Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Spotlight: Tibor Shanto

During the year have had the opportunity to meet Tibor Shanto through the SOHO events held in Toronto. Few months ago he shared insights on his book Shift "Turning prospects into Customers" at the Toronto Action Summit held by Andrew Skelly.

Recently read the book and found to be very impressive and went through a number of great illustrations that every entrepreneur should follow no matter in dealing with B2B or B2C.

1st>Shift is always happening where we realize it or not. At the beginning he shares a powerful action for you do that illustrates shift and sets up the book for a powerful and learning base read.

2nd>Chapter 4 talks about “Emotional Favorite and how important it is to create a powerful connection with your potential client and customer and specific insights in what to do to strengthen that business relationship.


3rd>Chapter 5 is called “Trigger event Referrals” this is the lifeblood of any business. There are specific types of referrals that are explained and how they have an impact on how they promote you and what you do. Simple and easy to remember applications to give new energy to a great resource.

The book is great example of the Get Connected Make it Happen in action from a step by step point of view.


Tibor Shanto had leveraged 20 years working in various sectors and provided perspective how this information can be used to, shorten sales cycles, increase close rations, create double digit growth. Known as “brilliant sales tactician” Tibor show organizations how to execute their strategy by using the right information to created the perfect combination of what are the tactics to apply and when.

Jim Pagiamtzis is a published author, writer and entrepreneur who has written for the Toronto Public Library spoken at Universities, Enterprise Toronto, Initiative TO on How to be come a networking Success and How to attract Mentor in Business Life and Success. You can be email payamgis@gmail.com if you interested in being featured in future spotlight articles or have him come and speaking to sales or marketing organization

Monday, November 29, 2010

How to Market to your Network and get appreciation

Living the Get Connected Make It Happen lifestyle has created the opportunity to meet great entrepreneurs but also have great success together. Two years ago I had attended a Life Entrepreneur where I met Tm Mahdi form Cg6. At the time he had just published his first large size newspaper called Crossover ( he had personally delivered a copy for me to read after the event)

As time passed we had connected at various events throughout the city from Freelance bootcamp at Ryerson to Small Business Forum at the Metro Convention.

Shortly after that we had a meeting regarding get some speakers for an event called Initiative TO which was happening in Toronto City wide the week of Nov 15-19 celebrating Global Entrepreneurship Week. Had sent out an email to my network regarding this event and had a great response (read story below) So great that we had to make some change on how to connect with organizer

The event was a overall success and I had three friend who ended up speaking at the event and one location that I have done some marketing the week before.

Remeber that you meet people everyday and you just don't know when and where you will conneted again. Check out my blog or email for my montly newsletter at payamgis@gmail.com


"I want to personally extend my hand out and share my thank you to Jim Pagiamtzis. Because of you, my voicemail has been so clotted up in interest. Thank You. And many thanks to Marilyn Garshowitz, Cheryl Rankin, Anfernee Chansamooth, Eric Bernhard Kristle Calisto-Tavares, Brent Kobayashi, Dan Hashemi, Kune Hua, Jan Keck, Kenny Santos, Elysabeth Fischer, Vivianne Gauci and Natalia Kantor for making magic really happen." Tm Mahdi

Go out there and Get Connected and Make it Happen!

Jim Pagiamtzis
payamgis@gmail.com

Thursday, November 25, 2010

Be Thankful for Your Blessings

5 Ways to Practice a Daily Appreciation Ritual

The practice of giving thanks is commemorated today in America as a national holiday. But if you want to live an abundant life, appreciation shouldn’t be confined to a solitary day. It should be incorporated into your daily living.

Appreciation is one of the highest emotional states you can be in. It is the state of abundance. The Law of Attraction states that like attracts like. If you are grateful for what you have already received, you will attract more for which you can be grateful.

Many people find that it requires great diligence to cultivate an attitude of appreciation. We are culturally conditioned to focus on what we don’t have, rather than appreciating what we’ve already received.

"There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread."
- Mother Teresa, Winner of the Nobel Peace Prize

Appreciate the Smallest Blessings

Activate your gratitude by acknowledging the gifts most people take for granted.

