The Savvy Networker

Wills and Estate Planning Part 1

What does Estate Planning have to do with Networking?  Well, nothing directly.  However, I feel very strongly that my friends Stacey Romberg and Debb Whitlock have created a series of videos that are very important for every business owner to see. 

As a connector, I want to connect you up with these 2 gals so you can give some thought to taking care of your will ... while you can.

Please enjoy Part 1 and watch for Part II coming on Thursday.

End of Year Self Analysis

With just 11 days left in this year I would like to invite you to take a look at how you are showing up on the stage of networking overall and how you can improve for the year ahead.

First, let's start with an agreed upon definition of networking.  I prefer to use Bob Burg's definition which is that networking is the building of mutually beneficial relationships over time. 

The strongest networkers focus on building their giving muscles.  They build relationships by looking for ways to be of service to the people that they meet.  They look for ways to act as connectors for the people that they have grown to know, like, and trust.  And they do these things without a tally book.  It is just who they are BEING in the world.

So who have you been BEING in the world of people who matter to you?

Have you been generous in your curiosity?  Have you spent time learning more about the people that matter to you so that you can be of service to them through the connections that you can make for them?

Have you been generous in your kindness?  Have you spent a moment or two with someone to share a resource or to point them in the right direction given your understanding of the path that they are currently on?  Have you included someone in a conversation who may have otherwise been left out?

Have you drawn a bigger circle around you to include more people?

If you find yourself reflecting here and thinking, "I don't have time to help others - I am the one who needs help - why aren't people doing these things for me?"  I have one response for you and one response only, my friend.  It's your attitude.

People can spot takers a mile away.  And, if you have been showing up with the attitude that screams, "I need ...," or "I deserve ...," or "I want you to do this for me ...," well, I can't say this any other way than you are turning people off.  If you are turning just one person off, I want you to know that you are turning many more off via word of mouth. 

And you might think, "hey, if these networking people want to focus on giving to others, I'm just being part of the stream to receive their giving - I'm not taking, I'm receiving."  Think again.  Givers enjoy giving, and it is usually to people who also enjoy giving.  As Dr. Ivan Meisner says, "Givers gain!"

So consider these thoughts during the close to the year and this lovely holiday season.  Who is important to me that I can add value to our relationship by sharing contacts, referrals, or resources with?  Be like Santa and make your list of folks you would like to be in contribution to as this year ends and a new one is about to begin. 

And then get into action.  Call, mail, or email your top 10 important people - whether they are personal or business makes no difference.  Let them know that they matter to you.  In the New Year, make it a point to continue to grow mutually beneficial relationships and you will be moving yourself toward the success that you desire.

Remember, as Zig Ziglar said: "You can have everything in life that you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want."

Sven Mogelgaard - Byte Slaves

Continuing on in the saga of introducing people in my network to the world ....

Sven Mogelgaard
Byte Slaves

What I do:

I am a PC Paramedic.  That means I specialize in dealing with those "oh nuts" moments when your computer or your network goes on the fritz and you need it fixed fast.  We do offer data recovery, new computer and network setuip and general IT services (such as PC Tune Ups) as well.  Aside from rapid response time, we give you the opportunity to look over our shoulder and learn the ins and outs of taming 21st century technology.

What makes my heart sing:

The smile and giddy sense of relief that emanates for a client after a successful service call.  We can't save 'em all, but when we do (which is most of the time) we leave our clients in a better place with some suggestions that can prevents future problems.

How you would recognize a great referral for me:

(in just a couple of sentences ... what would we hear them say?  What would we see them do?  What is the problem that you solve?)

Anyone who uses "golf words" when referring to their computer.  If they're not cursing they may say things like "I'd like to throw it out the window" or "the folks at the <insert box store name> made it worse" and, my favorite, "I spent hours on the phone and could barely understand what s/he was saying.'

What I need for my business right now is:

Partners for presentations.  Partners that are in compliemntary professions where computers play a primary role or vice versa.  I want to build a synergistic relationship that will allow us to educate participants, allow us to demonstrate our expertise and increase awareness of our products and services.

Zita's Notes:  Hey everybody, Sven is the real deal when it comes to saving the day around your computer.  Last week, after several frantic calls when my wireless system went down at my home office, Sven drove to my house and did CPR on the system and he got to see how giddy I can be when my lifeline was back up and running like it should be.  I highly recommend Sven for ANY work or help that you might need with your computer or wireless system!

You can reach Sven at:  www.byteslaves.com

Sven Mogelgaard, President/CEO Byte Slaves, Inc.
Phone: 425-482-9529
Fax: 425-488-3646
Toll Free: 877-972-7767

People in my Network - Amorah Ross

Networking is about meeting new people and beginning with today's post, I'll be introducing and showcasing people in my network. 

Today, I'm introducing Amorah Ross.

Amorah Ross
Positive Life Works

* What I do:

Do you find yourself asking, “What Now?” at this stage of your life, business or career?

