This was the first time I've attended a Speed Networking that wasn't organized with my good buddy Mitch Matthews and my lil buddy Hannah (now with brand new eyes).

I thought it was awesome.  There were a little over 20 people?  I think... but either way, Java G's was buzzing with excitement.  Great people, great thoughts and I'd be very surprised if several people don't experience some type of success from attending.

I've said it before and I'll say it yet again... there are amazing things happening in Des Moines and it's just a matter of time before Iowa becomes 'the place to grow.'  Keep up the good work everyone... we're onto something.

If anyone would like further info on upcoming Speed Networking events... check out ExtremeNetworking.org

Yesterday, I had a test.  It wasn't a very long test and it didn't involve numbers or even a pen and paper.  But it was a nerve-racking test to say the least.  The test was saying my elevator pitch in front of Mark True of REL Productions.  Awhile back I posted what happened with my first attempt at this.  I think I did okay this time.  Here it was:

"I look for companies that are in need of capital to grow."  Mark looked at me and I thought I was going to get scolded... and then I said, "The realities of the marketplace are that several companies aren't ready to receive capital, so we have become a resource that helps them get to a point of growth."

Let me know if you think I passed or if I got scolded... Or... let me know if that helps you understand our business in a short period of time.

Just when I thought I could get back to my list of posts... I finally figured out how to write about gas prices.  It's not my original thought, but a spot on nonetheless.  Thanks Michael Libbie for letting me laugh off the pain of paying $60 everytime I fill up my E-85 truck!

It takes me back to a post I wrote on making light of situations and turning them into positives.  Apparently, there's nothing anyone can do about the rising cost of gas... so let's take Michael's lead and see who can have the most fun with it.

Mine was figuring out a way to hedge...

Wow.  What an amazing last couple of days.  Has anyone had so much to blog about that they can't get a post out?  Let me tell you what it's like... you have 26 posts left in your biz office from a blog conference, a page of notes in your truck/mobile office, 3 posts at your home office and oh by the way, your feedreader is full of great stuff.

For now, here's one out of the feedreader...  Brett Rogers

If we don't take time to listen; we may miss the real reason we're in the room.  You'll also find that the wealth of knowledge you will gain is often times greater than you ever imagined.  If you get a chance, check out The Big Dream Gathering website.  They're uploading videos and posting dreams.  Listen to them and see what you can help create.   

A few weeks ago, I posted a contest for... basically, name your version of how real life translates to business.  You come up with the best translation and you win a fishing trip... to my pond.

I posted it and had some great responses!  The award (for now) goes to... well, since I'm too nice to give it to one only... I'm giving it to all.

Art Dinkin wants a card from me and I'll get to it.  I just have to find where I left my extras.  We've been talking about hunting and fishing for a long time now.

Brett Trout and I are already making plans.  He's got his gear all ready to go... It's just a matter of finding the right date!

Paintsmh needs to contact me when she gets to Iowa.  She's a connection through Us Rodeo Supply and would have to come from New York.

And then there's Tex... Well, I've got a sneaky suspicion that is really Hannah, but her answer justifies a trip to the pond at some point.  I can give her business tips and bore her out of the boat.

Thanks to all those who participated!  I'm glad to have you in the conversation.  Here's what I was thinking:

Awhile ago, I had seen a copy of my first Transition Capital Management business card.  It was light green and reminded me of a rookie card of a baseball player.  Young in years, but old looking and still new to the league.  When I saw that someone had purchased my card (among others) on Ebay, I thought "Interesting. my new goal is to try and add enough value in my business to justify someone buying a business card from me." 

Of course, I would never sell someone my business card.  I would just give it away, but we as business people must operate ourselves in a fashion that causes people to want to pay for us.  In my case, I surround myself with an excellent group of business professionals in order to increase our business value.  Unfortunately, we cost a little more than $9.

Okay... I know.  It wasn't as good as the others, but I'll do better in the next competition.  And I'll make sure to put some pics up of the fish we all catch.

I had a chance to talk with Liz Strauss in Chicago a couple days ago.  I told Hannah that it was amazing how she knew exactly who I was and what I stand for just by reading my blog.  Liz blogs on thinking, writing and business ideas.  I recommend checking out her blog and starting a conversation.  You're gauranteed to start thinking...

Recently, she posted a comment on my last post... it's funny because she was next on my list of SOBCon posts...  very timely!  Here is her comment...