If you have food in your refrigerator, clothes in your closet and a roof over your head, you are better off than 75 percent of the world’s population.

If you eat three meals a day, you are far better off than the 1 billion people on the planet who eat once a day at most. Celebrate these simple blessings.

Do you have a phone? Be grateful – millions don’t. How about a car that allows you to travel to work or to explore the country? Is your family healthy? Do you have a computer and Internet access to stay in touch with the world, get access to education, and perform work for which you are paid? Do you have clean water to drink?

These daily conveniences are gifts that most people in the world do not enjoy.

Daily Appreciation Habits

Here are five easy ways to make appreciation part of your daily routine:

Take 7 minutes each morning to write down all you appreciate in life. Starting your day this way primes you to be receptive and grateful for everything your day will bring.


Appreciate at least 3 people every day. Most people enjoy receiving verbal appreciation. But written notes are also nice because they can be saved and re-read. (For ideas on expressing appreciation, grab your copy of The Success Principles and review principle 53; Practice Uncommon Appreciation.)


Play the Appreciation Game. As the saying goes, “Every cloud has a silver lining.” Look for the good in all situations. When my wife was in a car accident a few years ago, she could have chosen to berate herself or question her judgment. Instead, she focused on her gratitude for suffering only minor injuries and for the help she received from other drivers.


Carry a physical token of gratitude in your pocket, such as a stone, crystal or some other small item. As you reach into your pocket throughout the day and feel the token, use it as a reminder to stop, breathe and take a moment to fully experience the emotion of gratitude.


Appreciate yourself. We all need acknowledgement, but the most important acknowledgement is what we give ourselves. In addition to celebrating your big successes, acknowledge your small daily successes too.
During this month’s Ask Jack call, I assigned the Mirror Exercise as homework. Your subconscious mind needs positive encouragement to pursue further achievements and to change any negative beliefs you hold toward praise and accomplishment. This powerful exercise requires you to appreciate yourself for the day’s accomplishments while talking to yourself in a mirror. For more detailed instructions about how to use the Mirror Exercise, click here.

It may not feel natural at first to focus on appreciating what you already have. But by faithfully practicing the Daily Appreciation Habits outlined in this article, you’ll begin to change your conditioning.

Giving thanks should be more than an occasional exercise once year. Let it become a daily discipline that allows you to attract more of what you want from life. I invite you to experiment with this discipline over the next 30 days and watch your blessings multiply!

* * *

Are you "stuck" in this area?
Send me your most pressing question about this topic, then join me for our monthly
"Ask Jack Canfield" Tele-Clinic on December 1st!
www.AskJackCanfield.com



© 2010 The Canfield Training Group
All Rights Reserved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Jack Canfield, America's #1 Success Coach, is founder of the billion-dollar book brand Chicken Soup for the Soul© and a leading authority on Peak Performance and Life Success. If you're ready to jump-start your life, make more money, and have more fun and joy in all that you do, get your FREE success tips from Jack Canfield now at: www.FreeSuccessStrategies.com

Friday, November 12, 2010

Snack Lunches

I put my carry-on in the luggage compartment and sat down in my assigned seat. It was going to be a long flight. 'I'm glad I have a good book to read. Perhaps I will get a short nap,' I thought.

Just before take-off, a line of soldiers came down the aisle and filled all the vacant seats, totally surrounding me. I decided to start a conversation.

'Where are you headed?' I asked the soldier seated nearest to me.
'Petawawa. We'll be there for two weeks for special training, and then we're being deployed to Afghanistan

After flying for about an hour, an announcement was made that snack lunches were available for five dollars. It would be several hours before we reached the east, and I quickly decided a lunch would help pass the time...

As I reached for my wallet, I overheard a soldier ask his buddy if he planned to buy lunch. 'No, that seems like a lot of money for just a snack lunch. Probably wouldn't be worth five bucks. I'll wait till we get to base.'

His friend agreed.

I looked around at the other soldiers. None were buying lunch. I walked to the back of the plane and handed the flight attendant a fifty dollar bill. 'Take a lunch to all those soldiers.' She grabbed my arms and squeezed tightly. Her eyes wet with tears, she thanked me. 'My son was a soldier in Iraq ; it's almost like you are doing it for him.'

