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.
They say it's not how you start but how you finish.
The networking secret is actually in the follow up.
So another AFP Congress is closing up You went to sessions, nuggets of wisdom Maybe an afterparty, connections made Had a pace-buddy? Bonded with a crew? Close the deal my friend - my humble suggestions:
1) EMAIL - Every card you picked up. Don't lose even the lightest connections made. You never know when you'll need their help or when they can help you!
2) Write a card. Handwritten yes!! The internet has killed civility! Bring it back by picking up a blank card, writing a note about the impact this person had on you, what you learned from them ( speaker at a session, someone you had a great conversation with, someone who taught you something ) and throw in a business card ( yes, even if you already gave them one )
3) Do the social media thing. Notice, this is #3. Yes I'm the LinkedIn enthusiast and I'm telling you DON'T send connection requests to everyone you met - do you go steady before the first date? Spend some time before you write their name in ink in your digital-addressbook. DO follow them on Twitter though! It's the passive non-intrusive networking tool so follow everyone you met!
4) MAKE a meeting - connect some how. That thing on your desk that makes noise now and then? It's a phone, call someone in town and if they're out of town ask them when they'll be in town. If you met someone who rocked your Congress off - make a meeting happen. Keep the learning going. And lastly - Action! Go over your notes in max 1 hour Triage on Post-It notes: Ideas for you, for others, for 2012 Put them out of sight but in your path when you return I know, lots of digging out to do, it's year-end after all.
I had an absolute blast being on the Twitter team and am grateful to the Congress team for their welcoming dynamic attitude.
They have an exercise that I adore. It reminds me how shabby my networking is. A 45 second introduction.Sounds easy right?
My tips for what to include in your 45 seconds: - Who you are, name of your company - What you do, 20 seconds MAX! - What your ideal client referral looks like - What problem you solve, how you can help others- A story of what good business looks like for you - Humour - Close with repetition of who you are, company name
Some used iphone stopwatches, most didn't. Get working on yours, practice it daily. BNI is the Ninjatraining of networking This is the Wushu school of business For anyone in business, consider joining your local It will make you money It will change your life
You changed my life when we first met. You have helped so many, you give so much. I respect you, I want to be with you and now, we can be together. AFP Congress, you had me at hello.
In 2000 I got a job in fundraising but it was my first Congress in 2001 when I knewthis would be my career.
Like so many fundraisers, at work, I was a leper, an ambulance chaser the person sent after little old ladies for bequests A necessary evil
And I show up to this huge conference, full of peersit wasn't just about the learning, but there was much to learn it was about the vendors, information sharing, networking
Here, people knew my worth and value I am a bit of a romantic and I love the changing of the seasons. That first day when I left Congress I walked up University Ave. The sky opened up, and the first snow fell And I was transformed, in a phone booth
I wrote my personal mission statement scribbled it in that booth, it serves me to this day. Since then I went back a few more timeslearned so much, made so many connectionsbut then, something changed. You see, like event, telephone and direct mail fundraisers I am a specialist, a gift planner
We are served skillfully by the Canadian Association of Gift Planners who embraces charity staff and financial/legal advisors alike So for a number of years I could only be a member of CAGP I got to a few AFP sessions but not many I missed that big picture, the community spirit, the professional diversity and networking big picture I needed to get back So in 2004 I snuck into Congress as a woman! Sorry, no cross-dressing involved - the huge org I worked for let 15+ of us share a registration, we had to hand off the nametag to each other on breaks A wonderful peer named Alexandra, (code name Alex) handed me a nametag in the washroom areaand I was back in!!
The glory and pageantry of the awards luncheon! The engaging and dynamic exhibitors! Jaded vets and doe-eyed newbies all networking, solving problems It was like a spa-day for your professional soul Screw chicken soup- Congress is what the doctor really ordered. Since then, the investment of many mentors and my passion for planned giving has allowed me to attend as a speaker a few times. A supporter and at times fan.At times groupie, I've crashed the party for the past couple years
To bring new members into the fold to promote Canada's largest fundraising conference and the wonderful book booth too few people visit
This year, AFP has asked me to participate in a number of ways speaking at sessions and helping with networking programs. My current employer agrees as I do - Canadian philanthropy is better because of AFP we need to cultivate and grow membership and the network so I am again, for the first time in almost seven years A proud member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals!
Although, I'm no longer a "fundraiser" on paper I am still a charitable gift planner I will always be a fan, a groupie, permission or not, because of my debt to repay
So I won't be at the whole conferencebut I'll be there Monday night to networkrun a book booth tourand to contribute to the evening dinner dine-around
Wednesday night, I'll be running my "unofficial" after-party for the wonderful students of Humber and ANY others who wish to join us But if you are a stranger Maybe you are on the fence let me share - it's worth it. Every penny, every moment invested
Let's be honest, the public doesn't like fundraisers no one likes fundraising who stands up for what we do who believes in the excellence of how we do it? A F P - that's who
Fraser Green, one of those veteran fundraiserstalks about saving your soul in his latest book
Ps. This is not meant to be smart or witty I'm not a fundraising superstar, a leader or big name I'm just some dork who loves what we do, believes it's awesome THIS is how Congress makes me feel, about us, about our profession and what we do
The usual wakes, family flying into town and funeral ensued. No one can walk away without a bit of reflection.
I was lucky to have my grandmother for a long time. She met my little guy, her great grandson. Lucky him.
Wouldn't say she had a 'good' death ( like saying you had a 'good' colonoscapy, it is what it is. ) But she had a good life, one I only saw a snapshot of as a grandchild. Things I'm looking forward to learning about: - her middle was Quintera?! - she was a savvy small business owner, when widowed young with 4 kids - she had a lead foot and drove like Nascar?