Consciousness is a catalyst for transformation. Whether you want to pursue your heart's desire, fulfill your life’s purpose, navigate a major life or career transition, or align your goals with your core values, transformative coaching promotes consciousness through expanded self-awareness and deepened inner connection. Confidential individual sessions help you explore unlimited possibilities, design and strengthen your intentions and goals, as well as embrace all facets of your life from the inside-out.

* What makes my heart sing about what I do:

Witnessing my clients define life on their own terms and stretching/growing beyond anything they thought they could achieve. Observing their self-confidence increase, their communication skills improve, their ability to set and hold personal boundaries become strong and achieving/exceeding their goals - all of these occurrences make my heart sing. More than that, to have the privilege of being the partner for an individual committed to being the best they can be and supporting them as a nurturing champion of their greatness - what greater service can one human being provide for another than this?

* How others can help me

I'm currently accepting new clients in my coaching practice; they may be experiencing one or more of the following situations: A romantic relationship has ended. Or a job that was once going to be a career has just evaporated. Or a child has left home. Or they've moved to a new town. Or a dear one has died. Or they're suddenly facing a health crisis, or a financial crisis, or a crisis of faith . . .whatever the circumstance, they are sure about one thing: Nothing will ever be the same.

Contact Amorah at:

Coaching Line: 425.788.4303 | Mobile: 425.241.3151 | Toll Free: 877.228.2622 Ext. 103Skype: amorahross | Twitter: http://twitter.com/AmorahRoss | Blog: http://amorahross.blogspot.com/  | LinkedIn: http://LinkedIn.com/amorahross
Website: www.amorah.com

Are you filling your pipeline?

I was chatting with a gentleman a few days ago and he was telling me that THIS is his busiest time of the year.  He has more clients than he can easily serve AND he works tirelessly to make sure that each of his clients feels that they are the only client he has in the moment.

And where was I when I was talking with him?  At a networking event, of course!

This fellow's success lies strongly in the fact that he is always working at keeping himself and his business in "Top of Mind" awareness mode ... pay attention here ... all year long.

He doesn't sit back and let his network forget about him during his busy season.  He keeps showing up where people expect to see him, connect with him, and learn about what his latest project is.  In this way. he is always on the mind of the people who have grown to know, like, and trust him.  And when someone needs the service he provides, who do you suspect will get the call?  The guy who shows up or the one who does not?  I think it's safe to say that the guy or gal who shows up consistently all year 'round is the one who gets the nod.

The lesson here is be consistent in your marketing and networking efforts.  If you belong to an organization that meets monthly be sure to BE at those events and continue to grow your connections.

Nature hates a void ... and if you are not there to keep your marketing momentum going ... someone else who does the same thing or something nearly the same will have the opportunity to begin to get a foothold on that share of market awareness.

Too many people let their networking/marketing efforts slide in the summer and then again during the holidays.  Don't let that be you.  Keep filling your pipeline with strong relationships and advocates who will help you to spread the word about your business.

Attract more business by being present and consistent and by being a connector for others.

Ask yourself this ... what have I done today to impact the awarenesss of my product or service in the marketplace?  And if the answer does not bring you satisfaction toward the concept of filling your pipeline, you might want to consider taking action today.  Your sales 6 months from now may depend on it!

Savor the Positive - Enjoy Your Good to Great Moments

In a world that sometimes seems too focused on the negative YOU have the total power to turn your attention to the positive. 

We've all heard the saying, "Stop and smell the roses."

I'm wondering, when was the last time that you stopped to smell your roses?  And by roses, I mean the beautiful actions that you create in your life each day.  I mean the kindnesses that you extend to others.  The helping hand that you extend to a friend in need.  The way you warmly include someone in a conversation.

Many of us are journaling our way to thankfulness or gratefulness by counting the things in our lives that we are thankful for.  By noticing these things, we keep our focus on what matters and we attract more of the same to us.

I'm suggesting that we also make time to recognize and savor how WE are BEING in the world and enjoy those moments.  When we recognize this ability in ourselves, we attract more opportunities to experience even more good to great moments.  And, that's not only for ourselves but for the many wonderful people that we cross paths with each day.

Today, I received a great compliment from a friend when she told me that I handled a difficult situation with grace and poise.  Several years ago, I might have brushed off the compliment.  Today, I let the glow of her kind words wash over me ... and I basked in the warmth of those good feelings for more than a few very nice moments.  Savoring the positive felt very good. 

It is THAT memory that will help me choose grace and poise again at some future unknown moment. 

What good to great moments have you experienced in the last 24 hours?  I hope that you savored them well!

Make Friends Before You Need Them

Better yet, make friends without thinking about your future needs.

Relationships take time to nurture and to grow.  So make the time now to make new friends and continue to grow the friendships that you already have.  You'll never know when you can be of service to someone that you've met or when they can be of service to you.

One thing that I do know is that I am way more likely to help someone that I know, like, and trust when that person has spent time developing a mutually beneficial relationship with me.

I'm going to guess that you have friends that you would bend over backwards to help.  I'm also going to guess that you have people in your life who only show up or call you when they have a pressing need. 

