Networking for Introverts

You don't have to have a gregarious personality to be an effective networker. In fact, people who are on the shy side often are very good at the kind of networking that matters. Although they might have some trouble breaking the ice, they are frequently the better listeners and therefore are better at forming lasting relationships.

If you consider yourself to be more demure than dynamic, don't let that stop you from networking where you can. If you don't like to go to the big mixers to chat up strangers, consider the people that you already know. Do you belong to an organization, or do any volunteer or charity work? Are you involved in your child's school? These are all great opportunities to deepen existing relationships and build your network. Online networking is also an excellent way to establish initial contact with people, so you might want to join an online who's who organization. However you choose to approach it, you can be confident that you can be at least as good a networker as Boisterous Bob.

Friends are peers, too

Most of our referrals come from people who know us the best, right? Wrong. Our friends and family can be a great source of business referrals and word of mouth advertising, but how often do you really think Uncle Joe is sending business your way? It is possible that your loved ones might not be referring you because they don't like to mix business and pleasure. More likely, however, is that they just don't think of it or they don't necessarily recognize the opportunities when they arise.

Peer to peer networking is a business skill that is highly valued amongst professionals in nearly every line of work. When people hear the word 'peer', often they think their acquaintances and business associates, but they forget that friends and family are also within this category. Maybe it's time to give your Aunt Madge a box of your brand of tea and ask her to share it at her next tea party? She'll probably be tickled that you value her opinion and that of her friends.

Optimizing referrals for effective global networking

As you work on building your global network, you will develop an appreciation for the value of good referrals. The key to good referrals, however, is in the quality, not the quantity. Of course you do want to acquire as many referrals as you can handle, but it is important to be discriminating about them. If you collect a large number of low quality referrals then they are not going to be of much value to you. Conversely, if you get too many, you can't handle them with adequate professionalism then this is suboptimal situation as well.

On the other hand, you might get so few referrals that your business doesn't grow as much as it could. You may be doing very well with the referrals that you have, but if no new ones are coming in then your business will stagnate. Ideally, of course you will want to find a balance of quality and quantity of referrals. It is important to strike a balance of maintaining quality relationships with older contacts, 'grooming' potential new ones and improving the quality of ones you already have. Once you have mastered this skill you will be much closer to your goal of effective global networking.

Beyond the Rolodex

The word 'networking' means different things to different people. For some, it conjures up fearsome scenarios of bad food, fluorescent lighting and nametags is a basement somewhere. For others, it means collecting business cards until the rolodex is bursting at the seams. But the truth is that networking really means creating a supportive system, made up of individuals and groups with common interests. To create this support system, you need to engage in a number of activities, not limit yourself to one so-called 'networking' activity. Only with a diverse approach will you achieve effective global networking.

Here is an example of the kinds of activities effective networking involves: "Attend events. Create an on-line presence. Send notes and emails to people. Write industry specific articles. Introduce people to each other. Do amazing work and provide exemplary customer service. Host your own gatherings. You can also forward useful articles and information to your peers. Live your life with consistent character. Read books, blogs, and magazines on a wide array of topics. Celebrate diversity. Join organizations. Lead organizations. Become informed about social on-line networking tools. Find a mentor. Be a mentor. Have a positive attitude. Help others discover and reach their goals. Share information."

http://www.thomsinger.blogspot.com/

Networking for Nonprofits

One of the benefits to belonging to a Who's Who organization is that you can search for members based on very specific criteria. If your business is in a niche area, such as non profit organization, you may especially benefit from membership. You can connect with other businesses and organizations with the same values, for example companies that are committed to sustainable, ethical business practices.

Once you connect your business with others, you can work on promoting the business practices that you collectively value, whether it be local resourcing, healthy workplaces, conserving energy, or supporting the local economy. Furthermore, forming such a subgroup strengthens all of the businesses involved by establishing a habit of referrals amongst the members. Last but not least, membership can provide ample opportunities for peer to peer information sharing and consulting. Consider how forming a subgroup might benefit you and your business.

Efficiency through networking

Can people really develop trusted business relationships over the internet? Are networking websites actually helpful in identifying and building those relationships? Many experts will say absolutely. Chances are you are already utilizing technology such as webcasts, videoconferences, and of course email to cut down on face to face meetings. Using business networking sites will help you and your business in numerous ways; here are just a few:

Using existing relationships to your advantage. Social network sites give you visibility into your existing relationships. If you have a large personal network, it is likely that you know someone who knows the specific person you're trying to reach, or perhaps someone at that company. The challenge is figuring out who that person is.

