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Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock
You’ll know one of Canada’s most popular shows, Dragon’s Den

Kevin O’Leary is a polarizing force of capitalism
and has just launched a new book!

The best library system ever, TPL had Kevin in for a sold out event tonight he was in fine form and as usual doled out some great stories and lessons

An early story about how he went into business with Don Cherry and then sold those businesses and shows for a profit was fascinating, explains some of his TV persona and how he knows the secret of TV:

WHY does a billionaire have five TV shows and work non-stop?

Answer: Access!

His shows give him daily access to influencers, government and celebrities
Access he couldn’t buy if he wanted to.
As he said “money is not power. Information is power”

Great story about when ABC wanted him to promote his new show on “Dancing with the Stars” he said yes and flew to LA for 10 minutes work to network with business hero Steve Wozniak. That meeting Steve gave him a stock tip that made him a lot of money…Networking!

He counts John Lennon as an influence but lives by his code
“the pursuit of money is the quest for freedom and happiness”. Not quite “greed is good” but that Canadians needs to stop being ashamed of ambition.

Another great story, he believes “nepotism is a corporate disease”, when his son asked him “Dad when we fly, I sit back here and you go to first class”
Yes. His son flies economy.
His response “but son, you have no money!”
He wants him to earn it, no free rides here
“I may give all my money to a cat, I haven’t decided yet”.

Speaking of animals…Kevin’s view on investing? “There is NO place for emotion in investing. You want a friend? Buy a dog”.

When he was a child, his mother gave him powerful advice “never invest in any stock that doesn’t pay dividends. Period”. It’s how he runs his investments. He fires anyone who doesn’t get it.

During questions he explained the three elements that 100% of successful pitches to Dragon’s Den:

1) 90 seconds or less. Period
2) Tell me why YOU are the person who can make it work
3) Be the owner, the leader, don’t shy away from your passion, power or knowledge

Lastly, as a networking tip, I encourage a no ego rule. This Billionaire made time to sign every book – very classy.

A truly enjoyable evening, thanks Toronto Public Library!

Kevin, keep it up.

Readers – enjoy this hilarious primo promo!

Just in case you’d like a play by play the ever-awesome Toronto Public Library just posted the event on YouTube!

Enjoy

This is a book I’ve been waiting for since 2010

Lastly, people think that I, as someone who lives and breathes networking is all about face to face events. But I totally agree with the author that 90%+ are terrible and he outlines the people to avoid at them.

Never cold call, never cold network, never go to an event cold. Stay warm and succeed!

This book is something anyone who is curious about what 3-dimensional marketing looks like in 2011. And if you want to succeed in 2012? Get it. Period.

I leave you with a good business interview on UnMarketing

Paul

If you are part of my fundraising network, you’ll find great value in this talk at last year’s “Digital Leap” conference organized by the ever-awesome Stephen Thomas team:

Not the taste, the presentation or price. 

I call Starbucks “my second office” because it’s the environment to conduct business. 

Even in the advent of the real “second office” and the laptop gollum’s who buy two cups  and stay 48 hours doling out stinkeyes at anyone who dares have a conversation in their little Lord of the Coffee Rings library/home … but I digress…

Look at this layout, the better locations (and on LinkedIn I use a group to source the best locations for meetings )have a quiet comfortable place to meet.

Starbucks Rules.

Ps. Want to know the best way to meet in a coffee shop?
 

Want to know the BEST place to sit for networking purposes?

Read one or both of these books – they have done wonders for me!

PPs. My last tip is that I give my Starbucks card to the Barista in charge when I’m meeting someone I don’t want to fight over who pays. One nod when I approach the counter – and I win. Every time.

Shopping for work clothes for some
can be heaven…for others, hell.

Me? I live somewhere in between.

I won’t lie and say I don’t like this game of dress-up – big guys look better in suits (husky, as my dad used to kindly say)

But, I’m picky and hate shopping for what I like.
Most of all, working in non-profit,
for and with the poor at times
I personally find expensive clothes sickening

But! This is a uniform for work,
it shows respect to my peers and those I serve
it gives me confidence to be bold and effective

So, we have to do it…but..
Why can’t we like it?
Why can’t it be done on a budget?
To quote another well dressed man… YES…We.. CAN!

