Networking Insight

Social Networking Humor

Five Post Holiday Relationship Building Actions

The holidays are an important time of the year to get to know people better. In fact, for many people this time of the year is more relaxing because of holiday parties and the atmosphere of happiness.  Below are five post holiday actions to keep your relationships strong:

1. Set up meetings – Make sure to set up a time to get together with people quickly after the holidays. Face time is extremely important for sustainable and deep relationships.

2. Organize events -  Keep the momentum going and continue to organize events.  Good opportunity to bring your network together. Consider organizing a new year happy hour for your network.

3. Check in calls – Take the time to pick up the phone and catch up with people. Find out how you can best help them in the new year.

4. Leverage social media – Step up your efforts using social media tools such as blogging, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter. Take the time to connect more with people leveraging this technology.

5. Follow through– If you have any outstanding obligations, then now is the time to complete them. Start the new year right with nothing hanging over your head. Sticking to your word is extremely important for your personal brand.

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Facebook Vs. Twitter

Why Your Polished Shoes Matter

 

Your appearance is very important when interacting with others. You will be judged in the first few seconds of someone meeting you. Therefore, you want to look presentable and professional at all times.

Pay attention to every detail from your hair to your shoes. Make sure that you don’t have stains or rips on your clothes. Make sure that your suits and shirts are regularly pressed. Also, make sure that you regularly polish your shoes.

People notice details so make sure that you notice them first and make yourself look professional. Your appearance is very important for making a good first impression. If someone sees a negative aspect of your appearance, then your personal brand will be hurt.

You need to be consistent with your brand so make sure that you pay attention to all of the details each time before you meet people. While it may take time and effort to make this happen each time, it will become second nature. People remember the small stuff so take this seriously.

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Social Networking Humor

 

Seven Relationship Building Tips for the Holidays

 

While the holidays are a good time to spend with friends and family, don’t stop your relationship building. In fact, the holidays are a good time to get to know people in a more relaxed setting such as holiday parties.  Below are seven relationship building tips to consider during the holidays:

1. Attend various holiday parties. These gatherings are good opportunity to meet people in a more relaxed environment. Get to know people on a more personal level at these parties.

2. Watch your alcohol consumption. While it okay to have a good time at these parties, don’t drink too much. You still want people to still see you at the same professional level as they do at other events.

3. Dress appropriately. Even though the holidays are a more relaxed time, dress appropriately at meetings and parties.

4. Send holiday cards.  The holidays are a great time to stay in touch with your network and clients. Spend the time and money to send holiday greetings.

5. Accept hospitality from others. During this time of year, many people will be more hospitable by offering you drinks or holiday treats. Like always, you should still accept these offerings to show them that you appreciate their kindness.

6. Host your own party. While it is important to attend other’s holiday parties, think about hosting your own party. With your own party, you can bring your network to you and stay top of mind with people.

7. Set up meetings and calls.  Just because the holidays are here, it doesn’t mean that you should stop all meetings and calls. Set up a time to connect with people because they will probably have more available time right now.

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Networking Insight Turns Four!

 
Today marks the fourth anniversary of the Networking Insight blog. Thank you for your continued support and readership. It has been a fun journey these past four years. I have met many new people and have enjoyed sharing with you my insights about relationship building.

I hope that this blog has inspired you to build meaningful and long lasting relationships.  Feel free to share your stories with me in the comments section.

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2011 Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza

 
You are among the first to know about my 2011 Greater Networking Extravaganza, which will take place on May 5, 2011. This is the 10th event that we have hosted.  Below are the details:

Date: May 5, 2011

Time: 5:30-8:45pm

Location: The Metropolitan Club, 233 S. Wacker, 67th Floor, Oak Room, Chicago

Hosts: Lillian Bjorseth and Jason Jacobsohn

Sponsors (so far): The Metropolitan Club, Send Out Cards, Chicago Art Leasing

For More Information / RSVP: www.greaterchicagonetworking.com

The annual Greater Chicago Networking Extravaganza is the premier business networking event in Chicagoland, bringing together the business community for an incredible evening of mixing, mingling, education and fun.  The 10th one in 2011 will feature an abundance of business-development opportunities and informative presentations from two of Chicago’s preeminent relationship-building experts.

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Social Networking Humor

 

Book Review: The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo

 

The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Principles for Breakthrough Success was written by Carmine Gallo, who also wrote The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs, is a presentation, media-training, and communication-skills coach for some of the world’s most admired brands.  In addition to being an author, he is a columnist for Businessweek.com and a keynote, speaker, and seminar leader. He has appeared on CNBC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC.com, BNET, Redbook, Forbes.com, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Investor’s Business Daily.

The book is broken up into the following principles:

Principle One: Do What You Love
Principle Two: Put a Dent in the Universe
Principle Three: Kick Start Your Brain
Principle Four: Sell Dreams, Not Products
Principle Five: Say No to 1,000 Things
Principle Six: Create Insanely Great Experiences
Principle Seven: Master the Message

In this book, Gallo examines the greatness of Apple and how Steve Jobs created the culture for innovation to make it one of the world’s most respected companies.  As in recent years, Apple keeps knocking it out of the park with new and innovative products.

Gallo does a good job giving the reader the background of Steve Jobs and Apple so you understand why the firm has been so successful. At the same time, Gallo mentions aspects of other firms such as Zappos and Abt Electronics to demonstrate that innovation happens everywhere.  Because of innovation, the world has many special companies that stand out and are a success.

The goal of the book is to inspire the reader to create more innovation within his/her firm. Learning about the innovation of Steve Jobs and Apple shows the reader that it can be done. However, it requires discipline, alignment, passion, and thinking differently. Apple and many other firms are not afraid to follow their hearts and take chances.

The principles in this book are meaningful, simple, and attainable for any professional in any industry. To learn how to make a difference and be more innovative, The Innovation Secrets of Steve Jobs: Insanely Different Principles for Breakthrough Success may be worth a read.

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For a related post, check out Book Review: The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs by Carmine Gallo.