 “Perseverance is the root of good fortune. Perseverance leads to supreme happiness. Therefore I will search again, in those areas where I have not searched already.” (Hanuman, Valmiki Ramayana, Sundara Kand, 12.10)anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlam anirvedaḥ param sukham | bhūyas tāvad viceṣyāmi na yatra vicayaḥ kṛtaḥ || Who is sweeter than Hanuman In the above referenced verse from the Ramayana, Hanuman is turning around his depressing thoughts and channeling them towards excitement, anticipation and confidence in battle. His mission was simple: find the missing princess of Videha, Lord Rama’s wife. Since these events transpired during the Treta Yuga, the second time period of creation, even the monkey species roaming the earth was advanced to some degree. They befriended the jewel of the Raghu dynasty, who was roaming the forests at the time due to family troubles at home. When Rama’s wife went missing, the Lord and His younger brother befriended the monkey-king Sugriva residing in Kishkindha. The meeting took place because of Hanuman, who is the best messenger anyone could ask for.
 Shri Rama correctly noted to LakshmanaThough Hanuman was in an adult monkey body, he nevertheless took on the mission with the enthusiasm of the most sincere child. His love for Rama was pure, and that’s all he needed for success. Yet even with his excitement and fervent desire to succeed, there were troubles encountered. Upon reaching the enemy territory of Lanka, where it was heard that Sita had been taken, Hanuman searched and searched. He went through apartment after apartment, room after room, but Sita he could not find. He discovered seemingly everything else in Lanka, including the beautiful women married to the king Ravana, the leader of the Rakshasa clan. Rakshasas are human-like creatures given to sinful activity, with the most notable repugnant behavior being their eating of human flesh. Indulgence in wine and women rounds out the picture, so we can just imagine what kind of place Hanuman entered. Hanuman is fixed in righteousness, or siddha. He has no blemishes in his character, and yet he found himself in “sin city” forced to look at things he didn’t want to see. He was able to properly justify to himself the gazing upon women who were wives of another man, but his resolve started to crack as more time went by without finding Sita.  In the situation of the above referenced verse, Hanuman is thinking that Sita must have perished, that she couldn’t be in Lanka. “I’ve looked everywhere in this place. There isn’t one inch of space that I haven’t uncovered. She must not be here. I couldn’t blame her either, as she probably quit her body upon looking at the ghoulish creatures that live here and their horrible behavior. She is the embodiment of chastity and virtue, so how could she possibly survive for long without Rama by her side?”Hanuman’s premonition was well founded, but now he had to figure out what that predicament would cause. If Sita was in fact not in Lanka, if Ravana had maybe killed her, what would Hanuman say when he returned to the monkey camp? This is where his true kindness and undying love for Rama and the Lord’s friends was again exhibited. Hanuman thought of what everyone would say, how Sugriva would become angry that the mission he assigned to the monkeys on behalf of Rama was not complete. Hanuman thought of his monkey friends, with whom he had persevered through a long search, who had given him the encouragement to leap over the massive ocean that separated Lanka from the mainland. After what they had been through, how could Hanuman return as a failure? He couldn’t bear to face his friends and see the dejection on their faces. He was fine with having failed himself, for Hanuman is never concerned over his stature or fame. But he never does anything that will cause harm to his friends. Past military leaders and war heroes have uttered phrases which are today famous declarations of dedication and resolve. “Give me liberty or give me death” and “I have not yet begun to fight” embody the chivalrous spirit of the dedicated warrior. Yet long before these phrases were uttered, many thousands of years ago, before the modern incarnation of organized military conflict, Hanuman reminded himself of the importance of perseverance, giving himself a small pep talk in the process. Hanuman rightly concluded that perseverance is the source of good fortune, that it brings supreme happiness. The opposite of perseverance is weakness in resolve, giving up rather quickly. It is much easier to give up when there is no enthusiasm in the task to begin with, when the reward is not worth the effort. For Hanuman such issues were not present. He took the task assigned to him by Rama as his life and soul, and he knew that finding Sita would be the greatest reward anyone could ask for. Therefore he rightly concluded that perseverance in this case would lead to good fortune. Sita Devi Perseverance also brings supreme happiness. If we don’t put in our best effort and fail in a task, there will be so much regret later on. “I really wish I would have tried harder. I wish I had given it my all. Maybe then the outcome could have been different.” In many instances, even if there isn’t ultimate victory, if the perseverance is still there then there is every reason to be proud. Hanuman would find supreme happiness by remaining dedicated in his service to Rama. He would eventually find Sita, and all would end well.  