Author: Paul Nazareth

People think networking takes courage
Most men like sports
networking is my sport
I play it on my field,
in my chosen armour

Like most things in life,
to acquire rarity takes risk

And it’s time to take a risk on you dear network

So once again, I’m shedding the work-week, the armour and proposing some real human connecting in a place of personal vulnerability. Sunday July 15 in Chinatown.

I’ve loved Dim Sum since I was a kid, it’s personal, it’s about sharing and it’s a networking no-no. So we’ll start our day here with brunch at 11:30am

In the 1990’s I was diagnosed with IGS ( Italian Grandmother Syndrome ) I love to feed people. This disease took the form of serving in, and then running one of Toronto’s Out of the Cold programs for some years. We fed hundreds, each winter. With fresh hand-made comfort food. Running this bare-bones volunteer lead charity taught me a thing or two about industrial kitchen supplies on a budget. So at 1pm we’ll visit on of the cheapest best Chinese kitchen supply stores in Toronto. Knives, cutting boards, serving dishes, teapots you name it. Frugalista’s take note.

Then we will finish our time together with a tour at 2pm with a UofT entrepreneur I met recently. She runs “Tasty Tours” in Kensington Market. It is sure to delight.

So to paraphrase a quote from the great poet Rumi: “Out beyond for and non-profit, beyond conferences and ‘networking’ there is a field of business connecting….I will meet you there”.

And yes, for the Pinterested few….

There will be cupcakes
( Passion Capital cupcakes! Just kidding )

So.. July 15.. you open to taking this risk with me?

RSVP HERE

Paul

And now he’s messing with my work / life.

He is leading the rethinking of fundraising – read this article renaming the “non-profit” sector as the “social-profit” sector. Sure he didn’t come up with the concept but he a leading voice on the value of charity – to transform that nebulous word philanthropy into common-sense instead of only dollars and cents.


He’s rebranding… me! I’ve struggled with explaining the reason for my existence. You see, I love to capture money. Oh man I love it. And I live to network and connect. But not for myself, I exist to empower the passionate, fight for the innocent, the helpless, the powerless. As a younger man, this was my mission statement. My adult statement has been about passion for years….but thanks to Mr. Alofs I have found a tribe – I’m a Passion Capitalist!

Why is this book worth your time and money?

Paul has spent years distilling the message, pruning the stories and each chapter has that new-school business book summary of takeaways. He is a CEO leader who has written a book for other time-pressed leaders. It’s a new way to think about business, your career, your cause…

This is not about good to great, it’s about great to BEST. Theories are ideas, stories are proof! And they have layers of wisdom. I love the many stories he tells in this book. Practical stories of winners, failures – why they won and lost even when one looked like the other; Thomas Edison, JK Rowling were bad bets to start.

This is a book dedicated to the strategic, faithful long view unlike the short-sell attitude that just recently broke the world. This book is a dog-whistle for innovators and entrepreneurs. Don’t hear it? No desire to be your best? You’re not one of us.

Much like Rockefeller made a creed, Paul has reflected on and thoroughly defined the exact components of passionate organizations, who live by the vital components of excellence:
Creed
Culture
Courage
Brand
Resources
Strategy
Persistence 
– but it’s jibber-jabber if he’s another loudmouthed  ‘leadership’ guru right? Well I know many of the people he has assembled in his war on cancer, they do indeed “Believe It“. They and he walk the talk, heck the man rides in his own fundraiser. His people work hard and are performing at levels of collaboration and professional  excellence that is unparalleled right now. It’s Camelot over there. 

Does your organization posses a passionate culture? Paul and some powerhouse partners ( Knightsbridge, BNN Global Governance, Torys LLP and the National Post! ) have teamed up to celebrate Canada’s Passion Capitalists – I was excited to nominate the most passionate company in my consumer life, Zipcar– and the winners are listed here….

Want to learn more and amp up your passion? Peruse these videos on the vision of Passion Capital. If they move you, hey, buy the book and join our tribe. In the words of the most interesting man in the world… “stay thirsty my friends”…

Paul

Yes. I despise shopping for clothes.