Focused interactions. Opportunities for face-to-face interaction with large numbers of Who's Who caliber individuals are probably rare, save for a few conventions a year. But online, you can be highly focused in your interactions, thus connecting you to the right person. You can also immediately search for professionals in a particular industry or with a certain company,which is impossible to do in face-to-face and even one-on-one e-mail and telephone interactions.

Increased reach. During face to face or one on one email, there is a limit to how many people you can interact with at any given time. But if you are using an online community, you can reach many people simultaneously through public postings. This will increase visibility for you and your company.

More efficiency Online networking allows you to reach more people with less effort; to more quickly identify and connect with the right people; and to reduce travel time and expense, both local and long-distance.

Six degrees of separation

In the late 1960s American sociologist Stanley Milgram was studying how ideas and information travel through the population and, in the process, inspired what has become known as the six degrees of separation. This concept is now widely known and cited often in both the business and cultural realms.

To demonstrate his theory, Milgram gave random people living in Omaha, a letter with the name of a stockbroker working in Boston. He told them to write their name at the bottom of the letter and send it to someone they knew who potentially had someone in their network that might be able to connect with the stockbroker. Based on the names listed on the letters reaching the stockbroker, Milgram found that most had got there in five or six steps – thus coining the term six degrees of separation.

This concept has fascinated people because it implies that anyone we want to meet is only a few acquaintances away from an introduction. However, if you explore this experiment in a little more depth, you'll see that it doesn't in fact suggest that everyone is connected to everyone else in a few short steps. In the Milgram experiment, over half of the letters were handed to the stockbroker by just three individuals. This suggests that a small number of people- let's call them supernetworkers- can access anyone in a few short steps. The key to gaining access to whomever you want is to be one of these supernetworkers, by maximizing your personal and business peer to peer networks.

Getting the edge through effective global networking

Being network savvy can mean the difference between being a manager and being a leader, asserts Herminia Ibarra, INSEAD professor of organisational behaviour. Chances are that if you are in management, you have peers who have comparable skill sets, intelligence, and credentials. Ibarra insists that effective global networking is essential to be a business leader today, and claims that "what you know is who you know". She warns that managers who neglect to build their networks risk failing or remaining stuck in middle management.

The other difference between managers and leaders is that while many of managers excel at building and utilizing their operational network, they often overlook their personal and strategic networks. Managers might feel that their regular workload is so heavy that they drop the alumni get together or extracurricular activity that they usually enjoy. This is a mistake, as it limits your perspective and vision. If time is an issue (which surely it is) it is better to delegate more day to day work and spend extra time on your personal and strategic networks. This will help you get the edge to be an effective global networker- and leader.

(http://www.managementtoday.co.uk/search/article/644651/networking-vital-successful-managers/)

Accentuate the positive

Word of mouth referrals are clearly an important source of contacts for your business. However many people don't have a strategy to increase the quantity and quality of those referrals, thinking that if they have satisfied customers, then the good word of mouth will "just happen". But having a plan to ensure positive referrals is as essential as any other type of business plan.

Let's say you have 99 satisfied customers at your store in any given day. They might mention your store to their friends if it comes up in conversation, but the person you can really count on to talk about your store is the 1 dissatisfied customer that you had, you know the one who talked on her cellphone throughout the entire transaction and then insisted that you wait for her to go get just one more item while the line of people behind her rolled their eyes? Well, that is the customer that is going to complain to her friends that your store is too crowded and the cashiers are impatient.

Instead of letting people like this control your reputation, work on cultivating those positive referrals. Start with your friends and family, utilize the organizations you belong to such as Who's Who or peer to peer business networks, and don't forget about the people who provide services to your business. The person who delivers your lunch or fixes your plumbing can be a great source of referrals- if you make sure that they are the right kind!

Become a gatekeeper

In order to generate referrals for yourself, you have to start generating them for others. Once you have developed a good database of business contacts through events, word of mouth and utilizing your peer to peer networks, you can start the process of creating business for others.

One strategy that you might use is a straightforward letter sent out to all of your contacts. You could simply state that you believe in referrals, and list areas in which you know exceptional professionals. Offer to connect people with a qualified professional in their area. It make take a little time, but if you are consistent with this information people will begin to think of you as a a great resource and go to you when they need someone. This is an effective way for you to get to know your community and to be well known by them. Once you start creating business for others you will surely notice an uptick in your business as people begin to reciprocate the favor.

