NETWORKING SUCCESS: Business Networking Predictions for 2010

Networking Success with Ivan Misner, Ph.D.

2009 is almost over (and many are glad about that!), and it's time to look ahead. I have before me my crystal ball. I am looking into the future, and this is what I see for 2010:

1. First, the economy IS going to improve. OK, this isn't a"networking" issue, but it IS important. Have faith. Look for opportunities. Focus on what you do best. You will have a better year next year, but you need to focus on solutions and get out of the quagmire of problems.
2. Online social networks will continue to grow in prominence. OK, I didn't need the crystal ball for that one. However, consider this . . . digital schmoozing may continue to grow, but so will the frustration over how to convert that technology into viable business opportunities. This is an emerging field, and much of it will be established over the next few years.
3. Companies, small and large, need to create a social media strategy. What's your plan? Oh . . . you don't have one? Big mistake in 2010. You need to start working on one now. Don't know where to start? Do a little research. There are some really good experts out there who can help you in this area. I've been working with Social Media Expert Mirna Bard this year, and she has really helped my organization create a strong, cutting-edge social media strategy that we are now pursuing globally
4. Victims of downsizing will become active in networking groups (both face-to-face and online). Many people have been laid off. My experience in running BNI, the world's largest networking organization, is that within a few months of an increase in unemployment rates, there is almost always an influx of new members into networking organizations. I am confident that there will be such an influx in 2010.
5. We will begin to see more of an integration between face-to-face and online networking opportunities. Online networks will do things to promote face-to-face opportunities, and face-to-face networks will begin to integrate online networking more effectively into their programs.
6. We will see the slow death of the "one-way" website. More and more, companies will create websites that operate in two directions. They will not only provide information to their customers but will also seek feedback from their customers. Blogs, interactive newsletters, social network sites, consumer feedback groups . . . all of these will continue to grow in importance for companies.
7. Face-to-face networks will continue to grow, IF they stay true to a fundamental mission of helping people grow their businesses. Nothing beats networking in person (see my blog on this subject from earlier this year).
8. Companies that succeed in 2010 will remain agile and will focus on relationships. Technology is a tool. Relationships are king when it comes to networking. Companies who are creative in using tools to enhance the relationship building process will be the leaders in a company networking program.

Well, there it is. Those are my predictions for 2010. What do you think of these ideas AND what, if anything, would you add to these business networking predictions?

Called the “father of modern networking” by CNN, Dr. Ivan Misner is a New York Times bestselling author. He is the Founder and Chairman of BNI (www.bni.com), the world’s largest business networking organization. His newest book, Networking Like a Pro can be viewed at www.IvanMisner.com. Dr. Misner is also the Sr. Partner for the Referral Institute, an international referral training company (www.referralinstitute.com).

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





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NETWORKING SUCCESS: Business Networking Predictions for 2010

BEYOND NETWORKING: He's Right, Too!

Beyond Networking: Being with Ron Sukenick

There's an old Jewish folk tale about two men, Jacob and Joseph, who were having a dispute. Each was absolutely sure he was right! They asked their Rabbi to settle the argument once and for all. Jacob went first, telling his side of the story with great vehemence. The Rabbi stroked his beard and, saying a number of "Hmm" s, finally concluded, "You know, Jacob, "I think you're right." Then Joseph had his turn, angrily correcting Jacob's version of the story. "Well," concluded the Rabbi, "Joseph, it appears you're right, too!"

By this time a small crowd had gathered, and one of the bystanders, unable to contain himself, cried out, "But, Rabbi! They can't both be right!" A brief silence, punctuated by more "hmn's" ensued. Finally, the Rabbi said to the bystander, "You know, you're right, too!"

In an earlier Beyond Networking article, I explained that the Model of Human Behavior I use in my work as a Certified Human Behavior Consultant™ reveals that there are four main personality styles. What's more, just like the men consulting their Rabbi, all four of these styles are "right". How can this be?

Each of us has a style of relating to events and to other people. That's why I always tell my coaching clients that they can't change other people. What they can do, though, is adapt the way they relate to those other people and learn to better meet the needs of others.

