Who Do You Know That Needs to Know Someone Else?

Everyone I know needs to know someone else I know. Everyone.

There is no time like right now to get started on making introductions.

The Rule of 52

There are 52 weeks in a year. If you committed yourself to scheduling one meeting per week for one year with potential clients, existing clients or referral contacts could you imagine that your result would be incredible? I can. I've done it.

This is a really, really simple thing to do. One meeting each week -- preferably a meal, with someone you'd like to get to know or know better.

I challenge you to do poorly if you're committed to the Rule of 52!

What Clients Want

Matt Homann posted an incredibly insightful graphic about what potential clients look for when hiring an attorney (seen here). I absolutely agree with Matt, except when the decision maker is another lawyer (i.e. corporate or outside counsel). One lawyer measuring another still comes down to what is represented on the left of Matt's chart.

Social Media is All About Being Social

Thom Singer delivered this post yesterday; "Is Social Media Really Social?" He offers great thoughts about how social sites are becoming entertainment outlets and we are starting to sit back, not participating, as we wait to be entertained.

It is true we are entertained and instead of turning on TV many of us are turning on our computers (and smart phones) to veg-out -- but we still NEED to talk and that is evolving too.

I am someone who wants to be a part of a conversation. In my personal social media journey I have migrated from viewing the entertainment to scrolling to the comments segment of a page. On Amazon I pay more attention to reader reviews, on Digg I read the commenter blather, on Twitter I follow thought-posters and un-follow product pushers and on FourSquare I read the visitor log to discover more about where I am currently standing. As soon as any favored social site jumps the shark and becomes a corporate shill I am out the there.

Some of the social sites that started this revolution have become more entertainment than social -- it is bound to happen... but Thom is right about this; Keep being social! It is the conversation that matters.

Take a Chance -- Say Hello to Someone You Do Not Know

Some habits are hard to break... like hanging out with whom we know at an event with hundreds of new relationship opportunities.

Tonight was the first ever Orange County Business Journal General Counsel of the Year Awards gala. To the credit of Executive Editor Rick Reiff and Publisher Richard Reisman the attendance was stellar and thank you for recognizing the rock stars behind the scenes that make the wheels go fast (i.e. general counsels).

The habit I witnessed at the event this evening is our propensity to migrate and remain within the circle of relationships we already have. In a room filled with unknown people (decision makers we should get to know) we sought out any person that provided a safe haven -- no risk, nothing uncomfortable. In a room filled with opportunity we choose not to take a chance at a cost of $150.00 per ticket.

I know most of us (me included) are not extraordinarily extroverted people and feeling safe is important... but if I could encourage you to meet just ONE new person when you venture out. It really is worth it.

Bringing It vs Winging It

I have worked with a lot of professionals at all points of their careers. Some exceeding all expectations and others just getting by on their effort. Along the way I've formed a few thoughts about who is authentic and who is not. That the basis of the list below. What I hope for is to work with professionals that know how to bring it -- and not endure people that are winging it.

1. People who bring it don’t worry about anything. They have truly done everything they can do, so worrying is a complete waste of time. People who just wing it constantly wonder what they could have done better, or what they need to do tomorrow to make up for today’s shortcomings.
2. People who bring it may be scratched, beat up, bruised, or bleeding, but they go to bed knowing that they truly fought their best fight, and they are at peace as a result. People who just wing it are masters at coming up with reasons (excuses) for why they didn’t make an all out effort.
3. People who bring it live up to their personal integrity every single day, even if it means a lack of security, or if it means taking a risk. People who just wing it always take the safe route, and they die just a little bit inside each time they give up what they truly want in order to settle for what they believe they can have.
4. People who bring it realize that every 60 seconds of their life is another 60 seconds that they can take action towards their goals. People who just wing it always have reasons (excuses) for why they haven’t yet finished a project, or accomplished a goal.
5. People who bring it understand that their position of power is something that they create internally, and that it has nothing to do with the outside circumstances. People who just wing it can always justify their willingness to give up control of their lives with lots of “real world” reasons for why it’s all out of their hands.
6. People who bring it also know that they are bringing it, and even if they live in a cardboard box, their cardboard box is the best one on the block because it was built with confidence and pride, not lack and despair. People who just wing it are well aware of the fact that they are winging it, and no matter how successful or unsuccessful they are, the voice in the back of their mind never stops reminding them that their life isn’t what it could be. They are also quite proficient at ignoring that voice.

Look People in the Eye

I have met thousands of men and women for the first time on countless business occasion. Whom I've remembered is a pretty short list. To a person whom I remember are the individuals that looked me in the eye as we spoke -- they were focused on me. Even more importantly, they made me feel like I was the most important person in the room in that moment.

A simple thing like eye contact made all the difference.

If you can develop this one skill, looking people in the eye as you speak, you will be amazed at how quickly you gain new friends and business allies.