Whatta man - Ken Wyman

Went to the Humber College portfolio viewing tonight

In a wicked-dynamic space created by ING.
Centre for Social Innovation
meets Jamba Juice with bank machines
Seriously, check it out HERE and in the Globe n'Mail

Some solid networking done but my favourite part
was watching Ken Wyman work the room for his students
This is a guy who has seen success,
has done his bit for King, Queen & country
advocates, works hard, he hustles for those in his care.

He goes beyond educator, to shepherd
A bodhisattva of sorts, here to help others find their voice
Something the great Steven Covey stresses in the 8th habit

There is no patron saint for fundraisers, a big beef of mine
and sure Ken's not dead yet, far from it
but I'm going to start gathering my papers
to make a case-for-support ( pardon the pun )

AFP honoured him, he is well known in the community
Fundraising, young professionals, we all owe this guy a debt of gratitude
He raises the bar on humanity, humility and professional excellence

Sure he's not as ripped as his enviro-peer David

But Whatta man......

A professional love letter on defying gravity

This is a little embarassing
Yes, I love .............musicals.
( don't you judge me!)

Yesterday I was speaking at a conference aptly named "Passion for Philanthropy"

My session was a short version of my human mission statement: "Passion for people, networking for cause and career".

As you know I'm going through a bit of a metamorphosis right now....
As BOTH Peter Parker and Seth Brundle once said:
"Something is happening to me"

I gave a session that was unfettered by the baggage I've carried for years working in non-profit. It was exhilarating.

And I have no idea what the future holds but my joy yesterday was made so much more powerful by people who continue to impact me. As usual...I'll name names:

Scott Fortnum embodies passionate professionalism with joy and an open heart

Tania Little an expert fundraiser and social media guide where few exist right now

Deborah LeGrove breaks down the ingredients of excellence in a sector that shows little value for it

Fraser Green continues to push us to FEEL the power of philanthropy ( and our own humanity ) in the middle of a heartless paper driven sector

and I wouldn't be at Georgian if not for the mentorship and support of Linda Clemow and Kim Goggins

At one point I said something that years ago would have got me fired....
A rant but important point about blackberry's....and got spontaneous applause?

On my drive home and now on my drive up to my fortress of solitude,
UofT's Hart House Farm,
where I go to reflect between every job change for the past 15 years

I'm listening to the soundtrack for "Wicked"
These two characters embody the personal war I'm fighting.

The "good witch" , the world of charity, seemingly knoble but often dysfunctional and unkind

The "bad witch" of for-profit who is easy to hate but whose intentions are often pure...

I'm off to think and reflect, something busy people never do. I haven't for years.
Wise mentors push me to stop and think often. I am so grateful to these and the dozens of other peers who lead and teach me

My question to you is, who are your teachers?
Your personal board of directors?
Have you told them what they do for you? Is it time for a board meeting, turnover?

I leave you with a song about how I feel at this very moment. Thanks for reading!

Get it all out of your system

Big change in my career right now
An identity shift

Yesterday I was a medium sized fish in a small pond
Today I'm like a booger floating in the ocean

But it goes deeper that that
- ironically I've been speaking about this shift publicly for years

When a non-profit professional moves over to for-profit they call it "turning to the dark side". I remember when a great peer of mine moved. It was tragic to watch them being treated differently

I always found this attitude incredibly ignorant.
So I shared this opinion and warned peers the risk they were taking --- that annoying and maybe insulting a valuable network contact whose influence has just tripled
may be the wrong move.

So I just made that move.
As you can see at my "coming out party" last night
I couldn't pass up the opportunity to poke fun...

But both I and you, dear network,
have a few months.

Come fall 2011.
I'll stop making the jokes.
When you say it, I won't be mean or embarrass you.
I'll probably smile, but come nightfall,
There will be one less trusted peer in my network

This is not a threat

I am always working to test the best in my network
to offer my opportunity and resources to propel you further, faster
But as always, I demand an attitude of abundance, kindness and humility
(and you should demand it from me, always)

We've got a battle to fight, some heavy lifting to do.
And as a wise-guy said, "do or do not"....

