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.

KIVA and Kickstarter

KIVA

Nizami from Azerbaijan deserves money from our class.  He is a market vendor that sells many common food items, like flour, butter, and candy.  Many people depend on his business   If it were to close down, people would be left without a place to buy their food.  It says that it is his second loan, and that he has good history.  This means that we don't have to be worried about making the money back.

Kickstarter

I believe that we should donate our money to FRC team 3992.  Robotics is near and dear to my heart, and this team is clearly struggling for money.  If we were to donate to this team, it would provide inspiration to about 30 students, as stated in their kickstarter.  Our money will provide them with everything from miter saws to registration fees.  I would love to see our money going to something like this, as I know the personal impact that they will have upon receiving the money.

Creative Writing

My Story

Throughout high school I was always that person who took the most difficult classes, spent hours upon hours volunteering, and joined every sports team I could.  After-school camps, volleyball, robotics, anything I could possibly think of.  My friends all said I was crazy.  They said that with all these things that I did, I wouldn't have time to do well in school.  They said my marks would drop.  Unfortunately, they were correct.  I had to take 2 extra years of high school to get enough credits to graduate.  I had failed english twice, and computer science once.

My family encouraged me to go to university, but I knew I wouldn't do well.  Thanks to all my networking and volunteering that I did, I was able to land an entry level job at an engineering firm.  My family was amazed that I was able to land the job, seeing how I was lacking education.  Unfortunately, my lack of education started to show through.  I was fired from my job and had to move back into my parents house.

I was determined at this point to make a name for myself.  My parents said they were willing to pay for me to go to collage, but I knew that if I did that, I wouldn't be able to make a name for myself.  I would just be another guy in another job.   I wanted to be famous, Neil Armstrong famous.  I was going to beat the world record for largest free fall, set by Felix Baumgartner.  After years of work, and many failed attempts, I was able to successfully claim the record, my name was spoken with respect around the world.

Finding Purpose

1.       Make a list of reasons why you are in school which come from your parents, culture and other external influences.

• To learn how to be successful in the future
• To gain the qualifications I need to enter university
• To meet my parents expectations
• To socialize
• To prepare for work life
  
  

2.       Explain why you come to school, why your grades are what they are and relate it to your effort. Are you getting the grades you want according to your goals?

The primary reason that I am in school is the gain the qualifications I need to enter university.  This is directly related to the grades I receive.  In general, I am happy with my grades.  My science and French marks especially.  To meet the requirements for university, I need advanced functions and calculus.  To be able to succeed in those math classes, I need to put more effort into math now.  My math grade is not where I want it to be.  I will start to put more effort into math, and then my grade should start to meet my goals.

3.       What goals you have made this year and achieved? Think of small goals too (making a sports team, winning something, doing well in an assignment). If none – explain why.

·       Captain of the volleyball team

·       Mentored a middle school robotics team

·       Achieved an 85% grade 9 average

·       Made it through culminatings with limited coffee consumption

·       Got a summer job doing something I enjoy

·       Completed my volunteer hours, and then some

·       Competed in an international robotics competition

4.       Name some goals do you have in the next 4 years? If none, explain why

·       Get 10 hours of sleep a night

·       Maintain an 85% average throughout high school

·       Continue to participate in the school volleyball team

·       Attend the University of Waterloo for mechanical engineering

·       Continue to have an active role mentoring middle school robotics teams.

·       Continue to participate on my high school robotics team

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