Mind Jam Anybody? Seeking Feedback, Building Community and Improving Your Business

Posted on May 15, 2013 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

Last Friday I tried something I’ve never done before, I hosted a Mind Jam. It was an opportunity for me to present my business plan, the big picture, to a group of esteemed colleagues and fellow entrepreneur’s to gain their feedback and insight. Truth be told, I also did it for accountability and to build community around my business.

The entire experience is difficult to summarize because it was both enlivening and exhausting. A total of 12 people took 2 hours out of their day to hang out with me and talk shop. That in-and-of-itself amazed and touched me. Especially because these were busy people, accomplished entrepreneur’s and leaders that I admire and whose insight I value.

While it was invigorating, the preparation, the discussion and the followup were also a little bit draining. I spent hours developing materials to share for the discussion. I built models for growing my business, and worked diligently to hone in on which details were relevant to the discussion. Despite all that effort to prepare, there’s still so much work to be done….And my mind’s been racing since the Mind Jam as I process everything that was shared.

Earlier this week I had the privilege of attending the Fort Collins NewTech Meetup for the very first time. This is a fun and supportive community of tech savvy entrepreneur’s where participants have the opportunity to pitch their business and gain feedback from their peers. It was awesome to bear witness, especially since I now have a new level of respect for the people that presented that night.

I could sympathize with how the folks giving their pitches felt. So excited about what they were working on they couldn’t wait to share it with the world. Yet a little confused and in need of direction, clarity and support for successfully creating their vision. Open to feedback, lingering on what other’s say as they evaluated the relevancy of the comments or questions made.

Seeking this kind of feedback is great if you have follow through. You have to process through many comments or questions, many that are difficult to hear, and decide what to do about it all. One of the things I heard from a few different people on Friday was that they thought it courageous of me to seek and organize a method for gathering feedback and “opening my kimono” so to speak.

But I think extending oneself like that just gets you partway there. The fully courageous act is leveraging what you learned to improve yourself and your business. That is about knowing what pieces of advice to ignore, and which pearls of wisdom to act on. Putting yourself out there and seeking input from your community is only as powerful as your ability to synthesize, modify and deliver a better product or service as a result.

So now the challenge is on, both for myself and for the businesses that pitched at the NewTech Meetup: do each of us have the courage to apply what we learned and take our businesses to the next level? Only time will tell!

The Secret Ingredient to Fostering Positive Change

Posted on March 13, 2013 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

In 2008 my husband and I bought our first place, a condo in Fort Collins. Always striving to live sustainably, I was on a mission (fostering positive change) to make the Cottonwood Condos a destination for Green, Downtown living. Almost immediately, I convinced the HOA president to join Climate Wise. After all, it was a free, City sponsored program that could help us to save some money – cha-ching.

I had these grand visions and expectations of how we were going to make the Cottonwood Condos more green. We got our Climate Wise assessment and found that there were some big projects on there. I presented a few ideas at the annual meeting later that year…our journey had begun.

Now, almost 5 years later, the Cottonwood Condo’s will be the first HOA to receive Gold level status from Climate Wise. We have a compost pile, upgraded our washers/dryers to high efficiency models, did a green remodel to the common areas…and we still have more projects in the works!

Yay Cottonwood Condos!

In addition to the building improvements we’ve created a stronger sense of community. We hosted two ZEDfest parties, organized community cleanups, worked together on projects and organized into sub-committees…We wouldn’t be receiving Gold status if it wasn’t for dedicated community members coming together and contributing (as volunteers mind you) to the overall effort, which has been awesome (thank you!).

We’re not good at taking pics…slim pickings!

But it wasn’t always like this. The last 5 years haven’t exactly been chocked full of huge wins and big feats of change. Not long after sharing my ideas at the annual meeting I learned that I was met with feigned interest and a lot of resistance. Many held the perception that we’d already done enough (all the light fixtures in the common areas were CFL’s after all) and that things were just fine the way they were!

Another obstacle I faced was the hefty price tag on most of the improvements. We’re a small organization with limited resources. And nothing causes things to come to a screeching halt like “the budget!”