May the force....be with us both!

The Hidden Job Market

I have always found the term
"The Hidden Job Market" confusing

As a networking enthusiast I strongly believe the worst time to look for a job is when you need one and the best time to network is when you are least in need ( more on that later )

Those that know me will know that I'm going to change jobs very soon
A major life change for me.
I'm not changing sectors, still in philanthropy
But I am switching perspectives

In considering a place I never thought I'd find myself
I stumbled onto a curious sight this week in an upscale parking garage
(looking for my Zipcar) where condos average $1 million

Look at these photo's below...
An office (family photo's and all) in the middle of a parking garage!
I asked the attendant, this person is there 9-5 every day!
Would you imagine yourself here 5 years ago? 5 years from now?
I was told it's a very good salary, free parking downtown, private and peaceful
.......you want to talk about a "hidden job"?!

Marketing advisor Promod Sharma posted a great article from Forbes on LinkedIn
citing the brilliant concept of a "Reputation Economy" created by Web 2.0 and Social Media

Networking has never been more important for your career
Looking at online postings and applying through HR just won't cut it.

Hope those in my network and beyond can join me at the Annex Live on May 3 ( 5 - 7pm ) for a quick celebration of my job move after work
No RSVP, no pressure, no cost, just your time.

If you can't come, please, let me be of help to achieve your goals.
If you set them, I'm here to help...and am at your service.

CAGP Conference Networking

So! The conference is upon us.

CAGP 2011 And I have a lot of favours to repay.

Early in my career when I got into town
I'd wander the first night to eat alone with a newspaper.
Peers accosted me, took me to dinner. Networked, taught me, we had fun.

Now. You're in MY house, it's payback time and this time. It's personal.

So! Networking offer #1.
Tuesday night April 12. I'll be in the hotel lobby at 6ish.
I have five people already coming out.
Join us and we'll go for dinner nearby.
Nothing fancy, just peers starting the networking off early.

Email me at paulcnazareth at gmail dot com
or @UinvitedU on Twitter

Networking offer #2.
Saturday morning April 16th.
A few of us will gather in the hotel lobby at 10am
( sleep in for pete's sake! )
We'll go for breakfast and I'll be driving
six people to the airport at noon and six at 2pm.

Seriously, people did this for me in Vancouver, Halifax and Banff.

Have a great conference.

Say hello, I'd love to help you enjoy my town!
I don't like Toronto, I love it and I'd love to show you why.

Thanks for the chance to meet, listen and learn.

LinkedIn Tips

LinkedIn is the Facebook of Business.

In March 2011 it crossed 100 million users.

I am user 18, 717, 680 and joined in 2007. Hardly an early adopter.

But I've read books on it, bumbled my way through the newbie mistakes and social faux-pas. I'm an unabashed fan, promoter and speaker on how to use it for personal success.

I've found and created great value here. Seth Godin often says not to hold on to your best value ...I've been doing that...sorry.

So here now are my 2011 updated LinkedIn tips. (download to print)

Use them in good health, challenge me on them please and if you find them helpful, forward/tweet to someone else!

1) It’s not a resume. It’s a digital business card + opening conversation. Use the opening section to explain why you are the best at what you do and different than the million other people doing it. Match this to your networking style. Bold, clever, succinct, reserved – make it your words.

2) Newbie tip!! Don’t EVER use the standard line “I’d like to add you to my professional network on LinkedIn”. Change it every time. Let them know where you met, how you know each other and why you want to connect. In 25 words or less. This will get you a 90%+ connection rate.

3) You don’t need to have a killer profile right away. Take your time. I didn’t expand my original profile from just my name and work title for two whole years! Also, you don’t need to upload a picture right away. Remember the picture is 1 inch squared, make it professional (no photos from weddings) but interesting. Not facebook interesting, something that says “I’m a professional, hire me”.

