The sweetheart of Canada, Nancy Greene Raine, spoke at a Spirit of Vancouver breakfast this past week.

Nancy has always been my hero.

What a ride she has had…from the tiger of ski hills to winning a gold medal at the 1968 Winter Olympics–from her down to earth viewpoint she made me realize the bottom line importance of investment in Olympic athletes. The investment in our athletes is the spirit they bring by opening our eyes to the appreciation we have of where we live. In turn the torch that the athletes carry with them for the rest of their lives is a legacy they will be proud of forever.

Nancy is the champion of athletes (at any level) who also crows about what makes Canada a special place.

She is what she is. No pretense.

When she spoke on Friday she told us about her pride in winning the gold medal and we felt her pride too. After all of these years she choked a little while reminiscing. She shared  insight into being a mom, wife, and sister. And from my perspective a selfless mentor.

Nancy doesn’t speak corporate speak, and she is articulate. When she voices her opinion, people listen because it is from her heart-no bull crap.

A member at my meeting breakfast table cracked a snooty snivel when Nancy used a small town colloquialism. The sniff made my ears burn a bit.

Nancy has been elected a Canadian senator and for me represents what the role should exemplify.

She is Canada’s Olympic ambassador and is quoted as saying, “The ambassador job involves representing the federal government and hosting guests and bigwigs at the Games”. She said her “embassy” will be her vehicle, driven by husband Al Raine, which “that will act as my office, my purse and my suitcase.”

Bigwigs & embassy…you’ve got to love her!

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I believe in the use of clear, concrete, and concise language…for all occasions.

This video clip showcases Don Watson via ABC Fora – speaking about his book, “The Absurdity Of Corporate Speak”. As serious as the topic is, Don plays it straight and has his audience in stitches while he points out the ridiculousness of double speak.

Thanks to Kristian Salvesen & David Resseguie for posting the video clip on Twitter.

Province newspaper article: Nancy Greene Raine Canada’s Olympic Ambassador by Damian Inwood

]]> http://janicetomich.com/speak-from-the-heart/feed 0 http://janicetomich.com/worse-than-cold-calling-networking http://janicetomich.com/worse-than-cold-calling-networking#comments Sat, 09 Jan 2010 01:11:02 +0000 janice.tomich http://janicetomich.com/worse-than-cold-calling-networking Does face to face networking make your palms sweat? Want to run for cover…

Unless you are employed as a number cruncher and have been given an inside cubicle; and/or your contact with the outside world is through a mail slot or your computer monitor – whether you like it or not – you have to get out there and meet people to grow your business.

As my better half often reminds me, “No one can see you behind that monitor – you’ve got to get out there and let them see your lovely (thank you) face. I realize you know your industry inside and out, you are hardworking, and you make work seem like fun. But no one else does unless you get out there and show yourself”.

Yes, I do live with and know, a logical and smart man. But I’m not sure he realizes what those round robin networking events are like. The speed at which business cards move between hands and people sashay around a room. I’ve witnessed people who looked as though they had to muster up their courage to attend networking events, made it to the threshold, and turned on their heels and left.

Funnily enough, networking is like public speaking – if you are not passionate about you and your service and/or product – no one else will be.

I’m sure most people struggle as I do with wanting to make connections with like-minded people who authentically want to create mutually beneficial working relationships. And with people you like and respect.

Thank you to Imelda, who clearly articulated (in a Forbes Woman LinkedIn discussion) what I have been thrashing about with. Having the confidence to bring the real me to the table and not be massaged into believing that I ‘need’ to behave in a ‘certain’ way at these opportunities to meet others.

It is my new year’s resolution to grow my business by attending 2 networking events a week- dressed in a new couture – myself.

Have you ramped up your networking lately or is it your goal for 2010. Let us know how it went – your success and failures…