Being able to make this kind of adaptation is the key to going from leads to referrals, from networking to NetBeing. Ultimately, it can mean going from "so-so" to success!

Ron Sukenick
Business Advisor / Relationship Strategist / Author / Connector
rs@ronsukenick.com
www.ronsukenick.com
317-216-8210
Check out my Radio Podcast’s
http://www.smallbizamerica.com/beyond

Let's get connected on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ron-sukenick/0/226/20a

“Certified Human Behavior Consultant”
Nominated 2009 "America's Most Influential Business Connector"

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





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BEYOND NETWORKING: He's Right, Too!

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Holiday Social Networking, Part 4

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

Receive Graciously

As much as the end of the year is about giving, it is about receiving -- reaping the fruits of your labor for the year. Always acknowledge and appreciate the gift, as well as the giver of the gift. Politeness is a quality we look for, even in virtual space with all of its short-hand and speed. Be specific in your praise and gratitude – these show sincerity. Receiving graciously also paves the way for greater gifts. How? Receiving graciously completes a cycle which opens the way for a new cycle to begin. Happy New Year!


Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

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






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POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Holiday Social Networking, Part 4

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Holiday Social Networking, Part 3

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

Give the Gift of Generosity

Lending a helping hand on social networks creates new opportunities – for friends, for motivated leads, and for referrals, especially during this very busy holiday season. Solve the “easy” problems, not the complex ones that reveal your corporate secrets. Generosity indicates caring and these small successes pave the way for bigger requests that lead to contracts and larger and more complex projects. Generosity is a powerful catalyst in social networks.

Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

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






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POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Holiday Social Networking, Part 3

POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Holiday Social Networking, Part 2

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

Power Networking is Heart to Heart

Do you shy away from sharing personal things on your social networks? Or are you more open on-line than when meeting people face-to-face? Powerful social networks are born of relationships. The trend is for people to want to do business with people that they know. Build friendships by sharing information about you and accepting and reinforcing what others share. Then, share a little more. Give and take has a different rhythm in virtual space; still the rhythm is there and from it, friendships are born.



Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

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






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POWER THOUGHT OF THE WEEK: Holiday Social Networking, Part 2

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

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

Reach Out to New Target Audiences

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


Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

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






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

BEING THERE WHEN IT COUNTS: How "edgy" are you?

Being There When It Counts
with Rick Itzkowich

Here are two vastly different definitions for the word "edgy:"
1. nervous, apprehensive
2. creatively challenging; cutting edge; leading edge

It’s interesting that both definitions can be so different, and yet, so accurate. In fact, I grew up in a household that was definitely "edgy." My father and my mother both embodied the above definitions, with my father representing the former and my mother the latter. Needless to say, the marriage ended up in divorce.

I believe that while many of us aspire to be "edgy #2," we operate mostly from "edgy #1." Which, I think most will agree, is really quite a shame.

I was born and raised in Mexico. My father constantly used quotes, sayings and proverbs to communicate with us. "You’re better off asking for forgiveness, instead of asking for permission" was one of his favorites. And yet, it was my mother who chose to live this way. And, I must say, she has had by far the more interesting life.

So what about you? Which do you tend to ask for more often, permission or forgiveness?

In my business, we work with people’s thinking to help them create extraordinary lives. This means we constantly challenge their thinking patterns and beliefs. Most of the people who attend our courses, experience a gap between the life they are living, and the one they truly want to live. They are definitely attracted by the idea of living an "extraordinary life," but they are held back by their fears, doubts and "what ifs."

Having lived in both edgy #1 and edgy #2 worlds, I can definitely say that edgy #2 is a far more exciting place to play. However, it does come at a cost. With this type of edgy, you will sometimes step on people’s toes and cause them to be upset with you. You will sometimes get in trouble, and you will sometimes get criticized. That’s part of the price of admission. Trust me, it’s worth it!

Case in point, as I’m writing this article, I just received a message from someone who was not happy with the opening on an email message I sent. As I re-read the headline – it was definitely edgy #2. I could see how the subject line could be negatively interpreted the way he did, and why he was not happy. I immediately addressed his concern. I emailed a short four sentence response that explained my intent. I sincerely apologized for having stepped out of line, and I reassured him that I was very much in support of his organization.