Who among us hasn’t tasted defeat? Who among us hasn’t searched for something or someone repeatedly, only to have failed? The genesis of the material creation is the flawed search for happiness in the absence of God’s association. The search can go on and on, even in planets outside of earth, for that elusive happiness, but it will never be found. The only path towards lasting happiness is spiritual life, and more specifically the discipline of bhakti-yoga, or devotional serviceIn the path of bhakti-yoga, which leads to emancipation, there may arise difficulties. “I’ve been chanting for so long and I don’t feel anything. I’ve looked here and there and still I don’t realize God.” But as Hanuman says, perseverance leads to good fortune, to supreme happiness. If after chanting so much and abstaining from the four pillars of sinful life Faced with the possibility of failure, Hanuman decided to renew his search, to go places where he had not gone before. When we have momentary lapses of judgment and feelings of dejection in our devotional efforts, the key is to delve even deeper into spiritual life, to uncover those practices that we have yet to take up. We can chant more rounds, read more books, visit more temples, or simply hear more about the Lord from people who love him, who follow in Hanuman’s footsteps by dedicating their life and soul to pleasing the Supreme Lord. Just as Hanuman was eventually successful, the weary soldier trying to win the war against the material nature that inhibits his spiritual growth too will ultimately prevail. Who can be more concerned over the welfare of their friends and family than Hanuman? The answer is “no one”. Therefore anyone who has a sincere desire to connect with God through bhakti will surely catch Hanuman’s eye. He will be concerned about their welfare to the same level as if they were a family member. This shows one of the many reasons why Hanuman is so passionately worshiped, honored, adored, and remembered by followers of the Vedic tradition. Hanuman casts a shadow that is impossible to break out of for those following the path of divine love. By using that shadow for comfort, as relief from the intense heat of material existence, the chances for success in life’s mission increase all the more.  Who can better deal with the distresses that come with temporary failure than Hanuman? After all he had been through, it would have been understandable if he would have quit, thrown in the towel, and decided to return home. Yet that wasn’t an option for him. He’d rather fight every single Rakshasa in Lanka and punish them for whatever they had done to Sita than return home without news of the whereabouts of the princess. His supreme wisdom borne of his devotion to Rama kept him going, giving him the fortitude necessary to remain calm in the face of major duress.Seeing Hanuman’s thoughts and level of dedication, we can’t help but be touched by them. Since the events of the Ramayana took place so long ago and describe attributes and creatures not seen on the earth today, it is very easy to discount the whole poem as being mythology. Yet the wonderful dedication of Hanuman and his very character alone prove that Rama can be none other than the Supreme Lord, whom the entire creation is given to worship and honor. Where Shri Rama finds people like Hanuman to serve Him is a mystery. Even Lord Brahma, the creator, is enamored by Hanuman’s exhibition of divine love, for who could ever imagine a creature like him roaming the earth? The mystery of Hanuman’s character and immeasurable devotion is known only to the Lord, who always has the best friends and well-wishers. Should we one day be fortunate enough to consider ourselves among that illustrious group of souls, our existence will have proved fruitful. In Closing: To keep firm resolve under duress, Is what can lead to success. To the task at hand keep focus in, Perseverance leads to good fortune. These postulates Hanuman himself did remind, So that he wouldn’t fail in Sita to find. Because his character is kind and sweet, Victory he'd ultimately meet. He gives the lesson for us to follow, In sadness and failure don't wallow. Have perseverance in your bhakti practice, To always remember Hanuman your mind insist.  |
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Perseverance
YOU MAY POISON YOURSELF ACCIDENTALLY
(I didn't know this myself)
A woman suddenly died unexpectedly with signs of bleeding from her ears,nose, mouth & eyes. After a preliminary autopsy it was diagnosed that death was due to arsenic poisoning. Where did the arsenic come from? The police launched an in-depth and extensive investigation. A medical school professor was invited to come to solve the case. The professor carefully looked at the contents from the deceased's stomach. In less than half an hour, the mystery was solved. The professor said: 'The deceased did not commit suicide and neither was she murdered, she died of accidental death due to ignorance!'