It's more than WHO you know . . .

It's WHO knows WHAT YOU know. :)

Now if that doesn't make you think, I don't know what will.  She brings up an excellent topic for conversation.  Here's my interpretation:

In many ways, the next level of networking/connectivity is ensuring that people think of you (or put you on the short list) when the subject of your business is brought up in conversation.  It's great to know people and it is relationships that will ultimately grow you personally/professionally, but if they don't know what you know... your connections may not be adding maximum value to both parties involved in the relationship.  In many ways it allows you to create networking economies of scale (a future post in itself)

That's my condensed interpretation.  I'm very interested in what others may take from Liz's comment.  It could go in many directions. 

For quite awhile now, I've been blogging and heard about the great things blogging can do.  And for the first time, last weekend at SOBCon... it hit me.  At the risk of sounding "out there" I'm going to give a description of what it is like sitting in a room of people that are so highly connected it'll make your head spin.

For 2 1/2 years now, I've been preaching connectivity.  More specifically, I've been preaching that in the Midwest, in order to operate a business successfully in today's world... you HAVE TO HAVE RELATIONSHIPS THAT WILL ALLOW YOU TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS.  It's not capital, it's people.  It's intellectual property.  Once you have that... and can demonstrate market demand... capital will chase you.

The SOBCon showed me how flat the world is.  I didn't necessarily believe that before this event.  But I believe the world is flat in the sense that we have access to resources... we have to put it upon ourselves to catch up with the SPEED of our flat world.  We're all on a level playing field, but some of us make the internal connections quicker than others.  Therefore, some of us can apply those connections to their business models faster than others.  Neither is bad, but the faster you move, the faster you have a shot at becoming the consolidator of an industry. 

I had conversations with people from all over North America.  It was unbelievable to observe the different check points in the operating business world.  For some, strategic connections were "like, so totally 80's"  for others it gave them insight into a world of systematic connectivity that creates growth areas that weren't so readily apparent.

I highly recommend attending conferences all over the US and for that matter... all over the globe.  The wealth of knowledge... more specifically... the wealth of recognition you will receive pays for itself.

I'm just getting settled back in after a trip to Chicago for SOBCon07... and I have no clue where to start on this post.

I'm going to be honest... I really didn't know what to expect going over there.  Is it like a Star Trek convention?  Do I have to know what a widget is?  Either way, I was actually a little leary.

Well... again being completely honest... I was blown away.  I have never been so intrigued by what I was hearing and the people I was meeting.  The conference wasn't perfect but it was about as perfect as you'll get for the first time.  AND if you'd look at my notes, you'd see why I'm having trouble figuring out how to blog about it.  Ideas galore and each idea has the ability to go in several directions.

Here's my plan:  I'm going to start a series of posts based of my notes just from SOBCon.  Sound good?  I hope so because that's what's coming.

Many thanks to Zeppelin Media for continuing the conversation from a post on iowabiz.com

That's all I've got for today.  I'm running late for my trip to Chicago.  Hannah and I are going to the SOBCon and it'll be a looong drive.  Give us a call!  Hannah may get sick of my business advice on the way over.

Have you ever heard the saying... Lead, Follow or Get Out Of The Way?  Well, I don't know about you but I have.  It was at a baseball camp when I was 14.  The coach watched a group of us run and remembered who was in first and who came in last.  He recommended we be one or the other because he didn't recognize or remember anyone in the middle of the pack.

Has anyone heard of the great things the Pomerantz Career Center at The University of Iowa is doing?  Well, if you haven't... let me tell you a little something about it.... they are the definition of leading the pack, standing out and being recognized for a job well done.  And oh by the way, they're just getting started.

Gerald Wickham Director of Experiential Education and Sara Burden Career Advisor are doing absolutely amazing things.  They are currently leading a charge focused on providing career opportunities for students that want (and will) (and are) succeeding.

Forget about politics.  Forget about commissions and boards.  This is focused on creating success for the students that are being educated in the great State of Iowa.  I know this because I've seen it with my own eyes.  The program has created links between students and opportunities that I would have died to have when I went to college.  (Baseball at MN State excluded... they're always #1)  The Pomerantz Center is grass roots.  It's rubber on the road.  It's successful.

