What is networking?  Why is networking important? Why am I building a network?  To build a quality network you should know the answers to those questions. Noun - a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest: Working mothers in the community use networking to help themselves manage successfully.   “networking.” The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing. Denis Howe. 10 May. 2010.   <Dictionary.com http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/networking>. Most definitions of Networking involve connecting...

People communicate in so many different ways today. There’s LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, instant messaging, text messaging, email, phone, forums, comments, face to face, fax and written letter. But sometimes we get so caught up in sending out the message that we forget who we’re sending it to. If we’re not careful the message might not be received or it might be misinterpreted. We need to stop and consider our intended audience. How do they communicate with others in their network? Have they communicated with you in the past? What was their preferred method? If you only...

On Wednesday, my colleague Jeff and I went to an IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals) meeting in Pleasanton, California. We made a presentation on Personal Marketing and Social Networking. During the first part of the meeting probably 10 minutes was an Ice Breaker exercise. Its purpose of course was to break the ice and encourage networking. Ice Breaker Exercise Rules: A cartoon character name is taped to your back You know you are a cartoon character You must find someone and introduce yourself. They get to look at your back. You may ask three “YES”...

Employment-wise 2009 was an uncomfortable year for lots of people.  It seems like either someone was unemployed or they knew someone that was unemployed.  Everybody knows at least one person that was effected by the recession.  Many were thrown into circumstances beyond their control.  Steps taken to control their situations didn’t always yield expected results as they had a decade ago.  As we take stock of the things we tried and the results that were acheieved or not.   We need to consider how much we stepped out of our comfort zone.  If last year you did not step out...

Games help people stay mentally sharp by challenging their skills and abilities.  They also serve as inexpensive entertainment. Games come in all kinds of forms Board Card Dice Dominoes Stones / Gems Pegs Paper & Pen Role Playing Video Simulations Repetition Some games are designed to be played solo where your goal is to finish the game.  These games tend to be based on memory, pattern recognition, logic and persistance. If you finish the game then you win.  Other games are designed to be played head to head.  These are usually games of chance or strategy or a combination. ...