Everyone was puzzled, why accidental death?
The professor said: 'The arsenic is produced in the stomach of the deceased.' The deceased used to take 'Vitamin C' everyday, which in itself is not a problem. The problem was that she ate a large portion of shrimp/prawn during dinner. Eating shrimp/prawn is not the problem that's why nothing happened to her family even though they took the same shrimp/prawn. However at the same time the deceased also took 'vitamin C', that is where the problem is Researchers at the University of Chicago in the United States , found through experiments, food such as soft-shell shrimp/prawn contains a much higher concentration of five potassium arsenic compounds.
Such fresh food by itself has no toxic effects on the human body. However, in taking 'vitamin C', chemical reaction occur and the original non-toxic elements change to toxic elements.
Arsenic poisoning has magma role and can cause paralysis to the small blood vessels. Therefore, a person who dies of arsenic poisoning will show signs of bleeding from the ears, nose, mouth & eyes. Thus as a precautionary measure, DO NOT eat shrimp/prawn when taking 'vitamin C'.
After reading this; please do not be stingy. Forward to your friends
Dr NEWTON JAYAWARDANE
MBBS MS FRCS(Eng)
Consultant Surgeon
Teaching Hospital
RAGAMA 11010.
Sri LANKA .
Neurons grown from skin cells may hold clues to autism
Potential clues to how autism miswires the brain are emerging from a study of a rare, purely genetic form of the disorders that affects fewer than 20 people worldwide. Using cutting-edge “disease-in a-dish” technology, researchers funded by the National Institutes of Health have grown patients’ skin cells into neurons to discover what goes wrong in the brain in Timothy Syndrome. Affected children often show symptoms of autism spectrum disorders along with a constellation of physical problems.
Abnormalities included changes in the composition of cells in the cortex, the largest brain structure in humans, and of neurons that secrete two key chemical messengers. Neurons that make long-distance connections between the brain’s hemispheres tended to be in short supply.
Most patients with Timothy Syndrome meet diagnostic criteria for an autism spectrum disorder. Yet, unlike most cases of autism, Timothy syndrome is known to be caused by a single genetic mutation.
“Studying the consequences of a single mutation, compared to multiple genes with small effects, vastly simplifies the task of pinpointing causal mechanisms,” explained Ricardo Dolmetsch, Ph.D., of Stanford University, a National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) grantee who led the study. His work was partially funded by a NIH Director’s Pioneer Award.
Dolmetsch, and colleagues, report on their findings Nov. 27, 2011 in the journal Nature Medicine.
“Unlike animal research, the cutting-edge technology employed in this study makes it possible to pinpoint molecular defects in a patient’s own brain cells,” said NIMH Director Thomas R. Insel, M.D. “It also offers a way to screen more rapidly for medications that act on the disordered process.”
Prior to the current study, researchers knew that Timothy syndrome is caused by a tiny glitch in the gene that codes for a calcium channel protein in cell membranes. The mutation results in too much calcium entering cells, causing a tell-tale set of abnormalities throughout the body. Proper functioning of the calcium channel is known to be particularly critical for proper heart rhythm – many patients die in childhood of arrhythmias – but its role in brain cells was less well understood.
