Kathy and Louis Emond, TNNW New England Bureau Chiefs
October's article...
This month we thought we’d share a networking experience that we have; actually, that we have created: The Empowering Entrepreneurs Speakers Series.
In May 2006, at a networking event, we heard from a colleague that he had joined with others in his local Texas network to present monthly business speakers. He and the others would have the opportunity to meet with prospects, and this would lead to new clients. Sounded like a good idea to us.
So we called several of our colleagues: a client who owns a WSI franchise, a CPA we met through BNI, and banker we met through the Nashua Chamber. Adding our expertise as Executive Coaches, we thought we had a good foundation to make useful presentations. We decided to hold these free events on the 2nd Thursday of every month, serve lunch, and provide networking time before and after the talks.
We would offer sponsorships to vendors who would provide discounts or freebies. We agreed to use local vendors as much as possible. We also agreed to allow non-sponsors to present speeches as long as: 1. they educated, but did not sell, and 2. they paid cost of the expenses of the session.
We shared the costs, created a website (www.nhbizspeakers.com'), approached Southern New Hampshire University to rent a room, developed a calendar of events, created a newsletter, and sent notices to our respective networks, and took advantage of the Chamber’s weekly newsletter to include the series once a month under the "Member Mentions." We have also sent notices to the local newspapers; however, we have not seen anyone come because of those announcements. We immediately had about 2000 names in our databases.
The Empowering Entrepreneurs Speakers Series was born. Our Mission is to educate, empower, and promote new and growing businesses in New Hampshire.
One of the more difficult things to judge is how many people would be interested, and this was no different. At our first session, we had 15 people, 3 more than we had predicted. We now attract at least 20, our maximum number was 50. We have new people at every session, who have spread the word to their networks. We now reach out to an estimated 3000 people every month.
The topics?
As for topics, we have covered: Marketing on the Internet, Cash Flow Management, Small Business Loans, Building Customer Loyalty, Improve Your Sales, and Strategic Planning. In the future, we will present Web 2.0, 'Nuts and Bolts' of Brand, and Office 2007...So Why All the Hype?
The results?
We know that attendees have enjoyed the networking; we sponsors, of course, have expanded our own networks; we have helped local vendors demonstrate their products and services to the business community. We consider the program a success. If you are nearby, join us!
The future?
We are planning an expansion of the Empowering Entrepreneurs Speakers Series to include evening sessions that will provide topics of interest to leaders in larger businesses.
The moral of the story? Educating, empowering, and promoting others’ businesses leads to educating, empowering, and promoting your own business.
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Monday, October 01, 2007
Empowering Entrepreneurs
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The Laws of Relationship Capital, Part I: The First Law
The Laws of Relationship Capital, Part I: The First Law
Many of our readers may be wondering why this article is not entitled "Navigating on the Relationship Economy Sea, Part 2", considering last month’s article was Navigating on the Relationship Economy Sea, Part 1. I have made the executive decision to postpone this worthwhile discussion for a later issue as I have received much positive feedback (and questions) about my previous article Can Relationship Capital Solve the World’s Problems? I have to admit that the topic of Relationship Capital is one on which I spend much of my research and introspective time these days, especially based upon my work with RNIA. Therefore, I have decided to introduce the Laws of Relationship Capital - there are currently ten in all and I plan to discuss a different one each month. It is my hope through this series of articles to encourage discussion and debate amongst business leaders, academia, thought leaders and the socially and environmentally conscious who wish to benefit from networking. It is also my intention to discuss this at the "flying at 80,000 feet" as there is much more to each law than presented here.
Why Relationship Capital?
The reason more profits are all too often made at the expense of nature and humankind is the same reason dogs lick their privates…because they can! Relationship Capital (or Social Capital, as it is sometimes referred) has been getting more buzz as it addresses the need to link a profit-based system to personal accountability and integrity as well as corporate responsibility. Proponents of Relationship Capital feel that the current economic system cannot continue to be maintained and must therefore be constrained by mutually agreeable standards as well as personal and cultural value systems. In a truly-networked world, Relationship Capital provides the foundation of a healthy Relationship Economy.
The Good News
If the idea of Relationship Capital sounds a bit subversive, anti-establishment or even a bit too utopian you’re probably under the impression that an alternate economic system like Relationship Capital doesn’t already exist. The truth is that early forms of Relationship Capital are already here and under your very nose. Consider the frequent flyer mileage programs of every major airline as well as credit card rewards programs. Points = Products and Services = Relationship Capital; they can be exchanged. Still not convinced? Take a look at online social network Second Life, a virtual world where its citizens can earn "Linden Dollars" to buy property, start a virtual business, etc.
The First Law of Relationship Capital
Despite the fact that these alternative economic systems exist and serve as early models, the switch to Relationship Capital, if not done correctly, can be highly disruptive. This switch also requires an understanding of the Laws of Relationship Capital. We will cover the First Law this month:
Some Definitions
RNIA has defined Relationship Capital as "A measurement index based on RNIA[‘s Common Body of Knowledge (CBOK)] used to value an individual’s or an organization’s networking effectiveness." I define it more as a measurement of capacity, defining the ability to establish a relationship with others. I look at RNIA’s definition as more of the definition of Relationship Capital Value (RCV) in which, like with dollars, can be positive or negative.
The Implications
The First Law of Relationship Capital starts with biology. In biological taxonomy, the highest grouping of organisms is called a "kingdom". According to the First Law, no matter what kingdom you’re from (if you’re reading this, I hope you’re from the animal kingdom), you possess Relationship Capital: animal, plant, fungus, bacteria, etc.