Despite these challenges I did not despair, at least not right away. I joined the Board of Directors. I threw out ideas at the meetings. For example, we had an inoperable solar thermal system on the roof, Climate Wise said it was the biggest array in the city they’d seen at the time. This gem sat dormant for years. I was determined to get it up and running…that didn’t happen, nor did most of my ideas, not much happened for a while.

Just when I felt hope was lost for the Cottonwoods, residents began to step up and take an interest in our little community like never before. Things that weren’t at all a part of my own master plan for the association started happening. It felt rather sudden, “Surprise!” we are changing for the better.

You know what I finally did? Do you know the secret ingredient to fostering positive change? It’s what I didn’t do; I stopped pushing the ideas I had for specific things I thought we should do. I’d actually felt like giving up entirely, I learned this by happenstance. It was when I let go, when I stopped caring so much about making my own ideas happen that other people started stepping up! The seed had been planted, people believed the Cottonwood Condos could be better.

So, that’s the secret ingredient to fostering positive change. Let go, stop caring so much about every little piece of the puzzle and making good on your own master-plan. It’s not just about you! What you are responsible for is sparking people’s interest. For providing a little direction towards an ideal destination and engaging your comrades by challenging them to help make the vision happen! If you fixate too much on your own grand plan you alienate people and without the participation of others nothing changes for the better.

EntrepreNerds Discussion Highlights – Connecting with Your Inner Entrepreneur

Posted on January 14, 2013 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

"With Discussion Things Become Clearer" Photo by Eddy Van

We had a great discussion at EntrepreNerds last Thursday and while I cannot fully replicate the experience for those that missed it, I would like to share some of the highlights! We had 9 participants actively engaged in a titillating conversation about 5 books. Everyone shared the highlights, relevant points and key take-aways of the book they read with the group. Here’s an overview of what we discussed!

Outwitting the Devil by Napoleon Hill

This recently released manuscript has been under lock and key for over 70 years; to say Hill’s writing is provocative may be an understatement. Highlights from the book include the use and definition of the term drifters. Characteristics of a Drifter includes people that generally do not have a purpose in life, are ill-tempered, closed-minded, lack enthusiasm and unwilling to admit error. Non-Drifters on the other-hand are self-actualized, have a definiteness of purpose and posses integrity. Which would you rather be?

Hill also shares with us the vital role that fear (a ploy of the Devil) plays in holding us back from reaching our full potential. The way we are taught in school instills fear in us because we don’t learn how to use our minds. Instead school teaches us to memorize the “right” answers. The antidote to becoming a drifter helps us overcome our fears. The first step is having definiteness of purpose followed by a daily effort to engage, exercise and grow our minds!

The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Stephen R. Covey

A classic self-help book for professionals, “The 7 Habits” has been around for 24 years and continues to provide valuable insight for the consummate student. Highlights from the book include observations that society has shifted from focussing on the development of character traits to personality traits. This has had negative consequences and it is time we re-focus on developing character!

Participants observed that interpersonal skills are vital to our success, yet society teaches us to be independent. Habits 4 “Think Win-Win” and 5 “Seek First to Understand” really talk about the daily practice for developing our interpersonal skills. Being present and mindful of other’s perspectives is a continuos process. However, sometimes a hard decision has to be made and you can’t make everyone happy. Being considerate doesn’t mean you should be ineffective.

Also, the most valuable habit that’s been retained years after reading the book is “Sharpening the Saw.” If you’re feeling uninspired, or lost your mojo do something to sharpen your saw (read a book, watch a TED talk, engage in constructive discourse, go to a seminar, attend an EntrepreNerds discussion, etc.). What’s your plan for “sharpening the saw?”

Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields

A recently published book about creativity and business, Fields simplifies a complicated topic and makes it easy to digest. Highlights include his recommendation to practice Attentional Training, as in training your mind to stay focussed and on-point. The notion that we can train our minds to be more attentive and focussed is quite mind boggling to many, especially as our society has come to accept that some people just can’t help themselves (diagnoses like ADD or ADHD abound). But the proof is in the practice, if you’re tired of being easily distracted, there’s something you can do to change that.

