On Friday I had the opportunity to present Networking with Excellence and Integrity as a part of the McMaster Alumni Professional Development Day. I have attended this event for the past 3 years and this year was the best yet. The organizer, Laura, did an excellent job of promoting networking from the beginning of the day.  The format is simple, we began the day with a keynote speaker, Jeff Tobe, Coloring Outside the Lines.   This was one of the highlights of the day for me.  Afterwards, a short networking break with coffee and snacks.  Then the first of two breakout sessions.  My session on Networking was one of the two choices in the morning.

There were about 35 people in the room for this session. We had a lot of fun together and had the opportunity to do some networking within the small group, using some of the skills that had been learned.  It was interesting to have such a variety of people in the room, since there were alumni from many decades and also non-alumni who had heard about the event.  Lunch followed and again we were encouraged to meet new people and sit at a different table. I noticed that many people were using some of the skills they had learned in the morning session.

After lunch we again had the choice between two breakout sessions.  This was once again followed by a networking break – and A CANDY BAR – if you’ve never seen this, it was awesome.  Bowls of candy and bags of popcorn for snacking on.  Sure, we had a sugar rush and crashed on the way home, but it was really fun.  Tal Dehtiar of Oliberté spoke as the closing keynote.  He is a McMaster Alumni and a young, successful business person, whose current project is Oliberté footwear, making shoes in Africa for export only.  It was a very interesting and eye opening talk.

What I really enjoyed about the day was that the sessions were relevant and interesting, and I learned skills that I can use outside of the seminar. I had the chance to meet many different and interesting people and even started a few good relationships. It was great to have an opportunity to practice networking skills with a group of such diverse individuals. Networking truly is a skill that can be learned with practice.  This was an example of an event that was put together to not only educate us, but to allow us opportunities to network throughout the day.

If you’d like to learn more about networking and some of the skills needed to become a great networker, join us for the next Networking with Excellence and Integrity on Wednesday May 26th, 7 – 8:30 pm at the Oakville Public Library, Central Branch. Advanced registration is $20, at the door $30.  You can register directly by emailing info@julieboyer.com.

If you were at the event on Friday or have attended a N.W.E.I. session before, please share some of your feedback in the comments.

It has been an interesting time for me over the past few months, as I have been branching out and creating new seminars, such as Networking with Excellence and Integrity. I am very grateful to have acquired the skill set to be able to not only network effectively, but to teach others to do the same. Let me ask you something, what is it that you are known for? What is your greatest strength? Are you a people connector, a creative artist, a talented musician, a great speaker, a gifted marketer? Now – the big question is – were you born this way? Or did you have to practice the skills in order to make it look like you are a “natural” at what you do?

This is something that I have always found interesting.  It is a wonderful compliment when someone tells you that you are a natural at something, yet in order for it to be “natural” for you, you’ve had to put in hundreds to thousands of hours of practice! We are all born with basically the same skills – the ability to breathe, cry, poop and sleep.  That’s about it – all of our other skills have be developed and worked on.  And the amazing thing is that you can start to develop your skills at any time in your life! My aunt became a talent pianist after the age of 60! My mom started a second career as a wine writer in her late 40s. One of my favorite Ironman triathletes, Sister Madonna Buder, became a household name for complete the Ironman in her 70s and continues to race today – she is 80 years old!!

Most of you reading this haven’t known me for that long.  What many people don’t know is that 4 years ago, I was a very different person, with a different skill set and a very different perspective on life. The past four years have been transformational for me, and have allowed me to develop into the person I am today. I am often asked how I became a speaker or a great networker – and the truth is, my experience in network marketing (or MLM) is a big part of how I transformed into the person I am now.  Not only that, I have seen many people I care about also become the best they can be through what they have learned.

Perhaps you’ve looked at MLM before, maybe even worked with a company or two.  Network marketing isn’t for everyone (although there is a place for everyone) because it is hard work and can be very challenging at times, and not instantaneously rewarding. Beyond using products that have been life changing for me, here are some of the skills and benefits I have gained over the past four years:

• The ability to network and prospect in any situation
• Making new friends and meeting new people wherever I go
• Creating and maintaining relationships with people around the world
• Presentation skills and the ability to stand in front of a group with confidence
• Personal mentoring by millionaires and multi-millionaires
• An open door into the world of self-development
• Learned how to meditate and how to visualize
• Remembered how to dream big and without limits!
• More self-esteem and self-confidence
• Disciplining my disappointment (as Jim Rohn would say)
• Attracted my perfect partner
• A better relationship with my family and my in-laws

Ask anyone who is passionate about network marketing, and they will have a similar list of “hidden” benefits to their business. Our profession may not be on the top of your list, but for me, it has been a tremendous blessing and I will always be grateful that one of my best friends, Leanne Grechulk, introduced me to it. We may not work together anymore, but my life has been changed for the better because she took the time to share with me this amazing profession of network marketing.

