Coming Soon to Tiato in Santa Monica

Awesome Organic lunch at Tiato in Santa Monica -- the site of our first Bridal Networking Event in May. This was Grilled Eggplant and Tofu in Black Bean Sauce, Truffle Mac n Cheese and Green Goddess health drink. Mmmm good! Can't wait for our event!

May 22nd will be our first OC Brides event in LA.  Join us for some great networking contrived of bonding and new relationships!  You'll surely leave with more friends than you started.  Check OC Brides for more info.  Registration will be open around April 19th.

3 Networking Rules You Should Break

  by Tony Morrison

Some people are naturally great networkers – they have a million stories, know what to say and to whom, and they can tell a joke with perfect timing. They are great at meeting new people and making small talk, and by the end of a function they will leave with a pocket full of business cards to prove it.

If this isn’t you, learning to be like that can be a challenge. Even worse, there is no exact formula for being a great networker. Yes, there are certain rules and etiquette to follow, but in the end, it’s not a guarantee. It takes practice – and not just in the beginning stages. Networking continues throughout one’s career.

If you are struggling with networking, then let’s take a different perspective to explore what you might be doing wrong in networking situations, and stop those habits first. Take a look at the this starter list of 3 rules that you should consider breaking:

Rule 1: Networking to Achieve Personal Gains
Think you’re being sly about promoting yourself for job leads or for your “game-changing” startup? Think again. Self-promotion is easy to spot, and as a result, others will avoid you. Shameless self-promotion can only come off as insincere. Treating people like business prospects devalues the rapport you’re trying to build. Instead, talk less about yourself and listen to others for ways that you can be a valuable connection.

Rule 2: Never Asking for Help
Note that there is a time and place for everything. While you should not ever solely reach out to your contacts because you need something, it’s perfectly fine to speak up when you could really use some advice or a favor. If you’ve been able to be of value to others, your connections will have no problem helping you in return. Reciprocity is the name of the game.

Rule 3: Handing Out Business Cards to Everyone You Meet
This doesn’t mean everyone you meet isn’t a potential connection; they very well could be. However, rather than handing out business cards, make sure that you’re establishing a relevant and mutually beneficial connection first. Then make a plan to connect at a later date to have a deeper discussion and exchange your contact information It also makes it easier for you to follow up with five people you got to know really well, than it is to contact 25 people about whom you know nothing because you only exchanged your card with them. By all means though, if they ask for your card instead, don’t hesitate to give them one (it’s a good thing!).

The key difference between a great networker and a bad networker is that the latter will see networking as a chore, while the former will see it as furthering or nurturing an ongoing relationship with peers and opinion leaders in their profession. ​Networking isn’t necessarily about the people you know or how many LinkedIn connections you have. It’s more about how well you know the people with whom you are connected and whether or not you can offer valuable advice, skills, or be of service to them in some way, and vice versa.

Tony Morrison is the Vice President of Business Development at Cachinko, a unique professional community where social networking and job opportunities come together. His roles include sales, marketing, and business development. He brings passion to Cachinko where he focuses on helping job seekers to find their ideal job and employers to find, attract, and engage their next rock star candidates. Find him on Twitter and Talent Connection. And, connect with Cachinko on Facebook or Twitter.

Source: A Hire Calling
Photo: bepsy/Shutterstock.com

Tigers, Zebras, and Networking ... Oh My!!! What Mixers Have Become!

It is mid July and out next mixer will be at the Hotel Hanford in Costa Mesa on July 20th.  They are always the 3rd Wednesday of the Month and start at 6:30pm.  We have many featured vendors including the Marieve Herrington Band, Photo Booths for Parties, Don Frank the Magician ready to stroll through the crowdand perform his magic, and Dough-A-Deer doughnuts for dessert after the scrumptuous food tasting the hotel has planned for us!  Ahh, and we can't forget Camp Bow Wow will have a table and giving away a 2 night doggie stay for a lucky bride on her honeymoon.  There will be 4 themed tables in our California Dreamin' theme this month.  Disney, the Beaches of So Cal, Wine Country, and Hollywood are set to be featured and decorated by Wonderland Dream Weddings, Bryde-n-All Weddings, and Glow Concepts!

 BRIDES AND GROOMS ARE ALWAYS FREE!!!!

    

     

Exotic Animals, Spanish Architecture, 

and Networking

And in August we will be at the Stunning Rancho Las Lomas Estate in Silverado Canyon.  We are still working on the fantastic details of this one but you shouldn't miss it.  Rancho Las Lomas is a unique special-event location offering an enchanting Spanish-styled open-air theater nestled under a canopy of ancient oak and sycamore trees, surrounded by lush botanical gardens. This is a spectacular setting for the most distinguished wedding!
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

You have to see this place to believe it.  Weddings, beautiful grounds, and awesome exotic animals.  Order your tickets online after July 20th and before August 17th.  Valet parking is a hired service so there will be a $10 parking fee for ALL cars.  So plan ahead and carpool to save money.  I have to say this place is definitely worth the price!!