Invest in Networking

Most people understand the power of a network in today’s world. The right network can lead to a better job (or co-founder for a new business), a girlfriend, a nicer car (or bike) and any number of truly impactful life situations. However, I see a real lack of urgency among many of my peers. Quite simply, time is wasting.

Perhaps the complacency is due to the fact that the internet allows for so many digital connections that the personal aspect is forgotten. It could be that many of my peers are focused on their first and second jobs. Whatever it may be I want to advocate and strongly recommend investing in networking. What does that mean?

1. Get involved in organizations (community groups / non-profits / sports leagues) outside of your immediate circle of friends and co-workers.
2. Ask yourself if you have made a personal or professional connection for someone you know; this will grow your trusted network exponentially.
3. Host an event, at your home, a bar or somewhere entirely different

Finally, spend real money on networking. This means taking a potential friend or business partner (really someone who strikes you as engaging) out for a drink or dinner and pay for it. Combine your vacation or travels with real networking.

I am going to highlight several organizations that I view as particularly fruitful for networking. These are the groups I admire or aspire to be apart of because they are filled with smart, driven, and optimistic people who will be changing the world in any number of ways over their lifetimes.

Summit Series

The community we serve – a collection of artists, entrepreneurs, activists, philanthropists and musicians – is at the heart of everything we do. Through an annual conference, community-based digital platform, and year-round events, we set the stage for these people to forge lifelong friendships, spawn new business ideas, tackle global issues, and in turn, make our world a better place.

StartingBloc

Through the StartingBloc Fellowship, we select the brightest young leaders and provide them with access to the resources they need to address the most pressing global challenges of our time. The most critical resource that our Fellows gain access to is a tight-knit community of social innovators based across the country and the world.

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Harvey Mackay at Portland BizGrowth

At the end of July I had the opportunity to attend an event put on by the Portland Business Journal. The keynote speaker was Harvey Mackay who I had never heard of before. His introduction was quite lengthy and so I reasoned that he should be pretty good (He is one of the top five speakers in the world according to Toastmasters). His performance certainly lived up to his reputation and I came away thoroughly impressed. He is an expert story teller.

Word of Wisdom:

I give you a dollar and you give me a dollar, we each have a dollar. You give me an idea and I give you an idea and we each have 2 ideas

Little things mean everything.

Perfect practice makes perfect.

A goal is a dream with a deadline.

People don’t care how much you know about them if they know how much you care about them.

It it is to be it is up to me.

TEDxPortland: Better late than never

On April 30th I had the privilege of attending the inaugural TEDxPortland (if you do not know what TED or TEDx is click here). I distinctly remember it was a gorgeous spring day and I was somewhat uneasy thinking that my next 7 hours would be spent sitting in a theater listening to people speak. However, I purchased my tickets to the event the day after that they came out (they sold out in a bout a week) and I was excited to enjoy my first TED event in person (instead of remotely through the hundreds of youtube videos).

The event was outstanding.

I came away with a plethora of new ideas, perspectives, appreciation and energy. I took several pages of notes but have simply highlighted a few below along with the accompanying videos. I strongly encourage you to watch all 16.

Greg Bell – Author & Thought Leader

Give away knowledge and give away love. It’s the only two things that will multiply.

Language determines how you think. How you think determines how you believe. How you believe will determine whats true.

Make your values your habit.

Roberta Conner – Tamástslikt Cultural Institute

It’s always someone’s home.

Think longitudinally.

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Visualize It

Like many individuals, I am particularly drawn to infographics that tell that story of data in innovative and original ways.  There are several pieces of particular interest that I have recently come across. I have provided screen-shots and links.

GOOD.is | What Congress Would Look Like If It Were Demographically Representative of America

Trulia.com – Price Reductions Map (A way to understand what housing markets are popular and which are not)

Top Marginal Tax Rates 1916-2010 — VisualizingEconomics

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Starve Ups

I recently had the opportunity to attend an interesting seminar for entrepreneurs put on by a local Portland organization called Starve Ups:

Dedicated to helping founders of start ups create successful and sustainable businesses through optimized peer mentoring.

Three facts about Starve Ups:

1. Only allows company founders to be members
2. Goal of getting 1/4 member companies acquired compared to the national average of 1/24
3. Out of 57 members, only 5 received Venture Capital financing (This tends to relate to the Portland start-up scene but emphasizes the role of angel investors)

This particular gathering was around the theme of ‘Raising $1 million in this economy.’ Several take a ways from the discussion with three founders included:

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