Tuesday, October 31, 2006

Butterfly or Mole?

Okay, here's my theory.

Those who say they love networking events are social networkers who like a butterfly flit from person to person without stopping to really connect. These are the people who also like to partake of all the food and drinks. They may be known as the king(or queen) of networking because they know so many people. A good networking event for them is a fun networking event.

Those who go to networking events because it is good business sense to do so, may not have fun at all. These events may be the ultimate challenge for them. They may be shy or not good at small talk. But when they measure the return on the investment for their time, they say, "I met a very good contact and we talked for quite a long time. We have an appointment to get together next week." Those people stay under the radar that identifies flashy networkers, so they may be unknown in their community. They could be called the networking mole.

Which are you, butterfly or mole? Which do you think is better?

Sunday, October 22, 2006

Finding the Why

Module 8 was Friday. It is my favorite. In the four years of teaching Certified Networker, now to over 300 people, it really is a turning point for both the class and me. Through a process in class, the students find out (probably for the first time) why they do what they do. It is important to know that, because that is the emotional power for their success.

The participants in this current Friday morning class have been stars in every assignment. They all rose to the occasion with this work. We jokingly call this the Kleenex session and Friday was no different.

Denny Austin, shared that he saw did not personally experience being bullied as a youngster, but that he saw it enough. Working as an investigator on Worker's Comp Fraud cases, he has actually investigated a couple bullies from his past. The old saying of, "What goes around, comes around," certainly describes this situation. Denny said, "The reason I do what I do is that I want to be a good example to my three boys of what is the right thing to do."

Pat Golba-Lynch, also a member of the Friday class, sells Arbonne like many other women. But her story is different. A teacher's impatience with her left-handedness, made her lose her confidence as a youngster. Now Pat, helps women to feel confident, or to gain the confidence that she knows is so important. That's why she choose to become an Arbonne representative after a long time teaching career.

When you think about your career choice, why do you do what you do?

Sunday, October 15, 2006

OCTOBER MEETING - See Who's Coming

Well... You won't want to miss this meeting! Our guest speaker is Leslie Traill who is an Astrologer, Meditation Coach, Speaker and Author. Kathy Quinn of By The Lake Spa and Wellness Centre has openen her doors to us and will be treating us to an awesome organic lunch. By The Lake is located on Washburn Island in Little Britain at 223 Washburn Island Road (click here for map). Meeting time is from 11:30am to 1:30pm... see you next week!

If you're not on the list and would like to come or if for any reason you cannot attend the meeting - contact me at heatherchapman@sympatico.ca or 705-786-1550 so that I can provide Kathy with accurate numbers for lunch.

Thursday, October 26th meeting registration:
Susan Aitken - PartyLite Gifts Canada
Beverley Allan - Reiki Master
Glenda Ashby - Maid In Canada
Karen Bambrough - Weekenders
Marilyn Blair - Bottomline Accounting
Gloria Broad - Mary Kay Cosmetics
Heather Chapman - ExcluZiv Marketing
Colleen Collins - Advertising Works
Darlene Conway - Angel of Encouragement
Michele Dinga - Stardust Candle Corporation
Monica Fowler - Clarica
Gloria Dear - Sales Rep, Coldwell Banker Terrequity Realty, Brokerage
Brenda Guitto - G.T. Transportation Limosine Service
Joanne Jehu - Faithlife Financial
Gayle Jones - Lindsay & District Chamber of Commerce
Catherine King - Community Living Kawartha Lakes
Leslie Laycox - VIP – Access To Well Being (VIP=Value In People)
Barbara Leffering - Quilt-A-Graffix
Alison (Ally) Leslie - Artist, Painting The Spirit of Life
Sharon Leven - Schoolhouse Graphics
Elizabeth Luzak - Travelonly
Kathy Martin - PIC-TUR-THIS
Cassandra Novis - Bottomline Accounting
Janet Gregory O'Mara - Gregory & Associates
Leslie Orr - Clarica
Kathy Quinn - By The Lake Spa & Wellness Centre
Janet Reeds - Reeds Gift Baskets
Sheena Schaer - Ally's Mom
Rebecca Sneiderman - Can Serve Legal Services
Bonnie Stacey - Intentional Success, Mission Success Group
Diane Steven - City of Kawartha Lakes, Economic Development
Sue Sutcliffe - AWebThatWorks
Bonnie Toms - Bonnie's Lampshades
Leslie Traill - Astrologer, Meditation Coach, Speaker & Author
Collete Yvonne - Panic House

Word of Blog for WOMMA

Last year about this time I joined WOMMA, The Word of Mouth Marketing Association. I felt that this group was my answer to the professional association that I wanted to belong to in order to gain and share knowledge. While this organization may not fill that need for me, I learned a ton of new information just attending their conference early this year in Orlando. I wouldn't be the proud creator of this blog without having attended. I would not have heard and met Scott Ginsberg, a young man whose energy and creativity continues to spur me on.

