March 2005
Inspiration on careers, networking, writing and more

In this issue:

• Editorial: The company of strangers
• News You Can Use: Books, websites, eprofiles, money-making schemes and more – especially Living Abroad
• Your feedback: You loved last month’s Inspirer

What’s on: What’s on in 2005
“Where words speak louder than actions”

The company of strangers
Now it’s time for me to ‘walk my talk’ big time. If you have heard me lecture about networking at some time, you may remember my advice on how to be prepared to walk into a room of complete strangers. Well, I have only been in The Netherlands for two months, and in the last few weeks I have had to put my money where my mouth is. This is what I have learned:

Even before I arrived here I had been invited to speak at the local branch of Ecademy. So, two weeks after my arrival, this was my first foray into networking with a roomful of strangers. I have to admit, that I had hardly finished unpacking at the time, and when the moment came to travel to Utrecht, I would have given anything to stay at home. But I was the speaker, I could not let them down. So I went. And I discovered that being the speaker is one of the easiest ways to meet people. For a start, they were expecting me, so that made it much simpler to begin conversations. In fact, most of the time, people approached me first. Everyone wore a name badge, and making conversation was fine. Being the night’s celebrity gave me added confidence too. At the end of the evening I realised that all of the 40 or so members now knew about me. And those who had asked to be signed up for this newsletter, were now officially in my database. Despite my reluctance the evening counted as a networking success.

Then, last week, I attended my first networking event as an ordinary delegate. I had been recommended the Amsterdam American Business Club and went along to their Meet and Greet. Again, as the time approached, and I faced driving to Amsterdam for the first time, I would rather have stayed at home. When I arrived I saw that there were approaching 200 people in the room and although some members had exhibition stands, no-one wore a name badge. It was hard to know how to start a conversation. You see, I like name badges. It means that I can preselect a complete stranger with whom I would like to chat. A name badge gives me some indication of the nationality of its wearer, and the company name below provides a clue to his or her business. ‘So tell me, Stephanie, what do you do at Firefly Coaching?’ I might say. But at the AABC there were no badges and so, instead, I had to find another reason to start a conversation. I normally suggest that people commenting on the food is a good way to start. And here there was plenty of opportunity as trays of nibbles were brought round. As a foreigner, I had no idea what might lurk inside the various round breaded canapés, so that gave me something to ask the person standing next to me. And then when I bit into a nibble filled with something piping hot and fishy and it exploded all over my chin and my jacket, I struck up a conversation with the person who dashed to fetch me a serviette. Sometimes it pays to be clumsy! Food is a great help at networking events.

But two days ago, I had my first experience of networking at it most naked. Here the complete strangers not only had no name badges, they also had no clothes. I was a guest speaker at the first expatriate conference in Oulu in Finland. Here the tradition is that VIPs (yes, that’s how they viewed the speakers) were invited to a smoke-sauna in the middle of 30 kilometres of forest as guests of the Minister for Economic Development.

Within a few minutes of arrival I was naked in a smoke-filled sauna surrounded by women (yes, thankfully, men and women were separated for the experience). The stranger to my right then offered to slap my back with a bunch of damp birch twigs and someone else threw water onto the stones. Then another voice (mercifully it is dimly lit in a Finnish sauna) told how her university had just been asked to put in a bid for a Santa Claus training course and soon we were all joking about lessons in beard growing and belly development. By the end of the evening, and we had our clothes back on, we had become friends.

