Author: Paul Nazareth

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.

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

Do you LOVE your work? If you don’t is 2013 the year to fall in love again? It’s hard to keep the love alive, I know. 7:30am, Feb 14th I’m hosting an event for my personal network to connect and share why they love their work and for those who aren’t in love with their current work, or not working right now, to gain contacts to help fall in love again! We’ll be at my favourite networking venue in Toronto, Marche Brookfield No cost to attend as always, but please come ready to buy breakfast as Marche has so many fantastic options for every taste and is kindly hosting us. Some folks don’t know this amazing venue has undergone a major renovation and is now one of the most versatile venues to hold business events in Toronto – a special tour will be given for those interested. Guests are welcome but this is an event for my established network. No pressure to attend, this is for you in gratitude for keeping in touch – RSVP Here just so we make sure we have space to move around. As a special bonus, besides meeting great folks I’ll be talking about one of the most useful free networking tools I’ve ever come across to help professionals and job seekers. As always, bring business cards  Wearing red is optional. Bring your goals for 2013, bring your challenges and frustrations too! See you soon dear network, some thoughts on loving what you do and why you want to come network, from the late Steve Jobs… Paul

Ps. Did you know about my networking MVP award?

Yes, we’re expanding our personal corporation…  A new baby is born.     Gabriel Xavier Nazareth Yes, only Paul would announce his new baby on LinkedIn. But truly, being able to have a family is because of all of you, my network. It bothers me when people say “it’s not personal, it’s business”. Because of my business contacts, I’m able to have a family and another baby, that’s as personal as it gets. I’m often a private guy, many of my twitter and other contacts don’t even know I have a family. But so many of my business contacts have helped me become a family man, with advice and encouragement. Thought it was only paying networking dividends to share the news. I wrote my wedding proposal at a CAGP conference. Peers have given me the best parenting advice ever and help me to feel better about the challenges of being a parent. Thank you all for your support, well wishes and guidance, With great gratitude, Paul