4) Growing connections list, ( #1 new user stress): 95% people you know, 5% strangers. 1. People you already know well. 2. People you’ve worked with in the past. 3. People you know professionally. Optional: 4. Take your time with this, people who lead in your sector, professional heroes or teachers. Follow your gut: Stranger danger! Ignore invitations from strangers and profile surfers. For now. Tip: Connect first to well networked peers to save time looking for names you both know.

5) Eventually, take a risk on step four (above). Know who you want to connect to and enlist others to help. Be bold, aim high. International contacts, authors and big thinkers are here to meet others just like you. I have tried and it worked with powerful results.

6) “Groups” and “LinkedIn Answers” are a huge amplifier of time invested. Again, connect to those in the know and join the groups they’re part of. Answer questions in groups at least once a month. Look at LinkedIn “Answers” in categories that connect to your business and answer questions with useful resources and you’ll become known as a “go to professional”. This will help you make more contacts outside your immediate network but in your sector. It will help dynamic like-minded people find you.

7) Recommendations are important. Consider who you have made an impact on and ask. When you ask be specific about what business or characteristics you’d like them to highlight for you. Give them an out if they’re uncomfortable. HR people look online for this, have at least three. Tip: Fastest way to get recommendations is consider who has made an impact in your career, connect and do this for them!

8) Have rules. Know who you don’t want to connect you. Set a daily time limit for use. Originally I went from 30mins a week, to ten mins a day max. This is not Facebook! It is also addictive and can waste your time. As in your business life – follow the revenue line!! Time = money.

9) If you’re a book reader, upload what you’re reading ( in the Amazon reading list ) and favourite business books online to help others understand how you think and what you value.

10) Use the status update line to provide business value, not updates on your life. Connect to a business titled Twitter account and you’ll double your audience. 2011 tip, too much tweeting annoys your connections. If you tweet a lot, don’t connect these accounts. Your network will turn off your updates and ignore you.

Final word: LinkedIn is a wonderful tool but is seeking to monetize you! Don’t do everything the program tells you when you join like uploading all your information or resume. Go at your own pace. Making your address and phone number visible is a no-no.

Hope it's of help and value... Contact me any time, LinkedIn rules.

Twitter turns five! Who cares!

Ok ok so this post is going to sound bitter and jaded.

Mostly because it is.

I'll say it again. WHO CARES?!

Facebook has 500 million users
LinkedIn is closing in on 100 million
Twitter at 5 years has over 75 million

And yet, to many of Canada's largest charities, the social media policy is simple.

Nah, we're good. We'll...take a pass.

I didn't just offer you a baloney sangwich
I'm talking about a media revolution here!!

Still good thanks. Please don't do it at the office.

Many have told me, we'll only invest in one.
So of course they're all on Facebook.
Let me outright state my bias.
I hate Facebook, it's too damn messy.
People don't want to do business next to drunken weekend pictures.

I know it's the best way to build awareness and community.
Business networking is my comfort zone, LinkedIn rules for this.
I know what everyone is there to do.
We do it, and get back to real life.

But even I see the need to be in the conversation.

I was speaking to a peer in charge of communicating with teenagers for a charity.
Her beat is schools and tweens.
She is banned from Facebook at the office.
She knows that even though she gets paid, she is a fraud. She doesn't exist.
And it's killing her.

At this point most of you reading this know that social media is here to stay
And while it stays it's changing the world.

You are in the VAST minority. Don't kid yourself.

Why am I telling you this?

1) I'm BEGGING you to help my favourite charities catch up. Be ready for the call.

2) Join me for a cup of tea while we watch the Luddite Captain sink the Titanic

Should be fun.

So! Please take Digital Leap through the roof!

My beloved CSI
You are a daily inspiration
And I covet you daily
I'll send more people your way to be terrified at what you represent...

The titans of social media in my tiny little world continue to stomp around... making trouble and disturbing web 1.0 users

I will gratefully watch,
listen and learn.

Congrats though Twitter.

I would have come to the party
but my typewriter is out of ribbon...