The World's Best Known Marketing Secret

Ivan Misner suggested in his book "The World's Best Known Marketing Secret" that people participate in the following types of networks: casual-contact networks, strong-contact networks, professional associations, service clubs, social organizations, and women's business organizations. He has since modified this recommendation to include online networks.*

There are numerous types of online networks you can join, such as industry specific organizations, discussion groups or who's who networks. Whichever one you choose to join, you can't just add your name to a list and expect the organization to work for you; rather you have to focus on building relationships with the other members of the community. Be active in your group by contributing to discussions, posting on bulletin boards, or creating a sub-group in your region. You should also respond to other people's posts, threads and requests in order to establish yourself as an involved member of the community and not just a loiterer who adds no value. Also, it will be more effective to join fewer groups and spend more time cultivating the relationship than to join too many and barely participate.

*excerpted from Entrepreneur.com

Making the most of your online business relationships

If you are a serious business professional, chances are you participate in at least one online business community such as a listserv, discussion forum or Who's Who registry. In order to use these networks effectively you need to develop a way of interacting electronically that adequately reflects your professionalism, which includes making a good first impression.

For instance, instead of just barging into an ongoing discussion online, spend some time getting to know who the other participants are, what their communication styles are, and what kinds of exchanges are appropriate in that particular forum. Once you do start your participation, remember- quality not quantity. It is much better to post one thoughtful comment than 50 careless or pointless ones.

Also, don't forget to introduce yourself! Your introduction have the most impact if you keep it succinct, upbeat and friendly. Let people know who you are without falling into your sales pitch, the point at this stage is simply to make a connection with people. The relationship can always be deepened later on, but if you've scared them away with an aggressive sales pitch you probably won't get them back!

Following up is critical to effective global networking

You've done the research, joined the groups, met the people.... now what?
Interestingly, people spend a lot of time making valuable connections and networking with new people, and yet they don't follow up. If you find that you are having trouble getting back to people, examine what it is that is causing this to happen. Maybe you don't want to appear pushy, or you assume they are going to get in touch with you, or perhaps you just plum forgot.

If you are in the former category and are concerned with being too aggressive, just make sure that your tone is friendly and that you space your follow up calls reasonably (i.e., don't bombard them). If you keep the follow up call short, and perhaps even provide some additional value during that call, then your contact will most likely appreciate the call. If you are forgetting to call people after an event, treat that phone call like a scheduled appointment, not an "extra" task that you might get around to.

If you assume that the other person is going to call you- or you make another unfounded assumption- then a perfectly good contact might go to waste due to misunderstanding. When in doubt- follow up with your contact even if you thought it was their turn/ don't have the answer for them/ forgot to call them last week. A little bit of maintenance goes a long way when it comes to cultivating your global networks.

The nexus of business and social networks

It is hard to ignore the exponential popularity of social networking websites in recent years. The popularity of these peer to peer networking sites has made a real impact on the business world as well, spawning a surge in business networking sites. In fact, many experts believe that "this use of online, friend/associate-based networking will prove to be one of the most valuable business tools the Internet has yet provided."

If you spend some time establishing your social and your business networks and updating your contact lists, you will find that have many more resources available to you than you did when you relied upon your trusty old rolodex and little black book. But since there is bound to be some crossover between your social and business networks, you might want to think twice when you are updating your facebook profile. Do you really want a potential employer seeing a picture of you dressed as SpongeBob SquarePants, or worse? The social and business worlds are inexorably linked, which can be great for you and your business, or it can lead to some uncomfortable moments during an interview. As long as you are careful about what you share you can use these resources to your great advantage.

Networking across cultures

Effective global networking requires you to comfortable in a global setting. Techniques and strategies that you have used in your local networks may not work in a global context, and they may even backfire. It is very important to familiarize yourself with the context in which you will be doing business by learning as much as you can about the local culture. We've all heard stories of the American businessperson in Japan who, intending to say "nice to meet you" instead says something unseemly about that person's sister. Needless to say, offending someone will not benefit you or your business.

