"If you want to truly understand the times, you need to be interacting with the rest of the world!" (Lee Kent 9/1/2008)

Sound ominous? It does to me and let me tell you why. Should you relate to any of what i have to say, then listen on and see how we might overcome this together.

Here it is in a nutshell...I'm shy! I know lots of people say that and those of you who know me can't believe this loud mouthed, loose tongued, no-nonsense person could make such a claim. So maybe shy is the wrong word. I am horrible at meeting people. I just don't know what to say or rather how to start the conversation. In my generation, little girls were taught to speak when spoken to...Yes, we've come a long way baby!

So how am i suppose to interact with the whole world if i can't start a conversation?

When I attend a networking function, I look for people I know and walk away from people I don't know. I come away with a few business cards but rarely do I call them and set up a follow up. I work at home so I don't get out often.  I don't know how to talk anything but southern (long, detailed, and more than you want to know). Does any of this sound like you? Can you add a few things of your own? I could not call up a client and 'sell' them if my life depended on it!!! and oh yes, did I mention that I am an entrepreneur and my livelihood depends on selling!

Well, if you are anything like me or just interested in my story, pay attention. Here is what i discovered:

• I do 'like' people though my actions seem to indicate otherwise
• I want to meet people
• I love my work but don't know how to make it interesting to others
• I am transparent when you get to know me
• I've always been better at talking 'at' people and not talking 'to' people
• I love to espouse wisdom on my topic of passion, Shopping! oops I mean Retail.
  
• I am a story teller (southern speak lends well to this)
• and friends, i LOVE gadgets, tools and other such apps!

So where does this leave me? Aha! If you turn this list upside down, by George, i think it spells success. There are so many great tools available today that... allow people who love to tell stories, espouse wisdom, talk 'at' while still talking 'to', get your message across, meet more people and build trusted friendships with people you like so you can better understand the times that enable better business decisions without leaving home, having to start a conversation, do a follow up call or even sell! whew!  This is called social media! 

In the last several months, i have amassed 100s of new relationships by following this reasoning. I simply jumped into the conversation at Twitter (general top of mind), Friend Feed(threads of public interest), Face Book (personal), LinkedIn (professional), and TheRetailTradeCenter (retail). Then added tools like Del.icio.us, Stumble, Yoono (in beta), and Evernote, to help me manage all of it. Then make yourself a Lijit to allow search capability across all of it! Wow!

'Too much time' you say? 'I don't get it' you say? 'How does this help business' you say? 'Not so' I say!

Stay tuned to future posts to learn more. Admit it, some of this is very intuitive and you really DO 'Get it'! Now go out and Do it!

Thanks for Stopping by;

The Shopper Next Door