Tim Bursch

I know there are hundreds if not thousands of posts on networking. I’m not trying to add to the noise here, I’m writing this to remind myself.

Here’s what works for me and people I admire:

1. Set expectations. Why are you asking for a meeting? Be clear.
2. Give, don’t take. If you set up a meeting, make sure to give something away. (Knowledge, connections, empathy, ideas, etc)
3. Do your homework. Google, Linkedin, whatever it takes. Learn more about who you are meeting with and figure out how you might help them or share something with them.
4. Be early, not just on time.
5. Review the purpose for meeting. Start off by checking expectations.
6. Ask questions (open-ended) and listen more than you talk.
7. Favorite questions: What are you most excited about right now? What is your biggest challenge?
8. Take notes. Often there are follow-up actions or connections to make, write it down.
9. Follow through. Make a promise? Keep it.
10. Be grateful. Simply appreciate the other person and their generosity of time/resources/connections.

What works for you?

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I joined a Google Hangout last week with Chris Carfi to talk about possible scenarios for Google+. Awesome experience. Watch his blog for more details and thoughts soon.

In addition to a lot of other great takeaways from that conversation, I am convinced that Hangouts are here to stay. Hangouts allow you to stay in the network. They have a positive peer pressure effect. When you see a Hangout in your stream with interesting people, you’re drawn in. And video creates deeper connections.

Here are some possible uses for Hangouts:

1. After writing a blog post, start a Hangout to answer questions or discuss.
2. Need help thinking through a business (or fill in the blank) problem? Create a Hangout to mastermind your issue.
3. Schedule a regular time weekly. Topical discussion, guest speaker, networking, the options are endless.
4. Research.
5. Education. Imagine teachers with a whiteboard in the background interacting with people from all over the globe.
6. Real-time customer service.
7. Internal meetings.
8. A non-profit could create an ad-hoc Hangout to crowd-source ideas for response to a local crisis.
9. A recruiter could schedule a Q&A for potential candidates.
10. Musician trying out a new song for feedback, live.
11. A VC could invite people to pitch their ideas.
12. Virtual conference with multiple Hangouts.

What would you add?

Check out the full conversation on Google+ Scenario Planning.

[Shameless plug for Gage] Also, check out the summary on Google+ for Marketing Executives here.

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One of my long-time heroes and digital mentors, Tim Sanders, just launched a new book: Today We Are Rich. He calls it the prequel to Love is the Killer App. I had the opportunity to ask Tim a few questions about the new book.

But first, a little history…

Back in 2002, I was hungry for knowledge about boosting my career. So, I picked up Love is the Killer App and devoured every word. His generous philosophy infected my work and thinking. Needless to say, Tim has made a big impact on my personal and business life.

Tim is an author, consultant, and speaker. He’s a modern day Dale Carnegie. Learn more about him here.

Read on:

1. So, what is Today We Are Rich about?

The book is about a set of confidence principles that my grandmother taught me a child. These hard to stick to principles turned my life around twice – the 2^nd time propelling me to a top executive role at Yahoo in 2002.

I consider it the prequel to Love Is The Killer App, my first book on knowledge, network and compassion sharing. In the new book, I divulge that the underlying secret to being an abundant and generous person is Total Confidence in one’s outlook. And that’s not just a matter of will, it’s the result of thoughtful and rigorous lifestyle design.

2. What made you decide to write this book?

I wrote the book in response to the fear I saw in people’s eyes in the Fall of 2008. Everywhere I went, it was like 1991 or 2001 all over again: Boom, crash, uncertainty, scarcity-think. I said to myself, “write your book on Abundance, tell Billye’s story!” Much like Napoleon Hill did in the 1930’s I felt compelled to write about how we must cultivate confidence from the inside so when things fall apart, we can be the Phoenix and not the fodder.

3. What is one thing you hope readers walk away with?

That you can own your outlook on life and success, instead of letting it own you. You can break through your Sideways years by redesigning what you feed your mind, the conversation you propel and the difference you are bold enough to make. It starts with principle one – Feed Your Mind Good Stuff. It’s free to read at http://twar.com

4. Why is this book relevant now?

People are still on tender hooks from the Great Recession of 2008. We are living one step forward and one step back, out of control when it comes to our mind diet. Because of smart phones, social media and our email addiction, we start each day out in a way that leads to depression and fear. Those that break free from this will ultimately be remembered as the Phoenix types that actually prospered in 2011 and beyond.

One other point: The book’s main star is my grandmother, a remarkably confident person who’s still alive and healthy at 96. In our BLEEP My Dad Says Culture of mean spirited humor and disrespect, I want to challenge all of us to learn from and appreciate the Great Depression winners before they are just a memory.

5. Favorite tip for connecting people?

Sure, network to give, not to prospect for future returns. You shouldn’t screen people first to see if they can be of use to you, you should screen yourself to see if you can be of use to them. Make it an obsession to always connect 3 people each week that should meet – and expect zero in return. It’s like open source, your network will grow exponentially through your investments.