What we also forget though is that edgy #1 also has costs. The costs are reflected in living boring lives, having shallow relationships and mediocre businesses. People who live in edgy #1 territory often seldom take action and make things happen. There is a huge cost to living with this mindset.

I have a reputation of being a straight shooter and being very direct. I also have a very dry sense of humor. Between these two traits, I tend to offend some people. If I ever offend you, please accept my pre-apology. Remember, I’m just being edgy!

Here's this month's QuoteAction:

" I will guarantee you that the day you step outside your comfort zone by making success your goal is the day you discover that adversity, risk, and daring will make life sweeter than you ever imagined."Mark Burnett, Founder of the Eco Challenge

Your action is to do something that is outside of your comfort zone.

Enjoy an Extraordinary Month!

Click *here* to find out more about QuoteActions and some of the other innovative products and services offered by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER.

As the creator of the QuoteActions, a unique relationship building system, Rick Itzkowich finds his articles, podcasts and blog messages regarding keeping your brand "top of mind" in high demand. His latest eBook, Social Networking for Business Profits, uses cost-effective follow up strategies. Rick is also the Co-founder and Vice President of Productive Learning & Leisure, a personal development training company for corporations and individuals. Rick can be reached at rick@productivelearning.com.

For more about Rick Itzkowich, please click here.

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BEING THERE WHEN IT COUNTS: How "edgy" are you?

THIS MIGHT HURT: Don't Conceptualize - Quantify and Comfort.

Written by Featured Author Douglas Castle for THE NATIONAL NETWORKER Newsletter. Get your free subscription at http://twitlik.com/OK.

Dear Readers (at least those who are not fully hypnotized by the eerie glowing logo at the top):

We are surrounded by people who are trying to influence us, or to even sell products, services and investments to us, based exclusively on "potential," "visions," "ideas," "scenarios," and "concepts." These are all wonderful things, as they each are necessary to the germination of innovation or action; however, in a society awash in "million-dollar ideas," "get-rich-quick schemes," and an incessant barrage of offers from less than credible parties, audiences are getting increasingly skeptical, and require better assurances and evidence before choosing to make purchase decisions. Selling anything is more difficult than ever before, with the possible exceptions of liquor and illegal narcotics.

Your prospective client, customer, co-venturer or investor also has less available money and more need to feel a sense of certainty than in many years. He or she hears of ideas, opportunities and concepts all day long. An ever-increasing number of pushy people is vying to capture your quarry's attention, business and scarce, precious dollars. Even professionals such as dentists are spending a greater percentage of their revenues than ever before on marketing campaigns, ads, publicity and on visit or patient referral incentives. Many services that were once considered ordinary and reasonable are now being considered optional and dispensible.

The impediment to marketing success is no longer merely inertia -- the elements of wariness and a tight-money environment have compounded your challenge.

Increasingly, your market is demanding that you clearly demonstrate:

1. Why they need your product or service;

2. How your product or service is superior than that of any competitors in its class;

3. How they will gain, and how much they will gain by using your product or service;

4. How much they will save, how they will save it and over what timeframe this will happen by using your product or service;

5. How much they stand to lose by failing to purchase your product or service;

6. How they can be assured that their investment in your product or service is safe, prudent and guaranteed; and

7. How they will be continually serviced by your company, and that they will not orphaned when your company decides (after accumulating a shipload of debt and payables) to pull up its tent stakes and flee the jurisdiction.

In the wake of the dot.com bust, the publicly-disclosed transgressions of many people in positions of public trust and power, and the failure of numerous iconic institutions (Merrill Lynch, Lehmann Brothers, Bank of America, do not expect to be trusted and invited in just because of your brand identity alone. You will be forced to make a case for the qualitative and quantitative benefits of your product or service.

