March 2007

How to be a Lovecat

“Your network is your networth.”  This quote, which appeared on the back of Keith Ferrazzi’s Never Eat Alone, was my introduction to Tim Sanders, lovecat extraordinaire.  “Treat it with respect.  Nurture it.  It is the most valuable thing you own outright.”

Love is the Killer App is a book about how to build a huge, powerful network by becoming a lovecat. Being a lovecat means you “offer your wisdom freely. Give away your address book to everyone who wants it. And always be human.”

There are four sections to the book: The Lovecat Way, Knowledge, Network & Compassion.

The Lovecat Way
What’s a killer app?  A killer app is a new idea that quickly devastates the original business model.  Becoming a lovecat is the best way to differentiate yourself in the ‘new economy.’  Sanders lays out a number of reasons to be a lovecat, ranging from what it does for your brand as a person, to how people will give you the benefit of their attention since you’re a valuable resource for them.

Knowledge
“The first step in cultivating value is to make sure you posses knowledge” In order to have valuable wisdom to give, read voraciously.  As Sanders says, “readers are leaders.”  Most people don’t have the discipline to read books.
I often speak to people in business who explain that they read a lot, but not books; just the newspaper, trade journals or email newsletters.  Books have ‘foundational knowledge.’ Develop the habit of reading at least a half an hour every day. First thing in the morning and before you retire at night.  Not only will you learn alot, you’ll always have a bright  idea in a crucial moment. Aquire enough knowledge so that you can always add value to a conversation.
Sanders talks about how to read a books, right down to providing a picture of how he mocks up the inside covers with notes and page references.  Since I’ve read this I’ve done the same, and have literally turned my books into workbooks.

Network
“Winners are those with the largest networks, the most powerful connections, and the ability to call in their reserves at the moment of truth.”  Sanders talks about the need to have a system to handle all of your contacts and relationships.  Whether it’s a palm pilot, a hand written journal, or a CRM program, you need a system.   He encourages introducing your best contacts and clients to each other, and expanding your network through expanding the network of others.
“A good lovecat is always thinking of ways to bring people together”

Compassion
“There is a tremendous opportunity for your compassion to make a difference in how people view you, and how they view themselves.”

What is a section on compassion doing in a business book?  Sanders explains that compassion is contagions; when you’re compassionate you’ll inspire it in others, and “you will have excellent experiences in a world when excellence is rare.”  Become a likeable person.  People refer business to people they like; people who make them feel good about themselves.
I really enjoyed Love is the Killer App. I read a lot of books, and I enjoyed this one more than most.  I read it in a number of hours, but I have been back through it several times since I finished it in January.  There are so many great action items I took from the book – I’ve started sharing my knowledge more efficiently, in the form of a personal weekly email magazine, and I’m actively connecting people in my network to one another.

Commit yourself to helping others. Always come from a position of contribution.  Be a Lovecat, and your network and networth will grow substantially.

Benjamin Bach is a Sales Representative with Keller Williams Golden Triangle Realty in Kitchener Waterloo. He is a Lovecat, and is passionate about building wealth for his clients.  Benjamin loves nothing more than to help people start building equity and get on the road to financial freedom and abundance. He wakes up each morning excited to fulfil his mission of building wealth for his clients through comprehensive Real Estate investment planning, and helping people achieve success.   If you are interested in how you can start your Real Estate portfolio, have any questions about buying a home or selling a home,  or are looking for a good book to read, please email Benjamin (benjamin AT benjaminbach.com) or call him at 519 772 4376.

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Instructions for Life from the Dali Lama

1.  Take into account that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
2.  When you lose, don’t lose the lesson.
3.  Follow the three R’s:

Respect for self
Respect for others and
Responsibility for all your actions.

4.  Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a wonderful stroke of luck.
5.  Learn the rules so you know how to break them properly.
6.  Don’t let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
7.  When you realize you’ve made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
8.  Spend some time alone every day.
9.  Open your arms to change, but don’t let go of your values.
10. Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.
11. Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you’ll be able to enjoy it a second time.
12. A loving atmosphere in your home is the foundation for your life.
13. In disagreements with loved ones deal only with the current situation. Don’t bring up the past.
14. Share your knowledge. It’s a way to achieve immortality.
15. Be gentle with the earth.
16. Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.
17. Remember that the best relationship is one in which your love for each other exceeds your need for each other.
18. Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.
19. Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Benjamin Bach is a Sales Representative with Keller Williams Golden Triangle Realty in Kitchener Waterloo. He is passionate about building wealth for his clients, and loves nothing more than to help people start building equity and get on the road to financial freedom and abundance. He wakes up each morning excited to fulfill his mission of building wealth for his clients through comprehensive Real Estate investment planning, and helping people achieve success.   If you are interested in how you can start your Real Estate portfolio, have any questions about buying a home or selling a home,  or are looking for a good book to read, please email Benjamin (benjamin AT benjaminbach.com) or call him at 519 772 4376.

Subscribe to Benjamin Bach’s KW Market Watch by Email

Need something to read this morning?

