Making a Difference One Starfish at a Time

The Networker

One day an old man was walking down the beach just before dawn. In the distance he saw a young man picking up stranded starfish and throwing them back into the sea. As the old man approached the young man, he asked, “Why do you spend so much energy doing what seems to be a waste of time?” The young man explained that the stranded starfish would die if left in the morning sun. The old man exclaimed, “But there must be thousands of starfish. How can your efforts make any difference?” The young man looked down at the starfish in his hand and as he threw it to safety in the sea, he said, “It makes a difference to this one!”

At times in our lives, we have all been the old man, the young man, or the starfish.

Sometimes, as the old man, we don’t see the purpose to actions. We are so focused on what appears to be the futility of the situation or the seemingly massive obstacles we face that we don’t even look at the possibilities of what we could do and instead only see what we can’t. Just imagine what a difference could have been made if the old man had joined in and helped the young man in saving the starfish.  They could have even started a movement where everyone on the beach that day joined in and helped. As a team, they might have saved every one.

Sometimes we are the starfish who just needs a little help.  Wouldn’t you hope there was someone out there who was willing to take the time to save you?

And sometimes we are in the role of the young man; we persevere and make a difference.  We often face the ridicule of others or the unintended discouraging comments of those who like to tell us that they’ve tried this before and it didn’t work or give us all the countless reasons this is a waste of time.  Even if it is only one starfish, when we stay the course, we make a difference, and maybe next time the nay-sayers will join us instead of standing by and watching. If we want to make a change, we must embody that change first.

Saving starfish doesn’t usually require big actions.  Just spending time and genuinely caring about people is really all you need to do.  You have likely saved hundreds of starfish in your life, and never even realized it.  So who will be your starfish today?

Submitted by Lorie Vega, Secretary
Ellsworth AFB 28th Force Squadron

Build Your Skills: Networking Basics

The Networker

Networking basics has several elements. Ask any successful business person and they will tell you that professional networking is one of the most important elements — if not the most vital one – in moving your career forward. But even though it is so familiar among professionals, it is also one of the most underused career enhancement methods for success. Following are some ideas for you to know about networking.

What Is Networking?
Networking is the process of building and maintaining mutually beneficial connections with like-minded individuals through sharing resources and information and supporting each other. Strong relationships are built on competence, trust, fairness, honesty professionalism, punctuality, confidentiality and being upfront. One of the most important things about networking is being willing to collaborate with your connections instead of competing with them; you should also be willing to go the extra mile to help them and not just look at what they can do for you.

Everyone has networking experience, just not in those specific terms. Think about it: meeting someone or making a new friend is actually a form of networking. There are two different types of networking: social and professional networking.

Why Network?
Networking can be extremely beneficial for all professionals as it can help you at all stages of your career.

Helps You Get a Job. Networking is considered to be one of the most effective job hunting methods. Most people are able to find a job through networking, either through direct contact with a hiring manager or through referrals. If you are a hiring manager and are responsible for hiring someone into your company, would you rather hire someone you know and trust or a complete stranger? Having said that, some 80 per cent of jobs are never advertised, so by engaging with other professionals, you might end up getting hired in the hidden job market.

It’s the Biggest Predictor of Career Success. It provides different avenues to check out. According to some studies, simply being in an open network instead of a closed one is the best predictor of career success. An open network consists of people who act as nodes connecting different people and different groups – who can sometimes end up feeling disconnected and misunderstood. Having an open network can be quite challenging due to the constant conflicting perspectives you have to assimilate into your worldview. This is actually what makes open networks so valuable. By having all these different people together, with their varied backgrounds, you’re able to absorb the huge creative potential by combining ideas from different fields. When you are in a closed network, you are networking with people you already know and stay in the same industry, religion or political party. It, therefore, may be easier to get things done due to the trust you’ve built up with your existing connections.

So here are some networking tips. By investing the time to build a strong and open network, your career will eventually reap the benefits. People in your network will start seeing you as a skilled professional and will reach out to you for services depending on your expertise.