2005 is proving to be a year of networking baptism by fire, I can tell you. And while some experiences have been easier than others, and I recognise that despite years of international networking, I am not immune to pre-event nerves, I have learned a number of new truths:

• That the further I move from my comfort zone, the greater the reward
• That being badgeless or ‘naked’ in some way breaks down barriers fast
• That being myself may be my greatest asset
• And that being a guest speaker is the easiest way to network of all

News you can use

How to write your eprofile
If you want to make a good first impression then it makes sense that you take some time to create a profile, or biography of yourself. Virtual networkers need to create a winning eprofile. I recently spoke on this topic at the January meeting of Ecademy (http://www.ecademy.com) in the Netherlands. Find out about that meeting and read what I said here

Money conference in Paris
My friend Pam Perraud contacted me the other day to ask if I would tell you about a conference she is involved with. It is happening on March 15th, in Paris, and is called MONEY MATTERS FOR WOMEN. Co-sponsored by WICE (the women’s institute for continuing education) and the American University of Paris, it is held at the American University. With seminars by experts on financial planning, investment strategies, estate and retirement issues as well as topics such as identity theft and caring for loved ones from a distance.

Keynoters include Emily Saunders, President of Sanders Financial Management and Tereza Heinz, Chair of the Howard Heinz Endowment and Heinz Family Philanthropies. For full information check the website at or email mmfw2005@yahoo.com.

Th E-Myth
Stephanie Ward, who runs Firefly Coaching, here in Holland recommends a book called The E-myth, which she says is all about what it really means to be an entrepreneur today. You see, in reality, entrepreneurs are not all Richard Bransons or Bill Gates, they are one man (or one woman) bands and it have lives full of spinning plates. I’m buying it myself today.

The Ezine Queen
Stephanie also told me about a fantastic website that comes with a few ezine, that will help you to grow your business by creating your own ezine. I’ve signed up already and am very impressed. With any luck your next Monthly Inspirer will be unrecognisable! Find this here.

The Life Audit
Marian Weston would like to tell you about a book that helps you to take stock of your life called The Life Audit and by Caroline Righton. To see the website click here.

And easy way to buy my books at BOOKSHAKER

And I am delighted to say that my books are now available at Bookshaker both as print copies and as ebooks!

This is a great website and offers a fabulous selection of self-development books, many of which are written by people I know and have worked with. Check out Sue Donnelly’s 80/20 Makeover, which came out last month. She attended my Release the Book Within workshop in September, had her book accepted by Lean Marketing Press right away and now it’s here! Impressive work, eh! Watch out for Sue – she is destined to appear on the telly with Trisha, and has been in the papers commented on the way the Blairs dress.

Make money at Bookshaker
Check out Bookshaker today. And what’s more, if you have a website and would like to make yourself a bit of money advertising Bookshaker books then you can earn yourself 10% by becoming an affliate. To find out more click here.

Money from beads
If you are an expatriate who runs your own business, you might to read how Chantal Duke ran a business based on beads when she was in Ethiopia. Check that out on my site click here.

. . . And especially Living Abroad
Watch out! This month sees the first issue of Living Abroad magazine. With a circulation of 60,000 in the UK it should be easy to find. Articles have been written by me, of course, but also by Rebecca Law and Charlotte Eichler, my two mentees. I am delighted to have b part of their success. Well done.

You loved last month’s Inspirer
I liked your newsletter – sent it to Sara who said it made the hairs stand on her neck, all those tales of what it’s like at the beginning. You sound as though you were writing through tracing paper – kind of there but somehow filtered, with a lot of the meat held back. I remember that feeling at the beginning and the sheer slowness of everything, including me.
Christine Yates

It`s Anita here formerly in KL now in England. I too moved over Christmas. I have been overseas for 19 years so it’s a huge shock coming back to England. My husband didn`t show up until we had been in the house 2 weeks. I had to smile when I read your remarks about the uniform shop. Thank God for Sat Nav in the car, a must for all expat ladies trying to find everything.
Anita Palmer

I just had to write to you after reading your Dutch courage story - well done - small steps take you a long way!!! It reminded me of my own journey when I left my marriage of twenty five years to start life anew at the age of 48! Like you I was terrified at first, but I found with small steps I started to live again. Sure it wasn't easy and sometimes I had to crawl out of deep holes but the learning continued and my life is so much richer for clawing my way under and over those pesky stumbling blocks! Last year saw me publish my first book 'What Happens When You Die?' A child's questions answered and the second is underway with a series covering all aspects of teaching children about death.

