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…
A few weeks ago I was speaking at a conference in the brand new Hyatt Regency Hotel in downtown Denver, Colorado. At the luncheon the manager of the hotel welcomed everyone to this new flagship property, which is creating a lot of buzz in the hotel industry for its breakthrough technology. They are using easy…
I’m not sure if it is due to the fact that this Valentine’s Day marks the two-year anniversary of the beginning of my cancer journey, or because this holiday is represented by hearts, but I have health care on my mind. Maybe the fact that my tumor was right next to my heart also has…
What I love most about the holiday season is that I get “present” during the month of December. My business typically slows down between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, which allows me to really focus on “being in the Christmas spirit.” I think it’s the stimulation of all my senses from the brilliant lights, colorful decorations…
As 2005 quickly approaches its final chapter, I have been thinking a lot about my goals and plans for 2006. In doing so, I have found myself spellbound by the concept of living on purpose. I recently read Al Stubblefield’s new book, The Baptist Health Care Journey to Excellence: Creating a Culture That WOWs! (Wiley…
It’s been a long time since I have read a book about networking that moved me. When I read Keith Ferrazzi’s book, “Never Eat Alone” published by Doubleday, I was more than moved… I was inspired. What really caught my attention was his idea that we all need to develop a Networking Action Plan to…
What’s your social capital? If you’ve been through job interviews recently, or have been considered for a promotion or a big account, I’ll bet you’ve been asked about “your social capital.” Employers, clients and prospects want to know what and how much social capital you have to improve their connections, word-of-mouth advertising, potential partnerships, resources…
August seems to be the month for annual treks to see family, rediscover roots and take vacations. If you’ve tried to do business this month, then I’m sure you discovered clients and colleagues who were “on vacation/visiting family back home.” My entire life during the first week of August, my family has traveled from all…
I remember the first time I met Laura. It was my very first Colorado National Speakers Association meeting five years ago. Imagine a room full of professional speakers and trainers who were for the most part, independent business owners. During the very short breaks we had in between the guest speakers, they were all scrambling…