Networlding » About Networlding

Can Children in Poverty Become Computer Stars?

Melissa — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:50:46 +0000

There are few things that WOW me. I even capitalized the word to emphasize the impact of something that is beyond everyday, beyond even something special. This is in the category of a sustainable WOW.

Sugata Mitra is Professor of Educational Technology at the School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences at Newcastle University, England. He is also one of the winners of TED 2013. Below is his presentation on the future of teaching. He shows us all that children from all walks of life can learn the most complex subjects like computing, physics and mathematics with no live teacher but themselves. By sharing their learnings, child-by-child mentoring of one another and a deep curiosity and appreciation of learning, a magical thing happens–the playing field of true learning is undeniably and forever leveraged. This is “peer learning.”

Take a look. What do you think? How can you take this and use it in your community?

Best Famous Business Networkers in History

Melissa — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:03:43 +0000

I wrote a book called “Networking is Dead” and so therefore shouldn’t be talking about the best “networkers” in the past, but, as Networlding, the term I use for building better, mutually beneficial relationships, was not in existence before the year 2000, I will use the term.

Benjamin Franklin (Photo credit: elycefeliz)

What attributes make him a great networker in the past? Here are a few:

the ability to make diverse connections
able to adjust to life’s continous fluctuations
a natural curiosity and creativity
disciplined
a “can-do” attitude and champion of causes
a desire to learn and grow continuously
innovative

Ben, surprisingly, was the brother in a family of 17 children! Now, if that isn’t a situation for anyone to learn to adjust to change and get along! He also had a group of friend he hung around who drank beer, but he just drank water, hence he was a man of discipline.

He was also the author of the hugely popular “Poor Richard’s Almanack, a powerfully creative endeavor. At one point he helped finance the erection of a building for the use of preachers of all denominations. Because he was so friendly to believers of all denominations, he earned this title of tolerance. In fact, he had more than five pseudonyms he wrote under for different newspapers. These venues allowed him to not only flex his creative muscles, but to champion a wide variety of injustices that existed during his lifetime.

One very important pseudonym Franklin used was that of Polly Baker. In his writings here he talked about the unfair treatment women received in early colonial society. Ms. Baker had several children out of wedlock and was punished by society for her “crimes,” while the men went free.

Finally, Franklin was extremely innovative with his writing and also the responsibilities he took on He was Deputy Postmaster General for North America for the British Crown from 1753 – 1774. Here, he was responsible for overseeing all of the Crown’s postal operations in North America where he streamlined procedures, reducing routes by 50% the time it took to receive letters.

Do you have other traits you know that Franklin held to make him a good networker? So who is next? Who do you think should be next?

How Networking Is Like Dating

Melissa — Mon, 30 Jul 2012 16:32:19 +0000

Just thought I would write a blog post to help those who have trouble networking understand that it’s often because it might remind them of dating. Following are just three reasons:

Often your date is a “Taker.” I remember when I was dating, both before I got married for the first time and after my first marriage ended. I had a number of guys who just wanted to talk about themselves. They didn’t care what I did for a living or what I liked to do after my workdays. They wanted to make sure I knew what they did and how important they were. I used to call those dates “Dentist Dates” because they felt like I was getting a root canal that would never end.
The same is true for networkers who shakes your hand at a business networking event and the next thing you know it’s 15 minutes later and they are still talking about themselves. It can be excruciating!
Often your date is a serial dater. You might have experienced these guys. They are like helicopters buzzing the room. You’re out with them alone but their eyes are shifting from left to right, scanning the room for as many other connection options as possible. Your stomach hurts but your heart hurts more. You feel like you don’t exist.
Now shift to a room of people where you have to network to get new business. How many helicopter networkers have you experienced? They wander the room saying to everyone they meet, “Can I have your card? Can I have your card?” Know someone like that?
Your date is inept. A good definition I found for this word is “lacking sense or reason.” Have you been on a date where the person makes little sense and has only bad jokes in his arsenal of jokes?
Consider those networking events where people you meet just don’t understanding networking. They don’t get that it’s about finding others who have similar or complementary values to yours and, of course, interests. If you also “engage” those whom you meet in conversation, there is bound to be something they say that creates connection and further exchange. Finally, if you have the right attitude and good questions that engage both of you around things you have in common, then even those who are not able to help you currently, could introduce you to someone who can be of support.

For this third type of date or networker a solution is coaching or training. For those who want to get better at dating, check out one or more of the following blog posts on dating and chivalry (shameless plug) by my husband Craig:

For those of you who want to become better networkers and also improve your social media skills and social networking online, here is my shameless plug, a link to my Networlding Guidebook on Amazon, a guide that will show you the best process for growing a great network–the step-by-step process that I have trained almost 10,000 how to use over the past 15 years. The guide has been improved again and again so you will get the most out of your networking.

Networking is Dead Book Trailer

Melissa — Mon, 16 Jul 2012 16:33:40 +0000

It’s great to have wonderful interns that are so media savvy. So far this summer Erika and Alexa have:

created three e-books
two book trailers
three book edits
one author email campaign to bookstores
bookmark creation and distribution

The amazing part is that these two amazing young women did all the above in just three weeks! With one week to go I’ll let you see what they create! Stay tuned!

Meanwhile, here is the video trailer for Networking is Dead they created. Let them know what you think in the comment section, below.

Social Media Innovation and Wildberry Pancakes & Cafe

Melissa — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 16:27:11 +0000

Want to feel better? Take a child to breakfast. See the world through seven year old eyes. Embrace the kid in you.

This little boy is a twin. He is a grandson of one of my dearest friends. He is also one funny young man. He tickles my heart and I hope he will tickle yours too. His name is Ryan.

