My Twitter handle: U invited U

I often get asked “What does your twitter handle mean?”

Three years ago I wrote a long version, here’s the short answer.

After trying to pull people I care about, in my life and at work, to success and having to fight them, convince them of my sincerity I got tired.

It didn’t work.

So I gave myself permission to do two things:

1. Be a servant. In Daniel Pink’s new book “To Sell Is Human” he shares the business power of leadership from the trenches alongside the troops, not out front or in the ivory tower. Something the great Tom Peters teaches in 3 minutes here.

2. Shut up and listen. By using better questions, another thing Dan mentions in his book. Using a wonderful strategy called “Solutions Focus” – I get to show up and just be present to listen, respond and empower solutions to meet the needs of my peers, donors and now clients.

I do this at work, and over 150 mornings a year.

I can’t invite you to success, it’s a party that YOU must invite YOU to. And when you are ready. I’ll be there.

My whole life philosophy summed up in this brilliant TED talk by Ernesto Sirolli – it’s worth watching. ( If you have ADD, skip to 5mins )

   Paul

Sharing the power of “Solutions Focus”

This is a story about the most powerful paradigm shift of my life.

It was a time where I had found considerable career success, but the future was a boring linear path - defined by momentum, not intention, doing at best 40% what I loved. I was losing steam at work, angry at the 60% holding me back. I was lost in my problems, and my team was obsessed with finding blame over winning battles. I was losing the war.

Enter Alan Kay.

Introducing me to the Solutions Focus truly changed every part of my life by doing three things, the focus of the method:

• Stop focusing on problems and blame
• Defining the future I most want
• List small things, practical things I could do to get there

Now, just a few years later. Let me tell you, I have EVERYTHING I wanted when I defined that future. And the method is simple. Looking at my original picture from my notes – you can see. This is not rocket science. Alan is even featured in the international 2nd Edition, out soon.

Alan has helped countless peers, organizations and businesses in my network since then. He has a special place in his heart ( and work ) for charities and social-profit organizations. The applications are numerous.

A fundraising Director peer of mine has used it for work, career and loves Alan’s special set of SF interview questions. Canada’s “house doctor” Dr. Brian Goldman describes in this 2 minute video what Alan has done for him ( identical to my experience ). Most importantly, instead of promoting the use of the method, Alan has written a more practical ( and faster reading ) book to apply SF to your work. I highly recommend it, I highly recommend you call Alan if you’re looking to turnaround a business, a team, a life.

 A massive business read in 2013 is Dan Pink’s “To Sell is Human” in which he cites Solution Focus authors Dan & Chip in helping smart business professionals to ask better questions. Another big benefit of SF.

Alan turned improved the quality of my life around so much I even created a personal networking MVP award, and he was one of the first winner. So, follow Alan on Twitter, another great source for SF learning is his international peer Coert Visser at @DoingWhatWorks.

Here’s Alan and I talking about my experience with SF ( um ok, I’ve lost a little weight recently, not until I watched this video did I realize, I have to downsize my suits. Please join my wife in laughing at me) and below that a quick primer on Solutions Focus – I hope it’s as helpful to you as it was me!

Paul

BNI - The World’s Greatest Networking Organization

Do you know BNI? It’s the world’s largest business referral organization.

I’m a big fan and I’ve visited several chapters in Canada.

Today, I was the guest of the great folks at a B2B Chapter, Corporate Edge Toronto and was reminded of 3 reasons why BNI is the best business networking structure I’ve ever encountered.

1. John, the incoming President reminded us that networking resolutions are like health goals. Everyone says in January “I need to network, I need to network, I’ve got get out and network!” and they do. But come March, the gyms and the networking events are empty. Like already healthy people become fit because of the structure of a personal trainer, so do business professionals gain greater success by joining a highly structured group like BNI

2. Josh the current President is a business owner in IT. He confessed there are a LOT of people offering online marketing solutions. But none of his competition has a lawyer, photographer, speaking coach, designer and insurance consultant on staff. His trust built by meeting with his chapter members every week means they are like his own team. Together they engage in millions of dollars in closed business a year, they refer each other weekly, they create opportunities for each other weekly. At this meeting, someone on vacation has three referrals waiting for him when he gets back – this is not a network being nice, it is a referral machine at work.

