Fiesta By The Bay For Autism

Fiesta by the Bay:  Laughter, Fun and A Great Way to Join the Challenge to Understand Autism

On Friday, April 20^th, I was honored to be the host of the the 7^th Annual Fiesta by the Bay, a fun-filled, spectacular event held at Gaspar’s Grotto in Ybor City with food provided by Tijuana Flats of Fletcher Ave.  Hosted by the Center for Autism and Related Disabilities at USF (CARD), this event highlighted just a small portion of some of the things being done to help raise the awareness of Autism and related disorders.

Did you know that the Centers for Disease Control has stated that autism is now occurring in one out of 88 children? It is five times more likely to occur in boys than girls, and the need for assistance by those affected by autism is growing each and every day.

Thankfully, there are organizations like CARD, which is a statewide free resource for both families and professionals to help meet the need. Their purpose and drive for the last two decades has been to bring support and awareness to Autism, and those people affected by it within the surrounding 14 counties.  They provide training, assistance, and general support that is so desperately needed.  Located at the University of South Florida, this charity has quickly become an essential resource for those dealing with Autism. But, like most charitable organizations, they can’t win the fight alone. That’s where we and events like Fiesta by the Bay come into play.

In a true show of support and dedication, the community came together to support CARD through an annual fundraising effort known as Fiesta by the Bay.  As the name suggests the evening was filled with fun and laughter and included such activities as a cake walk salsa style, a tableside magician, businesses that are Autism Friendly, including the Florida Aquarium, and a silent auction to name just a few.

Of course, the true stars of the show were the contributors and donors who took the time out of their busy schedules to come out and support CARD.  Every one of the attendees and donors were treasured, and one great example of a sponsor going the distance was the law firm of Fowler White Boggs, who decided to join the cause seven years ago, and their welcomed support is still going strong.

In addition to the great fundraising activities and wonderful sponsors, the Fiesta by the Bay also highlighted the many people who work every day to make the lives of those affected by autism just a little bit brighter.  These included everything from teachers to aides, from parents to co-workers, and friends and family.  It certainly was a magical night, and some great work was done.

So what’s in store for 2013’s Fiesta by the Bay?  We know that it will be fun, full of laughter and love and a great success.  Hope to see you there!

The end of a perfect evening for an amazing cause.

Front Doors

Front doors have rarely served me well or granted me access to the places that I really hoped to go.

I can’t quite determine if it is the door’s authoritative stance, the fact that is boldly rooted in my path or something else that gets on my nerves, but it always seems that I am searching for another, any other way to get to where I want to go.

Don’t get me wrong, front doors are beautiful; they are the focal point of many places, often having the ability to welcome you into a place of warmth and friendliness with a simple creak of the hinges and turning of the handle.

However, they also remind me of my Grandmother’s living room.  They are very nice to look at, but not exactly user friendly.  I remember being slightly afraid as a child of breaking something in my grandmother’s living room- everything looked so priceless and fragile.  For me, front doors have the same basic idea.  They are gorgeous, and yet just a little bit formidable.  It’s a frustrating mixture that draws you in and yet keeps you at arms-length at the same time.

Thankfully, the front door isn’t the only way to get inside.  There are back doors, side doors, windows, heck even chimneys that can grant you a way to your desires when the front door seems less than welcoming.

So I say plunder the different avenues of entrance.  I have always found my way, even when things look hard and unforgiving, there is always a way around, over and through the obstacles in your path.

I believe 100% there is always a way…. we must be creative, courageous, and a little crazy to find it!

Here are The 3 Simple Steps you will need to find your own, best path to success –

• If the front door is unyielding or you’re met with resistance and a stiff upper lip- don’t despair!  Remember there are always other ways.  Pick a direction, north south, east or west, and find another way in.  From the garage door to the window, from the back door to the cellar- there is always a way in.
• Remember that there is an adventure in finding your own path, your own answer- don’t hesitate in your step, and go for it!  If one path doesn’t work, there are many more to try.  Never give up!
• Repeat steps 1 and 2 as necessary.

Remember, there is always a way- the trick is to be creative, crazy and courageous enough to discover what it is!

