How To Build A Powerful Professional Network
Tai Goodwin, 07.22.10, 9:15 AM ET

It is important to know the two Q's as you build out your network: quality and quantity. But have you considered the importance of having a well-rounded network?
In this job market, having a strong network is critical to your professional survival. There are plenty of tips and articles on where to find people, how and when to connect to them and even what you need to say to attract and maintain your network. This article focuses on who should be in your network.

Here are the top 10 people that should be in your network:
1. The Mentor: This is the person who has reached the level of success you aspire to have. You can learn from their success as well as their mistakes. Heed their wisdom and experience. This relationship offers a unique perspective because they have known you through several peaks and valleys in your life and watched you evolve.
2. The Coach: The coach is someone who comes in at different times in your life. They help with critical decisions and transitions and offer an objective perspective with no strings attached.
3. The Industry Insider: This is someone in your chosen field who has expert-level information or access to it. This person will keep you informed of what's happening now and what the next big thing is. Invite them to be a sounding board for your next innovative idea.
4. The Trendsetter: This is someone outside of your chosen industry who always has the latest buzz. It can be on any topic that you find interesting. The goal in having this person in your network is to look for those connections that spark innovation via the unconventional. It will also help you keep your conversations interesting.
5. The Connector: This is a person who has access to people, resources and information. As soon as they come across something related to you, they are sending you an e-mail or picking up the phone. Connectors are great at uncovering unique ways to make connections, finding resources and opportunities that most people would overlook.
6. The Idealist: This is the person in your network you can dream with. No matter how "out there" your latest idea is, this is the person who will help you brainstorm ways to make it happen. Without judgment, they are focused on helping you flesh out your dreams in high definition, even if you don't have a solid plan yet on how to make it happen.

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7. The Realist: On the flip side, you still need the person who will help you keep it real. This is the person who will give you the raised eyebrow when your expectations exceed your effort. These are not people who knock down your dreams, rather they challenge you to actively make your dream happen.
8. The Visionary: Visionary people inspire you by their journey. They are similar to the Idealist, but the visionary can help you envision an actual plan to reach your goal. One personal encounter with this type of person can powerfully change the direction of your thinking and life.
9. The Partner: You need to have someone who is in a similar place and on a similar path to share with. In fact, partners do a lot of sharing. This is a person you can share the wins and woes with. Partners will also share resources, opportunities and information.
10. The Wanna-Be: This is someone you can serve as mentor to. Someone you can help shape and guide based on your experiences. One of the best ways to tell that you understand something is to be able to explain it to someone else. And sometimes, one of the best motivators for pushing through obstacles and hardship is knowing that someone is watching.
Obviously you will want to have more than 10 people in your network. The trick is to make sure you are building a diverse network by adding people from different industries, backgrounds, age groups, ethnic groups, etc. … that fit into the roles listed above. Building a deep network by only including people from your current profession or business focus leaves too many stones unturned, limiting potential opportunities.
Serious about building a strong professional network that can actually provide the leverage you need to make progress at work or in your business? Evaluate your current network and get started filling in the gaps.
Happy Networking!

Tai Goodwin, The Career Makeover Coach, is a professional development coach that specializes in career rejuvenation and reinvention. She is also host of the online radio show, Career Makeover Strategies.
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10 Action Tips to Enrich Your Life

Use these tips to avoid paralysis--and loss.

By: Kim Kiyosaki | 04/18/2010

URL: http://www.womenentrepreneur.com/2010/04/10-action-tips-to-enrich-your-life.html
In order for things to happen in your life, you have to be in motion. Nothing occurs without motion. One word I've heard out of people's mouths lately is the word "paralyzed." Many people are feeling out of control or just flat-out confused about what to do in today's economy, so they do nothing--they're paralyzed.
As Albert Einstein said, "Nothing happens until something moves." People who do nothing--who are waiting for things to change or, worse, to go back to the way things were--will lose. I believe that everything happens for a reason. And the reason behind this economic fiasco may be an opportunity staring you in the face. The most important thing, in my opinion, is to stay in motion and take action.
Here are 10 things you can do today to keep in motion.