For example, I recently shared the First Law with my wife, Wendy, and she asked, "Does that mean I have a relationship with my salad?" I answered her with an emphatic "yes" in that we develop relationships with all combinations of living organisms and each one brings value to us through Relationship Capital (in this case, food brings us sustenance, and therefore has value). Another example might include bacteria establishing a relationship with us, either positively as the cultures in yogurt are good for digestion or negatively as certain strains will make us sick.
What’s more is that entities can possess Relationship Capital even long after they’ve left this Earth. We’re not just talking the "I see dead people", esoteric kind of stuff, because it tends to be experiential and there is very little scientific proof of such things, although I suppose it is valid in certain circles. I am referring to the knowledge one can receive from reading up on the history of a particular individual’s mark on society, such as with Benjamin Franklin. Without ever having to know him, his works, deeds and actions bring a form of Relationship Capital in that we have gained insight and knowledge. Another example is the value we receive from burning fossil fuels which are the remains of plants and animals long gone so we can have power. If something possesses Relationship Capital, it can be valued.
When we look at the countless examples and permutations of human to human, human to animal, plant to animal, bacterial to fungal, etc., we can see many of our current sciences studying these relationship pairs, by setting up an Entity Relationship Matrix. It’s fascinating to me when I see that it’s no wonder we have sciences like sociology, psychology, paleontology, biology, archeology, anthropology, ecology and botany; they help explain our relationships between us and various organisms! Why? Because each brings value to us through the relationships we have with them. So the next time you sit down to lunch with a business colleague, you are not just networking with them, you’re networking with the fruits, vegetables and fungus that made up your salad, the animal(s), vegetables and various grains that make up your sandwich and a hopefully a minimal amount of bacteria (just to add color).
Summary
To reiterate, the purpose of this article is to give readers a top-level view of The First Law of Relationship Capital. There is, of course much more to this, including potential new research (or at least continuations of old research with a new perspective), new books, countless articles and perhaps a new academic field of study. The First Law of Relationship Capital suggests a world that is currently quite different from ours – one where fools and their money aren’t mutually exclusive and do not have to part, but where having money is about being human. Next month, we will take a look at the Second Law of Relationship Capital and its impact on a Relationship Economy. Stay tuned!
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Sunday, September 23, 2007
This Week in TNNW...
NJAWBO – A great networking opportunity for all
Now that summer is winding down, a lot of networking events are on the horizon. Why not include a couple of NJAWBO functions on your calendar? Any professional interested in expanding their network will find NJAWBO to be a great resource.
There are many who believe that the New Jersey Association of Women Business Owners is a "Women only" organization. Not true! Anyone can participate and take advantage of the events and training offered.
Wow, the summer has just flown by and the networking has been good. When most people are on vacation and not thinking about business is the best time to get out there and network. It may be too late for this past summer but it is definitely something to think about when the next holiday season rolls around.
Let me explain a little further. I attended a trade show in Mountain View this past week. There were over 200 vendors and around 1000 attendees at the event. If this event had been held during the fall or spring, the attendance would have been twice that figure. This gave me a better opportunity to be noticed and to connect with people that were serious about networking just from the fact that they were attending an event during the summer.
Over a year ago I was blessed to connect with a wonderful angel living on planet earth – Karen Curry. Somehow, like 18,000 others, Karen got onto my email list and via email an amazing relationship was born...
Back in February Karen came to New Jersey to participate in a Financial seminar I coordinated and I immediately became another one of her many, many students. So far I’ve completed her Prosperity Boot Camp program and am currently enrolled in her Build A Thriving Practice year long program.
NetWorking From Here and There
The On-Line Networker’s Laptop
Circa Holiday and End of Year Tax Season 2007
In the next few issues, leading up to the holidays, we will be discussing the on-line networkers best friend – the laptop. What it is and what you can do with it for better your networking success. It always gets a little more interesting as the holidays come around with gifts, tax deductible purchases and the flood of new technology that comes around at the end of the year.
In Writing to Change the World, Mary Pipher discusses the founder of Outward Bound U.S.A, Josh Miner, who said "If you are lucky, just once in your life you will be associated with a great idea." Pipher says, "If I have one great idea, it is that connecting people might save the world." Just think of the grandiose idea that being a part of The National Networker is like being a part of saving the world. Yes, by connecting people that is exactly what you are doing. It’s not just about business and money. In fact, connecting people may be the best thing you can do to save the world.Relationships thrive on eye contact. If you can’t make eye contact, you are revealing a lot about your nature. Are you shy? Are you modest? Are you dishonest? And, what do you think about the other person and their ability to make eye contact? Do you pass judgment ? If you do, you are not alone; many of us do this subconsciously.
Powerful "Asks" for Friends and Acquaintances
As you know, networking for referrals from people who don’t know your work first-hand is often an ask for “someone who may know someone”. Be candid about their level of knowledge about you and your work, thus protecting their integrity. Offer references or a small demonstration of what you can do. Most importantly with this, and all other “asks”, don’t be attached to outcomes, they are not a reflection on the source.
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The Emergence of The Relationship Economy
The Emergence of the Relationship Economy features TNNWC Founder, Adam J. Kovitz as a contributing author and contains some of his early work on The Laws of Relationship Capital. The book is available in hardcopy and e-book formats. With a forward written by Doc Searls (of Cluetrain Manifesto fame), it is considered a "must read" for anyone responsible for the strategic direction of their business. If you would like to purchase your own copy, please click the image above.
