EnableInc » People I Meet

Conditions & Color

Tim — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 14:33:08 +0000

I recently spent time with two wonderful people that are fast becoming great friends. They are two unique individuals and they bring much color to this world we live in. It made me think about just that. The color we put into the world. Colors of joy, hope, struggle, difficulty, success, failures, love and so on. But I also know that there are many people who don’t realize they are painting the world with their life. That they daily are illustrating, splashing, applying and smudging the world around them with their color.

The color we put into this world comes from our mental, emotional, physical, spiritual and financial conditions. How we react, respond and live out those conditions will determine your color. I know that their are many ways to live and believe. I would just say to you, take care, and always work to improve your conditions as you daily color the world.

Tim Pecoraro

Real, Clear and Refreshing!

Tim — Fri, 05 Jun 2009 03:04:27 +0000

I recently had the opportunity to spend time with a friend who just needed a friend. Not advice, not answers but just a friend. Someone who was not connected to their everyday life but to who they are as a person. This made me think about all of the people in the world that are going through life and their everyday activities without the safety of an earthly confidant. Someone to be there, be real, be clear and be refreshing. What I discovered in this time with my friend is that, I too am like he is. Sometimes almost invincible, sometimes a product of the daily grind, sometimes king of the hill, and sometimes king of pain. But with all of the sometimes one thing is clear… some and time will all be apart of my everyday and one thing that makes a difference is relationships.

I encourage you to find, build and cultivate your relationships. Not just the ones that get you the money, the pleasure or the opportunities. I am talking about the ones that work best in all situations: laughter, tears, success and failures. Yes, they are real. Yes, they are out there.

Tim Pecoraro

Networking Modes, Methods and Motivations

Tim — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:38:45 +0000

I am still amazed at the amount of people who miss the true meaning of networking. They go to every meeting collecting business cards from individuals at Chamber meetings, social networking meetings, trade shows and on and on. They make small talk, ask a few questions, then load you up with an ear full of themselves and say those words, “Let’s get together sometime and talk more about how we can help one another!” Sure. This is the same person that will take the business card they received from you and think that they now have your permission to add you to their eblast list of things you do not wish to see nor would agree to sign up for. For the majority of people, this is not the outcome that was expected from attending the networking event. Whether you are a business owner, manager, leader, community organizer, or student body president, this should not be your mode, method or motivation for networking.

Here are some rules you should follow:

If given a business card, ask if you have their permission to send them your eblast or other forms of communication. Anything else is unsolicited and will probably be placed in the virtual trash or circular file cabinet.
When participating in networking events or activities be willing to hear more about the services of others. You will prove yourself to be of greater value being a person who has more information about others and their products or services than just pushing yours.
Be willing to connect people to solutions that go beyond what you have to offer and you will be surprised at the interest people will take in you. First as a person, second in what it is that you do and offer.
Present yourself as a difference maker and not a money hunter. If you are just hunting money it will very soon become obvious.
Don’t talk badly about competition. If people buy from you because of a negative report you gave to them about your competition it won’t be long before they leave you too at the first sign of something negative.
Know your stuff before you start talking about it. Don’t be one of those people that wing it and make it up as you go. Confidence is important and will present you as wise. However, random talk will show you to be desperate and lacking direction.
Take a genuine interest in the people you meet and talk with regardless of outcomes. The power of networking is not getting stuff. It is getting to meet extraordinary people that do things we cannot do and need things we have to offer.

Time will be kind and rewards favorable to those who subscribe to better networking modes, methods and motivations.

Tim Pecoraro

Where Everybody Knows Your Name

Tim — Wed, 24 Dec 2008 12:00:32 +0000

I love passing through the local Starbucks on my way into work. Of course there are many, but there is one in particular to which I am referring. Perhaps you might think I spend too much money on a coffee, but I am a grande bold with cream only kind of guy. So, that is not too expensive. The main reason I like to go through the ‘bucks is not for the coffee: it’s the people. I know practically all of the employees who work there and they know me and what I came there for. They know my voice and I know theirs. There have been a number of times that I have pulled up to the window and they tell me it’s on the house. If they don’t see me for a few days they might ask, “where have you been lately?” They always ask me about my wife, my kids, my dog and my business. Whether at the drive through or inside it is the same way no matter what.

You see, many people have overlooked the purpose of frequenting a place often. They’ve overlooked getting to know people by name and hearing their story. Your kindness and friendship can really make a difference, whether as a patron or as the employee where you work. Everyone wants to have a place where everyone knows your name!

Giving Your Time, Talent and Resources

Tim — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 12:00:10 +0000

I spoke with the mother of a young man that I had the privilege to influence on a weekly basis some years ago. She told me he was about to graduate college next year. She was telling me that he had recently come home to visit over the Thanksgiving holiday and had invited some friends over to hang out and make some music. He had forgotten the guitar that he usually plays and pulled out the first guitar that he had ever gotten. That guitar was one I had given to him to encourage him to pursue his dream for music. She said when that happened that they all took the trip down memory lane.

You see, that was a time that I had been training elementary, middle and high school kids in the arts. I had a summer camp that was a unique way of exposing kids for the first time to the arts, as well as, cultivating the gift in the ones that had experience. It was my privilege to have a very gifted and talented group of artists to assist in facilitating the training process. For one to two weeks every summer we poured out our very best into a newbreed of artist.

This young man I’m writing about is one of those that we trained. He had the desire, and the dream was already in his heart, he just needed someone to help him unlock it all. He will soon graduate college and function as a youth director using his music and leadership skills to develop even more young people.

I am ever reminded that we should never minimize the affect we have on people. Never lose the willingness to give of your time, talent and resources. That is what I did and still do to this day. This young man I am writing about is evidence of what your investments can help to produce. He still has the guitar and he is embarking into his dream!

Tim Pecoraro

Rules For Kids

Tim — Wed, 26 Nov 2008 11:47:58 +0000

I have some advice to share that I share with my 2nd-3rd grade basketball team I coach. We have four rules that will be beneficial for anyone that is part of a team or organization. They are as follows:

No complaining
You are part of a team
Always work hard
Be a nice person and have fun

This works great with kids. Perhaps as adults there’s not a need to be reminded of such simple rules. However, I would take issue with that viewpoint. You’d be surprised at the number of people I meet who have their own set of rules. Those are the people I usually try to avoid.

The reality is that we all have influence in the places we work and play. Some have more influence than others but every person contributes to the over all atmosphere in which we work and play. I hope that you have some rules to follow. Rules that deal with your ethics, attitude and results. Oh, and there should be a 5th rule, “NO WHINING!”

Tim Pecoraro