I wanted to introduce author and speaker Bruno Aziza. Bruno created a video to share his RMA story. I'll let him explain how concepts such as accountability buddies, leading with generosity and vision boards helped him on his journey.
Thanks Bruno!
A friend of mine, Stan Slap, has a book that just came out, Bury My Heart At Conference Room B: The Unbeatable Impact of Truly Committed 
Managers. Stan’s consulting company specializes in creating ferociously dedicated managers. Here is a quick excerpt from the book:
“It’s impossible for your company to get what it wants most if managers have to make a choice between their own values and company priorities. You will never really work for your company until your company really works for you."
How has your manager contributed to your success?
0 Comments // In leadership
Google Alerts is a free tool that allows you to keep tabs on your most important contacts’ interests as they make news across the Web. When an 
alert comes through that, say, contact A’s company just announced a new CMO, or contact B’s favorite soccer team just won a match, I send them a ping (a quick email or text) with greetings, salutations, and some thoughtful or funny words. Though the content is helpful – and yes, you will need to do your homework in order to know what to track – the truth is that these pings are really just an opportunity to check in and see how they’re doing, and how I can help.
Many of you may already be doing this, but for anyone who’s been lazy about getting Alerts up and running, today’s tip is an excerpt from Mitch Meyerson’s Success Secrets of the Social Media Superstars, a collection of insider tips from today’s brightest social media innovators – including an opening chapter from me.
Dave Evans’ contribution, “Social Media in One Hour a Day,” included this great how-to on setting Google Alerts. I hope it’s the foot in the rear that you need to finally get yourself started – or to expand your use of this great tool!
Social Media in One Hour a Day
by Dave Evans
Featured Power Tool: Google Alerts – excerpted from Success Secrets of the Social Media Superstars
To set up Google Alerts:
1) Go to Google Alerts (http://www.google.com/alerts) and log in. If you need to create an account--if you don’t already have a Google Gmail ID--then create one now.
2) Type in the names of your brand, product, service or organization, or those of a competitor.
3) If you have a feed reader set up, choose “Feed” as the delivery; otherwise choose “email.” Figure 3 shows you how to do this.
Figure 3: Setting up Google Alerts, Step 1
4) If you chose “Feed” you’ll see a screen like that in Figure 4. If you’re using Google reader, click the link presented. If not, click the feed link and paste the URL into your feed reader.
Figure 4: Setting up Google Alerts, Step 2
That’s it. You’ll start receiving alerts automatically. As noted, if you’re using email delivery think about adding inbox filters to automatically route these alerts.
You can get a copy of Mitch’s book as well as audio and video bonuses at http://www.SocialMediaMarketingSuperstars.com.
What are your savviest tips for staying up-to-date on your network? Also, need help know what your most important contacts' interests are? Read How to Turn Two Minutes Into a Lifetime Connection.
I want to share RMAer Jacob Hinmon’s success story because it’s such a great textbook example of Relationship Mastery. 
Jacob:
• Built his network before he needed it.
• Led with generosity.
• Consistently followed up with regular pinging and outreach.
• Now is reaping the rewards – a great opportunity to build his reputation along with new client relationships through thought leadership!
Jacob’s Story:
Last Thursday I had lunch with one of my top contacts as part of my "Long Slow Dinner" RMA mission. This guy is an Art Director at an interactive agency in Portland that I would love to work with, in addition to this, he helps put on a three-day annual conference called "The New Communicators". Last year I had volunteered to help out by videotaping one of the events. Since then, I've stayed in touch with him periodically.
As we were eating, I spoke with him again about my passion for using video to tell compelling stories. He responded well to it, and reminded me that this was something I'd been talking about for a while. He mentioned that "The New Communicators" conference was coming up again and this might be a good platform for me to get the word out on what it is I do. I'm not generally the type of person to speak in front of an audience or to be the focus of an event. As silly as it sounds, one of my great fears is throwing a party where no one shows up.
But as a result of our discussion, I outlined a presentation that will not only showcase my work, but also incorporate others in a discussion on the potential of compelling video storytelling in an increasingly scattered social media world. In fact, that's the name of my presentation, "Narrative Storytelling in a Social Media World."
