Wild Honeysuckle

Happy Independence day to everyone!  A Special thank you to those who have & continue to protect our freedom, and independence.

I was out walking recently, and I recognized a familiar scent. As I moved closer to the source, but before I could see it, I realized it was honeysuckle.  I had gone through these steps often as I was traveling along a route that I frequently followed.  Once the bush was in site, I saw that their were both yellow & white flowers.  I reached for the white flowers as I often did.  Bringing the leaves closer to my nose I was confusingly disappointed at the weakness of the scent.  I then reached for the yellow leaves, rubbed them & pulled them close enough to sample the aroma.  I was pleasantly surprised.  The beautiful sensation of olfactory satisfaction was mine again!  I had always assumed that the white flower was the fresh, new bloom.  The yellow ones somehow had been perceived as week, old or tainted–what was left after the white flowers had lived their full life. Certainly, the white ones were the fragrant flowers on this bush.  This is of course what I told myself for a very long time.   I am not sure why I believed this.  Possibly because my favorite flower, the Gardenia is a strong white bloom with an amazing gift for the senses.  Whatever the reason, it is clear that I was betrayed by my preconceived notions.  We often are.    What this makes me think of in terms of Networking & Relationships, is that many times we are at events and we make judgments and assumptions about who people are and what they have to offer. We are passing up opportunities to meet the very people that can bring us those coveted “Resourceful Partnerships” that are exactly what we are looking for. We are falsely deciding where we think the power & resources are.  I would encourage you not to make those judgments.  Not to assume which flower or contact is the fresh bloom, because you really don’t know. As I said, I have walked past these flowering bushes many times.  When I finally decided to reach out and open my mind to the possibilities of finding out what was there to be offered, I found a wonderful fragrant surprise that refreshed me & inspired me.   Hoping you have a refreshing, inspiring & fragrant opportunity to connect with someone today.

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Marathon, FL

Right now, I am flying high. I just returned from a weekend in the Florida Keys.  Taking time to refresh one’s self is very important.  I had the opportunity to do several of my favorite things this weekend:  spend time in the sun & water; admire (& eat) beautiful food, & most importantly share it all with a loved one.

Now I am back and very excited as this is a busy week of networking. As you and I prepare to reach out and mingle, I hope this article will help.

One of the things that people don’t often check when they are preparing to go to a networking event, is their attitude.  Ultimately, it is the most important determinant as to success. I’ve heard it said that it is very hard to hide your disappointment.  This is never more true than when you are at an event that you don’t want to be at.  Unless you have to go, don’t go. You would better serve yourself not to attend if you don’t want to. If you must,  then prepare yourself to be there.     For those events that you do choose to attend, the following strategies are important.

Once you are engaged in an exchange with someone, it is important to be in the moment. Focusing on the conversation at hand and giving full attention is imperative.  Have you ever been talking to someone whose eyes keep shifting  to those around you, as if they are not really interested in you?  Don’t be that person.

Once you determine that someone is not a great connection for you or someone else you refer to, politely move on. It is a waste of both your time & theirs.  Remember part of your Networking:MaXiMiZed strategy is effectively use your time.

Don’t participate in the card collection race.  Find 2-3 people that you really connect with.  The ideal “Power Partner” is someone with whom you have what I call “Networking Synergy”. Networking Synergy exist when there is a comfortable rapport & an opportunity for mutual referrals & business exchanges.  Taking cards from everyone is a waste of time.  Take them from those who you genuinely want to reach out to or those that you think will be a good connection for one of your “Power Partners”.

Anyone interested in seeing more of my photos from my trip, check them out in my Facebook album.  Add me as a friend while you are there!

Have a MaXiMiZed Day!
Staci Clarke-The MaXiMiZer
NYEditor@NetworkingEventFinders.com

www.twitter.com/TheMaXiMiZer
www.twitter.com/NYNetworking.com

Exciting News–Our Elevator Pitch Challenge has been extended, the contest is open until March 31st., 2010.  This is a great way to promote your business and you could win lots of great prizes including 1 year of free advertising on NetworkingEventFinders.com.

Rules:
- Business topics only (non-profit organizations are welcome)
- Must be 20 – 35 seconds only. If the video is longer than 35
seconds, it can stay up (if appropriate) but will be ineligible for
voting.

Enter the Elevator Pitch Challenge

Follow the link  to go to the Elevator Pitch Challenge website for Elevator Speech Training Calls, down loads, Self Introduction Samples, List of Prizes and more…

Upcoming Events:

Tuesday 03.16.10
Westchester Business Connection-Networking Event @Chat19 6pm-8pm

Thursday  03.18.10
Mega Mixer Business Expo 2pm-6pm

Friday  03.19.10

Free Networking Skills Training Call
Friday mornings at 8:30 AM Pacific.
Dial-in (712) 432-1630
Access Code: 420322#

Calendar Links to all events:

• New York Networking Events Calendar for This Month
• New York Networking Events Calendar for This Week
• Today’s New York Networking Events Calendar
• Add your New York & New York Networking Events

Let’s look at some ways to increase our balance with our “Power Partners” & Contacts:

1. Making Referrals
2. Being a Resource (see my recent post NY Networking Guide-February 21, 2010-Being a Resource)
3. Supporting Events & Causes of Interest to the other party
4. Commenting on a Success or Accomplishment
5. Remembering a Birthday or Special Occasion

I am sure that you can think of many things that will withdraw from your balance as well.  A pet peeve of mine, is when you are at an event and someone walks up to you (even worse if you are already talking to someone), hands you their business card, shakes your hand, asks for your business and walk away.  Yes, people still do that today.   In this situation, there is an immediate “overdrawn” balance.

Here a few ways that we sometimes make withdrawals in Networking relationships:

1. Not returning phone calls
2. Not doing something we said we would
3. Not following up
4. Asking for business without first establishing your intent or ability to help them
5. At event, looking away or being distracted when speaking to someone

Remember, finding ways to add to your balance is another way of MaXiMiZing your relationships.  Feel free to comment and share other ways that we can increase our balance or avoid withdrawing.

Post your events on our calendar for free!

Have a MaXiMiZed Day!
Staci Clarke-The MaXiMiZer
NYEditor@NetworkingEventFinders.com

www.twitter.com/TheMaXiMiZer
www.twitter.com/NYNetworking.com

Upcoming Events:

Monday 03.01.10
Yorktown Chamber – Networking Meeting @Yorktown Elks Lodge 6 pm – 8 pm

Thursday  03.04.10
Hudson Valley Gateway – Business Council Breakfast 7:45 am

Friday  03.05.10

Mindy’s Networking Qwik Tip Call

Friday mornings at 8:30 AM Pacific.
Dial-in (712) 432-1630
Access Code: 420322#

Calendar Links to all events:

• New York Networking Events Calendar for This Month
• New York Networking Events Calendar for This Week
• Today’s New York Networking Events Calendar
• Add your New York & New York Networking Events