You are no longer simply making friends...you now have to fight to WIN friends. You are cast in difficult the role of converting doubt to belief, and bargaining harder and smarter for a smaller cache of dollars. With every announcement, advertisement, news release and presentation you are like a doctoral candidate defending his or her thesis. Say goodbye to the yellow brick road and hello to the gauntlet and ordeal of fire. The market is abandoning unexamined renewals and traditional loyalties, and has become a much meaner beast than ever.

Sounds tough. Is it worth it? Absolutely.

You must now deal in statistics, numbers, facts, demonstrative examples, concrete illustrations, references and promises supported by viable guarantees or collateral. The task is daunting, but the market belongs to the QUANTIFIERS and the COMFORT-GIVERS. If you are an effective quantifier and comfort-giver, you now have an actual advantage (that's correct -- an advantage) in the new economy. Good News: Your new customers and clients will be harder to win, but they will tend to be more tenaciously loyal to you if you can make them feel confident and comfortable despite these difficult times.

Here are several things that you must be prepared to do:

1. Describe precisely what your product or service does, and how it is different from any marketplace alternatives;

2. Demonstrate (in a written format, with several compelling and supportable examples) the quantitative gain (or reduction of loss) which can be garnered by your customer or client if he or she wisely chooses to invest in your product or service;

3. Compare yourself with the competition -- not only philosophically but itemized differences and quantified benefits;

4. Frame the purchase or rental of your product or service in terms of a simple ROI (return on investment). ROIs are fascinating, easily related to (like interest rates or capital growth) and provide a highly time-honored basis of comparison...subject, of course to risk constraints. You may also frame the purchase, rental or investment in terms of how long it will take for the party being convinced to recouperate his or her investment in a complete payback, or through an exit strategy. Even the most sophisticated analytical minds lean toward the perception that "as soon as I have recovered my money, my risk is gone and I am getting benefits for free." Right or wrong, this is a very common perception and decisionmaking tool; and

5. Comfort your prospective customer, client, co-venturer or investor with a listing of the factors which guarantee this ROI. Show how every risk is mitigated. It sometimes helps to show an absolute worst case scenario and a medium case scenario (with graphs, tables, charts, and the like), and to mention that you a) do not think it necessary to present a best case scenario, and b) that you are first concerned about protecting the integrity of the investment, and secondarily about all of the "plusses" . Sounding a bit conservative and cautious will help the person opposite you shift closer to your side.


Concepts are the wonderful products of imagination and vision. But if you are serious about winning hearts, minds and budget allocations, you will have to quantify and comfort in order to convert listeners to signers.

Faithfully,

Douglas Castle

p.s. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or comments regarding this article either by 1) leaving a comment where provided right below this article; 2) visiting http://aboutdouglascastle.blogspot.com/ and connecting with me through that page; or by 3) simply emailing me at douglas.castle@yahoo.com or telephoning me (toll-free) at 888.317.6498 (Extension 3).


For more information, please visit Douglas' TNNW Bio.

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THIS MIGHT HURT: Don't Conceptualize - Quantify and Comfort.

THE NET-TECH REPORT: The “Killer App” of the Social Networking Age

Net-Tech Report with Chris Kauza

In my line of work I continue to be impressed with how fast technology changes and yet how many people are still discovering the basics of they tools that are out there. Most of the presentations and guidebooks I review are of the “Fundamentals 101” variety – “How To Get On LinkedIn”, “What To Do When You Are On Facebook”, etc. And yet, almost all of these miss the fundamental point of the technologies in the first place.

You.

No amount of gee-whiz technology or super-fast ability to connect and build rapport will make up for an inability to connect and build rapport in the first place. These tools are there to build connection – not merely to serve as a new, louder marketing platform for your products and services. So what are the “rules of the road” you should remember? Here are three common to ANY Social Media / Web 2.0 platform you may use.

1. Communication – meaning listening as well as speaking. Using “two ears and one mouth” - in that proportion and order – applies online as well as offline. At its core, networking is still networking, and one should always seek first to understand before being understood. In fact, once you create a relationship with someone at an offline networking event, you should feel comfortable inviting them into one or more of your online networks. Just make sure it is appropriate to the nature and purpose of your relationship.