I would never have had the courage to do have done that before, my self-esteem would not have allowed me to think I was capable of it - now I wonder how I ever could have thought that way! I now know that you can do anything if you believe that you can – some things just might take a little longer but nothing is impossible unless you believe it to be so!

Congratulations again, if your story just prompts one person to do something outside their comfort zone you have done well!!!
Robyn O’Connell
Celebrant & Author

I came upon your website just a few days ago and registered for your monthly newsletter. I was surprised and pleaded when I received this first one. It certainly makes me feel that it comes from a real person. Thank you.
Silke Koerner

I loved your newsletter! Thank you for your courage, Dutch or otherwise....I love the way you get us all sharing about the important stuff of living overseas… the hard bits as well as the laughter.
Kath Cocklin
Childtrack UK

Just read your article on being new to Netherlands...and terrified. I smiled. You can do it, Jo. I know you know this, otherwise, you'd never have written the article. There's a reason you are there beyond the one you think you're there for...perhaps...and perhaps your ego knows that just a little, being that she sits so closely to your soul. So, she's scared and caused some trouble initially.
Melissa McFarlane, CPCC

Electric Kites, LLCI always love your newsletter and the opening lines of this one on DUTCH COURAGE tugged at a string in my heart. Having done the expat trail all my married life I remember so clearly those first days and weeks. However I have remained in one house in a small town now for 7 years and the memories do blur. Your vivid descriptions made me realised that yes, NEW THINGS AND CHALLENGES are terrifying but so worthwhile when the hurdle is overcome. THANK SO MUCH FOR YOUR WORDS.
June Rowlands

I just wanted to say as always how inspiring your monthly newsletter is and I especially admire your honesty as to what it takes to cross cultures yet once again! Well done!
Patricia Keener

I was truly inspired by your newsletter - congratulations on making the move to the Netherlands and having the courage to take those first steps! It's so different to being on holiday, isn't it? I remember that false sense of "I could easily move to France, or Italy, or Spain" when I've been abroad - but dealing with the daily tasks that create a real life are very different to buying a baguette from the market or pointing at items on a restaurant menu!

If you ever want a writer who struggled for success through all the odds to give a talk at one of your sessions, I would be happy to oblige! I also run creative writing workshops for would-be novelists, for beginners and experienced writers. Keep me in mind . . .

Meanwhile, best of luck with taking more steps into your new and exciting world.
Maree Giles www.virago.co.uk

What’s On

Wed 2nd and Wed 9th March
DEFINITE ARTICLES
9.00 – 12.00
Voorschoten, Den Haag
Learn how to write and sell articles about what you know already and use them to promote your business and/or make money!
€150 – includes > 100 pages of notes

Fri 11th March
FIND YOUR PASSION
Expat Beurs, Utrecht
Led by Jacinta Noonan and myself
Join us on the morning of the Expat Fair for a FREE one hour workshop at 11 am. Find out more at http://www.expatinfo.nl

Tue 15th March
FIND YOUR PASSION
Led by Jacinta Noonan and myself
9.00 – 15.00
Voorschoten/Den Haag
Enjoy an inner journey of discovery and find out what you really want to do with your life and work.
€80 – please bring a packed lunch

Sat 9th April
WRITE FOR YOU
In association with Den Haag Amateur Dramatic Group
10.00 - 16.00
Warehouse, Leidschendam
Find your writer’s voice and start writing the things you were born to create today.
€40 members, €50 non-members

Wed 4th & Wed 11th May
RELEASE THE BOOK WITHIN
9.00 – 12.00
Voorschoten, Den Haag
Learn how to plan and write non-fiction books and get them published too.
€150 – includes > 100 pages of notes

FOR MORE INFORMATION OR TO BOOK PLEASE EMAIL ME ON jo@summertimepublishing.com or call me on +31 (0)71 561 6857