Hank's first Acupuncture appointment

While checking twitter this morning I came across an article about a new potential solution for dogs with arthritis. While it sounds expensive and we haven’t seen long-term benefits of it YET, I’ll be keeping an eye on this.

In June of 2010 Hank woke up one morning and could barely walk. He limped along and didn’t want to go up and down the stairs (a problem in a townhouse). So, we took him to the vet and after some x-rays discovered that our 4-year-old lab has arthritis.

We talked with friends who have had dogs with arthritis and did a bit of research. We decided to try naturopathic pain relief and acupuncture for Hank. YES Acupuncture for the dog. (We know, we promise not to reproduce.) And the acupuncture has been a good solution for Hank. Except Hank HATES needles. In fact his vet has to special order needles they use on birds for Hank. He now goes each change of season for his acupuncture appointment and we load up a Kong with cheese for him. He LOVES the vet – it’s the place with all the cheese!

This past fall our vet started offering laser therapy and we thought that might be a great solution since the bernese mountain dogs across the street from us had AMAZING success with it. But laser therapy didn’t work for Hank right now. So, we continue with acupuncture, walks, supplements, diet changes and swimming – Hank loves to swim!

Someday it may also include a stem cell injection, but for now, bird needles and keeping the weight off are doing OK.

Well, the short answer is, I just don’t like that many people.

The long answer is this: I graduated college before Facebook started. And then it started and it was just for college kids. And then all of a sudden my parents were on it. And I was pretty convinced Facebook was the next MySpace and would be gone in about the same time. So, I held out. And then I began to realize, Facebook is a great excuse to stalk your friends and family, and not actually have to talk to them.

What have I missed with Facebook?

A few birthday’s from friends I didn’t know it was their birthday anyway. I did miss a cousins’ (or two) baby being born. But here’s the deal. Why didn’t they think it was important to call/email/text/skywrite/wire and tell me? Because Facebook is an excuse to not talk to people.

You’ll never find me on Facebook. I thought I might join after I left the Business Journal and then I realized, I don’t have a free evening to un-tag myself from photos all night long (evidently it’s a real evening activity for some folks). If I want to know what’s going on in your life, I’ll call, I’ll email, I’ll text. And just because I don’t know what your kid (or dog) did today doesn’t mean I don’t care. It means it’s really not that important, is it?

As you know, I recently launched Yellow Dog Consulting. I’ve had the idea since early 2011 and started the company in May 2011 but didn’t announce it to the world until October. After sending out my first email announcement mentioning an upcoming event, I had 75 emails by the end of the day. I also had coffee appointments, drinks, lunches and more by the end of the week filling up my month(s).

If you have a monthly newsletter you’re forgetting to use, or even if you’ve been off the radar, who in your network hasn’t realized they miss you until you reach out to them?

Try it. Make the commitment to send out a newsletter or just an announcement, open coffee, dog park meet up,  15 minute phone consultation,whatever it might be, just “reach out and touch someone,” (but let’s not be a pervert about it, OK?)

Wednesday, February 8^th

Hank & Pippin Networking - thanks to www.lickedlens.com for the photo!

Geekwire Game Night

I’m a big fan of Settlers of Catan thanks to some friends introducing us to it this summer. So for $5 I get to hangout with friends and play in public? Heck yes! I’ll probably also bring Uno for anyone who wants something more casual.

Friday, February 10^th

NWEN Breakfast Buzz

NWEN is one of my favorite organizations, and they have a snazzy new website that just seems to have quietly launched…

The breakfast buzz is a great opportunity to network with entrepreneurs and service providers around the Puget Sound. Plus, the breakfast rotates between Seattle & Bellevue – this month it’s in Bellevue, hope to see you there!

Thursday, February 16^th

eWomen Network

This month it’s a little longer and a few bucks more, BUT you get to hear Sandra Yancey, the founder of eWomen network speak. She’s incredibly inspirational (not something you hear often from me) and good for that kick in the ass you’ve needed.

eWomen SBI’s – Strategic Business Introductions are a great way to get introduced to eWomen Network with a small group of people instead of 100 like at a luncheon. I understand it can be overwhelming for folks, so an SBI is a great way to check out eWomen. There are two SBI’s in the February (2/7 & 2/28)- let me know if you want to go to one and I’ll join you!

NWEN eIQ’s - these are a great opportunity to learn first hand from experts on those specific questions and issues your startup is facing. Check out schedule for February and start planning ahead for March, these fill up!

Yup, evidently we need to remind people to pick up after our dogs. I know with the snow and all this rain lately that it’s easy to “forget” to pick up after your dog when you’re walking him. Here’s the request:

1. Don’t poop in the middle of the sidewalk

2. PICK IT UP!

You got a dog, there’s responsibilities with a dog, and I think we all know, Everyone Poops. So why the heck is is so hard for you to pick up after your dog? There are pet waste stations every block in most neighborhoods these days. If you have a dog, you have poop bags laying around the house, or an empty bag from the store. Make sure to take 2, Hank is notorious for pooping twice when I only grabbed one bag. Thanks buddy…

The real issue here is the environment. Besides making all your neighborhood dog owners look bad, it’s bad for the environment. The fine folks at Pooper Troopers wrote a great article a couple years ago on dog waste – and they have great resources on their website – plus they’ll come pick up for you. AWESOME. Dog waste is toxic and the way the water system works in Seattle, if you leave your dog crap on the street, it gets into the drains and then you’re eating salmon filled with dog crap. And that’s DISGUSTING. (yes i’m exaggerating, SORT OF).