Fields also encourages readers to “build your hive.” He suggests that working with others in various roles improves our creative output. From co-creation communities to working with mentors or coaches, the insight and input others provides is invaluable in the creative process. In addition, the internet offer a variety of free forums for us to connect with others like never before. Who is in your co-creation community?

The Dip by Seth Godin

It just so happens that we had two books by Seth Godin at this discussion. The Dip is all about knowing when to quit and knowing when to push on. We all experience the dip; for example when we’re learning something new there’s that period in the process where it gets harder before it becomes easier. That’s the Dip and in those situations you want to lean in and keep going.

But when you’re in a cul de sac….it’s a dead end folks, there’s no way out by continuing what you’re doing. However, we all have the ability to turn a cul de sac into a dip!! This quick read shares some useful insights, possibly the best tidbit was that you should decide before you start a new project or business the point at which you’ll quit. Do you know when you’re quitting time is?

The Icarus Deception by Seth Godin

Godin’s new book, the Icarus Deception is a philosophical mussing about the changes occurring in society and how they impact our lives. Godin observes that evolutionarily we learned to make decisions based on two things: our Comfort Zone and our Safety Zone. For years, the two have overlapped. And the story went something like this: go to school, get good grades, graduate, get a good job, work it for years, retire, and be happy because you did what you were told (AKA life throughout the pre/post-Industrial Revolution).

But now the game’s changed (we’re in the Connection Economy); the safety zone’s migrated away from the comfort zone but as a society we’re still making decisions as though they overlap. It is time we break away from our comfort zones and be more mindful of our safety zone. This means everyone must start being an artist, to strive to make meaningful contributions that form connections with others. Artists innovate, create, challenge and provoke growth, improvement and positive change. Are you willing to stray from your comfort zone, it’s no-longer safer?

Two other books that we briefly talked about were Zapp and Firms of Endearment – both look intriguing and inspiring and are now on my to-read list!

What’s interesting about EntrepreNerds discussions is hearing the different perspectives participants bring to the table. Two people reading the very same book will glean different insights and take-aways based on their own personal experiences. Hearing other’s perspectives heightens our individual learning experiences. The highlights I shared were what stroke a cord with participants. I imagine you have your own reactions about the books we discussed and I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Want to join EntrepreNerds for our next expertly facilitated for the next Topic Discussion? Checkout the details and RSVP today.

A Book Review “Uncertainty: Turning Fear into Fuel for Brilliance”

Posted on December 26, 2012 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

It seemed like the world was assertively giving me a message to read this book, Uncertainty by Jonathan Fields. Not that I wouldn’t have read it without the prompting from so many different people. But, I did feel especially receptive to the message as a result (it helped that I received a free, signed copy from 12 Books). In a nutshell, this book is about managing the creative process, particularly with regard to entrepreneurial pursuits.

Jonathan Fields offers a fresh perspective on the creative process based on his own experiences as well as research (although the documenting of his sources is anything but academic in nature. I for one would have loved to see a bibliography at the end listing all the different titles he references throughout the book). He frames the creative process in a new way by talking about things like creativity anchors, co-creation hives, Attentional Training and reframing.

While his writing style feels a little bit choppy at times (I found it hard to get into the rhythm of the book myself), I appreciate how he brings these complex ideas down to earth for readers. I think the strongest part of his book are the thought provoking questions he posses to readers. These are found throughout every chapter. In addition, he provides a “Conversation Starter” in the back which includes even more ideas for the active mind to ponder!

Fields continually encourages self-reflection, and I for one agree that self-awareness is key to to not only successfully navigating creative pursuits, but to learning and growing in general. I was shocked to learn that Fields is not an active journaler, although he’s aspiring to hold a daily practice. While I think many of the questions he posses are great conversation starters, they’re also wonderful prompts for journaling.

Alas, I digress, there are lots of different tidbits to be gleaned from Fields’ book. I imagine that you’ll find insight based on your own personal experiences and needs as this is a great book for anyone that’s new to the creative process or is a seasoned creator in search of a fresh perspective.

