Social Networking

Hype?
Buzz?
Worth it?

You decide.

Reconnecting with grade school, high school and college chums. Neighbors from various towns in which I have lived have found me or I them. Relatives, I didn't even know I had, in other countries linked. I have networked for business and shared best practices. I have created causes and events in which people attended or contributed to. My daughter and I reunited after nine months of estrangement via Facebook. I uncovered a not so comfortable truth that set me straight on a matter I had concern about. It took a bit of detective prodding, but it proved productive.

I have built business revenue for companies, given presentations and lessons to Presidents, CEO's and Board Members on how to use these tools and have shared my findings in a manual I have written. I have created a way to "young-up" or "genY-ify" industries utilizing these tools.

Little snippets of meaningful posts maybe silly at times, like someone stating what they had for breakfast. Tell me, "Why do I need to know that" ... because it is a way to personalize life. To get in the game. To stay connected to the simple things that make us smile or help us move through the day. To understand the core of what is inside fellow man and what drives them. These posts are changing the face of how we do business and connect 'multiple times' daily. Make it fast, succinct and quick to capture the reader and serve as a way to make contact.

Somewhat like working a room at a networking event and yet you don't have to leave your office or home to do it. Sure nothing makes up for real, human, face to face, read the body language contact but ... in this fast world, why not step into the flow. Think about it. In the world of networking, to 'work a room' you are only supposed to chit chat with an individual for three minutes, if you play the game right, then you should move on. This is Networking 101. Well why not Social Networking?

Before we discount the effects of new media and social networking, consider this:

I have used the tools as an informal research devise asking others in my network, their opinions on issues, for projects I am involved with both professionally and personally to capture data and expand my thinking. I have read posts that have educated me, enlightened, encouraged and uplifted which have caused tears and laughter and have been able to do the same for others. I have actually drawn a salary for understanding the use of these platforms and how to turn posts to dollars to launch new products, services or re-brand declining industries.

For this, I applaud and cheer the developers of such tools as Facebook, Twitter, MySpace, LinkedIn and beyond. You have changed our lives for the better!

To think some of these platforms were created in garages or to pass the time of day for one post college student mourning the loss of a romantic relationship. Amazing what can come from a little boredom, grief or an innovative idea.

What idea do you have that you have held off on that could be the next wave which impacts others and makes a difference?

If you can imagine it. You can do it.

Hair

Funny, for two and a half years, I have been growing my hair long for the purpose, not to re-capture my youth, but to donate it to the 'Locks of Love Organization' in honor of my best friend Patti Lang who died Feb.'07 of a malignant brain tumor. I learned, while walking the path with her, that one of the devastating effects of the disease is hair loss and how it plays on one's psyche.

Well, Saturday was the big chop. I had reached the designated excess of the required "12 inches" and still had enough hair to cover my head. In good "Facebook" fashion, I posted the journey through visuals ... nothing better than photo's.

What I received were very unexpected accolades. "You are an amazing woman both inside and out", "Keep up the good work", type of comments. It caught me completely off guard. I wanted to shout, "Come on people, it is only "hair"! The photographic journal was to encourage others in some way to give in their own way.

I ascribe to the belief, "To much is given, much is required." I have always had a ton of hair and to people loosing their hair, growing it out was no big deal. Well, it kinda was. I did double time on hair wash days; shedding, shampooing, brushing, drying, flat ironing. It was definitely an arm work out. On the "wild hair" days, where I left it to dry naturally, I looked like I had stepped out of the jungle. Waves of raw curls streaming down my back and it was starting to get hot and sweaty in the heat. A pony tail holder was never too far out of reach to get some relief. It was a pain in the neck and wanted to take the scissors to the mop myself, at times as it wasn't always easy to tame.

Truth is, it really was no big deal. Can't say I like my new hair cut ... has a bit too many layers for my taste and I am going to have to wrestle with learning to style the new doo. When I took myself to the beach today, I no longer felt those cool locks drifting down my back or the hair blowing in the wind in those light jogs. I did feel, to some degree, younger with the long hair. As I gazed at the teens, they all had long straight hair. So did I. Did that make me a teen? Nope but it did make me a woman who remembered one terrific friend. The kind that was always there for me. You know, the "Hallmark" card kind of friendship.

Yes, that is what I had. There was raw truth between us. Laughter, memories and years. She fully accepted me and I her. The good, bad and ugly. She lite up the room, loosened me up and loved. When I get stressed, she was the one to "right me". She was there through many a trial I faced in difficult times and vice versa.