Networking Tips

The Six Most Common Networking Mistakes 

Let’s face it- networking is a part of professional life, whether you are job hunting or not.  People are always encouraged to make connections, and to network at all times during their various encounters during the day.  The question becomes, if you’re networking so much, how come the opportunities aren’t just cascading down?  There are many potential answers to this question, but one of the most common is that you might be making some very common networking mistakes.  Mistakes that I bet you don’t even realize you’re making.  Here are a few of them.

Mistake # 1:  Constant Self-Promotion

Sure, you’ve got a great product or service, and you know that you can give the next potential boss or customer what they want, so you tell absolutely everyone about yourself, all the time.  Your enthusiasm may sound vibrant and alive to you, but to those who are constantly hearing the same thing, it can get a little tiring.   Show some genuine interest in those around you, and they’ll return the favor.

Mistake # 2:  Expectations for Help

We’re always taught that networking isn’t about what you know, but about who you know.  However it’s never a good idea to rely on those connections to help you find your next opportunity.  Instead, don’t rely on others, do the leg work yourself, and show appreciation when a contact passes a good thing along.

Mistake # 3:  Not Showing Appreciation

Let’s face it, when you finally do get the break you need, it’s partially due to someone else either giving you the opportunity or pointing you in the right direction.   It behooves you to show your appreciation for their help.

Mistake # 4:  Having No Follow Through

The last networking gathering you attended, you made some great connections, and make promises to send them your portfolio as soon as you get home.  As the night goes on, more and more connections are made by everyone. You wonder if that portfolio will even be that important by the morning.  Should you even bother sending it?

Yes, yes you should, and without hesitation.  One of the most damaging mistakes that networkers make is not following up on an opportunity.  Sending a gentle reminder, as well as your portfolio can mean the difference between a seized opportunity and a missed one.

Mistake # 5:  Forgetting to Return the Favor

Another common mistake that networkers make is to forget to return the favor to those who have helped them. Everyone knows how busy you are; they’re probably in a very similar situation.  It’s only polite to take a few minutes and help another person out if you can.

Mistake # 6:  Giving Up

It’s been said that networking is a long term investment.  It could take months or even years to get the right opportunity, and if you give up too soon, you could miss out on the best success of your professional life.  Even when everything seems hopeless, remember that there is always time to try again, in a different way.  Never give up hope.

Learning the Etiquette Game

I had the good fortune to teach 100 University of South Florida athletes and their coaches, faculty, and mentors last Monday evening. It’s funny how magic swirls around a space when folks are meeting for a common good. It almost takes my breathe away when I sense and see it unfolding. Our goal, as a collective group, was to help the student athletes grow in three areas:

1. Interviewing
2. Networking
3. Business Dining Skills

What I constantly see and know to be true is that successful people love to help others become successful. So here are a FEW examples of things we taught the student athletes.

Interview Skills

• Google the company. Know their mission statement, the charities they support and any fresh or previous news you can find. Also, search for the person you’re interviewing with and any other leaders to find their recent successes in the company.
• Speak to each and every person you encounter, from the parking attendant to the receptionist. They are indirectly interviewing you and giving feedback to HR and management on your likability and social skills. The gatekeepers hold the keys to you getting the second interview.
• Stand to greet your interviewer, never shake hands sitting down. Shaking hands sitting down puts you in a subservient position. Wait for the interviewer to show you where to sit. Don’t just plunk down anywhere. Wait for them to sit down first, then have a seat.

Networking Skills

• Put others at ease. Since most of us are a little uncomfortable attending networking events, go with the intention of putting others at ease. Take the focus off of yourself.
• Know the top three people you would like to connect with at the event. Arrive ten minutes early and take an astute yet comfortable stance near the door. Meet, greet and converse with these leaders early while they are fresh and not talked out. Beware of hanging out with the same people you know in a chain gang all night. You’re free to move about the cabin Your goal is to make new business connections.
• Beware of the bar and buffet. In fact, keep away from both of them. You can’t talk about business with your mouth full. Eat before you go. You are there to build relationships, not to win an eating contest – or worse – a drinking contest…

Business Dining

• When seated at the dining table remember BMW – Bread, Meal, Water. So you will know your bread is on the left, meal is in the middle and your glass is on the right. This way you will never hijack your bosses or potential employers bread plate.
• Wait for your host to pick up their fork or say “please eat”, before you start eating. Again, the food is not the goal, building new relationships is. Converse about interests, hobbies, sports teams, favorite vacations, etc.
• If you are the host (the one who extended the invitation), the most elegant way to pay is to never let the check reach the table. Give the waiter your credit card before the guest arrives and let them know you will settle the bill once the guest has departed the restaurant.