One of the most helpful insights I got out of this book was about the value of certainty anchors and in particular the importance of rituals in creative endeavors. Until earlier this year I was one of those foolhardy people that thought being creative meant being free-spirited as well. I fought (the struggle still persists to be honest) structure and schedules like I was warding off the plague because I worried that I wouldn’t be able to follow the calling when inspiration struck.

A few months ago a colleague lassoed that misconception for me, “structures and schedules actually free you up to be more creative” she wisely said. What happened next is anything but impressive. Intellectually I understood what she was saying but emotionally I couldn’t let go of my limiting beliefs, “schedules are bad and I’m a free spirit that can’t be caged.”

I’m fairly certain that I am not the only person bothered by this misconception. Overcoming limiting beliefs like this one is not easy, especially when we hold-on so tight to the negative perception as though it were bearing the weight of the world. That’s why I liked Fields’ chapter about Certainty Anchors. He reframed the value of structure and schedules in a positive way that felt empowering and inspiring. As a result I’ve actively taken steps to change my own daily habits in this regard (again, still a work in progress).

The other golden nugget I gleaned from Fields’ book was about co-creation hives. The entrepreneurial journey can be a lonely one, therefore gaining support and assistance from colleagues along the way can be very rewarding. With co-creation hives Fields recommends formalizing the process to ensure a win-win arrangement that best leverages a cohort of value-adding contributors. While I’ve often enjoyed soliciting feedback and insight from mentors and teachers, I have begun to take steps towards working with a more formal co-creation community since reading this book.

In summary, it isn’t that Fields has discussed brand-spanking new theories or ideas in his book. But he does re-frame age-old wisdom in a new light sprinkled with anecdotal stories that add a contemporary lens to the creative process. There’s likely a morsel of insight that’ll help you out along this journey of creativity and innovation if you’re open to it.

Uncertainty is one of the recommended readings for January’s EntrepreNerds Topic Discussion about Connecting with your Inner Entrepreneur.

5 Steps to Building Win-Win Community Partnerships

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

Everyone has at least one hot-button issue. A boss from an old job of mine used to say, “Everything’s sales!” Not surprisingly, I was in a sales position at the time. His was a philosophy I didn’t much care for as it felt kind of… shallow.

When I think of Community I think of the Farmers Market as a great visual!

On the other-hand, one of my personal hot-button issues is community. For me everything in business and life personally, is about building, nurturing and sustaining community. Simply put, I dork out over community. To be fair, I think that working within (and creating) communities is an integral piece to business and personal success these days. I believe people and organizations that can effectively and respectfully leverage community partnerships are at an advantage!

I’ve been building win-win community partnerships for the last 5+ years; it is one of my favorite things. I love meeting others, exploring opportunities for collaboration and executing on a mutually beneficial arrangement. It should come as no surprise that when I started EntrepreNerds earlier this year, I immediately began collaborating with complimentary businesses. The results of which produced outcomes I never expected, nor would I have achieved them on my own!

While everyone’s experiences are usually a little different, there are a few general rules you should follow. I’d like to share the five steps I’ve learned to form win-win community partnerships.

Think Vertically – Brainstorm a list of products or services that directly or indirectly support what you’re doing. For example when starting a business book club, an independently owned book store makes for a good partner.
Who Do You Already Know – Look over your existing contacts and connect with people in positions that compliment your own efforts. Working with your existing contacts usually means you have already established trust as well, that’s an added bonus. For example, I’ve been working with Old Firehouse Books in Fort Collins for years prior to starting EntrepreNerds. In fact, in 2008 I told Susie, the owner, that I thought someone should start a business book club…..
What Do you Have to Offer – It’s easy sometimes to think about the things you can get out of working with others (truly it is, we don’t have to act like we’re totally self-less to be good collaborators). But going to the table with “What’s in it for me” isn’t exactly a win-win proposition. Think about it from their perspective, what genuinely helps them out. Consider the unique value and experterience (yeah, I like that word a lot now, experience + expertise = experterience) that you enjoy bringing to the table. Make it meaningful and manageable.
Set Clear, Mutually Agreed Upon Expectations– I’ve seen many-a-projects go astray when expectations aren’t determined together, and from the beginning. If tis is poorly executed, the trust may begin to disintegrate. Determining who is responsible, and what their responsible for helps to ensure that all bases are covered without stepping on other’s toes as well.
Keep the Conversation Going – Open communication is key. Most partnerships are formed in a dynamic world that’s ever-evolving. As things change, you each grow. Therefore, you must discuss the ways your working relationship will evolve as well. This might mean a change in responsibilities, a shift in the value exchanged, or that you’re going entirely in different directions!

