Session 2

I decided to go with what I love, and now I’m taking a marketing degree at UofT.  It is nothing like I thought it would be!  I pictured public speaking and designing product displays.  I didn’t foresee designing posters and writing essays!  I’m not happy at all in my program, and I really don’t want to do an academic program.  The reason I wanted to be an engineer was because I liked designing things.  I was always good at drawing my designs.  I even took a few art courses in high school.  I took them to boost my average, but I found my passion in sculpting.

The best thing is that most of the courses I’m currently enrolled in can be used towards a degree in sculpting, so I wouldn’t loose an entire year in tuition.  My parents never really approved of marketing, so they were delighted when I told them I was considering changing. 

My friends old friends are scattered all over the country, living their own lives, so I’ve lost touch with them.  My new friends in University are too consumed in their own schooling to think about me.  After great thought and deliberation, I will be going into sculpting.  Due to my lack of advice from loved ones, this may be an irrational and premature decision.

Session 1

Ever since I was I little boy, I always knew I wanted to be an engineer.  I was always fascinated by the concept of building things, creating things with my hands.  Walking in one day and making something that didn’t exist before, that was my life-or so I thought.  This got to the point that I was totally distracted Now I’m in grade 12, and I’m having my doubts.  Since engineering requires Chemistry, Physics, Advanced Functions, and Calculus, I’m struggling with the course load. 

My grades have started to slip, because I just can’t keep up.  My guidance counsellor suggested dropping some of my courses, and going into a less labour intensive University course.  That is starting to sound like a good idea.  Most programs don’t have such stringent entry requirements. 

For example, an arts major only requires English.  This opens up other courses that I can take to boost my average, like drama.  This could help me get into a higher university.  Now that I think about it, I’ve always enjoyed marketing and public speaking.  A degree in marketing wouldn’t be a bad idea, because it is something that I really enjoy, I just had never considered it before.

My careers teacher always told me to do something that I loved.  Spending my career on something I love means I wouldn’t have to work a day in my life.

Business Emails

Dear Mr. Huffington,

I am writing to you today to arrange a meeting regarding our new product.  I am available weekday mornings  from nine to twelve thirty.  I look forward to meeting with you in person.

Regards,

Lesco Veski
Technical Representative
DEKA Research and Development





Dear Mr. Huffington,

I appreciate you taking the time to meet with me today.  As discussed, I will review your proposal for purchase, and reply within two weeks.  Thank you for showing interest in our product, and I look forward to working with you in the future.

Regards,

Lesco Veski

Technical Representative 

DEKA Research and Development

Hi John,

This is unacceptable.  Due to your delay, we will miss the deadline for our brand new product.  This mistake could cost us up to $3 million.  I will be visiting your office tomorrow at 9am to discuss the consequences of this delay in finer detail.  I expect a proposal for a solution by then.

LV.

The Great Networking Game V1

https://docs.google.com/open?id=0B8o1kn9Wb2QOWExOeGFjWnF6cFk

Network Map

1. My network map is bigger than I first believed.  I had never thought about how big my reach was.  I already knew that my largest amount of contacts would be through school, but I wasn't aware how many robotics contacts I had until I really thought about it.  When doing this exercise  it made me realize how many people I can call upon for assistance, which is more than I believed before doing this.
   
2. Even though I was surprised at the amount of robotics contacts I had, I am sure that I can gain many more.  Every day I am contacting new people from across North America, and they are always happy to help me.  It is a reciprocal relationship, because I help these people in return when they ask for it.
   
   I also believe I can gain more contacts in the business world.  As I have only had one job, my business network is fairly small.  As I put myself out there more, more contacts will come.

Body Language

Chapter 10, How the Legs Reveal What the Mind Wants to Do

• farther away a body part is from the brain, the less aware you are of it
• legs and feet are important to study to find out someones attitude
• young healthy vibrant people walk faster than old people
• faster walkers swing arms higher than slower walkers
• a study was taken that showed you have a dramatic increase of foot gestures when you are lying
• almost everyone was unaware of their movements
• legs evolved to serve 2 purposes, to get food and to run away from danger
• our legs always display what our desire is (facing towards=getting food=something good, facing away=danger=bad)

4 main standing positions

• at attention-formal, neutral attitude
• legs apart-predominantly male, standing crotch display, use to assert dominance, adjusting crotch is a sign of masculinity
• the foot forward-body weight shifted to one foot, used by high status men in middle ages to show fine hosiery, shoes, and breeches, good indication of the direction someone wants to go based on the direction of their foot
• leg cross-used with people you don't know well, shows closed, submissive attitude

• some people will say that their arms are crossed because they are cold, not because they are being defensive and closed off
• people become more open as they become more comfortable
• European leg cross-one leg crossed neatly over the other, 70% of people cross left over right
• when someone crosses both legs, they are emotionally withdrawn

Sitting modifications

• American four figure
• figure 4 leg clamp
• ankle lock
• leg twine
• parallel legs
• 
  

effectivenetworking.com

1. Present yourself well.  "straighten name tag, pops a mint and strides the crowd."
2. Do as much research as you can on the people attending.
3. Try and stand out with your outfit
4. Be prepared to give and receive business cards.  One pocket for outgoing, one for incoming, no fumbling.
5. Walk with purpose.  Look like you are having a good time.
6. Start at the food table.  People tend to be much more accessible around food.
7. Carry food in your left hand so you can shake with your right.
8. Circle the room once to read name tags and see if there is anyone you remember from your research.  
9. Approach VIPs and speakers before they present.  They will be swamped afterwards.
10. Try and talk to people who are alone.
11. Ask about other people, and when presenting yourself, say your name at the end so they are more likely to remember you.
12. Always shake hands at the start and the end of a conversation, it shows you are open and willing to talk.
13. Ask open ended questions to find out if the person will be of any use to you.
14. Be ready and willing to exchange business cards. 
15. Try and get someone to introduce you to someone new.  It is taken as an endorsement of you. 
16. Make sure there is some give and take.  Try and find out if you can help the other person with something, and if so, do it.  This makes they feel obliged to help you in return.
17. Remember that your goal is to not close any deals.  You are there to find a contacts that you can follow-up with, over a phone call or a coffee.