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This special online event is brought to you by Biba Pedron, from Your Business in Style Today I introduce you to Carol Deckert, Networking Expert/Coach of http://www.carolconnectspeople.com

Thank Goodness for Professional Relationships!

One Saturday morning, I received a telephone call asking me if I was in London. Thoroughly confused, actually being wakened from a very deep sleep, I said no, never have been to London, wasn't planning to be in London - in fact, never have I been issued a passport! My caller, whose identity will remain private to avoid any retaliation from the guilty parties, continued by telling me that someone must have hijacked my identity on FaceBook and is sending messages to my connections telling them that I was mugged and held at gunpoint, robbed of all credit cards, cell phone and money and now am stuck without funds to pay my hotel bill and get a return flight back to the USA. This scammer asked them if they could help by sending money that would be paid back upon my return to the US. I was dumb-founded, just couldn't believe that something like this had happened to me - I'm a small business owner, building a business by teaching others to build relationships. What could a scammer expect to get from me?

You have no clue how shocked I was! We always think that those situations happen to others, but it could never happen to me . . . but, I'm living proof that it does happen to innocent people. Without that phone call, I would not have even known what was happening. My business could have literally disappeared - without any wrong doing on my part!

As I sat down to start working yesterday, I found quite a few emails and messages from online friends, both on FaceBook and on LinkedIn, all asking pretty much the same question(s) with their number one concern being my safety. Think about that - how awesome is that for people who I have not met face-to-face, but have built an online relationship with - to take the time to make sure I was safe and to know that someone was misrepresenting me! I thank them all from the bottom of my heart!

Many thanks to all of you for taking the time to telephone me, send me an email and drop me a note. This has been a real eye-opening experience for me, but I'm looking to make it a positive one!

As a Networking Coach, my business is based on building relationships. Thankfully I have been successful in this area, because good online friends, like you, are very supportive and caring, during times like this. If I had not built these relationships, my online contacts could have very easily disappeared, without any notice to me, when spammers took my account and used it to what they thought, would be their advantage. All the hard work and dedication I have put into building my reputation online could have disappeared within a second or two, without my knowledge!

I have filed a report that this was a 419 Scam with FaceBook and followed their recommendation to immediately change my password, there was not much else I could do.

In the meantime, I'm letting everyone know that this was a hijacked account and to take all precautions possible to insure their protection of their identity. Thankfully, my connections know, like and trust me and for that I am truly grateful!

I'm documenting this frightening experience on my blog, and on several others, with the intention of spreading the word as far as possible about identity theft and the consequences to the innocent victim(s).

You have no idea how much your support means to me, thanks so much for taking the time to telephone me or send me a note! Relationships DO work . . . if you didn't know, like or trust me, you would have "assumed" (and been wrong) that this was really me, asking for money to help me get back home. Communications from me are usually about business, quotes, tips, tricks, general advice so it was clear to my connections when they received this IM that this could not really have been me, requesting they send money to help me get home!

One other point I wanted to make . . . I don't message my IM with the exception of using Skype and I only message with those I know on Skype - I don't search for new people to chat with, I chat with only people who have connected with me in some way and we have exchanged Skype details.

Please, do take care and protect your identity. Online business can be fun and financially rewarding, but don't get carried away thinking everything is A-OK without keeping an eye on what people are saying about you. Set up Google Alerts, do everything you can to find out when and how your name is being used. With a bit of caution, you can be very successful with your online connections. Online reputation management is critical to your business success.

Comments, thoughts, suggestions on what else I could do about this situation would be greatly appreciated. I'm looking forward to reading your thoughts!

To Your Networking Success!

Carol Deckert - Networking Expert/Coach

Carol Deckert is a Networking Expert/Coach. She's the founder of Referrals Unlimited Network, has more than 10,800 first-level connections in LinkedIn and approximately 1,800 “friends” on Facebook and more than 5,000 followers on Twitter! Carol knows you do need the numbers before you can accumulate quality connections, because not every connection will be a good one for you. Through her individual and group coaching, she helps others learn to do what she did, saving them lots of time and heartache, by teaching them how to network efficiently and effectively. Contact Carol on Skype: deckert1116 and follow her blog http://www.carolconnectspeople.com

Thank Goodness for Professional Relationships! is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

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This special 7-day online blog event is brought to you by Biba Pedron from Your Business in Style. Today I introduce you to Mari-Lyn Hudson from http://heartatworkonline.org

Why Generous Deeds have the Power to Transform

Creating your own Community or Tribe as some people call it is a wonderful way to get to know your clients, customers and connections. Have you heard of Time Banking?

