I'm in Las Vegas as I write this, kicking off a national convention of dance studio owners. Every convention should start with a networking seminar to get attendees into the mindset for the event to maximize their ROC (return on convention).
Networking is an art, a science and a skill. Networking is the ultimate contact sport! This program is also very popular with sales organizations as it is truly the way to prospect and it is also a lifestyle for EVERYONE to embrace. It's a natural skill that can be developed to enhance relationships to get ahead in many areas of life. Here are the Cliff Notes version of one of the actual parts of the program:
 
N = Nucleus of people committed to helping each other
E = Effort to learn, to practice, to do
T = Tenacity means you need to stick to it
W = Well-defined goals should be set before attending an event
O = Opens doors but does not guarantee a sale...or a date☺
R = Reciprocal relationships are about remembering those who refer you
K = Know the other people in your network so you can be a connector
 
Now get out there and network!!

.           

Dave Nelsen
Entrepreneur and Social Media Guide

Dave's formal title is President, Dialog Consulting Group
From 2005 to 2009 he was CEO of TalkShoe, a social media company now serving more than one million monthly listeners...and the fabulous company I use to produce my monthly teleseminars.

Three rules for business participation in social media (even for business to business companies:

1) The Cocktail Party Rule: Meet people, engage in conversation, show an
interest in them, ask and answer questions, create relationships, and
build trust. If it works at a cocktail party, it probably works in
social media.
 
2) PIE + Authenticity: Follow the old radio deejay adage, "PIE." Engage
with Personality and keep it Interesting and Entertaining for your
target audience. And keep it real.
 
3) First, create value for them. There are many ways to create value for
your customers, prospects, partners, or even employees. Based on your
expertise in your industry, educate or alert them to issues they should
understand, entertain them, inspire them, or highlight the most
important new developments in your industry each month. First, you've
got to pay it forward.
 
The book Guerilla Marketing reminds us that "marketing is not about you,
it's about them." In social media, it's even more true.
 
You can find more formal details HERE

Yes, that was the name of one of my businesses and oh, come on, I know guys cook too.

Mango Ginger Floats
(serves 4)
 
1 (3/4-pound) mango
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice, or to taste
1 tablespoon sugar, or to taste
1 pint mango ice cream
About 16 ounces chilled ginger ale
 


Peel and pit mango, then chop. Pur�e with lime juice and sugar in a blender until smooth. Divide among tall glasses, then top with ice cream and ginger ale. Serve with a straw.

 

If any of you remember the movie or Broadway show "Auntie Mame" or if you're old enough to admit you remember it, then you might recall that Mame was famous for her eclectic circle of friends. I pride myself on that same principle of knowing so many diverse people and calling many of them my friends.

Introducing...this month's teleseminar guest and my dear friend,
Michael Allosso is a communications expert/leadership coach who in 2007 won Vistage's highest honor given to a speaker in the first few years of service, the "Member's Choice Award." In 2008 he won the coveted "Speaker of the Year Award" and in 2009 set a precedent for winning it a second time. He completed the hat trick by winning it a third time in 2010. Michael has traveled the world bringing his "You On Your Best Day" program to executives, corporations, organizations and also works one-on-one as a personal coach. Michael's background as an award-winning professional director/choreographer of countless plays, films, videos and live events has given him the tools to augment his talent of instantly pinpointing an individual's communication skills and shortcomings and to help implement concrete methods of improvement.
Michael has been the Artistic Director and Manager of numerous theaters in the Boston area and has created and managed his own improvisational comedy troupe. He has taught in numerous colleges and schools. and has been chief administrator of the Boston University Theatre Institute and National Dance Institute/N.E. under Jacques D'Amboise. As an actor Allosso has appeared in many commercials and corporate films as well as the feature film "Pink Panther Two" with Steve Martin and on stage in "Marty" with John C. Reilly at the Huntington Theatre and as Felix in "The Odd Couple" opposite Sherman Hemsley of TV's "The Jeffersons." He earned his M.F.A. in Directing from Boston University and a B.A. in Theater Arts from Brandeis University.

Be outrageous...it's the only place that isn't crowded.
My favorite quote is featured in The Woman's Advantage Shared Wisdom Calendar, one of only 365 chosen from over 3,500 submissions.
The Woman's Advantage is a line of information products designed exclusively for successful women business owners. For more information call 919-841-0401
or visit The Woman's Advantage

 

Next Speakers School is September 23-25, 2010
in Chicago.
You can now also bring Speakers School to your company, tailored to any part of your organization. Call for details: 312.664.8447

SIGN UP NOW
Speakers School is now three days!
Day One: Presentation Skills
Day Two: Learning Lab (Your opportunity to practice what you learned in Day One. You must have completed Day One to participate.)
Day Three: Marketing Your Speeches