You’ll understand more if you peek at my 2010 and 2011 posts, especially why I named my personal awesome award “the Golden Crab”. I recently wrote about having one’s own “personal board of directors” which is where many of the past GC’s live as do this year’s set. Some are new inductees, some have come off the board since. I really worked hard on this year’s list, it breaks a few of my own rules. It was tough to honestly admit there are no men this year and I thought long and hard about renaming one person….so without further adieu, my MVP’s of networking for 2012: Clare McDowall? She looks just like the Clare from 2011, but don’t let that fool you. In 2012, Clare raised her own game and it was exciting to be there with her. We collaborated on a session at AFP Fundraising Day as well as other professional adventures. She helped me constantly get outside my comfort zone and delighted me by never giving me a free pass just because we know each other. Most of all, Clare joined my beloved CharityVillage.com at a critical time in their rebranding and has become a whole new professional, almost a whole new person this year. I’m grateful to be challenged and inspired by someone with such courage. Christina Attard. We have known each other for several years, worked in the same sector and become friends too. But in 2012, Christina joined my personal board with a vengeance and we became professional running partners, half-way across the country. Whether through twitter, or on websites and skype calls Christina by running her race has pushed me to learn new skills, introduced me to new network connections and made opportunities possible. Most of all, we held each other accountable to goals and made them happen. As such, we are both working our dream jobs and have grown our networks globally in 2012. So much in my professional journey would not have happened if not for Christina.  Leah Eustace. One of the critical criteria’s for my personal award is someone who proactively collaborates with me on networking goals and events. The team at “Good Works”, Fraser Green in particular have been close to my professional network for years. But it was my obsession with ‘social business’ and the entrepreneurial lifestyle that led me to listen and study Leah as a professional. Not only did we get to collaborate several times this year, Leah and her team stepped forward to support networking initiatives of mine big time. Every board needs someone who has their act together, I learned a lot about being a professional and a better human being from Leah this year. She is a peer of incredible emotional intelligence and like last year’s GC John Lepp, she’s a social business leader too. We all need people calling us to our future, to be our best self. Leah was this person for me in 2012. I know, only three people and no men. It’s kind of depressing and feels like a failure on my part because I wasn’t open to and didn’t seek out more collaboration but being honest with myself as my family grows ( my wife and I are having baby number two in a matter of days ) so much some of this stuff is about becoming more strategic with my time. Heck social media means I can be in 100 places at once! Many seeds have been sown in previous years, here are some honourable mentions and those wins: 1) Jon Cheevers and the UofT Alumni team have engaged me for the past couple years to speak to and host students to teach them about networking at and after University. In 2012 I had the most speaking engagements on campus and it was life-fulfilling to be of value to my beloved alma-mater that gave me life in friendship, a network to rely on and where I met the love of my life, my wife! 2) Emma Jenkin, is a little bit of an introvert. A nerd’s nerd, kind of like Einstein or DaVinci. I’ve never known someone who could be considered a renaissance-woman. But Emma is a bike-riding commie-pinko artist, with a business mind MA and MBA who is also killer with social-media and data who is studying computer-coding while knitting and hiking through the hills of Scotland and scuba diving in the Ocean. She inspired me to not be the suit I wear, hell I’m a published poet and classically-trained violinist who wanted to be a high-school english teacher. I forgot that in pursuit of better leadership and operational skill building I put so much of myself away. If there was a human being who inspired me the most in 2012, it’s Emma. 3) Being a fan of the Humber College Fundraising program led me to join the Advisory Board. But its the students who inspire and push me forward. The class of 2011 really rocked my year: Frankie Chow taught me the secrets of Pinterest, Margaux Smith conquered the commonwealth and watching the careers of so many flourish, Dave, Malinda, Fiona, Mimosa, Sam and so many more. Knowing they are coming up professionally, scares me to keep moving forward outside my comfort zone, and I mean that in the best way. 4) The Authors, this year I met and formed relationships with more business authors than ever. I met and had some powerful personal conversations with two of the WORLD’s best, Marcus Buckingham and Susan Cain. I got to engage leaders who inspire me like Paul Alofs and was mentioned in a social media guide and submitted content for a book! Never doubt the power of blogs, LinkedIn and Twitter. 5) The big mind-houses in my life. The Humbers, the Hilborns, AFP, Third Sector, Zipcar you invited me in to play and innovate with you. My most humble thanks. Reconnecting with my beloved CAGP has me achieving a life-career-goal in 2013. I could not be more excited. Lastly, look I know it’s gauche to talk about who you work for, and I won’t mention a name. But I work for a leader, who has redefined my career. I work with a team where we get to do so much good, and the challenges are so intellectually awesome, sometimes I actually feel my brain tingle. I had to go to the doctor at the end of the year because I thought I was sick, but it turned out that the insanely-positive people and work environment has started to actually improve my health by osmosis. I’m not bragging, I want this for YOU dear network. Please remember to keep in touch, share your goals for 2013 with me so together we can get you what you most desire on this earth. I am forever grateful to this years GC’s, and to you dear network. Remember, it’s not something I say, look at the testimonials on my LinkedIn profile….. I AM at your service, test this promise, let’s get to work for you in 2013. I leave you with a video of how the above people make me feel. Does your network make you feel like this, every day? If not, why not? Let’s do something about it, you and me…. Paul Nazareth

This is NOT a post for small business, entrepreneurs or individual-innovators. For individuals,  I highly recommend the work of  Mr. Buckingham
For entrepreneurs and innovators, the work of Mr. Godin
But there are thousands of office towers filled with desk-bound millions. They do good work too and they deserve better in 2013. A confession: Every job I’ve had I the past 15 years, has been in an office. Even in a smaller organizations that should have been more scrappy and innovative were set up like 1950’s sitcoms ( at one the staff referred to themselves as “the girls” or the “secretarial pool” even though all were as old as my mother, which they were kind enough to remind me of, often), unproductive at the worst of times. A challenging structure at the best. This is why I read so many books about innovation, collaboration and better productivity, not everyone can be an entrepreneur so why are these books geared towards only them?! The world will always need large organizations, be it banks, charities or manufacturing – they will ALWAYS exist. I work for them because of the powerful impact they have. They and I are not going to change so who can help US?! Patrick Lencioni, that’s who! The destroyer of dysfunction, the slayer of silos, the master of the meeting. His books are my MOST recommended when leaders of larger organizations want to fix, change and improve culture, teams and productivity. If you haven’t read one of his books, written as fables for faster reading and better retention for the busy executive, get on it. They are to business books what cupcakes are to muffins – more Awesome. Period. But for those who know his work, Patrick has finally put together a book of strategy after writing, speaking and consulting with hundreds of teams. The Advantage is a book dedicated to organizational health. I know, it sounds hippyish but you know the toxic, unproductive, absenteeism-riddled result of unhealthy organizations; we’ve all worked in one. So dear leader, make some time, grab a coffee. Patrick is here to help. His methods aren’t new and sexy, he doesn’t try to sell you on a new acronym ( if one more person tries to tell me about SMART goals I’m going to lose it). This books helps leadership teams to identify values and gives practical ways to achieve them, he actually summarizes many of the best methods mentioned in his previous books! Just one reason it was named bizbook of the year by 1-800-CEO-Read. Core culture change, better meetings and staff communications and a big chapter on hiring for fit are just some of the big wins this book can help with. So if you lead or manage a team in a large organization, for-profit company or social-profit charity THIS book will help you rock 2013. Special thanks and shout out to the folks at @TheArtOf and @KnightsbridgeCA for a sneak peak of this book and bringing Patrick to Canada in 2013! I know a lot of you have recently invested in a tablet – here’s Patrick talking about the book AND the new even more resource filled eBook version! Enjoy, Paul

