Join us on the Social Capitalist, December 19 at 12pm ET (rescheduled, please note the change!), to hear how that basic truth has transformed Keith Ferrazzi’s life and business.

Keith, author of Never Eat Alone and CEO of Ferrazzi Greenlight, will participate in an energizing, action-oriented conversation on philanthropy and individual service as the keys to a successful, satisfied life. He will be interviewed by Sara Grace, host and producer of the Social Capitalist.

On the agenda:

• The best, most surprising stories from Ferrazzi Greenlight’s annual service trips to Guatemala
• Why volunteering with colleagues, friends, and clients builds relationships that are deeper and more productive than others
• Why adding a 501c(3) organization to your for-profit business can help you create far more positive impact together than either could alone.
• How you can get started bringing volunteerism into your business right away

Join us for 30 minutes of conversation with Sara Grace, host of the Social Capitalist, followed by 15 minutes of Q&A from the audience.

REGISTER HERE

If you’ve already registered and are not able to join on the new date, don’t worry. Registration will ensure that you are emailed the recording and transcript.

Help create the interview: What questions would you like to hear Keith answer on this topic?

Get some R-E-S-P-E-C-T – Earning and offering respect boils down to the basics of effective relationship building. Read the Inc. article about the fundamentals of earning respect here: http://bit.ly/RkgnCE.

Accomplish more with isolation – Sometimes getting to your goals mean exercising some selective isolation to get important things done. Read how to effectively isolate yourself for productivity here: http://bit.ly/SiEFOM.

Manage difficult behavior – Get helpful strategies for neutralizing challenging conversations. Watch the HBR Channel video blog here: http://bit.ly/P2OX5J.

Build confidence – Start feeling like you can tackle anything by pushing yourself through small zones of discomfort. Learn how in this CBS MoneyWatch article here: http://cbsn.ws/XgPmUf.

Kibibi Springs is myGreenlight’s Program & Community Director.

HBR’s recent article identified some of the reasons that Sesame Street is such a universal brand:

1. Identifying the country-specific critical needs first.
2. Willingness to try new operating models in new countries.
3. Embracing new and multiple means of distribution.
4. Propagating lessons learned throughout the organization.
5. Taking the long view.

Sesame Street pursued a global strategy long before globalization became a common business goal. “It has done so by being clear and steadfast about its essential brand values while also seeking to understand deeply and flexibly adapt to local conditions and norms.”

Do you agree that these values help make brands universal? What would you add?

Ritu Walia is an FG Analyst.

Elevator Pitch: I am responsible for building membership for the Institute for Corporate Productivity (i4cp). Our focus is on the unique people practices of high performance organizations. I have a passion for helping people and companies achieve their highest potential and feel intensely grateful to be doing what I love.

What experience in your past was the moment you recognized how important relationships are to your success?

When I was at Gartner, I had a strong sense that there was untapped potential with myself and my colleagues all calling into the same clients, selling slightly different events and services. So, I created a strategic partner model that focused on assigned accounts, building relationships, and horizontal selling through referral. People bought more from me because I took the time to truly understand their business and map solutions at a much higher level. Ultimately they took my recommendations and spent more money because they liked and trusted me personally. I grew a small set of accounts by 46% in the first year and eventually helped manage a global team. Within just a few years, we grew $2M to $38M across a very small set of accounts and I know that exponential growth continued after I left. The (not so) secret sauce is in building relationships and becoming a trusted advisor.

What are the coolest things you’re working on at home or at work right now?

Currently, I am tasked with growing i4cp’s member base in the Northeast. My goal is typically to do 5 – 10 meetings per week and often I do many more than that. I absolutely love it! My goal is to talk with as many organizational leaders (HR/Talent, OD/OE, L&D) as possible about their goals, challenges, and initiatives. Also, what are they doing to tie their people practices to measureable business impact? What are not only the “best” practices, but the “next” practices? These conversations are always mutually enlightening, they help me to build relationships with some really amazing people, and I enjoy every minute.

What relationship building skills and strategies are you applying to the project you just told us about?

It goes back to the basic mindsets of intimacy, candor, to build trust. I’m an incredibly open person and that helps me become a trusted advisor to others, both personally and professionally. I’m not looking for a quick deal. I’m building a sustainable business that is more than just a passing promise. It can’t just be a “shtick”, especially in sales. It has to be in your DNA first to come across authentically.

What’s your most effective relationship action planning routine? The one you renew and repeat with the most success?

Every time I go to NYC, I reach out to myGreenlight members. We share a meal together and always have a wonderful time. This past year, I’ve met with at least seven individuals from the program. Next week I am drafting off of a local event by hosting an “Executive Women in HR” dinner the night before. So far, I’ve confirmed about a dozen contacts that I’d like to get to know better and would like to introduce to one another.
In addition to being a very unique research organization, a large part of i4cp’s success is connecting the peer community through many opportunities so that they can share and collaboratively problem solve with each other. I4cp is strictly “vendor-free” so everyone can be very candid and exchange in a way that is not possible at most conferences, on LinkedIn, or within consulting firm communities.

What positive results have you noticed in your life since you started putting the strategies of relationship mastery to work?

One small example is that the work in the myGreenlight program put me in the habit of monitoring my LinkedIn profile. I noticed that a recruiter was looking at my profile, reached out and ended up forming a relationship that started with a simple “let me know how I can help you.” I wasn’t looking for a job myself but was able to make several referrals. The recruiter later presented me with the i4cp opportunity because I’d shared how much I admire their work and my real passions within the industry.

Have there been any challenges in your life that you’ve been able to solve by applying the mindsets and process of relationship mastery?