Since networking in any culture is about relationships, pay particular attention to the structure of social as well business relationships in the host culture. Are people very concerned with age, rank or gender, or is it a more egalitarian society? How do people gain one another's trust? What are the worst social faux pas- and how can you avoid committing them? And lastly, although understanding of the host culture is absolutely essential, don't overdue it by trying to act more chinese than the chinese. While they will appreciate your efforts to speak the language and understand something about their culture, they might think you are a bit eccentric if you show up to a meeting decked out in their country's traditional garb.

Klaus Hoelscher Named Member of the Year in Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals

Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals has included Klaus Hoelscher as a Member of the Year in the 2007-2008 Edition of the Registry.

Madison Who’s Who wants to be the first to congratulate Mr. Hoelscher on this achievement by notifying his peers that Mr. Hoelscher has in fact reached a level of recognizable success in his professional field of Real Estate.

As the Owner of Engel & Voelkers, Mr. Hoelscher serves in the positions of Chief Executive Officer and General Manager. Providing the strategic, visionary leadership and management, he is responsible for leading and running all business and corporate operations. Devising and defining new, fresh business development objectives and strategies, Mr. Hoelscher cultivates new business opportunities, develops a customer base with a significant repeat business and referrals, stays ahead of new, emerging trends as well as potential breakthroughs in the markets and generates sustainable long-term profit. Encouraging a culture which upholds the highest possible autarky and transparency in all deals and transactions, he has gained the respect of his peers and trust of clients in services tendered by the Company. Doing business in Dubai for over 20 years, Mr. Hoelscher also does business in Munich, Germany. His brood expanse of insurance experience, his success in managing global businesses and his exposure to an international environment enables him to efficiently handle his diverse duties. Securing an enviable reputation, his employment portfolio includes such positions as senior executive officer of Hannover Leasing and senior executive officer for SchmidtBank. Embracing the challenges his position brings, Mr. Hoelscher attributes his success to patience, persistence, determination and his optimistic attitude. Looking to the future, he plans to remain in his current position and continue to grow and expand with a focus in Asia, India and Russian countries.

Opening the Dubai office in 2004, Engel & Voelkers engages in real estate broking and development and sale of real estate. Developing quality services driven by its superior understanding of its customers needs is an experienced, seasoned and motivated staff of 28 skilled and talented individuals to acquire business, work with clients and oversee daily business operations.

The latest edition of Madison Who’s Who is only available to those professionals who are included in the publication. This year’s edition will, of course, be registered at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

For Newspaper or media contact only:
To verify the aforementioned individuals inclusion,Contact Madison Who’s Who at (718) 932-8011

Michael W. Symons Named in to Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals

Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals has included Michael Symons in the 2007-2008 Edition of the Registry.

Madison Who’s Who wants to be the first to congratulate Mr. Symons on this achievement by notifying his peers that Mr. Symons has in fact reached a level of recognizable success in his professional field of Engineering.

As Managing Director of Tower Technologies Pty. Ltd. since 1989, Mr. Symons is a hands-on administrator who is heavily engaged in the research and development aspect of the Company. He utilizes his extensive educational and engineering background to create new products and apply for patents. Well respected in the field, Mr. Symons meets with members of the construction industry to establish new business relationships. He identifies market needs and completes exhaustive literature searches that aid in new product development. He aspires to develop the Company into a world leader in the field of building technology.

Engaged in the invention of new building materials, Tower Technologies Pty. Ltd. was established in 1989. The Company has three divisions that are involved in identifying and meeting the needs of the construction industry. Headquartered in Pretoria, South Africa, the Company has been granted 55 patents and is actively involved in the research and development of new foam, boards, and upgraded wood. Tower Technologies Pty. Ltd. operates a laboratory, information technology center, and proving ground for new products. Producing full-size products for market sampling and demonstration purposes, the Company employs 30 individuals who are involved in research and development.

The latest edition of Madison Who’s Who is only available to those professionals who are included in the publication. This year’s edition will, of course, be registered at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

For Newspaper or media contact only:
To verify the aforementioned individuals inclusion,Contact Madison Who’s Who at (718) 932-8011

What not to do when you are networking

More and more people are realizing that most jobs come from word of mouth rather than generalized advertising. In light of this fact, most people would agree that building your network is an important career move. But not all networking is constructive- here are a few common mistakes that people make:

Mistake # 1.Thinking that networking is all about data collection. It doesn't really matter if you can remember what someone's long deceased dog's name was, if you fail to make a real connection with them. Networking is about relationships, and you can't build the relationship simply by collecting facts; you must make efforts to deepen the relationship just as you would with a friend or a romantic partner. Which leads me to mistake #2...

