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Oh, looks like another transplanted Seattlite here in the midwest. I'd love to attend the business mixer, but out of town until late November.

Delighted to see some biznik activity happening in STL. Let's get in touch when I get back in town.

And curious to know what brings you to River City. Michael

Indeed it is tasty to have lunch and a nap. Very civilized too.

The Chinese laborers and restaurant waitstaff are incredible nappers. Probably because they work long hard hours, when there is a moment the head goes down and zzzzz....... But, just as soon as they are needed, they snap back and are on the job.

The other great area for naps in China and Taiwan are coffeeshops. Students often go there to study, and when they need a quick 20 winks, they just lay their head on the table and ZZZZzzzzz. No one considers this to be odd or in any way unusual. Here in the US you get thrown out of a place for public sleeping. In Asia, you buy your cup of whatever and you own the place until you leave. Talk about customer service!!

Yes, our American culture could well learn from your Italian relatives and my Taiwanese friends. How is it that we have come to think of naps as bad? Probably something to do with our Puritanical roots. No wonder they were so crabby; they did not get their naps.

Being a natural napper I know from my own experience that a nap will keep me from sleeping on the job. Twenty minutes of surrender to what my body requires allows me an afternoon of productivity and energy.

Our American culture is one of the few that does not allow for an afternoon nap. When I lived in Asia it was unthinkable to have less than a 1.5 hour lunch. Lunch included a nap. It was a real relief for me too, as I'd been surreptitiously napping for 20 minutes in the afternoon for most of my life.

Luckily I am self employed and can built naptime into my schedule. I am blessed.

Yes, business as Journey. So true!

Love the part about one's weakness being the strength we need to find in others. That our weaknesses help us to know what to look for in others so we can work together. Nice!

I just had a patient schedule an emergency appointment, and will not be able to attend. Drat!

But, it does open up an opportunity for someone else. enjoy!

Michael

Last time I attended this event it totally opened my eyes to all kinds of small but effective ways to connect.

What's more, as a professional in the field of acupuncture it is important to get noticed, I learned how to get my name on the TOP of the first page of a google search.

If you want to connect with more people and have more fun doing it. Attend this event. See you there!

It is called "the four hour work week". In it he covers a number areas that are near and dear to my heart. Like being able to travel and live abroad while you are making money in the US.

But, I think the part that is most interesting to me is one about learning to get rid of the distractions in our lives so we can focus on what is really important. M

I will no doubt be in the midst of both jetlag and Chinese food withdraw. It's an ugly combination. Dimsum is probably the only possible thing that can save the day. Looking forward to the event!!

Oh my, our perception is indeed that powerful!

I just read this book based on a friend's recommendation. I'm considering doing an online business with some very safe and effective Chinese herbs, so this book includes a good blueprint for thinking about that kind of a business.

Mostly though, I found his take on limiting distraction and information poisoning to be very insightful. He challenges some of the base concepts we think we need to do business. I find that to be a bit uncomfortable, but want to give some of them a try. Plus the idea of 80/20ing your life makes a lot of sense to me.

As an acupuncturist in Seattle I know the importance of having a good online identity. However, since I am a professional acupuncturist, and not an SEO or network expert, most of the language that goes search engine rating is less intelligible to me than Chinese.

Thanks to That Lease Guy, Howard Howell, I now have a much better idea of how to maximize my online presence and get the search engines to rate me higher.

Great stuff. Thanks Howard!!

Not sure where you planning to travel to. But, if it is Asia, then Robert at Asia Travel in the ID is the guy to see. I book all my trips to China through him. Great guy, fair prices, EXCELLENT service.

Sometimes cheap is not so cheap if you need to make changes, or have too many restrictions. Robert is knowledgeable about the industry and will hook you up with the re right ticket for you needs.

call him at (206) 340-8888

safe travels! Michael

I've heard this distinction as well, and it makes a world of sense to me. Many times people are shy, and they confuse that with being introverted.

