I had the privilege of listening to a presentation by Barry Pace of PaceSetter LLC last night.  For those of you who haven't met Barry, you should.  In my opinion, he is an operator that makes things simple to produce results.  Barry is also one of those execs that has left the State of Iowa, come back and is now offering his expertise to companies in need of growth.

Be careful about asking him questions before he presents though.  You may just end up involved in the presentation somehow.

Brett Trout had a interesting post the other day.  Check it out.  Not only is it cool that he's a cage fighter, but he's got great insight into establishing relationships.  The advice he gives will also help as you network and try to meet others in social settings.  In my opinion, establishing professional relationships doesn't always have to involve business situations.

Great post, Brett!

More and more I'm getting asked to give my opinions on what Young Professional group is the best to join.  Since I will repeat this anywhere... I thought I'd post a blog of my answer and (hopefully) get some feedback from others.

My answer to the question is based on my personal experience over the last 3 years... doing what I do best.  So, without further qualifications... here is my answer to "Which Young Professional group should I join?"

I don't believe Young Professionals, who are trying to build a professional practice, should constrain themselves to an age category.  I see people who are 75 years old that work just as hard as I do.  It's because of this that you shouldn't limit yourself to a particular Young Professional group.  There are networking events all over Iowa (some young/some old) and each one of them has value.  However, they only have value if you cause them to have value.  You must take it upon yourself to make the introductions necessary to give yourself a shot at business success.  It's my opinion that, if you limit yourself to one group... you could be missing out on opportunities that exist in other groups.

Now that I think of it, my coffee answer is usually much longer, but is that vague enough to cause some conversation?

It's not very often that a business owner can walk into an event and walk out with a handful of great business leads.  The odds of this happening are increased, however, when you have a great business idea and demand for your product within the marketplace.

One of these businesses is owned by Kate Klein of Kate Klein Design.  I met her at a Speed Networking event a roughly six months ago.  Since then, I've seen her business take shape and turn into something very special.  Click here to find out about the latest in the evolution of her business model.

She is a young professional experiencing success in Iowa.  She utilizes the resources around her and is always willing to create success for others.  Keep your eye on this one!

And many thanks to the work of Mitch Matthews on this one.  You're both doing amazing things and it makes my job just that much more fun.

Hopefully the word is spreading, but if not, we're hosting another meeting of SEMEE (Society of Entrepreneurial Minded Executives).  For basic details and RSVP go to: http://www.expressplanner.com/semee/

I described this meeting the other day as a way to rub elbows with those you wouldn't normally get a chance to meet.  It's also an excellent opportunity to create a relationship early on with companies that will eventually become large growing enterprises. 

Click here to read Rush Nigut's view on SEMEE

Feel free to attend and don't hesitate to bring others.

I recently had a meeting with a college grad looking for a job.  This person was educated in Iowa and will be moving out of state.  Now, if you know me, you'll know that I don't tell people to stay in Iowa.  I do tell them of opportunities Iowa has, but I encourage them to leave.  Go. Explore.  And while we're at it, let me give you some connections in the area you're moving too.  Please remember though, that we'll be here when you decide to come back!

A week before this last meeting, I met a college grad looking for a job in Des Moines.  This person was educated OUTSIDE of Iowa and has since decided that Des Moines is the place for them.  In this case, I found out what they're interested in and did my best to establish connections for them in the area.  I don't know if the connections will pan out, but after speaking with this person, they'd be crazy not too.

So let's put this into an Adam Steen equation:  1 for the Brain Drain... 1 for the Brain Gain... Hmm.... Seems to me that equals a Brain Wash.  Here's the kicker and the value.  When the 1 Brain Drain comes back... They'll have amazing connections, resources and knowledge in their hip pocket and they'll be able to utilize them in Iowa.

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.

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.

Nothing can beat this last weekend.  Perfect weather, 36 holes of golf and five hours of farm pond fishing.  I'm burnt to a crisp and loving it.  Oh... and someone paid money for a picture of me.

Once I decided to go back inside my house I finally decided to check my feedreader Sunday night.  I came across this link.

Yep... if you scroll down; you'll notice someone bought one of my old minor league baseball cards in February.  Of course, it was in a group set and the seller somewhat describes us like we were an integral part of the Phillies program.  But $9?  If you do the math; thats more than a common in a Beckett Magazine!

The first thing I thought was... "Cool! Someone paid for my autograph on a card."  My immediate second thought was... "Why would anyone want to pay money for those cards?"

How can I relate this to networking, collaboration and biz development?  I've got a good one, but I want to ask the readers of my blog (and their friends if they wish) to come up with a few.  Whoever comes up with the best one gets an all expenses paid fishing trip to my pond. (provided I don't have to pay for someone's gas/airfare/etc to get to my house) And if nobody comments; I guess I'll go fishing by myself.

I'll end the contest and announce the winner on Friday May 18th.  What are the rules?  There is only one rule: There Are No Rules

I've had some great conversations over the last 2 1/2 years.  Some were business, some were personal and some have been very confusing.  Lately, I've been having a lot of conversations revolving around the great things happening in this area.  I'm just amazed at how many people are getting connected and truly challenging themselves to create success for others.  People are taking it amongst themselves to make sure others are successful.

I don't believe in luck or fate.  I believe that the things you do to achieve a certain goal will put you in the right place at the right time.  Most is faith-based... some is good old fashioned hard work.

