Networking Insight

Does Social Networking Provide Health Benefits?

According to very early research on online networking, getting involved in social networking sites may have added health benefits. How, you may ask? Here is what the study revealed:

• Friends you might not have otherwise considered, decrease stressors that cause physical and psychological health problems.
• A therapy of sorts, all wrapped up in your social life, at your convenience, that in this case, just happens to be at the tips of your fingers.
• Research shows social networks help us deal more effectively with job loss, death, and other major life changes, improving your quality of life.

To learn more about the study, go to 'Flocking' behavior lands on social networking sites.

What do you think?

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Top 3 Reasons to Attend Events

Some of you may not like attending networking events because you find that you build most of your relationships directly through people you know. Also, you may not  like small talk and the fact that some people may try to sell you at these events. While these points are valid, it is still important to attend networking events from time to time. Below are three reasons why you should still make time for events:

Stay Visible

It is important that you are visible not only for your own brand, but also for your firm’s brand. Your customers, prospects, or partners will be happy to see you away from the office. By attending events, you are showing that your firm cares to connect with people in the community. The more visible you are, the easier it can be to build long term relationships.

Never Stop Building Your Network

You never know whom you will meet at an event. It is always good to meet new people outside of your existing network. Some of the people whom you meet at events could become clients, partners, or friends. At the same time, new opportunities could present themselves such as a new job, capital raised for your business, or new employee as a result of the people who you meet.

It’s Good to Get Out

While we all lead busy professional and personal lives, it is still important that you interact with people every once in awhile away from your office or home. So, spend some time attending various events for your own sanity. It is empowering to meet people outside of your industry or existing network because you will add diversity to your daily life.

What other reasons can you think of?

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Book Review: No Limits by Sara Morgan

No Limits: How I escaped the clutches of Corporate America to live the Self-employed life of my dreams was written by Sara Morgan who is an independent software developer and author of dozens of articles and six technical books. In this book, Sara explains how she left corporate America to live the life of her dreams. Her story is about how she has thrived as a self-employed person. After reading this book, it is doubtful that Sara would ever go back to a 9-5 job.

The book is broken up into the following chapters:

Chapter 1: My Story
Chapter 2: What Are the Benefits?
Chapter 3: What Type of Person Do You Need to Be?
Chapter 4: Letting Go
Chapter 5: Where to Start
Chapter 6: Good Advice
Chapter 7: Things to Consider
Chapter 8: Things to Remember

Each chapter takes you through a self-evaluation process that will help you determine if self-employment is for you. The author does a great job of bringing in her own story throughout the book so you can learn what decisions she made and actions she took.  Sara is a big believer in doing what you are passionate about and working around your lifestyle.  As evidenced in the book, she is a much happier person and has time to enjoy life more.

By reading this book, you will learn the following:

• What type of person is best suited for self-employment
• Benefits to being self-employed
• Inspirational stories and advice from other successful people who have struck out on their own
• What physical and emotional things you need to let go of first
• Where you should start in your quest for self-employment
• What resources will help you make the most of your journey

The book is an inspirational story that tells the reader there are no limits to what you can do with your life. If you are unhappy with your job or current situation, then you need to do something to change it. The author is a prime example of someone who has worked hard in her life and realized that she needed to change her situation. She is now making more money independently and able to spend more time with her kids 

If you have been thinking about leaving Corporate America and going out on your own, then No Limits: How I escaped the clutches of Corporate America to live the Self-employed life of my dreams may be provide enough inspiration for you to finally jump off the cliff.  You only live once so make sure that you fulfill your dreams and live a happy life.

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Ten Things That I Like About Networking

As an active relationship builder, networking is a major part of my life. In fact, a day doesn’t go by that I am not connecting with someone whether it is in person, on the phone, or via email. In fact, it has become a seamless part of my everyday life. Below are ten things that I like about networking:

1. Ability to help other people
2. Meet new and interesting people
3. Finding synergies with people who I meet
4.  Business development opportunities
5. Connecting people together
6. Writing and speaking about networking
7. Leveraging my existing network
8. Hosting networking events
9. Acting as a resource for people
10. Never alone because always communicating with someone

Everything that I mentioned above makes me feel good about myself because I enjoy interacting with others and finding ways to help one another.

