ask a potential associate why we do what we do. The honest ones say: “to make money.” I then ask them: “what do you do when we don’t make money?” The right answer is: “Keep working until we get to a place to make money.”

Do entrepreneurs network differently? What networking lessons can others learn from entrepreneurs?

A successful entrepreneur knows that to network effectively you have to network generously – it can’t be about you. You have to bring, not just bring an open hand.

What have you found to work well when networking?

I find that being generous when networking has worked well with me. I also like to network with a buddy. With a buddy, you never have to speak well about yourself, they’ll do it for you, and you can do it for them. It’s just like having a wingman from my single days.

What caveats can you offer?

Don’t stalk, and don’t linger. If someone doesn’t engage, move on. Don’t be desperate. And don’t be a wallflower. Be a specific, and be focused.

What's unique about networking from an entrepreneur's perspective?

Networking is the life-blood of sales. Especially in a service industry such as mine.

Do entrepreneurs have an advantage in the networking arena?

I think that entrepreneurs are more focused in networking, and what we’re looking for in the meet and greet. I also think that since entrepreneurs are a lonely group, I think that the thought of going out and meeting other like-minded people.

What is the “successful” model for a master networker?

I think the successful model for a master networker is to develop relationships. A good model is to have each outing generate one sale and one vendor. The model I use is to have a set number of people to meet in each outing. I would then qualify them, and send letters to the better prospect for both people who’s services I need and who may need my services. To those that respond, we meet. If the meeting goes well, go forward.

What are the primary goals for most networkers?

Most networkers are looking for sales.

Do you feel these differ from those of an entrepreneur?

I think the entrepreneur looks not only for sales, but also for vendors and partners when networking.

How do you help other entrepreneurs find and network with each other in your business?

I can’t express how much that I believe in the “good karma” theory of networking. If you do for someone else, the universe will send back to you tenfold.

That being said, if you have a legal question, are looking for a great attorney, or a great accountant (Joshua has saved me a lot of money, both in a lower tax bite, but also in fees.), don’t hesitate to contact him.

Joshua D. Brinen, Esq.
Brinen & Associates, LLC
www.brinenlaw.com

7 Dey Street, Suite 1503

New York, New York 10007

Telephone (212) 330-8151

Facsimile (212) 202-5330

www.brinenlaw.com

jbrinen@brinenlaw.com

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Fly Like A Bumblebee

This week on TNNW...

The Sixth Law of Relationship Capital

By Adam J. Kovitz, CEO, Editor-in-Chief

The ten Laws of Relationship Capital are divided into logical groupings: the first two Laws discuss who can and cannot possess Relationship Capital, the next four Laws deal with mechanics, the seventh and eighth Laws concern themselves with Intellectual Capital and its relationship to Relationship Capital and finally the last two Laws focus on Financial Capital and its relationship to Relationship Capital. Therefore, we continue this month with the last of the “mechanics” discussions, which will certainly appeal to any of those who have ever dealt in the areas of organizational development, industrial psychology, business analysis and valuation and/or management/supervision....more
Sponsored by SalesConX

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Business Networking...Church Style
By PETER BIADASZ, Southern Plains Bureau Chief
Anyone anywhere can start a business networking group. Recently I have been invited to several networking groups that have had their beginnings in local churches. Some of these meetings are denominational, some non-denominational, and some multi-denominational. While many people prefer to keep their professional and personal lives separate, some have no problem co-mingling every segment of their lives. As a result, church networking groups, whether they be monthly breakfasts or weekly luncheons, are a growing segment of business networking groups.

Networking Wisdom from NJ-Based Entrepreneur
By LYDIA SUGARMAN, Entrepreneurial Editor
I met David Stein at the annual World Golfs Gala dinner in early February this year. After two or three decades of business experience, he has a lot of wisdom and insight to share, albeit sometimes in a curmudgeonly joking manner!
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This month I had the pleasure of reviewing www.lawlink.com, a new, free, online social Web site that connects attorneys from one end of the country to the other.

Business Building Conversations
By CANDY WEBB, Network Marketing Editor
There are two key concepts that every networker needs to understand, and to refine some additional skills to do well. First, learning how to INITIATE conversations, and Second, learning how to EXTEND conversations. This is, of course, absolutely vital for any business endeavor that requires bringing new contacts or leads into your business either as customers or business partners.