Podcast, Click Here to listen or download This post comes from a request made from several peers who often hear me say “I spend very little time on twitter” but tell me it looks like I’m online all the time. Is your goal to get on twitter and use it for business development, career advancement or awareness for your cause in 2013? Here’s my top five tips in less than 5 minutes! As I mentioned in the post, you have to decide: What kind of twitter bird are YOU? Also mentioned are three resources I really value :

1. 1) A twitter for business guide from Twitter
2. 2) Twitter for business from HubSpot
3. 3) Lauren Dugan’s great posts on “All Twitter”

Of course, follow me on twitter to learn more! Keep in touch, I’m always at your service, thanks for reading… Paul    

‘Tis the season……to network! At this time of year we all have the big three business holiday events:

1. The team holiday lunch
2. The company holiday party
3. The industry holiday mixer

All three are great opportunities to network. I hope these tips help: Know thyself. Do you get energy from crowds or do they drain you? If you love to mix it up, get in there but stay focused on circulation and constructive conversation. If this takes effort, rest up before, have a plan even a number of people in your mind and yes, leave early. No shame in being yourself, just be your best self. Carry cards. Do I really have to say this? I meet dozens of people at events called “the official office networking party” and they brought 10 cards. Carry 10 on your person and keep 25 in your purse or work bag. You don’t go on a road trip with an empty tank of gas, you don’t network without plenty of cards – business cards are your fuel to keep the conversation going after the holidays. Give them out only when you feel follow up would be of value. Don’t be these guys. Eat, drink and be merry? Yes of course! But of course, in moderation. Eat before all business functions so you’re not chasing down the guy with the cocktail shrimp and you can refuse anything that will explode when you bite it. Enjoy a drink, it helps loosen the nerves, I get it. But not so loose what happens next ends up on YouTube. At the company lunch, order something you can talk over, it’s not about the food! Put the phone away. Hey, many folks know me as Mr. Twitter at industry events and that’s social business in 2012. At ‘company’ events though, put the phone away. It’s almost as bad as scanning the room over people’s shoulder. Do not check email, do not ignore your guests or staff, you look like a tool. Want to work? Just go back to your office. Want to build relationships with new partners? Strengthen your team? BE PRESENT. Tag team, not whole team. Bunching up with your office mates at the company party is like hiding in the washroom with your friends at the school dance. You came to meet people, so meet them. But hey, human nature craves safety so take a tip from the authors of my favourite networking book and tag team! Click here for more. Look for people you don’t know, ask what they do. Why aren’t you working together? The holidays are as much about internal networking as they are about external business development. Stack the deck. When it comes to industry or sector events, send out a bunch of emails ( or tweets ) to people you know you are probably going to see and pre-start a conversation you can pick up while there. You’re setting up meetings in a meeting and your time there is guaranteed well invested. Tell peers you’re looking to meet someone specific and you need an introduction! And if you don’t get to see them? A perfect excuse to meet in the new year. Prepare yourself and team. Now is the time to brush up on your mechanics, body language, a sincere smile, the secret handshake to build trust – here are my top networking books for ‘talkers’ and ‘thinkers’ with every secret on networking ever learned. Read one, rock the holidays and start 2013 off right! Remember to share your schedule and strategy with your staff and spouse if you’re “the boss”. They will be less annoyed with you if they’re ready too ( and know when to tell you, it’s time to go ). Prepare promises, follow up! Another seemingly no brainer but hey, this is the busiest time of year for many. It’s not easy to come back from an event the night before ( exhausted usually ) and send out cards or emails. So prepare what you’re to promise and get the email with the link ready, photocopy that article and get those cards ready to hand write! Sending a follow up card with a “nice to meet you” in it isn’t worth the postage! Some great tips on holiday cards here. I leave you with some tips on networking at holiday events… please share your tips with me below! Thanks for reading, Paul