2. Participation – when you go to a networking event, you typically get the most value when you give (before or without) receiving anything in return. The same holds true online as well. Join groups in your LinkedIn and Facebook circles. Post comments, videos, essays, presentation – whatever content you feel would be of interest or benefit to that particular community.

“Yea, but I want to grow my business and make money – how do I do that by giving everything away for free, and not letting everyone know that I have things they can buy from me?”

The way to do that is to proportionally share your “free, no-strings-attached” information along with your sales pitches. On a medium such as Twitter, which is built on frequent updates and interactions, a ratio of 12:1 or 8:1 is probably appropriate; meaning, for every “free” bit of information you give or reply to someone else you make, you can justify integrating a “sales” or marketing message in your communication. Just as you wouldn't walk into a cocktail party or a networking event & say, “Hi, my name is “X”; come buy my stuff!”, so to you want to be professionally appropriate with your messaging to the medium

2. Ask Questions – one of the biggest benefits of participating in Social Media is the same offline as it is online. By tapping the collective intelligence of a larger network, one can theoretically get new perspectives and ideas, gain introductions to helpful people or resources, and grow more quickly than they otherwise would have outside that particular network. “The answer is in the room”, but you'll never know it unless you ask.

I hope this gives you some additional things to think about as you move more of your networking efforts online. With new applications and new ways to connect being introduced almost daily, it's very easy to lose sight of the fact that “networking is still networking”, and many of the principles that have helped you be successful thus far, will also help you online.

For more information, please visit Chris's TNNW Bio.
www.FettMarketing.com

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THE NET-TECH REPORT: The “Killer App” of the Social Networking Age

BEING THERE WHEN IT COUNTS: I don't want to be bothered

Being There When It Counts with Rick Itzkowich

A friend of mine is part of a new company that is launching a very innovative fitness facility for kids. They have a wonderful concept that is very unique and different and should do well in the current economic environment.

The company’s marketing director has a very successful resume; yet, has been slow to embrace using social networking as a way to market the company. So my friend asked me to meet with both of them to explain the value of social networking.

The marketing director is a very bright, intelligent and delightful woman in her early 40s. However, once the conversation turned into social networking, it’s as if a switched turned off. She became extremely guarded and defensive. When I was explaining how social networking allows you to build your reach quickly and inexpensively, her quick response was, “Yes, you can have all of these people in your network, but they’re all shallow, and there’s really no relationship there.” The fact that she had no evidence to support her statement didn’t stop her.

She continued to tell me that she didn’t want to be bothered with all kinds of emails and requests from those SN people. Plus, both she and her husband had recently read where there were all kinds of privacy issues. And on and on.

After listening to all of the reasons why social networking was a total waste from a marketing standpoint, I got it. She didn’t want to be bothered. However, what she didn’t want to be bothered with were not the actual issues she brought up. The issues she had mentioned can be dealt with rather easily. What she didn’t want to be bothered with was with having to learn something new. She didn’t want to be bothered with challenging the ‘same old, same old’ way of thinking. She didn’t want to be bothered with the fact that companies and businesses no longer control conversations with customers. She didn’t want to be bothered with CHANGE.

Unfortunately, I find this woman’s perspective is more the norm, than the exception. When I talk to people about QuoteActions - a system for staying in touch with people by sending inspirational messages and corresponding actions to bring them to life, many respond the same way. "I don’t want to bother people with another email." I find it fascinating that they focus on a potential effect and exclude all the possibilities.

The fact is -- our fears of bothering others or being bothered ourselves are driving a lot of our actions. We’ve become so overwhelmed with information, requests, opportunities, and life in general, that more and more we’re dealing with it by not wanting to be bothered. With this mindset, we will forgo the chance of being delighted ourselves as well as delighting others. We will create safe (boring) products, have safe interactions and live life in a very limited fashion. I get daily messages from people who receive my QuoteActions as well as others who use them with their clients, telling me how delighted and thankful they are to receive them.

In conclusion, if you focus on those who don’t want to be bothered, you will also lose those who would be delighted. That’s a much bigger price to pay in my book.