Running down the streets of Venice on New Year's Eve, back to the hotel to get the kids to see the fireworks in St. Mark's square ... I will never forget that night. Those small, narrow streets where two American women were running the opposite way against the crowd, me ahead of her and she saying, "Franny, I am going to have to start jogging, I can't keep up with you" and me yelling back, "Come on Patty Girl, we have to keep going, the kids are going to miss the fun". That trip was cancer in remission.

I nearly did not take the trip, because finances prevented me, but I decided in the end, to put it on a credit card and move forward. It took nine months to pay off but the debt is gone and the memories remain. I could expend countless characters writing the meaning of the friendship but in this world of succinct script on the pages of micro-blogging "Twitter", most are lost in the written word.

So, rather than expounding on the many angles this story could take, I end with this: In light of a friend, loved and lost, there is nothing heroic about growing hair out and cutting it. The true hero's are those that wrestle with the obstacles they face in life with grace and dignity, no matter what the outcome.

Patti was one such lady that walked everyone she knew through challenges and her own with grace. She would wake singing, "I feel good" ... which she sang nearly breathless towards the end of her life with hand motions to go with it. At times, when I am faced with the not so great things that cause tears to stream, I sing the song softly to myself.

Growing out and cutting my hair was nothing extraordinary. Sure, I appreciate the kind words, more than anyone understands, but the truth is, the act garnered more of the sense of "I feel good" for remembering Patty, doing something that would help someone, get through their grief with grace, through one very simple act.

What simple action can you take, not for compliments but for dipping into your treasures, your excess, in whatever form that is, to help someone else wake up singing, "I feel good"?

Shed More Than Pounds!

It is wise to shed those things in our lives that do not serve us, that illicit pain emanating from our core. First we have to stop long enough to recognize and identify what these things are that steal our joy ... then take the step in strength to execute. To cast off.

By removing these things, step by step, (which is how you climb a mountain or eat an elephant; opps, that would be bite by bite), that cause pain our lives which force us ultimately to live in lies; we will find truth and the peace we seek.

Energy doesn't lie and we don't fool anyone by masking these negative strong holds. More than likely, we take these "things" and use them as weapons against the people we love.

Hold on to the Father's hand as you walk your journey. He says ... "For i know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord. Plans to give you hope and a future!

Call upon Him and go and pray to Him and He will listen to you ... He says this in his word, in my favorite passage and life verse from the bible ... Jeremiah 23:11-12.

It may be bikini time and you are thinking of the pounds you wish to remove from your body to be beach worthy, but the truth is, the best thing you might want to shed are the not pounds but pressures weighing against your heart that drag you down.

When you run a race, the extra pounds will pull at your body and slow you down, but think of the baggage you carry, when you are not true to self.

Step by step, bite by bite ... one at a time, identity and remove those things clutching your soul and shed the core of what does not serve you and your highest good! Imagine who you will become!

What Happens that We are Not Open To See

When I was a little girl, I believed when I left the room the stuffed animals, I so meticulously lined up on my pillow, after I made the bed would come to life. I imagined them dancing around and having a blast and then when a human walked in the room, they froze. I know, I know. A bit weird and I even forgot about this until I recently went to see the movie, "A Night at the Museum" with a girlfriend of mine.

I can't help but wonder ... what goes on behind the scenes when we are not looking at life? Is there something our eyes are closed off to that we can not see? What are we avoiding or not fully looking at? Are we blind because we are too afraid to notice, look or if we did, it would force us to change? Are we too busy to focus?

Ask yourself what you might be missing today. What life are we not imagining because we just can't believe it. Is life dancing around you but you have not stood up and taken notice?

Open your eyes today. Imagine. Believe. Let go and see what you might be missing.

Francey

Choices

We always have choices. And once we choose, we leave something behind.
As long as the quality of your life is good and you have a good attitude about it,
that is what matters.

Life is short and it isn't possible to always do the right thing, or do all the things you want to do. So we have to choose. What decision serves you for the higher good or for the benefit of the big picture and the people you love the most? That is the question to ask before you choose.

BLOG, TWEET, EZINE, EBLAST, SOCIAL NETWORKING ... YIKES!!!

Blog, doesn't mean a typo for "jog". Tweet isn't what you hear from the trees as the sweet sound of birds chirping above. An Ezine is not an enzyme and Eblast not debris from something the space shuttle left behind. Don't forget Facebook! No, Facebook isn't for strategic teens plotting who will go to prom with who.

Each of these terms reference an online communication tool under the faction, of "new media"; the new methodology to reach your target audience.

If your company is not utilizing one or all of these online marketing tools then you may be viewed as a dinosaur.

To promote your product or service don't be left behind. Facebook reached it's 2 millionth user in April 2009. Of these users, the fastest segment of growth came from the 35 and over age category.

My 81 year old father has a hard time using a cell phone, understanding the concept of text messaging and a laptop is an anomaly.