1. Answer this question: What is the one thing in your life that, if you did it, would have the greatest positive impact in your life? The answer will probably come to you instantly, so don't discount the first answer that pops into your head. Once you know what that one thing is, commit to make the changes needed to achieve it. For some it might be losing 30 pounds and getting healthy. One woman knew immediately that she needed to end a toxic relationship with her boyfriend. For many women, the one thing may focus on profession or finances. We all have one thing in our life that, if handled, would make all the difference.
2. Read a book. Ask yourself, "What do I want to learn next?" It may be related to business, investments, a hobby or personal development. What do you want to learn for your own business, financial and personal growth? Then begin with a book on the subject to start the creativity flowing.
3. Play a game. Games are a great way to learn. Get together with a few friends in the evening and play a game that has a learning component to it. My husband and I created Cashflow 101 so people could teach one another about money and investing. Monopoly is another great game that teaches you to acquire properties and conduct business.
4. Learn one new financial word every day. When you hear a financial word you don't understand, look it up on Wikipedia or in a financial/investment dictionary and learn the meaning.
5. Watch your words. Pay attention to the words you use. What are you saying to yourself? Are your words supportive and positive? "I can do this." "I'm my own financial expert." Are your words demeaning, negative and harmful? "I'm not smart enough." "I don't know what to do." What you say to yourself and what you say to others can determine the quality of your life. Your thoughts truly do create your reality. One of my favorite books of all time on this subject is As A Man Thinketh by James Allen.
6. Know your numbers. Tell yourself the truth about where you are today financially. List all income. List all expenses--and don't shortcut this step. Include all of your financial debts, IOUs, and agreements you've made with individuals, companies, friends and relatives. Review your personal financials twice a month, and twice a month ask yourself, "How can I improve my financial situation?"
7. Buy a 1-ounce silver coin. Find your local precious-metals dealer. What good is buying silver? Three reasons:
   
   • For a little less than $20, you now own a commodity, a commodity that is a consumable. It's used in cell phones, computers, light bulbs, televisions, etc. And the demand for silver is only increasing. There is actually more gold in the world than there is silver.
   • It's a hedge against inflation. As the dollar continues to go down in value because the government is printing so much of it, silver generally goes up. This is why I save very few dollars and, instead, convert my dollars to silver.
   • At the end of 2008, the Dow was up approximately 17 percent, gold was up about 25 percent, and silver was up approximately 50 percent.
8. Attend a seminar or meeting on investing or business. Many free or inexpensive meetings and seminars offer valuable information. Just be aware that if an educational meeting or workshop is offered for free, then the presenter is probably there to sell you something. Your job is to discern the difference between real information and the sales pitch.
9. Start a part-time business. This can be as simple as buying a gumball machine and putting it in a local independent business such as a bookstore, car wash or toy store. Use your artistic abilities to create products to sell at arts-and-crafts shows or on the internet. Is there a hobby you do for fun that you could turn into a part-time business? If the idea takes off, it could grow into something much bigger.
10. This may be the most important thing you can do: Think for yourself. So much information is available today and so many opinions exist that it's important not to go along with the crowd but to truly do your own thinking to figure out what's best for you. Too often people looking for the hot tip or the quick fix take the first answer that comes along instead of thinking through the situation. As Henry Ford said, "Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably why so few people engage in it." Here is an example of someone not thinking for himself. I was watching one of the national morning TV programs. It had a panel of financial experts answering people's questions. One man called in and said he had lost his job 10 months before and wondered whether he should cash in his retirement fund or sell his house. That is all the information the "experts" received. What advice was he given? One expert, without knowing his financial situation or what options he had available to him, told him, "You should sell your house." He said, "Oh, thank you so much for your advice." I was outraged! First, I was livid that someone representing herself as a financial expert would give such bad and potentially dangerous advice without knowing the facts. Second, I was upset that this man would actually consider following this terrible advice. Thinking for yourself does not just apply to your financial life--it applies to every area of your life. There was a time in my life when I began questioning what I'd been taught by my parents, teachers, friends and colleagues. Was I operating on their thoughts and ideas or on my own? I began to discover my strengths, my weaknesses, my gifts and talents, and what was truly important to me. Think for yourself was a powerful step for me in being true to myself.