This Month's QuoteAction is by Walter Anderson, Newspaper Editor

"Our lives improve only when we take chances - and the first and most difficult risk we can take is to be honest with ourselves."

Your action for this month is to look at something that is not working in your life and make a change.

Enjoy an Extraordinary Month!

Click *here* to find out more about QuoteActions and some of the other innovative products and services offered by THE NATIONAL NETWORKER.

As the creator of the QuoteActions, a unique relationship building system, Rick Itzkowich finds his articles, podcasts and blog messages regarding keeping your brand "top of mind" in high demand. His latest eBook, Social Networking for Business Profits, uses cost-effective follow up strategies. Rick is also the Co-founder and Vice President of Productive Learning & Leisure, a personal development training company for corporations and individuals. Rick can be reached at rick@productivelearning.com.

For more about Rick Itzkowich, please click here.



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BEING THERE WHEN IT COUNTS: I don't want to be bothered

GOING BEYOND NETWORKING - IN STYLE!

Beyond Networking: Being with Ron Sukenick

Before starting out on a journey, it helps to think about how our destination point. You and I, remember, are going into the Beyond Networking zone, beyond traditional networking, that is, and on to Connection, and then further on, to Relationship. And we don't want to just get there - we want to relish the trip itself, every step of the way.

When I was studying under Dr. Robert Rohm to become a Certified Human Behavior Consultant™, one of the very first things I learned was the Four Main Personality Styles. Of course, the whole purpose of studying these is to be able to really understand what another person is saying, and what motivates that person. No, we're not talking about some parlor game that helps you "guess" what others' styles are, but a way to better connect with all kinds of people. Connection, remember, constitutes the first big leg on our journey to Relationship.

Dr. Rohm uses a model of human behavior called the DISC. You may have heard of the DISC, because so many big corporations use the DISC profile in working with their employees and maximizing the productivity of business teams. The DISC is based on four basic behavior patterns that people tend to use. (By no means is Dr. Rohm implying that each of us always follows one type, because we all use all four styles in different settings and different situations.) What almost all of us have, though is a "fall-back" style of behavior, a way of being that feels most natural and comfortable, a style we tend to use first, and which we use without thinking about it!

Discovering our own style and learning to recognize others' styles can give us an extremely valuable tool in building connections that work. The DISC has proven to be a very powerful tool for beginning this self-discovery. For today, I'll just mention the four, and then we'll go much deeper into each type later on.

D stands for Dominant, I for Inspiring, S for Supportive, and C for Cautious.

If you're fresh from many years of old-style networking, I imagine that every fiber of your businessperson self is screaming with impatience (if you're still reading this blog). After all, there's business to tend to and deals to close. Who has time for self-discovery? You need results!! Here's what I have to say to you if that's the way you're thinking:

Hold those horses! Remember what we don't want - to keep up this frantic pace of working at networking. We want networking to work for us! To do that, we need to reach beyond networking and go inward a bit. We need to understand what really makes business people "tick", and what makes us tick in "style"!

Ron Sukenick
Business Advisor / Relationship Strategist / Author / Connector
rs@ronsukenick.com
www.ronsukenick.com
317-216-8210
Check out my Radio Podcast’s
http://www.smallbizamerica.com/beyond

Let's get connected on LinkedIn
http://www.linkedin.com/pub/ron-sukenick/0/226/20a

“Certified Human Behavior Consultant”

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GOING BEYOND NETWORKING - IN STYLE!

REAL ESTATE...AND OTHER THINGS OF VALUE: Merry Path of the American Dream

Real Estate...and Other Things of Value

with Yossi Feigenson

We’re all waiting for something. We’re looking and hoping for the signs. Has it been declared? As of late, the rumblings are beginning to get louder, more frequent, and are coming from better sources. Yes, indeed, it seems that the recession may be finally releasing us of its grips, of its shackles. We can now begin to feel more confident to get back to the way we used to live. We can actually go and spend money, free of guilt, (provided that there is some available) and continue on the merry path of the American dream. We are ready to put this nightmare behind us.

