A Ripple For The Ripple Guy

Yesterday I had the great pleasure of speaking to the Austin Contact Center Alliance's (ACCA) Annual Educator Luncheon. As I was nervously making small talk at the table I was seated at before I was introduced when a familiar face approached me. "Do you remember me?"

For a guy who meets literally thousands of people a year, this single question can bring instant fear of looking like a complete idiot for not immediately placing the person who has just approached you. I get to experience that fear at least a few times each month.

However that fear wasn't going to happen...not on this day, not with this fine young lady with the unforgettable smile. Of course I knew who it was. I instantly recognized my good friend Johanne Ibsen-Wolford. Though I am sorry to say it has been easily years since we last saw one another she looked exactly the same; wish I could say the same. I rose to give her a big bear hug and asked her what in the world she was doing there.

Johanne, a former Xerox colleague who believed in me early, early in my career said she has always kept track of me through my website and my mailing list but because of her travel schedule for work she never seemed to find herself in town when I was scheduled to speak somewhere. So when she realized she was going to be in town for my presentation to ACCA she said she absolutely had to come down to see me.

To say I was overwhelmed and completely humbled by seeing my old friend would be the understatement of the year. I was so absolutely honored that she would take the time and make the effort to see little 'ol me.

Any nervousness I had about my presentation to ACCA was suddenly gone. My mind wirled with how happy I was to see my old friend and just how special it was for her to come see me speak. As I spoke I could see her beaming with approval and the occassional head nod when she agreed with a point I made. Her simple presence there made me feel like a million bucks.

Later that day as I drove home I had this incredible sense of happiness in the pit of my stomach. It was the realization of just how big of an impact Johanne's attendance at the luncheon made on me. It meant the world to me and I was so humbled by the simple fact she took the time to honor me with her presence. The smile is still evident this morning as I write these words.

Thank you Johanne for always believing in me all these years. Thank you for coming to the luncheon yesterday and for listening to that kid you met all those years ago. I am completely honored that you would take the time to come out and see me. Your presence yesterday was a Ripple I am not soon to forget.

My only regret is I didn't think fast enough to get someone to snap a picture of us together again!

Thank you again my friend.

Ripple On!!!

Coffee Reconnect

So over the past month or so I have been scheduling coffee meetings like a mad man. I have been vigorously reviewing my list of contacts and specifically looking for people that I have somehow lost touch with this past year.

Hey it happens...even to the Ripple guy!

Shhh don't tell anyone - our secret okay?

Anyway I have been reaching out to folks and simply inviting them to reconnect over coffee. I have no specific agenda other than to tell the folks of my remorse in losing touch due to my crazy schedule and to ask them about what's going in their world.

Then I let the floor become theirs.

These short little meetings have been incredible. I've reconnected with some folks that are very important to me. I get to reinforce that they are important to me - though we've perhaps been out of touch due to crazy schedules. I get the opportunity to be brought up to speed on the happs in their lives and careers. And ultimately I have an opportunity to sit down with some inspiring folks several times a week which keeps my battery fully charged and my heart and mind inspired.

So why don't you give it a try right now! Go to your contact database, address book or email and take a quick glance at who you've lost touch with this past year. Fire off an email or give them a quick ring and just say, "Hey it's been too long. Let's reconnect over coffee" and get something on the calendar in the next few days.

Trust me, you and they will be glad you did!

Ripple On!!!

Ripple Connection Question Of The Week

Ripple Connection Questions are a unique way to engage people in conversation. Whether with a complete stranger or someone you already know, but want to know better, using Ripple Connection Questions (RCQ) accelerate the dialogue and deepen the connection. The questions are by design, fun to ask and fun to answer, and can take your connection to an entirely new level. Come on, break out of that shell of yours and start Rippling.

So this week's Ripple Connection Question is all about taking someone back to a magical time as a kid. Something so incredible happens when you ask this question - you will find that the person answering the question reverts back to a time and place where things were so much fun and the stresses of the world were yet to pollute their mind or their thinking. It's an incredible experience to be a part of and people will truly thank you for making them think of something that once was so incredibly important to them as a kid.

So with no further adieu - this week's Ripple Connection Question:

What was one of your favorite toys as a kid
and why did you like it so much?

For me this one is an easy question to answer. It was The Six Million Dollar Man. No it was not a doll! It was an action figure!

I literally spent hours and hours playing with this toy and actually wish I still had old Steve Austin as I know the adventures would inevitably continue. They quite simply don't make 'em like this anymore. As you can see by the picture he had the cool headset, removable red track shoes and the coolest command center.

Oh the smile that is firmly planted on my face as I think about our countless adventures climbing trees and trying desperately to prevent evil in my bedroom and backyard. That smile and those type of memories are what you are striving for when you ask this week's question. Give it a try and see how it goes.

Oh and don't forget to share with us what your answer is to this question. Leave us a comment and tell us what your favorite toy was a kid. Come on you know you want to!!!

Just in case you are interested, here's a commercial I should have been in for this toy!

http://budurl.com/cfav

Ripple On!!!