The first 4 reviews of 2007’s Love Affair with Books are now up at Joyful Jubilant Learning:

(click the date to be taken to the review)

March 1: Made to Stick, written by Chip and Dan Heath, Reviewed by Tim Milburn

March 2: Setting the Table, written by Danny Meyer, Reviewed by yours truly!

March 3: GRUB, written by Anna Lappe and Bryant Terry, Reviewed by Mary Hunt

March 4: Love is the Killer App, written by Tim Sanders, Reviewed by Yours Truly, Benjamin Bach

There are great discussions going on in the comments and through trackbacks… Head over and join in the fun!

Benjamin Bach is a Sales Representative with Keller Williams Golden Triangle Realty in Kitchener Waterloo. He is passionate about building wealth for his clients, and loves nothing more than to help people start building equity and get on the road to financial freedom and abundance. He wakes up each morning excited to fulfill his mission of building wealth for his clients through comprehensive Real Estate investment planning, and helping people achieve success. This year Benjamin is going to read at least 52 books, and review all of them for his friends, family, clients and colleagues.  If you are interested in how you can start your Real Estate portfolio, have any questions about buying a home or selling a home,  or are looking for a good book to read, please email Benjamin (benjamin AT benjaminbach.com) or call him at 519 772 4376.

Subscribe to Benjamin Bach’s KW Market Watch by Email

A Love Affair with Books 2007

This Month, Joyful Jubilant Learning presents A Love Affair with Books 2007.  Every day, a guest author will be posting his or her review on a book – new or old, business or not etc.

There are some great people involved, myself included, and there are going to be some AWESOME reviews.  Check out the line up:

3/1 Made to Stick, written by Chip and Dan Heath – Reviewed by Tim Milburn – (review already up here)

3/2: Setting the Table, written by Danny Meyer – Reviewed by Rosa Say

3/3: GRUB, written by Anna Lappe and Bryant Terry – Reviewed by Mary Hunt

3/4: Love is the Killer App, written by Tim Sanders – Reviewed by Benjamin Bach

3/5: Authentic Leadership, written by Bill George – Reviewed by Dean Boyer

3/6: Two Weeks to a Breakthrough: How to Zoom Toward Your Goal in 14 Days or Less, written by Lisa Haneberg – Reviewed by Dwayne Melancon

3/7: Do Less, Achieve More, written by Chin-Ning Chu – Reviewed by Karen Wallace

3/8: Your Brain on Music, written by Daniel Levitin – Reviewed by Steve Sherlock

3/9: The Zen of Groups, A Handbook for People Meeting With a Purpose, written by Dale Hunter, Anne Bailey and Bill Taylor – Reviewed by Lisa Haneberg

3/10: The Omnivore’s Dilemma, written by Michael Pollan – Reviewed by Bren Connelly

3/12: Wherever You Go There You Are, written by Jon Kabat-Zinn – Reviewed by Chris Owen

3/13: Move Closer Stay Longer, written by Dr. Stephanie Burns – Reviewed by Beth Robinson

3/14: Leaders’ Playbook, How to Apply Emotional Intelligence: Keys to Great Leadership, written by Reldan Nadler – Reviewed by Wayne Hurlbert

3/15: The Sundering, Banewreaker and Godslayer, a two-volume work written by Jacqueline Carey – Reviewed by EM Sky

3/16: The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama – Reviewed by Nneka

3/17: Citizen Marketers by Ben McConnell and Jackie Huba – Reviewed by Phil Gerbyshak

3/19: How to Connect in Business in 90 Seconds or Less, written by Nicholas Boothman – Reviewed by John Richardson

3/20: Seeing David in the Stone, written by James B. Swartz and Joseph E. Swartz – Reviewed by Terry Starbucker

3/21: The Difference Maker, written by John C. Maxwell – Reviewed by Tim Draayer

3/22: Oh the Places You’ll Go!, written by Dr. Seuss – Reviewed by Dave Rothacker

3/27: StrengthsFinder 2.0, written by Tom Rath – Reviewed by David Zinger

3/28: One, written by Lance Secretan – Reviewed by Greg Balanko-Dickson

3/29: Think and Grow Rich, written by Napoleon Hill and newly edited by Ross Cornwell – Reviewed by Carolyn Manning

3/31: Go Put Your Strengths to Work, written by Marcus Buckingham – Reviewed by Blaine Collins

Benjamin Bach is a Sales Representative with Keller Williams Golden Triangle Realty in Kitchener Waterloo. He is passionate about building wealth for his clients, and loves nothing more than to help people start building equity and get on the road to financial freedom and abundance. He wakes up each morning excited to fulfill his mission of building wealth for his clients through comprehensive Real Estate investment planning, and helping people achieve success. If you are interested in how you can start your Real Estate portfolio, or have any questions about buying a home or selling a home, you can email Benjamin (benjamin AT benjaminbach.com) or reach him at 519 772 4376.

Subscribe to Benjamin Bach’s KW Market Watch by Email