How often do you get to attend a talk by an actual employee of LinkedIn? I was lucky enough to do so this week and he left me with a profound thought, a very practical tip and momentum for a concern I’ve had for weeks. His name is Perry Monaco and although he had a long career in recruiting, he wasn’t the pinstriped-suit business type I expected from LinkedIn. His twitter handle is @ElvisRun as he loves Elvis and runs marathons. Perry’s speaking session started quirky and unTED-like. It made me uncomfortable. Then I realized that he was telling a story, his story, and what he was here to do for us. His connection with the group came slower than traditional talks, but it was a stronger connection because he took the time to tell us who he was, professionally but with personality. It was brilliant. His most powerful tip that he left me with, goes beyond what I often call LinkedIN, a digital handshake. Perry tells us it should tell “your career story”. Where you’ve been, what you do now, and where you are going. Moving beyond resume, to  relationship – after all isn’t that why people look you up on LinkedIn? Working for LinkedIn gives Perry insight into the search algorithm that no one else, even I a LinkedIn evangelist/obsessionist can ever hope to know. His practical tip? Get your designations like your degree or certification ( CFRE for fundraisers ) out and off your title line. It actually pushes you down in the search algorithm. I asked at the session where it could go instead, education and your summary section was the answer. That’s a HUGE tip as it has classic real-estate on business cards and I’ve counselled people before to put it there, heck you earned the designation why not celebrate it! Always something to learn. I leave you with a thought and question. Perry shared that he’s never had as many questions as he’s had around LinkedIn’s newest feature, Endorsements. Either have I. Of course it’s because they are a “push” and the have LinkedIn sending you emails when you get one. It’s confused and concerned many users. At first, I was concerned as it felt much like Facebook “Likes” and everyone knows how much I dislike Facebook. Then ego set in, at the time of this post I have over 525 endorsements – I am humbled and grateful for every single one of them. But as my buddy Al says, vanity is the devil’s favourite sin. In a great conversation with a peer of mine this week he told me that he too is flattered but several people endorsing him aren’t qualified to do so. I have more endorsements than every one of my business mentors combined, am I more skilled than them? That’s not just laughable but concerning it might look that way to the untrained eye. Criticizing LinkedIn brings me pain, it’s brought me personal success, powerful business relationships but this is a worry that has to be voiced. Here is the BEST read on my personal concerns around this feature, it’s a must read for any LinkedIn power-user. And in the other corner a thought on why they rock. In 2013, social business is how work will work, not just for small business but all business. This week I had a solid business referral come through twitter. And so I’ll continue to explore it, I hope you’ll join me. I leave you with a great video to remind any sceptic why business professionals need better digital social-skills – enjoy.       Paul

As Canadian treasure Rick Mercer says in the great video below he felt like a “holier than thou tool” when he reminded someone about Remembrance Day. Not my intention to guilt or preach with this post. It’s something that means a lot to me, as I’ve been on the Soldiers’ Tower Committee at UofT for the better part of a decade. I’m lucky to be one of the only non-military, non-Veteran, non-older members. Why? Me personally, I’m the child of immigrants to Canada. It is a home that has given my family prosperity, peace and joy. When I was at UofT and wandered into Canada’s 2nd largest war memorial and saw the pictures of students like me who went to war to protect the country I enjoy – there was an instant connection. This wonderful group of peers took me in, allowed me to contribute and has taught me so much about the real story of sacrifice and the history of world war. And so each year now, I take the day off to join my fellow team mates as we coordinate the Remembrance Day ceremonies at the University of Toronto. To reflect and remember in my own personal way. Many ceremonies will happen today, some will happen on Sunday. Wherever you are like Rick below, I just encourage you to join me to remember to Remember. Many thanks to the new Canadian Veterans in my network, the soldiers and reservists who protect us today, tomorrow and beyond. Paul

