What’s next?

Everyone seems to be asking that these days. Perhaps Mayor Daley here in Chicago is asking that today, too.

Well, from my little corner of the world, what’s next is something I’ve created especially for my right people. Some of you already know about it (because I’m a fairly lousy secret-keeper), and many of you will (I hope) be delighted about it.

You see, in the last months and weeks I’ve wanted to create a something. But I’ve also been aware that the something needed to be a something that you, and my other right people, actually needed.

So I put Effie’s little manifesto out there and then I sat back and waited.

Which is really hard to do.

Anyway, after a while little trickles started to come in.

And then another little trickle.

And another.

It was similar to the feeling when I was pregnant and my girls started to move or to kick. At first it was like a little flutter and I didn’t even know what it was.

Anyway, I paid attention to those trickles and started thinking and planning a way to use the information to help my right people.

The funny thing is that by last Monday, the trickles had turned into a full-blown river. I had three detailed conversations that all led to a very similar need.

So, in response to these hints and questions and trickles, there is now a something. It’s called “Authentic Networking In Business“, and it’s really designed for people who need to network (or who have been told they need to network), but who aren’t crazy about the idea.

My friend Carolyn suggested it’s a site for the “Reluctant Networker”, which I love.

My friend Victoria suggested, in her brilliant wisdom, that perhaps there should be an “Effie’s Guide to Networking.” It’s in the works.

The focus of the new site is on people like you and me who find the traditional go-to-the-event-and-get-as-many-cards-as-you-can networking extremely icky. And useless.

Instead, it’s about being “authentic” by just being yourself. About creating relationships that will last. Staying within your comfort zone. Being yourself in the way that only you can. Building friendships with people who are also in business, and feeling like going to a networking event is like going to see your friends. It’s doing amazing things by taking care of relationships. It’s about caring.

I’ve waited a while to tell you about this, dear reader, because I wanted you of all people to understand what it’s for (and I’ve been working that out myself), and because I wanted there to be information there that’s ready for you.

And, frankly, as a woman who can barely manage to use the buttons on her microwave, putting together a podcast was a little intimidating.

But it’s there, and it’s ready to go. There’s a lovely first interview with my friend Jon, who is a young entrepreneur who has become renowned for his networking skills and is building a solid business — all in less than a year and all while being a genuinely nice guy.

It’s not fancy, but it’s there… and it’s all created with my right people just like you in mind.

Next week I’ll begin a full slate of programing on the podcast and the site, with a Monday and Thursday schedule of casts and a daily post. We’ll focus on people who are just like you and me — reluctant networkers all of us — who are using networking and who are being successful.

I hope you’ll hop over. And do let me know what you think.

I’ll still be here, still coming up with goofy content and helping all of us avoid getting squished or pooped on.

Talk to you soon. All my best to you,

-liz