3. I’ve blogged before about a chapter I really love, and the power of the 45 second stand up pitch. That you’re timed and cut off, you’re critiqued for improvement and primed for success. I can’t stress the structure that BNI brings to ever part of their meetings. That they track networking sit downs, dollars referred, recommendations are read aloud. It’s the kind of positive environment that breeds success, builds community and relationships of great value.

“Givers Gain” is their motto. I love that abundance attitude.

I have received so much training and prosperity at the hands of this organization, I can’t wait to join myself in time. Perhaps you need to look up and visit the chapter closest to you?

Have to thank my personal host today, Jeff Good who I know because he helps my social-profit charity network specializing in real-estate rental or purchase for nonprofits.

If you love networking, here is BNI’s founder sharing the 10 traits of master networkers and below a 2 min video on BNI, FYI. Enjoy!

                                                                              Paul

Release your inner networking ninja!

Note: This blog post has a soundtrack, go to the bottom and hit play on the video.

One of the cool things my alma mater UofT does is host alumni networking events called “Dinner with 12 Strangers”.

I’ve happily hosted about four over the past few years, what an amazing way to meet a diverse set of future world-changers! Several of us keep in touch and one great student asked me to come speak to at a gathering of young scientists about “the science of networking” recently.

Speaking at Science expo on this topic really reminded me about a topic I feel passionately about – the power of thinkers.

Science Expo 2013 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

You’ve no doubt heard me ranting last year about one of the most globally recognized business books on introverts. I’ve even created a resource page for the many lawyers, scientists, writers who don’t know about Susan Cain’s powerful work.

Inside most people who don’t think they can network is a ton of value, waiting to get out. Enter the science of networking – building the technical skills to communicate what you are passionate about. Nothing more.

No selling, bragging, shouting – none of that extrovert stuff.

Here are just some of the books I recommend to build those skills.

In 2013 Mark Bowden, one of my favourite authors has a great book coming out, here is a great video from him on of the most critical skills in network – Listening!

 

Release your inner networking ninja!

In the meantime, enjoy this great song that I think should be the soundtrack to great networking,

        Paul Nazareth

 

A true networking adventure. #KilihikeTO with Jaime Stein

It’s almost ironic that this blog is called ""Adventures in Networking” because this is a story of a truly adventurous networking meeting, far beyond the walls of my beloved Starbucks.

Jaime Stein is a guy I’ve been trying to meet with for over a year, our schedules just never came together.

We are very similar in some ways, but with all humility he is me to the power of 2. Yes we both recently have had two boys, moved into financial institutions, love our alma mater UofT and have a healthy obsession with the future of “social business”. But whereas I’m a novice, his business IS social. Whereas I read hundreds of business books and learn informally he worked his butt off to get his MBA via the Rotman morning program and rocked it.

We met last week to network in a very odd way, you see Jaime is about to climb Mount friggin Kilimanjaro to help build Canada’s first National Public Cord Blood Bank. He’s part of the C-Suite cabinet. Instead of training on his own with earplugs in his ears this networking genius decides to open up his hikes super social. Opens his schedule on Googledocs and invites his entire network to come for a walk and talk.

So we walk. 3 hours, 13 kilometres on the Toronto lakeshore. I learned so much personally and professionally. From Jaime and his friend from the CFL Eric Holmes who came too.

Y’know Steve Jobs and a lot of other gamechangers were big fans of the walk and talk. I’m a big advocate of the walk and think. In 2013 I think I need to conduct more meetings like this.