To learn more, Dolmetsch and colleagues used a new technology called induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). They first converted skin cells from Timothy Syndrome patients into stem cells and then coaxed these to differentiate into neurons.
“Remarkable reproducibility” observed across multiple iPSC lines and individuals confirmed that the technique can reveal defects in neuronal differentiation – such as whether cells assume the correct identity as the brain gets wired-up in early development, said the researchers. Compared to those from controls, fewer neurons from Timothy Syndrome patients became neurons of the lower layers of the cortex and more became upper layer neurons. The lower layer cells that remained were more likely to be the kind that project to areas below the cortex. In contrast, there were fewer-than-normal neurons equipped to form a structure, called the corpus callosum, which makes possible communications between the left and right hemispheres.
Many of these defects were also seen in parallel studies of mice with the same genetic mutation found in Timothy syndrome patients. This supports the link between the mutation and the developmental abnormalities.
Several genes previously implicated in autism were among hundreds found to be expressed abnormally in Timothy Syndrome neurons. Excess cellular calcium levels also caused an overproduction of neurons that make key chemical messengers. Timothy Syndrome neurons secreted 3.5 times more norepinephrine and 2.3 times more dopamine than control neurons. Addition of a drug that blocks the calcium channel reversed the abnormalities in cultured neurons, reducing the proportion of catecholamine-secreting cells by 68 percent.
The findings in Timothy Syndrome patient iPSCs follow those in Rett Syndrome, another single gene disorder that often includes autism-like symptoms. About a year ago, Alysson Muotri, Ph.D., and colleagues at University of California, San Diego, reported deficits in the protrusions of neurons, called spines, that help form connections, or synapses. The Dolmetsch team’s discovery of earlier (neuronal fate) and later (altered connectivity) defects suggest that disorders on the autism spectrum affect multiple stages in early brain development.
“Most of these abnormalities are consistent with other emerging evidence that ASDs arise from defects in connectivity between cortex areas and show decreased size of the corpus callosum,” said Dolmetsch. “Our study reveals how these might be traceable to specific mechanisms set in motion by poor regulation of cellular calcium. It also demonstrates that neurons derived from iPSCs can be used to identify the cellular basis of a neurodevelopmental disorder.”
The mechanisms identified in this study may become potential targets for developing new therapies for Timothy Syndrome and may also provide insights into the neural basis of deficits in other forms of autism, said Dolmetsch.
________
Reference:
Using iPS cell-derived neurons to uncover cellular phenotypes associated with Timothy Syndrome. Pasca SP, Portmann T, Voineagu I, Yazawa M, Shcheglovitov O, Pasca AM, Cord B, Palmer TD, Chikahisa S, Seiji N, Bernstein JA, Hallmayer J, Geschwind DH, Dolmetsch RE. November 27, 2011.Nature Medicine.
Using iPS cell-derived neurons to uncover cellular phenotypes associated with Timothy Syndrome. Pasca SP, Portmann T, Voineagu I, Yazawa M, Shcheglovitov O, Pasca AM, Cord B, Palmer TD, Chikahisa S, Seiji N, Bernstein JA, Hallmayer J, Geschwind DH, Dolmetsch RE. November 27, 2011.Nature Medicine.