If you are paying close attention; and I really hope you are, you will notice I used a keyword (keyword being a very keyword these days). That magic word is “feel”. We want to feel that things are getting better. We don’t necessarily have any logical understanding or hard scientific and numerical data that supports this feeling.

Emotion driven world

We may not like to admit it, but many, or all of our decisions we make, and the way we view the world, are with our EMOTIONS. Of course, reasoning, intellect and common sense all play a role, and we wouldn’t function without these intellectual faculties, but, too often, the primary vehicle that leads us is emotion. Is it a wonder that for most of us when we buy or sell a stock we uncannily buy at the exact wrong time and subsequently sell at the precise time we should hold? If this doesn’t sound familiar, than there is a good chance you are like my good man, Warren Buffet, who is a fairly good investor; he buys low and sells high. There is, however, the last time I checked, only one Warren Buffet, and perhaps a smattering of students of the Warren Buffet system.

What does Warren Buffet know or posses that most of us don’t? Is he simply much smarter than everyone? Or has he mastered a particular skill and idea that is the most difficult and fleeting things to attain.

To gain some insight into why organically we are this way takes lots of hours of study of certain texts and the human psyche. Principally, the idea being that we are emotion driven race, and an emotion led universe. Sure, we posses intellect. We think, we speak, we make decisions, we have opinions, we like, dislike and choose one over another. But, the driving force behind much of what we do individually, and as a society are our emotional attributes.

Let’s look at our most recent 10 year boom and subsequent bust. In particular, in Real Estate: When the general trend is looking up, people will jump at any opportunity, often completely disregarding the inherent risks. While, when the trend is the other way, people will stay away even though the deal may be sound and ultimately extremely profitable. As the legendary John D. Rockefeller once said, "Buy when there is blood in the streets." This implies that you should buck the prevailing trends. It is uncanny how few posses the discipline to follow this rule. Those who do are the next generation of millionaires. It’s that simple.

Fear and insecurity

Fear has been the prevalent emotion of our current crisis. Even for those whose situation has not changed much, they are paralyzed by a certain sense of fear and trepidation. An entrepreneur is more afraid of going into a new endeavor, even though the more astute move would be to go into business in a downturn.

Manifestation

People who have the ability to rise above emotion, and strictly use intellect as their driving have always taken advantage of our emotions. We see this clearly in every downward cycle there are people who see past the current muck and are picking up assets at pennies on the dollar. Using intellect without too much emotion allows you to see beyond the current situation and see what can come out the other side.

The Good news

The good news is that just as we got into this mess we will get out of it with similar irrationalities. When people begin to have confidence again in their own situations they will begin to spend and the turnaround will really happen.

Wouldn’t it be nice to alter this cycle of us being led by our fears and emotions? We do have the smarts, we do have the understanding, but it will take quite a bit of exercise on our part to make decisions that are coming from our intellect.

How does one attain this type of power of the mind? The old phrase “mind over matter” means that in the face of any challenge the mind can overcome all obstacles, including the inclination of our own emotions and insecurities.

If business and sales are slow, and the overwhelming emotional fatigue has set in, we often feel sapped of our capacity to think and make sound business decisions. It is then imperative to identify it as such and take the steps to get the emotions out of it. The feeling of disillusionment will lead us to make decisions that will ultimately hurt our business.

Sounds impossible? It’s not. But, it takes effort and lots of grinding, gut checking and accountability. There is no easy, straightforward approach one can take. But there is so much information out there, and many professionals that can help with the process. But the first step comes from within us; as it always does.

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

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REAL ESTATE...AND OTHER THINGS OF VALUE: Merry Path of the American Dream

Important Characteristics of a Relationship mindset - Strategy two

"Beyond Networking" Being with Ron Sukenick

Ron's section is sponsored by SmallBizAmerica.com




From the book – The Power is in the Connection

Everywhere I go people often ask what the important characteristics of a relationship mindset are.

And after careful thought, I decided to tell people. After you review, if you have some additional thoughts please be sure to email me at the address below.

Enjoy!

Important characteristics of a relationship mindset:

ATTENTIVE: You pay attention to the relational needs and respond accordingly. From dressing for the proper occasion to listening three times as much, you attend to what is necessary in the moment.