I’ve organized a FREE event on August 24, 2011
At the awesome new “Network Orange” space in Toronto
RSVP via LinkedIn or Twitter

Yes of course, we’ll do a little networking before and after
but we’ll gather to listen to two experts:

I was a Tip Top man, following my father’s footsteps my whole life
A couple bad customer service and suits in my early working left left me wanting
Then I heard of Tom.

Every man at my non-profit office shopped there so I went to check it out.
He personally put me in the best suit of my life, at the lowest price of my life
I never looked back.

Once a year, I hit one of his sales.
One purchase, three suits for LESS than I used to pay for one suit. Harry Rosen is his buddy, Now Magazine once said…”Tom Mihalik and his team have an eye for classic tailoring and bespoke quality, guaranteeing that while your purchase may be inexpensive, it never looks cheap.” – They gave me tips on how to tailor and wear suits that as a co-worker once said to me “makes you feel like a champ”. One of Tom’s team will be with us…

After asking around it was of course my business networking author/guru Alison Graham, author of “Business Cards to Business Relationships” who connected me with someone who can help the ladies in my network. Erin Nadler is the President of Better Styled, a one-on-one by appointment shopping experience catering to the time starved women seven days a week. Erin has been featured on Canada AM, CHCH, Flare Magazine, Chatalaine, The Sun and Women’s Post to name a few.

Lastly, as an added bonus to my network
I have been nagging several folks to get new LinkedIn pictures 
 
So! For five bucks (all of which will go to charity) a professional photographer Ahmed Nizam ( who once took a picture for the super cool TimeRaiser event, which I use as my main social media shot ) will take yours!!

A ton of value
A great evening
I have only 40 spots.

RSVP today, hope to see you there.

Paul

———–
QUICK UPDATE! – 23 AUG 

The event is B.Y.O.N. – Bring your own nametag  
Yes I’m cheap, (work tags encouraged )
BUT! There will be two prizes for most creative

A prize for best tweet using #SuitUpToronto

Over $200 in prizes (all donated by my network)

At 8ish, we’ll be moving the event to the brand new
Joey’s Toronto for libation / sustenance 

See you tomorrow!
Bring cards. Be ready.

Perfect start of the end of summer, get my brain working again book.

It won’t hurt your head, I promise.

Something to read at a cottage, on a dock, in a boat

where you have time to think in between and after

Yes Guy, Enchanting.

( TOO enchanting, I got #@$!#$ library fines

because I kept it to read it slow, like eating rich food)

Now don’t get me wrong.

There are some busine$$ tips in here

I LOVED the script to turn your front desk into front sales

Descriptions of what makes:

– A product enchanting

– A brand of value in 2011

– A strategy worth committing to

What is the most enchanting length of:

– Email – Video -PowerPoint

I love that Guy quotes my favourite networking book of all time on the topic of networking!! “Work the Pond” rules!!



As I was hoping, like Sally Hogshead takes apart “Fascination” for business, Guy takes apart enchantment and shares all the moving parts for you to create success.

Every chapter ends with a real world story. So thrilled a business hero of mine, Garr Reynolds is one and there’s a whole chapter on the beauty and simplicity of Japanese culture.

Biggest value?

How to enchant, I mean actual strategy using:

– LinkedIn – YouTube – Twitter

How to enchant

– Volunteers – Your boss – Your employees

And how cultivate enchantment Kryptonite to not be swayed by others..

The very best of pull marketing education. The business read of the summer.

I leave you with my favourite quote from the book and a great visual plug…

“The function of the muscles is to pull and not to push,

except in the case of the genitals and the tongue”.

Leonardo Da Vinci

Someone remarked to my wife the other day

“Paul‘s good at networking eh? I need some help with cold calling”.

They meant calling someone up to ask for a job.

Ugh.

Why not instead of asking for a date

– make a booty-call instead?

A cold call is like russian roulette.

Sure you’ll win now and then,

but it only takes one loss to die.