Mistake #2. Thinking that peer to peer networking is nothing like dating. In fact, you do have to use a few dating techniques. For instance, what sort of environment are you most comfortable in? Perhaps you would rather use match.com than go barhopping. If going online is more your style, you might want to skip the big convention in lieu of using an online directory, such as Madison's Who's Who.

Mistake #3. Thinking that if you are shy you will be unable to network with your peers effectively. Many people are shy, and oftentimes it is because they feel overwhelmed in a social situation with a lot of interactions happening simultaneously. If this sounds familiar, you might have more success arranging networking meetings in a more intimate setting. You can always utilize your peer to peer network to set up smaller face to face meetings.

Branching Out

Most people get so caught up in their current job that they don't spend enough time thinking about their next move. In the past, many people worked for the same company for 30 plus years and so didn't need to think much about their network outside the company. But in today's global environment putting on blinders to the outside world is a serious mistake. Here are a couple of ways you can avoid this pitfall.

First, set aside time each week to build your network by researching who's who in your field. You need to know who the players are in the space you want to play. This understanding will help augment and align your networking efforts. One of the most effective ways to do this research is by joining an online group such as Madison's Who's Who. Consider networking a goal in an of itself- not just something that you do because you want something. Another important activity that will help you build your network is to give back to your industry somehow, whether this be through speaking at conferences, writing for journals, or simply attending industry events.

Networking? Piece of Cake

A prerequisite to effective global networking is your ability to network on a smaller scale. Don't think your skills are up to snuff? Don't despair, networking is easier than you think if you keep a few things in mind.

First, be nice. Some people think networking is about manipulating other people into doing something for you. People who believe this probably aren't winning very many people over. Effective networking requires you to offer something as well as expect something. So, be nice to people, let them tell you something about themselves, and consider what you might be able to do for them.

Second, you don't have to show off. Just be yourself, keep an open mind and remember to listen to what someone is saying. If you are trying too hard to impress people by talking excessively about your accomplishments or by trying to be super-witty, your routine will go down like a lead balloon.

Third, don't network when you are looking for a job. At this stage, you are no longer networking but calling in favors. It's better to be straight up about why you are calling rather than pretending you would be calling them even if you didn't need something from them.

Effective networking is easy if you stay genuine, amiable, and remember to listen!

Networking for Busy People

Networking, like any skill, takes practice. If you have ever gone back to playing a sport or an instrument after a long hiatus, you know that it often feels as though you are starting from square one, which can be frustrating and demoralizing. Many people believe they are too busy to be very involved with business networking, however regular maintenance of your business relationships will actually save you time in the long run.

One of the most effective time savers for professionals is to join and online peer to peer network. Membership in an online group means that busy professionals can peruse this resource on their own schedule, instead of having to attend an event at a specific time and place. Although face to face networking is of course always an important part of business, online peer to peer networking offers some particular benefits to overextended professionals.

At a networking event, you might have to talk to a lot of people before you find one person with whom you could be mutually beneficial. With online peer to peer networking groups, you have the option to sort profiles based on profession, interest, and other criteria to help you identify the most useful contacts. Another benefit to joining a reputable group such as Madison's Who's Who is that you already know that all of the members are of high caliber, so some of the work has already been done for you.

The power of online networking is in the viral effect so unique to the Internet. After you scan profiles and make connections with that first 'layer' of professionals, then there all of the contacts of those people that may become part of your network, and the contacts of those people, and so on. A little bit of time spent on your peer to peer network can go a long way towards advancing your business goals.

Maximize Your Membership in a Professional Organization

You have surely heard the aphorism "It's not what you know, it's who you know". Reflect upon your own professional achievements for a moment. How did you succeed in getting the job of your dreams? Was it by sending out hundreds of resumes or by utilizing one well connected contact? How did you effectively reach your target audience or successfully market your product? Chances are you had more success when you used your networks rather than trying to slog by on your own.

Although many different skills are critical to business success, the ability to network effectively is fundamental to your ability to execute your plan. One networking tool that is becoming increasingly relevant in today's global business environment is membership in a professional business community, such as a Who's Who organization.

Once you have identified an appropriate organization, such as Madison's Who's Who, it would benefit you to utilize all of the resources and tools available to you. Although membership alone can bring you and your business a certain amount of clout, it would be better to exploit all of the networking opportunities that you can in order to get the most out of your membership.