Thanks Tim! Buy the book or download an excerpt here for free.

What are you feeding your mind?

Tags: books, interview, mentor, networks, Tim Sanders.

I set out with big goals in 2010 to post daily. With life and work changes, that didn’t pan out, but you showed up and paid attention to thoughts and ideas that I care about.

This year, I’m not going to make a public promise. I will tell you where I’m hoping to take this blog.

So, what’s next? What can you expect here in 2011?

I’m going to keep writing about things that I care about. Watch for:

• Community- part of my work is focused on community development and management. I’ll share what I’m learning and what I think is working
• Ideas- I’m going to keep giving away my knowledge and network
• Social- marketing, media, business - it’s all about connections

Bonus-  I’m going to launch some extra content in the next months sharing some of the best stuff I’m finding and my analysis. Stay tuned.

Photo by: eioua

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Happy New Year!

I’m taking a small time out here. Not to create another resolution or list, but to refine and simplify.

Last year, I said I would blog more. And I did.

I said I would do crazy things like beta testing. Yeah, not happening yet.

I’ve got ideas for 2011. But they might be about less.

I really appreciate your attention and hope you will stop back soon!

Photo credit: stevendepolo

Tags: goals.

I’m a Beta junkie. I see a new Noun and jump in for the beta. I think I’ve got over 5 new browser add-ons. Thing is, I’ve never really tried these 5, because I’m too busy using the great tools I have.

It’s really easy to chase the new shiny object, be an early adopter (EA), but get no value out of these tools.

So, here’s my plan to become a better EA and hopefully pass along some value to you:

• Try only 2 products/tools/services at a time.
• Test for shorter period of time.
• Report here on what works, what’s helpful, recommendations, and what to avoid.
• Ask for your help. I will share here what I’m testing. Are you trying to the same new noun? Share your thoughts with the community.

Are you a Beta-tester? Share what works for you.

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Today

I’ve been thinking about websites and reading posts like these here and here.

What will companies do in the future? Will they rent their web presence on Facebook or keep their own real estate?

Websites have become more useful, interactive, and conversational. But I don’t have an integrated experience. I find information I need on a site, maybe share it, go to my network (another site or app) to learn more, check wikipedia for more info and then go back to the website. Clunky.

In the near future

So, here’s what I picture:
Let’s say I see a link in my social stream about a new productivity app. I click the link and show up at the company site. Since I’m already plugged in (okay this sounds like the Matrix, but stick with me), I get a custom content experience based on my profile. Think Facebook Connect + OpenID. Maybe it’s SocialID?

Next I look around on the site, learn more about the app and how it can help me with my schedule. I see a box on the same site with people from my network and what they are saying about this product. I see 3rd party content (positive and negative) that gives real life reviews. I see a video review from an influencer in my social circle. All of this on the same corporate site.

So, you navigate the web and when you arrive at XYZ company’s website your SocialID plugs in and they serve you a personalized experience. Custom experience marketing.

Too close for comfort? A marketers dream? Or am I a space cadet?

Take a look at this. Not too far off maybe.

Tell me what you think.

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There is so much information available today. I could seriously read for hours on end and still have more to read.

I’m reading, well maybe scanning, over 100 blogs a day as part of my job. I do learn a lot.
The challenge is I’m spending so much time consuming content that I don’t take time to create content.

I need to be selfishly generous and guard my creation time.

Some ideas I have to be more selfish:

• Wait to check email, blogs, and Twitter until I write something
• Block my time better–If I was planning on 30 minutes of blog reading or Twitter checking, stay in that time block
• Music. I sometimes create better with music. Put the plugs in and make something.
• Practice. Plan on 30 minutes every day to write something whether I share it or not. Just do it.

Other resources here and here.

How do handle the information firehouse today? Does your blog miss you? Are you being selfish?

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Some businesses focus on goals, results, and ROI (outputs). That’s really important. Without results you won’t be in business long.
I wonder though, do we think enough about inputs?

I did not grow up on a farm, but I believe in the natural law of reaping what we sow (mind, body, work, etc).

What are you planting in your business? What are your inputs?

• Good people (Linchpins)
• Collaboration
• Action
• Courage

Want a great harvest this year? Think about what you’re putting in the ground.

Photo by: Wonderlane

Tags: harvest, inputs.

Part of my work is managing online communities. I would hesitate to call it management. It’s more like development. Mostly relationship development.

When you sell something people are going to have complaints. There will be mistakes. Right? And people are being more public with their beef.

So, how do you handle complaints?
Here are a few ideas:

• Acknowledge. Respond to the person’s issue and take it serious. This usually relieves the tension.
• Be quick to act. Be the first one to comment. Think real-time customer service.
• Use this as an opportunity to show your great customer service. Other customers are listening too.
• Follow up. Make sure the person’s issue is resolved.

How do you handle public complaints?

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