Connect-Relate-Network

Links to Learning

I’ve been busy learning – lots. Last week I had a phone tutorial with a young man temporarily living in Thailand (!!) on how to pull all the levers and press all the right buttons on a new website being built for my husband’s book. (No, we didn’t outsource the work – we’re working with a group of Americans, based in New York, one of whom happens to be sojourning in Thailand at the moment.)

If learning how to run a new website wasn’t enough to stretch my brain, I turned around and attended a free webinar (given by Mike Stewart, sponsored by the “Publicity Hound” Joan Stewart, no relation to Mike) on how to use your iPad (or iPhone) to make awesome videos using the iMovie app. The app isn’t free, but a good deal at just under five bucks. While the webinar was, of course, aimed at convincing me to buy Mike’s full course of instructional videos, it had enough information for someone with patience to pick up the basics of using the iMovie app. With the question and answer session, Mike and Joan stayed on for two and a half hours! I’ve got a link here to the first 90 minutes of the replay if you want to find out how you can more easily make really cool videos. (That link will be live only until midnight Tuesday, July 16 so check it now if you’re interested.) And I hope to show off some video skills soon!

This morning, I took a class on writing better dialog (for when I get around to writing my novel…someday soon…). If you’re a writer, or aspire to be a better one, you can learn so much more at the website for Writer’s Digest magazine. Even if you don’t subscribe to the magazine (as I do), you can still access many good articles at no charge. Spend a bit, and you can take some excellent classes too.

As you can see, it may be summer, most kids are out of school, but this “kid” has been going to class.

Remember to Connect with Us

You can always learn something new at Connect-Relate-Network. Please join us Tuesday, July 16 in Poulsbo or Silverdale for our Community Connection Tuesday.

In Poulsbo we’ll hear from Deborah Horn, executive director of Chuckwagon, providing nutrition to seniors (60+), delivered to homes and served at other sites throughout Kitsap County.

Our speaker in Silverdale will be Victoria Ahlfors, from Scarlet Road, a faith-based, non-profit organization serving women and girls who need support leaving the sex industry and finding a new life and hope. Scarlet Road provides services throughout Kitsap County.

Every third Tuesday at Connect-Relate-Network, representatives from non-profit or service organizations, doing good in our community, tell us about their work. We also make time for business networking and a value-adding networking exercise at every meeting. Connect with us at one of our locations!

You can always find out more about Connect-Relate-Network and our events here.

Showing Up and Accountability

Just Show Up!

Our great contemporary philosopher Woody Allen said, “Eighty percent of success is showing up.”

In order to succeed, you need to be visible. Get out and be known by your potential customers, business partners, and others who can refer you on to new business.

I recommend that you show up to network with the rest of us at Connect-Relate-Network tomorrow. It’s our third Tuesday Community Connection meeting in Poulsbo and Silverdale. Click on the Events page for details about who, when and where.

Over a couple of years of just showing up and getting known at these events, I have met dozens of potential (and a good many actual) clients who otherwise I never would have found – or who would not have found me.

Now what about accountability?

Sometimes all it takes to be accountable is to just show up! Arrive when you say you will, ready for the task at hand.

Speaking of accountability, how are you doing with your accountability partners? That question is for our Connect-Relate-Network members who came to our last meeting. Each one picked up an accountability note card along with a partner. If you haven’t already, you should be checking in with your partner right about now to see how each of you is doing on your 30-day goal. You don’t have to chastise your partner for not making progress. Instead, offer congratulations for any progress made, and encouragement to work toward completing the goal.

I want to hear from you about your experience with this exercise. Tell me in the comments here on this blog (or on our Facebook page).

Each partner chooses a 30-day goal. They check in periodically over the 30-day period to report on progress and encourage each other to persevere. (c) 2013 Pacific Press International

For those who missed out, here’s a picture of the note cards we’re using to help us keep track of one 30-day goal that we’re checking in about with our accountability partners. If you’d like to try this out over the next 30 days, I’ll bring more cards with me to our next CRN meeting.

I just had a brief check in with my partner. We’re in a similar place – not as far along as we’d hoped by now, but we’re plugging away. Big ‘atta girls for both of us!

See you in Poulsbo (1:30) or Silverdale (5:30) on Tuesday (June 18)!

Columbus “Discovered” a New World – Discover New Businesses with C-R-N

Happy Columbus Day! You can discover local businesses you didn’t know of when you attend Connect-Relate-Network first Mondays of the month business tours. A group of us did just that when business tours resumed October 3, after a summer hiatus.

We started at ChocMo in Poulsbo. If you want to be inspired – and not just by the delicious chocolates – you should hear owner Peter Crabtree’s story. While giving us a behind the scenes tour of the kitchen, where the magic happens, he told us how he planted the seeds for his business when he was a high school freshman at the West Sound Academy (where they have very astutely invited him to join the board recently).

Peter started CBC Chocolates, borrowing commercial kitchen space wherever he could, and selling to local markets. He found space for his own commercial kitchen and room for a sales counter to do a retail business out front. Last year, the space next door became available for him to expand into, and he remodeled the additional space into a beautiful, warm and welcoming café.  

Enough Chocolate to Satisfy any Chocoholic’s Jones

With the expansion, the name changed to ChocMo, now offering a menu of savory dishes, desserts, wine and beer. (ChocMo, chocolate and more?)  It’s a one stop shop for snacks, meals, desserts, and other indulgences.

Can’t sit and stay? You can still drop in to pick up a selection of fine chocolate truffles –and perhaps a bottle of sparkling wine – to take home. ChocMo is at 19880 7^th Ave, Suite 102, Poulsbo.