Like mostly everything else in business, managing community partnerships is a continuous process. One that requires on-going effort: to evaluate, strategize and act.

4 Steps to Supporting Local Businesses and Loving It!

Posted on November 11, 2012 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

I recently worked on the 5 Year Strategic Plan for Be Local Northern Colorado and one of the things that came up a number of times was the importance of encouraging more people and businesses to shop locally. You see, by supporting, local, independently owned businesses, you are contributing to a thriving community, creating local jobs and supporting the unique businesses that make where you live special. But what does it look like to shop locally?

Our Handmade Client Appreciation Gifts. Notice the eco-friendly wrapping!

I recently put together a special client (and supporters) appreciation gift. November 10th is my Grandmother’s birthday and I thought it would be sweet to honor her by sharing gifts with all my awesome clients in appreciation for the opportunity to serve them. I wanted this gift to be enjoyable, meaningful, affordable and locally sourced (as much as possible).

I was faced with many different decisions as I embarked on this journey. First thing first, I set my budget so I knew what I had to work with. Then I decided on the gift; because my Grandmother and I loved sharing a pot of tea together while we chatted I thought tea would be a fun, unique and memorable gift. So I made a list of the materials I needed and started to research my options (I even made a spreadsheet including cost, product details and vendor information).

Where was the first place I looked? Online of course, I started doing my research at 9pm at night so no stores were open anyway. And to be honest, I found everything I needed at various online retailers but what I didn’t know was the reputation of the companies, the quality of their products, the amount of shipping time required, etc. Many people will stop their search there, click buy, put in their CC information and wait for the delivery.

Loose Leaf Tea, Labels, and Ingredient Cards

My search, however, did not stop there because my goal was to support local businesses as much as possible. I went to our local tea house, Happy Lucky’s and inquired about getting a special blend made for Rosabella Tea. The staff was incredibly helpful and I ended up paying less for the tea and tea bags there than I would have if I bought them online (when you add on shipping, costs tend go up a lot)! Plus the quality was exceptional and I got exactly what I wanted, no sacrifices made there.

I thought for sure that I was going to have to buy the stickers from a company online because I needed round ones and last I checked for a different project those were only available from a special online store. But I thought to myself, “If I’m really doing my best to support locally-owned businesses I better do my due diligence first.” So I looked at the local office supplies store, My Office etc. Lo-and-behold they had round stickers, exactly what I was looking for at a fraction of the price.

The one thing I decided to buy online were the round metal tins. There was just no price comparison there, I got a sweet deal and was able to get the quantity I needed. The only local option I found was to buy them from a chain store and they didn’t have the quantity in stock, were more expensive and lower quality (for me sustainability of a product is also important, these tins can be reused again and again).

Cards Made in Nepal

What’s really cool is that I was way under my budget at this point! And as a result I was able to purchase beautiful, sustainable, fair trade cards from Green Logic. When I started this project I figured I could always buy some paper and make cards myself to keep my costs down. But as it turned out, buying locally was all I needed to do to keep my costs down!

At this point, supporting local businesses is a habit of mine. One of the greatest rewards of this habit is that I get to socialize with my fellow community members and business owners when I’m out and about shopping in town. Building relationships with other professionals and entrepreneurs is just one of the many benefits of shopping locally.

I realize however, that this is not a habit for most people. Whether you run a business or not, here are four steps to supporting local businesses you can start following today.