Study finds new ‘natural killers’
| THE AUSTRALIAN NATIONAL UNIVERSITY |
 The newfound defence cell generates antibody responses against viral and bacterial invasions. Image: DNY59/iStockphoto Researchers from The Australian National University have discovered a new type of cell which boosts the human body’s ability to fight off infections and life-threatening diseases. Professor Carola Vinuesa from The John Curtin School of Medical Research has found a type of cell which recognises lipid antigens, or foreign molecules, which sit on infectious bacteria which invade the body. Once recognising the lipids, the cell, called Natural killer T follicular helper (NKTfh), generates antibody responses in B cells – which are the body’s natural defence against invasion by viruses and bacteria. Professor Vinuesa said that the cell represents a non-chemical based and natural way for the human body to fight-off bacteria and infection. “Natural killer T cells, unlike other T cells, recognise molecules known as lipids instead of just recognising proteins expressed by infectious bacteria. These types of bacteria can cause life-threatening infections, including meningitis and pneumonia. NKT cells don’t just recognise lipids – they can be naturally activated by them,” she said. “Not surprisingly, NKT cells have been shown to play important roles in combating infection and in other immune processes including allergy, cancer and autoimmunity. “What we have found is a subset of NKT cells, the NKTfh, which are specialised in generating antibody responses in B cells that recognise lipid-containing antigens. NKTfh cells also induce specialised structures called germinal centres, similar to those which have previously been shown to generate high affinity antibody responses to protein antigens. Both these qualities provide a natural boost to B cells, subsequently strengthening the human immune system and its ability to stave off infection.” Professor Vinuesa also discovered that the NKTfh cells provide this boost over a very short and sharp period of time without generating long-lived antibody-producing cells. “The discovery of the NKTfh will help us understand how to elicit immune protection against lipid-containing microbes and which natural antibody responses can best fight each type of infection,” she said. “For example, the ability of NKTfh cells to promote faster antibody responses than conventional helper T cells may be important for protection against life-threatening infections, whereas their inability to induce long-lived antibody producing cells may be key to the prevention of autoimmune diseases.” Professor Vinuesa’s recent discoveries have been published in two separate papers in the journals Nature Immunology and Immunity. Copies of the articles are available from the ANU Media Office. Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here. |
Hearts 'can be broken’ by grief
| THE UNIVERSITY OF SYDNEY |
A study involving University of Sydney cardiac researchers has shown the loss of a loved one can really break your heart. Dr Anastasia Susie Mihailidou, from the Sydney Medical School says when we lose someone we love it may feel as if our heart is breaking. Dr Milhailidou, a clinical senior lecturer at Royal North Shore Hospital (RNSH), is part of a multi-disciplinary team led by Professor Geoff Tofler, Professor of Medicine and Dr Tom Buckley, Sydney Nursing School, based on the RNSH campus. The team is involved in a study providing insight into why people grieving the loss of a loved one, such as a spouse or a parent, experience a heightened blood pressure variability. Increased blood pressure variability has been shown to be predictive for stroke and other cardiovascular complications. The team - made up of doctors, nurses, scientists and social workers from RNSH, the University of Sydney, University of Technology, Sydney and the Kolling Institute - examined the heart rate and blood pressure of 63 people who had a spouse or parent die in hospital. Their blood pressure and heart rate were recorded two weeks after the death and then again at six months. Dr Anastasia Mihailidou said all of the participants recorded at the two-week mark showed heightened blood pressure variability. She said the most telling sign was at the six-month mark. Heart rates had returned to normal but blood pressure was still fluctuating. These results were compared to a group of 78 participants who saw their sick loved ones return home from hospital. Their heart rates and blood pressure records remained unchanged. "The results indicate that someone who is grieving and who is already experiencing blood pressure issues would find these problems amplified during or because of bereavement," Dr Mihailidou said. "These changes aren't large, but if heightened blood pressure variability goes unnoticed they can cause problems," she said. The team is now embarking on a second phase of the study. This will involve treating those who are grieving. Dr Mihailidou hopes this research will encourage people who are busy caring for those who are sick or dying to be aware of their own physical health, as well as their emotional and psychological wellbeing. Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here. |
