What we have here is failure to communicate

A couple of anecdotal incidences happened last week that inspired this week's blog. On separate occasions, I had breakdowns in communication. I believe one was gender-related, "mansplaining," and one was age gap-related, "Ok boomer." 

As we get more diverse and global culture kicks in, we may be at the point of a modern "Tower of Babble." Even that phrase has Judeo/Christian roots that may not reference across some cultures. 

I sold shool books for twenty years and left the business because of the decline in reading whole novels. Not reading complete stories, I believe, not only inhibits the ability to think long term but decreases our vocabulary.  

Now, with social media and texting adding to the mix, we abbreviate and stifle our communication. 

How bad can it get? I suggest a reread of 1984 by George Orwell. Or check out the link here:

https://study.com/academy/lesson/george-orwells-1984-summary-characters-themes-analysis.html

By the way, the title of this blog was from a very popular movie, "Cool Hand Luke." However, that movie was from the '60s and unless you are a classic movie buff it may have little context to you.

What are your thoughts, stories, or opinions on this matter? I would like to know?

As we get more diverse and global culture kicks in, we may be at the point of a modern "Tower of Babble." Even that phrase has Judeo/Christian roots that may not reference across some cultures. 

I sold shool books for twenty years and left the business because of the decline in reading whole novels. Not reading complete stories, I believe, not only inhibits the ability to think long term but decreases our vocabulary.  

Now, with social media and texting adding to the mix, we abbreviate and stifle our communication. 

How bad can it get? I suggest a reread of 1984 by George Orwell. Or check out the link here:

https://study.com/academy/lesson/george-orwells-1984-summary-characters-themes-analysis.html

By the way, the title of this blog was from a very popular movie, "Cool Hand Luke." However, that movie was from the '60s and unless you are a classic movie buff it may have little context to you.

What are your thoughts, stories, or opinions on this matter? I would like to know? anecdotal incidences happened last week that inspired this week's blog. On separate occasions, I had breakdowns in communication. I believe one was gender-related, "mansplaining," and one was age gap-related, "Ok boomer." 

As we get more diverse and global culture kicks in, we may be at the point of a modern "Tower of Babble." Even that phrase has Judeo/Christian roots that may not reference across some cultures. 

I sold shool books for twenty years and left the business because of the decline in reading whole novels. Not reading complete stories, I believe, not only inhibits the ability to think long term but decreases our vocabulary.  

Now, with social media and texting adding to the mix, we abbreviate and stifle our communication. 

How bad can it get? I suggest a reread of 1984 by George Orwell. Or check out the link here:

By the way, the title of this blog was from a very popular movie, "Cool Hand Luke." However, that movie was from the '60s and unless you are a classic movie buff it may have little context to you.

What are your thoughts, stories, or opinions on this matter? I would like to know?

Fun week of learning, growing and networking

We are attending Global Entrepreneurship Week in Kansas City.  We are absorbing, learning, and taking advantage of the wisdom of hundreds of classes and seminars. The networking opportunities are fantastic, as well — the energy and excitement of people wanting to create business and better our society is invigorating.  I am pumped and optimistic about our future.

https://www.kcsourcelink.com

Seeing clearly

I had some laser surgery to clean up some cloudiness that resulted from some old cataract surgery. I remember at the time I had the surgery. I could see clearly for the first time in years. I had gotten used to seeing through a yellow haze. I didn't know how bad my eyes had become.

Life is like that sometimes, as well. We get used to seeing a certain way and don't recognize the need for clarity. 

Some examples are confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, and outcome bias. There are two books that I recommend to help:

The Art of Thinking Clearly by Rolf Dobelli

https://www.amazon.com/Art-Thinking-Clearly-Better-Decisions-ebook/dp/B00AJP267G

You Are Not So Smart: by David McRaney

https://www.amazon.com/s?k=you+are+not+so+smart&i=digital-text&crid=JE383A44HPOF&sprefix=You+are+not+so+%2Cdigital-text%2C184&ref=nb_sb_ss_i_1_15

How to maximize networking meetings

I have been attending networking meetings for 12 years or so. I was first introduced to this concept after I lost my first business and had to start looking for a job. The career workshops I attended couldn't emphasize the value of networking in one's career search. 

Now I am starting my own business, and I am using networking as my primary prospecting tool. Just as jobs are found mostly through networking, so are clients. p

I have been networking for two years now, and I would like to share some dos and don'ts. 

• Dress for success. You are your brand, and you should dress like it.
• Show up early and stay late. You meet more people that way. 
• Do follow-ups and one-on-ones. 
• Don't just exchange business cards. Email them soon afterward. 
• It's not all about you. To be interesting: be interested in the other person.
• Stay focused on business. Don't stray into other subjects until you have built a relationship with that person.
• Repeat names, memorize names and use their names. Names are very important. Names show caring and respect more than anything else. 
• I know you are meeting lots of new people, but you can memorize all their names with practice. 
• Never try to sell the person you are meeting. You are networking, not pitching your product.
• Be respectful of referrals. Ask for referrals. 
• Ask for help.
• Volunteer to be a speaker.
• Volunteer to help with the meetings.

These are some things I learned I would love to have your contributions. 

#networking  #advice  #self-improvement