Picking up ten snacks, she headed up the aisle to where the soldiers were seated. She stopped at my seat and asked, 'Which do you like best - beef or chicken?'
'Chicken,' I replied, wondering why she asked. She turned and went to the front of plane, returning a minute later with a dinner plate from first class.

'This is your thanks.'

After we finished eating, I went again to the back of the plane, heading for the rest room. A man stopped me. 'I saw what you did. I want to be part of it. Here, take this.' He handed me twenty-five dollars..

Soon after I returned to my seat, I saw the Flight Captain coming down the aisle, looking at the aisle numbers as he walked, I hoped he was not looking for me, but noticed he was looking at the numbers only on my side of the plane. When he got to my row he stopped, smiled, held out his hand and said, 'I want to shake your hand.' Quickly unfastening my seatbelt I stood and took the Captain's hand. With a booming voice he said, 'I was a soldier and I was a military pilot. Once, someone bought me a lunch. It was an act of kindness I never forgot.' I was embarrassed when applause was heard from all of the passengers.

Later I walked to the front of the plane so I could stretch my legs. A man who was seated about six rows in front of me reached out his hand, wanting to shake mine. He left another twenty-five dollars in my palm.

When we landed I gathered my belongings and started to deplane. Waiting just inside the airplane door was a man who stopped me, put something in my shirt pocket, turned, and walked away without saying a word. Another twenty-five dollars!

Upon entering the terminal, I saw the soldiers gathering for their trip to the base.
I walked over to them and handed them seventy-five dollars. 'It will take you some time to reach the base. It will be about time for a sandwich.
God Bless You.'

Ten young men left that flight feeling the love and respect of their fellow travelers.

As I walked briskly to my car, I whispered a prayer for their safe return. These soldiers were giving their all for our country.. I could only give them a couple of meals. It seemed so little...

A veteran is someone who, at one point in his life, wrote a blank check made payable to 'Canada' for an amount of 'up to and including my life.'

That is Honor, and there are way too many people in this country who no longer understand it.'

Thursday, November 11, 2010

Spotlight: Success in Toronto

Get Connected Make it Happen Special Edition

Few months ago I watched an internet radio station and heard a great story of an entrepreneur who has had great networking success in Toronto!
We got connected recently and had an interview regarding his upcoming book being released in early 2011.

1. What inspired you to write the book?

When I migrated to Toronto in 2000 and even when I started writing this book in 2008, I could not find a book on this topic. Every month I came across or heard about one or more new immigrants struggling so I thought I should help them out by writing this very practical book and help them succeed here just like I did. They don’t have to struggle if they know what to do, how to get things done and they can live a great life in Toronto and be proud to be Canadian. Instead of blaming the immigration system, I thought I should try to find solutions and implement them. This book is one solution and I have more solutions that I am planning to implement in the future. Now that I have completed the book, my goal is to let each and every new immigrant to Toronto ( Greater Toronto Area ) know about this book.

2.What do you want people to learn from the book?

The book is very practical and gives solutions to real life problems new immigrants face. As you can see in the detailed table of contents at www.successintoronto.com/table-of-contents , it has a lot of information about many aspects of life. Main principles, What to do in the first 2 weeks, how to find a great job, good things about Canada, finding a place to live, travelling, buying a car, handling the winter, assistance etc. are just some of the topics covered. I would like them to follow the principles I have mentioned in chapter 1 and to take advantage of the valuable information in the other chapters. I would like them to learn how to succeed here in Toronto.

3. There is many book on success written, what makes your different?

I am poised for semi-retirement in 2011 at the age of 33 and the readers can achieve great results by following the principles I have mentioned in the first chapter of the book and by having access to a lot of valuable information that could save them money, make them more efficient and effective etc. This book is very practical and focuses on Toronto ( GTA ) making it more relevant to them. Just as an example, I even explained what the TTC is and how to use it. It would also be a great gift for a new immigrant.