Now, I'm busy putting together a final video piece to showcase. I'm no expert on promotion or self-promotion. So, if anyone has any tips on how to get as diverse a group to this event as possible I would love to hear some ideas.
I am hoping that this will be a launching pad for me and my video work into the forefront of the Portland market. I don't want to let this opportunity pass!
Who has tips for Jacob – how can he raise a crowd at his presentation?
Here’s a great framework to prepare yourself for a meeting, courtesy of RMA Coach Cindy Cornell’s awesome master class.
As you prep for a meeting, answer the questions below – in writing:
1. What do I want the other person to know?
Make sure you’re offering a clear, concise picture, with all the details needed to understand your idea/product/service.
2. What do I want them to believe?
What are the benefits? Have you done enough research to know what their problems are, and to deliver your solution in their language?
3. How do I want them to feel?
Invest them emotionally and you’ve won. What stories can you tell that help the person connect to your and your cause on a deeper level?
4. What do I want them to do?
Make your ask clear – and make sure it’s something easy to say yes to. No one likes to be rushed, so be prepared to move incrementally toward your goal.
To answer the questions above successfully, you’ll have to DO YOUR HOMEWORK and really put yourself in your target’s shoes – how are you going to walk in there and be uniquely generous? It’s not hard to be persuasive when you know for sure that what you’re offering is truly a win-win.
Remember though, once you get into the room, your job isn’t to orate. It’s to be fully present, pay attention – and be FULLY prepared to adapt, amend, or even toss out all that prep depending on what you learn in real-time.
How do you prepare yourself for a meeting?
0 Comments // In Meetings
Hope you enjoy this guest post today from a friend of RMA, Jim Kukral, who has a new book out, Attention! This Book Will Make You Money. To add my two cents, one of the easiest routes to go from average to remarkable is to seek to be TRULY 
generous to others in your work. Figure out what others need and live to serve! -KF
If You Want To Be Someone Remarkable, You Have To DO Something Remarkable
Jim Kukral
There was a time in my career when I was jealous of successful people. I was of course working my butt off every day, yet I wasn't getting to where I wanted to be. It was difficult for me to sit back and watch so many people achieve the success I wanted, yet somehow I couldn't seem to duplicate it.
Frustrating to say the least. Until I finally realized that it's not always about hard work. It's about doing the right kind of hard work.
I get emails every day from people who say things like, "I've been blogging for 2-years and I can't make money." Or, "I can't get traffic to my weight-loss affiliate site, what am I doing wrong?"
The answer is always the same. Sure, you're working hard, but what you're working on isn't working. It's not their fault either. The Web has created millions of new millionaires, some legit, and some scammy. But because the opportunity is so great, and so accessible by everyone, there is a bogus line of thinking that prevails to people just starting out. And that that is that all you have to do to be successful online is put up some junky affiliate landing page or write a blog and you can quit your job and live the life of your dreams.
Unfortunately, it was never that easy, and never will be that easy. The truth is that if you want to reach the level of success you want, then you're going to have to start thinking differently. Being remarkable means that you are doing something remarkable. Don't just write a blog about technology. Be the top technology blogger in the world! Make daily videos reviewing products. Create audio podcasts with industry experts. Write a free eBook about your readers biggest technology issues and give it a way for free. Leverage your new wave of massive readers/viewers/listeners into signups for your email list or a book deal from a major publisher.
In other words... get to work.
Surround yourself with successful people. Remarkable people. Ask them to be your mentor. Watch how hard they work. Watch them continue to focus on providing the utmost highest-quality, problem-solving content they can muster. Understand that the reason they are successful and remarkable is because all of those things. Once you do, you'll see the path clearly. Then take your first step toward your future.
For over 15-years, Jim Kukral has helped small businesses and large companies like Fedex, Sherwin Williams, Ernst & Young and Progressive Auto Insurance understand how find success on the Web. Jim is the author of the book, "Attention! This Book Will Make You Money", as well as a professional speaker, blogger and Web business consultant. Find out more by visiting www.JimKukral.com. You can also follow Jim on Twitter @JimKukral.
“Build it before you need it.” 