Ryan is already an innovator. Here, according to him, he has “customized” his piece of bacon by adding chocolate to it. He is at the new restaurant just opened on Randolph off of Michigan Avenue in Chicago. It’s Wildberry, known for its awesome breakfasts.

Consider these three social media innovation tips:

Social media innovation can happen anywhere where you least expect it. For example, online innovation flourished during the Thailand floods, as the people of Thailand turned to social media for everything from sharing information to comic relief to serious calls for help.
Social media in companies has a long way to go. If companies would honor their employees and share more personal stories and showcase more about who they are rather than what they do, they will connect more in the cyberworld which is what bringing in the social in the media world is all about.
Explore social innovation in places like among children, in schools, on streets and write or video your unique self into the fabric of your work.

Finally, the greatest gift you can give to others is the gift of you. I know you’ve got something to offer. We ALL do, something that is all you, something from your heart. In your effort you will find true innovation.

Old fashioned Networking – No More

Melissa — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 15:39:10 +0000

“Hey, do you have Bump it on your phone?”

“Yeah! Let me get your number” *Bumps phone*

“Great! I’ll ping you soon”

[Exenut]

I’ve been building my brand for many years, but I wanted to remind you Networlding is not just another name for networking. No, I specifically designed my business, Networlding, to be revolutionize the meaning of networking. Old fashioned networking is equivalent to the ”bump it” app on our smartphones and getting as many numbers, followers, or friends on our social media platforms. Or even simply exchanging business cards. You might think it is radical to call it old fashioned, seeing as social media is still an exciting trend to last for years to come, but Networlding is a practice all of us should adopt to to actually see results from making connections.

Inquisitive. Real. Curious. Those are some characteristics of a successful Networlder. Asking questions out of genuine interest will attract people, and when you stop thinking about how you can benefit first, that’s when the good stuff happens. It can start with one twitter follower, a few Facebook friends or Tumblr friends. All you have to do is kindle and nurture that relationship as a Networlder and that person could open the gates to a large Networld for you. And of higher quality.

Ready to be a Networlder? That’s why you need to keep an eye out for my upcoming book- The One-Minute Networlder. Go here for a sneak peek - and I’ll keep you updated as I go about on my book campaign – because this book is for you to become connected in more meaningful and authentic ways using the tools we have today.

Top Social Media Tip

Melissa — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 16:35:32 +0000

The Introduction has Become the New Referral.

I was recently talking with a group of leaders and made this observation to them. They had a hard time grasping this concept so I thought I would share it with others to get your thoughts.

In Chris Brogan’s book Trust Agents he talks about the fact that the Internet offers us the new opportunity to meet all those like valued people that were previously ellusive. Now we can connect with these people and co-create amazing new opportunities. Sometimes these people will be our clients or customers, sometimes they will be people who connect with us online.

This week I met five amazing leaders– only one was connected to me by people I have met in person. The other four were introduced by people I have met online. They were able to connect with me quite effectively and quickly as they had oodles of info on me written by me and others. They could further talk to me from their place of what mattered most to them that was also relevant to me–Points of Commonality as I call them.

How do you weigh in? Can introductions be just as strong as a referral?

What Do Your Values Reflect?

Melissa Giovagnoli — Sat, 12 Dec 2009 00:53:45 +0000

What does it mean to have a system for networking? I created a method to change random, “one-shot” networking into mutually beneficial and consistently productive Networlding. There are seven steps in total that once mastered will allow you to be an effortless Networlder. The steps will be presented individually because each step must be completed before moving onto the next. Take time with each step and make sure the your responses and truthful and valuable for you.

STEP NUMBER 1:

Create Your Values Foundation.

We all have values, but what are your top four and, if you can, what are they in level of priority?

Carol had been what we call in Networlding “baseline networking” for years. She was at the top of her game working as Director of HR for a large organization. However, the long hours and an intense travel schedule left Carol feeling that her personal life lacked balance. From layoffs and career changes to being sought out for competitive executive positions, Carol had been through all of the ups and downs of corporate life.

As she began thinking about what she wanted her future to look like she thought more about her childhood dream of being a physiologist. Carol appreciated valued-based business and aspired to start an individual psychology practice of her own.

With these goals in mind Carol took the first step in Networlding and identified her top four values:

• Spirituality
• Connection
• Making a difference
• Achievement

With these values in mind, Carol decided to leave her six-figure salary and return to graduate school. By understanding her values Carol will not lose sight of them through her process. With her values in mind she is more apt to meet others with similar values and build a network of people around her that will help maintain these values. She will also vocalize her values more often and make requests to be introduced to people who hold similar and complimentary values.

What is Networlding?

Melissa Giovagnoli — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 16:08:00 +0000

Networlding is the science and art of making meaningful connections and leveraging those connections in new and powerful ways. Networlding is an accelerated networking program based on growing mutually beneficial relationships with key “connectors” who have similar and complementary values.

Networlding is much more effective than traditional networking because it will show you how to create an entire support system that includes both people who will help you in the short term as well as people who will help you leverage long-term, transformational opportunities, time and time again. It also shows you how to create for others and yourself, true fulfillment in the process.

When Peter Drucker, the guru of management, asked a recent class of MBA students what they would call this new, connected society, they responded, “We’d call it the New Network Society.” To take full advantage of this new age, we need to understand how we are all connected and how to use these connections for mutual gain. We also need to make a shift in our professional and personal strategies for getting ahead. This shift is from a “me” perspective to the more leveraged “we” perspective. This means forming and maintaining relationships in radically different ways.

Networlding is the strategy that will allow you to shift your focus from the opportunities, to the people who can help you take advantage of those opportunities . . . to transform relationships from a pipeline to opportunities to a lifeline in our new world of work.

To receive more information about Networlding click here