2011 A Look Back

2011 A Look Back

2011 was a remarkable year for the Diversity Networking Group. We started out the year with low expectations but a huge mandate to see our organization grow and grow it did in deed. January we were still meeting at Beanos Bar and Grill, who had so graciously allowed us to meet within their facilities. It was a great local for us to cut our teeth on but we believed that things would change. This change would necessitate a move to a new place. 

As I spoke to the handful of folks who attended our first quarter of the year meetings, we were planning on having an Expo at the Sante Fe Station Hotel and Casino. This would prove to be a learning experience that I would never want to repeat again. 

During that first half of the year, we were pleased to host some of the local dignitaries from the political as well as the religious fields. Once again the stage was being set for the branding of the organization. We had encouraged all of our members to be at all of these meetings because they would learn things that no one else in the networking realm was being exposed to and those words were prophetic.

In late May the decision was made to move the group to our current location at Panera Bread. It was a huge emotional as well as tactical move. Ties had to be cut with Beanos and new friendships had to be made with Leslie and the new digs. There were still emotional baggage associated with being in a smaller space but once we made the move, it was "Don't look back, full steam ahead."

This move would prove to be the best that we ever made. The new location brought in a whole new membership. We began to grow from day 1. In additon to the new members came a new focus on where we would go as an organization. There was a renewed emphasis on "What more could we provide to our Family". 

By September we were in full momentum. The morning sessions were awesome. Chatter, fun, networking, referrals all of this was happening within that short hour window as we met and special guest speakers like you wouldn't believe. This was getting good. We had to formalize this thing (DNG) before it got totally out of control.

October DNG1 began formally accepting dues. The news was received with encouragement and we too were encouraged. But with much trust from our new members came the challenge to produce. We brought in the heavy-weights of the speaking world. Hedges, Bailey (listed among the top 25 speakers in the country) .

November DNG2 was launched at the Marie Callenders location. The new group was electric and within the first month it already had a core group of people who had committed to being a happy healthy networking group. 

December welcomed our Second Annual DNG Christmas Party. Were as the first Christmas Party sported a respectable 8 people, this gathering garnered well over 50 people!!! I almost cried at the sight of how much we had grown. We truly have been blessed with some great folks that I love and cherish. At times I pinch myself in disbelief.

At the close of 2011, we sit on the doorstep of something remarkable. I haven't mentioned any names in this lookback not because I've forgotten names but because there are so many people involved in the success of DNG to this point that it would do them all an injustice to try and convey the gratitude that I and the "Lovely Mrs Ray" truly feel. We want to tell all of those people who have become a part of the founding and continued growth of DNG that we thank you all for the hours and hours of attendance, participation and prayers that you have extended to your group.

In 2012 we look forward to even more value-filled projects, class, parties and events. With all of us doing our collective parts we can look to an even better 2012. Our hope is that you will all make suggestions, comments and above all compliments on what we hope will be the networking group of choice in the Las Vegas valley.

Once again, on behalf of the DNG Executive Committee and the "Lovely Mrs Ray" and I thank you for 2011 and we will see you soon in 2012. 

Sherman 

Customer Service

Launching any new business has its share of ups and downs. There's the money thing and of course office space, not to mention the logistics of when and whom you are going to have lunch with. Yes having your own business, especially in this day and economy can be a real challenge.

Many of us have the same problems and they can all be rooted in a common place. I call this place the "lack o customer service-itis" Or in other words, we put the all mighty buck before we put the customer and their wishes. Now don't get me wrong, if you aren't in business to make money then you are neglecting a fundamental reason for getting up before any human being should, worrying about every little incident like it were the Tienanmen Square uprising and going to bed way too late, on most days. No making money is a pivotal part of being the captain of your own ship but it isn't the bottom line.

The bottom line to each and every business is to be the best that you can be to the people that you are performing a service for. In a biblical sense, you are doing everything as unto your Maker. Every time you do a job you are making your God smile. That's why you take the extra effort to make sure what you do is right. That is why you don't leave early and you put everything back the way it was when you got there.


The reason for you to do all of this isn't so you can make a buck, even though making a buck is terrific. But any old fool can make a fast buck. Pimps, prostitutes and drug dealers do it everyday and alot of it. You Mr. Businessman are no Pimp, prostitute or Drug Dealer. You represent something so much bigger than that and that's why you are so proud at the end of the day to say that you own your own business. It is a reflection of you and what you believe in. So stand proud at your accomplishments. Be prideful of your people that you've trained to do the very same thing that you expect of yourself, only the very best. In the end it isn't about the all mighty dollar to you. It is about Customer Service. In doing so you reflect the Maker who made you.

Learning Something Everyday

I've been a career student all of my life. Since I was able to discern that there was more out there than what I already knew, I have been in a constant search to develop myself academically and spiritually. To this end, I make it a policy to at least end the day knowing that I have learned something new.

Now learning something new everyday can take on many forms. I can read a book, see a TV show, watch an event in progress and glean something from it but whatever form the learning comes from, I end the day a little bit richer.

Today I learned that I need regular emotional rest. If I don't I can become pretty grumpy and take out my emotional drain on whomever is around me. That didn't take me very long to see that this is an area in my life that needs to be tamed.

My encouragement to all of my readers is that they do the same thing. Take advantage of life's simplest situations and learn from it. There is a lesson in every facet of life. Don't allow a moment to pass you by without learning valuable lessons that will be used down the line..

Seeing the Silver Lining

Finding the Silver Lining in every situation can be a wonderful exercise in breaking from the pack. Let's face it, most people see the glass half empty rather than half full. They see the dirt in the forrest rather than the grandeur of the Grand Canyon. Today, rather than spend all of your precious breath worrying about how terrible your lot is in life, why not see the silver lining that is inside each and every situation you come up against daily.

When you begin to adopt an attitude of gratitude about everything and refuse to allow your natural tendency to be pessimistic enter into your day you will find that your energy is renewed. You'll also begin to attract around you like-minded people who too want to see the world differently.When you begin to look for the silver lining, surprisingly, you will find the silver lining that has always been there. People will start to treat you better, the food will taste better. You job or business will begin to take on a new hue when you start to say to yourself that everything is gonna be all right. You will begin to become more creative because all of those negative thoughts that used to take up residence in your head have been replaced with the God-given creative mind that you had when you were a kid.

You were built for creativity and to enjoy all that is out in creation. Creation in all of its beauty was meant for you to enjoy. Together, your creativity and  creations beauty were meant to work in harmony to produce a symphony of beauty. Like Picasso and Micheangelo before you, your god-given talent will begin to manifest itself in truly amazing ways.

Take it from me. The people who created raspberry tea and cocoa crispies weren't allowing the fears of life, lack of resources and opposition stop them. They saw nothing but possibilities ahead of them. That is what drove the greats to invent the automobile, V8 Juice and Paper Plates. The Silver lining is what Steve Jobs saw which propelled him into pursuing the PC and it can be the same for you.

Here are some tips to help you see the silver lining in each and every situation.

1) Start with a mental picture of happy good thoughts
2) When you sense anything really try and experience it.
3) Don't be in a rush to sense things, take your time.
4) Thank God for everything, good or bad.
5) Get plenty of rest.
6) Try and remember your dreams (They hold the key to many underlying thoughts
7) Borrow yours or someone elses kids crayons and color on a weekly basis.
8) Don't be a know-it-all. Accept others input.
9) Watch less news

-Sherman Ray

Sherman Ray is the founder and President of  the Diversity Networking Group. He is also an author and motivational speaker. As a leadership development coach Sherman has been involved in many projects and teams throughout the U.S. and Asia.