Stay Abreast of Industry News

Did you know that a recent poll conducted across the BusinessWorkforce.com Network found that more than 33 percent of business professionals do not keep up with the latest trends in their industry? If you were a hiring manager, wouldn’t you want to hire a professional who was well informed and could contribute by providing fresh new ideas and add value to your business?

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One of the easiest ways to stay ahead is to stay informed. So what are some of the best ways to stay in the know when searching for a job? Located below are some ideas to consider:

• Attend Classes and Seminars. Furthering your education and knowledge in your field will not only keep you up-to-date on new developments and techniques, but it will also help you become a memorable candidate to potential employers. Attending classes or seminars and noting them on your resume shows that you take initiative and have the drive that employers are looking for in a candidate. If you are a professional entering a new industry, this is a great way to learn about a new career path before taking that first step.
• Search Online Articles and Blogs. A great way to find valuable information about your field or industry is to search and visit sites that provide valuable articles or blogs about the latest topics of interest to you. Don’t forget to visit our Career Resources area often to read the latest articles to help you grow personally and professionally.
• Read Industry Magazines. As a job seeker, it is important to be on top of the latest news affecting your industry and know which companies and industries are hot and which are not. By staying educated you will demonstrate your knowledge to potential employers in this increasingly competitive job market and get ahead of other candidates.
• Look to Government Resources. Are you familiar with the Bureau of Labor Statistics? They provide a wealth of information on the employment and job markets across a variety of industries. Is your industry growing or shrinking? Do you know the salary range for your industry or what skills you need to enter or stay ahead in your position? You can access the latest employment and job information by visiting their site.
• Join a Professional Membership Organization. There are numerous benefits to becoming a member of a professional organization. You will gain access to important networking contacts in your field, receive invitations to networking events in your area, and have access to seminars, classes, and other educational opportunities to help you stay informed. Consider it free education!

At BusinessWorkforce.com, we want to help you gain the knowledge that you need and the competitive advantage that you deserve. We are excited to offer you a complimentary one-year subscription to an industry magazine of your choice. You can search from hundreds of leading industry publications. We encourage you to take advantage of this special offer.

Get A Free Industry Magazine

Now that you have been introduced to some helpful resources to gain a competitive advantage in your job search, we will soon share the many benefits of advancing your career by furthering your education. Until then, located below are a few helpful resources to help you along the way.

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Career Resources

• Networking Can Jump Start Your Career
• 5 Lessons About Choosing a Career
• Four Tips for Career Research
• Free Information from the Top Online Colleges

Read Career Articles    Access More Resources


Best regards,

The BusinessWorkforce.com Team
BusinessWorkforce.com

Marketing Yourself

Develop Your Personal Brand
Personal branding is an ongoing process that should exist throughout your job search process and entire career. The goal of establishing a strong personal brand is to differentiate yourself among other professionals by demonstrating your unique value to employers. Below are a few steps you need to take to successfully build your brand while marketing yourself to potential employers:

• Increase Your Visibility. The first step towards building your personal brand is to get your name out there. The best way to establish a presence in your field is by attending industry meetings and conferences, participating in panel discussions or volunteering for committees. You never know when your contacts will be able to help you along your job search.
• Stay Connected. It is important to stay in touch with old contacts as well as continue to build and maintain your current network on a regular basis. Don’t be someone who reaches out to contacts only when they need something. Foster those relationships, especially the important ones!
• Create an Online Presence. Take professional networking to the next level by joining online social networking sites. Consider starting a blog on your area of expertise or creating a website that showcases samples of your work. Make an effort to meet other professionals online by commenting on relevant blogs or connecting with professionals through their social networking profile. Consider creating an online career portfolio and remember to manage your online reputation to ensure you are always presenting yourself in a positive, professional manner when interacting online.
• Establish Key Differentiators. Identify what makes you distinctive from other candidates and make sure to communicate it to potential employers. It is important to be honest about who you are as a professional and understand your strengths and unique value you bring to the table. It’s also important to recognize your weaknesses and develop a plan for personal improvement. By knowing yourself, you can more effectively promote yourself to others.
• Be Consistent. Ensure that you have a consistent message when speaking with potential employers, colleagues and other professionals. While you may not realize it, everything that you do or say contributes to your personal brand, including the way you conduct yourself in meetings, in phone conversations, through email communications and how you dress.
• Seek Feedback and Evaluate Progress. Once you have established your personal brand, it is important to continue to gauge how others perceive you. Test your market value by gathering constructive feedback from your co-workers, peers, family and friends. By understanding how others view your personal brand, you can learn what steps you need to take to position yourself for success.

