My Friend Thom

So last week a friend of mine, Thom Singer who is a brilliant author, speaker and all-around good guy started his Praise Other's Project on his BLOG. The POP is a neat collection of people that Thom finds inspiring or motivational and he offers a neat little summary of why you might like to meet them as well.

Thom's vision with this series is fantastic. He really has tapped into something and has opened my eyes up to a whole series of new, inspiring people that I might not have otherwise known about. I know you will enjoy reading his POP posts as much as I have.

I was honored to be selected as Thom's first choice and can not tell you how much I have appreciated this special recognition. You can see his post by clicking here.

Thanks Thom! I appreciate you, your friendship and your ongoing support more than you will ever know!

Be sure to check out Thom's excellent book Some Assembly Required by clicking here! It makes an excellent holiday gift!!!

Ripple On My Friends!

Steve

Ripple Connection Question of The Week

"WHAT IS SOMETHING THAT
YOU WANT TO ACCOMPLISH
BUT YOU NEED SOMEONE ELSE'S
HELP IN ORDER TO MAKE IT
HAPPEN?"

Ken from Australia wrote to me and asked me to keep up the good Ripple Connect Questions because he is using them and meeting so many interesting people along the way! Thanks for the words of encouragement Ken and keep the stories coming as to how your progress with you "connection adventures!"

This particular question has been one of the favorites amongst my 8 Minute Ripple attendees because of the level of insightfulness it gives into the person you are connecting with. I am so turned on by this question that with the help of a good friend of mine, Mitch Lobrovich (a brilliant film producer here in Austin) we are going to make this the cornerstone of a new video venture called Rippleontv.com --- Stay tuned for more info and the official launch...hopefully later this month!

At any rate, the question itself has opened up tons of doors for people. It is one of my favorite all-time questions and generally get's people thinking about how they can help one another. It has opened up new business ventures, created new friendships and has Rippled in so many ways that my head is spinning just thinking about it.

The power of just one question can literally change the course of your life! I know this one did for me! By and large, it was the single biggest reason my book came to fruition in the first place. Marc Schwartz, the best editor and collaborative partner a writer could have answered that question for me and took my ramblings from concept, to idea to hard copy printed word! The Ripples of which are still being felt each and every day.

Take some time today to reach out and really connect today. Use this question and step back and watch as you see people open up and share what is passionately held in their heart.

STOP NETWORKING. START CONNECTING.

Ripple on my friends!

Steve

What Is That Thing?

So I have written a number of times about the amazing connection point that my Tablet PC has become. For those of you who aren’t familiar, I have a Tablet PC that I use virtually every day as my one and only computer. Though the product itself has been fantastic, it’s how it gets used outside the scope of a functioning PC that continues to amaze me each and every day.

As most of you know, I am always looking for unique ways to bridge a conversation with complete strangers. It’s sort of a hobby of mine. I have long since maintained that people just need a reason to reach out and connect but most of us don’t or won’t. People in general need a purpose or a reason to start a conversation with someone they don’t know and even then it can be difficult for many of us. Yes....including me!

People need something a bit more relevant and insightful than “pretty fricken cold out there eh?”

So I make it easy. For the past year and half I make it a point that every time I am at a coffee shop or in a restaurant I pull out my trusty Tablet PC and orient it long screen or "portrait" for you art oriented people. I connect my USB keyboard and get down to work. It’s like bass fishing with a neon worm….people can’t resist inquiring about the odd looking PC.

“Excuse me sir….what the hell is that thing?”

“That is the strangest laptop I have ever seen.”

“Pardon me….what is that you have there?”

The approaches and the questions are all different but the results are always the same; a potential new connection and a conversation that might literally cover the gamete.

I would have to say I have literally met hundreds of new people using my Tablet PC as an entry point conversation starter. However I decided to keep track of just how many people I could entice by their shear curiosity of this unique little device and how many people I could engage in conversation that extended beyond the Tablet PC.

As of this morning here are the results.

From November 21-December 4^th – 9 Business Days

43 Inquires

18 Seriously involved conversations that lasted more than ten minutes

7 Exchanges of contact information

2 New Book Customers

1 Potential client – A lady who runs a business group who needs a speaker.

Now I don’t suggest that you run right out and buy yourself a Tablet PC just to connect with people. A good book, a colorful IPOD, a snazzy new purse (for the ladies….not advisable for the men) etc can work just as well! I am quite certain that the Tablet PC for most is an easy way to bridge a conversation with someone who otherwise looks interesting to talk to. That would be me in case you aren’t paying attention!

Seriously, it doesn’t take a new fangled toy like my Tablet PC to make conversation happen. True it does make it easier but many of the items I mentioned above can do the same thing. It’s all about making it easy for people to want to connect with you.

My long held belief and the genesis of a proposal I have submitted to the powers to be at Starbucks is simply this….

People want and need to connect with one another. We simply need a reason and a tool to make it easy.

Ripple On and Make It Easy To Connect With You My Friends!!!

Steve Harper
www.ripplecentral.com