NETWORKING INTO A NEW COMMUNITY

People ask me why would I leave my home for six months in Vancouver, Washington and move to Palm Springs to help bring back a rodeo. Let’s get the obvious behind us. Yes, winter in Palm Springs is terrific. During the day, we are averaging about 70 degrees—though one of my major surprises was how quickly it gets quite cool once the sun sets behind the mountains. You wouldn’t think of leaving in the evening without taking at least a heavy sweater.

Now why did I really take this position? By the way, I have been promoted from Director of Fundraising to Vice President of Operations. No question the new title more accurately describes my position. As my CEO says, “Kathy is our boots on the ground.”

Twenty-two years ago, the rodeo was an integral part of the fall activities of this community. Cowboys ruled and the Smoke Tree Stable served as one of the real social centers of the Coachella Valley. Frank Bogert, a cowboy, appreciated and loved for his outspoken personality became a real friend of the stars that made Palm Springs their home. His popularity, but even more importantly his belief and commitment to Palm Springs propelled him into the position of Mayor of Palm Springs. In front of City Hall in Palm Springs, is a bronze statue with him riding a horse. Frank Bogert passed on at the end of March 2009 – at the age of 991/2. I only wish I would end my life with such a legacy-one that always elicits smiles and positive comments when his name is mentioned.

With all of that being said, I am a person who enjoys starting projects from scratch. Normally, I worked on the projects in my home of Vancouver, Washington where I was really part of the community and know leaders personally. This time, I looked at as an opportunity to see if my networking skills would carry over to a community in which no one knows me.

My belief that I would have many stories to enhance my networking skills and my forthcoming networking book has certainly come true. I have more than enough stories to fill two more books for I learned networking-building relationships, take the same slow and steady patience everywhere. Strong relationships are not made in one meeting.

Am I out of my element? Sometimes, yet, honestly there has been few surprises. Throughout my life I have been honored to have met fascinating, important people and visiting magnificent homes. That is why when I was invited to have a one-on-one meeting with a sponsor in his $10 million home, my mouth did not fall open when I was given a tour and viewed the valley below from just about every room in home.

Now we are two months away from the opening date of the Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo. We have formed a committee with his friends and family that will help honor this outstanding cowboy, yet more importantly the man. Therefore, the ball the night before will honor Frank Bogert and then for three days March 12, 13 and 14, 2010 we celebrate a way of life that exists for many cowboys that follow the professional circuit.

I am proud to be part of a project that stretches my colleagues and me. More importantly, allows people in the Coachella Valley to see a sport that remains popular in thousands of towns throughout the United States. Won’t you join us?

Frank Bogert Memorial Rodeo and Palm Springs WestFest, March 12, 13,14, 2010, Palm Springs, California. When you come, be sure to find me.

http://www.palmspringswestfest.com

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

What do you want to accomplish in 2010? If you don't have the answer to this question, you cannot develop the steps to get there.

THREE QUESTIONS YOU CAN USE WHEN NETWORKING

At lost at how to start a conversation?

Here are three questions that work:

“What great thing happened to you recently?”

“Fascinating pin, does it have a story behind it?”

You can use this even if it is ugly.


“Do you like your Blackberry?”

Especially men love it when you ask them about their gadgets.


Notice questions that are missing?

“How are you?”

Face it you really do not want to hear about a person’s health—if you ask you may get to hear all about it.


“What do you do?”

If the person does not have a job, you will remind them and conversation will normally go into a negative direction.

IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS:

Make sure you include your contact card (business card) in every note you write by handy. Makes it easy for people to give you information to others or keep it hand for themselves.

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IMPROVING COMMUNICATION SKILLS WITH OURSELVES

Why does it take a new year to make us think things will miraculously change if we turn the page of the calendar? From my vantage point, switching calendars has never made that much difference in my life.

I do believe I will scream if I get one more spam email suggesting how to set my goals for 2010. By the way, have you heard there is a controversy about whether we should say Twenty Ten or Two Thousand and Ten? Please! I think we have many more important things to concern ourselves with in our lives.

Okay, got all of that off my chest. Now what am I really going to do?

As the year closed, I finished a really interesting historical novel “Palm Springs”. Since I am living here through the end of March, it was fun to read about sites and people that affected this community. My walks have become more interesting since I now know “why” certain places received their names. It’s the little things that make these walks more interesting.

For those who know me the phrase “It’s the little things” has guided my life in many ways. Taught by my parents to observe and ask questions, this phrase is seemingly taking on a new meaning for me. I say that, because I have let that phrase almost disappear from my vocabulary.

I am reminded of this because I have started taking the time to look up a the mountains and at one point at 9:30 a.m. a gigantic angel appears on the side of the mountain (Thus, the name of number of organizations with the name angel in them….one of which is actually called “Angel View”.) It is the little details that make one’s eyes truly focus on this amazing site.

New Year’s Day I was up very early and went to the grocery store to get some treats for a wonderful breakfast for myself. As I went out to the car, there the rising sun behind the tall palm trees created a site that was breathtaking.

People are choosing a theme to live by during the coming year. I didn’t have to come up with a new one. I am just glad that I was reminded that I have to slow down a bit, enjoy the things and people around me. A dear friend here is dying of liver cancer. We are blessed that he lived through Thanksgiving, not alone Christmas and New Years. This wonderful man, who never hugs, honored me with a hug upon my arrival one day.

Therefore, as I begin this year, I look forward to stopping and taking in the little things that make a big difference in my attitude, business and most importantly my friendships.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION TIP:

Easy to keep track of your day if you leave a word document open and then make brief notes about what you are accomplishing.

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