Networking Insight

Summer Networking is a Must

Even though summer is here, the relationship building should continue. Too many people decide to slow down their networking activity during the summer months. In fact, summer is one of the better times of the year to interact with others.

Below are five reasons why you should continue building your network during the summer:

1. Get to know the personal side of people - During the summer, many activities exist outside of business. So, get to know people in more relaxed environments.

2. Set up hard to schedule meetings - For some people, summer slows down so this is the time to set up those hard to schedule meetings. At the same time, people may have less requests for meetings so their availability to meet has increased.

3. Work on your personal brand - Spend the summer building up your personal brand so you can further your credibility. Find opportunities to make yourself more visible such as blogging, speaking to groups, publishing articles, and hosting events.

4. Socialize more - Take advantage of the sporting events, golf, happy hours, and other outside activities to get to know people. At the same time, invite people from your network to these gatherings.

5. Let others get to know you more - During the summer, people are generally more relaxed, as should you be as well. So, let others see the more relaxed side of you so they can get to know you better.

What other reasons can you think of?

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10 Techniques to Personally Brand Yourself for Success

One of the key pillars of building long lasting relationships is the "personal brand".  Your identity in the business world is your personal brand. So, take it very serious so you can be an effective and well respected leader and professional.

Below are 10 techniques to brand yourself:

1. Write Thought Leader Articles - Demonstrate your expertise by publishing various articles about a subject that you know very well.

2,  Speak in Public - Find opportunities to speak at events or conferences to further demonstrate your expertise and thought leadership.

3. Maintain a Blog - In addition to publishing various articles, write on a frequent basis on your own blog about your area of expertise.

4. Engage in Social Media - Take the time to fully participate in the various social media channels such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instragram.

5. Take LinkedIn Seriously - LinkedIn is one of the leading business engagement tools on the web so take it very serious with a professional profile and picture.

6. Develop an E-Newsletter - Send out a regular e-newsletter to your network to stay engaged and share relavant information.

7. Host Events - Bring people to you by hosting your own events about various business topics

8. Connect People Together - Spend time connecting people together in your network, which shows that you pay attention to others' needs.

9. Be a Resource - In addition to making connections, be a resource for people who have needs.

10. Have Fun Meeting New People - Most importantly, have fun interacting with people to get to know them. Be yourself and allow them to get to know the real you.

What other techniques do you use to brand yourself?

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Book Review: 20,000 Days and Counting by Robert D. Smith

20,000 Days and Counting was written by Robert D. Smith who has spent his career of three decades behind the scenes and away from the spotlight. His work includes overseeing from inception the career of Andy Andrews who is a New York Times best-selling author and in-demand speaker. In addition, he is a consultant to numerous best-selling authrors, speakers, entertainers, and organizations.

In his book, the author shares his proven strategies to get the best out people, which has helped them sustain massive success across multiple industries.

The book is divided into the following sections:

Section 1: The 20,000-Day Mind-Set

Section 2: Beating the Clock

Section 3: Today is Day One

According to the author, most people let time slip by each and every day. We tend to passively live our lives so we are missing out on some of what life has to offer.

The book explores the following concepts:

• truly discover the driving purpose for your life
• live each day with maximum intensity
• conquer all of your limiting fears
• learn how to accomplish more in one day than most people do in one year

Learn breakthrough and simple strategies that will allow you to be 100% present in your life. The author provides examples of his life throughout the book. He is living proof of somone who is living life to its fullest. Unfortunately, it took him 20,000 days of his life to have this realization.

The book is a quick and enjoyable read. You should come away with a fresh perspective on your life with new techniques to implement.

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Startup Ideation Bootcamp in Chicago - 6/24

You have an idea for a startup, but don't know what to do next? In just three hours, the Founder Institute's Startup Ideation Bootcamp will help you improve your idea, come up with new ideas, determine the next steps, and even recruit potential co-founders. This intensive, collaborative workshop begins with talks by an innovation expert and startup founder designed to teach you the components of good and bad startup ideas. For example, is your market big enough, is there organic growth potential, and a clear path to profitability? Then, attendees can share their ideas with both experts and peers to receive constructive feedback. Join us for a fun evening!  Speakers include: Dave Sonders, Partner, Gravitytank and Dave Culver, Co-Founder, Forward Momentum. After the event, we will go out for drinks at English (444 N. LaSalle Dr).

Event Details
Date: June 24, 2014
Time: 6:30-9:30PM
Location: Gravitytank, 114 W. Illinois, 3rd Floor, Chicago

For more details and to register, go to http://tinyurl.com/m9c48p2