Nadia http://www.nadiaspeaks.com/ has also produced and anchored feature programs for CNN International, and is an expert in Networking - a term that can have a bad rap, but when exposed for what it is: building meaningful, strategic relationships, it is a cornerstone of success. She wrote the Little Book of Big Networking Ideas and absolutely embodies every principle she preaches. I am fortunate to have met her at a Coca-Cola Panel discussion; she was moderating, and I was on the panel. After the panel, she approached me and said, "you should be a speaker", and I replied to her, "so should you" (to my suprise, I was speaking to a world renowned speaker....who teaches, among other things, presentation skills and communication!!). We set a date to have coffee, and unlike so many others, we actually did it. The coffee meeting that day revealed many similarities and differences, but it also exposed a common love to influence others to become their very best. We began working together, and Nadia welcomed me into her company, Greater Impact Communications, and her circle of trust. We have become partners, friends, and co-authors (working on a book together!). She is giving, loving, engaging, and simply brilliant.
I remember one particular lesson I learned from her, which she passed on from one of her mentors. She said, in her fabulous South African accent, "it's not about the event...it's about the event after the event". This saying refers to the priciple that what you are doing today...now...is not always just about now - what's also important is what happens as a result. This customer, today...yes, they are important, but what is equally, if not more, important, is who they tell about your business, whether or not they come back tomorrow, and if they recommend your product or service. The person you meet on a plane, or at a company event - it's not good enough to have their card...what are you going to do with it?
I have applied that saying in SO many ways. I use it in speeches, coaching and mentoring. Consider this blog post. It's not about this post -it's about what happens as a result: who reads it, passes it along, finds value in the story. It's really about what happens as a result. That is true for advertisements, promotions, training events, hiring, you name it. Simply stated, it's thinking through to the desired reaction of today's action, and leveraging that vision to make today's actions as strategic and powerful as they can be. Always think through to the next step; what do you want to ULTIMATELY achieve, and will your current action likely lead to that?
I met Nadia; she enhanced my life and career...but it's not about that meeting, it's about all the things I do as a result. Nadia, if you read this...thank you. For those who don't know her, if you are lucky enough to attend a seminar, or even better, meet her at one of her events....don't leave it there; create an event after the event...you'll be glad you did. ...Follow up - have that cup of coffee...make that phone call, and always think about what more you can do...the event AFTER the event.
@nadiabilchik (Twitter handle) is founder and chief executive of Greater Impact Communication, providing training, consulting and keynote addresses to the Coca-Cola Company, Turner Broadcasting, CNN, TruTV, Cartoon Network, Delta, Bellsouth, The Home Depot and Georgia Power, among others.