What ten things do you like about networking? Please share in the comments section.

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Book Review: Celebritize Yourself by Marsha Friedman

Celebritize Yourself: The Three Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business was written by Marsha Friedman who is a successful businesswoman, publicity expert, radio personality, and public speaker. In 1990, she started Event Management Services, Inc., which is a national public relations firm that represents firms and experts in a variety of industries. Clients include Teamster’s President Jimmy Hoffa Jr., Sergeant’s Pet Care, and Motown group the Temptations. Marsha co-hosts the nationally syndicated talk radio show “The Family Roundtable” and is the founder of the non-profit, Cherish the Children Foundation.

The book is broken up into the following chapters:

Chapter 1: Isn’t it Time You Walked into the Limelight?
Chapter 2: The Joy of Becoming the Celebrity in Your Field
Chapter 3: Why Do You Want to Become a Celebrity?
Chapter 4: First, Know Thyself
Chapter 5: It All Starts With a Book
Chapter 6: From Community Celebrity to National Celebrity
Chapter 7: How to be a Great Radio or TV Guest and Quoted in the News!
Chapter 8: The Celebritize Yourself Quiz
Chapter 9: Find Your Media Niche?
Chapter 10: Now Let’s Get Started!
Chapter 11: The Big Payoff

Marsha’s book is about one of my favorite topics, branding yourself as an expert. In order to excel in networking and business, you need to be seen as an expert.  The author shows you what it takes to become an expert in your field, thus, becoming a “celebrity”. Celebrity in this book is not about becoming a Hollywood celebrity with fortune and fame but rather becoming an expert in your field, sharing your wisdom, gaining exposure, and getting a following.  As a result, your business will grow because you will experience an increase in clients.

The following people who after becoming authors turned into celebrities: Zig Ziglar (salesman), Suze Orman (stockbroker), and Bob Greene (fitness expert).  The list is endless so with enough hard work, it is possible to reach celebrity status. All of these celebrities were experts in their fields before they sold their first book. Throughout the book, Marsha shares many client stories of how she helped turned people into celebrities.

With Marsha’s 3-Step Method, she shows how anyone, in any business, can become a celebrity.

Step 1: Write!
Step 2:  Speak!
Step 3: Sell!

First, the author believes that you must write to show your expertise, especially a book. Once you have a book on the market, you instantly become an expert in your field. Next, she believes that you need to be heard to jump into celebrity status, therefore, speak as often as you can. Lastly, she suggests that you must sell so your products are on the market.

Celebritize Yourself: The Three Step Method to Increase Your Visibility and Explode Your Business is an enjoyable read that shares some very important techniques about how to brand yourself as an expert.  Over time, your brand is more important than your firm. People generally do business with people first so make it a priority to become a celebrity in your field. Start with a blog if you are not ready to write a book. One of my personal goals is to write a book because I know that it will take me to another level with all that I do around “business networking”.

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Knowledge: Your Strongest Networking Tool

The following article that I wrote appeared in July's Magazine Soho. You can also find it at Sohobiztube.com.

Knowledge: Your Strongest Networking Tool

Over time, you will meet a lot of people through your networking activities. It can be a challenge for you to stand out and for people to remember you.

Pick a topic on which you have some knowledge to share. It should be something you enjoy keeping up with on a regular basis. It doesn’t matter if this subject relates to your career or your personal life.

Create a Web Site

As you gather information on your subject matter, an efficient way to organize everything is by creating a Web site. With a Web site, you can provide several resources in one place.

When you meet people, you can direct them to this Web site. Sharing information with others is very important in networking.

Part of networking is branding yourself. Take the time to put together a useful Web site that you can share with others. For example, I have created a business and networking resources Web site at www.jacobsohn.com.

Create an Electronic Newsletter

Another great way to stand out is to create and distribute an electronic newsletter. Your newsletter should include information about your expertise such as articles, resources and tips.

Whenever you meet people, you can share your newsletter with them. Make sure to get their permission before you sign people up. You want interested people to receive your newsletter.

Write Articles/Publish a Blog

If you truly are a subject matter expert, you should have no problem writing articles or publishing a blog about your topic. In fact, articles are an excellent way for you to express your own thoughts about a particular topic.