Here’s Jaime’s post on our walk. I encourage you to follow Jaime on Twitter, follow his networking adventure leading him to Kilimanjaro via #KilihikeTO and the climb team at #Climb4Cord . If you are moved to do so, please donate too.

Thank you Jaime for a true adventure in networking. I’m proud to be part of team Orange Scarf, good luck on the climb. You have my donation, my support and my gratitude for inspiration and education.

               Paul Nazareth

 

 

 

 

 

Ps. Since we’re both social media junkies. My gift to you. Your own meme

Business for Breakfast

They say, the early bird gets the worm.

Many folks know I hold networking meetings over 100+ mornings a year before work – to get inspired and fulfil my personal mission.

This Valentines day, I hosted an event for those who were in and out of love with their careers, to connect for 2013’s success. A big thanks to the couple dozen folks who came out bright and early to network. I am always grateful for your investment in me and I love to see you invest in you! ( the meaning of my twitter handle by the way ).

A note about some folks I singled out. They run their own businesses and all six of them are my “category killers” who I refer often. I’m happy to share them with you too as I speak about them all the time.

Clare runs a social media company specializing in charities and social-profit organizations. 

Jacklyn is the secret photographer behind many charity photoshoots in my network.

Janice is a professional coach for fundraisers.

Jeff captures the power of video for social and business media.

Two new additions to this list are to be noted as they are 2013 additions and you’ll see me talking more about them.

1) Cher Jones is on the trail to help Canadians embrace “Social Business” like me. But she has a business to coach individuals and groups on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter. I look forward to her help to get anyone in my network up to speed in 2013!

2) Larysa Kalyta is the team lead with my #1 favourite networking venue, Marche Brookfield and I won’t be keeping this secret to myself any longer. Read exactly why you should be hosting your next event at this venue!

I highly encourage anyone to consider sharing their favourite experts in the comments below – heck I created my own award to name out loud my annual networking MVP’s. We need to celebrate the best in our lives and help them help our network to get what they want in business and life.

I WANT to help you do this dear network, so keep in touch and make contact any time…

I’m always at your service,

   Paul

An event planners dream: Marche Brookfield

I have hosted over a dozen networking events at Marche in Brookfield Place. There is NO venue I recommend more highly and yet even I did not know the power of this location for business and personal event planning.

Anyone who has been to my now four year dinner event at AFP Congress knows that this venue has it all. Varied menu for all tastes and food restrictions, instant dining with the ability to come and go as guests please, indoor patio for networking where the diners can hear each other speak and close to the Metro Convention Centre. It’s as perfect as a venue can get.

Recently I connected with Larysa Kalyta the PR, Sales and Event lead, mostly to compliment the Marche Brookfield team after another smashing event success and some real wow-points from the staff around service. We had a fascinating conversation about the versatility of the space and what Marche is doing with it on a weekly basis.

All-Day business training in house with the technical ability to host on site. Salsa dance nights for the new live/work downtown set. Early morning networking meetings for Bay St. groups. Social gatherings for family travelling in from all parts of the GTA and a kids area I didn’t know existed.

Marche Brookfield Toronto VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

She finished our talk with a powerful phrase. “Mr. Nazareth, never assume anything about Marche Brookfield. Don’t think of it as a restaurant, think of it as a canvass for your networking goals. Whatever the event, we can make it happen with flying colors, tastes and results”.  Larysa event remembered I had just had a baby and gave me an adorable plush Marche mascot for him. I recently hosted a breakfast networking event with Larysa and had almost 40 guests using a space in the restaurant I had never used before. She delivered on her promise.

There is so much more to this venue than meets the eye. SO dear network, don’t assume like I did. Make contact with Larysa, arrange a tour or conversation about your needs and rock your event.

Here’s a quick ‘taste’ of the venue DineTO named the “best place to host a group function in Toronto” – Enjoy!

Paul Nazareth