Jeffrey W. Meshel - The Opportunity Magnet: Attract Success in Every Aspect of Your Life

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Meshel, Jeffrey W.
The opportunity magnet / Jeffrey W. Meshel.
p. cm.
eISBN: 978-1-57826-378-3
1. Business networks. 2. Social networks. 3. Interpersonal relations. I. Title.
HD69.S8M478 2010
650.13dc22
2010006801

Cover Design by Nick Macagnone
Interior design by Carolyn Kasper, DC Designs

v3.1

Contents

Introduction
The Genesis of Opportunities

I dedicate this book to my children,
Benjamin and Talia

Publishers Note

J EFF M ESHEL IS an opportunity magneta connector of people, ideas and resources. His secret to success? Giving before gettingdont wait to receive before giving to others.

It really is that simple. Oftentimes, people dont realize that we are all in it together. While some may seek gain at the expense of others, truly the most successful ventures in life are collaborations. And many times it requires that we put our needs on hold while we gain the experience, relationships and know-how by giving freely of our own time, energy and talent.

While the world continues to spin at a seemingly faster and faster rate and the technology of connection appears to change the nature of our interactions, there is still something fundamental about human relationships. With the advances in social networking sites, we question the authenticity of virtual relationships and look for new ways to bridge the Internet impasse to build meaningful alliances and partnerships.

Jeff Meshel knows this well. A pioneer of social and business networking before the age of the Internet, Jeff could muster a fortune for investing with the simple push of the send button on his computer. Technology comes and goes, but the basis of the relationship doesnt change. Nothing replaces a handshake.

Jeffs first book, One Phone Call Away, presented his strategies to being a master networker. One of these strategies, which he refrains in The Opportunity Magnet, is his passion for collecting passions. This concept can also be extended to knowing the needs of others. In this way, by understanding interests, desires, needs and capabilities, you can draw together the resources to help other people in your network and be of real value.

There is power in people. To find a job. To grow a business. To serve an important cause. To change the world. Whatever opportunity you seek, Jeffs wisdom will put you first in line, every time.

A NDREW F LACH , P UBLISHER

Introduction
The Genesis of Opportunities

I DECIDED THAT I am going to start this book with an opinion that I will assure you is a fact: what is more important than anything else is to get in front of people. Nothing replaces looking someone in the eyes, creating an impression (preferably favorable) and knowing who the person is that you are interacting with. This is true even in todays online era. Although technology can augment your connections, only you can make them meaningful. I live by this philosophy. In fact, my job is meeting with people and I do so often without an agenda. I am seriousI set up meetings just to learn about an individuals interests and their business. Simultaneously, I think about who to introduce them to.

In the 21st century, the ability to connect with people anywhere, at any time, is greater than ever. Today, we have an abundance of tools to enable connections all over the world, including networking groups, discussion pages with advice from experts, as well as e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and countless other sites. The offline world is where we live and interact one on one every day; the online world is where we can leverage our interactions.

Connecting with others is the genesis of opportunities. This is obvious. Understanding how to maximize these relationships is far less apparent. Most people who are either online or offline do not know how to properly nourish interactions, and conventional education does not teach or even address what you need to do to find and build your relationships online or offline. Candidly, it amazes me that these essential skills are not part of every curriculum. We need to master connecting both online and offlinenow more than ever.

Knowing how to use the Internet the right way and being a disciplined connector and collector can manufacture great results. Think about it: time is the most important commodity that a businessman has; this is why many professionals make their living by charging an hourly rate or earning an hourly wage.

Professionals always need resources. I am certain that you have been called by an associate who asked you if you knew someone that had a skill or a resource that they were looking for. Finding resources in this manner is time consuming and can be frustrating. Today, the Internet and new technologies are changing the way we find resources. Knowing how to use these sites is becoming mandatory if you want to enhance your contacts and reach.