Newsletters

February 2010

Making Connections

Some people call it networking. I like to call it making connections.

Networking, in the common business sense, is typically predicated on the need to just fill up your Outlook address book. We’re programmed to methodically work our way through business events, stopping at pods of people to fill up on business cards like a rest stop along the highway to success. It’s just how we have always done things, right?

In truth, our path to what we want out of business—and life—can be greatly enriched if instead of just filling up and rolling on, we stayed and looked around for a while. That way, we can better understand who a person is and maybe where their route is taking them; perhaps you’re headed to the same place. In other words, we need to make connections, not just contacts.

I understand this concept more every day. I believe that in making these connections, we can become passionate about others’ reasons for working and living; an idea that inspired me to share with you a recent meeting that preempted a whirlwind of dramatic events for a very good friend.

Last month, just before the country of Haiti was literally shaken to its core by a tremendous, life-altering natural disaster, I was sitting comfortably at Neomande in West Raleigh with Miles Wright, the open-hearted and dedicated co-founder of Hearts with Haiti, a non-profit supporter of several Christian boys homes throughout the small Caribbean country. We were discussing The Path, the book I shared in last month’s newsletter that helped me clarify my life’s mission. It was an engaging dialogue, especially for Miles, who seemed to be facing a time of decision in his own life. However, little did either us know that the consequences of the impending events in Haiti were going to make some short term decisions for him.

To discuss in this newsletter Miles’ rampant execution of a rescue expedition to Haiti to save a close friend would be to do a disservice to a News & Observer article  that captured it nicely.

The earthquake in Haiti has touched many of us. So I would like to recommend that you visit not only the Hearts with Haiti site but also Hearts and Hands for Haiti, another terrific Raleigh based non-profit that supports three schools in Haiti. I have known and worked alongside the family behind this great effort for a number of years. Many of you have likely been on Mission trips with Stan Wiebe, who was in Haiti when the earthquake hit. With more than 1.5 million children displaced, Stan’s group will no doubt be greatly appreciated by the people and government involved in the country’s reconstruction. 

Speaking of “Hands,” our Case Study this month exhibits another connection I made through NAWBO-Raleigh  with fellow member, Elizabeth Laurino, co-owner of Hands on Health, a massage therapy business we assisted with locations in Cary and Raleigh.

Thank you for reading. Until next month, keep connecting.