I'm dealing with a person like that right now.  She is an acquaintance who could have been a friend, but for several reasons never made it on to the FOZ bus.  (That's Friends of Zita or FOZ)  This person has a new book coming out.  She wants to speak at one of my events and she wants me to promote her book.  And, I haven't heard from her in 2 and 1/2 years.

Sigh.

So here are some suggestions that I would like to offer to everyone.

If you are writing a book, creating a work of art, undertaking a new project ... stay in contact with your friends during the process.  You'll be creating advocates as they stay in touch with you over time.  They'll feel as if the project is partially theirs too.  They'll want to help you succeed for they were part of journey.

Make time for the key people that can have an impact on your success.  You do not live in a vacuum and neither do they.  Whatever space you hold in someone's mind is called Top of Mind Awareness.  The people who are key to your success should have YOU top of mind.  If they don't, that is your fault - not theirs.  No one owes you space in the Top of Mind Awareness lobe.  You have to earn it.  So be aware of your relationships and keep tending to your TOMA garden.

You'll be glad you did.

Commitment Issues - me and my blog

My how time flies!  It seems just yesterday that I posted here and it's been (gasp) 5 months.

I was thinking about this the other day and debating if I should continue this blog or not.  It seems, at times, that I have nothing new to say about networking.  At other times, it feels like I'm just regurgitating the same information over and over but in a different way.

There are hundreds of books on networking and really it comes down to just a few very simple and basic truths.

Help others get or achieve what they want.

Be a great listener

Listen with the intent of connecting

Make the connections that you are prompted (by your listening) to make

Follow up and follow through

Lather, rinse, and repeat.

I do have opinions on most of these (ok all of them) and with that said, I'm rededicating myself to blogging on a regular basis.  To keep it interesting, I'm going to blog about a wider scope of inter related things and hope that you will find some gems of wisdom intertwined here from time to time.

I'm back ...

Keith Ferrazzi author of Never Eat Alone - in Seattle 6-15-09 Free Event

Keith Ferrazzi is an author I admire. His book "Never Eat Alone" is one of the cornerstones in my library on Building Relationships.

Keith has a new book out "Who's Got Your Back?" He is on tour with the book and the message. Keith will be in Seattle on June 15th and currently, you can get your ticket to attend his event at no charge. Here's the page to learn more and get registered.

That's 6 to 8PM on the 15th of June at the Westin Hotel in Seattle.

You do need to register to attend the event so be sure to grab a ticket by going to the link above.

I have my ticket and I hope that you will join me at this event. If you are planning to go, please let me know so we can look for each other at the Seattle event!

Fear Busters: Feel the fear ... and take action anyway

Fear is a great stopper.  It can make your heart beat faster, your palms grow sweaty, and it can paralyze you in place.

In business, fear can become an ever growing hurdle on your road to success.  If you let it.

I invite you to stare your fears down and take action to move through to the other side.

One way to do that is to have fear busting strategies in place so that you have your own tricks up your sleeve when fear comes calling.

The very first fear buster that I use is called ... who is talking to me right now?  That can also be whose voice is playing the danger alert in my head?  Is it me?  Someone from my past?  Some imagined person as in the invisible they.  Some of the self talk that can happen is, "What if I try and I fail?" "What if they think I'm too (fill in the blank)?" "What if this is a mistake, how will I recover ... maybe it's better to not try at all"  and so on ...

Once I can get in touch with who is sounding the FEAR alert, I can then move on to the next fear buster which is - is it true?  I simply ask myself, is the danger that fear is telling me about true?  It is true that I might fail, it's also equally true that I might succeed.  If the fear is telling me that I can't possible do something, I want to know if that is true.  Has no one else ever done what I am trying to do?  If someone else has done it, then why on earth can't I?  And, if no one else ever has, why can't I be the first?

And the final fear buster that I use is tap an advocate.  I have a close knit group of friends and advisors who know me and my mettle pretty darned well.  When I have wrestled with fear and managed to whittle it down to just doubt ... that's when I call on one of my advocates for a reality check and an attitude adjustment or uplift to push me on my way toward achieving my goals.

I hope that when you find fear messing with your head, your heart, and your goals - that you will use these ideas to keep moving forward.

I would love to hear how you handle and disarm your fears - so please be sure to leave a comment here or send me a tweet at http://twitter.com/zitagustin

In the meantime, here are a bunch of quotes that will also give you insight to how to handle fear.

Dale Carnegie
Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.

Les Brown
Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.

Norman Vincent Peale
When you are afraid, do the thing you are afraid of and soon you will lose your fear of it.

Denis Waitley
Procrastination is the fear of success. People procrastinate because they are afraid of the success that they know will result if they move ahead now. Because success is heavy, carries a responsibility with it, it is much easier to procrastinate and live on the 'someday I'll' philosophy.

Unknown Author
Feed your faith and your fears will starve to death.

Author unknown
Do not let your fears choose your destiny.

Richard Bach
Listen to what you know instead of what you fear.

Henry Ford
Whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.

Henry David Thoreau
If one advances confidently in the direction of his dreams, and endeavors to live the life which he has imagined, he will meet with a success unexpected in common hours.