You don't need to be a member of WOMMA to attend their conferences. So-o-o-o,

I'm spreading the word about WOMMA's Word of Mouth Marketing Summit. Scheduled for Dec. 12-13 in Washington, D.C., this is the ultimate word of mouth marketing event. There will be more than 70 speakers, several big-name authors, and three keynotes. Anyone who wants to get into word of mouth, viral, buzz, or blog marketing needs to be at this conference! Register online now at www.womma.org/summit2.

Don't miss your opportunity to learn more than you ever thought about word of mouth marketing.

Do you have an association that you can recommend for those connected to the word of mouth world, but who are not in the advertising and promo fields?

Saturday, October 14, 2006

I Want That, Too!

A friend of mine, Leasa Maxx, Maxx Grafx, sent this cartoon to me a couple days ago and I immediately wanted to include it in this blog. I just received permission from Tallie Fishburne to use it. Tallie is the wife and business manager for Tom Fishburne, the creator of this cartoon and many others. You can view more of his work at www.skydeckcartoons.com. I think he has captured the essence of the power of word of mouth marketing. First I laughed and then I was in awe of his ability to simply send the message. Tom has a book of his cartoons called Brand Camp.

How do you think word on mouth has changed the way business is done? Or is it not different at all?

Friday, October 13, 2006

OCTOBER MEETING - BY THE LAKE SPA & WELLNESS CENTRE

The October meeting is set for the 26th and will be held at By The Lake Spa & Wellness Centre on Washburn Island in Little Britain. Our guest speaker will be Leslie Traill, Astrologer, Meditation Coach, Speaker and Author. Kathy Quinn, owner of By The Lake Spa & Wellness and Nutritionist, will be cooking up a wonderful organic lunch. You won't want to miss this great meeting! See flyer below for more details.

Renate Weiller - 3hr Workshop!

Wednesday, October 11, 2006

Pumpkins and People

Sunday I took advantage of the wonderful, Midwest fall weather and got out in my garden for a couple hours. It is always kind of a sad time to begin pulling out the plants that have produced all season, but at the same time there is for me a feeling of satisfaction to see the visual evidence of the last part of the harvest. Pumpkins, or at least my pumpkins, are an example of this.

My pumpkins vines are not well-trained. They wander all over the garden through the peony bushes on one side and on to the tall forest of asparagus. One even made it into the compost bin!

As a result, I'm always unaware of how many wonderful jack-o-lanterns in waiting are there. Sunday I pulled all the pumpkins from the secret hiding places and put them in a pile. It occurred to me that the pile could represent networking at its best.

Before I created the pile, I had no idea of what was there for me. After I gathered the gourds, I knew for sure the strength of the crop. If I don't gather and meet with a helpful, dedicated group of people on a regular basis, the strength of my networking is scattered. I know it is there someplace, but it is not organized or always helpful.

I have two ways I meet with helpful people -- my Partners for Success BNI Chapter keeps me connected weekly and my wonderful Master Mind gang gets together monthly.

What ways do you gather the people who help you to harvest more business and be more successful?

Tuesday, October 3, 2006

October - Meeting Proposed Location

Hello Ladies,

As I have mentioned in the past I am on the lookout for a new location for our monthly WiN meetings. I would like to start the New Year fresh with a new location so if anyone has any suggestions I would love to hear from you.

In the meantime I have a proposed location for the upcoming October meeting and would like your feedback. Cathy Quinn of Spa by the Lake & Wellness Centre has offered to open her doors for the October Win meeting. Cathy is also a nutritionist and has offered to whip us up a fabulous lunch at the same cost of $15/person. Cathy's Spa by the Lake is located on Washburn Island in Little Britain. I know some of you are traveling from the northern and eastern parts of Kawartha Lakes and I wanted to get some feedback from everyone who is planning to come whether or not they are willing to do a bit of extra traveling for this meeting (approx 15-20min from the Bonfire).

Please let me know over the next couple of days if you are willing or not willing so that I can make plans for the Oct meeting. Note: Leslie Traill (Astrologer, Meditation Coach, Speaker and Author) will be our guest speaker and a Spa would be a perfect setting for her talk! Visit Leslie's site at www.leslietraill.com.

Looking forward to hearing from you!

Warm regards,
Heather Chapman
705-786-1550
womeninnetworking.ca