Market Yourself
Developing your personal brand is one of the first steps towards effectively marketing yourself to potential employers and elevating your career. Employers appreciate job seekers that take the initiative to get noticed and differentiate themselves from other candidates in their industry.

Consider using a resume distribution service to effectively reach employers that are searching for candidates just like you. Remember, some employers choose to search resume databases for candidates instead of posting jobs. You want to be seen by these employers. Don’t delay; employers are searching for candidates like you right now!

Distribute Your Resume

Have you ever wondered if you have what it takes to be your own boss? Look for the next Job Search Guide email which will discuss the benefits of freelance consulting and owning your own franchise business with very little investment.

In the meantime, located below are a few helpful resources to help build and maintain your personal brand. Have a great day.

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Career Resources

• Create an online career portfolio
• Manage your online reputation
• Using Online Social Networks to Secure Employment
• Increase credibility by obtaining a background check
• Get noticed by employers with a featured resume listing

Read Career Articles    Access More Resources


Best regards,

The BusinessWorkforce.com Team
BusinessWorkforce.com

How to Make One Fabulous First Impression

What is the first thing someone notices about you? How long does it really take to make a first impression? Read on and find out!

by Nicholas Boothman

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Whether you like it or not, people decide how they feel about you in the first two seconds of seeing you, or hearing you, if it’s on the phone. If they like you, they will unconsciously tend to see the best in you and look for opportunities to say “yes.” If they don’t like you, the opposite is true.

The first thing someone notices about you is the quality and the level of energy you give out. That means your attitude (including your posture). The second thing they respond to is your clothes. In fact, the impact is made so quickly it’s as if they see both things at the same time, and then form their first impressions about you. Your attitude tells people if you are open or closed, charming or alarming. Your posture is an indication of your overall health: humans are hard-wired to seek out healthy mates. Your clothing speaks volumes. It tells people what kind of person you see yourself as. It also can reveal a lot about your socioeconomic status, whether you’re conventional or flamboyant, sexy or modest, trendy or traditional. Take a good hard look at your wardrobe and see if it makes the statement you want.

Here are four concrete steps to help create a terrific first impression:

• First, adjust your attitude. More than anything else it’s your attitude that determines how people feel about you when you first meet. Choose what I call a “useful” attitude – upbeat, welcoming, enthusiastic, etc.

• Second, be charming rather than alarming. That means making eye contact, if only for a couple of seconds – this unconsciously signals that trust is in the air. Just notice the person’s eye color – that’ll do it.

• Third, smile with genuine enjoyment. (Here’s a way to do that. Practice saying the word “great” over and over in a mirror using crazy voices until you feel like a giant idiot or you crack up – then say it under your breath to yourself as you approach people. I guarantee you’ll be smiling.) A smile sends a signal that you’re happy and confident.

• Fourth, keep your body language open and relaxed. Rather than crossing your arms over your chest, go literally “heart to heart” with the other person – point your heart toward theirs, which signals that you’re not going to harm them.

Here are five ways to score you big points when you walk into a room full of strangers.

1. Wear great clothes. More people will take you seriously (don't over do it - don't be better than anyone else).

2. Head for the middle. (Popular people always go to the middle of the room in restaurants, parties classrooms etc.) There’s nothing that demonstrates confidence the way this does. Ever wonder why the people that sit around the edges are called wall-flowers?

