Debby Peters, Networking Guru

Sweepstakes

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 00:36:00 +0000

Was at a morning networking meeting this week where Dionne Neubauer, the COO of the chamber delivered a talk about all the opportunities that the chamber provides to its members.

Also, my networking tip at this event was for people to write two things of interest about themselves on one business card and then to be willing to share one point of interest with someone they chat with after the meeting and also to find out about this person's interest.

So after the meeting I was at the back of the room chatting with my friend Lynne Calvelage. She is co-owner of my favorite coffee shop in Findlay, Coffee Amici. She commented, "I get it, there is lots of stuff for us as business people to do, but we have to take advantage of it. It doesn't just happen." Within seconds Jody Walters, sales person for the FindlayNOW magazine joined us. She said, "Guess what one of my interests is!" Lynne and I were amazed that she enters sweepstakes on a regular basis AND she wins."

The three of us looked at each other and said, "If you don't play, you don't get a chance to win!"

I guess you had to be there, but it really rung true at that moment.

Wish List

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

Would you like an easy way to help a five-star organization?

Becky Knapp, is the Job Placement Coordinator for The Autism Model School. This charter school is one of only two who received highest marks from the State of Ohio for the level of education they are providing the students. As with many institutions, The Model School got hit with funding cuts from the state. What this means to Becky is that she has NO BUDGET for projects that she organizes within the school walls. These projects help the students to learn skills that make them more employable outside the school walls.

I encouraged Becky to create a wish list of items that we could donate that would help to fund the micro-enterprise projects. By the way the school is a 501(c) 3 organization.

Here's the list:

Mosaic Tile Setting Grid (perhaps you were once into mosaics, but have moved on????)
Glass Mosaic Cutters (same as above!)
Tile Scorer/Nipper
Mosaic Mirror
Book "Making Mosaics-Designs & Techniques"
Book: "The Encyclopedia of Mosaic Techniques"
Book "The Mosaic Idea Book"
Clay Pots
Joint Compound
Marbles
Wooden Plaques/signs/letters/numbers
Nails & Hammers
Wood Stain
Paint & Related Supplies
Beads and beaded jewelry supplies
Cement
Glass Tiles

Yeah, yeah, I know. Just another charitable ask, right? Well, let me give you some figures and also put a face to the figures.

Mary Walters is the founder of the school and she continues to lead it. Education was not her career focus. Then she had THREE autistic children. When her daughter Maria, now 18 years old, was diagnosed, the chances of having an autistic child were one in 10,000. Recently statistics were released by The Center for Disease Control and Prevention that the statistics have now changed. Now for every 100 children born, one will have autism spectral disorder. Yes, that is right, one in one hundred.

So look around. Do you have something to spare? If so, you will have a hand in helping the students to become contributing members of our society.

Back at Ya'

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 13:21:00 +0000

A few weeks ago I presented a training for my friend Deanna Tucci Schmitt, Executive Director of BNI of Western PA. My trainings are always a conversation - interactive with the group. I answered one question that was asked of me by saying, "What did that person say when you asked them about it?"

They laughed out loud and said, "Did Deanna teach you that?" And guess what? As a matter of fact she did. Whenever I complain about something that someone has done, she always turns it back to me. She makes me responsible for correcting the situation or at least addressing with the offender.

Now sometimes I just want to vent, as we all do. I want someone to be there so I can talk out loud to hear myself. Deanna is equally willing to listen and not give me her trademark phrase. She is a good friend. She is willing to be both a mentor and a listener. I guess if I think about it, a mentor is a good listener.

Anyway, networking is all about personal interaction. Keep it flowing!

From Pumkins to Manuals

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 12:42:00 +0000

A favorite article of mine is called, Charity Networking with a Princess. It is on page 69 of the book, Masters of Networking. To sum it up in a few words, it describes how several groups, individuals and organizations linked together to raise more money and more visibility for each of the entities involved than one group member could have done for themselves alone. Each of the members has both a need and also excess of something.

Buy or borrow the book to read it. Then you'll know what I mean.

So we come to pumpkins.