It’s a community of one hour at a time. It’s where everyone has something to give. Time Banks create trust and well-being by asking people to share what they can offer to help.

As soon as you think about it, there are lots of way you could go about earning and spending your time Dollars.

The spontaneous Thank you.
Give a time dollar to to a family member, or a work colleague or a client or when you are out networking. This certificate represents your commitment to give. Plus, have you ever said to someone call me and we can have a chat? And you forget who they are? A time dollar is great for this and why not just say what you are willing to do on the time dollar.

A Give-Away
Give a couple of Time Dollars signed by you to people you think might like to get some help with their business or personal needs - you can say what you are willing to give. Ask them to pay it forward - give to your clients to share with the people they know.

The Not quite so big give-away
Exacting like the give-away, except your off of help is much more specific. Make sure it is not a routine part of your role and relationship with that other person. Something you would not normally do.

Surprise a stranger
A little random act of kindness gift. A coffee coupon, come see you and present your gift to them. Or give them a blank Time Dollar to share with someone else.

The five core principles of time banking

Assets: Everyone has something to give;

Work: Building your community is real and is important work

Reciprocity: Giving is stronger when it’s more than a one-way street

Community: We’re stronger together

Respect: We deserve it from others - and we out it to others

Each time we extend ourselves to another, we are also reminded of how we are inextricably linked to our friends, our neighbors, even to those we dislike. "We cannot live only for ourselves," the great writer Herman Melville once said. "A thousand fibers connect us with our fellow men; and among those fibers, as sympathetic threads, our actions run as causes, and they come back to us as effects." That's why a generous, gracious deed has the power to transform us—when we show kindness to others, we become the beneficiary of our own love and care.

Mari-Lyn Harris is a Relationship Marketing Specialist in customer retention. Get your FREE report on why you need a customer retention program. http://heartatworkonline.org. http://XeeMe.com/Mari-LynHarris

Why Generous Deeds have the Power to Transform is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

Thoughts: The downfall of being able to create just as we want as I see it, is our lack of wavering personal acceptance of who we are and often wishing-thinking-hoping-praying we were an extrovert. That in itself is enough to set abundance in a trajectory away from us. If to begin with your thoughts get in the way of acceptance, just what is that accepting? It's not. It's creating a negative vibration. And there are an abundance of negative introvert beliefs that can keep us stuck there in the sludge. Let's use one I am often accused of: anti-social. First I know I am not anti-social. I like people but I like my alone time better. I know that about myself. When I am in a situation that someone might incorrectly judge me that way, it's an acceptance on my part that this may occur because I didn't prepare myself with enough solitary time to be ready. I know I do enjoy limited social time. So which negative myth are you ready to change your thinking about?

Emotion: One of the emotions likely most introverts can conjure up is one of fear brought on by the feeling around some extroverting events that we somehow believe must be carried on in true extrovert fashion. Let's take networking for example. Imagine we all agree that networking is a productive way of finding your dream job, finding the best prospects for clients or joint ventures or finding a resource you want. I have a neighbor who's an all out extrovert. She's told me she gets so excited when she has a party in her home that she can get carried away with the guest list. Knowing this about her, and knowing I'm an introvert who can be wrongly accused of being anti-social in large groups, I want to know and usually ask her, "How many people are you expecting?" Regardless of the number she tells me, I plan accordingly with my before and after activities so that I can be emotionally positive when I arrive and as I mingle.

Attraction: Let's put the two together: the inner thought is "I enjoy limited social time," and "I happily prepare for socializing in large groups." At a bare minimum think and feel what goes with, "I intend to enjoy the degree of socializing that makes me happy even when in large groups." Your feeling moves toward the positive and your actions match up. You find yourself behaving appropriately for your own energy levels and you are ready for the extroverting activity in a positive way. Even when present at an event, you'll find you'll be socializing because you are now attracting to you abundantly, all around, to be in this example, social.