3. Move more slowly than usual. People who move fractionally more slowly than others tend to get noticed and come across as sexy. Get into the habit so it becomes natural: otherwise don't bother.

4. 3-second rule. In a social situation, notice someone and within three seconds go over and say something (ask directions, or introduce yourself, or ask a question). Do this several times.

5. Ask "Talk-Show" questions. The best way to start a conversation is with a statement followed by an open question. "I hear Seattle's a fantastic place. If I only had three hours, what should I see?" Remember to give feedback.

Your irresistible first impression is instantly determined by your attitude, your poise and your wardrobe. Enhancing and focusing on these important aspects of your image will do more than boost your chances in the love market, it’ll also boost the way you feel about yourself. When we feel good about ourselves it affects everything. We make better decisions, feel more adventurous, have more energy, and tap into our natural enthusiasm, all of which impacts the nonverbal signals we send out to others. Being on top of our game means others will want to join in and play.

Nicholas Boothman is the author of How to Make Someone Fall in Love with You in 90 Minutes or Less. His website is http://www.nicholasboothman.com/ Get your copy of Nicholas Boothman's "How To Make Someone Fall In Love With You In 90 Minutes"

5 Dating Rules You Should Never Break

No one said dating was easy, but follow these five rules and you'll enjoy a richer experience as a single person.

by eHarmony Staff

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When it comes to your love life, do you wish there was a rule book? While The Rules are so last century, a new dating handbook has yet to be created in the new millennium. So how do you know the dos and don’ts of dating? The truth is there are no hard and fast rules, but the following guidelines should help you navigate the tricky terrain known as your dating life. 

Rule #1: Listen to Your Gut
Whether you’re on a date, communicating with someone you meet online, or flirting with a cutie you meet in the flesh, it’s important to pay attention and listen to your gut. If a potential date’s actions or words set off an internal alarm system, you owe it to yourself to pay attention and act accordingly. These alarms can be both good and bad. For example, if you’ve met someone online and they seem interesting, then you talk to them on the phone and they sound completely different (in a negative way), you may decide not to meet them in person. A positive example would be if you were on a date with someone and they seemed nervous but well intentioned, your gut might tell you to give them a second chance. By going on a second date, you’ll gain a better understanding of who they really are and if you’d like to see them again.

Rule #2: Pay Attention to Red Flags
Like those internal alarms that alert you to your gut feelings, you also have an alarm system to alert you to red flags. Oftentimes this alarm system is turned way down. As a result, we often ignore red flags and find ourselves getting involved with inappropriate partners because we’re not paying attention. To become a truly successful single in the new millennium, you owe it to yourself to become a red flag specialist. That means paying attention to red flags as they are presented to you on dates. An example of a red flag would be if you found yourself on a date with someone who could not stop talking about their ex. They may be a fantastic person, and eventually make a great partner, but right now they’re not ready. Your job is to pay attention to that red flag and not pursue them.

Rule #3: Actions Speak Louder Than Words
During the course of your dating life you will most likely find yourself on a date with someone whose actions speak much louder than their words. Maybe they’re attentive and chivalrous to you, but treat the waiter, bartender, and/or valet poorly. Or maybe they claim they’re ready for a long-term relationship, but their wandering eye tells you otherwise. To get the most out of your dating life, it’s important to understand that actions speak louder than words. When someone’s actions are contrary to their words, this is not only a red flag, it’s gut-check time. By paying attention and screening out potential partners whose actions don’t match their words, you cut down on wasted dating time and make it that much easier to attract potential partners worth your time and energy.

Rule #4: Don’t Play Games
Successful singles know what goes around comes around. They also know the importance of being honest and well-intentioned with the people they date. As a successful single, you owe it to yourself and the individuals you date not to play games. Call when you say you’re going to call. Do what you say you’re going to do, and be honest when the other person asks if you’d like to go out again. If you don’t want to see them again, say so in a kind and considerate way. By being honest and letting them down easy, you avoid playing games. Expect the same in return. If you don’t get it, don’t play games by taking that out on the next person you date.