While it’s one thing to read articles from other people, it’s quite another to write your own. Self-expression is so important and putting your thoughts down on paper is a great way to share your expertise with others.

Speak at Events

As you become a subject matter expert, people will start to take notice. In fact, you may be asked to speak at networking or business events.

It is a great honor to be selected as a speaker. Take advantage of these opportunities. Speaking is a very visible activity and you will be perceived as an expert by an array of people.  At the same time, you may want to produce your own events at which you will be the featured speaker.

Leverage Social Media

Demonstrate your expertise on sites such as Sohobiztube.com, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter.  Since most of us are connected on at least one of these sites, you already have a captive audience that wants to learn more about you.

Your online brand is a very important tool to let people know about your expertise. Make sure that you send a consistent message across all of these sites, otherwise, you may confuse people and hurt your brand.

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Free Webinar: How to Lead in Turbulent Times- 9/18

Recently, I found out about this interesting free webinar. Below are some details:

The HR Center of Excellence is hosting a free Webinar this Friday, September 18 from 12-1pm central. The speaker is Scott Anthony who is President of Innosight, a Boston-based innovation consultancy co-founded by Clayton Christensen.

The Webinar is titled "How to Lead in Turbulent Times: INNOVATE."  More details and to register.

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Signs that You Should Move on From a Relationship

We all spend a lot of time meeting people and interacting with them. Our time is valuable so at some point, you need to cut your losses with some individuals. You should not have to interact with people who make you unhappy. There are far too many people out there that won’t give you a headache. 

Below are some signs that you are dealing with someone who may not be worth building a relationship with:

• Mentions will follow-up after you meet and doesn’t come through
• Mentions will do something for you (i.e. make a connection, find some information, etc.) and doesn’t come through
• Acts rude during most encounters
• Treats others with disrespect
• Only cares about him or herself
• Doesn’t listen well or ask questions to show interest
• Has a negative attitude most of the time
• Other people tell you to avoid this person
• Embarrassing to be around
• Sloppy appearance
• Doesn’t take anything serious

What are some other signs?

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Be Honest When Building Relationships or Else…

We all have heard stories of conmen and dishonest people. Remember the executives from Enron and Worldcom? How many times have you heard about people in your community who you thought were nice and then hear how bad they have treated people?

Well, don’t act like someone you are not when building relationships. Let your true self show so people really know who you are. Of course, don’t insult people if you are normally a rude person. Instead, don’t misrepresent yourself.

For example, if you are someone who normally isn’t good at fulfilling promises, then don’t tell people that you will do things for them if you know that you won’t come through.  You will eventually be found out and will have a difficult time building relationships.

Once you tarnish your image in business circles, people won’t trust you.  Networking is about trust and credibility so take it very serious. Don’t mislead people.  Networking is about building mutually beneficial relationships. Don’t act in a way that only benefits you.

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Reminder: Tales From the Entrepreneurial Trenches - 10/8

As a reminder, I will be moderating this upcoming entrepreneur panel discussion in Chicago on October 8. I would love to see you there if you are available.

In this panel discussion, hear first hand from several entrepreneurs on how they successfully started and grew their businesses. Learn how they did it and come away with some new insights into running a business.

The discussion will include the following topics
• The “Aha” moment when business idea was formed
• Raising capital to fund the growth of the business
• Landing the first client and growing sales thereafter
• Hiring the right staff
• Fine tuning products and services
• How business has evolved from beginning to today

After the discussion, guests will be able to participate in a Q&A session with the panelists. Open networking will take place before and after the panel discussion so you can interact with other entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneur Panel
• Rick Mazursky, The Executives Profit
• Kim Shambrook, Bespoke Cuisine
• Julia Stamberger, GoPicnic
• Patrick Stakenas, ForceLogix

Moderator: Jason Jacobsohn, The Executives Profit

Date: October 8, 2009
Time: 8:30-10:00 a.m.
Location: 120 N. LaSalle Street, 11th Floor Conference Room, Chicago
Registration: $20 (includes continental breakfast)
Sponsors: The Executives Profit and American Chartered Bank

Register or contact Andrea at: 847-317-9296 or [email protected] for more information.

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