What does the word “connection” mean to you?

The Houghton Mifflin Dictionary defines it as:

1. a) The act of connecting.
b) The state of being connected.

2. One that connects; a link: made a connection between the two pipes.

3. An association or relationship: There appeared to be no connection between the two crimes.

4. The logical or intelligible ordering of words or ideas; coherence.

5. Reference or relation to something else; context: In this connection, the agreement can be seen as a step toward peace.

6. A person, especially one of influence or importance, with whom one is associated, as by kinship or common interests: used her connections to land a job.

7. A conveyance or scheduled run providing continuing service between means of transportation: missed my connection in Atlanta.

8. A physical link, such as by wire or fiber-optic cable, between two or more points in a telecommunications system: established a connection to the Internet.

9. A means or channel of communication: couldn’t hear due to the bad phone connection.

10. Slang
1. A drug dealer.
2. A purchase of illegal drugs.

As you can see here, connection has a lot of different meanings and touches us in every aspect of our lives. I would say it might be one of the most important words we have. Even bold enough to say… Connection is everything!

Did you know that you will go crazy without human connection? Tom Hanks showed a good depiction of this in the movie “Cast Away”. He was stranded on an island for an extended period of time because of a plane crash. He eventually drew a human face on a volleyball and named it “Wilson” to have a friend to talk to. As the movie went on he demonstrated how much connection is needed.

Have you heard of the Six Degrees of Separation? The theory goes; everyone is only 6 people away from each other. They usually talk about how many degrees people are from “Kevin Bacon.” Like he is Mr. Connection or something? Did you know that they have done studies that show that Kevin Bacon is not as connected as many other less popular actors? Well, this is because the other actors did much more diverse roles which gave them many more connections than Kevin Bacon.

There was also a different study done on the Six Degrees of Separation in the book, “The Tipping Point”, which showed all connections are not equal and that most people go through certain “Connected” people to get connections.

Think about how important connections are in your life. Well, you have family connections, friend connections, business connections, sports connections, and on and on…. Most connections are built around some type of relationship. Actually, a simple smile can provide a connection.

For this article let’s focus on what it takes to build strong human connections. There is a lot of psychology that goes into this. Although I am not a psychologist, I have done quite a bit of research on this because I needed to find ways to build stronger connections. I found out that connections have to do with every part of you. It has everything to do with your past, present and future and how that relates to other people. Every experience you have had in your past can lead to building connections.

Let’s say John has been through a bad divorce in the past and a new business connection has expressed that he is going through one right now. John could use this bad past experience for a good purpose and build a connection with the new business client by sharing his past experience. It could lead to a very strong connection and potentially a great business relationship.

Connections do not stop here. Think about every aspect of your life. The more diverse of a life you have the more experiences you have to build connections with others. These include: where you were raised, where you have worked, your interests, religion, where you have traveled, what your parents did for a living; basically anything you have been exposed to.

The problem is, that most of the time, we do not have enough time to find out all the possible connection areas with someone. If only there was a way to find out this information, we could build much better connections with each other.

in October, 2008… when we first began to see the American financial staples like Lehman Brothers and Merrill Lynch in trouble, (then WaMu… who I personally bank with) I, like many, was fearful for our country’s future.  Some major financial institutions, as we knew it, could possibly vanish!  I was dumbfounded on how to personally respond.  My retirement plans were plummeting!!!!.

I had been investing for years in different arenas, real estate, stocks, bonds, mutual funds, foreign exchange trading, etc.  I wanted to salvage what was left of a particular retirement plan investment.  One ship after the next scene to be sinking.  Should I cashed out in store money under my mattress?  Good God!

Well, as a business consultant, investor, success coach, and motivational speaker, I KNEW that what I “thought about I brought about.”  So, I didn’t want to think about panicking.  Of course, what did I do?  I found myself crushed by fear, and I began to panic!  (Knowingly wanting to rise above it, but couldn’t.).

