A couple of days ago marked my first anniversary with Social Media. February 8, 2009 was the launch of this site and my commitment to dive in head first into something that I had literally no concept of. Well, that is not exactly correct. I had a concept alright and that concept was that all of this was about as stupid and useless as the teats on a boar (smile). Still, there was no denying that it was there and it was something that people were talking about and they were discussing this in the same sentences with terms like “networking” and “connections” and these are words that have always held my attention. So, for the past 12 months I have lived and breathed all things Social Media and I have yet to scratch even the surface of this subject and it’s uses. It’s freakin’ endless (smile)!
I have been engaged in business to business sales and management for the past 33 years. These have included the positions of sales manager, regional sales manager, national sales manager, district manager, and ownership. The past 18 years have been spent to the larger degree in the electric sign industry. However, my true passions have always been selling, networking, and helping others to be successful.
NetWorks! Boise is a direct reflection of these passions as it does merge all three elements. My background also includes a time that was dedicated to consulting, training, workshops, and seminars primarily in the areas of selling, communication skills, and understanding and implementing a variety of tools based on the DISC system of methodologies of personality analysis. This included instructing salesmanship at the university level. Of course, this was some 20 years ago and much as changed. The flip side to this absence is that I am one heck of a lot smarter now than I was then. I have made the determination that it is now time to return to these pursuits on a full-time basis effective March 1.
I should probably define what “full-time” means to me at this my present stage in life. While I am given to work 60 hours or more per week as the norm (and this is likely to continue), I will make every effort to limit my weekly recurring commitments to Tuesdays and Wednesdays only. This means that NetWorks! Boise’s fourth group will definitely be a Wednesday breakfast meeting. If a fifth group is started, it will need to be a Tuesday or Wednesday evening group but a Monday noon group may be considered. While an evening group is something that I have not seen before, I believe that it may appeal to a certain segment of my target market. There also remains the possibility that either the fourth or the fifth group may be in a format that I designed a few years ago but have not yet introduced and this would be unlike anything I have yet seen. Thursdays and Fridays will be reserved for fishing, camping, or any other recreational pursuit when I see fit to do so (smile). My goal is to create a life style, not a life of work.
This past year has provided me with a phenomenal education and has allowed me to discover and identify what I like to call a “target rich environment”. Many many people have helped me greatly along the way and I do thank them! I’d like to take a moment to name but a few: all of our NetWorks! Boise members who have placed their continued faith in our services; Jen Harris who encouraged me to get started with social media, provided me with the 5 Step Quick Start Guide to Social Media, and has shouted words of encouragement along the way; Brandon Wright who recognized the value in NetWorks! Boise, helped to accelerate our expansion, always has great ideas, and has been a huge supporter both privately and publicly; Justin Foster who has quietly educated me in the ways of patience, expectations, and transparency; Neal Schaffer who has demonstrated all of the characteristics that I consider to be the epitome of how to utilize social media and who has taken the time to engage with me regularly despite our geographical distances; Jamie Lynn Morgan who is always there to share and bounce great ideas off of; Chris Lott who is somebody that I watch closely and who is always willing to share; and, finally, many others who will soon be elevated to this uber status. As a side note, each and everyone of these relationships have been created and/or nurtured as a result of my activity with Social Media.
Do I aspire to become the next Social Media Expert or Guru? Hardly. I am not even remotely qualified for either of these titles and the road well traveled seems to be littered with the corpses of others with far superior experience in these fields when compared to my own. However, I do have confidence that I can offer unique value in certain arenas and, historically, I have never concerned myself with what others offer choosing instead to concentrate on what I can bring to my client’s table. Both time and financial stability are also on my side. I am fortunate enough to be able to do this because I want to, not because I have to.
This coming year will see NetWorks! Boise continue to grow and evolve. These groups remain my primary focus. Workshop and seminar materials are under development and will be introduced within the next six months. I am currently collaborating with three other firms on other projects and I find that to be extremely exciting. I am completing the first draft of what will likely be an e-book. A new website will be introduced and dedicated to Sales Results LLC. A technology product may be on the horizon. My “opportunity list” grows daily. 2010 is going to be a great year and a wild ride. It almost makes me feel 50 again! LOL
Thanks for visiting and please stay tuned!
Craig
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