On Thursday I went to a networking training session in Google Campus, organised by  www.oryentrade.com and www.conscious-cocoon.co.uk. “Open your World, Let´s Network! “

It was a very effective session with opportunity to practise networking skills.  Besides the useful tips about networking, I could observe some interesting combinations:

Montserrat Rodriguez (Oryentrade) explained things about the inside of the person when networking (to approach networking without inner fear or insecurity) and Mary Jane Boholst (Conscious Cocoon) about things outside the person (resources to use in networking situations).   I found it a very clever way of organising the event combining the inside and the outside.  At the same time both of them could add comments to each other´s area, especially when we asked questions.

The networking event in Google campus, was mentioned as an interesting session for “Geeks” and people who are a lot of time working with computers  (“step out from behind your computer screen to meet people and network “).  "Geeks" seems to me a very good audience for networking training, a good combination of individual and group thinking.

There is another event on Wednesday 4th of March 2015,  19.00-21.00 at Bottega Friulana. Notting Hill, London (UK) that shows a very interesting combination “Networking Skills while Wine Tasting”, consisting of:

1) Theory: Networking Techniques (30 minutes)

2) Wine Tasting: you will taste 3 wines. You will be explained its properties and also some basic commercial guidelines regarding wines

3) Active learning: during the final 30 minutes, attendants will network applying all guidelines

Thinking about creative thinking tools, there is an opportunity to use wine tasting, their properties and their comercial guidelines as an analogy for other types of businesses to explore new ideas and options.  When using analogies, the trick is not to use analogies of similar fields (for example selling wine and selling other drinks), but analogies with concepts from different type of fields, such as, for example, comercialize wine and comercialize training.  What could be a training more or less dry? What could be a "Rioja" training? What could be a "red" training? A "white" training?  If red wine is linked to meat and white wine to fish, what could accompany a "red" or "white" training (whatever the meaning attached to "red" or "white" is?).  And on the other side, if you want to sell wine, how could the knowledge of selling training help to suggest new ways to selling wine?  Maybe the explanation of the properties of the wine can engage more people into drinking wine?  Thinking about the difference between tutoring, seminars, workshops, webinars or other online training... could this suggest other ways to commercialize wine?

If you are interested to attend “Networking Skills while Wine Tasting”  you can follow the link www.oryent.com/#!activities/ci2h

Today I went to my dentist... it takes me some time to go there as I met him when I was living in Basildon and now I am living 35 miles away.  However, I am very pleased with him and the time it takes me to go and come back I use it to enjoy thinking about my projects.

Everything started when I had a problem... tooth ache (a molar).  I went to a dentist who told me the only option was to remove it!!!  At that time I was busy with my studies.  The pain went away and after some months I decided to try my luck and see if there was any other option, so I went to another dentist.  That is how I found "Smile Dental Centre" in Basildon.  Thank God!!!

When I attended Smile Dental Centre, Mr Sareen told me I had an 80-90% probability of success with my molar, what was ok for me.

Then I wonder:  Why my previous dentist told me that the only option was to remove the tooth? Was it a difficult job?  Was a lot of work involved?  Were there any other reasons?

When I met Mr Sareen I was very pleased.  Polite, efficient and... he saved my tooth!!!  After the treatment, I really feel there was a lot of work involved and it was not easy, as I required a root canal treatment and a crown on a tooth that already had had a very big feeling and was half broken.  From my point of view, I had a problem and he solved it.

I guess the difference between the two dentists is the attitude towards MY problem.  One of them acknowledged it as something to be achieved (even though it could be a challenging job) and the other one did not bother or could not.  I am not sure if the reason is due to skills, work ethics or personal values, but the truth is that I feel very grateful.

Looking for analogies, as this is one of the typical creative thinking tools, I relate this experience to the building of the ESP (Emotional Selling Proposition).  Even if both dentists skills could have been similar, one of them, ONLY ONE OF THEM, was able to do it.  Maybe It was not only WHAT TO DO (treatment), HOW TO DO IT (professionally, confidence on own skills), but also WHY TO DO IT (personal values).  And then I think about WHY I distinguish myself from others who can provide similar services to mine.

That can be the way of transforming a problem (a difficult job) in an opportunity (a satisfied customer who can share his experience).

Other analogies can be:

X ray to identify the problem, how far we are in the solution.  Not only one, but more if necessary.  Once you have started solving the problem is good to stop and think how it is going to assess other options.

When the problem has been identified and defined, the actions have to be efficient.  Balancing thoughts and actions.  Efforts and breaks.  The same way that you can go to the dentist once a week to continue the treatment, the same way you can deal with issues once a week, having time to rest and go back full of energy and motivation, alternating concentration and relaxation.

Besides the machines to do the X rays there are other tools, mouth wash, adjustable chair, etc. to make the job comfortable and safe.

And again, the good manners, not only with the customer but also with the staff.  I was very impressed about Mr Sareen politeness to his assistant saying thank you on many occasions.

Shaa Wasmund mentions on his blog the above question as "The most powerful question you can ask in business".

Doing some adaptations, we could use this question to ask ourselves:

Which routines could you start/stop that would have the biggest impact on your health?

Which problem you could solve that could have the biggest impact on your life?

Which changes could you make that would have the biggest impact on your home?


As it happens very often, there are many ideas that can be generated.  However, there will be some ideas that are the ones that you really believe on them. They are the ones that are more interesting and easy to be implemented for you.

As I have mentioned before, the first books I read about personal development were published by a prestigious university about business studies that used to post their publicity to me when I was less than 18 years old.  There were very reputable business books that provided information for business development and at the same time for personal development.  Then I adapted the information that was written for businessmen to my situation as a teenager.

For example, let´s take the topic of HEALTH.  There are so many things that can be done to improve our health.  However, each individual has his/her own motivations, experiences, hobbies, life styles, jobs, beliefs...  that is why the question about improving health must be addressed in a very personal way by thinking about our routines, changes that we feel are easy to be implemented and sustained.

There is something interesting about the concept of HEALTH, as the immediate meaning can be attached to physical health (weight, etc.).  However, there are also other implications such as "mental health".  And then, we can start talking about other fields, such as spiritual health, financial health, working life balance, healthy relationships, etc.

From this point of view, it could be interesting to use the analogy of physical health to improve other types of health or reversal.

Why are you here?