Check out www.successintoronto.com for more details on what the book covers

Stay tuned for more information regarding Success in Toronto in the near future

Jim Pagiamtzis has written for Centennial College and Toronto Public Library. Go to www.jimpagiamtzis.wordpress.com for more information or email payamgis@gmail.com to feature your upcoming book or events.

Tuesday, November 9, 2010

5 Steps to the Perfect LinkedIn Invitation

Get Connected Make it Happen Special article. Great information on how to connect with LinkedIN with style!



We all know that when we meet someone at a networking event, we want to put our best foot forward and make afavorable first impression.

That's why we get self-conscious if we feel our palmsare a bit sweaty or there might be a poppy seed stuckbetween our teeth. We know to give a friendly smile anda firm but not crushing handshake. We know not toinvade the person's private space by standing tooclose. And we know to communicate standard pleasantrieslike, "Hello" and "Nice to meet you."

Yet when it comes to networking online, so much of thatawareness of how you might be coming across goes outthe window. Not for everybody, but it happens enoughthat I can't stay quiet any longer.

Yes, the rant you've been waiting for...my personal petpeeve...the sloppy LinkedIn invitation.

How you introduce yourself for the first time tosomeone who doesn't know you sets the stage for therelationship. Not that their impression can't bechanged, but that takes more work than doing thingsright the first time.

When you invite someone to connect with you onLinkedIn, you have the option of including a personalnote with your invitation. Unfortunately LinkedInpre-populates this field with a rather sterileintroduction:

“I’d like to add you to my professional network onLinkedIn.” -- Joe Smith

There's no warmth, no personality, no indication thateven a modicum of time or thought was invested. Itlooks like you were in a hurry, lazy or clueless, noneof which is particularly appealing to people you wantto do business with. Your invitation may still beaccepted, but simply adding another connection to yourLinkedIn profile really isn't the point

The point is to develop relationships. And a stampedout, cookie cutter, impersonal invitation like the oneabove is not a good way to start.

The sad thing is that it doesn't take a lot of extratime or thought to stand out in a positive way. Thereare only five things you need to do. Not a hundred,just five, so there's absolutely no excuse:

1) Say hello You would do it in person, so why not do it here? Addtwo words to the beginning of the note such as "Hi Liz"or "Dear Liz." This makes me feel like you'readdressing the note specifically to me.

2) Add context Your first sentence should be a brief explanation ofwhy you want to connect. Something along the lines of"I saw you speak at last week's event" or "I read yourbook" or "I see that we both know Marvin Jones." Even"I saw your name pop up when I was logged in" is betterthan nothing.

3) Introduce yourself Describe what you do in your next sentence. DO NOT say,"Read my profile to learn what I do." That's just rude.If you're the one making the initial contact, it's YOURjob to give them the basic information. "I'm a systemsengineer at Boeing" or "I'm a blogger and executivecoach in San Diego." Let people know who you are, andif they want to find out more, your profile is just aclick away.

4) Invite them to connect I don't have a big problem with the default sentence"I'd like to add you to my professional network onLinkedIn" IF the other four steps of this formula arefollowed. But while you're personalizing things, whynot personalize this sentence as well? One of my favorite ways is to say, "I'd love to connectwith you on LinkedIn and see how we can help eachother." Think about what would make it appealing forsomeone to accept your invitation

5) Add a closing sign off Before your name, add a closing like "Best regards" or"Sincerely" or "Take care." Something that you wouldinclude in any other note to a stranger whom you aretrying to impress.

So what's the benefit of taking the 10 extra seconds todo this, rather than leaving the default message as is?

First of all, you've stood out among all the otherLinkedIn invitations your contact may have receivedthat day or that week or that month, so you're going tobe remembered.

Second, you've left the impression that you'refriendly, polite and willing to go the extra mile.


And third, you've established that you're interested inbuilding a relationship rather than just increasingyour number of connections. In other words, you'reabout quality rather than quantity.

For a few extra seconds of your time, I'd say that's abig return for your investment, wouldn't you?