That was one of the most important operating principles in Never Eat Alone – the idea that building your network and deepening relationships shouldn’t – in fact, CAN’T – be a machine that you fire up when you suddenly need a new job. Putting time and energy into relationship building should be a lifestyle constant.
The question is how to do that, on a typical day when the alarm clock rings and you’re off to a running start in a race that ends when your head hits the pillow?
Here’s my solution: Ritualize relationship building. Create a system of simple activities that you carry out over time as habits – and that become as essential and basic to your being as your morning cup of coffee.
Here are five ideas to inspire your own personal “Relationship Rituals” checklist:
1. First thing every day after you turn on your computer, ping one friend and one acquaintance.
2. Every weekend, invite someone else into an activity that you normally do alone (walks, gym sessions, gardening, shopping trips).
3. Pick a day for a weekly check-in with a colleague/associate/friend, during which you share a success, a challenge, and make a commitment for the upcoming week.
4. Every Friday, send a broadcast – status update, blog post, Tweet, etc.
5. Host a monthly dinner or happy hour.
Ultimately, everyone’s list of rituals will be unique, customized to your specific network, goals, and lifestyle. The important thing is that every week, hell or highwater, you’re acting on them.
Now tell me: What’s your best relationship ritual, that you’re either practicing now or want to start?
Everyone share something! Then we’ll have a great bank to choose from.
In lieu of links this week, a peek at one of our RMA newsletters - we're sending this one out Sunday! (In the actual email of course, there are a million links to the RMA members site...)
Subj: THIS WEEK AT RMA: A Mission Results in a $250K Sale!
More wins to report this week… Hats off to [...] who scored another job lead during her Mission 10 Dinner. [...] reconnected with an old contact during Mission 4's LinkedIn campaign, which lead to a new business acquisition that should boost his company’s sales by 25 percent this year. And last but not least: someone who took our survey reported a $250K sale resulting from his or her RMA Missions!! WHO ARE YOU, MYSTERY SALESPERSON? Please shoot Alex (afradkin@ferrazzigreenlight.com) an email so she can get your story!
Need ideas or inspiration for your Lesson 10 Long, Slow Dinner? See what others are planning.
NEW LESSONS OPEN!
Develop and Broadcast Your Personal Brand and Align Your Network to Activate Your Most Important Relationships are open – create a great elevator pitch and build the ultimate force projection for your network by lining up anchor tenants and ambassadors. Time to work the program – those who finish by Aug. 19 are eligible for our RMA Idol Contest!
[DIVE INTO THE LESSONS HERE!]
WEEKLY CALL: THE SECRET TO TOP PERFORMANCE
This week’s call is How to Launch a Feet-to-the-Fire Accountability Groups that Won't Let you Fail! By popular demand, RMA Coach David Mish shares tips to structure, execute, and maintain a powerful mastermind group, either in-person or virtually – and also downloads some of his RMA Lifeline Group's incredible results! ACCOUNTABILITY and PEER COACHING are SIGNIFICANT success factors in long-term behavioral change and mega-performance – don't miss out on this opportunity to create competitive edge.
[ASK QUESTIONS AND GET INFO HERE]
THIS WEEK'S CONTEST: JUST DO IT! CALLING ALL AUDACIOUS RMAERS
Keith wrote in NEA, “Mustering the audacity to talk with people who don’t know me often simply comes down to balancing the fear I have of embarrassment against the fear of failure and its repercussions… I either ask or I’m not successful.” Help us all carpe diem by sharing an audacious moment in your own career or life path. The prize? A gift card to...
[CLICK TO SEE THE PRIZE AND ENTER]
COMMUNITY NEWS: QUICK HITS
*Help Wanted: Nicole Lisa needs tips on approaching her Big Kahuna at a book signing. Weigh in.
*Vision Boards: The Course II Lesson 1 mission report thread is full of raves from people who’ve finished their vision boards. Skeptics, take a look.
*Yet More Vision Boards: Check out the vision boards of John Boudreau and Ann Yakimovicz. Hit “reply” on Ann’s post and add your own when you get to Course II!