Keep it fresh. It is time to blog, tweet and ezine. Book it on down to the Facebook site and log on to create your profile now. Don't wait too long. Sooner than later, there will be another important technologically savvy social networking tool in the cue for you to master next.

Finishing

There are only two mistakes one can make along the road to truth:
Not going all the way and not starting. Buddha

Congratulations to the Leadership Manhattan Beach Class of 2009 for graduating.
One was my son. I am very proud of his accomplishment and the class as a whole.

Whatever you are engaged in, at present, finish. No matter the outcome, the result will be that you finish something you have started.

Add Zip to Your Website

Hey, today I did a really cool thing. My friend Charlotte Marshall produced a small video clip that I will place on my website once edited. She asked that I come prepared to answer two questions:

Why do I do what I do?
What sets me apart from others who do what I do?

Just sitting down prepping for the questions made the video taping valuable.
The process of asking myself these questions was thought provoking and gave me something to really consider.

So, why do you do what you do? What makes you different?
If you don't like doing what you do, what can you change?

If you would like to know more about adding personality to your website, log on to: charmarpr.com to find out how you might have a video clip created exclusively for you to promote your business.

It's All About Connection & Networking

Remember the old cliche, "It's not what you know, it's who you know"?

This statement holds true in today's world more than ever. We have to stick together and promote one another to build the abundance life we seek. Visit the new section in the blog called,"Connection: Share Your Brand". What service does your company provide? What product do you sell? Build a profile and use the blog to brand yourself, your company and mine new clients.

Become supporters of one another.

First, "Mix, Mingle and Martinis" Met With Success

The first "Mix, Mingle and Martinis was a hit.
About 20 women came together to network, share best business practices, promote their business and build relationships. A few of the comments are written below:

Meg Hall of Meg Catering said, "To gather with a group of enthusiastic business women once a month is truly energizing. I found connection with each woman I met. Now that's rare!"

An interior design rep, Shauna Mauro commented, "Women supporting women in business is such a great and natural idea. There are so many female friends I want to bring next time."

Real Estate Professional, Abby Waddell thought, "It was a great opportunity to meet at the end of the day and network in an informal environment with a good drink."

Tracy Newell, of Meeting Wise - Meeting Planner stated, "Upper Manhattan provides a great atmosphere for casual networking and business building and is a comfortable environment for women plus Happy Hour is affordable for all. I'd love to attend a monthly networking event here".

Patty Kamson, renown astrologer said, "Women in Business was GREAT. Meeting and networking in these challenging times with like-minded women is a necessity. Thank you!

So, if this small effort can work in my part of the world, it can work in yours. Be the change you want to be said Gandhi. Consider selecting a venue, inviting friends and gather for a couple of hours to do the same. You will be surprised: The person you edify, encourage and uplift just might be YOU!

Challenge Yourself

Each year I set a physical challenge. For some, these challenges would be rather banal; for others heady!

For years, while driving along, I would see people running or walking with little white tags pinned to their chest's and wondered, "what are those people doing"? Finally I realized, "oh, it is some sort of race". Being one that gets involved in community affairs and non-profits, I soon realized many of these runs are organized for a cause. Well, cause related, people doing something fun, joining together, while out doors - sign me up! So my first challenge was training for a simple 5K race.

The next year, after seeing a documentary about white water river rafting, I set out alone on a three day trip to raft the Kern river ... class 4 to 5 rapids. Even sat in the front of the boat even though I was a novice paddling away with people trusting my leadership from the back of the boat. What a head rush that was. (And yes, I was thrown from the boat when we hit a rough patch. It was a blast and tested my strength and courage.)

The next year, I set out for a 10K race. (I since have completed several of these races but none under an hour ... for those of you that don't run, that is a doable goal but I have not reached it. Maybe this year!) For others, the goal is a breeze.

Following the race ... becoming a certified scuba diver was on my New Year's Eve resolution and ... as God, within the scope and confines of the universe provided well, yes a man who not only was a diver but had a dear friend in Belize, (second largest barrier reef located off the coast) and had a nice little home on the island. Not bad huh. Well, yes, you guessed it. Becoming a certified PADI Open Water Scuba Diver was achieved. Is it scary? Yes. While playing with nurse sharks, one of the persons in our dive group got a little to friendly and the shark nipped him. He was so stunned, he kicked his fins at a fast rate, which hit me in the head and knocked my face mask off, at 65 feet deep. Not fun but since one of the skill drills you have to practice to get your certification happens to be mask clearing and replacing under water. So, in calm, you do what you have to do, when you have to do it. Period. Next!