So, I knew I needed to draw upon my mentors’ pearls of wisdom that have been etched in my brain.

The pearl was, “It’s not only what you know, it’s who you know, and who knows you!”  I knew my “Network=Networth.” (I actually refer to these ‘pearls’ regularly.) now more than ever, these words were screaming at me! I put the “Bat Call” out there to some of my savvy investor friends in my network.  I was seeking connections, guidance, support, direction, or suggestions on this matter.

I got a response from one of my dear friends and colleagues who introduced me to a local boutique investment banking firm.  She proceeded to tell me that they incubates small to mid-cap sized companies and take them public. I thought to myself, “What does ‘incubate’ mean?” I looked it up.  It literally means to “hatch.” So, this private investment banking firm helps companies hatch (develop and go public). I thought this was interesting.  In addition, many of the companies they worked with were all about making a difference on the planet.  I definitely like the sound of that!  Companies in industries such as health and nutrition, renewable energy resources, and education.  That was right up my alley.

I spent three months investigating this company, attending presentations and meetings.  I met with the CEO and see 00 personally.  Wow!  I was impressed with their knowledge, experience, and results they achieved for their investor clients, as well as their corporate clients that they took public.

Where other financial institutions were going to vanish, this one was positioned to flourish with tons of cash and reserves!

like many of you, I consistently scalloped solutions and resources for myself to create success; personally, professionally, financially, physically, emotionally, and spiritually.

After scouting and researching different avenues, I completed my due diligence and chose to transfer and “park” some of my personal funds with this private investment banking firm that incubates companies and take them public.

I thought you might want to know about this resource as well, especially since I know many of you are finding ourselves in the same financial predicament.  I recommend that you connect with your networks and find out additional resources you can refer to in this economic landscape.

If you don’t have a network of support, make it a 2009 Resolution. Create a “Team of Resources” that cultivates the giving and receiving of resources.  They are there to help you find solutions, resources, connections, and ideas.

Being “the connector” that I am, they certainly could be a part of your Team of Resources to draw upon.  Joining HeartNetworking is one way you could facilitate that.

Since you are part of my network for whom I particularly want to support, my intention is to be a lifeline, like my friend did for me.

I don’t know if this particular resource is the right fit for you.  But, if you’re looking to park your money, like I did, while the waves of economic uncertainty continued to roll, you want to do your own research and due diligence first, and then take action.

You are welcome to contact me about the one I am participating in.  I am happy to make an introduction for you.

In the meantime, look for ways you can create and or connect with your community of resources, friends, associates, and colleagues to help you navigate your way to success.

If you are interested in learning about this particular private investment bank resource, let me know ASAP via email at yasmine@heartnetworking.com

Please put in the subject line “Where Can I Park It?” I will then put you in contact with them.

When I go to networking events in my area, I often watch the younger members as they try to network with new people. Here are several tips for networking at a face to face event.

When you go up to someone else at an event, don’t talk about yourself first. Ask them what they or their company does. That way, you get them talking about themselves, and then they will ask you what you do. This is a better way than starting off talking about yourself.

When they explain what they do, listen carefully and see if there are any ways that you can help them. I often ask if they know of specific websites, or make suggestions of what they could use to help market themselves. A friend of mine at BlogWorld Expo this September talked to a number of exhibitors and suggested new taglines for their companies. Whether or not they use them is besides the point. They will remember her (especially after she gave them her card) as someone who is interested in their company.

Always bring business cards! I cannot stress this enough. Networking events have a lot of people and if you want to be remembered, you need to have something that they can remember you by.

A great way of meeting people at these events is to volunteer to work at the registration desk. Everyone has to check in  and many organizers will let you put your cards on the table in front of you. If they do not, place a small stack of cards within easy reach, like in a front pocket.

Finally, dress well. It is not necessary to be wearing a tux, or formal gown, but something that is NOT blue jeans, or shorts, or miniskirts. I am often put off by technical people who think it is okay to wear cut offs or faded blue jeans to an event.