At the most recent show I was producing for a client, I encountered George.

George gave me a lesson that I want to share here: be positive. Read More...

At a networking event this morning, I was reminded of the importance of being included.

It goes back to the note in an earlier entry in this space about being polite: don’t leave anybody out of a conversation. Be inclusive. Read More...

It is so simple of an act: returning the call of someone who has called you.

I know many of us have an aversion to the phone. But, let’s face it, somebody called you first. And now you owe them the courtesy of returning their call. Read More...

One of the best and easiest ways to extend your brand and earn credibility with your network is to become a speaker.

Whether you are a seasoned veteran or beginner, standing up in front of a group and sharing your experiences, knowledge or humor (or some combination of the three) is a great way for you and your audience to grow. Not to mention, giving you new-found confidence. Read More...

After a number of months of using LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, I’m on overload.

And I guess I should be. But it doesn’t have to (and shouldn’t) be that way. Read More...

OK, so rubber chicken at lunch is not enough when it comes to making connections? Now we need to get out and drink in the early evening to make more connections?

Seriously, when you extend your networking strategy beyond lunchtime, you get into a different crowd. Let’s face it, lunchtime isn’t for everyone, what with busy schedules, errand running and people doing three and four jobs during work hours these days. Read More...

The best quote of the day at a luncheon I attended yesterday was this one:

“Stop pitching, start listening.” Read More...

Let’s just follow this title with “don’t.”

Everyone you encounter is really in your network. And everyone in your network is valuable. You never know who will lead you to new business or who you might lead to something. Read More...

It is the basic tool of the networker. That 15- to 30-second collection of words that you say when asked about who you are and what you do. While many of us talk about it and use the term, how many of us have actually thought it through and have an elevator speech strategy?

• First, remember this is about brevity. Get to the point.
• Start and finish with your name (and company, if appropriate).
• Distill what it is you (and/or your company do/does).

With homage to John Ritter, those are the Three Basic Rules If You Want to Engage Network Effectively. So, let’s try this. My speech goes something like this: Read More...