We are after all, introverts. So you want more in 2010? More of what ever it is, is your choice to contemplate the formula and put in place the abundance of what might free your soul - Thought plus Emotion = Attraction.

Maybe you are ready to be abundantly happy collaborating with like minded individuals. Find out how compatible you are for your next Joint Venture. Sign up for a free one hour online webinar, Joint venture matchmaking: How compatible are you?

Abundantly Happy Introverts is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

Not-So-Often and Begrudging Giver: This giving only on a “have to” basis. You know the expressions and quotations, “It’s better to give than receive,” “We make a living by what we get; we make a life by what we give.” In an African folktale The Collared Crow, a farmer and his wife who have no children are faced with a desperate situation. The crows come and eat the seeds as they are sowing the fields. As they are planting seeds, one crow encourages them to give the last remaining ones to the birds. After obliging, they are rewarded for their giving with eight children. You know stories like this. Giving infrequently or giving begrudgingly when done with good
intentions can still be rewarding.

Cheerful and Extravagant Giver: In the bible, Solomon often did what he did in a large way. Consider that Solomon had the gift of wisdom when discerning this type of giving. He’s credited with giving three thousand proverbs and over one thousand songs. He built a temple and a palace for the people and himself to enjoy with splendor like no other at the time. People came to listen to his wisdom and he was famous in surrounding nations. He didn’t hide his giving or shy away from the recognition it gave him, instead it grew larger.

Go-Getter Giving: Who comes to your mind when you think of Go-Getter? Donald Trump maybe? Ted Turner? People usually think of leaders and people of action or who make things happen as that person with a fire under them. Sometimes they may come on aggressively or highly energetically. In every action they take, even if it’s with something in it for them first, there is either by chance or indirectly, a giving for a common good.

Go-Giver: Bob Burg and John David Mann authored the Go-Giver one of my favorite all time books. It’s a story of Joe who is a Go-Getter but one day feels as if this style just isn’t working for him. Then through a series of introductions through a legendary consultant to various people Joe’s focus changes. The Go-Giver focus puts other people’s interest first, regularly adding value and then attracting rewards unintentionally.

Who can say what style is best? Likely it’s only you. What’s more likely is that there are times when you are one giver style or another and to know, how is your style working for you? However you give, you:

– find greater happiness and joy,
– clear the way for more to come to you,
– connect more deeply, and
– help others.

Speaking of giving, what do you bring to a Joint Venture (JV)? Want to learn how to put your best face forward and create successful JVs from two experts who have already walked that path. Visit http://prostrategies.com/jointventures.html

Want to Attract More Ideal Clients? Know your giving style is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

Hustle, bustle, hurry. Life is hectic - get over it. It comes with the territory. As societies advance in technology and information, we often find ourselves in overwhelm. Sometimes you may feel like you are in a zoo and the cages are left open. As introverts we must create our own structure so that we can find a cage rest and recover for a brief escape. How do you do this? Be yourself. Use your strengths. With networking as an example, if you find yourself going to an event, you can either scout a quiet place out on premises upon arriving or plan your day with more solitary activities before and after the event. Since you aren't life's zoo keeper, just take care of your own cage, I mean space of course!

Hang around the edges. I say hang around the edges of whatever the situation or event, until you are darn good and ready to move into the action. As you hang around the edge of the crowd, savor your energy and get comfortable with putting your plan into action. No don’t let the edges get frayed but instead, use that savored energy to move you forward. Currently, social online networking is all the rage. As we come to the end of the year, if you have been on websites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and the like, stop, pause and evaluate, how effective were these networking venues in meeting your intentions? By now there are likely thousands more so, be yourself. Take time to look back, evaluate and then plan better for 2010.