Bananas favour long days
| RENEE SIZER, SCIENCENETWORK WA |
 The finding overrules the belief that temperature is the key variable in banana development. Image: narvikk/iStockphoto NEW research has found bananas are photoperiod responsive, overruling the widely accepted belief that temperature is the key variable in banana development. Seasonal variation in banana production is an issue for growers worldwide, and has driven research focused on what influences the plant’s rate of development and flowering. The UWA – Chiquita Brands study has found that longer photoperiods—the time from sunrise to sunset—during the reproductive phase, are correlated with an increased rate of bunch appearance at the top of the pseudostem 8-10 weeks later. Long photoperiods during the mid-vegetative stage hasten flowering, and the 2–3 months before formation of the bunch are most important for photoperiod. This information is expected to help growers develop better planting timetables to ensure consistent fruit production. Recently published in CSIRO’s Functional Plant Biology, the study, ‘Evidence that banana (Musa spp.), a tropical monocotyledon, has a facultative long-day response to photoperiod,’ collated data from four major research projects from around the world. Data from Puerto Rico, Ivory Coast, New South Wales and South Africa were analysed and the sensitivity of the plants to photoperiod in each location were calculated. The juvenile phase, the mid-vegetative phase, and the flowering phase were studied closely in relation to photoperiod, temperature, soil conditions and overall growth pattern to find what minimised the variation in flowering. Co-Author and UWA Honorary Research Fellow David Turner says the effects of photoperiod on bananas had not been fully explored before now. “Originally we thought the development of bananas wouldn’t be responsive to photoperiod but there’s some literature that says temperature isn’t the only thing that explains it,” Prof Turner says. “Once we got into the numbers we were surprised that the message seemed to be so clear across all locations. “We had several data sets—we were able to calculate what happened in one and then use those numbers to predict what was happening somewhere else.” Prof Turner says this information gives plant breeders potential to breed banana crops that are either more or less sensitive to photoperiod. There is debate whether it is the length of day or the amount of sunshine that is important in photoperiod. The rate of change of sunrise and sunset and the photoperiod’s effect on plants in the fruit- bearing stage will be studied further. An experiment initiated in the Canary Islands using artificial light to prolong the photoperiod will test its affects on banana crops in the next year. Editor's Note: Original news release can be found here. |
Climate-Smart Agriculture: Helping the World Produce More Food
To feed nine billion people by 2050, global food production needs to increase by 70 percent. Farmers in Africa, and across the world, are using Climate-Smart Agriculture practices to combat the impacts of Climate Change on crop production
Clean Energy Saving and Brightening Lives In Mali
Only about 24 percent of Mali's people have electricity. A series of programs is now working to provide more energy, while safeguarding the environment by using renewable sources.
FIVE WAYS ORDINARY PEOPLE BUILD WEALTH
Sometimes the best way to build wealth is to take tips from people just like you. These ordinary people have done incredibly well doing things that anyone can do. Find out the successful ways they have built up wealth here!
The Digerati Life shares…
Profiles and Strategies Of Some Typical Wealth Builders
#1 The Real Estate Investor
This guy took the “Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad” series to heart and embarked on a real estate investing rampage starting in 2003. It was prompted by a family crisis involving his disabled child, during which he realized the worries of a parent who wondered how his child would be taken care of once he and his wife could no longer do so. Being in California, it was easy for him to build up equity, take it out and apply it to real estate ventures nationwide. He now owns around 15 houses in various states and somehow manages this “empire” on his off days from his engineering job. Kudos to him. By the way, there’s also a way to fail at this. Main Asset: Hard Work
#2 Stock Market Investor
Everyone's doing this simply by investing in their retirement plans. With the many plans available these days: 401Ks, 403Bs, IRAs, pension plans and such, there’s no way you’ve escaped building wealth in the last 20 years. What I find a little frustrating is that while people invest well in their retirement plans, they don’t do so well with their disposable income. Some acquaintances view their retirement accounts as “serious money” while their disposable income is treated as “play money”. From a casual poll I conducted among colleagues, I found that most weren’t sure what to do with their non-retirement funds, which could be either stuck in cash and CDs or used to do wild, aggressive trades. Reading these books could help The Random Walk Down Wall Street or Asset Allocation: Balancing Financial Risk. Main Asset: Persistence
