Making New Friends While Keeping the Old

     I bet by the title you thought this was about Girl Scouts.  Scouting does teach you networking basics such as making new friends while keeping the old.  

     Have you ever thought about Networking?  Do you have what it takes to Network?  "But I'm shy", to How many business cards can I hand out in 5 seconds?

     Believe it or not we learn how to network when we have our very first play date back in our toddler days.  Yeah, mom arranged it, but it was up to you to make an impression.  Then we go to school and of course everything you need to know you learn in Kindergarten. (See his web site at http://www.robertfulghum.com/  ]  

     Think about it you learned:  

• Share everything.
• Play fair.
• Don't hit people.
• Put things back where you found them.
• Clean up your own mess.
• Don't take things that aren't yours.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.
• Wash your hands before you eat.
• Flush.
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.
• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.
• Take a nap every afternoon.
• When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.
• Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.
• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK

     So why do you need to Network?  Network is all about building relationship.  It is also about learning more about others.  October 17th brings about an Different Take on Networking but the way Networking should be done.  Don't let the name throw you it is called Schmooze & Booze, but it is anything but.  You do Schmooze, but the Booze, you can order a drink if you want, I myself drink Water or a Soda and so do many others who attend.

      Started over a year ago by a small group of friends as a way to take Networking to another level, Schmooze & Booze has become one of my favorite mid month activities.  It goes from 5:30-8:00pm over at the Suites Lounge at the Bellevue Hyatt, the group has some great Networking rules.  To start with, you don't need to collect business cards or hand then out.  But bring a few as when you enter you will be asked to put your business card in the Jar.  At the end of the night, the cards are copied in PDF format and sent out to you.  

     After you give your business card, you will write your name only on the name tag and there is usually an ice breaker such as  Your Favorite Vacation Spot or TV Show etc.  This is done so you will have something to talk about to the group gathered there.

     I need to mention that in the first hour and a half from 5:30-7:00 pm you are not allowed to talk about your business.  If you do Drinks Are On You.This time is reserved to help you build relationships.  Get to know people for people not for their job title.

     Around 7pm  my dear friend Jed Etters turns into Master of Ceremony and welcomes everyone, gives a plug to the Food Sponsor of the night (oh yes there is food), and draws a few business cards to win Door Prizes.

     After that you can talk all the business you want.  There are some rules to that too!   Remember it is NOT About YOU, it is about getting to know people better.  

     So let's review those Kindergarten Rules we talked about earlier:

• Share everything.  Networking is all about sharing.  I may not need your services but I may know someone who might.
• Play fair.  It's not about a competition, it's about the Go Giving (www.burg.com)
• Don't hit people. Yes keep your hands to yourself.
• Put things back where you found them.  That means tip the Server even if you only order water.
• Clean up your own mess. Don't leave your food dishes all over, they do have a place.
• Don't take things that aren't yours. Especially once you start Boozing.
• Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.  Please and Thank you too!
• Wash your hands before you eat.  Always.
• Flush. Always.  
• Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.  Invite your new friends to have lunch with you.
• Live a balanced life - learn some and think some and draw and paint and sing and dance and play and work every day some.  Here is the opportunity to meet people who can help you be who ever you want to be.
• Take a nap every afternoon.  Always.
• When you go out in the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.  That is what Networking is all about.
• Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that. Ask people questions such as "How did you get interested in Underwater basket weaving".  "Let's meet for coffee so I can learn more about what you do." 
• Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the Styrofoam cup - they all die. So do we.  That is why you need to Network and Make new Friends and Keep the old. 
• And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned - the biggest word of all - LOOK.  In Networking it is Listen.

Hope to see you out and about at some fun Networking events around town.