My friend, Patrick Abec, owner of Abec's Small Business Review, lives out in the country and for the fun of it grew a field full of pumpkins. He had an event earlier this month where his business clients were invited to an afternoon in the country which included the children all having the opportunity to get a FREE pumpkin. Even after this day, Patrick still had quite a few of the orange orbs left. He offered them to folks. I took him up on his offer because my family gets together for an annual pumpkin carving event. It's this weekend and I have nine nice pumpkins that will get funny or scary faces. Patrick wouldn't take any money for the pumpkins.

I have another friend, Becky Knapp. She is the job placement coordinator for the Autism Model School. Her job is to help their high school students find employment or internships. One job I have always hated is getting all the materials ready for my classes. This is the type of job her students excel at. So this morning I am picking up 17 manuals that are all ready for class. The best part is that they will probably be perfectly done and I didn't have to touch them. When Becky and I talked about a payment arrangement, I expressed that I didn't want to pay them as actual employees, but as a vendor. She didn't think they were set up to accept those types of payments, so instead, I will make a donation to the school. This is where the pumpkins come in. I will increase the amount of the donation to include what I normally would have paid to buy the pumpkins, probably around $25. While that increase doesn't sound like a lot, this charter school lost $50,000 in funding from the state, so any extra is welcomed.

How does Patrick win. Well, as Becky is out talking with various employers, she will be able to refer folks to Patrick to be included as a spotlight article in his monthly business paper.

This is a very small example of how this could all work. Read the article and then tell me who else you think could profit and also give something as part of this circle.

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:45:00 +0000

Aly Sterling is a friend of mine. We serve on the Leadership Toledo Board together. She owns Architectural Philanthropy, a company that helps non-profits to have sustainable fund-raising. She's doing some great things in the community.

Several days ago I received Aly's newsletter, but didn't have time to read it till last night.

Wow! What a message. Read it below.

I have to tell you about something that happened last Friday.

At just around 6:00pm, following the tail-end of a whirlwind week, my home phone rang. My caller ID said, "AAA Northwest Ohio". I hesitated, but then thought this one was OK to answer (yes, I too screen calls, especially on Fridays).

The woman on the other end asked who she was speaking to and then proceeded ... yes, hold on to your seat ... to ... THANK ME FOR BEING A MEMBER.

That's it. She just wanted to let me know how much they appreciated my loyalty, and that if we're receiving their monthly magazine (think newsletter!) there's an entire page of benefits listed that I should be sure to read (think outcomes! stories of impact! testimonies!).

She thanked me again and told me to have a great weekend, and then she hung up. Again, that's it! Eureka! What if every non-profit took five (5) key donors a week and made a call like this?

I know I'll be renewing next time ...

Have a great weekend,

Aly

Even though this message is directed specifically to the non-profit world, certainly we who are trying to make a profit can take this message and use it to our advantage. Think about it.

What would your company look like if you called five clients ever Friday at 4 PM just to thank them for being a customer?

Skills=Connections

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

My friend David Trisel, owner of Graf-x-cape and Grab Bag Marketer, led a networking exercise at the GreaterFindlayInc. morning meeting last week that was ingenious.

With a very creatively developed worksheet, he asked each of us to quickly list five skills that we possess. We then had to trade our worksheet with someone else at our table. That person had to write suggestions of how we could reach out into the community to share out skills.

I quickly wrote five skills: Listening, Making Eggplant Parmesan, Gardening, Assembling Teams and Reading.

My partner was our featured speaker for the day, Hiroaki Kawamura, Ph.D. the chair of the Department of Language and Culture at the University of Findlay. The voices inside my head were nay-saying the value of this exercise. "How in the work would my skills equate to anything in Dr. Kawamura's world."

The voices have been silenced.

When I got my paper back, his suggestions were:

1) Organize a cooking group for internationals (especially housewives.)

2) Organize a conversation table for international wives.

3) (This one made me laugh!) Please feed me with your delicious eggplant parmesan!

I am interested in talking with Dr Kawamura, to discuss further the idea of a conversation table. I can tell you that I would NEVER have thought of it myself.

I suggest you try this at your next event where you want people to get to know each other better. It will also begin to weave those skills into the community fabric.

If you try it, come back to this post and tell your experience in a comment. Also, if you want a copy of David's worksheet, I can introduce you to David.