What do you think? How do you feel about receiving aLinkedIn invitation with the default intro rather thana customized one? What are your ideas for personalizingyour
messages? Please leave a comment on the SmartNetworking blog. I'd love to hear from you.

http://www.networkingexcellence.com/blogpost

© 2010 Liz Lynch. All Rights Reserved

Sunday, November 7, 2010

Business Card Etiquette for Consultants and Freelancers

Sam Zipursky is a Brand Consultant, Internet Marketer, and aspiring Digital Nomad. He spends most of his time focusing on the connection between internet, branding, design and marketing. He is one of the authors from the become a consultant blog Business Consulting Buzz. He is also a Co-Founder with Advicetap – The place where Canadian marketing and creative professionals find gigs and build connections with other professionals.

Although many (including myself) may argue that the Internet is making traditional business cards almost irrelevant, they still play an important role in business communications and promotion. If we can agree with this, then why do so many consultants, freelancers, professionals, and business owners that I meet do not have any business card etiquette?

After doing business in Japan for many years, I came to see the giving and receiving of business cards in a new way. Today I wanted to share some simple but powerful techniques you can use here in North America when you out and about business networking and meeting people - using your biz cards!

Express your interest
Most people I meet with simply take my card and put it directly in their pocket without even giving it any kind of attention. Others just hold on to it, play with it a bit, bend it, you name it...I know you folks have experienced this and it's just plain rude!

So what you should do when you receive a business card is take a look at it, ask a question about it, compliment the design or logo if you like it, anything to show some respect for the person that just gave you a piece of their brand and promotion.

Put it down
If you go to a meeting at a coffee shop, board room, or anywhere that has a table or counter after you examine the card place it nicely on the table during your conversation. This just adds another element of respect to the person your meeting. You can glance at the card from time to time during your conversations which helps avoid uncomfortable eye contact and once again shows you are interested in that person and his/her card.

Conclusion
The main point I'm trying to make here is to treat business cards with respect when you get them. Look at them, compliment them, don't crunch them, don't stuff them in your pocket. Following these simple tips will take you a long way in your business communications and how people see you – guaranteed!

Submitted by Sue Varty

Source
http://www.wordtree.ca/blog

Saturday, November 6, 2010

Spotlight :Joe Collins

In my speaking on "How to become a networking success" have come across many participants who have pArticipates in what I call " open line communication" where I communicate once a week with individuals who seek either some light accountability or guidance on their success.

Joe Collins has done just that and accellerated his own development in a few short months he proved to that he had the commitment and integrity to meet with with to strategize and do some role playing.

He also came out and volunteered at tradeshow where spoke at and did an excellent in communicating and sharing relative information at the booth

The most proud moment happened at an event where i had been asked to speak to Toastmasters group on talk that I did on arties that had been published in a college magazine.

Near the end of the event they had part where you selected a folded piece of paper and to a short talk on the topic.

As you may have heard number one fear by everyone is public speaking, on this day Joe Collins stepped up a delivered a very funny and memorable talk on "his first crush". He had the crowd engaged and interested.

He continues to learn and grow and is able to take on challenges with the ability to find the solution!

Way to go Mr. Joe Collins

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Networking Success Story

Recently had reconnected with an entrepreneur that I had met at a networking event two years ago. His group has published an interesting paper called the Crossover and have done numerous event in the Toronto area. Had an attended one last month for Freelance Bootcamp at Ryerson University.

I have be given the opportunit to speak at the event this month (www.cg6.com for details) there were still looking for additional speakers and sponsors. I offered to email my newsletter and social networking groups with a brief announcent. Two days later I got a call from my contact advising he got 12 calls in less than two days and his mailbox was full! He was happy but overwhelmed, we made some alterations to the document to ease the communication.

Lesson in this example entrepreneurs do read their email.

Have also got some sponsorship opportunities with college alumni office.

Networking is an ongoing process that yields results in due to time,
treat every connection with respect and you will be suprised where it will lead.

Look forward to my talk on How to attract a Mentor for Business,Life and Success on November 17th at InitiativeTO find on Facebook and Twitter, Sprouter and group on LinkedIn

Look forward to Get Connected Make it Happen!

Jim Pagiamtzis is published author, speaker and entrepreneur. Looking for a guest speaker for your event or writer for your business, product or services to enhance you business email at payamgis@gmail.com for free 1/2 consultation.