Make sure you take some time to understand how the organization works and what services it provides. Then you should familiarize yourself with the other professionals in the Who's Who and take note of persons of interest. Don't be afraid to establish the first contact, as the only way to find out whether you might mutually benefit each other is to make those connections. Lastly, make sure that you have planned out your message ahead of time so that the exchange can be as efficient as possible. Most of the professionals you will be contacting are likely just as busy as you are. Once you have made some useful connections make sure to nurture those relationships- you never know when they might come in handy!

Don't Be a Dud!

Effective Global Networking is about being memorable. It doesn't matter how many business cards you collect or distribute at an event if nobody remembers anything about you. When I say memorable, I mean in a positive way, not in a "that guy with the ugly tie and halitosis" way.

Here are some tips to making a good- and lasting- impression at a business networking event.

1. It is worth restating the obvious here: appearance matters. Make sure you look professional, well groomed, and somewhat distinctive. If the dress code calls for dark suits, consider wearing an interesting (but not ugly!) tie or a special piece of jewelry. Set yourself apart from the crowd.
2. Another basic but often ignored point: Listen! Even though you will want to meet as many people as possible, pay attention to the person who is speaking to you. If you glance over her shoulder scanning for the next schmoozing opportunity she will certainly notice, and will remember you as the guy with the lovely tie who had the attention span of a squirrel.
3. Ask interesting, thoughtful questions. Let's face it, people love to talk about themselves. Give them an opportunity to tell you something interesting about themselves. Business networking is as much about learning about others as it is about spreading your message.
4. Make sure you reiterate the basics and tell them all of the pertinent information about who you are. Effective global networking requires you to be able to communicate concisely who you are and what you do.
5. Don't hog the limelight. If you are networking in a group scenario, it's better to say one smart thing than to prattle on about superficial things for half an hour.
   

Good luck being memorable!

Peer to Peer Networking

Business partnerships are like marriage; essential to the success of both partners but sometimes fraught with issues. If after you've done the research and crunched the numbers you've decided that a partner would benefit your company, then you will need to invest ample time and care into the selection process.

Picking a partner is more art than science, as it involves compatibility on multiple levels. Prospective partners will need to compare their skill sets, competencies, ideologies, communication styles and work ethics, but they will also need to take honest stock of whether they will enjoy working with each other. Personal rapport is as essential element in the most successful business partnerships in today's corporate world.

Home business authors Paul and Sarah Edwards advise people looking for partners to "date first." They suggest that you "engage in some of the other forms of business collaboration, such as jointly bidding on projects, subcontracting with another firm or principal, engaging in cross-marketing efforts, or making mutual referrals. It's a lot easier to find someone for these more limited risks than to find a full partner." from INC Magazine, April 2001

So how does one go about looking for "dates"? You could do what people looking for romantic partners do and join an online community where you can begin to identify people with whom you might like to collaborate. These Peer to Peer networks are a critical tool in building the contacts you will need in order to find that perfect fit.

Who's Who of What??

If you search for the term "Who's Who" on the New York Times website, you get 1,714 results. Clearly, people are interested in directories of other people. Who's Who directories have been established for an amazing array of categories, some practical and some, well, a bit more esoteric. There is a Who's Who in the history of Western Mysticism, a Who's Who in space age pop music, and even a Who's Who for Crocodilians . Clearly, there is a niche for just about everyone.

If you are looking to participate in a Who's Who community it would be worth your while to make sure that it is the right one for you. If you are a caiman, gavial, or an alligator, then perhaps you ought to pursue membership in the Who's Who for Crocodilians. If you are however an a successful entrepreneur, prominent business owner or distinguished lawyer, then I recommend you look into joining Madison's Who's Who directory. But then Who am I to say?

Doing Business in a Globalizing World

"Globalization" is a buzzword that seems to be on everyone's lips these days. But why should you care about it? In today's highly wired global business environment, opportunities for business expansion are practically limitless. Because there are so many possible directions your business could take at home and abroad, it is critical that you become proficient at effective global networking so that you can sift through the myriad options. Effective global networking will allow you to conduct research of potential markets in order to select the one that will benefit your business the most.