Create Procurement Policies that require local and sustainable purchasing whenever possible. In other words, make a commitment to vote with your dollars.
Join an organization like Be Local Northern Colorado that advocates for locally-owned businesses. Checkout the BALLE network for information about organizations in your town.
Research local business options online, by talking with friends and colleagues, and looking at sites like BeLocalFirst.org.
When-in-doubt if you can’t buy it from a locally-owned store at least purchase it from a locally located store! That way you’re still supporting local jobs and contributing sales tax to your community (in states and municipalities where they collect a sales tax that is).

In what ways have you made an effort to support local businesses lately?

Building Valuable Relationships for your Business is just like Cultivating a Good Friendship

Posted on August 30, 2012 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

A Good Friendship

I have found that there are certain friends that I have an instant connection with. We meet, start talking and just get each other. Almost immediately they near the top of my “list” of favorite people (oh come on, you know you have one of those too even if it’s figurative). I feel comfortable, I’m at ease, and being myself around them just feels great.

And then there are those friends that it takes time to build a deep and meaningful relationship with. You might know each other for years, bumping into them with some regularity but never having a real conversation. Despite knowing one-another for a while, we don’t really know each other (as in, I’m not familiar with their story). I usually like the person but for whatever reason, it has taken years to form a connection with them.

And building valuable relationships for your business is just like cultivating a good friendship. Some people you’ll hook instantly. They’ll just jive with your story, value what you have to offer and want to be your fan club president (I have two people vying for the spot right now!). These rare gems instantly become a part of your tribe, will sing unsolicited praise for you and often they understand you better than most anyone else. But forming such a fabulous insta-bond does not usually happen.

While for most people, it takes some time to build meaningful relationships. They might need to develop a taste for your unique flavor. Or quite possibly, they just don’t care enough in the first place to pay you much attention (I know it sounds hurtful,but seriously folks we’ve all got a lot of sh*t going on and simply must ignore things that are not pressing to stay ahead).

Long story short. If you find something in common with a professional contact (client, colleague, provider, etc.), and even better connect with them on a deeper level, you can build positive and lasting relationship that’ll help grow your business. In the end, they will become a part of your tribe.

The secret to cultivating these valuable professional relationships lies in your own effort and dedication. You have to care enough to continually try new ways to create a bond, all without ever forcing it, being obnoxious or worst, acting fake! In addition to putting yourself out there, you have to show genuine interest and concern for others. Asking questions, building value and giving. With time and continuous effort you can develop valuable relationships for your business and build your tribe!

EntrepreNerds is 6 months old! My Top Six Takeaways From These Classic Business Books

Posted on August 17, 2012 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

Zoey B. Circa 6 mos old

This week we had our sixth EntrepreNerds book discussion and professional development workshop. Like a proud Mamma, I can’t believe my little baby is six months old already!

I have really enjoyed EntrepreNerds so far and the feedback from participants is that they like it too, yay! With a landmark like this, I can’t help but reflect on how much we’ve grown in the last six months (some random facts, a 6 month old baby is developmentally able to sit up, stand with support and also starts drooling more……growing up is never easy).

Before I started EntrepreNerds, I rarely finished non-fiction books (unless I was reading for school). Inevitably I’d read about half way through, then I started to feel like they weren’t saying anything new and I’d get a little bored! So I’d put the book down with intentions of coming back to it…..as a result I have half read books with dog ears from where I stopped linning my book shelves, proof of my lack of followthrough there.

But, as the facilitator for a book group that kind of behavior is unacceptable. And it is because of my challenge with finishing books that I was inspired to start EntrepreNerds (I know I’m not the only one out there). I truly like reading but sometimes I need a little more motivation and inspiration to follow through.

So, six books read from beginning to end later, I can tell you that I have learned a lot. Not only has the content of the books been valuable. I have also realized a lot of neat stuff (academic vocabulary not withstanding). Like the fact that the middle of a non-fiction book is where the content gets redundant as the author hammers in their point. But the end usually has all of these beautiful and insightful nuggets that I just want to eat up, so now I see that it is worth reading a book from cover to cover.

