The basic principles of networking discussed here are based on the following three universal laws:

1. The law of abundance. There are plenty of opportunities for everyone – plenty of ideas, clients, customers, jobs and so on. Just because your diary is empty does not mean that there are no opportunities around. Great networkers believe in an abundance of opportunities.
2. The law of reciprocity. What you give out comes back tenfold. If you give out help, you get back help; give out love, you get back love; give out information, you get back information. The challenge, of course, is that although for you the giving is instant and in the short term, the receiving may not happen for some time. Also, what is returned may not come from the person to whom it was given. However, great networkers believe firmly that what you give out comes back tenfold.
3. The law of giving without expectation. This occurs when you give without an expectation of receiving something. You do something for someone not to get something back, but because you want to help them achieve their goal

Who are the people you hang around? Are you the smartest, brightest, best dressed and best looking person in the group? If so, you’re in the wrong crowd! You want to find yourself among people you aspire to be like. People who excel in areas that you want to excel. You can learn from them. Read the books they read, networking in the same places. I am not saying imitate them, but watch what they do and how they do it. By surrounding yourself with people who you admire and want to be like, you start to pick up on their “success” habits. During my first year in high school, I played football. I rode the bench but felt I was just as good or better than the guys playing in front of me. However in practice, I stayed close to my friends who were really basketball players playing football just to stay in shape. Once I noticed that, I started running reps with the starters. I moved my locker near their lockers. I finished my wind sprints and exercises strong…just like they did. I got out to the field early and stayed late. I began to ask the coaches questions about my assignments. In less than a month, I went from a player who rarely got in games to being moved up to Junior Varsity to face our cross-town rival. Not only was I moved up, I started the game! After the game, I heard the coaches saying “Where has that guy been?” and “How did we not know about him?” They did not have an answer, but I did. It was about me. Once I got around the crowd that was excelling on the field, I began to assert myself more. My friends on the bench were both proud of me and a little envious. They did not take the same actions I took and they finished the season right where they started it – On the bench complaining about how hard it was to get in the lineup and that he must have been “lucky.”

Most new business have great concepts but lack new clients. We have decided to provide information and small business start up ideas to help entrepreneurs get more clients. Here is the first in a series called “10 ways to outsmart your competition and gain new clients“

RISE is a non-profit program dedicated to inspiring and empowering entrepreneurs.  Created originally in 2007 by Roy and Bertrand Sosa as a   week-long, free “un-conference” for- and by- entrepreneurs in Austin, Texas, RISE has now grown into an ongoing annual program that leverages its proprietary web interface to provide one-of-a-kind resources and experiences to entrepreneurs worldwide for free.

This years keynote speaker is Robert L. Johnson, founder of Black Entertainment Television and owner of the NBA Charlotte Bobcats. Space is filling up fast. For more information on Joi’s session click here

A somewhat reluctant actress, Valerie admits to being a little nervous when first told of her starring role, but soon got into the swing of things and can be seen in her latest feature, strutting around the office wearhouse and performing her own stunts such as showing off the electrical panel and climbing up stairs. And whilst new to the world of acting, Valerie shows she is a real pro as the video was ready for the editing room after just an hour of filming.
Valerie is now a well recognized face and seems a little taken back by her sudden rise to fame. In a post movie interview she explains how her legions of fans see her in the video on the company website and feel they already know her and the company before they even step out of their car in the car park and consider her their new best friend, even though she has usually never met these people before. And Valerie’s sudden rise to the pinnacles of company website fame have had a positive effect for the company as a whole. Whilst making a movie often requires substantial investment, Valerie’s testimonial shows that by using home grown talent and an established producer such as Third Cousins Media, any company can have its own mini movie made for their website, create local stars from their employees, gain new clients and have the benefits far outstrip the costs.
So are you ready to be a star for your company?

1. Law Of Mind: The dominate thoughts you hold in your mind are who you become. Goal setting starts in the mind. Make sure you maintain a positive mindset when goal setting. Remove all negative energy and people while setting your goals

2. Desire: No one can want something for you more than you want it for yourself. Make sure your goals line up with your desires. The biggest enemy in reaching goals is fear. Focusing on what you desire and dwelling on it day and night will automatically cause fears to atrophy

3. Law Of Belief: You must believe in your goals. Do not set your goals so high that they become unbelievable for you. It is easier to get discouraged. If you want lose weight, don’t set a goal to lose 50 or 60 pounds. Set your goal to lose 5 pounds in 30 days. Then reset the goal again until you reach your target weight.

4. Write It Down – If your goals are not written, they are a wish or fantasy. In writing it is tangible. You have to be clear and detailed in your goal setting. The act of writing crystallizes your thoughts. It becomes real to you and is impressed into your subconscious mind

5. Make A List Of Benefits – Write a list of the benefits that will be derived from attaining your goals. If you clear about your motives, you are likely to push hard even if things get difficult. Some are motivated by money, fancy cars, recognition and many other things. These benefits should motivate you: Not your spouse, parents or friends. Only share this list with people who are interested in your success.

6. Analyze Your Starting Position – You need to know where you are to get where you desire to be. This will allow you to have a baseline to measure your progress.

7. Set A Deadline: On any tangible goal, you need to have a deadline. It will give you a sense of urgency. Some resist setting deadlines because of the fear of failure. If you do not accomplish your goals by the deadline you set, just set another one. Missing a deadline is not failure….doing nothing or quitting is failure.