It was bound to happen. Despite the Internet implosion in 2000, the online user population continues to grow not just in the U.S., but globally. Once it reached a critical mass, the natural evolution of this growing population was for its members to break into “communities” with common backgrounds, interests, and/or needs. Welcome to web…
Did you start off the New Year with any resolutions? If so, can you even remember what they were seven weeks later? It feels so good on New Year’s Day to state them out loud, but when it comes time to do something about our new resolution, it’s not so much fun any more.
Last week I had the wonderful opportunity to sit in the audience and hear Chip Heath, author of the New York Times bestselling book, Made to Stick and regular columnist for Fast Company magazine speak. Along with his brother and co-author, Dan Heath, the boys have come up with an amazing simple but easy process…
Do you know that the number one reason members attend conferences is to expand and grow their network? An organization recently contacted me seeking a networking expert for their conference. In this competitive environment companies are eager to have their employees develop successful relationships with customers, co-workers, and colleagues.
Annual holiday parties are one of my favorite childhood memories. Each December, my family always attended the same annual gatherings. These parties offered a wonderful way to reconnect with childhood friends – who were now in college and suddenly very cute – and to demonstrate to my parents’ acquaintances just how much I had grown…
Last week I took my 10-year-old daughter to the “Hannah Montana” concert in Denver. If you have not heard of this teen-pop sensation, then you obviously don’t have a child between the ages of 5 to 13 in your life. This 15-year-old girl sold-out Pepsi Center, and continues to pack the house with screaming and…
Did you know that membership in a professional association is a huge opportunity to expand your connections and grow your resources? With more than 5,000 professional associations nationwide (many with local chapters in your city), there is really no excuse for not joining an association that represents the voice of your profession.
Her reputation long preceded our introduction. Back in 1993, I was living in San Antonio, Texas, and working in human resources for the largest medical center in the city. That’s when I first heard about Barbara Greene, affectionately known as the “networker from heaven.”
I love summer. The sound of singing birds, the early morning sun, and soft, gentle breezes fill me with energy and happiness. As a child I always welcomed summer as that wonderful transition time between graduating from one grade and entering the next; a time to refuel, re-energize, and try new things like camp, a…
I recently had the opportunity to hear author Meg Wheatley speak about her book, Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future (Berrett-Koehler, 2002). She reminded me of a very important lesson about the power of community. Senegal, Africa, with a population of 8.5 million, ranks as one of the worst…
If you haven’t noticed, I have a thing for dominos. And it makes perfect sense when you look at my passion. You see, when it comes to perfecting your connecting, it’s all about the domino effect. The domino effect refers to a small change that will cause a similar change nearby, which then will cause…
Welcome to 2007! I know… you don’t want to read another “Set your goals for the New Year” column. Good, because I don’t want to write about that either. However, I do feel compelled to write about the importance of communicating your value to others to improve your net worth. I’m not talking about financial…
Let’s be honest…this time of the year can be very stressful. Shopping, decorating, addressing greeting cards, hosting and attending parties, mailing gifts, studying for school finals, housing out of town family members and winding down your business for 2006 are all stressful activities. The fact that we’re expected to do them all simultaneously puts me…
The other day my 14-year-old daughter had an extra-credit history assignment where she had to interview a veteran. She picked up the phone and called my 83-year-old father who lives in Michigan. He served in the Navy during World War II. My father, who can’t even remember what he had for lunch 10 minutes ago,…
Halloween is a big deal in our house. My youngest daughter’s birthday is October 29, which is always extended for several days. In fact, the celebration – honestly – doesn’t end until the last doorbell has been rung on October 31! She lives for Halloween and starts planning her costume months ahead.
Last week I spoke at a conference and witnessed one of the most incredible illustrations of the power of intentions; it was such a powerful connecting tool, I just had to share it with you! Following my presentation, I finished packing up my stuff and walked into the ballroom for the luncheon, which was already…
Have you ever thought of someone and instantly he or she calls you on the telephone? Or how about this, you walk into a ballroom crowded with 2,000 people at a convention wishing you could find your friends, and suddenly you bump into them? Have you ever thought of a loved one who has passed…
A few years ago while my husband and I were visiting with a good friend in Denver, we looked at his pictures from a trip he took to Bosnia. Suddenly, at the same moment, we all realized the “Todd” he had traveled with was also a good friend of ours from 18 years earlier when…
Happy Anniversary! One year ago this month I launched my first ever ezine column. It has been an amazing year and I truly love writing these monthly messages to inspire you to improve your connections. I have been so blessed by the many notes I’ve received from readers who each month look forward to reading…
Everything I know about networking I learned from my mom. She was indeed a master connector and a very successful real estate agent. During the late ’70s, Renault (the French car company) opened a U.S. headquarters in Detroit and transferred many of their top French executives to oversee the transition. My Mother’s well-developed and cared-for…