What is your goal?  And what can The State of Iowa do to help you get there?

I had an interesting day at the Capitol here in Des Moines Thursday.  I watched Governor Culver sign the Generation Iowa Commission Bill.  It was the first time I'd been back to the Capitol since a tour in roughly 6th grade.  At risk of getting into a heated political debate because I certainly don't follow politics as much as I probably should... I left the building thinking this...  I'm happy that progress appears to be happening. 

As for me, I'm going to continue my pursuit of providing resources for business owners and entrepreneurs in hopes of creating success for Iowa based businesses.  And I'm thrilled to see all the opportunity that continues to surface within private companies here in the Midwest.

I always enjoy business when you don't really even talk business. 

I went to a Des Moines Bucs game this weekend with Marty Baddeloo of Solutions Kept Simple.  The last time I'd been to a Bucs game was when I was 8 years old (I think it was a Bucs game anyway).  Either way, I enjoyed watching and can see why the Bucs have been around for so long.  They do a great job of catering to their fans and do things that keep the game interesting.  They even gave three people a chance to shoot a puck through a cardboard cut-out and win a bike from Radical Cycle.  Well, it just so happens, the third guy put it right down the middle and drove home on a very expensive bike.  They seem to have great tradition and allow their audience to be the center of the show.

Thanks for the opportunity, Marty.  I'm looking forward to hitting the links soon!

Last night was another great night of connecting.  I'm always amazed at how excited everyone is when they're participating in Speed Networking.

Many thanks to Java G's for keeping the doors open an extra 3 hours.  Hopefully, you got as much benefit as we all did.

This event was the first event I actually took part in the networking line.  Mitch Matthews and I traded places about halfway through and let me tell ya... It was fun!  Funny thing was that I knew most all of the people I spoke with already, but I always enjoy re-connecting and finding out how everyone is doing.  Again, I heard whispers of people gaining great leads and some that even gained new clients.  Did somebody say economic output?

We're going to keep 'em coming!

Here is what Wade Den Hartog had to say...

What a day yesterday.  I got up at 5 AM, met my dad at Adventureland parking lot, drove to Davenport, sat in an awesome meeting, learned several things, drove back to Des Moines and had just enough time to get prepared for the first of many Speed Networking events.  I got home at 11:30 PM but that's neither here nor there.  Let's talk about that Speed Networking event...

I could not believe how much enthusiasm was flowing through The Village Bean.  There are currently several blogs talking about the event and hopefully several more.  Brett Rogers, Mike Sansone, Mitch Matthews to name a few.

From my perspective its great that the energy was in the room, but I want more!  I want to see business transactions take place and watch something get created.  FYI - I just said this out loud to a gentleman and he assured me that because the energy was there, it would be hard to stop transactions from taking place.

Hopefully, this will get legs and continue to spread across the State of Iowa.  The concept was validated, the event went over with minor flaws and people truly got connected.

I wish it was naptime for me, but I'm off to my next meeting... wish me luck getting home before 11:30 tonight.

The following are some questions I usually ask when I'm trying to uncover some commonalities and help generate a conversation while in an introductory networking meeting.  They're not in any particular order and vary depending on the flow of the conversation... and now that I think about it... sometimes I never ask them at all, but its a start. 

1. What is it that you do?
2. How long have you been doing that?
3. Are you from Des Moines? Iowa?
4. If no, then where? Where did you grow up?
5. What brought you to this area?
6. Do you have family in the area?
7. What is it that drives you to do what you do?  and the best one of all...
8. What type of things do you look for to improve your business?

I hope this helps Madena!  I think Mitch Matthews would have some good ones too!

I've been to several networking events over the last two years.  One thing I've noticed is the need for forced interaction.  I love when people stand up and give their 30 second intro, but what you're not hearing is the actual story of that person.

One thing I try to do at networking events is meet as many people as possible and ask enough questions to find commonalities.  This allows me to truly get to know the person I'm talking to, at least enough to attempt for a follow-up coffee or lunch.  This allows others to hopefully leave the event with the knowledge that there are others in positions just like them.

Based off the need recognition for 'forced connectivity', myself and several others are hosting a Speed Networking event.  Fire Code only allows for 50 people and that number is full after a very brief PR push. (I think the trick is no age limit and it's free of charge) 

The need is out there... the resources are out there... the challenge is making it all come together. 

Hi, I'm Adam Steen.

I joined Transition Capital Management with my father Tom Steen in 2004.  My specific practice, as I am mentored into the capital formation industry, involves assisting small to medium sized companies develop their businesses and achieve maximum profit potential.  These duties include but are not limited to:  marketing plan development, building/creating functional networks, market/industry analysis and re-organizing/re-enforcing current strategic positions within respective markets.

I recently took the position of Vice President of Professional Development of the YPC of Des Moines; a group designed to put tools in place to grow young professionals both personally and professionally.

Prior to Transition Capital Management, I spent a brief period in Minneapolis, MN where I was an insurance agent and coordinated several small business related networking groups.  Before that, I enjoyed a brief career in the Philadelphia Phillies minor league system as a pitcher.

My educational background includes an undergraduate degree in Marketing from Minnesota State University, Mankato.  And I am currently enrolled in and pursuing several continuing education programs.

The purpose of my blog is to create relationships both for myself and my firm.  In my opinion, getting connected is key to the success of TCM and our marketplace.

The Best is Yet to Come...