So what is the difference between Networking and truly Connecting? We all attend many events in hopes of closing a sale, introducing our business, selling a product, or sometimes just to collect business cards. 

But what really happens to all those business cards when we return to our normal business day?  We stick them in a drawer and most often they are never looked at.  Except there are always a few we put aside because those were the people we really made the "Connection" with.

So what is "Connection"?  Connection is not when your first question after saying hello is "What do you do? or you are awkward and not really listening" but it is that personal question, laugh or in depth listening that makes you remember someone and that someone remember you. That is the card you keep, that eventually turns into further conversation.  

It is not the number of business cards you collect but the quality of the 1 - 5 cards that you have gotten and put aside.  

How do you truly make that Connection with someone you meet at an event?  

1. Be polite and converse with confidence, as if you are friends
2. Share a warm smile and always hold eye contact
3. Be open and not judgemental
4. Build trust and respect 
5. Be of service, offer another connection
6. Be thankful for the time

Try it the next time you are at an event. How do you make that connection? Leave a comment.

This past weekend, my son and I went shopping for a car. It probably was the last thing we wanted to do on a Saturday but the time I had with my son, and lessons learned, was worth it! 

Going to a car dealer is a lesson in sales, OR NOT, all depending.  At least for us it was.  We really didn't have the intention of buying a car that day. We were going to be like every other good consumer. Research, test drive, go online, visit more dealerships and compare.  Best laid plans,  we met a very nice, genuine and a good salesman, Bob.  He made us feel like we were a part of his family.  We did our typical negotiating skills, acting like "tough consumers", showing Bob who was in control.  Bob did his due diligence. Going to his Managers, showing that he did not make the final decisions and was not the "bad guy", if a deal couldn't be had. 

A few hours later and more than either of us thought we would be, we walked out as Happy Customers.  Yeah! We were driving home in a new Hyundai Elantra.

Afterwards, my son and I commented on the experience and why now at 7pm we had a key to a Hyundai in our hands.  It was due to Bob's relationship building process.  Mind you, Hyundai's are great cars, but did we really need to buy it that day, NO!  

Each step of the way, Bob made us:

• Feel very comfortable, asking questions about US.
  
• He made us feel as if WE counted, going to his boss a few times.
  
• We got to know Bob as a person and a bit about his family.  We TRUSTED Bob.
  
• Bob had the KNOWLEDGE. He certainly knew the car and all the information to go with it.
  

What it reinforced in us was, it is often not the product, but the relationship and trust one builds with their client that makes you want to buy and spend hours making it work! It is the Connection that Creates the Link to Grow!

If you are interested in buying a Hyundai and want to find out where Bob works, comment below.  If not, but want to share a similar story, drop me a line. 

I am starting my own blog page on my website, www.colleencassel.com.  I have some posts from a blog - colleencassel.wordpress.com which I will eventually transition over.  So be patient as I begin to write.

I want to make this reading experience enjoyable and helpful.  I will write on business tips as well as my love for health and wellness. It might be a great recipe or exercise tips, but I hope to strike a cord in someone. 


I am a firm believer that the mind, body and spirit are all connected to bring you greater success in business and life. Arianna Huffington recently wrote a post about how "Big Business Finally Learns that Wellness is Good Business" linkedin.com/today/post/art

She and others are absolutely right. As I look back and remember changing how I took care of my own health, my attitude also changed.  Combining good food, exercise and mindfulness puts you on the path to better living.  

Take a small step, to appreciating who you are! Comment if you care.