1. Find networking opportunities.
2. Set a schedule. Now that you have found opportunities available to you, look at all the events in your area and select the ones you would want to attend.
3. Pay for it and since you have invested in the event you create a commitment for yourself and this will ensure you attend.
4. Research the event. Find out all about the event on the internet and seek out attendees and speakers on social media. Since you have connected with them and have learned of their content before you meet them in person, be sure you introduce yourself again when meeting them in person.
5. Go alone. This is the best way, because if you go with someone, it may scare off potential introductions and your friend may intimidate some people. You can challenge yourself and seek others on your own. If others can do it, you can, too.
6. Go for the loners. Groups are very hard to approach and impress, so just approach that one person standing in the corner all by themselves and strike up a conversation. You may share the same interests, so this means you have made yourself a new connection, just like that.
7. Volunteer to work at the event. This is a great way to meet people and benefit you. Most importantly, it keeps you in the know. This provides you with the unique opportunity to meet and network with people who you may not have otherwise encountered as a simple attendee.
8. Follow up. Now that you have networked with someone, you need to follow up with them and send an email or note so they remember you too.
9. Hang out by the food. This may sound strange, but don’t worry. This is the place where every attendee will pass by at one point or another, meaning you will be able to see and interact with everyone there.
10. Remember to have FUN. Generally speaking, the more positive your attitude and the more fun you have, the more people will approach you.
11. Last, but not least, keep an up-to-date list. Create a list with all the connections you made at an event – regardless of whether you think you and your career can benefit from them. Write down the date you met, the date you sent them your first email, if and when they replied, each time you met and so on. These notes will come in handy in the future and will definitely remind you when you need to follow up with someone you haven’t been in touch with for some time.

Networking is just a time to make sure you connect with people and have a wonderful time while making your connection. Good Luck.

~ Submitted by Doris Ann E. Werlinger, Hospitality

Tips for Businesses: Online Etiquette

The Networker

In a world of constant connectivity and social media engagement, how you present yourself and handle important online tasks is extremely important for your business image. Angela Wolter (of Dot Marketing) and I shared a few tips at one of our luncheons several months ago. Because many of our members weren’t there, and because there is so much to think about, we are following up with helpful information about managing your digital image.

Email etiquette:

• Always use a clear subject line – This helps recipients prioritize, respond, and file their messages, making it more likely for you to receive a response.
• Make it short and to-the-point – The first paragraph is often all that is read of longer messages. It is always better to call when more information needs to be shared, then follow up with an email summary. When longer messages may be necessary, use formatting such as bold, bullet points, etc. to make it easier to read.
• Know your audience – For those you email frequently, get to know how they handle email. Constantly getting one answer when you ask 3 or 4 questions? Start sending separate emails for each issue, or change the formatting to make it easier to see and respond to everything.
• Delete the long string of replies – It makes sense to leave a message or two below, but in long conversations it is a good idea to delete older messages when composing your response. People have often gotten in trouble when messages have been forwarded that included a complaint about a boss or coworker, for example. Plus, it’s just annoying in some email platforms that don’t snip the long messages.

Mailing list etiquette:

• Make sure you have permission before adding people to your mailing list – Just because you meet someone at a networking function and seem to really hit it off, doesn’t mean he or she will appreciate being on your list. In fact, adding them without verbal permission or an opt-in email (requiring them to click a link in an email to confirm) is considered spam and may be illegal. Whether or not this is the case, it will certainly leave a bad impression.
• Let people know exactly what to expect when they do decide to join your list – How often will you send messages or newsletters? What types of information will you provide? Do you have separate lists for different types of information? Our inboxes are inundated with mail constantly, so you need to help people understand how your content will benefit them so they will not only join your lists, but also read your content.

Social media etiquette:

• Keep business and personal separate – Whether you maintain two separate Facebook accounts or just use a Facebook Page to manage your business networking, your business associates (in most cases) do not want to see your funny cat videos, cute pictures of your kids or nieces and nephews, or which political comments you “Like” or “Share” with others.
• Know your platform – Learn as much as possible about the platforms you choose to use, to make sure you are using them appropriately. Follow others in your industry to see what you like or dislike about their posts, as well as how people engage with the content.
• Limit your activities – No one has hours a day to post on social media. Overdoing it will cause you to feel overwhelmed, re-post the same exact content across multiple platforms (even where it isn’t appropriate to the platform), and cause you to become ‘spammy’ with your content. Choose one or two platforms to start, and add slowly only after you learn how to use each effectively, as well as how much time each takes.
• Be social, not spammy – Respond to others’ posts and comments, engage in conversations, provide useful information, and act like a real person. Online as well as in real life, no one likes to feel like they are just getting a pitch.

For 25 additional Social Media Do’s and Don’ts, read this article.

In general:

• Use proper grammar and punctuation – If you are representing yourself as a professional, it is important to be professional online. Misspellings, net slang or shortcuts, and improper punctuation do not present a professional image.
• Use privacy settings, but don’t rely on them – Make sure you are comfortable with who sees what types of content you post online by checking all privacy settings on every social network you use. However, keep in mind that once you send it out, anyone can copy and re-post what you write, so post or send email cautiously.

    ~ Submitted by Nikkole Abbas, WN Publicity

Who are the Heroes that Matter?