Networkers – Don’t Miss the Next Connect-Relate-Network

 October 17 we’ll meet at Stella’s Pizza & Pasta in Poulsbo from 1:00 – 2:15 pm. Our business speaker will be Mindy (“Mega Mouth Mindy”) Byers; our non-profit speaker will be Kim McCoy from the Kitsap County HIV Aids Foundation.  See this site’s Scheduled Meetings page for more details.    

Bring lots of business cards or brochures to promote your business. This meeting is geared for networking, so come prepared to tell us who you are and what you do.

Posted by Elena M. Rodriguez, Pacific Press International                

Planes, trains, boats and automobiles

About this time a week ago I was on my way back home from a trip combining business with a family visit. Last Monday was a beautiful, sunny evening as my plane touched down at SeaTac. By the time I stepped through my front door I’d traveled by car, plane, light rail and ferry. I love living in the Pacific Northwest (even when it takes all day to get home).

My only problem? While away, I missed the first meeting of Connect-Relate-Network since the retirement of the master mind mondays name. But I heard it was a great re-launch with Mary West speaking on the definition of a true Master Mind group and unveiling her plans for starting up several Master Mind Groups to turbo-charge entrepreneurship in Kitsap County.  Click on MasterMind Flyer to see more about her plans, and contact her to join up.

There’s info at Scheduled Meetings  about the next exciting Connect-Relate-Network on July 18 when we host two speakers: Best selling local author and entrepreneur Patrick Snow and a non-profit representative from the Center for Cultural Exchange, Pam Cameron. A preview of that event will appear on this blog soon. See you then.

Meanwhile – any comments about the June C-R-N meeting? I’m curious to hear what you have to say.

posted by Elena M. Rodriguez, Pacific Press International

ABC’s of the Fortune is in the Follow Up

by Elena M. Rodriguez, Pacific Press International

We heard a value-packed talk from Shannon Bruce (The Leadership Collaborative) last week when Master Mind Mondays met up at Stella’s Pizza & Pasta in Poulsbo. Shannon shared wisdom gained in her work around the issues of Leadership, taking Action, Consistency, Doing What matters, and Connecting.

What I took away from her talk was the idea that following the path to success can be as easy as learning your “abc’s”:

•  A is for Action – take action on your plan, do the things that matter (that is, the things that produce revenue), have a business system and use it consistently.
•  B is for Beliefs – whatever product, service or idea you’re selling you must believe in, or you can’t sustain the energy you need to keep on selling it. If you aren’t convinced, how will you convince others?
•  C is for Connections – enough said! It’s our theme this year. Shannon reminded us that social media – Facebook, Twitter, emails, or a blog like this – is all well and good. However, it’s no substitute for physical connection. That could be the connection of human voice to human ear over the telephone, or the even better connection of meeting in person.

Shannon presenting the Fortune Is in the Follow-Up

Shannon gave us a condensed preview of what she has to offer. She can provide an expanded version of Monday’s talk – with more opportunities for participation and time to absorb. Additionally, she offers training to your staff in sales skills/relationship-building. Other facets of her expertise are communications and coaching skills training along with leadership development. Here are three ways to find Shannon via the web:

www.theleadershipcollaborative.biz | coaching for leaders, teams &
networks

www.mylifecompass.com/shannonbruce | affordable life coaching
programs & rewarding business opportunity

www.shannonbruce.com | blog for Mompreneurs

Our non-profit speaker was Sheila Cline who told us about the Jingle Bell Port Orchard Run/Walk for Arthritis. Sheila spoke from the heart about her daughter’s struggle with juvenile arthritis. We definitely felt her Belief in the cause for which she advocates. She told us of starting out with a team of fundraisers (Kickin’ it for Kinsey) that participated in the Seattle run/walk, but that wasn’t enough for this dedicated mom. Now she’s organized the event that will take place in Port Orchard on December 3. The $25,000 they hope to raise from the event will go to support the Arthritis Foundation’s mission to improve lives through the prevention, control and cure of arthritis and related diseases. In the Pacific Northwest alone, these diseases affect 2.2 million residents – that’s you, or someone you know.

Participants will support a serious cause, but that doesn’t mean they won’t have fun. There will be a Costume Contest and a 1K Children’s Run with the Elves in addition to the 5K Run/Walk. When you’re there for the Run/Walk on December 3, check out the other activities at Port Orchard’s Festival of Chimes & Lights. Get more information and register by surfing over to the Jingle Bell Run/Walk. You can also email Sheila at sheilacline7@gmail.com.

 Master Mind Mondays Matters

A new name is coming soon – look for Mary’s announcement. Stay tuned for the details of our next meeting, on June 6^th from 5:15 to 6:30 PM. It will be a business tour in East Bremerton.

Master Mind Mondays met in Poulsbo at Stella's May 16

Follow up with your fellow Master Minders. Follow this blog or join the Kitsap Success group page on Facebook to stay informed and in touch. And tell me: what was your take-away from last week’s meeting?

Master Mind Mondays March 21 Speaker Change

The speaker announced for the March 21 Master Mind Monday meeting at Stella’s in Poulsbo has canceled. However, Master Mind Mondays will still meet, 1-2:15 pm, at Stella’s. A guest from a local non-profit will speak about her organization’s good work and Mary West plans to engage us all in a productive meeting around the theme of “Connections”. David McKenzie of Dream World Consulting will reschedule to present at a future meeting, probably the third Monday in July. If you prepaid for his presentation, Mary will return your check.