Consider the recent craze of natural frozen yogurt shops in the United States. This style of sour frozen yogurt was unheard of in this country until January 2005 when South Koreans Shelly Hwang and Young Lee set up shop in Los Angeles. In just two years, Pinkberry has been referred to as a "bicoastal urban phenomenon" that has inspired "almost cultlike devotion"1 On October 16, 2007, Pinkberry took in $27.5M in an investment from Maveron, the venture fund founded by Starbucks founder Howard Schultz.

So to what does Pinkberry owe its astonishing success? It is possible that the planets were aligned just so, or perhaps they just got lucky, but more likely an explanation is that they did their homework prior to establishing Pinkberry here in the United States. If you are thinking about taking that step to bring your small business to a foreign market, make sure you perform due diligence and utilize all of the tools at your disposal, including your global networks.

Dr. Patrick Robert Vandeweerdt Ph.D. Named in to Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals

Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals has included Dr. Patrick Vandeweerdt in the 2007-2008 Edition of the Registry.

Madison Who’s Who wants to be the first to congratulate Dr. Vandeweerdt on this achievement by notifying his peers that Dr. Vandeweerdt has in fact reached a level of recognizable success in the professional arena.

Dr. Vandeweerdt serves in the position of Business Development Manager for Omya International Ag. In this capacity, he is in charge of portfolio strategy for distribution of products for paints, coatings, adhesive and construction industry. Playing a key role within the Company, he devises and defines new business development objectives and strategies with a focus on enhancing productivity, maximizing cost efficiency and delivering outstanding returns and value to shareholders. His extensive experience in polymer chemistry enables him to efficiently handle his divergent duties. Securing an enviable reputation with a proven record, Dr. Vandeweerdt's employment portfolio includes such positions as quality director for Dätwyler Devices, marketing manager of Huber & Suhner and development and purchasing manager for Siga AG. Dynamic and forward moving, he performs all duties as is necessary to ensure continued soundness and stability of operations. Withstanding tremendous challenges, Dr. Vandeweerdt plans to remain in his current role and continue growing and expanding with the Company.

The latest edition of Madison Who’s Who is only available to those professionals who are included in the publication. This year’s edition will, of course, be registered at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.


***************
For Newspaper or media contact only:
To verify the aforementioned individuals inclusion,
Contact Madison Who’s Who at (718) 932-8011

Mohammed A. Al Mualla Named in to Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals

Madison Who’s Who of Executives and Professionals has included Mohammed Al Mualla in the 2007-2008 Edition of the Registry.

Madison Who’s Who wants to be the first to congratulate Mr. Al Mualla on this achievement by notifying his peers that Mr. Al Mualla has in fact reached a level of recognizable success in his professional field of Investment and Finance Strategy.

Working in conjunction with his team, he contributes to the creation of viable solutions concerning investment and finance strategy. His emphasis is on the solutions and not the problems in overcoming financial and business hurdles as well as achieving regional market dominance in all product offerings. A dedicated team player, he operationally supports all business development plans and strategic initiatives of ADIH. Analyzing market trends and conditions and other pertinent information, Mr. Al Mualla devises and defines finance strategy that makes sure consistent wealth creation for ADIH and its clientele. Encouraging a culture and governance which upholds the highest possible autarky, quality and transparency, he has gained the confidence and respect of colleagues and peers and the trust of customers in services and products rendered. Working with many investment banks throughout his distinguished career, he cites this position with ADIH as being the 'best'. His advice to others is, "Be patient, study and work hard. Develop and maintain an in-depth professional network of contacts." Playing a key role with other leaders, Mr. Al Mualla uses his insights into the industry's market dynamics, business priorities and clients' needs and requirements to understand market opportunities, weigh business and finance feasibilities and move fast with the right investment strategy into the marketplace. His broad, extensive experience, competence and expertise and his exposure to an international environment enables him to efficiently handle his divergent duties. Performing duties as necessary to ensure continued soundness and stability of operations, he is sharply focused on enhancing productivity, maximizing cost efficiency and delivering outstanding returns to shareholder and value-added to customers. Open-minded, innovative and a forward-thinker with verbal and negotiating skills of the highest order, Mr. Al Mualla looks forward to becoming a director or CEO.

The latest edition of Madison Who’s Who is only available to those professionals who are included in the publication. This year’s edition will, of course, be registered at the Library of Congress in Washington D.C.

For Newspaper or media contact only:
To verify the aforementioned individuals inclusion, Contact Madison Who’s Who at (718) 932-8011