Guest Blogger: Marny Lifshen

Marny Lifshen and I met through her co-author Thom Singer who many of you know through this BLOG. There are people you cross paths with in life that you just know you are destined to be friends with and Marny is one of those people. In just a few short months, Marny and I have shared many great conversations, ideas and pontinficated on what works and doesn't work when it comes to networking - especially when it comes to women.

I was honored she agreed to pen a Guest BLOG post for this week for me and I hope you will absolutely check our her website at www.marnylifshen.com

Do Well By Doing Good

By Marny Lifshen, Author
"Some Assembly Required: A Networking Guide for Women."

In a recent meeting with a colleague and mentor, Carol Thompson, she asked me a somewhat startling and thought-provoking question: "What have you done for the good of the world this week?" My first thought was "Wow. I have no idea." She encouraged me to think about it, and convinced me that I would realize that I had done something good for someone other than myself, my family or my business. After a while I realized I was volunteering my services as a PR professional to a non-profit organization I am a member of for self-employed moms, called Business + Balance Austin. That made me feel a little better, but I also realized I was not really being proactive in seeking out ways to do good for my world.

A few days later I was reading an article in Austin Woman magazine about Sandra Yancey, a well-known author, speaker and founder of the eWomen Network. When asked about the importance of philanthropy she commented "Giving isn't really giving until you help someone who can never pay you back." That, too, got me thinking about the kind of support I am giving to my community - in dollars and in volunteer service, and I realized that I want to do more.

I know, I know - the last thing you need right now is to worry about doing good for the world when you are struggling to keep your family and career together. But realize that you can do good while networking. For example, instead of simply going to lunch with a colleague, employee, referral source or customer, go to an awards luncheon that benefits a worthy cause, such as the Girl Scouts Women of Distinction Luncheon. There are many, many events like that out there - you just have to be proactive to find them. You'll make a great impression with your guest, as it will be a much more unique invitation than a typical lunch or cup of coffee. Another example - put together a team and volunteer at a Habitat for Humanity build on a Saturday.

So, my challenge to you is to keep networking while actively looking for ways to do good in the world. You'll find you can do well by doing good - and it doesn't take a lot of money or time.

Happy Networking!

[Ripple Bites] #2

Small little bite size thoughts to
consider and implement from the Ripple Guy

"I don't have time to make friends, I have a quota to make!"

I get this a lot from people who hear my opposite approach to traditional networking. I don't mean to appear unsympathetic to the whole quota thing but forcing yourself on someone you've just met at a networking event is like trying to go for a home run on that first date. It rarely works and the tactless approach does little to get your quota or budget number met. I mean seriously do you like to do business with people who act like that. I know I sure don't!

For those of you who are carrying a budget, needing to make a quota or simply trying to make payroll, my Ripple approach is not some secret magic formula designed to help you get business. Let's face it, anyone who is out there telling you they have the super secret way to accelerate the building of your business relationships is probably selling snake oil and prime Arizona coastal property on the side too!

Building strong foundational based relationships take time. Ripple is about creating genuine, human-intentioned relationships that tend to offer more than just a signature on a purchase order or a commitment to do business right here, right now. No, Ripple offers the prospect of a never ending well of business if you first take the time to grow it right.

Think the pressures you are facing now might not seem so desperate and insurmountable had you started this process last year. Start today so you don't have the same issue and pressure this time next year.

Oh and quota guy or gal, you try your approach and I will continue to Ripple mine and let's see who ends up with not only the business results that are needed but countless friends, evangelists and fans along the way.

Ripple On!!!

The Bum Leg & Web 2.0

Friday night, as I played basketball with my boys, I decided to prove once and for all that white man can jump. Well I certainly did it. I jumped higher than I ever had as that alley-oop pass was slung towards the iron. I don't mind telling you that I looked like Larry Bird on steroids. I jumped so high that I actually barely missed the ball - drats!

Then it happened. As I magically hung above the backboard like a floating Super Man, gravity called me home, with a crash I might add.

Yes I proved white men can jump - they just can't land well.

Trying desperately to avoid Zachary my ten year old son who had positioned below me to grab the ball I contorted my frame to miss the boy entirely. Unfortunately I landed with a thud on an ankle that wasn't ready for me and seconds later I lain on the driveway writhing in pain. Super Man apparently I am not.

The next day as I laid on the couch and watched my ankle grow to the size of a small pumpkin, I realized I had my iPhone on my hip. I snapped a picture and yelled for one of the boys to bring me my Macbook Pro. Moments later I uploaded a picture of my alienish looking ankle to Flickr and decided to Twitter about my experience. Twitter ties into Facebook and before you know it I had Twitter and Facebook messages from a legion of incredible people. Then my phone start ringing with calls from friends offering well wishes and text message after text message came in offering much of the same.

It was the oddest thing. I never in a million years would have thought anyone would care about my tiny little accident. Then again, I forgot I am a guy who is connected with some incredible people in a web 2.0 world. The power and ease in which we can communicate our "status" and keep people appraised of the happs in our lives still fascinates me.

So as I pound out this BLOG post on some powerful pain killers (I only thought I was flying on Friday night!), sitting on my couch with my leg elevated, I realize now how connected we really are. For a guy who's still in considerable pain, it's that connection that brings a smile to my face and makes that pain a little more tolerable.

Ripple On!!!