This is us. She used to insist I looked like local / national weather guy Anwar Knight. Anwar was nice enough to record a Christmas message with me a few years back.
Now, I work in estate and gift planning. I'm also a religious guy. I'm very comfortable around legacies and death and never sugar coat it.
2. Baby boomers!! Get a digital recorder, video or voice and get that life story together, the lessons learned, the fun stuff, the hard stuff, stuff your parents told you - it's your legacy stupid
3. For pete's sake - if you have kids, make a Will, if you've got aging parents encourage them to pre-plan their funeral/burial instructions. It's not morbid, it will save you emotional distress and ensure their wishes are carried out
These days, I get patted on the head a lot Oh, so cute! Paul likes to use social media like the kids do! Do you post what you had for lunch on twitter paulie?
I don't mind, I've always loved flying under the radar. And there are some damn smart people on twitter, I'd rather have them all to myself.
Now, I don't like threats but let me share a secret with you. SOCIAL media is for weekend warriors and tweens. I'm into BUSINESS media. It's about relationships, connecting, dialogue.
I participate to create prosperity and abundance for me, for my network, for you if you're ready.
Here's the thing. One day soon, everyone is going to have to get on board. You know that day is coming, so why wait and be the last to learn? All I'm saying is, start lifting light weight! Create a profile, don't use it. Seriously! In six months, start to try it out. If you start today, you'll have LOTS of time to play with it. Before it becomes your job.
Lastly, we're in new territory what if you could get the one twitter handle that describes your entire sector! It's like cyber-squatting in the early 2000's!
Get out there, I'm right there with you - treading water and learning.
But from today onward I'll have to use a big fat " * "
You see, I've gone from raving fan, to new member of the "Advisory Committee" so when I speak of it I have to "disclose" this connection
BUT MAKE NO MISTAKE - I was a fan first.
Remember when you felt like this about life and your career?
Since I started in fundraising ( as a "planned giving" guy ) over a decade ago I loved my job but there was one challenge I had yet to tackle...
The dreaded conference speaking session. So I tried. And bombed.
Then I was asked to join a team speaking to Humber College students about my beloved CAGP and passion for planned giving - I found my voice.
I also found a program that was more intense, supported and networked than any other I had ever seen. One where the students and faculty shared my passion for this work.
Since then I have been lucky enough to be invited for five years to speak to the class, my covert goal to steal the best. I find the brightest, hungriest who are going to make a powerful contribution to the profession and I support them as much as I can. No secret too that I think the coordinator Ken Wyman is a mensch. Here's why...
And the people I've met, the alumni, the students, the network - frankly it has enriched my life as much as my career
I even teach now at the fantastic Georgian College fundraising program which is national, a different offering than the Humber full time program. Something that would never have happened with out my first opportunity to not just "speak" but "teach" A special thanks to Rob Peacock who gave me the shot in the arm I needed then and now...a mentor to so many.
Humber wasn't a player when I started fundraising. But when I was a young up and coming fundraising professional, with no name/fame - just passion, experience and a clear vision of how a young person could make a difference, Humber invested in me. I'll never forget and will strive to repay that investment, forever.
Can't wait to meet the class of 2012
Take a quick peek at this video, see just one reason this is such a special program Paul
Unless you've been hiding under a rock You'll know one of Canada's most popular shows, Dragon's Den Kevin O'Leary is a polarizing force of capitalism and has just launched a new book! The best library system ever, TPL had Kevin infor a sold out event tonight he was in fine form and as usual doled out some great stories and lessons An early story about how he went into business with Don Cherry and then sold those businesses and shows for a profit was fascinating, explains some of his TV persona and how he knows the secret of TV:
WHY does a billionaire have five TV shows and work non-stop?
Answer: Access!
His shows give him daily access to influencers, government and celebrities Access he couldn't buy if he wanted to. As he said "money is not power. Information is power" Great story about when ABC wanted him to promote his new show on "Dancing with the Stars" he said yes and flew to LA for 10 minutes work to network with business hero Steve Wozniak. That meeting Steve gave him a stock tip that made him a lot of money...Networking!
He counts John Lennon as an influence but lives by his code "the pursuit of money is the quest for freedom and happiness". Not quite "greed is good" but that Canadians needs to stop being ashamed of ambition. Another great story, he believes "nepotism is a corporate disease", when his son asked him "Dad when we fly, I sit back here and you go to first class" Yes. His son flies economy. His response "but son, you have no money!" He wants him to earn it, no free rides here "I may give all my money to a cat, I haven't decided yet".
Speaking of animals...Kevin's view on investing? "There is NO place for emotion in investing. You want a friend? Buy a dog".
When he was a child, his mother gave him powerful advice "never invest in any stock that doesn't pay dividends. Period".It's how he runs his investments. He fires anyone who doesn't get it.
During questions he explained the three elements that 100% of successful pitches to Dragon's Den:
1) 90 seconds or less. Period 2) Tell me why YOU are the person who can make it work 3) Be the owner, the leader, don't shy away from your passion, power or knowledge Lastly, as a networking tip, I encourage a no ego rule. This Billionaire made time to sign every book - very classy.
you start
3. Yes I'm the LinkedIn enthusiast and I'm telling you DON'T send connection requests to everyone you met - do you go steady before the first date? Spend some time before you write their name in ink in your digital-addressbook. DO follow them on Twitter though! It's the passive non-intrusive networking tool so follow everyone you met! 
And lastly - Action!