The secret to self confidence is to know and understand the rules of social engagement before you are in the middle of an uncomfortable situation. Check out Everyday Etiquette for tips.

My Business Success Series will show you how to navigate common and uncommon social situations that present themselves in professional as well as personal settings. We are all walking biographies – what story are you communicating to others through your unspoken soft social skills?

Take a peek at the 15 videos that are available in my Business Success Series.

Does Your Business Card Make An Impact

Your business card matters. It’s like a resume. It lets people know how you feel about yourself, your business and most importantly them. Your business card gives you an opportunity to make a stellar first and lasting impression.   Here are a few ways to make sure you are making a memorable impact with your business card. It represents you. Your business card is a visual reminder of your company and most importantly you. Make it visually appealing. Use high quality graphics that are appealing to the eye. Invest in a nice heavy card stock not printing paper thickness. You can get 4,997 cards for 49 cents. Just kidding! But you can buy cards for a minimal amount of money. So, no marked out phone numbers or emails… if your information changes invest in new cards. You are worth it and so is the recipient. Never present your cards like you are in the middle of NYC’s Times Square handing them out in a wonton manner. If you respect your business card, hand it with grace and respect. Then, other people will treat it in the same manner and hopefully keep it as a reminder to build a business relationship with you in the near future. Before heading out to a networking event,know where your cards are. Put them in a place that you can easily locate in a smooth, relaxed manner. You don’t want to appear to be breakdancing or putting out a fire by patting yourself down like your clothes are on fire in search of a card. Always have some cards with you. If you say you have forgotten your card while at a networking event, it might appear as if you aren’t credible andcompetent. If you want to quickly and easily convert business cards into contacts. Check outcardmunch.com and download the app. You will be able to snap a picture with the app, a business card is automatically converted into a contact. It will also show your LinkedIn profile.

Had a Heart Wobbling Night with Billy Joel

Had a heart wobbling night with Billy Joel last Monday night at a majestic 90-year-old intimate theatre.

It was a majestic evening filled with Billy’s wonder, wisdom and humor.

He serenaded 800 St. Pete College students and invited guests with his beautiful voice, told compelling stories, answered questions about the music industry and life while singing songs both old and new.

He came to us via Ruth Eckerd Hall’s amazing Friends of Music Education Outreach Program to teach, guide, and inspire us in this unforgettable two and half hour intimate interactive performance.

Lucky audience members were given the opportunity to ask Billy about anything. No holds barred. Some fans seemed as if they were waiting their entire life to ask him a question and this forum allowed that exchange to become a beautiful memory for all of us to enjoy forever.

Billy is doing more of these “Questions and answers and a little Music” events in towns across the country. If you’re lucky enough to get to go when he comes to your city here are some guidelines to follow should you get the opportunity to ask a question.

Here are a few guidelines to honoring talent and also your fellow audience members.

1. If you have the opportunity to ask a question, ask only one. Others so want to ask their question and if you ask two, you rob the person that has been practicing their question all day long from being able to participate due to time constraints.
2. If you ask for a song request make sure the song belongs to the artist…and that it hasn’t been performed  already.
3. Make sure you turn off your phone. Check it at least 3 times. The ring and frantic plunder with your  pocket book while the artist is in a beautiful slow song or heartfelt story is embarrassing and distracting to your seat mates.

I checked my phone three times and must have accidentally turned it on the third time. Murphy’s Law. That phone — when ringing in your purse — at church, a concert, or funeral will be impossible to excavate and turn off.

It hides so well and enjoys your frantic search as it rings on and on… it’s truly not the performance or music that anyone came to see or hear. I deserved each and every stink eye that was thrown my way.

So remember we want to shine in and out of our elements.

From the backyard barbecue to the business lunch, our brand and business is always open.

These video’s can help you navigate all the areas of social interaction that consistently present themselves on a daily basis.

Check out my Business Success Series.