I am extremely grateful for my relationships with friends and family. The intentional nurturing of those is huge for me. As a sales professional for almost three decades, my biggest challenge is always growing revenue. The mindsets have helped me, as I described, and really led me to my dream job.

Parting words of wisdom…

My mantra is increased confidence brings increased capacity. I can equate that to someone coming into myGreenlight for the first time who may be a bit intimidated by what’s in front of them. I say jump in and begin the journey. Like most things in life, there’s no perfect way to do this. You have to put the perfectionist to the side and get started with the practice. You can always go back, tweak, or start over. You’ll learn something new each time. You will become more confident and will be able to do more.

Offer to the community: Charlene loves helping others in their strategy towards life balance and personal peak performance. Reach out anytime! Also, check out her blog “The Balance Beam” at www.beamingbalance.com.

The leadership track – Managing your personal brand and requesting regular feedback are two of the five items recommended to maintain your edge in the workplace. Read the article here: http://bit.ly/WzN0PL.

The business of you – The National Association of Women Business Owners encouraged members and participants of their Annual Women’s Business Conference to be authentic and use who they are to their brand advantage. Read the SmartBrief blog here: http://bit.ly/PCcYBW.

Build with kindness – This author summarizes how the Dalai Lama’s lesson on kindness applies to better business practices. Read the CBS MoneyWatch article here: http://cbsn.ws/TclWqA.

Social media relationships – Trying to figure out what to do with your likes and follows that will be meaningful to your brand? Read the SmartBrief article on building relationships with social media here: http://bit.ly/XoNZ51.

Social collaboration – Looking for an internal social chat tool to foster internal collaboration. This PC World blogger road tests three platforms to consider. Read the blog here: http://bit.ly/S3O8JC.

Kibibi Springs is myGreenlight’s Program & Community Director.

What is the best way to encourage change in the people in your life? HBR recently posted the ten best tips for creating positive change momentum in the professional world.

Here are my top five:

1. Embrace the power of one: “When you have 20 priorities, you have none. Research on multitasking reveals that we’re not good at it. Focus on one behavior to change at a time.”
2. Make your goals specific and  SMART: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and timely!
3. Paint a vivid picture: imagine a detailed vision of a better future you can aspire to. It will serve as an emotional inspiration.
4. Activate peer pressure: by nature, we are affected by what the people around us do. Our peers help guide our social behavior, so use that to build momentum.
5. Hire and fire based on behaviors: people act based on the ramifications of their actions. Use it to motivate them.

What do would you add to this list? Please share!

Ritu Walia is an FG Analyst.

The plus and minus of empathy – This HR Capitalist blog shares the strengths and weaknesses of empathy in potential job candidates. Read the article here: http://bit.ly/SRPraZ.

The power of handwriting – Our written communication has become overly reliant on technology. All the more reason to surprise someone with a hand written note. This SmartBrief article dives into what our handwriting says about us. Read it here: http://bit.ly/QdjKe9.

Compassionate listening – Always an advocate for this underutilized relationship building skill, this Start-Up Nation blog shares the opportunities in fine tuning your ear. Read it here: http://bit.ly/RwMXjT.

Social in the workplace – Edelman’s digital expert David Armano talks social collaboration and B2B relationship building in this PSFK interview. Read it here: http://bit.ly/PXzFuO.

Just plain cool – If you’re in early preparation mode for the holiday season here’s a travel solution your gift recipient will never forget. Read about it here: http://bit.ly/T5g5xJ.

Kibibi Springs is myGreenlight’s Program & Community Director.

To give you a leg up, here are the five top traits employers look for, according to a recent article by Forbes.

1. Professionalism: Potential employers assess this from the moment you walk in the door. “From the clothes you wear to the way you stand to the grip of your first hand-shake, presenting yourself as a confident, energetic professional is about as basic as career advice gets. “
2. High-energy: you want to be the person who raises the energy level, not the stick in the mud. Think about it, who would you rather be around at work?
3. Confident: sell yourself. If you don’t believe you’re worth it, why should anyone else?
4. Self-monitoring: no one has the time to babysit you. Make it clear that you’re focused and on task without any help.
5. Intellectual curiosity: “An employee who will grudgingly adopt a new database is not as attractive as one who is truly passionate about learning new things.”

Do you concur that these are the top five, as an employer or as a coworker? What other traits matter more?

Ritu Walia is an FG Analyst.

Managing awkward pauses – We’ve all been there. The conversation takes a dip and neither party can find the right words to fill the moment or a way to hold the space in silence. CBS MoneyWatch offers some tips for handling lulls in conversation. Read the article here: http://cbsn.ws/O5xLfo.

Building rapport with employee candidates – To secure today’s top talent, company’s that build rapport and treat potential employees like they do their customers have a leg up on the competition. Anthony T. Jan shares the benefits to building these relationships in his Harvard Business Review blog. Read it here: http://bit.ly/UFNQ9S.

Making the sale – This article has great tips from CBS MoneyWatch on mistakes to avoid when pitching the sale. Read it here: http://cbsn.ws/QIaY9E.

Stirring up word of mouth – Sparking word-of-mouth fire about your product or service requires building a relationship with influencers. Learn how in this Marketing Professionals blog: http://bit.ly/T1k79Z.

Managing a tarnish free reputation – If you’d like to steer clear of bad management mistakes, SmartBlog on Leadership offers some tips to keep you on the right path. Read it here: http://bit.ly/Vvy6JX.

 Kibibi Springs is myGreenlight’s Program & Community Director.

What do I do if life makes it difficult to physically attend networking events?

Watch my video blog to get the answer.