#3 Stock Market Trader
This other guy does part-time stock trading and seems quite successful at it. Sure, there was a time (circa late 1990′s) when many people tried their luck at day trading and eventually fizzled miserably. But this guy is good. But that’s because he’s some kind of software genius and a mathematical whiz. If I were a betting woman, I’d back this guy on any trade he makes. He says that 99% of wannabe traders will lose out because people like him are there to scalp the noobs. Is it arrogance? Perhaps. But he’s hard-working (he sleeps 3 hours a night to trade after work), is skilled and talented at technical analysis, and has done his homework on that Forex stuff. He’s also very low key, but I can sense that “Millionaire Next Door” aura. Main Asset: Genius
#4 Serial Startup Hopper (or Juggler)
Now here’s the typical way people try to get rich around Silicon Valley, and it was the norm in the 1990′s. It actually worked for a few former colleagues. I admit I joined a startup, but that didn’t pan out. Instead, I lost out on $13,000, the money I spent to own my stock options on the penny to maximize potential return in case the startup I joined actually succeeded. It didn’t work for me, but it did for others, who amazingly went from one successful startup to another, raking in stock options that made them millions with every stint. This regular engineer managed to build a massive fortune by just being at the right places at the right time. He eventually bankrolled his money into a company he founded that netted him at least double his net worth in 8 months. Life flies around here, I guess, and some were born with a clover leaf tattooed on their bum. Of course, that is the exception, but you can’t help but find inspiration in that. Main Asset: Luck
#5 Consultant (or Contractor)
This has worked well for those who ride any kind of job boom, such as the tech wave in Silicon Valley in the previous decade. Depending on the job market, this can be a lucrative strategy. During a tougher job market, your skills and knowledge will be responsible for getting you those higher consulting fees. If you want a big income as a consultant, it’s all a matter of being an expert in a competitive field. Or is the only one offering such a service. Main Asset: Skill
Get the entire story at The Digerati Life!
NETWORK LIKE A PRO AT YOUR HOLIDAY PARTY
Networking Strategies for the Holidays
Holiday parties mean much more than free food and fun. They also can bring entrepreneurs many new opportunities to network and build relationships.
Most people think of networking only through traditional venues, whether chamber of commerce events, business contact referral groups, or online sites such as LinkedIn. But holiday parties, including professional and industry social events where you can network with people outside your business, can be an even better time to introduce yourself to a new contact or share a friendly conversation with someone you already know.
To make the most of holiday party networking, here are a few things to keep in mind:
- Be prepared. Try to learn in advance the names of people you will likely chat with, their jobs and their recent accomplishments. You will need to do a little homework, a Google search and a look at their LinkedIn or Facebook pages. Use the information you glean to break the ice.
- Ask good questions. From the CEO to the intern level, people love to talk about themselves. Here are some suggested conversation starters: How did you get started? What were some of the challenges with. . . ? Have you read any good books lately? My favourite is: How can I help you?
- Have a “teaser” topic ready. Approaching the end of the year, every business executive is thinking about how to increase profits and performance in the new year. Have an idea that describes the steps you’d take to improve your networking contact’s business. Make this research part of the homework you do ahead of time. But don’t give away the goose; save the details for a later conversation.
- Don’t have more than a couple of drinks. It’s a party, but you don’t want to smell of liquor or be too relaxed when you approach people you want to connect with. Impressions count. Make the right one.
- Be confident of your value. Introducing yourself to an executive can be an intimidating experience, so give yourself a pep talk before the party. List your accomplishments over the past year and figure out how you might weave them into conversations. Once you’ve got that down, you should feel good about yourself.
Continue reading this article at Entrepreneur.com.
துபாய் வேலை வாய்ப்பு மூன்று மாத குறுகியகால விசா அறிமுகம்
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