Never underestimate who people know

I subscribe to many of Ivan Misners information, but I got this article today from his blog.  I’ve said it once and I’ll say it a million more times, it does NOT matter what business somebody else’s is in, you NEVER know who they know until you get to know them.

http://businessnetworking.com/the-power-of-a-rolodex-whats-your-story/

The Power of a Positive Attitude

This an email I received from a newsletter by Jon Gordon, author of The Seed and many other great books.  It’s amazing where a positive attitude will get you.

THE POWER OF A POSITIVE ATTITUDE

I received an email from a woman named Amber last week that I knew I had to share. I had to share it because she represents the great things that happen when a person decides to plant themselves where they are and make a difference with a positive attitude. While Amber says some kind things about me, it’s not about me… it’s about Amber and the choices she made. So with Amber’s permission here is her email to me:

Jon:

My name is Amber and I wanted to share a little bit of my story with you because what you’ve shared about life and positive energy has flipped my life right side up.

This past year has been one of the toughest for me… feeling stuck in an entry level administrative position for a company that has no relevance to what I want to do with my life. In January, after two years of being together, my boyfriend tells me he doesn’t love me and probably never did which left me devastated and broken hearted.

I’ve been signed up for your weekly newsletter and read them every Monday morning as I drink my coffee at work but it wasn’t until this March when I figuratively slapped myself in the face and said, “No more negativity!”

Since then I’ve started new habits at work to keep my energy positive and it’s drastically changed the entire vibe of my workplace. Currently I’m the receptionist/ administrative support and back in February I applied for the executive assistant position when the previous one left. Unfortunately, I was not offered the position but I was able to keep my current job.

So we hired an outside executive assistant and even though I didn’t get the job I wanted I still kept my attitude positive and helped out as much as I could with the executives and other departments.

When people walk in the front door I’m the first face they see so I smile big and sometimes start laughing when I say, “Good Morning!” Especially on Monday’s.

Instead of waiting for someone to ask me for help I offer it with an open mind and upbeat can-do attitude.

Apparently the CEO, CCO (Chief Clinical Officer) and CFO noticed my change and yesterday they offered me the executive assistant position because the one they hired is unable to keep up with their requests. (I won’t get into how much extra work I’ve had to do to pick up the slack for who they hired because I’m sure she’s trying her hardest).

Anyways, one of the biggest things I’ve taken to heart from your weekly newsletters and books is changing my perspective on how I view my job and its significance. Yes, it is an entry level administrative position but when I’m passionate about assisting people and doing the best job I can do it drastically makes my life feel fulfilling.

I am one of those people who is jaded by the repetitive rush of society making me feel like the only way I can make a difference is to start a non-profit company for a third world country. My life feels so much more put together and in order now that I have this awesome opportunity to give and learn with this company.

All in all I had to thank you somehow for having the passion to help others because it truly is inspiring to me. So thank you so much Jon… my life has changed because your words pointed me in the right direction. Take care!

-Amber

I know there are millions of people like Amber out there and if you are struggling like she was or have a friend or colleague who is struggling, please know that you can truly turn things around with the power of a positive attitude. It’s not just a theory. Amber is proof that it happens every day in real life.

If you have a power of positive attitude story please share it with us on our blog or Facebook page.

-Jon

Save the date!

Thursday, November 17th Women In Networking will be holding a Ladies Night Out…Shopping For a Purpose to help raise money for the Children’s Leukemia Foundation of Michigan.  For complete details including vendor info please visit www.winofmacomb.com

What does networking mean to you?

I think most people have a misconception about what networking really is.  Some feel going to several networking events handing out as many cards as you can and recooperating for the next event is what it’s about.  Then there are those that join several networking groups, whether they be hard contact groups, social groups, professional groups, etc and getting people to know, like and hopefully trust you to gain their business.  But those that feel that’s correct are missing the boat.

Networking is all about building relationships.  If you belong to several networking groups or are attending several events how are you possibly going to find the time to, not only still run your business, but build relationships with all of those people?  It’s best to stick with 1 or maybe 2 networking groups and really netWORK.  This process takes time and work.   Your network of people are really your salesforce.  You will need to work and train them so that they know what to look for in order to pass you good quality referrals.  If you have several areas of your business focus on one part until they can understand fully what that product/service is about and can send you referrals for that specific area of your business.  And no matter what, don’t just sit back and wait for referrals to come to you.  Go out and pass some to others.  I promise the more you help others the more they will be willing to help you.