If you want to know more (and everyone should) don't hesitate to find out how you can help.  Call me if you have too.  I promise that you will discover action steps that are unlike any other program you've seen.  I can't speak for ivy league programs, but I'd put this program up against any other.

Thank you Gerry, Sara and the Pomerantz Center for making good things happen!

Everyday I wake up and think to myself... there are major things about to happen in Iowa.  We are literally on the verge of amazing growth and it's not all bio-fuels.  It revolves around the hearts, minds and spirit of good old fashioned business people.  A strategy otherwise known as... Roll Up Your Sleeves and Make Something Happen.  Are you scared?  I'm not.  I'm confident and comfortable that the steps being laid in front of us are absolutely necessary and will produce astounding results.

Here are a couple things just waiting to explode:

US Rodeo Supply - Read this article and think of all the possibilities

Mitch Matthews/Do You Q/Big Dream Gathering - Check out his blog and the links within it.  If your head isn't spinning with potential... you're not digging deep enough.

Timothy Johnson - Another amazing article. If you haven't contacted him, you should.

These are absolutely the tip of the iceberg.  I have nothing more to say (for today anyway), other than... brace yourself because we're closer than we've ever been before.

Oh wait... one more thing... Bonnie Harris of The Des Moines Register... You have no idea of the impact you are making on Iowa.  Congratulations and keep up the awesome work!

Souffles should only take 10 minutes to make.  The only cooking utensils you'll need are: a small pan, a Swiffer and a set of ball bearings.  Don't forget to let the ball bearings age for at least five days.  Once you've got these utensils; you're ready to add the ingredients.  Once again, it's an easy mix.  Just add: egg, starch and a dash of bs.  Pop it in the oven at 407 degrees and WHAM!  You're eating great tonight.

Okay, I'm done being sarcastic.  For those of you that know me, you'd know that I'm the last person in the world that should give souffle advice.  For those of you that don't know me and don't know how to make a souffle; you may think that I'm the expert and you should listen to me.  (hopefully not though)

In a business sense...

A business owner/business that represents themselves as having expertise in a certain area; you're not only going to be exposed, but you're going to hurt your clients in the process.  It doesn't have to be as blatant as the first paragraph either.  It can be something written in passing, not talked about, but seen nonetheless.  Surround yourself with the knowledge and expertise that can help the client.  It will benefit your client, economic development and you in the long run.

Time for some shameless self-promotion... with a twist.  Recently, a new blog/website was launched at IowaBiz.com. Professional Solutions Insurance Services is sponsoring 12 Central Iowa Bloggers to give tips and thoughts to help out businesses and business owners.  Here is the starting lineup:

• Rush Nigut
• Brett Trout
• Mitch Matthews
• Drew McLellan
• Mike Sansone
• Shirley Poertner
• Brian Honnold
• Timothy Johnson
• Victor Aspengren
• Tom Vander Well
• Joe Kristan
• And.... oh yea.... me.

First of all, I am absolutely humbled to be included in a list like that.  This group of people are some of the greatest minds operating (not only in this area) but globally.  So thank you all for allowing me to be part of this amazing group!

My posts are focused on Networking and Collaboration... go figure.  The best part is that the entire site is a network and its extremely collaborative... which makes my job very easy. 

Please, visit the site and learn from the individuals putting their thoughts online.  The purpose is to not only add value to businesses, but to spur developmental thoughts.  So feel free to agree, disagree or just extend the conversation.

One of the first lessons I learned since joining TCM was... keep overhead extremely low and don't force your business to pay for unnecessary expenses.  Basically, don't let overhead costs shape your business model.

Occasionally, I see operators that are forced to 'force the sale' on other individuals.  In many cases, the cause of this is not because of the personality of the salesperson; it's because there are large overhead expenses driving the sales process.  Often times, the forceful nature of this process doesn't allow for a strong relationship to be built and subsequently makes for a harder/longer sale.  In another direction, your overhead expenses will even shape the pricing of your products.

Now I know that we all need to make money to eat, sleep and breathe but if we are not driven by the need to pay for buildings, company cars, and big neon signs; our overall sales process will be more natural and more effective.  I also know that our services and our time are very valuable, but if your overhead doesn't allow you to have flexible pricing; you may miss an opportunity for future sales. 

There's no shame in subleasing and keeping costs extremely low.  Actually, when you present your business as one that has operated on a small budget and hasn't made unnecessary overhead expenditures; your business is more attractive to a growth capitalist.