Perhaps the next time someone you trust or care about, asks you to come to a meeting or watch a video or listen to a presentation, maybe you’ll take a closer look. If you’d like to take a closer look at what I do, just click here for an audio tour of my website. You’ll have to enter your info in order to start the tour – this helps me to keep my contact database up-to-date.

What skills would you like to improve? What are you passionate about that you’d like to turn into a profession? Let me know – and maybe I can help – because that’s what networking is all about!

Have a wonderful day everyone and if you’ve got sunshine like we do – enjoy!!

As the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games already start to fade from our memories, I have one more Olympic post before moving on to a new topic.  I simply call it:

My Top Ten Moments of the 2010 Vancouver Olympic Games

10. William Shatner telling us about Canadians knowing how to make love in a canoe.

9. Charles Hamelin wins the Gold medal and Marianne St. Gelais runs up to hug him – and he gives her bum a squeeze!

8. Clara Hughes winning the Bronze medal in the 5,000 m Long Track Speed Skating.

7. Marianne St. Gelais’s enthusiasm and wonderful smile! Especially her cheering when Charles was racing.

6. Floating beavers and moose in the closing ceremonies.

5. The display of patriotism across the country and a real feeling of national pride.

4. Jon Montgomery drinking from a pitcher of beer while walking through Whistler Village.

3. Joannie Rochette’s short program, only 2 days after her mother died.

2. The dozens of renditions of “I Believe” highlight reels – made me cry every time.

1. Sidney Crosby’s Gold Goal!

It’s back to the real world for now. It has been a pleasure sharing the Olympics with all of you! And I look forward to hearing about your Olympic moments!

Don’t forget – Thursday night is Networking with Excellence and Integrity.  There are a few spots left, please email me if you’d like a spot.

Over the past 4 years, I have had the chance to network with people from Toronto to Niagara.  It has been amazing to meet so many wonderful people and create many great relationships.  I have been to countless numbers of events and have also had the opportunity to read many different books and publications on the art of networking. Over time, I have developed a skill set that the has allowed me to share my approach to networking with many different organizations and groups in my life.   After a short education session on networking for the Trafalgar Toastmasters, with a push from a few friends, I decided to take the seminar public and host my first Networking seminar, open to the public.

What if one connection could make all of the difference in your business? How about in your life?

Wouldn’t you like to make that connection?

Please join me for a very special session, Networking with Excellence and Integrity

Listen to a short audio introduction by Julie Boyer

Not your typical training, in this interactive seminar you will learn and practice the skills you need in order to make successful connections in any prospecting situation.

• How to make a great first impression
• Standing apart from the crowd
• Your infomercial or elevator pitch
• Giving and receiving referrals that may actually bring in $$
• Translating these skills to the online world: FaceBook, Twitter
• *New added content on Networking for employees or those looking for work*

This session is perfect for:

• Small business owners
• Financial advisors, insurance brokers
• Real Estate
• Front line office workers such as receptionists/secretaries
• People currently looking for work
• Those who find it difficult to build relationships from networking events

This seminar will be very interactive, and you will leave with a new set of skills that will help you build relationships not only in business situations, but throughout life in general.

When is it? June session:

Details to be posted soon!

Register now for the early bird price of $20 per person.

Email: info@julieboyer.com

Ticket price at the door (if available) is $30 per person.

“I’ve always known that networking is an important soft skill to have, but as a person that is currently transitioning jobs, I was really looking forward to Julie’s session in the morning. She did not disappoint! I learned many different networking tips and skills that I had not heard, and like Julie said, had the opportunity to use them throughout the remainder of the day. The session was very refreshing, thanks Julie!” – Carla Sorowka

Looking forward to seeing you there! Please email me to reserve your spot today.

Question of the day: Share with us a great networking story – or even better, one of the worst!