Also, developing a habit of reading regularly has helped me to read even more business books that aren’t on the EntrepreNerds reading list (not yet at least). My intake of written materials has increased dramatically and the new concepts I’ve been learning provide great food for fodder too. I feel like I have a better handle on current trends in business theory and more evidence that supports the value of the services I provide.

But, enough about that. I want to share what my top six takeaways are from the classic business books we’ve read in EntrepreNerds so far:

Getting Things Done - Always ask, “What’s the next action!”
Smart Choices - The key to making a smart decision is to accurately define your problem statement first!
How I Raised Myself From Failure to Success in Selling – Enthusiasm sales, and sometimes you have to act enthusiastic to feel enthusiastic!
The Five Most Important Questions You’ll Ever Ask About Your Organization - Planning is a continual process, not an event!
E-Myth Revisited - Delivering your product or service consistently is key for maintaining happy customers!
Flight of the Buffalo - As a leader if you want the led to change, you have to change first (really think about what this means folks)!

And the recurring theme I see among all of these – be organized, be structured, be systematic, and (surprise, surprise) always be learning!

The Networking Fallacy – 7 Steps to Authentic and Effective Networking

Posted on July 26, 2012 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

Conversation Abounds in Networking Groups

If you’ve ever been to a networking event, then you’ve likely met that person that bustles around the room meeting as many people as possible to give their business cards to. When you meet, there’s usually this feigned interest in what you do, then they quickly turn the conversation onto why you should do business with them followed by exchanging cards with you before they move onto their next conquest in the room.

You might be envious of this outgoing networker’s fervor. Well don’t be! Card pushing, heartless blaber-mouthing and pushy sales tactics are not effective ways for building valuable professional relationships that last.

So many people mistakenly think that networking is a matter of getting down a good elevator speech, going to as many events as possible and passing out cards to every breathing soul in the room. Well, I’m here to tell you that’s not the case.

Networking is about making valuable connections so you can build relationships with colleagues and potential clients. But in order for those connections to be valuable and the relationships to be genuine and fruitful, you need to target the RIGHT kind of group and put in concerted time and effort to your endeavors.

With it being the “year of the Meetup,” I probably don’t need to tell you about the growing number of networking opportunities. I’m pretty sure there’s at least three networking events going on in Fort Collins every weekday. I’ve gone to as many as four networking events in one day.

You can quickly burn out if you try to make every networking opportunity (trust me, I know), not to mention you’ll waste a lot of time networking in groups that aren’t a match (yup, been there and done that too). Ideally, you want to network with groups that align with your target audience. They should share common values with you, demonstrate an ability to provide value to you all while you’re being your authentic self. So how do you connect with a group that’s a fit for you? Follow these 7 steps to Authentic and Effective networking:

Know Thyself – Before you start hitting the streets, you should answer a few important questions: First, you have to know a bit about yourself, what you like, value and enjoy. Secondly you have to know a bit about your ideal connection, describe who they are, what they’re like and the capacity you’d like to work with them. Having an understanding of these things will help you to network most effectively.
Be Authentic – Be true in how you’re representing yourself. Don’t try to be someone you’re not, or you know straight up lie to pretend you have something in common with someone.
Connect with the Right People – If the people you want to connect with (i.e. CEO’s, HR Managers, Controllers, complimentary service providers, etc.) are not participating in the groups you’re checking out then it is probably a waste of time. Make the most of your efforts by joining groups that will provide the most valuable connections for your business.
Find a Group You Enjoy - While it is important to stretch beyond your comfort zone, you shouldn’t put yourself in a room with a bunch of suits and ties if it’s not your style. There are many benefits to participating in a group you like being a part of: first, you’re more likely to be your authentic self and and secondly, you’ll want to participate in the group over time.
Connect with People Emotionally – Chances are, you can find something in common with most people you’ll meet. Things as simple as where you grew up, favorite restaurants, hobbies, family or work experience can provide an opportunity to ease into conversation so you may make a real emotional connection with someone.
Stick With It – Building meaningful and valuable relationships takes time. When you join a networking group commit to spending at least six months as an active member. If you’re not there, you’re not demonstrating the quality of your character or the value you have to offer. In short, absenteeism makes a non-impression on people.
Hold One-On-One Meetings – When you perceive a genuine connection with a fellow member, get to know them by scheduling a coffee or lunch meeting. This is a great opportunity for you both to learn more about each other’s businesses and for you to demonstrate value while seeking the value they can bring to you.