Read my lips. NEVER cold call.

These are my secrets. In sharing them I hope they can help you and will also cause me to raise my game!

THE CONCEPT, “networking meeting” or “informational interview”

NOT held for the express purpose of this individual hiring you.

In fact if you ask them to refer you,

give them resumes and ask them to pass it on

or ask them if they’re hiring you will burn that contact.

You are gaining a connection that will help you find the job opportunity, who will tell the decision maker about you and who will send you job opportunities. In fact, I often share with peers that the worst time to do this type of networking is when you’re looking for a job.

Find the person who has the job you want and learn for the future.

These are the critical questions you should be asking:

– What should I be doing for the next three to five years to be you?

– What does success look like in this sector? To you?

– How did you find your way to this industry and job?

– How have you developed into the leader you are today?

– Who should I be talking to in order to learn about being the best in this profession?

BOOKING THE MEETING

Remember you are on the schedule of the person you’re trying to meet with. Scope out locations ( coffee shops, restaurants ) near their office to meet.

If you are trying to stand out or be memorable try and find an alternative place they might not have tried before. Museums and public attractions have beautiful coffee houses that many who work in the area have never visited.

THE MEETING DAY

Never be late. Get to the location early and find the perfect table. I often speak to the staff and let them know I’m having a meeting and that if a fight to pay ensues that I must be the winner. There are so many things you cannot control, manage the things you can.

PREPARE FOR THE MEETING. Do your homework.

Research the company of the person you are meeting with, research the person ( alma mater etc ), research your meeting topic ( industry, job climate etc.. ). Networking is about being fascinating and fascinated, read up on the location, the date, social and political news.

Whatever this person is expecting, be someone different.

DURING THE MEETING

I have mentioned before that pulling your resume at a meeting like this is like accidentally touching hands when you’re walking with someone you don’t know. It’s awkward. Don’t do it.

Please refer my most popular blog post ever for a tool that you can use to discuss your key skills, accomplishments and how exactly to connect you forward. Take notes. Remember to be fearless to make promises but take enough notes to keep them if you asked for the meeting.

FOLLOW UP

Remember those promises made I mentioned? The less time between the meeting and the time you send articles, LinkedIn connection requests etc.. the most you impress this contact. It means if they refer you that you can be trusted to follow up in a timely professional fashion. Make no mistake, it’s a test.

How about a curve-ball here. The internet has killed civility. Bring it back by sending a hand-written note card of thanks for time, help and insight. My secret tip is to have the card ready, stamped and addressed to send as soon as the meeting is over. Will help you make sure you complete it when you get back to the busy office.

READY, SET, NETWORK!

Why aren’t you having more of these meetings?

It’s not a cold call if you’ve kept in touch.

Make every call, a warm call.

Make sure you build your career by using meetings like this to learn about your industry, next steps in your career and to benefit your network!

I have three a week face to face. Minimum

7:30am at the ‘Bucks or lunch if it’s a must

I truly hope this has been of help,

please feel free to send me comments and questions.

Paul

I was born in Toronto

I deeply love this city and it never fails to delight and amaze me

I am fascinated by art and the conversations it creates

both internal and external

Much of my network loves Toronto too

Many of them are Dragonboaters who practice at Sunnyside

Others love art and need an excuse to get down to the lake…

Too many don’t know about this amazing art event each September

Take a gander

Sure you have to get there but I’m writing to my business network to ask you to consider sponsoring an event that supports not just art but engagement in our beloved city.

I’ve crunched the numbers, affordable sponsorship rates,

good location, good traffic, three days of visibility

great media coverage

and because it’s a sale, you reach a quality target market.

I have the direct hook-up to the contacts and rates

or you can contact them yourself.

