Happy New Year!

Usually at this time of year, it's quiet and I enjoy a little vacation time and family celebrations.

However, this year, we used the time to create new products that will take people far beyond the book! I'll announce this exciting venture in just a few weeks.

In the meantime, Happy New Year to all of my friends and colleagues. As we slowly pull out of what has certainly been a daunting economic time, I'm looking forward to new opportunities.

I invite everyone to look around, enjoy the positive people around you and continue to reach out. You never know what great stories people have to tell and what resources they may offer you.

My very best wishes for a great 2010!

Taking "Let's Have Lunch Together" to a new level

I recently worked with Anne Ready, head of a media training firm in Los Angeles. For more than 25 years, READY FOR MEDIA has coached thousands of corporate executives, celebrity spokespeople, authors, doctors, lawyers and many others to be concise, credible and compelling.

Years ago, she realized her dream to work and live at the beach. She bought a beautiful house right on the sand at Topanga Canyon and Pacific Coast Highway.

Of course, I gave her my book and she became a star student.

After reading my book, Anne told me, "I decided to take a very personal approach and invite guests to have lunch at my Malibu beach house. I cook lunch and make it very special."

From the book, she also learned to make sure the meeting was 60% personal and 40% business.

"My first guest mentioned other client referrals while she was here at lunch. Thanks Marshall, you helped me present myself in a whole new, more meaningful way!"

Thanks to Anne for her story. To check out her media services click here.

Review of "Let's Have Lunch Together"

"Let's Have Lunch Together" is full of "specific, effective strategies and problem- solving ... well worth reading and adopting."

I don't often get a reader to review my book, especially to his or her entire community. Thanks to Don Mathis, President and CEO of Community Action Partnership for his generous review of “Let’s Have Lunch Together” in the Fall 2009 issue of “The Promise.” After my recent keynote at their national conference in Philadelphia, many of the CAP leaders have enthusiastically embraced these principles of relationship-building.

Here’s a synopsis of Don’s review: “Thoughtful, easy-to-understand strategy for fundraising, board and resource development and strengthening any agency’s viability and sustainability.

“Howard . . .makes a compelling case that it’s essential for nonprofit executives and leaders to build and maintain close relationships with potential funders, board members, policymakers and a wide variety of people-with-influence. . . . it’s equally important for the agency’s leader to build, nurture and expand the number of strong personal relationships.

The book describes specific, effective strategies and problem-solving techniques that are well-worth reading and adopting. Howard makes his book fun to read and reflect on.”

I appreciate his kind words!

Taking time to stay in touch

I had a delightful lunch with two charming young people Saturday. Kristen Schultz of Crescendo Interactive, Inc..,gift planning software, and Chris Jaarda, who works in politics in Washington, D.C.

Without taking my course, Chris already practices what I teach - making time for what's important, not urgent.

He starts his day by checking in with his boss for 20 minutes, telling him what he's working on, what he knows and what he's heard. Then he checks in with his co-workers and spends another hour calling people who are important to his career.

"I don't even turn on my computer to check email until 10:00 a.m.," he told me. "By this time. I already know everything that's important. I've always worked this way and don't know any other way to work."

Chris has built up a wide network of contacts and many important relationships in his career. I predict great success for him!