KEITH’S HERO: SCOTT ZIMMERMAN
Televox President (and father to twins!) Scott Zimmerman demonstrated the spontaneous, quick-thinking generosity we seek to cultivate in RMA this past Thursday by creating a one-page reference sheet for Thursday’s call with Steph Vora, Yes, You CAN Learn Charisma. Hang it in your office to keep the five social behavioral drivers at top of mind so that you can help others – and yourself – feel at ease. Thanks Scott! Get Scott’s reference page here – or download the call itself here.
RMA 101: DID YOU KNOW…
You can read a user’s collected mission reports by clicking on one of the stars in their profile? It’s a great way to check out whether someone might be a good accountability buddy match for you.
Best,
Sara Grace
Community Director
Relationship Masters Academy
“We hold this truth as self-evident: our lives, work, and well-being are interdependent. Everything and everyone is — or can be — connected.” – Charles J. Palus
0 Comments // In Uncategorized
A success story from RMAer Roger Lum! Roger is the COO at FastTrack Fundraising. I love the “aha” moment people have 
when they realize that business is never more successful or more fun than when it’s personal. -Keith
While doing the LinkedIn project, part of Lesson 4 in RMA, I reconnected with someone in the fundraising industry. She was in the process of selling her website. It was the perfect acquisition and I thought I was too late because she was already in the sales process. The sale she was in the middle of ended up falling through. I made a bid and it’s pretty much a done deal! This acquisition will conservatively increase our sales for the year 25-30%.
The funny thing is that the central topic of our conversation was the recent birth of her son, and my son who was at the time on the way (he is here now!). Personal relationships truly equal business relationships.
The best part about it is that she is a great person and she is happy to sell her heart and soul to a company that she knows and who will take care of her business.
I think the greatest gift of this class is that premeditated positioning doesn't necessarily equate into fakeness. The reason I called her was because she is a leader in the industry but my goal from the conversation wasn't to GAIN anything in particular. The sale was a bonus from reconnecting with a great contact.
Share your networking success stories.
When you take on a new administrative assistant, you train them to use your computer and phone system. To understand the 
intricacies of your schedule. To handle all manner of paperwork.
But do you train them to help you manage your relationships?
You sure should! Here’s 10 tips to share with your admin (or, if you’re an admin yourself, to put into practice), that will ensure that your calls are scheduled quickly, your meetings are put on the priority list, and that great first impression of you and your company is already made before you walk through the door. And make sure to read them yourself: Some of the tips start with you. -- KF
1. An admin should constantly ask her/himself the question: How can I make my fellow gatekeepers lives easier? How can I do the same for their bosses?
2. Bosses: Ask questions while you’re at meetings and relay the info back to your admin to leverage in his or her future communication: What are the interests/passions of your target’s assistant? You need to be the eyes/ears for opportunities for your admin to build the relationship.
3. Admins: When adding agenda items for meetings in your bosses’ calendar, add the name of the target’s admin and personal info so your boss can speak with familiarity and respect for the admin, not just the person he’s meeting with.
4. Send live flowers instead of cut flowers, especially orchids. They last longer.
5. Proactive, thoughtful gifts like Starbucks cards with a handwritten note go a long way. Even better, something that reflects your brand – but only if it’s truly generous.
6. Call other admins and ask for advice on issues that you need a benchmark for. Everyone wants to help, and everyone is flattered that their opinion matters.
7. One easy routine outreach – birthdays.
8. Volunteer to them what makes your boss tick, so they will reciprocate by offering some insight into their own boss – the more you know about a target contact, the easier it is to connect and care.
9. Smile while making calls – it affects your tone! Phone demeanor should never be “business as usual.” Every call is an opportunity to share some positive energy.
10. Start an internal executive assistant peer group that meets on a regular basis with a focus on networking and practice sharing. Inviting an executive guest can create additional opportunities to learn about companywide initiatives. Share and promote the progress you have made and your best practices with others.
What special tricks have you passed on to your admin to help him or her do a better job managing the relationship side of your business?
-
Keith Ferrazzi is an expert on relationship development, a world-renowned speaker and the #1 New York Times Bestselling author of Never Eat Alone and Who's Got Your Back.-
Relationship Masters Academy
-
Photos (view gallery)
