Greater Phoenix's Networking Events Calendar

This time of year, we reflect on the past year and look forward to the coming turn of the calendar and how we can improve our lives and business. But have you really sat down and said thank you to everyone in your life who's been influential or helpful in 2011? Have you sent a note of gratitude andholiday well wishes to your client base? If not, you're missing a grand opportunity.

Although there are many professionals out there positioning themselves as "social media experts," the truth is that the medium is dynamic; there are very few true experts in the field. The rest of us may have some talents that differentiate us from the herd, but we're all trudging along, testing new things and learning new skills every day.

Have you ever met someone whose appearance doesn’t match her profession? In other words, she doesn’t walk her talk. Think about it: a designer who can’t put together an outfit… a personal trainer who’s overweight…a life coach who’s suffering from depression…a mortgage professional who had to file bankruptcy and lost his home. What’s your opinion of those people? Oftentimes, we don’t give them the benefit of the doubt; we move on for someone who fits more with whatever it is he’s selling.

Some of us schedule time to head out to networking events or do a bit of "virtual networking" via social media. During this set time, we have our game face on and are ready to make connections. But what about the other times you're out and about? Are you capitalizing on every opportunity to meet new people and share with them what you do?

Do you send thank-you cards? It's something I see few people do these days, but having grown up with southern parents, it was ingrained in me from my youth. I sent thank-you cards to everyone who came to my birthday party or gave me presents at the holidays. Stationery was a common gift from my grandmother, who had no idea what to get a pre-teen and then teen girl.

At a networking event I recently attended for job seekers, one of the job seekers stood up and announced herself as a "volunteer diva." She had spent most of her time as a volunteer since losing her last job, and now she is looking for a position as a volunteer coordinator. It's a great goal for a job seeker, and her declaration sparked an interesting conversation in the room about the benefits of volunteering.

What a week! And it seems to be going around. More and more, I hear from people who are having challenges in their lives and businesses on a seemingly regular basis. Customers are more demanding, vendors want their money yesterday, and even the family can pull you in different directions. What do you do, though, when you're the boss? Quit your own job? Move to Costa Rica? While those options might look good on paper, they're probably not feasible for most of us.

I was recently speaking with a colleague about a project on which we are collaborating, and I started with, "I've been so busy...." She stopped me right there. "I have a request for you: When you say that, begin with 'Once upon a time' because you're telling a story."

If you don't know me, you don't know that I am a big fan of comic-book characters and pop culture. It's rare that I have a conversation that doesn't call on some tidbit from television, radio, or movies. Hence the title; while some may call that tingling you get when you know something's amiss a "gut feeling," I call it my "spidey sense."

June 30th marked the second annual Social Media Day, the day we celebrate all that has changed and been enhanced through social media. Events occurred around the country, including right here in my hometown, Phoenix, AZ. Attendees here estimated that at least 600 people gathered for an informal happy hour, sharing the experience through Foursquare and Gowalla check-ins and Twitter and Facebook posts and pictures. According to Mashable.com, more than 600 meet-ups were scheduled across the US to honor the day.