The Networker

The following is the philosophy of Charles Schulz, the creator of the ‘Peanuts’ comic strip:
(You don’t have to actually answer the questions, just read straight through, and you’ll get the point)

1. Name the five wealthiest people in the world.
2. Name the last five Heisman trophy winners.
3. Name the last five winners of the Miss America pageant.
4. Name ten people who have won the Nobel or Pulitzer Prize.
5. Name the last half dozen Academy Award winners for best actor and actress.
6. Name the last decade’s worth of World Series winners.

How did you do? The point is, none of us remember the headliners of yesterday. These are no second-rate achievers. They are the best in their fields. But the applause dies. Awards tarnish. Achievements are forgotten. Accolades and certificates are buried with their owners.

Here’s another quiz. See how you do on this one:

1. List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
2. Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
3. Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
4. Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special!!
5. Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.

Easier?
The lesson: The people who make a difference in our lives are not the ones with the most credentials, the most money…or the most awards. They simply are the ones who care the most.

You are already your child’s superhero, your boss’s superstar, your friend’s lifesaver, your spouse’s MVP because you care, you are involved, you think about helping others. You care enough to be a part of something worthwhile, to give back to your community, to strive to be better, to want to enrich lives. SO thank you for everything you do, AND remember to pass this on to the people in your life who were the answers to the second set of questions. It is so easy to get so caught up in the business of life that we sometimes forget to thank the people who helped us get to where we are and keep us sane and balanced every single day.

    ~ Submitted by Lorie Vega, WN Board Secretary

Maximizing First Impressions

The Networker

Are we getting too casual in our work attire? Research suggests we are. An article by Robert Half at cpapracticeadvisor.com reports that 4% of accounting and finance employees dress very formal, 21% somewhat formal, 61% somewhat casual, and 13% very casual.

The topic of how teachers dress was discussed by author Harry Wong in his book The First Day of School.

Another recent research article by PayScale called Style vs. Salary reports that those folks in the category of business formal made higher incomes.

It is interesting that attention is being placed on how people dress in their industries. Is it because we know that in seconds those first impressions of a person are being formed? Is there concern that the manner in which people dress gives a message that they don’t care? Not caring about self, does it also indicate not caring for the customer? I find it interesting that the formal attire folks make more money but our attire is becoming more casual. So how does that work?

When I research information on 1st impressions, there is a lot of info on dressing corporate or professional, but very little on what’s business casual. We do know that every industry has some input into people’s dress code. Different careers require different presentations. Some industries make it easy for people, as they have a uniform; therefore, they do not have to think about their clothing choices.  What about those industries that leave the dress code up to your “own judgement” or “within reason.” That can leave choices wide open. Unfortunately, situations like that can result in one or two people dressing poorly and it sets a tone for a whole business.

My experience has been that people don’t really know appropriate business dress. They allow themselves to be influenced by the media, friends, and family. That can be interesting! In the professional world is much more difficult for women than men. For example, men have traditionally worn suits, which is their “uniform.”  Women on the other hand have many choices out there and dressing becomes challenging. Ladies, you get judged far more than men.

I have a few tips to dress for success in business:

1. Determine what color is best on you. I believe that the foundation to image is color. Have you have ever had anyone say to you “are you feeling ok?” when you feel fine? It’s possible that the color you’re wearing may cause you to look tired or haggard. Learn what flatters you.
2. Style is unique to each of you. Discover your personal style, as it will give you confidence and a great feeling of knowing you look amazing. It is nice to know how and what to wear for occasions.
3. It is always better to dress a step up vs. a step down.
4. If you own a business or work for a company, wear what reflects your brand. Brands reflect value systems, color, a message of who you are and want others to see in you.
5. As a business owner, I suggest you take responsibility for defining appropriate dress for your company. Many entrepreneurs will utilize a business coach. Likewise, it’s sometimes worth the investment for an image consultant.

1st impressions can be lasting impressions. It’s worth your time and investment to consider the impression you’re making.

Suggested books:
Ultimate Hindsight by Jim Stovall
Branding Pays by Karen Kang

What’s your Leadership Philosophy?

The Networker

I attended a leadership training recently and one of the exercises we did was to create our own personal leadership philosophy. I found going through the steps really helpful in solidifying what I valued and what my expectations were for myself and my organization. So here are the steps:

1. Define your purpose or mission, consider major responsibilities, final products, customers.
2. Understand your true personal values.  Your core values are those that are intrinsically valuable these contribute to your total person, family, hobbies, competence etc.
3. List your fundamental leadership beliefs about people and organizations.  These could include your beliefs on whether or not people inherently want to do a good job, what climate an organization should have, how things get done.
4. Determine your vision “what kind of reputation do you want to create with your actions in your personal and work life” what do you want to be?  You can start with “My vision is creating/inspiring/enabling and environment.” From there, add action words such as is, will, facilitates, enables, allows, etc.  Then add your description and reflect.  An example:  Allows every individual to contribute to their maximum capability.
5. Establish Leadership Goals- Should be achievements of characteristics you want to accomplish (the ends), and inspire deliberate action (the means).  First, picture what you want to do and the work environment you want to have in a realistic, achievable picture 2 years from now.  What ingredients are needed for your picture?  What goals do you need to set to achieve this?  An example: I will always look for improvement in areas I affect.
6. Compare your values with those of your organization- do they mesh?