Either way, please share:

Video: http://youtu.be/CMaPA-XnZTM

Site: http://www.artinitiatives.ca/sunnyside

Tweet away! @sunnyside_art

Angelika and Ania, what a great job you do of spreading the word…

Long live Toronto, love life and public art

See you there, Paul

A recent post by a leader in my sector
Kimberley MacKenzie who manages a non-profit
highlighted the superheros in her team
I loved it, and it stuck in my head…

I just returned today from watching
Captain America – I’m a long time comic book fan so it was fun.
But it got me thinking about two people
one I know, another I read about today in the Globe
they should be referred to as Captain India & Captain Kenya

Captain Kenya, along with his countrymen are world class athletes but they work day jobs to make ends meet and they have left behind families that they love

Captain India is a peer of mine,
an experienced banker
Who came here to try and make a better life
for his family but they are not here,
and he works so hard out of love for them
his love, often moves to me to prayers, and tears

These men, work, do their best
they don’t party, go to cottages, bbq’s or golf
they work and sleep with singular focus

Today in Canada is a holiday.
I spent this day with my wife and son
who I love almost with desperation
I spent much of the day thinking about these two Captains
their courage and love
I admire and respect them so much

Like so many superhero’s with great power
they cannot help the ones they love
but this is real life and we can help

I’ll fight until I die for my contact
I hope someone steps up and help the Kenyans
If you have a hero like this in your life
Let me know, we should help them together
We should be their Captain Canada!

(*Apologies to my female readers for the sexist post
I know their wives work just as hard in harder conditions
to care for the children back in their home countries.
I value and respect them too. But I only know the dudes.
I hope to meet those families soon. )

A few years ago I was given a gift
by the authors of my favorite networking book: Work the Pond

They shared the secrets of conference networking which they referred to as “the olympics of networking” because a conference has all the toughest elements:
– Breakfast networking
– Session and break networking
– Cocktail receptions and sit down lunches / dinners
– After hours event/social networking

As always, best to consult the experts.
Read the book, visit their site and subscribe to weekly tips!

Here are a few of my favorite’s I’ve picked up along my adventures:

1. Pre-network! Before the conference, get the delegate list early.
Send out emails to peers and set up meetings.
Consider who you want to meet, ask same peers to help you meet them.

2. Don’t play by the rules.
If the conference is in your home town,
if the committee hasn’t organized an out of towners dinner
– do it yourself!
No cost, just an open invite to anyone who is in town before or after. Last year I did this just using twitter and 60 people showed up!

3. Business cards are the cheapest thing in the world. Don’t ever go to a conference with less than a box of them in your suitcase. Consider them to be like lottery tickets, every one given away (with context, not spam) is a possible big score

4. Get people working for you. At the conference be sure to visit the exhibitors, they have made the conference possible. After listening to them, share what you do. Often when they chat with delegates they make connections on your behalf. Remember though, be authentic, promote them when possible, seek first to provide value and it will come to you…

5. Take notes on business cards of cconversations to help you follow up and remember people ( don’t write in front of them, in some cultures it’s very rude)

6. Dump the lanyard. I don’t know about you but I have enough problems in my stomach area, I don’t need to draw attention there. Plus they are always flipped over or out of place. Spend the $2 to get a magnetic nametag holder! Most folks have one from work, just slip that one into the conference nametag and toss the lanyard!
Ps. The proper place for a nametag is always as high as possible over your handshake arm.

7. Face time. If you are a night owl, go out, meet people, talk shop ( again, organize a dinner around common challenges ). If you’re a morning person, post that you’re hosting a walking/running group at X time. You are here to make real connections, know your time of strength and work it.

8. Work those breaks! Don’t huddle in the corner on your smartphone. Again, seek first to provide value and others will reciprocate. When you meet someone you know can provide value to others, take 10 cards from them and be sure to share them with others before you leave.

9. Follow up, NOW. Before the conference get 100 blank cards. Return address and stamp them. Fill them out with “great to meet you” “let’s book lunch” “that was a great session” “you should meet with ” comments and post them before you leave the hotel for home.

10. Don’t flush the experience. After the conference, give yourself at least two hours to follow up with emails and calls so you can reap the networking rewards of attending. What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. That’s not how you should treat a conference! Follow up, share contacts, book meetings – it’s a momentum builder!

I hope these tips were of value.

Much of what I have learned is because of the Shepa team. They have a high value conference kit brochure that SHOULD be on the list of every conference committee.

Happy networking, Paul