Take Time to Dance!

So many lessons

Knowing Math - can keep you from being the a slave!

Dancing with a cape is always cool!

Always keep some Bat-Music handy!

Everything I Need to Know, I Learned from Batman

Too good not to share - Just alone - no comment from me needed - (well, maybe..... I have learned a few more things from Batman, but this video is pretty good!)

Same Bat-Time Same Bat Channel - Curious????

In our Effective Networking workshops I talk a little about creating curiosity instead of blurting out the elevator speech during networking opportunities.  I usually use the illustration of knocking on a door for the other person to answer it, but then I thought back to those cool original Batman episodes with Adam West and Burt Ward.

Every week we were introduced to the criminal and the crime, Batman and Robin swoop into save the day - fight ensues with the "KaPow" and "Bap" visuals - and by the end of the episode the criminal would have the crime fighters in some hair brained cheesy trap that led you to believe the caped crusaders were done-for.  Remember the announcer?  "Tune in next week…same Bat-time, same Bat-channel."  Now THAT's creating curiosity.  Will Batman live to fight crime another day?  You HAD to tune in again to find out.  Even though you knew how it would turn out (yes the Dynamic Duo would live to fight again), you still wanted to hear the rest of the story.

That's what creating curiosity can do for you in business-building conversations.  Leave them wanting more of you - that time for coffee, or better yet - lunch.  The best networking happens over lunch.  If you are eating alone, or at your desk, you might want to re-think that as part of your business strategies.

Sidekick Appreciation

It's Administrative Professionals Day Wednesday, April 25. Some people may know it better as "Secretary's Day;" however, it has evolved into Administrative Professionals. Clearly, someone got the clue that a secretary is more than just the friendly face when entering an office or the one who can type 100 wpm, they are quite often the ones that can run the business without the boss around.

Ever see that movie, Sky High? Remember the power placement scene? (Included it here). That process was pretty harsh - each kid was either labeled a "hero" or "sidekick." But I like the girl - she's confident with her powers and refuses to simply show them off to get a label. She gets one anyway. As the story moves forward you find that it's the sidekicks that save the day. The heroes were the target of the bad guy, not giving real credit to the resourcefulness of the sidekicks. That happens so often in our own little worlds…to the assistants…the sidekicks of our businesses. How do I know? I used to be one. Shoot, we've probably ALL been an assistant at some time or another. And we've all worked for either heroes or villains. And yes, even villains have sidekicks…or minions, or lackeys, or whatever title the villain decides to call you.

For all you who have an assistant, or your very own sidekick, make sure to recognize them for everything they do on your behalf. Show respect, appreciation, kindness because you whether you realize it or not, they are swooping in to save the day on your behalf more than you know.

Sometimes it is a slippery start to the day - but what do you do when that happens? Use a little imagination and start crawling up the walls!

Even Batman Needs Validation Every Now And Then

 

In this episode of "Batman The Animated Series," Batman is a little weary of crime fighting cycle that is notorious in Gotham - he catches them, the "system" sets them free.  He goes out to fight-the-fight again, steers someone to get help, then off again into the night.  The storyline includes Batman's friend, Commissioner Gordon, getting shot and Batman struggles with not getting there in time to stop it.  However, by the end of the episode, Batman saves Gordon from a second attempt at his life by a split second.  Cut to the final scene, a follow-up that gives the Dark Knight more validation that all his efforts do make a difference.

We all need that same kind of validation sometimes.  It's not being "high maintenance" or egotistical to want some validation.  Receiving validation is that sign that we're on the right path to our dreams, we've made the best decisions, or simply that all is well.  Validation is not flattering someone, it's acknowledging in a genuine manner one's contribution to your life or others - that their words, actions, beliefs, have worth.  How have you validated someone in your life lately?  

Uncovering Their Secret Identities

When you go to a networking event sometimes the crowd can be overwhelming. The room is filled with a lot of entrepreneurial heroes. There is the possibility of team-ups, collaborations, you may even find your own partner to complete a dynamic duo there. But how do you go deep? How do you uncover their secret identity?


What we're talking about is really uncovering their character, who they are, what are your common threads? Just like a tapestry looks like a beautiful painting on one side, the other side holds the threads of connections. Kids, cats, went to St. X High, etc….. Find those connections, and relationships begin.

So what we're really doing is not paying attention to their super powers, or how bright and flashy their costume is, that may be just salesmanship and marketing. True networking is finding their secret identity, their character, finding those common points that build relationships