Almost one year ago, I shared my top books of 2011 and it continues to be my most popular blog post, read and shared by thousands world-wide. We’re heading into 2013, so it is high time to update this list! An important note, please click on book or title as I have written a separate post for many of the books. Enjoy, again please share! Even I’m surprised to report that no one has knocked the #1 book off it’s perch! Work the Pond is still in the top of the Canadian business book list ten years after it was published. Why? It’s still the most readable, the most approachable to all ages, career types and the science of networking is something people really appreciate reading about. It continues to be the one book I personally feel anyone can pick up, get through and feel they have learned from. I have given away dozens of copies and personally own over 25 copies myself. They float in and out of my life on a monthly basis in my coaching and mentoring. Coming in at number two is a 2012 supersized republished edition of Business Cards to Business Relationships! I’m so glad that Allison Graham the author of this book chose to rework and republish this book. It focuses not just on connecting but “building a profitable network”. It’s the “must-read” for the business set and the ultimate gift for the b-school graduate or career minded peer in your life. Making a NEW appearance on this list is the “LinkedIn Log”. I’ve been an enthusiast of LinkedIn for quite some time now. But in 2013 it will no longer be a secret handshake, it has moved into the mainstream and career minded professionals of any sector can’t ignore this digital rolodex any more. This tiny little workbook ( not a textbook you actually fill it out ) is as small as a passport and can be filled out at a Starbucks in 20 minutes! Then, with confidence that you’re representing yourself in your own works, you create/update and upload your new profile. Another new edition but familiar topic is the world of the “Introvert” or as I feel they should be called “thinkers”. Susan Cain’s book has rocked the free world. Her TED talk was one of the fasted viewed in the history of TED and she has been featured in almost every business media in the Western world ( check out this digital scrapbook I’ve made of her articles and videos ). If you are one or work with a thinker this is a MUST read, and a fascinating one too! Moving up a notch to number 5 is Mark Maria’s book on “rainmaking”. There will never be a slow down in lawyers, financial planners, insurance professionals and accountants in this world. They need a special book on bringing in business and no one can hold a candle to Maria’s methodical strategy. At #6 one of the most read books on networking in the world continues to be Keith Ferrazzi’s “Never Eat Alone” and his follow up book, the less intense but more authentic “Who’s got your back”. There aren’t many books I would call an “enjoyable read” but that’s still Ferazzi’s strength. I have grown so much more respect for one of the concepts he continues to champion, growing your own personal board of directors. #7 moves out of the honourable mentions into the spotlight because it too has been republished and reworked to add way more value. Mark Bowden’s “Winning Body Language for Sales” will give anyone more confidence in how they communicate nonverbally and out loud. I’ll remind readers it’s a book not just about sales but about the building of relationships in business. It will help you to be you best and most authentic self when under pressure. #8, how could I not mention the author with her own library of titles to choose from! Susan Roane is the international Queen of Connecting, the Mingling Maven. She has a book to help you at whatever stage of networking you need help with and was the first to mention the importance of a digital profile before anyone else on this list. My last book is an unconventional but important read for 2013. I have no interest in the “social” side of social media. Social business is what I want to know more about. And no one has captured the “why” of social business like Scott Stratten in his book “UnMarketing” ( and if you want to know more about the “how” pick up his latest book, “The Book of Business Awesome/UnAwesome” ) My bookshelf on networking tops more than 75 now, I’ve had to put down so many in disappointment. But! There are several I have to mention because as they aren’t strictly about networking they continue to be the BEST books on the mechanics of human connection. When people ask me about the best of the best in my networking library, it is not complete without these five books:

1. Fascinate by Sally Hogshead
2. Convince them in 90 Seconds by Nicholas Boothman
3. Turn Small Talk Into Big Deals by Don Gabor
4. Enchantment by Guy Kawasaki
5. The Connectors by Maribeth Kuzmeski

Thank you for visiting and sharing this post with others in your network via Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest and whatever new medium comes our way in 2013! Please add your favourites to the comments section below! Connecting is my personal passion. I’m always at your service, Paul Nazareth   Sign up for a free weekly tip from the authors of my #1 book!