One of my LinkedIn connections asked me for some advice. Besides being totally jealous of what he is doing, I think he is an amazing your man.
His question…
Zale,
I just joined the marathon networking group and wanted to attach an email. I am a 24 year old recent graduate in Business Marketing and Entrepreneurship from the University of Iowa and have successfully completed 2 marathons: May 2007 at the Colorado Marathon in Ft. Collins in 4h16 and then in May 2008 at Lake Geneva in 4h11. I also saw that you are in many groups dealing with Asia. I will be independently traveling/backpacking through Asia for nearly 3 months this fall and any insights you would have would be appreciated.
Here is my response:
- You are an unbelievably brilliant young man (not because you are asking for my advice) because you are taking control of your life. I did Europe and Canada before College. That was 30 years ago, and I am still using the lessons I learned.
- What you must do is find some LinkedIn contacts in every city you are going to visit before your trip. I would suggest 1/2 dozen per city as a goal. Use the LinkedIn advance search. You can find other runners through the Marathon Group and people related to your other interests.
- Contact each of these people via e-mail and setup a time to go for a run or meet for coffee
- When you are in the City give these people a call and confirm up your arrangements.
- Meet with them, and get to know them. Take a picture together. Make sure you take some notes about each of the people, so that later you will be able to keep it straight who they were and what you talked about. This is important – you will be meeting so many people it will be an overload and you may get them mixed up.
- Don’t be too restrictive about whom you meet. Meet older people, younger people. entrepreneurs, staff people, anybody and everybody. Just for some safety sake, make sure you meet in a public place.
- Don’t be surprised if you are invited to homes and into their businesses. Just remember – you are representing your country and you are a guest.
What’s going to happen?
- You are going to create a network in Asia that will rival anybodies.
- You will find incredible opportunities.
- You will be able to help and connect each of these people with people at home and in the other countries.
- When you have figured out what you want to do in life – you will have the network to help you.
- You will learn about the countries you are visiting like no other person will.
This is going to be the most fantastic opportunity in your life. Enjoy every single minute of it.
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