U.S., NORTHWEST: A Network for the Inclusion of People

By Lori Richardson
Northwest Bureau Chief
(Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon)

In Oregon, a trailblazing network of leaders is helping business and society as a whole. The Oregon Business Leadership Network (OBLN) offers companies in the state of Oregon networking opportunities, education, and resources to help increase understanding and awareness of disability issues in the workplace.

According to the OBLN, "The OBLN provides workshops, trainings, tools and resources to make it easier for employers to support current employees with disabilities as well as those who become diagnosed with a disability during their working years. The OBLN can also help you recruit qualified candidates with disabilities and provide a comfortable and supportive workplace for everyone."

In 1994 the BLN was begun because it was realized that more than 70% of adults with disabilities were unemployed. There currently are BLNs in several states in addition to Oregon.
The OBLN is overseen by a Board of Directors and headed by President Jilma Meneses, Director of Risk Management of Oregon Health Sciences University. The organization has a robust website with many resources and articles for employers to learn more about hiring people with disabilities, retaining them, and about the aspects of the ADA.

In addition to articles on the website, there is a 200 page manual for downloading as wll as videos to educate and inform the business community in really helpful ways.
There are over 43 Oregon-based companies and organizations who make up the affiliates of the OBLN. Their annual membership luncheon was most recently held on January 22nd, with a talk on cultural competence and the need for a culturally diverse workforce.

Visit the OBLN website to learn more. ___________________________________________________________

Lori Richardson is the B2B "Sales Detective" helping companies grow business through connection and referral. Lori is the author of, "50 Ways in 50 Days: Inspiration and Tips to Fearlessly Energize Your Business and Score More Sales". Lori is also a fundraising auctioneer and can be reached through her Score More Sales website.

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:

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

U.S., NORTHWEST: A Network for the Inclusion of People

U.S., NORTHWEST: How to Really Network - Bring Networking Leaders Together

By Lori Richardson

Northwest Bureau Chief

(Montana, Wyoming, Idaho, Washington, Oregon)

Next month, women from around the Pacific Northwest - from Portland, Or to Vancouver B.C. and points in between will come together for what has been billed, "the first region-wide, inclusive, women's professional networking event" in recent history.

Total Networking, as the event is billed, will take place on March 27^th from 4PM to 8PM at the Qwest Field Event Center Concourse and will host a four-hour extravaganza for 300 attendees - all looking forward to sharpening their "connection" skills and meeting people they don't normally circulate with.

Karen Krape and Margo Wakefield, who run the Northwest Women's Show annually at Qwest Events Center liked the idea to this year add a professional women's event to their already successful annual women's show and "expo".

"The idea was pitched to us and we liked it," Krape said, "because professional women's groups all meet regularly, but they don't ever get together as a big collection. Think of what could be accomplished when all these movers and shakers combine."

A team was put together to bring Total Networking to reality. Local radio personalities Pam Gray and Rochelle Alhadeff of Chat With Women are kicking off the event, with three sessions of interactive talks combined with networking events. It is sure to be an event which could become an annual tradition.

So far, the women's groups who have signed up to participate include the Local eWomen Network chapter, Women Business Owners, Women's Business Exchange, Girl Power Hour, Global Federation of Chinese Business Women, Koinonia, Professional Women of Color, Ladies Who Launch, Women's Resource Directory, and the Puget Sound Coaches Association.

Speakers will be networking powerhouse Zita Gustin of The Savvy Networker, Judy Thomson and Gayle Hallgren-Rezac of Work the Pond, and Lorraine Howell of Media Skills Training, and yours truly.

The event goals are for every woman in attendance to pick up a new networking skill or two, feel included, meet some other amazing women to broaden their network, and to have "total fun" at Total Networking. Attendees will be women business owners, corporate employees, and future women business owners. For more information, go to Total Networking.

____________________________________________________________________

Lori Richardson helps small to medium-sized companies sell more, sell better, and sell in bigger ways for increased profits. Lori helps business leaders understand social media marketing, and in how to build strategic alliances for revenue growth. She writes a blog at www.scoremoresales.com and also for Hoovers, AllBusiness, SalesShebang, TopSalesExperts, CustomerCollective, and YourBusinessChannel. She is also the Northwest Bureau Chief for The National Networker and a fundraising auctioneer. Reach Lori at lori@scoremoresales.com
____________________________________________________________________

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:


Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

U.S., NORTHWEST: How to Really Network - Bring Networking Leaders Together

U.S., NORTHWEST: Nguyen's Contribution Networking Party is a Beacon of Light

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

"Everyone in the world has a purpose in life, " says self-made millionaire Thach Nguyen. Born in Vietnam, when Saigon fell in 1974, he left with his family for their lives and ended up in Seattle.
As a successful realtor and philanthropist, Nguyen is committed to helping those less-fortunate and has worked on many initiatives such as renting to formerly homeless people, and helping them become home owners.

CBS Early Show profiled Thach and the story is extremely uplifting.

In the last year or so, Thach has broadened his targets, helping anyone interested in learning how to become more successful through connecting to others. He and Matthew Ferry have a process called the Contribution Game, and Thach now holds events in the Pacific Northwest called, Contribution Networking Parties.

Thach told me in an interview that there are mainly just two ways that the millionaires he's interviewed have operated - either forcefully or in an inspired manner.

Forceful people push their way toward their own goalposts. We all know these people - they believe in success at any price, and that it is all about the end result and not the means.
Inspired successes work in another manner. They know that no one rises on their own, and that one can support others while still focusing on their own dreams. They know that "fear attracts fear" and abundance and playing big is where it's at. True successful people have advocates, supporters, believers, and followers.

At Contribution Networking parties (called CNP), hundreds of people learn how to play The Contribution Game. You can too.