Avoiding self-promotion: Self-promotion can make you feel like you are a shark circling it's dinner. The truth is, that style is quite long ago unappreciated. It is surprising though how many people still go in circles with this. Self-promotion is not about being verbally diarrhea-like all over someone. Think of it as tooting your own horn in harmony. If you toot your own horn then first, you tune into yourself; find that place where you connect with yourself inside and feel that confidence soar. Then, focus on your intention: if you want to find a prospect, what’s important to them? If you are applying for a job, what do they need and then - you toot in harmony with them. For the introvert or shy: let your listening, your natural curiosity and your planning strengths work in your favor. You'll find you attract more people who want to meet with you, if that is what you want.

Networking is all wrong. In a recent article, Introverts at Work, Jennifer Kahnweiler was quoted from her book, “The Introverted Leader: Building on Your Own Quiet Strength” as saying that 80 percent of introverts struggle with networking. If this is true for you, how do you release yourself from this straight jacket? After all networking is said to put us just 2 or 3 people from whatever it is that we want: a client, tickets to a theater show, a referral to possible employment. One reason introverts often have a problem with networking is because we approach it like an extrovert: attend all events we can, meet as many people as we can and collect all the business cards that are flying in our faces. How disillusioning; introverts and extroverts are as different as a candle is to a halogen light. Decide which events serve your purpose best. Plan around your different energy needs: consider meeting a number of people you want to meet or decide how long you will stay at any particular event. The key to comfort in this personally engaging process is to pay attention to being you. Be yourself.

We can dramatically shift our results our introverts if we look at our strengths instead of envying the extrovert preference. Not being recognized, not having sales success, not feeling confidence, doesn't need to be your reality. I'm an introvert too. It may take time for some to be happy with that and to claim it as a distinct advantage. Once you realize you are perfect as you are, and it’s time to claim that, 2010 can be your year.

What do you think will be your piece to claim in 2010 as an introvert? Where are you being like an extrovert that you can and will let go of in 2010?

2010: Introverts Our Time Has Come to Claim It! is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

First the links to the Go-Giver book authored by Bob Burg and John David Mann:

You can read the first chapter of the book for free. Then go beyond that with one of two more actions:

Download The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success from the Go-Giver website. It could be just what you need to help you and your business results!

Finally, read the complete book which you can buy through Amazon or possibly find at your library:

Second the links to my blog posts on the Five Laws:

Go-Giving overview as an Other-Focused approach: Introverts and Extroverts Find Business Success with Other-Focus

Law #1: Go-Giver Law of Value: Price is Not Value

Law #2: The Law of Compensation: Go-Giver Metrics to Encourage Introverts

Law #3: The Law of Influence: Introverts Find Success in Networking with a Go-Giver Focus

Law #4: The Law of Authenticity: Introverts, you, as Go-Giver, are the most valuable gift you have to offer.

Law #5: Practice the Go-Giver Law of Receptivity to Be A Better Giver

What a pleasure to both read this book and then have the honor to interview Bob Burg, one of the co-authors.

Stay tuned as the fun has just begun.

Go-Giver Thanksgiving: With Gratitude is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

The fifth law,

The Law of Receptivity:

The key to effective giving is to stay open to receiving.

Many of us can be generous givers. When we are over-generous, to the degree that we also don't expect to receive, when we give-give-give, and then ... "wait I don't deserve it," or "gosh, did I give enough," then of course we either slow our receiving or don't receive period. In 1996 my husband had open heart surgery. Even though many friends offered to help, called with loving wishes, showed up at my front door to break bread, even offered to drive me to the hospital, my independent and care-giver (there's that giving) nature was like a remote control flipping through the all Give-It-All-You-Have-to-Give channels. The surgery undeniably was toughest on my husband yet, if you are a caregiver you know the stress, the worry, the fear of such an event make it difficult to put down that giving remote.

Fast forward 11 years for his second open heart surgery. Who knew? Arterial bypass has a 12 to 15 year life efficacy of the procedure and then, there it is, needed again. My healthier husband was braver than I was. Or is that a man thing? Well actually it was more, "Let's get it over with!" for him. Round one gave me wisdom: be open to receive - in this situation - help. Lots of it. Every call of "What can I do for you?" had some offer to help. Some hot meals people would drop by with, company to ride with on the usual 50 minute one way trip to the hospital for 14 days, a pet sitter for our dog and even someone to meet the trailer manufacturer to give them the trailer keys.

