A RICHER LIFE BECAUSE OF FACEBOOK & SOCIAL MEDIA

Play this two minute podcast

It’s with mixed emotions that I make these comments.  I had one of those weeks that was happy beyond belief.  My daughter Melanie delivered my first granddaughter and my wife, Ina-Mae, and I celebrated our 43^rd wedding anniversary.  Two positive powerful events that make you appreciate and understand how great life can be.

 I posted my blessings on Facebook and immediately heard from many of my Facebook friends with notes of congratulations and best wishes.  But somehow, I felt badly…because some of my friends are having a difficult time.  One is going through the early stages of divorce; another’s wife is struggling to learn some of the basics of life after having gone through a major health episode that came close to ending her life.  A third friend lost his job several months ago and is terrified that he won’t be able to find something soon.

 So, somehow, I felt guilty…like I was flaunting my good fortune in the face of others misfortunes.  And then I realized that if these events had happened a year ago, I never would have had this dilemma…because I wasn’t on Facebook and I wouldn’t have this platform to make these public announcements.

 Facebook and my other social media platforms like LinkedIn & Twitter have literally changed my relationships and interactions.  When I think about the people I interact with, I now have a window into their lives and theirs into mine.

 I followed posts in the past week from two female friends who were both joyful with their success of potty training their children.  Another friend was thrilled with a 5K race she ran.  Others talked about their experiences on a special trip, a celebration dinner…or a family trip to the zoo.

 What’s amazing is I’m getting to know people in ways I’ve never had the opportunity.  Many of these people are clients, prospective clients, and business associates. If business is about building relationships…and it is, social media has created opportunities to build relationship that never existed before. 

 This is David Sher, your e-networking guy, saying it’s not what you know, but whOO you know.

Click “Read More” to the right to make your comments.

THE FOUR MOST COMMON NETWORKING MISTAKES

Play this two minute podcast

Oh no!  I looked down at my shirt & I had spilled cereal on it.  I was running late for an 8 o’clock business meeting & I had to make a decision…change my shirt and be late or go to the meeting with a glaring round milk stain.  I decided to go directly to the meeting and just keep my arms folded.

 Of all the podcasts I’ve done, the one on being late has gotten the most comments.  It makes people crazy when you don’t come on time and don’t call…so having made that post, I sure couldn’t afford to be late myself.

 I’m going list what I feel are the four most common networking mistakes…and of course I’ve started out with being on time.

 Number two is people not carrying their business cards.  I was at meeting last week and ran into a business associate who had just changed jobs.  I asked for his card and he responded…I don’t need cards…everyone knows me.  I was surprised with his response, but not surprised he didn’t have any cards…this happens all the time.  And even worse, when I give someone my card & ask them to send me their contact information, very few follow up.

 Next are people who don’t say thank you.  I was recently at a National Conference.  I heard many great speakers & presenters, but two were unusually good so I wrote each of them an unsolicited recommendation on LinkedIn.  One sent an enthusiastic thank you…I haven’t heard from the other yet.  I don’t quite have the same enthusiasm for the second presenter as I did before.

 And number four is people who try to directly solicit business on LinkedIn, Facebook, & and other social media.  When someone is always trying to sell me, I just take them out of my network.

 This is David Sher, your e-networking guy saying it’s not what you know, but whOO you know.

Click “Read More” to the right to make your comments.

IF YOU’RE NOT ON FACEBOOK…YOU DON’T EXIST

Play this 2 minute podcast

 It was years ago.  The fellow on the phone said, “I’ll just fax it to you.”  I went, “Uh oh.”  I didn’t own a fax machine.  It quickly dawned on me it was time to pay the big bucks and buy one.

 Then a few years later, a prospect said, “I’ll send you an e-mail.” That was another, “Oh no,” moment.  I didn’t have e-mail at the time.  By the way, when I finally got e-mail, I was so busy, I made the commitment I would only check it once a week.  That didn’t last long.

 Technology embarrassments just kept on coming.  How about the potential client who said, “That’s alright, I’ll just check you out on the Internet.”  Oops.  Must be time to build a Web site.

 Or how about this one?  I showed up for a lunch appointment and my client wasn’t there.  He had sent me an e-mail that he needed to cancel.  Since I wasn’t in the office that morning, I never saw it.  He just assumed I had a Blackberry.  So I bought a Blackberry.  Now I’m totally addicted to it and my wife bops me on the head every time I look at it.

 Okay, what’s next?  Well, this time I’m actually prepared.  I was talking with a friend about learning how to improve my swimming skills.  He gave me the name of a swimming coach and told me to find her on Facebook.  He just assumed I would know what to do.  Well, this time I was actually ready.  However the proposed swim coach wasn’t ready.  She was not on Facebook.  Not good for her or anyone else who’s not active with social media.

 Let’s face it…no one uses the yellow pages any more.  And a Web Site isn’t going to get you where you want to go.  If you’re not on social media, you probably don’t exist.

 This is David Sher your e-Networking guy saying it’s not what you know, but whOO you know.

Click “Read More” to the right to make your comments.

IF RALPH CAN EAT WITH STRANGERS, SO CAN YOU

Play this two minute podcast

 I was sitting at a table eating lunch at the National Speakers Association national convention when a man with no arms sat down at our table.  He sort of muttered under his breath, “Now it’s time to watch Alvin eat.”   Then he put his feet on the table and began eating with his feet.  Now, I have to admit my first thought was one of extreme uneasiness.  Quite frankly, I had a difficult time dealing with this emotionally and aesthetically.  

 Now it’s not unusual to see people at NSA with various disabilities.  I saw an extremely tall man, way over seven feet in height; two “little people,” that looked no more than 2 feet tall, a man with an amputated leg—and so on…so I guess a man with no arms might not be so shocking.  

 You might ask, why are there so many people with disabilities at a speakers’ convention?  Most are motivational speakers who have overcome great adversity to lead meaningful lives. 

 Well, back to my story.  I wanted to learn more about Alvin and asked a friend of mine if she knew him.  She said she had heard him speak and he is a remarkable person…born with a birth defect…overcoming his disability, and the anger that came with it.  She said people often made fun of him and one time he got so upset he threw a hamburger at someone who was mocking him.

 Then I got to thinking.  I know so many people who don’t like networking because they are so self-conscientious; don’t know what to say; are shy, or afraid they won’t remember names.  Then you have Alvin who is brave enough to sit down with complete strangers and eat in a most unusual way.

 I’ve thought about, discussed with others…and quite frankly feel badly for my initial reaction.  But it has helped me grow—exactly what Alvin had in mind.

 We all have short comings—most not as severe as Alvin’s.  But that should not stop us from going out in the world…meeting others…and having a great life.

 This is David Sher your eNetworking guy saying it’s not what you know, but whoo you know.

Click “Read More” to the right to make your comments.