That's Not Possible

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 10:00:00 +0000

I have some really neat people in my current Certified Networker class that I am teaching in Findlay, Ohio. One such person is Ernie Lewis. He owns E.A. Lewis Consulting and is really really good at helping companies to do better. But that's not why I'm writing.

Here's the deal.

Ernie ran 100 miles all in one fell swoop last weekend.

Yep, you got it, 100 miles. And it was not just your usual road race. No sire-e-e. It was at Titusville, PA in Oil Creek State Park. It was on rain-soaked trails. It took him 30 hours and he climbed 17,000 feet during the run, but he did it! Ernie was back home Sunday resting his sore feet.

I have not talked with Ernie, yet, (hopefully tomorrow that will happen), but his friend Rod Cundiff, sent an email out to everyone letting us know that Ernie had completed the race. We were all worried because the website that was supposed to track his progress stopped tracking about ten hours in. We didn't know whether he had been pulled out due to hypothermia (a fear of his) or just technology not working. Luckily it was the latter.

What's really neat about this was that Ernie carried 104 names of people who have been affected by cancer and also he raised over $5600 to donate to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. He had told us in class that the people on the list helped him to keep going when he wanted to quit.

Thank you, Ernie for pushing yourself beyond reason. Thank you for giving.

Wasted

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 20:21:00 +0000

The other day at our BNI meeting, a guest was asked to introduce himself toward the end of the meeting. His explanation was, "You guys, already know what (mumble, mumble) is and I've visited one other time, so you all remember me."

Huh!!!

I guess it might have been a day that I had a substitute attend in my place, as I don't remember this young man.

Additionally, because he was unclear with his introduction, I still don't know who he is or what his company name is.

At the end of the meeting I got caught in a conversation before I made my way across the room to meet him, but he was gone already.

Lesson learned here?

Don't ever assume.

That young business person wasted a prime opportunity to have the focus of 35 or so people on him.

It's cliche to say this, but it is like paying for a Super Bowl ad and having nothing in the spot. Well, I guess it didn't cost him 1.5 mil, but you just never know.

Taking Responsibility

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 14:57:00 +0000

Many times I hear from acquaintances that something is not working for them. Typically it might be membership in an organization or even a referral relationship with another person.

What I always find interesting is when I ask, "So tell me what you've done to make it work."

More times than not, the person complaining, has focused on the negative and has not moved away from that point of view. That colors everything about the situation.

For example, getting referrals is so wonderful. Giving referrals and not ever getting any in return is not so wonderful. Instead of focusing on who's not giving, change the viewpoint to why you're not getting what you want.

Usually what I find when I ask is:

The person who wants referrals has not explained exactly what they need, instead just saying, "Send me anything."

The person who wants referrals mistakenly assumes that since they've given a referral to someone that the person will automatically know to send a referral back.

Changing these two situations will probably mean that something different will happen. And what is for sure is the negativism is gone.

What have you done to change a bothersome situation?

I Love Melons!

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 20:54:00 +0000

Well, what can I say other than I've spent more time outside this summer than sitting in front of my computer.

I was out in the garden yesterday looking AGAIN at my cantaloupes, hoping that they will get ripe soon. It just seems that I can't hurry them along.

I laughed when I thought about how it is the same with relationships. Hoping and wishing for a fruitful return won't do the trick. Just as the melons need more sunlight and water, I need to pay attention to my friends and acquaintances if I want them to even think about remembering me.

Not a big aha, but just thought you might like the analogy.

Cutting Membership

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:30:00 +0000

Someone mentioned to me today that they had cut back on some of the groups they belong to because of cost savings and in fact, the groups they left weren't fruitful for them. They asked me what I thought.

I didn't have a good answer right there. Of course not. I never do!

But later I realized why they need to continue those memberships.

Here's the deal.

Yes, you can participant with some groups as a guest paying an extra fee. However, I think having a membership pushes more involvement. the conversation in your head might sound like this, "You know, I better go to this event so I can get my money's worth from it."

But here's more of the deal. And I've written about this before. If you're not out there playing and meeting people, you won't be able to help your networking contacts. And if you stop helping them, probably they are going to limit their help to you.

So my new answer is, "Hell, yes, you need to be a member. It will get you out there instead of you allowing yourself to sit in your office cave."

So there!