Rule #5: Know When to Say “Game Over”
Just as you should not play dating games, you will want to avoid getting played. Like it or not, there are plenty of players on the dating scene. It’s up to you to know the signs of the player, know their game, and be confident enough to say “game over.” Here’s how to spot a player: When they approach, they’ll take you off guard with a backhanded compliment/insult along the lines of “you’re too cute to be wearing that” or “I’d buy you a drink, but you probably wouldn’t talk to me.” These tactics are known as The Game. The player’s motive is to take you off guard so that you’re on the defensive and try to make up for it by engaging in their game. The problem is, these players aren’t genuine. Instead of falling for their tactics, simply smile, say “game over,” and walk (better yet, run!) away.
While there are no hard and fast dating rules, there are definitely guidelines to follow to make your dating life more enjoyable. By listening to your gut, paying attention to red flags, and understanding that actions speak louder than words, you cut down on wasted dating time. In doing so, you not only avoid getting played, but you also greatly increase your chances of relationship success.

Read more: http://advice.eharmony.com/?page=articles/view&AID=2007#ixzz0ju2cLBzQ

The Power of In-Person Networking

PMI.org | Career Central

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Power of In-Person Networking 1 March 2010 Even in today's Web 2.0 world, project managers still have to put in some face time. Social networks have become de rigueur for working new career contacts. With users that number in the millions, LinkedIn, Mixi and other sites allow professionals around the world to connect with colleagues past and present—expanding networks to numbers never before possible. But project managers should not forget the importance of in-person networking where connections are more personal and impressions longer lasting. The next time you attend a networking event, remember these five tips: 1. Focus on your audience. Don’t you hate it when you’re at an event and the person you’re speaking with is scanning the room to see who else is there? “When you are networking with someone at an event, give him or her your undivided attention,” says Wayne Botha, PMP, principal consultant, Botha Consulting, South Windsor, Connecticut, USA. “Networking is about building lasting relationships, not about pushing unwanted business cards at strangers,” he says. Instead, concentrate on what the person is saying and try to pick up nuances you can leverage later. “People are impressed when you meet again and you recall their name along with details of your last meeting,” adds Mr. Botha, who also serves as a vice president of membership for the PMI Southern New England Chapter. 2. Go in prepared. “Have a standard set of questions that you can use to begin a discussion,” says Sue Bergamo, former CIO, Aramark Galls & Wearguard, Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Not only will you be ready to approach someone, you won’t do all the talking. “People love to talk,” says Mr. Botha. “The fastest way to build new relationships is to inquire about the other person's work, and then ask about their biggest challenges or successes. You may learn useful information in addition to building a new relationship that can be mutually beneficial.” 3. Make connections from the executive suite on down. Reserving your networking to only top managers is a mistake. “My contacts are at all levels,” says Chester, England-based Charles Ryder, PMP, director of the project management training firm Kennedy Ryder. “When I meet someone that I believe has the potential to be successful or is successful and I enjoy their company, I will contact them again.” It’s a practice that has served Mr. Botha well. “While managing a project in 2002, I worked with members of another team,” he says. “I made the effort to visit their desks instead of phoning them while taking a few extra minutes to talk about their hobbies and interests,” he says. In 2008, when the team needed a new project manager, Mr. Botha got the call. “I was recommended by multiple team members due to the relationships we had built six years prior.” 4. Follow up right away. This is where in-person networking and online networking converge. Connect with your new contacts on LinkedIn or friend them on Facebook if you use your account for professional purposes. And don’t overlook the potential of e-mails and phone calls to people you know and with whom you’d like to stay in touch. 5. Never pass up an opportunity to connect. Sometimes even a seemingly random relationship leads to a big payoff. “I was traveling to London when there was a problem with the [rail] lines,” says Mr. Ryder. Forced to change trains, he took the only empty seat he could find. “I chatted to the person in the next seat and we got on well. In the conversation he indicated that his company was setting up in Geneva, and I gave him some advice and contact names. We exchanged cards and parted,” Mr. Ryder says. “Some weeks later his company put some project management training our way.” And isn't that what networking is all about—making and working contacts in ways that can be beneficial to your business and career, and to theirs as well?