Organize all of this into a strategy  – it should be easily understood, desirable to read, achievable, positive, and energized.  It can be in a paragraph, a chart, a cartoon- whatever fits your style

I found following the steps and really thinking about each allowed me to create a picture for myself and those I lead. I am sharing my first draft of my vision and I will continue to edit as it evolves, but for now, it gives us a direction and focus. I chose a graphic depiction, basically a house built on a foundation of values. This is, of course, is specific to my organization, but it gives you the idea. I hope this is helpful and good luck on your leadership journey!

~ Submitted by Lorie Vega, Secretary

The Power of the Name Badge

The Networker

So what can the mighty badge do for you? Beyond being your business card, handshake, ad or even a closed deal, a name badge is your chance to make a name for yourself which is the key to success.

Stretch out
By way of self-disclosure and forgoing anonymity, wearing a nametag LITERALLY causes you to “stick yourself out there. It might be uncomfortable but that’s the best way to learn…and who are we kidding comfort zones are overrated, you have no business there anyway!

Branding
Name badges are a key aspect of the branding exercise because they are worn on the very front line of the customer/client game. They’ve become part of the total branding opportunity when promoting your brand. A recent survey of 1,000 men and women across the U.S. revealed that 96% felt it was it important to recognize a person by name when doing business.

75% of those surveyed agreed that wearing a name badge would help one to stand out in job searches and career advancement.
77% believed that wearing a name badge helps to personally brand oneself at meetings, conferences or networking events. (Survey conducted by Social Science Research Solutions.)

Professionalism
Wearing a name badge effectively communicates you are serious and take pride in your position. Your customers and business connections will notice your attention to detail and the confident first impression a name badge provides. With your name and logo at the forefront of your professional interactions, it gives an important visual that makes your brand memorable and more personal.

Approachability
Regardless of the design, name badges say “I’m here to help” and they say it loud and clear just by being worn! Think about it from a customer point of view. If your employees or members are proudly wearing name badges, they are instantly identified as being open, willing and available to help.

An equalizer
When nametags are worn correctly (no last names, acronyms, degrees, positions or designations, just the first name your mama gave you) you successfully leveled the playing field. This allows you to lead with your person, NOT your profession. This allows people to know you first as a human, not a statistic.

Engagement tool
The hardest part about conversations is getting the ball rolling. That’s why names are so great. They are THE basic building block of conversation the sooner someone knows your name, the sooner they are more comfortable and willing to engage. Simply stated, names reduce the distance between people. So disarm and expedite conversations with a name tag!

Interactive Advertising
Traditional advertising can be expensive. Name badges enable you to increase your promotional space by placing it at the forefront of your interactions and maybe even allow you to upsell your latest product/service, promote your seasonal deals or simply increase awareness about your business…ahh the versatility of the mighty badge!

– Article submitted by Kendra Lee,
WNRC Board Secretary

2018 Tax Changes

The Networker

It is sad to say but the end of the year is right around the corner.  The last time I looked we are only about 9 weeks away until 2019.  During this time everyone is busy with the holidays (Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas).  This is also a great time to think about tax planning, especially because of the new tax law of 2017.  If you receive a W-2, it is likely you have seen an increase in the net pay you get due to the change in the federal tax withholding tables.  It is a good idea to take a look at your federal withholding taken out to date to make sure it will be enough.  We have done some planning for clients and not enough federal withholding has been taken out to cover the total tax.  If this is your case you still have time to adjust the withholding for the last couple months of paychecks.

Another change for 2018 is the increase in the child tax credit, which is a great thing for families with kids under 17.  In the past the taxpayers under the income limit could get a $1000 credit per child.  This credit was limited if you met the income limit or it was even phased out completely.  Starting in 2018 the credit went up to $2000 per child under 17 and the income limit increased to $400,000 for married filing joint taxpayers, allowing more taxpayers to qualify for the credit.  In the past, taxpayers were not eligible for a tax credit for dependents over the age of 17.  Starting in 2018 taxpayers are eligible for a $500 nonrefundable credit for each of those dependents.  If you have grandparents or parents and you are providing more than half their support, now you can claim them as a dependent and get a $500 tax credit.

These are just a couple of the changes that were included in the tax law.  If you have questions please consult your tax advisor.

Michelle Minnerath, Past President
Ketel Thorstenson, LLP