This video is hosted on the Networking for Success YouTube Channel, hosted by Entrepreneur.com.
Imagine you’re at a networking event.
I know, it’s a stretch. But work with me here.
So you’re mixing and mingling and start passing out your business cards like candy. Suddenly, someone hands it back you and says, “No, thanks.” This actually happened to a BNI Member. He wrote to me, astonished, and asked what I would do in his situation. Well, here’s my answer.
Forget about balance. It’s an illusion.
Yes, you read correctly. Balance assumes that we spend equal amounts of time in each area of our life, which realistically, is impossible. I believe in harmony, in finding ways to creating synergy between the things you love to do and the things you’re paid to do (if you’re lucky, they’re one in the same!)
Try these seven simple techniques:
1. Wherever you are, be there!
2. Be creative about how you manage your time
3. Integrate various elements of your life
4. Practice letting go and holding on
5. Be intentional about who you let in your room
6. Create margins
7. Work in your flame, not in your wax
Watch the video below for a more detailed explanation.
A friend of mine once said, “If we could get every single business person in the world, every single entrepreneur, to play their part, we could get on top of most of the worlds problems.”
That friend was Richard Branson, and I took his message to heart. It made me think about what I could do through BNI to make an impact on the globe and sent me on an introspective journey about being a business owner and the responsibility we had to serve not only our customers, but society as a whole.
What I came up with are four ways to help your business find direction and purpose in helping others, whether it be in your local area or in the global community.
What does it mean to have an entrepreneurial spirit, and how do you know if you have it?
For me, I knew (or at least in hindsight, I would come to know) that I was an entrepreneur at the age of 13. It wasn’t even a word that I knew or even understood at the time, but I had an instinct for business. There was something inside me that understood how to take a 5 cent piece of candy and turn a profit–that is, until I got caught selling candy at school.
An entrepreneur has a vision, sees an opportunity then has the commitment to follow through. Do you have what it takes?
This is the fifth and final video in the “Ivanism” Garage to Global series, hosted by Entrepreneur.com. In this series, I expand on common phrases I’ve used throughout my 31 years of referral-based networking.
When you’re at a networking event, do you eagerly bounce around the room, chatting with various people and passing out business cards? Do you tend to seek deep connections by only talking to a few people for longer periods? Everyone has their own way of making connections and networking, and it helps to understand just where you fall in the lineup.
Knowing your networking behavioral style will help you capitalize on your skills–and maybe even identify some flaws to improve upon. Take a look at the video below to find out YOUR style and maybe the next time you’re at an event, you’ll be able to better position yourself for greater success.
This is the fourth video in the “Ivanism” Garage to Global series, hosted by Entrepreneur.com. In this series, I expand on well-known phrases I’ve used throughout my career.
Success is the uncommon application of common knowledge.
It’s common knowledge within the business company that success in business comes from having passion, systems, goals and vision, social capital and leverage. So if we all have the same idea of what it takes to be successful, why aren’t we all?
Give me three minutes, and I’ll give you the answer.
“Are You Spread Too Thin?” is the third video in the “Ivanism” Garage to Global series, hosted by Entrepreneur.com. In this series, I expand on classic phrases I’ve used over the years.
Do six things a thousand times and NOT a thousand things six times!
But what does that really mean?
Wait, I can’t give it all away! Watch the video below to get the full scope of the idea.
This is the second video in the “Ivanism” Garage to Global series, hosted by Entrepreneur.com. I expand on common phrases I’ve used over the years and explain how they can apply to your business and referral networking style. Today I discuss the Ivanism, “Working in Your Flame vs Your Wax“
Are you flame or wax happy?
That sounds like a bizarre question–but it’s not.
When you’re working in your wax and when you’re working in your flame are two very different things, and can affect you in different ways. If you’re flame happy, you’re excited, motivated and ready to pursue your ambitions. But what happens when are wax happy, and simply complacent with working on things that you aren’t passionate about?
The video below talks about this idea and ways you can make sure you’re always flame happy.
Ignorance on fire
The following video is part of my new “Ivanism” Garage to Global series, hosted by Entrepreneur.com, where I expand on catch phrases I have used frequently over the years.
I know, it’s a strange concept: “Ignorance on fire is better than knowledge on ice.”
Most people read that statement and think, someone who’s excited but ignorant can do more harm than good.
I’m here to tell you that the opposite of your intuition is true. That’s right–and you’ll see why below.
On Thursday, I was swept off to a land far, far away.
OK, not that far away. But TV has to be dramatic, doesn’t it?
Even though I was close to home, I visited the homes of millions by appearing as a guest on MSNBC’s Your Business, with host JJ Ramberg. I was featured as an expert on referral networking (imagine that!) and spoke about how it can positively affect small businesses. The entire experience was easier than I expected and JJ was well-prepared and professional–and I’m sure glad she was, because it really helped ease my nerves.
And of course, I couldn’t get out the door without using referral networking. The producer asked if I could refer her to other BNI experts to be featured guests! (Who knows–maybe it could be YOU!)
Check out the clip below and tell me what you think.
A question from India came to me via Twitter, and I found it to be such a universal topic that I thought I’d share it with you all.
(And BONUS–it was shot in my new home studio!)
What happens when your networking group hits a plateau?
Understanding an important philosophy based on the law of reciprocity can make your networking far more powerful, but only when self applied.
Click on the graphic above, or click here, to see the video!
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