That may surprise you if you’ve seen me in person . During the last 12 years working for charities my nickname was “the suit”. I shared in a recent post how that was my employers dictated uniform, not my choice and how spending money on clothes offends me as someone who has worked for and with the poor.

Cliche time! It’s a means to an end. There, I said it.

But! Why does being frugal have to equal misery? And I won’t lie and tell you dressing well doesn’t give me great confidence on the job. So for years I tried to stick to sales but two years ago I found the promised land – the Burlington Coat Factory.

Now, I shop Canadian as much as I can. All my suits are from Tom’s Place, but there are no clothes for *ahem* husky dudes at the Bay or Winners and certainly none on sale. And so, for the past two years I’ve made a one day pilgrimage to BCF to make ONE annual purchase of all my shirts and ties.

Does it hurt that cuff links and pocket squares are $9 and $4? That a shirt, tie, pocket square and cuff link SET is $20? Certainly not!

The sizes, selection, the colours and yes name brands all at  less cost than I could ever find in my neck of the woods.

Fathers day is coming up, I was looking at the Toronto Star’s gift guide and saw a $110 pocket square from Harry Rosen. Hey, I dream of wearing HR like most guys dream of driving a Bugatti Veyron. For less than one suit, or a couple of HR pocket squares I got all this and more ( *Not all of this is for me, on this trip I happily did a little personal shopping for my business network on LinkedIn/Twitter )

Round it out with a $10 NY steak at the no-longer-in-Canada Ponderosa and you’ve got the man road trip that young professional men can actually afford.

* Stopping at the border to intentionally pay all taxes of course. 
** Every time I insist on paying taxes, the border guard laughs at me saying “you Canadians”

I don’t usually blog about clothes and food but this means a lot to me because there has to be a way we can live within our means, enjoy our lives and still find funds to give away. This is just my story of how I can work in an office and make that happen.

Hope it’s of value to you!

Paul

When I first saw “The Art of”
they had brought uber-guru Seth Godin to my city.

I was impressed and considered it a one-off opportunity

Imagine my surprise when they pump out a who bunch of awesome conferences with some of my favourite authors.

So when I saw that the team was bringing TWO of my top authors to town I set my sights on somehow getting there.

My deepest thanks to Karim Kanji of XConnect and Third Ocean – I won his Twitter contest and got to attend! I can’t say enough about the power of twitter, don’t ever tell me it’s a tween’s toy, this was a big business benefit to me.

Not only did I get to attend and listen to some great speakers but by an odd twist of fate I got to walk and talk with Marcus Buckingham on the way into the Convention Centre and he honoured me by calling me out in his keynote about the power of a personal story. A lifetime business-book-lover high for yours truly.

And most of all, I set up and got to interview my 2012 super-author Susan Cain for an upcoming article (stay tuned).

But where, you ask are my comments about the conference? Well, why read just my thoughts? Here are pictures and tweets from over 100 attendees via the wonderful storify – enjoy!

My deepest thanks to “The Art of” crew, you truly are THE premier speaker destination, and to Karim Kanji for choosing me to attend this powerful Leadership experience.

So! September 2012, look out Ottawa! The Art of Leadership is coming to town headlined by Patrick Lencioni! Another of my top five business book authors of all time. He will rock your world.

Don’t miss it.

Paul

2 years ago CharityVillage.com hit 15 years on the interwebs

And we gathered to fete this milestone

Now, 2 years later, not satisfied to rest on their laurels they have re-launched Canada’s charity and social-profit supersite in a 2.0 format – Digital blood, sweat and tears went into this and a bunch of us want to say congrats and celebrate this accomplishment!

Yes, this is an official “Nazevent” ( thanks CA )

So that means, come to connect, network, catch-up!
It also means, NO event cost, NO registration, NO RSVP – Just bring yourself, invite a friend, be there.

Although this is an “unofficial” event, several CV celebrities will be present – so exciting as I’m a life-long fan of their work and efforts to help the sector do our best.

BUT WAIT! There’s more! 