Lost Name Tags

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:19:00 +0000

Yesterday I was at a networking event when one of the other participants made the comment that everyone always knows my name because I wear a name tag all the time. This person didn't happen to have a name tag on. Nor did most of the people around the table.

I asked why they didn't wear name tags.

One person explained that she is always loses her name tag.

Curiously, I asked how that happens. She said that she takes her name tag off before she goes into grocery stores or places like the post office and then it drops out of her car or her pocket.

Even more curious, I asked, "Why in the world do you take your name tag off when you go into a store?"

Can you give me an answer of why someone (in sales) would do this?

Fear: Protective and Restrictive

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 01:57:00 +0000

This past weekend my granddaughter, Kaylie came to visit. We had her little wading pool up on the deck, so she could splash and have fun.

Steve really wanted her to experience the pond, so while her dad, Greg, was taking a shower and we were trusted with her care, we encouraged a foray into the pond.

Now, Kaylie is 18 months old.

No FEAR!

She would have walked right out into the pond until the water was over her head. We had to watch her like a hawk, because she just didn't understand that the pond gets deep. She was just having fun. I guess grandma's swimming lessons are going to have to start soon.

It occurred to me that at some point, fear does set into our lives. It's a good thing and also a negative. Just think about how easy it would be if we could just wade into life. Whether it be visiting that new networking group, calling on a new prospect or asking for help.

Think how much easier it would be if we didn't have the cautionary voices inside our head.

Just a thought!

PS Don't tell Greg and Lisa that we had Kaylie in the pond. It will just be our secret.

Hard Kernel Cafe

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 11:31:00 +0000

I met the neatest lady at the WEN West meeting on Monday. Debbie Boris is an inventor. The product she has produced is a popcorn kernel remover. I don't know if that is what she actually calls it, but it is an ingenious little gadget that sits in the bottom of your bowl and sifts the unpopped kernels to the bottom, out of the way. You can read about it here.

What is really wonderful about WEN and the people involved is that we all have resources. I was able to tell Debbie about the Center for Innovative Food Technology and to invite her to several other events.

Women really like to help each other. What ways have you seen this?

"It would be impossible for me to help her."

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 11:39:00 +0000

Different people need different things.

At the end of most every conversation when I am networking, I mean to ask the question, "And how can I help you?"

Some people get that deer in the headlights look. It's probably because they've probably never thought about what they really wanted.

If you don't know what you want, I promise you that you won't get it.

Or maybe you'll get it but you won't realize it!

Or even worse, you get something you don't want!

In the last couple days, the answers I've gotten are as varied as the people I've chatted with.

One wanted me to explore a relationship with another entity for him.

One wanted me to help her to figure out what she really wants and NEEDS for her business.

One wanted me to help her to figure out if she should accept a board position.
One wanted me to help her to write a nomination.

One wanted me to introduce her to a helpful resource.

One wanted me to help her to more clearly see the future for her organization.

One wanted me to clarify an opportunity.

As you can see, none of the above needed a referral or prospect at the moment I talked with them. Sometimes we get brain-locked thinking that the only way we can help is to give direct business. And yes, bottom-line, that's what we all need, but there are plenty of steps in-between that can inch us closer that that new client.

What are all the different ways you have helped people?

Even more telling is what do you need this week?

Mouthwash Needed?

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 11:52:00 +0000

Not too long ago I helped someone indirectly. Without much effort on my part, I steered a nice piece of business to this person and also at the same time eliminated the chance for competition. I really didn't think much about it. It was the right thing to do.

The person I helped is someone that I had always wanted as a referral partner, someone that would send referrals my way and also had the ability to do so.

But it had never happened.

I had helped this person before but always thinking that I should get something in return.

Isn't it serendipity that the first time I sent assistance without thinking of getting anything that this person now wants to help me.

Do you think I had commission breath before?????

Louise, Chapter 2

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 11:55:00 +0000

A few years ago I heard a new phrase at a conference I attended. Ivan Misner used it in a presentation. It is reticular activation. One meaning is that once you become aware (and see) something, then you see it all the time. For instance, because I love driving my little yellow Mini, I see other Mini's on the road quite frequently, even though we don't have a dealer in the area. Other drivers probably don't notice those little "roller skates" as one friend calls my car.

But I digress.

As you may have read, I recently sat and chatted with Louise Mikesell-Wireman. You can read about it here.