By staying open to allow myself to receive, the care giving necessary over the next month was easier, richer, even more enjoyable. My husband would tell you, no other nurse would do except me - and I'm not a nurse. By being willing to receive, I was able to give so much more in the most exasperating of times. The giving remote regularly was recharged.

In life and business, the Go-Giver philosophy leads to more happiness and success. You can get a quick glance of The Five Laws of Stratospheric Success or if you want the inside story, the real scoop then:

One, read the book which you can buy through Amazon or possibly find at your library; and then two,

Two, I invite you to join me in listening to Bob Burg Thursday, Nov 12 and then you'll free yourself up of energy leakage, even battle fatigue from battles that aren't even necessary. Then IMMEDIATELY put any one of the Five Stratospheric Laws of Success into action with online speed networking. It could be just what you need to help you and your business results!

What has been your experience with the Law of Receptivity? Can you give the Give-Give-Give remote a rest? Do you you know a better way to be more open to receive?

Practice the Go-Giver Law of Receptivity to Be A Better Giver is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

One advantage of deeper friendships whether business or personally related, it can help tough times to be more bearable. Daniel’s three friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenego were deported with him to Babylon and at all times, they stuck together. There are more and more people today with all that is going on who need others to stick by them. If you have an introvert friend, then you have traveled not just wide with them, but deep. And in troubling times, they will give you their full attention if you need someone to listen to you just for the sake of listening.

A second advantage is knowing that giving pause to that “moment of truth” is important in the end. When they could have assured their lives by compromising their beliefs, instead they were wise enough to continue to trust God and each other. I don’t know for sure, but I suspect that introverts, depend on themselves more than many others. Being more introspective than extroverts, it may be advantageous to choose wisely first, and then decide. Once again, in particular with an introvert friend, you will find pause and reflect welcome, before you take the high dive.

Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenego were thrown into a fiery furnace that would have surely turned anyone into ashes and cinders within seconds. I’m very curious: where was Daniel? I like to think that he was working quietly behind the scenes to help his three friends. Advantage three is that introvert friends are quietly effective and friends can count on them.

In particular for introverts, while we generally find ourselves in fewer relationships, what we bring in who we are, has many advantages in all facets of life. A stick-with-you demeanor, an ability to pause and reflect with you, and being a behind the scenes helper when you need one.

What are some other advantages of the introvert relationship? Work or personal, it doesn't matter. Tell me what you think; I do care.

Introverts – Three-Way Advantage of Introvert Deeper Relationships is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer

Helena Rubinstein - There are no ugly women, only lazy ones.
When it comes to networking how lazy are you? Do you go to events thinking of them as an event? If you think of networking more as a process, which it is, then you will be less tempted to be lazy after you meet someone. Networking results take time, energy and deepening of relationships. So, if you firmly and deeply believe that your product, service or connections can contribute to someone else’s success then you owe it to listen to the next woman’s wise words.

Susan B. Anthony - Cautious, careful people, always casting about to preserve their reputations ... can never affect a reform.
Let’s say you go to an event and you meet three great prospects either for you to help or for them to help you. Only three? Well that is really enough for an introvert and to be successful. If you become fearful you will bother them to take that next step and call to get together, just how do you “affect reform?” How do you help them at all if now you let your lack of self-confidence get in the way?

Joan Baez - Instead of getting hard ourselves and trying to compete, women should try to give their best qualities to men -- bring them softness, teach them how to cry.
Put the best of you into networking and it will be beneficial for all stakeholders. Allow the best of you to show up. Not the part of you that you think people want to hear, just the best of you as you are. Listen first before you respond, handle networking like it is – a process of deepening relationships understanding and an knowing that selling is a natural next step in networking when timing is right.

Do you have any words of wisdom from any women in history or women making history now?

Okay. How about men commenting on women? Here's one of my favorites:

George Carlin: Here's all you have to know about men and women: women are crazy, men are stupid. And the main reason women are crazy is that men are stupid. That about sums it up doesn't it?

Your turn. Who can you quote?

Women in History: Marks These Words for Networking Success is a post from: Courage Coach for the Reluctant Marketer