The next year, the goal got a little bit more gritty; climb the tallest peak in the 48 states, Mt. Whitney! Well, what does a woman who lives at sea level do to train for high altitude? Get up early Sunday morning at 5:00 AM, drive 3.5 hours, have breakfast at my favorite Hide-Away Cafe (literally the name), and proceed to the Whitney Portal for a training hike of 5 hours. After resting at the lake, I would hike back to the car and make the drive home in plenty of time to clean up a bit and go to bed to face work the next day, refreshed, revived and grateful for my time in the fresh air. Gym work outs, climbing the sand dunes in my town ... when I started I couldn't do one ascend without stopping three times. By the end of training I could do it ten times without stopping. Whew.

Next on the hit list, Africa. Climbing the infamous Mt. Kilimanjaro. You know, Hemingway's, short story, "The Snows of Kilimanjaro". Home of the Masai warriors, the tribe I was so fascinated with when learning of their existence in Cultural Anthropology while in college. The training began but ... injury ... partial ACL tear on the ski slopes in January doing a mogul hill and a job layoff in July postponed the trip. My council, best advisers,(friends), walked with me through the difficult decision, and so it was, I had to cancel. Ahhh!(A decision I regret now because the economy has only gotten worse and this year it won't be a go either. Drat.) So my birthday goal came and went without me. The mountain still stands so I do believe I have a date with the mountain at some point in my life. I hear it is grueling, unsanitary and memorable but ... A wise friend of mine once said, "Save something for later", so I do believe Mt. Kili and I will meet face to face sometime later.

In lieu of Mt. Kili, I took on rock climbing and am truly a novice but a 5.7 to 5.9 climb is not for the faint of heart no matter how you cut it. A dear friend lead me through that one and the skills saved a bad injury. While hiking alone training for Mt. Kili, I did a practice hike in heavy snow and lost the trail. I ended up having to rock climb down a ridge without rope or being belayed. I don't recommend this but without the knowledge gleaned by my friend, I think I would have broke my leg, been buried in the snow and good bear feed.

This year? I wanted to ski the Cornice in Mammoth Lakes but I think that might be on hold too. So, this year the goal is that 10K in under an hour.

Why do I share all of this? Because each of these challenges have tested my courage, challenged my body and trained my mind. I have learned, grown and changed as a result. I have found refuge in the places the training has taken me to and insight into how to push through everyday challenges and strategically figure out a way through it. Sometimes on the spot, sometimes by planning a head. When you are on the side of a mountain, looking for your next hand or foot hold, you can't calculate just that move. You have to say to yourself, under your breath, "If I move my left hand there, where will my next foot hold be"? Each step a puzzle to reach the top.

Every fear, every challenge has to be erased or faced. Often, when I am fearful, like I was last night and could not sleep considering how I was going to pay my bills, I heard myself say, "You didn't know how you were going to summit a mountain either, but you did it, one step at a time."

So guess what, together, with one foot in front of the other, through these economic times, we can take those small steps to reach our goals. No, this is not a time to stop dreaming. On the contrary, more than ever, we need to keep our dreams alive for it is in envisioning our dreams that hope will arise. This is the hope that gets us out of bed each morning and says, "Thank God, I am alive and well."

What challenge will you take on for yourself this year? What steps can you take and what friend can you take along for the ride or encourage as they move through their fear?

Welcome

Business owners, friends and family that have stepped out in faith, who have encouraged me and jump started their own careers and life by launching themselves, overcoming obstacles and following their path were the inspiration for this blog.

It was created for the purpose of uniting those of us who depend on the strong network of people we love: to edify, encourage and uplift in whatever we do, in this uncertain world. It is those of us who can adapt that will thrive. Let's do it together.

I can't listen to the news anymore, the latest buzz of the economic downturn is fear inducing. With positive energy and mind set, let's breathe life and light into these times of trial.

Some of my favorite quotes through the objections I have overcome are:

"When you are going through hell, keep going" - Jack
"When life gives you scraps, make a quilt" - Patti
"Do what you have to do, when you have to do it" - Me
"Don't worry Franny, they can't eat you" - Dad
"If you lost one deal, don't worry, just go get another one" - Dad

So welcome to the "Francey and Full Spectrum Marketing Integrated" blog. I hope you are encouraged to connect.

Please feel free to invite your friends and let's start sharing messages of hope regarding our best practices, building synergies, networking, asking questions and seeking answers and unfolding the simple truths of life: the truth that a sense of belonging is what helps keep us in balance.

Francey

The Most Important Brand You Build is Yourself

"Your premium brand had better be delivering something special, or it's not going to get the business." - Warren Buffett

When it comes to personal branding, are you delivering something special? Are you doing what you were meant to do with your life and living your purpose? Francey