Yesterday, I went to the monthly Social Media Networking Breakfast. Even before attending the event, I had connected with Patrick Giammarco through Linkedin. I wanted to be sure to meet him in person as he was attending, too. As soon as I got there I saw him and I made my way across to room to him. Another man was standing there and Patrick introduced David Pett to me. David is on the job quest and he is also an artist.

But I digress!

In my chat with David Pett, he mentioned that his wife is about ready to launch a line of cookies. Louise was also at the breakfast yesterday. So that's when the old reticular activation kicked in. You can bet that I introduced David to Louise. He had no idea that such help was out there for his wife. Taking her cookies to market will be a lot easier and mistake-free because of serendipity.

I love networking when I am able to help so many people as a result of just keeping my eyes and ears open.

Who have you been able to help recently?

You Do That Too?

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 23:58:00 +0000

Curiosity is a good thing!

Several weeks ago I invited Louise Mikesell-Wireman to visit my BNI chapter. She works for the Center for Innovative Food Technology in Toledo. I had thought of it as an business incubator that helped people who wanted to create and move a food product to the point where it could be sold to the public.

Well, it is that and MORE!

And so is Louise.

This is what's so interesting. I have been in the same room with Louise many times at a WEN meeting, but we had never ended up close enough to each other to chat. Because of that, I had a one-sided view of the food center.

Along with my limited knowledge of it, I also had a very narrow (a wrong) scope on Louise. She is funny, creative, smart and should be writing a book!
Now, I have no desire to be in the food world, except to eat (and hopefully a little less of it!) so I figured there was no way we would be able to connect or that I might be able to provide help.

WRONG

Just in passing, near the end of our rollicking conversation (ask Louise about the farmers at the farmers' markets, if you get a chance) she mentioned that one thing that she wants to participate in is something called Epicure Magazine. From what I can tell, it is an upscale media publication that is customized to each region where it is published. Louise needs to raise sponsorship money in order to make this happen. If you want to help, connect with Louise at the center.

Also, as a result of this conversation, I may be able to help another business friend get his food in the door of a company that is a client of Louise's. Just by chance he had asked for an introduction to that company the week before.

While I am big into focused networking, I do like to leave the door open to a little fun and a little serendipity.

What is the most interesting connection you've made this year?

I'm Sure You Don't Really Mean That!

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 11:18:00 +0000

About a week ago I presented to a group that wanted to learn some basics of networking. I shared that there would be three types of people they would meet at a networking event; prospects, those who could refer and others or social contacts. I said that the goal was to schedule an appointment with any of the first two types and to "move on" from the third.

After my talk, a lady came up and said that she had to take acception with what I said. She said that she was in the category of being able to refer. That is her job -- to help others find resources -- and that she didn't appreciate people coming up to her at networking events with that in mind.

H-m-m-m-m!

As she walked away, I thought to myself, "Why in the world does she bother?"

Have you run into anyone like that lately? What would your answer have been to her?

Cellphone Are Good, Too!

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Thu, 28 May 2009 14:28:00 +0000

You all have read how I feel about people taking cell phone calls during appointments. That is death of the relationship as far as I'm concerned if I am meeting with someone and they take a call.

But cell phones are good, too.

Or to be more specific, cell phone numbers are good.

Whenever I schedule an appointment with someone, I type their cell phone number right into the information about the appointment. That way if I need to connect (I'm running late, or I'm at the appointment and they are not) I have half a chance of saving the appointment and eliminating frustration.

The few times that I've not done this, of course, I needed the number. So that's my story today.

What tricks do you have when you are networking?

When is it Not Networking?

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Thu, 28 May 2009 01:26:00 +0000

Today, if someone peeked in my window they might have regarded me as a failure at networking. I had almost the whole day at my desk and no appointments what-so-ever.

Wow!

That doesn't sound like the networking guru.

But taking a page from my son, Greg's, no distraction Fridays, I needed that time to get caught up. I usually leave my home office fairly early in the day (6:30 or 7 AM) and sometimes don't get back till the very end of the day. I don't carry my laptop with me. I know, I know, you're all rolling your eyes.

So at the end of the day, I usually have a pile of "stuff" that I need to do to honor commitments I've made to people during the day. Sometimes those don't get done right away. I feel bad, but I also want a personal life, too.

