Mission: Promote purposeful passionate people to help them reach professional and personal potential while enjoying life to the fullest.
DISCLAIMER: This is a PERSONAL blog. Views expressed are my own. Names listed have given permission.
Shopping for work clothes for some
can be heaven...for others, hell.
Me? I live somewhere in between.
I won't lie and say I don't like this game of dress-up - big guys look better in suits (husky, as my dad used to kindly say)
But, I'm picky and hate shopping for what I like.
Most of all, working in non-profit,
for and with the poor at times
I personally find expensive clothes sickening
But! This is a uniform for work, it shows respect to my peers and those I serve
it gives me confidence to be bold and effective
So, we have to do it...but..
Why can't we like it?
Why can't it be done on a budget?
To quote another well dressed man... YES...We.. CAN!
Yes of course, we'll do a little networking before and after
but we'll gather to listen to two experts:
I was a Tip Top man, following my father's footsteps my whole life
A couple bad customer service and suits in my early working left left me wanting
Then I heard of Tom.
Every man at my non-profit office shopped there so I went to check it out.
He personally put me in the best suit of my life, at the lowest price of my life I never looked back.
Once a year, I hit one of his sales.
One purchase, three suits for LESS than I used to pay for one suit. Harry Rosen is his buddy, Now Magazine once said..."Tom Mihalik and his team have an eye for classic tailoring and bespoke quality, guaranteeing that while your purchase may be inexpensive, it never looks cheap." - They gave me tips on how to tailor and wear suits that as a co-worker once said to me "makes you feel like a champ". One of Tom's team will be with us...
After asking around it was of course my business networking author/guru Alison Graham, author of "Business Cards to Business Relationships" who connected me with someone who can help the ladies in my network. Erin Nadler is the President of Better Styled, a one-on-one by appointment shopping experience catering to the time starved women seven days a week. Erin has been featured on Canada AM, CHCH, Flare Magazine, Chatalaine, The Sun and Women's Post to name a few.
Lastly, as an added bonus to my network I have been nagging several folks to get new LinkedIn pictures So! For five bucks (all of which will go to charity) a professional photographer Ahmed Nizam ( who once took a picture for the super cool TimeRaiser event, which I use as my main social media shot ) will take yours!!
A ton of value
A great evening
I have only 40 spots.
Someone remarked to my wife the other day
"Paul's good at networking eh? I need some help with cold calling".
They meant calling someone up to ask for a job. Ugh. Why not instead of asking for a date
- make a booty-call instead?
A cold call is like russian roulette. Sure you'll win now and then,
but it only takes one loss to die.
Read my lips. NEVER cold call.
These are my secrets. In sharing them I hope they can help you and will also cause me to raise my game!
THE CONCEPT, "networking meeting" or "informational interview" NOT held for the express purpose of this individual hiring you. In fact if you ask them to refer you,
give them resumes and ask them to pass it on
or ask them if they're hiring you will burn that contact. You are gaining a connection that will help you find the job opportunity, who will tell the decision maker about you and who will send you job opportunities. In fact, I often share with peers that the worst time to do this type of networking is when you're looking for a job.
Find the person who has the job you want and learn for the future.
These are the critical questions you should be asking: - What should I be doing for the next three to five years to be you?
- What does success look like in this sector? To you? - How did you find your way to this industry and job?
- How have you developed into the leader you are today? - Who should I be talking to in order to learn about being the best in this profession?
BOOKING THE MEETING Remember you are on the schedule of the person you're trying to meet with. Scope out locations ( coffee shops, restaurants ) near their office to meet.
If you are trying to stand out or be memorable try and find an alternative place they might not have tried before. Museums and public attractions have beautiful coffee houses that many who work in the area have never visited.
THE MEETING DAY
Never be late. Get to the location early and find the perfect table. I often speak to the staff and let them know I'm having a meeting and that if a fight to pay ensues that I must be the winner. There are so many things you cannot control, manage the things you can.
PREPARE FOR THE MEETING. Do your homework. Research the company of the person you are meeting with, research the person ( alma mater etc ), research your meeting topic ( industry, job climate etc.. ). Networking is about being fascinating and fascinated, read up on the location, the date, social and political news.
Whatever this person is expecting, be someone different.
DURING THE MEETING I have mentioned before that pulling your resume at a meeting like this is like accidentally touching hands when you're walking with someone you don't know. It's awkward. Don't do it. Please refer my most popular blog post ever for a tool that you can use to discuss your key skills, accomplishments and how exactly to connect you forward.Take notes. Remember to be fearless to make promises but take enough notes to keep them if you asked for the meeting.
FOLLOW UP Remember those promises made I mentioned? The less time between the meeting and the time you send articles, LinkedIn connection requests etc.. the most you impress this contact. It means if they refer you that you can be trusted to follow up in a timely professional fashion. Make no mistake, it's a test.
How about a curve-ball here. The internet has killed civility. Bring it back by sending a hand-written note card of thanks for time, help and insight. My secret tipis to have the card ready, stamped and addressed to send as soon as the meeting is over. Will help you make sure you complete it when you get back to the busy office.
READY, SET, NETWORK! Why aren't you having more of these meetings? It's not a cold call if you've kept in touch.
Make every call, a warm call.
Make sure you build your career by using meetings like this to learn about your industry, next steps in your career and to benefit your network!
I have three a week face to face. Minimum
7:30am at the 'Bucks or lunch if it's a must
I truly hope this has been of help,
please feel free to send me comments and questions.
I deeply love this city and it never fails to delight and amaze me I am fascinated by art and the conversations it creates both internal and external
Much of my network loves Toronto too Many of them are Dragonboaters who practice at Sunnyside
Others love art and need an excuse to get down to the lake...
Sure you have to get there but I'm writing to my business network to ask you to consider sponsoring an event that supports not just art but engagement in our beloved city.
I've crunched the numbers, affordable sponsorship rates, good location, good traffic, three days of visibility great media coverage
and because it's a sale, you reach a quality target market.
I have the direct hook-up to the contacts and rates or you can contact them yourself.
I just returned today from watching Captain America - I'm a long time comic book fan so it was fun. But it got me thinking about two people one I know, another I read about today in the Globe they should be referred to as Captain India & Captain Kenya Captain Kenya, along with his countrymen are world class athletesbut they work day jobs to make ends meetand they have left behind families that they love
Captain India is a peer of mine, an experienced banker Who came here to try and make a better life for his familybut they are not here, and he works so hard out of love for them his love, often moves to me to prayers, and tears
These men, work, do their best they don't party, go to cottages, bbq's or golf they work and sleep with singular focus
Today in Canada is a holiday. I spent this day with my wife and son who I love almost with desperation I spent much of the day thinking about these two Captains their courage and love I admire and respect them so much
Like so many superhero's with great power they cannot help the ones they love but this is real life and we can help
I'll fight until I die for my contact I hope someone steps up and help the Kenyans If you have a hero like this in your life Let me know, we should help them together We should be their Captain Canada!
(*Apologies to my female readers for the sexist post I know their wives work just as hard in harder conditions to care for the childrenback in their home countries. I value and respect them too. But I only know the dudes. I hope to meet those families soon. )
Shopping for work clothes for some 
ck. 
th someone who can help the ladies in my network. Erin Nadler is the President of Better Styled, a one-on-one by appointment shopping experience catering to the time starved women seven days a week. Erin has been featured on Canada AM, CHCH, Flare Magazine, Chatalaine, The Sun and Women's Post to name a few.
nagging several folks to get new LinkedIn pictures 