We have two awesome events happening in town that day. If you haven’t registered for Canada Helps’ “My Charity Connects” conference – do it now! They have sold out three years running and continue to host fantastic speakers to help you raise more using the new technology of giving in Canada. And if you’re going, we’re the unofficial apres-party after the solid networking at the PWC Canada reception ( shout out to CSR twitter-leader James T )

We’re nearby at the awesome Hotel Ocho at Spadina, North of Queen. #MCC12 for twitteratti 


Also, in town is the Imagine Canada AGM uptown. I chose the Hotel Ocho because it’s easy by TTC, has parking nearby and is between the two events. So swing down and join your peers for the ultimate summer networking event kickoff!

Spread the word – @charityvillage celebration ( hashtag #CV12 for the twitter-brigade ) June 12, 2012 at 6:30pm

As always, bring business/contact cards or I will tase you.

Also, if you’re one of these “should I come out” types the bottom line is this. I, Paul Nazareth bother you a lot. On LinkedIn, twitter and in person – I do so because my mission is to help you get what you want out of work and life. My mission is to serve you – here’s a chance for me to use this network I’ve amassed, this “army of the passionate” as I refer to you – to do just that! Hold me to my promise…

Life is good? Come out and raise a glass. Help another.
Not so good? Have a drink with peers who get you. Be helped!
Need a new job? I got the hook up.
Want to hire the best? They’re on the guest list.
Want to enter this awesome sector? BE THERE.

As always, surprises, prizes and I have a few more of those awesome LinkedIn workbooks around too..

See you….at the Ocho.

Paul

I have recommended these books to hundreds 

In 2008 I listened to this first book on audio and it started me down a path of self discovery and love of business books.

Then I read took the Strength Finder 2.0 test and found out a couple insights into my business character that were SO powerful and different, they changed the way I thought about myself and how I do business. It is my hope that you pick this book up and it helps you.

The “Strength Based” movement is not just simple, but one of the keys to finding a more rewarding business life, and frankly a damn fun one too.

Speaking of fun, the most awesome read ( again I ate these on audio in just days including copious notes taken on the subway ) was his three follow up books ( First, Now , Go ) that help you take what you’ve learned about you – and rip your business a new workhole.

Ok, I’ve calmed down now. But you get my point.

Again, this is a short post but it’s because I’ve been recommending these so long the people I sent them to have bought copies and shared them with others. Recently I learned someone I helped embrace a strength-based life bought copies of the Strengthfinder for all 100 employees of their company.

If it’s in your budget, certainly if you are an entrepreneur or leader in a sector then MAKE time to attend the Art of Leadership on June 5.

But whatever you do, don’t miss picking up at least one of these books and as always, if you want to talk about them and what you’ve learned, coffee’s on me.

Ps. His follow up book on Leadership was a best seller if you get hooked and want to keep going.

There aren’t many places fundraisers can go to feel normal, understood…

To talk shop, to meet people who not only “get” what you do but who can help you do it better!

On May 23 AFP is going to gather a few hundred people like you and we’re going to have a great time learning how to do better for causes that matter most.

If you’re wondering why it’ so awesome, here’s my story
If you want to get this most out of it, read these tips

There is still time left to join us!! 

I’m grateful and excited to be presenting with the ever-awesome Clare McDowall on my 2nd favourite topic behind planned giving… LinkedIn!

A quick tip, wonderful book booth host Dean has made a bunch of my most recommended “LinkedIn Log” available for sale! Don’t miss out on this great price and best LI resource!!

As usual though, I’ll be running my open networking dinner afterwards at Marche Brookfield Place.

And YES for those of you who can’t make it or can’t afford it, this is a dinner for you too! No RSVP, no cost, just networking…

Meet at 5:30pm at the MTConvention Centre registration table and we’ll make our way to Marche for 6:30pm- follow the twitter hashtag #AFPFrDay or me @UinvitedU for on the spot updates!

See you there!

Paul

Please forgive me dear network,

I don’t usually hide contacts but I had to be sure about the integrity and quality of work on this one.

Sometimes people seem too good to be true.