Today was luxury. I did so many of those little jobs and also reviewed the last of the homework from my Cerified Networker class that just ended. (sigh!) I did ccommunicate with a few people via email and even responded to a few phone calls. I can start the day tomorrow (and it will be a long one) knowing that the pile has been removed from my desk.

I will be a better networker because of it.

So phooey to those of you peeping toms out there. A day at the desk is a good day for a networker!

How often do you get a day in your office?

My Garden

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Tue, 26 May 2009 10:22:00 +0000

This past three-day weekend was the first weekend I've had to devote to chores and fun around the house since the weekend before Easter. That also probably explains why the month-long absence from blogging posts.

Since I am truly an introvert by nature, playing in my garden all weekend was just the absolutely very best. My veggie garden is now all ready for the rest of the year. My final task Monday afternoon was to gain control of the raspberry plants. They like to go beyond their boundaries.

We harvested our first crop of radishes, sown about a month or so ago by Steve when I was out of town. They are the just the crunchiest and mildest radishes we've ever produced.

My garden also contains flowers. It is supposed to be a stylized, formal garden, with beds outlined in triangle shapes. Well, plants have their own mind. That's the way it starts out and then by season end, it is a crazy quilt of color and texture. Even so, I stick to 'tried and true' flowers that I know work and are not finickly about the care they receive. That means plenty of zinnias, marigolds, spider flowers, basil plants, loves-lies-bleeding, cannas, lilies and nasturiums. I love how these old-fashioned flowers look, smell and also pull in the hummingbirds. In the fall, I have to be careful not to get buzzed by a happy hummer!

What does that all have to do with networking?

Nothing!

Oh, I guess I could make a link to the fact that I stick with what works. In networking it makes sense to work with the people who have helped me before. Probably they will do so again, especially if I can help them, too.

How would you connect something in your life to networking?

Let's Get This Motor Rev'ed!

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Mon, 25 May 2009 23:11:00 +0000

Whew! I guess I've had a vacation from blogging!

Well, not so much. Just busy.

Some thoughts to get me going again.

A couple weeks ago I met with a business owner, with whom I had previously briefly chatted. I wanted to learn more about her business. At the appointment, instead of learning more, so I could better understand, she spent the whole appointment selling to me.

Now you gotta' know that I am not her target market. She knows that, too. I kept trying to steer the conversation back on track, but there seemed to be rut that took us off track.

I left the appointment fairly frustrated. I spent an hour not finding out much more that when I arrived. This is not usual for me!

MLM At Its Best

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 12:14:00 +0000

Yesterday, I met a new networking contact. She happens to represent an organization that has the Multi-Level Marketing (MLM) model of business. Now there are some people in the MLM businesses out there that give MLM a very black eye. ("Sign here and then I'll let you leave.")

Valarie Fasue, is not one of those!

She represents Pre-paid Legal. And does it very professionally. At my request she shared her (her, not the company) story which made her very endearing to me. She has worked very hard to be where she is today. She has had several other professional careers and came to this after considerable research. Can you guess that she is already successful?

What made us both laugh is a story she told me about a networking experience she had. At this event she met another business woman and asked if they could meet so she could find out more about this other women's business. The woman declined saying that she didn't need any legal help. Valarie laughed and said, "I just wanted to find out about her, but I realize that she thought I was going to try to sell to her."

Never one to let some little rejection get in her way, Valarie just approached another contact and made an appointment to find out how she could help that person.

Don't you wish all sales people would have Valarie's mentality?

And the Rest of the Story Is....

debby@certifiednetworker.com (Debby) — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 01:08:00 +0000

Today I found out that a networking event I was involved with the early part of February was a success.

Well, actually that evening I thought it was a success, but today I got the stats!

It was during International Networking Week, which is the first full week in February. A group of us in Findlay decided to put together an occasion that would help all the organizations in town to become more successful. What that meant for most of the groups that played, was to gain more members.

Today, I met with Mike Pepple, from First Federal Bank. In our wide-ranging conversation I found out that Mike is the proud dad of 11 year old twin sons. I also found out that his Kiwanis Club realized 7 new members as a result of having an exhibit table at the event.

That is what networking is all about as far as I'm concerned. Helping others to be more successful!