M

Dang it, it's my turn to have the flu, so this opens up a space for some lucky person. Hope you all have a good time and plan to see you next month.

Joe, I would love to attend. However, I've plans that just would not be right to change. Should you do this again. I'm there.

I've never thought much about this. I just write "owner."

Yep, it's mine baby, I own this crazy thing!

Does sex sell? Probably not, but the suggestion of sex sure does!

One of the things I loved about living in Asia was that they blatantly use sex to sell. Got a new tech computer you are rolling out, or having a big sale at your appliance store? Bring out the troupe of hot young dancing girls. Heck, even the bars and restaurants all have "beer girls", cute young things that are half waitress, half walking advertisement, in an outfit that was an unholy mix cheerleader meets Suzy Wong in a qi pao.

To my western eyes, which were accustomed to seeing sex used to sell, but with the additional western puritanical/politically correct habit of pretending that we don't, seeing such obvious use of sex to sell, and without the hidden 'tsk tsk tsk', was a real breath of fresh air. And as my Taiwanese girlfriend used to say "everyone likes to see a pretty girl."

And learning to make shortbread cookies too? Such a deal.

I've enjoyed following the famous biznik thread on introverts and self promotion. Having learned to cultivate an extrovert presentation, (it seemed to be the only way to play the game) I'm delighted to give the introverted side it's due, and see what gifts may be there.

I've just finished a two week seminar in Nanjing China, and have learned a thing or two about planning and preparation (and have the bruises to show for it). So, this salon comes at a most perfect time.

Being rather introverted myself, but learning to act as if I were extroverted, this thread has struck some deep chords.

While much of "marketing, promotion, etc" is about making and sustaining connections in an active fashion. I've now got this idea that there certainly must be the flip of side of this process that is also equally effective. Just like if you whisper or talk softly in the right way, you end up commanding much more attention, as people make the effort to listen to you.

I'd love to explore this, and look forward to Salon Sshhhh!

Fools play by the rules? Perhaps you would like to do a little biznik event and share with us some of your vast experience?

If China is an interest, you could contact me. While my main focus there is medicine. I do have friends there are in all kinds of businesses. I'm going there for the month of Oct, and if you like I could keep my eyes open for the right opportunity for you.

My upcoming trip to China is taking all my available bandwidth. Sadly, I am not going to be able to make it this time. Hopefully, someone snags my spot and gets a lot out of the experience. And I will look forward to a future opportunity to play.

A good friend of mine once suggested that especially when taking on a big project, or a life change for that matter, that you should keep track of your small successes. Milestones, is what she called them.

They are small moments of triumph. Pivotable moments when the world changes in a small, but significant way. Those moments when you recognize progress. She suggested that those moments get written down, recognized, and celebrated. It is sage advice. In the press and flux of everyday life, we tend to look at what is not done, the waiting list, the "I gonna, but don't wanna, or don't know how to."

Recognizing the milestones, is like receiving a blessing and confirmation. Most importantly, in those moments of despair, or don't know what to do, They can be reviewed for both inspiration and direction!

Seven years ago I set off for Asia with the desire and dream of mastering enough Chinese to get below the surface of the medicine that I practice. On October 1, I return to China, for a month, with 10 other practitioners in tow to study with a doctor of unusual skill and knowledge, that I know there.

The milestones of this journey are scattered through both years and continents. It may seem extraordinary to say "I'm taking acupuncturists to China and translating for them", but a look at the journey, told through the story of milestones reveals that it is a journey like any other.

One foot firmly place in front of the other!

I've used Tmobile for a couple years now. I like that I can use my overseas phone by just slipping in a SIM card.

I usually find my self in urban environments, and their service is fine. But, I've couple friends that have had trouble with Tmobile's service if they are out in the boonies.

as to international? I just use forward my calls to a Skype-in number I have. Then when abroad, buy a local SIM card with new phone number. Then go online, and have my Skype-in number forward to that new number. End result? Seamless and inexpensive connectivity. People dial my local Seattle number, and I pick the call up in Shanghai. No even has to know I'm there!