Instead of pitching your own agenda, the vision of The Contribution Game is to start by advocating on behalf of others for what they need, and amazing things will happen to you. The game is explained, and then everyone is broken out into groups. The event is exciting, fun, and so much is available to those who are open to it rather than self-focused.

I love what Thach is doing here in the Northwest because that has been my philosophy in connecting others to what they need, and by having that frame of mind - in fact LEADING with that frame of mind, I've seen the most wonderful things happen in my own life, as well as those I've chosen to be around. It's great to see this process getting media attention and gaining steam.

Take a look at what The Contribution Game is doing to play big, and anyone can join the online Contribution Networking Community regardless of where you are located.

Thach Nguyen is someone to closely watch - he is playing big, and helping thousands as he works toward his goal of giving back.
____________________________________________________________________

Lori Richardson helps small to medium-sized companies sell more, sell better, and sell in bigger ways for increased profits. Lori helps business leaders understand social media marketing, and in how to build strategic alliances for revenue growth. She writes a blog at www.scoremoresales.com and also for Hoovers, AllBusiness, SalesShebang, TopSalesExperts, CustomerCollective, and YourBusinessChannel. She is also the Northwest Bureau Chief for The National Networker and a fundraising auctioneer. Reach Lori at lori@scoremoresales.com

____________________________________________________________________

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 RSS feed, go to: http://thenationalnetworkerweblog.blogspot.com.
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

U.S., NORTHWEST: Nguyen's Contribution Networking Party is a Beacon of Light

Entrepreneurial Ways of Connecting in the Northwest

By Lori Richardson

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

When I first started reporting for The National Networker about all things networked in the Northwest, I was surprised at the lack of sites available to help me learn about many of the states I cover. In a "summer special" edition here, I have reviewed each state again, and am pleased to find such robust resources for entrepreneurs and small business owners who want to grow and learn through networking.

This is the year of the joint venture or strategic alliance, according to Thomson Financial. With that being said, make sure you get out there -- be seen, and get connected.

Alaska:

http://www.accessak.org/ Access Alaska

Idaho:

http://www.gaebler.com/help-for-Idaho-entrepreneurs.htm Gaebler Ventures

Montana:

http://www.matr.net/companies.phtml?cat=23 Montana Associated Technology Roundtables

Oregon:

http://www.oen.org/ Oregon Entrepreneurs Network

Washington:

http://www.nwen.org/ Northwest Entrepreneur Network

http://www.mitwa.org/ MIT Enterprise Forum

http://www.iloveseattle.org/ - The Seattle Networking Guide

Wyoming:

http://www.venturewest.org/ Wyoming Innovations Network

And don't forget great web-based, "virtual sites" to connect with others - if you want my "Dirty Dozen for Entrepreneurs" list, send me an email at lori@scoremoresales.com

_______________________________________________________________________

Lori Richardson writes, speaks, and trains about sales effectiveness, networking, building strategic alliances and asset-based thinking for sales professionals. She is a regular blogger for All Business, owned by Dun & Bradstreet, and also writes for have a dozen other sites. Reach her at www.scoremoresales.com

Score More Sales

(206) 972-0265

lori@scoremoresales.com Join the Asset-Based Thinking discussion on Facebook

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

Entrepreneurial Ways of Connecting in the Northwest

Network to Shop Locally in Oregon

By Lori Richardson, TNNW Northwest Bureau Chief

Sustainable Business Network of Portland, Oregon is a network of over 400 businesses who are locally owned, independent businesses committed to supporting other local businesses. In addition, to be accepted for membership, businesses must agree to be ethical, offer a healthy workplace, purchase and source local items when possible, and operate in ways that protect and restore the natural environment.

The SBN says that their members "are independent, locally owned businesses, farms, organizations, and individuals who are committed to this region and its quality of life."

In the last dozen or so years, with the advent of the internet, we've created a worldwide marketplace - neat idea from the standpoint of opening the doors to the world, but what happened to supporting local entrepreneurs and businesses to impact our local communities? SBN states its member benefits very well:

Membership in the SBN of Portland is open to private businesses, non-profits and individuals who are interested in working together to create a Local Living Economy in the greater Portland area to: --Re-circulate more dollars in our community --Support and strengthen locally owned, independent businesses and jobs --Preserve and enhance our unique neighborhoods --Get consumers to commit to spending more dollars with our participating businesses. While benefits vary based on type of membership, the most import benefit is the ability to help create the type of community we want to live in.

Members can get discounts through group purchasing and deals from fellow members. There are opportunities for peer-to-peer advice and consulting, and ongoing networking events.

SBNP is a local network of the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies, began in Philadelphia in the late 1990's, and now an international alliance of independently operated local business networks dedicated to building Local Living Economies. This network personifies the good in Portland, Oregon - it is a green friendly, beautiful "big town" that seems innocent compared to Seattle to the north and San Francisco to the south.

They hold visionary luncheons periodically in the Portland area. For more information, contact them at http://www.sbnportland.org/.

Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

Network to Shop Locally in Oregon

A Blended Networking Model Comes to the U.S.

By Lori Richardson, Northwest Bureau Chief Lori's Bio Email article RSS feed

Launched five months ago in Vancouver, B.C., Canada, I was excited to participate in the U.S. launch of High Output Networking in Seattle on October 24th. High Output Networking (HOPN) is a new networking concept that blends in-person and virtual connection between business professionals.

According to Patrick Von Pander, High Output's Executive Director, "what helped to inspire our business model and the culture we are creating was the lack of business networking that addressed what WE were looking to connect with (as seasoned businesspeople and veteran networkers with a "get-it-done-now" attitude) in the form of a business networking group.
Forward/Share This Article With Colleagues And Social Media:

A Blended Networking Model Comes to the U.S.