RESPONSIVENESS: Provides prompt response or communicates challenges and or delays in a timely manner.

ASSURANCE: Demonstrate your expertise, and communicate areas where you are not an expert. Identify and or recommend other experts when needed to help you to deliver the quality product or service.

EMPATHY: Listening to the needs, emotions, and challenges and finding understanding within you of the other person’s perspective and situation.

DISCERNMENT: Choose actions based on your ability to determine and distinguish that which is “right” or appropriate based on all the factors at hand. The ability to sort through many variables to grasp and comprehend what is not readily obvious or visible.

Interact with VULNERABILITY and appropriate DISCLOSURE.

Demonstrate INTERPERSONAL skills that foster acceptance and partnership.

CONTINUOUS LEARNING by attending workshops, seminars, discussion groups to IMPROVE skills and SELF PERFORMANCE; always learning.

FOCUSED on HELPING others and receiving help.

Provide GUIDANCE to others

SHARE knowledge eagerly.

Make REFERRALS with no intention of personal rewards back to you.

Keep in mind the following:

From my personal experience and my work in relationship coaching, it has become very clear that our characteristics are constantly changing in interaction with one other person. To illustrate this, I am using Human Cells as a metaphor to illustrate character traits. A cell is the simplest unit of living matter working together with trillions of other cells in an organized manner for the benefit of the total being.

Like human cells, all of the diverse characteristics that make up one human being are beyond comprehension. Like cells that participate in who we are physiologically, our characteristics also participate together to make up how we show up in relationship! The composition and number of cells constantly change as cells fall off and new ones are created. The same is true for character traits. They constantly change or fall away in relationship to another person, situation, and the environment.

It is the intention of this strategy to help you think about character traits that work together in an organized manner for the benefit of the relationship; become aware of characteristics that are not helpful to the relationship, and those that are.

This is what this illustration points to. What are your characteristics? Good or bad, uncovering these traits will help you see yourself better. Many of these characteristics are hidden. You heighten your awareness of them in relationship. When a relationship is trending negatively, when you are triggered, when you feel competitive with another, when you are told you are not trusted, or when you do not trust another—these are opportunities to discover hidden character traits. It is up to you to develop your ability to bring to light character traits that are surfacing.

Like human cells that fall off, the death of a character trait may occur when you find you no longer need it. Perhaps in the past, you have valued competitiveness as a character trait. While there is nothing wrong with healthy competition, you may be finding that the competitive trait is not useful to you if you are truly working toward the benefit of another or the mutual benefit of the relationship. Perhaps you are finding that there is a character trait that you do not possess that would be beneficial to the relationship. What is it? Simply heightening your awareness of this character trait may help you form or bring it forward.

If you are forming a relationship or partnership only for financial gain and your own personal success, it will be very challenging for you to obtain relationship success and impossible to reach a mutual outcome.

Saying this from another angle--some experts on character might tell you what characteristics you “should” possess. The objective here is to help you amplify your existing characteristics and help you simply see yourself better in relationship. Think about a relationship that is not working so well right now. What character traits are surfacing for you in relationship with this person? Now, think about a relationship that is working very well. What character traits are surfacing for you in relationship with this person? This ongoing stepping back, and observing or witnessing yourself in relationship, will heighten your awareness of self and help you mindfully choose the character trait or traits most beneficial to the relationship. And, will help you to do your personal work as you watch patterns of behavior or traits over time that get in the way of relationship.

Identify relationships that would be better served if you intentionally brought different traits into the relationship. As you reflect on this strategy, what action steps will you take to further your understanding of your character and apply traits to a specific relationship?

Ron Sukenick is the Chief Relationship Officer and founder of the Relationship Strategies Institute, a training and Relationship development company that provides innovative, effective and relevant programs and systems for corporations, organizations, and associations. To learn more about the value of Relationship Development, visit his Web site at www.Ronsukenick.com . You can reach Ron by phone at: 317-216-8210, or by email.

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Important Characteristics of a Relationship mindset - Strategy two