Twitterpated!
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Five Signs Your Networking Efforts Are Failing – and What to do About It!
By GLEN GOULD, Mastering the Membership Maze
I don’t like rubber chicken. My bet is you don’t either. I particularly don’t like spending $15 to $25 for a rubber chicken lunch and feeling like the only value I received was, well, rubber chicken. But how does one know when the networking net worth is less than the time invested and the value of Michelin Chicken?

Power Thought of the Week
By PATRICIA PARHAM, Ph.D., Power Thought of the Week
Business Processes Transformations - Changing business processes and technologies is a way to create transformation and potentially increase business income. How do you use the internet in your sales, marketing and delivery? What functions would it be more economical to contract for or outsource? If there’s any part of your business which is not “best in class”, seek those who are known for excellence in this area and capitalize on their expertise.

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This week on TNNW...

Interview with Joe Shamash of IVAVI

By Lydia Sugarman, Entrepreneurial Editor

I met Joseph Shamash a few months ago at a networking event, the monthly SF New Tech Meetup. He announced that he was looking for a marketing person and I searched him out to tell him about a great candidate I knew. In December, I attended IVAVI’s inaugural event in Mountain View where I found that Joe’s definitely practicing what he preaches!

Joe is a very seasoned entrepreneur and it’s interesting to see how his professional and personal passions have molded his career and life. However, as this series is revealing, there are real similarities among our featured entrepreneurs that are almost a blueprint or perhaps, even the DNA for successful entrepreneurs and networking.

More...

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Interview with Joe Shamash of IVAVI

Interview with BizzFlip

By Lydia Sugarman, Entrepreneurial Editor

Lydia's Bio Email article RSS feed Share on facebook

I was all set to write up another interview for this month’s installment when I spotted an email from Adam in my inbox. He was doing what he does and making an email introduction to Will Randolph, a principal of a new online venture, BizzFlip. Within an hour, Will and I were chatting on the phone like old friends. Note: I think that’s something that happens very quickly when entrepreneurs recognize each other.

As Will talked about BizzFlip and his two partners, I knew you all needed to hear from them yourselves. These are young, but very seasoned entrepreneurial businessmen who really have a strong grasp on what it takes to be an entrepreneur, to be good business people, to be good business partners, and to effectively network. Hey! They found each other!

As I read their separate responses to my questions, I was also impressed with the similarity in their answers even though this was done by email and they didn’t hear or see each others responses until now. The similar mindset is exactly what it takes to have a successful partnership. The common generosity of spirit is a main component in successful networking.

I thought it is important to share their unfiltered and unedited responses to illustrate and illuminate how three entrepreneurs who are partners think.

The guys describe their business as follows...

BizzFlip nurtures direct trust-based relationships within a niche community. BizzFlip has altered the way businesses are sold, venture capital is dealt, ideas are shared, and much more!

At the tipping point of an economy in which only the connected will survive, we have created a platform for people to utilize as the painful hierarchy of Nine to Five becomes a thing of the past.

The Interview...

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Interview with BizzFlip

BizzFlip asks "How do we know our networks are working?"

Networking, it's a key piece in the business realm, but how do we really know when our networks are working for us?

Great, you have 220,000 Linkedin connections and get one trillion emails a day from Linkedin, what does it really do for you? The same could be said for any online social media/networking site (Facebook, MySpace, etc). I'm not here to bash on them, it just seems that every month there seems to be some new iteration of the same old song and dance but with a twist!

But what about the basics and the time honored traditions of what networking should be, as shown by the RNIA (Relationship Networking Industry Association). Now don't get me wrong, I love most networking and social media sites just as much as everyone else...

Click for more...

Sneak Peak at this week's TNNW Entrepreneurial Interview between Lydia Sugarman and BizzFlip...

Question #8: How have you seen the entrepreneurs networking at various events? What have you found to work well, as an entrepreneur when networking?

Forrest: Walking up to every booth, smiling, introducing myself and asking a plethora of questions.

Will: I wouldn’t say we’re really any different from most business savvy individuals, as for me, I go in there as me, Will Radcliffe, just be you, but try not to be a total ass because no one likes an ass…

Joe: At different events it is pretty obvious who owns a business and who is there because they are an employee of a business. The business owner will most likely not have an alcoholic beverage in their hand, while the employee will. When networking the only thing that will work is being yourself. If you try to be something you are not then you will come across as being phony. An entrepreneur, when networking, is not thinking about how the other person can help them, but rather how they can help the other person.

Check back Sunday afternoon for more of the interview...

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BizzFlip asks "How do we know our networks are working?"