With years of networking experience behind me, I’ve developed a keen insight to determine when someone I meet is or is not a good fit for me to develop a working relationship with. Simply put, if I see a misalignment I don’t pursue developing a deeper connection with that person. While it may be tempting to work the numbers game of sales, when it comes to networking go for quality not quantity!

Seth Godin – If He Builds it They Will Come

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Ariana Friedlander by Ariana Friedlander

A few weeks ago Seth Godin announced a KickStarter project that was quite successful in a matter of hours! He has since raised well over a quarter-a-million dollars for his new book, The iCarus Deception. The real kicker, his goal was only $40,000 ca-ching. (BTW Seth, what are you planning on doing with the overage from your goal? I’m thinking a philanthropic contribution, maybe books for underprivileged kids, or the Stop Stealing Dreams Foundation, just a thought……)

If I was more savy I'd photoshop Seth Godin's head on Kevin Costner

Godin created the KickStarter project as an experiment. He wanted to demonstrate a new method of publishing and marketing where you engage your audience, test interest and proceed with the big launch (or not) accordingly. He did it to prove a point to his publishers and boy did he ever; he built the project, “they” came and he succeeded in exceeding his goal. It kind of feels like a true Field of Dreams moment!

Allow me to recap the premise of the movie. This crazy Iowa farmer (played by Kevin Costner) starts cutting down his crops to build a baseball diamond. He keeps hearing a voice that whispers, “If you build it, he will come.”

So the guy continues down this insane path, all-the-while he’s jeopardizing his family’s livelihood. The weird thing is, he’s not even sure why he was doing this but he just has this strong compulsion to persevere and the hopes of an allusive vision coming to him from some mysterious voice.

Low and behold (spoiler alert), he completes the field and all these old school players making right on their shattered dreams appear…. There’s Shoeless Joe Jackson, Archie Graham……And people drive from all over to pay to see it because it reminds them of their youth. Oh, and he amends the tattered relationship with his father (no one ever seems to remember that part of the story though)!

The movie has sensationalized this notion that if you follow a dream, even a crazy one, and build something, the people will follow. By build something I mean a business of sorts. And by people I mean customers that quite literally just appear, which will of course make you rich. But were not in Hollywood and building a baseball field (or website, storefront, KickStarter project, etc) isn’t enough in-and-of-itself. What you build has to be deeper then that, more meaningful than bricks and mortar (physical or digital).

If you want to build something “they” will come to, then you have a lot of work to do. You have to create a movement of sorts, around an inspiring vision. You know, you have to lead the effort and market that Purple Cow! I think it is safe to say that Seth Godin is a modern thought leader. By my own observations, he’s followed these six steps for building his Field of Dreams.

Inspire a shared vision (Kouzes and Posner) – You need to have a vision the your working to create for making the world better. I don’t actually know Seth Godin’s a vision for what he seeks to create in the world. But this is a vision I feel he has conveyed: Innovators in business that build relationships, are dedicated to learning, make creative use of technology and adept to change succeed.
Challenge the process (Kouzes and Posner) – Well, if we’re going to be innovative that means we have to question the status quo and find new, better ways of doing things. You know, to boldly do something no man has done before!
Build your tribe – The reality is, some people will love what you’re putting forth and other’s will think it is hogwash (forget about them). Connect with the people that get it, and want to be a part of your movement. Have a system to communicate with them. Provide value. Appeal equally to their emotions and their intellect.
Demonstrate credibility, and expertise – This is a continual process of striving for improvement, delivering on your promises, walking the talk and practicing what you preach. It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect, but you have to admit fault and maybe even be vulnerable.
Engage your tribe – Create timely calls to action. Give them something to do to contribute to your movement while giving them latitude to choose how to get involved. Ask for the sell!
Keep at it!

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