Right now I’m working on a few projects, for my work, professional associations and links to educational institutions and they all focus around the power of video. And one awesome company/dude.

Now, for many of us, for-profit and social-profit: Budget is the problem.

Jeff Morris with Two Dogs Media is our solution.

I can sum up his attitude with his own words:
“We love our clients. We respect their budgets”

How can he afford to offer HD Video with all the digital trimmings ( green-screen, logo stuff etc… ) at low cost?

Why he has a studio right downtown, on the PATH right above a subway station.

Much of his work is done for fortune 500 corporations and organizations that use it for internal use.. and I don’t want to seem like I’m plugging my employer… so I’ll simply connect you with Jeff and encourage you to call or tweet him for a quote.

You and I both know a 2 minute video will do more for your website than any downloadable PDF especially in the age of smartphones and tablets – so get to it dear network!

Yeah so ummm Jeff. This post may come as a surprise but it’s because you’re awesome and everyone who has worked with you told me so – again, it’s wrong for me to keep your name to m’self. Please take care of my network who call. I highly value them and want success for them, which is why I wrote this – I know you’re the guy for the job.

With gratitude and respect,

Paul

People often tell me
“I didn’t hear about your event…”
“Why did you choose that person to help..”
“You’re hard to get a hold of (outside of work)”
How I spend my time with others is connected to my twitter handle @UinvitedU , that it means excellence, my personal definition of it.

Last month at a Humber Fundraising Program event I was lucky enough to win a cool prize, a full day tour of two Niagara wineries!
and I promised to donate the prize back to the class in gratitude for all the program has done for me (I’m not a graduate).

But like donors can be tricky
as a fundraiser there is NOTHING more delicious than being a pain the butt donor.

So HOW did I choose the winners?

A couple years back I was hit with a professional setback, much like the one Steve Jobs talks about below. It changed my outlook on work – that I needed to give myself permission to be a jerk on my own time. After all, who am I? Nobody! So I can be a jerk who lives viciously by my own values and beliefs, because we’re all just one layoff and accident away from failure and death – I know that sounds harsh but it can be a liberating thought ( seriously, watch the Steve Jobs thing ).

I’m a big fan of the Successories brand. Some people consider them to be an 80’s throwback but I find they can be truly inspirational – and that passion capital is something I felt missing very often in the grey cubicle-filled offices so many fundraisers work in. Integrity of character, I believe is the root of professional excellence, the path to success and worth the trouble it often causes to keep.

After all, values mean nothing to have – until they are costing you something to keep

So as usual like every year I tested the Humber class. Observed and gave people chances to stick their neck out, participate in my crazy networking shenanigans and went in search of Character. Winner of the “stick my neck out” is Jane Leaver and winner of “who classmates feel has character, integrity and will make an impact on the profession” Kyla Makela. Congratulations ladies. This is just a tiny nod of respect from me, and your peers.

But of course, being Mr. Networking I wanted this to be a day of relationship building, learning and fun! And what better teachers than two of my favourite Golden Crabs, Clare McDowall and Humber Alumni, Brock Warner who will also be going on the trip as the prize is for four people.

Have a great time crew. And to you kind reader, I encourage you to start being totally unfair in your life, start expressing your most deeply held values – right now I’m coaching ten people to host their own networking event, speaking session, mastermind and award.

A shout out to the man who helped create the platform for a special program at Humber. Ken Wyman, what a guy ( click and read why ). Did you know Ken’s going on a sabbatical for a year? I’m going to be toasting him in June at an unofficial networking event, stay tuned for details…

In our jobs and professional lives we HAVE to be politically correct, “fair”, impartial, sensitive – how @!?$#*% boring. I’m tired of it. I want to reward integrity, kindness, awesomeness, guts and I’m tired of a world that rewards playing it safe, kissing butt and entitlement.

If you haven’t seen it, tough out the 15 mins it’s worth it. One of the greatest talks ever given by the late Steve Jobs – another well known jerk who lived by his own rules and ended up changing the world.

It is one of the greatest hints at the roots of character I’ve seen in a while – enjoy!

Paul