Please do your dog and Hank a favor and pick up after your dog. If you can’t exert the energy to do that, you should have gotten a cat.

Everyone likes a good public speaker! www.lickedlens.com

Many of my clients, and people in my network, ask me about speaking engagement opportunities. As you know, speaking is a great way to grow your business. But WHERE are you supposed to get that experience to fine tune your pitch, build your audience and get the BUZZ growing about you & your business?

Here’s a few ideas that I used when I was teaching workshops at the Puget Sound Business Journal and since then.

1. ASK

Seriously, do your friends, colleagues and network know that you have a variety of topics you speak on? I’m amazed how often I talk to someone and they don’t ask for something – even when I offer. Used your LinkedIn network to find out who has a connection to that perfect group you should be speaking to!

2. Make a list

What networking groups are you currently involved with? Do they have speaking opportunities for you there? Some of the larger organizations in town have smaller networking events where they are looking for good quality speakers on a variety of business related topics.

3. Target Market groups

Where is your target marketing hanging out and networking? If you aren’t already networking with them (which is a whole other lecture I’d be happy to give you), fix that. One thing I have learned from all my speaking with the Business Journal is that there is an association or group for EVERYTHING. Don’t believe me? Check out I Love Seattle http://www.iloveseattle.org/ for a great list to get started. Reach out to them – ask what they are looking for in speakers, attend an event to get an idea, if you are providing good quality content they will want you! Again, use your network for introductions.

4. Use your Network

Make it easy for your network to introduce you and get you connected. Here’s a sample email you could send to a colleague:

Hey Josh,

I saw that you are on the planning committee at XYZ Organization. I recently spoke at (similar organization) ABC Organization and would love to get connected with XYZ. I have a couple of topics I speak about in regards to Building a Successful Marketing Plan and How to start a company so you can hangout with your dog more. Would you be able to connect me with the right person on the luncheon/speaking committee? Let me know if you need any additional information from me.
Thank you!

(then include your full signature with email & phone, website, etc here).

5. Again, ASK

It’s worth repeating. I’m amazed how many people don’t ASK for help. Post it on your LinkedIn, tweet it, you can even add a speaking page to your website so organizations can easily find you. List topics you’ve spoken or written on, list organizations you’ve spoken to in the past, but you can’t grow your message if you don’t communicate it!

I know I missed a lot of ways to increase speaking opportunities, please feel free to share in the comments. And if you are involved in an organization looking for good speakers, please let me know – I would be happy to help make some connections to GREAT speakers – who HAVE asked!

Hank's cute but LAZY

I got an email this morning from a client who started with “Thank you for the kick in the ass.”

Sometimes that’s just what you need. And a snow day (or week as it may be turning into) is a great time to do so. Take a minute, write down all the things you’re avoiding doing. THEN share that list with someone. If you don’t have a business coach/partner/resource, you can send the list to me. Make yourself accountable, create a plan. It doesn’t have to be too in depth.

The marketing plan I sent over to this client took me 20 minutes to put together. And most of it was from notes they sent to me. Sometimes, you just need someone else to put eyes on your idea, move some stuff around, and make it less scary for you.

So, what do you need a kick in the ass about today?

January 18^th, 5:30

NWEN Pub Night

It should be no surprise to you that not only am I an active member of NWEN (Northwest Entrepreneur Network) but also chair of the pub night committee. A committee about drinking and entrepreneurs? It’s my two favorite things! Pub Night is a great chance to network with very cool entrepreneurs who have great ideas – come hear a few brave souls pitch their idea to a loving (and imbibed) audience.

January 19^th, 11:15 AM

eWomen Network Luncheon

This is NOT the giant Mary Kay convention you’re imagining – this is smart female (and some smart e-males) entrepreneurs who know how to network effectively and give back to our peers. If you prefer a “speed dating” style to your networking, this is not the place for you. I hope to see you there!

And here are a few upcoming events I can’t make but think you should check out:

 January 13^th – NWEN’s Breakfast Buzz

These breakfasts are great, and this one is at the ZOO, I’m ticked I can’t make it!

eWomen SBI’s

There are three in the next month (1/10, 1/25, 2/7). Strategic Business Introductions are a great way to get introduced to eWomen Network with just 10 people (ish) instead of 100. I understand it can be overwhelming for folks, so an SBI is a great way to check it out – let me know if you want to go to one and I’ll join you!

As I’ve always said, I’m always happy to give you my totally biased opinion on events in the region, don’t hesitate to ask!

Not everyone gets in the Christmas spirit I guess

This morning I was excited to see my favorite blog feature Hank as the photo of the day. If you know me, you know that I LOVE pop culture. When I worked at USA Today I discovered Pop Candy, a daily blog about all things pop culture. It is the one blog I read every day, and when I forget, I can tell my day is off.

In case you missed the newsletter with Hank’s Stocking ideas, I thought I’d re-post them here for you today. Have a great Christmas (or non Christmas winter holiday if that’s how you celebrate), we look forward to seeing you in the new year!