I do not feel Winter is truly over until opening day arrives, and that day is today!  Baseball is a sport that I truly cannot get enough of, and it is always a challenge to predict what is going to happen in a given year.  I give it my best shot on this blog every year, so feel free to comment if you disagree.  I do not try to project final records, only where each team will finish in the division and what may happen in the playoffs, plus a few notes on my rationale. 

* = Playoff Picks have asterisks

AL East:                                                                                                                                                                              

1)      * Boston Red Sox – this is the “boring” and “trendy” pick to win the East.  Seriously thought, who else has such balance in the lineup, rotation and bullpen other than Boston?  I love the additions of Crawford and Gonzalez to the lineup and expect great things.  The rotation underperformed last year and I feel like Beckett and Lackey will rebound nicely. 

 2)      Baltimore Orioles – this is my “shocker special” pick.  I am picking the O’s to finally emerge this year with the continued development of talented players like Brian Matusz, Adam Jones, and Matt Wieters surrounded by the addition of at least 3 players who can jack 30 HRs: Mark Reynolds, Vladimir Guerrero, and Derrek Lee.   They will win a lot of games by the score of 7-6 and 10-9, just because the lineup is that good.  Uehara is an underrated closer if given the opportunity. 

 3)      New York Yankees – I am shocked at how unproven and ugly the rotation is behind C.C. Sabathia.  Hughes is young, Burnett is a bust, and Nova and Garcia are going to have a lot of pressure on them.  The lineup is rock solid, but I don’t get good vibes from this team in a tough division.  Of course by midseason, they might trade for some help and make me look like a fool.  That usually happens every season.    

 4)      Tampa Bay – the team lost too many key pieces and only added some spare parts while the next wave of player development takes place.  I am watching Jeremy Hellickson and Desmond Jennings closely this year.  Price is, in my opinion, the best pitcher in the AL East right now. 

 5)      Toronto Blue Jays – I truly feel bad that this team is slotted in the East.  In the NL, they might contend for the division title in any of the divisions, but buried in the East, I am not buying that they have done much to improve.  Expect a lot of HRs and starters who have a high K/9 ratio, but lack consistency. 

AL Central:

1)      * Chicago White Sox – Yes, I am a White Sox fan and I have them picked to finish 1^st, but I am not crazy to expect big things from this team.  I will admit that a lot depends on Jake Peavy and Matt Thornton this year.  The lineup has balance and the rotation is solid from #1 -#5.  Adam Dunn is going to make a lot of Sox fans forget about Jim Thome this year. This team is built to win now, and I believe Ozzie will impart this urgency into the team. 

 2)      * Minnesota Twins – The Twins are the scrappiest team in MLB.  They manufacture runs and play aggressively.  I love the offense’s ability to manufacture runs, but I am not sold on their rotation after Liriano.  As usual, I expect them to have a great year and compete for the Central division crown with the White Sox.  I am also predicting another early exit in the playoffs.  

 3)      Detroit Tigers – The Tigers are a very balanced team, but are aging (Inge, Guillen, Ordonez) and underwhelming (Peralta, Rhymes) in many areas.  A lot depends on Austin Jackson, Miguel Cabrera and Victor Martinez to drive the offense.  The team will be competitive, but I do not see them challenging the Twins and Sox in the Central this year. 

 4)      Kansas City Royals – The Royals will be a good team…in 2013.  It always seems like they are a few pieces away from contending.  Pop quiz….name a Royals starting pitcher?  The team should be energetic and exciting to watch this year, but needs to start to surround these position players with the right arms.  If they had held onto Grienke, I would be a lot more optimistic about their chances. 

 5)      Cleveland Indians – I expect Cleveland to be the worst team in baseball this year.  It is understandable why they ranked last in MLB in attendance last year.  All that I can say is that this will be another developmental year for Santana and that I am looking forward to seeing if Sizemore can return healthy. 

 AL West:

1)      * Texas Rangers – There should be an encore performance after the team had its best season ever.  I love the addition of Beltre in this ballpark and I think that Kinsler will remain relatively healthy this year.  The rotation is shaky, but Neftali Feliz will bail them out of a lot of jams.  If they had held on to Cliff Lee, I would write them down as a threat for a World Series appearance, but I think they will fall just shy of that mark while winning the west. 

 2)      Los Angeles Angels – The team has solved the rotation problems from 2010.  Unfortunately, I do not see the lineup manufacturing runs at the same clip as Angels teams in the past. Still, excellence is the standard for this team and they have a great owner/manager combo who are willing to get things done.  I could easily see them rise up to win the West and expect a close race with Texas. 

 3)      Oakland A’s – This team is building something special with a rotation featuring Trevor Cahill, Gio Gonzalez, Brett Anderson, and Dallas Braden.  I honestly feel like this is one of the top 5 groups in baseball.  The team made several attempts to shore up the offensive holes, but an aging Matsui and washed up Willingham are not going to help.  It looks like the team will be mediocre until the starters get adequate run support. 

 4)      Seattle Mariners – What can I say about this team?  They began last year with high expectations and fell flat.  I don’t see much improvement here; King Felix is a lock to contend for the AL Cy Young again, but everyone else on staff is a question mark.  The team will not be terrible pitching, but will have trouble in both the bullpen and offense.  If they win 70 games, I will be surprised. 

NL East:

1)      * Philadelphia Phillies – Utley’s injury makes Philadelphia more interesting.  Everyone knows about Halladay, Lee, Oswalt, and Hamels; “The Four Aces” could be the best rotation in history.  There are weaknesses in the Bullpen and especially the lineup which prevent me from picking them as the hands down favorites.   They should win the East, but in a short playoff series anything can happen. 

2)      Florida Marlins – Perhaps I am too high on the Marlins, but I like their rotation to be competitive with the best in all of baseball.  This team has a habit of doing great things when least expected to contend.  It is about time for them to shock the world again.

 3)      Atlanta Braves – It is really hard for me to pick them 3^rd in the division when I like so much about this team.  They could easily make the playoffs and do some damage.  Kimbrel is going to save 30 games this year, Heyward will become a star and McLouth will bounce back.  Even without Cox, the Braves are dangerous.

 4)      Washington Nationals – This team seems to be in transition until 2012 when Strasburg returns and Harper might be able to join the team.  The middle of the order combo of Zimmerman, Werth, and LaRoche will be really good.  I am investing heavily on Drew Storen for my fantasy baseball teams; he is a genuine nice guy with elite closer potential.

 5)      New York Mets – Yuck.  Too many injuries and questions marks for me to predict any improvement for this team. The management has managed to spend more money to get less production than I thought was possible.   

NL Central:

1)      * Milwaukee Brewers – The Brewers got Marcum and Grienke in the offseason and gave me no choice but to rank them as the top team in the Central.  They have a rare balance that is hard to find; great offense, great rotation and bullpen.  The team can hang with anyone, but Axford must build upon last season’s progress for the Brewers to be consistent. 

 2)      St. Louis Cardinals  - The Adam Wainwright injury is the most painful  blow to any team in MLB.  With him, the Cardinals are serious contenders for the World Series.  Without him, Kyle McClellan is the latest Duncan project who must deliver.  Despite all of this, the Cardinals are a gritty team and will go toe to toe with anyone; the biggest concern will be the bullpen and the Pujols contract as the season progresses. 

 3)      Chicago Cubs – I could see the Cubs winning this division or finishing as low as 5^th place, so I decided to split the difference and predict 3^rd.  Every single player in the lineup has questions and baggage, especially Alfonso Soriano and Aramis Ramirez.  Starlin Castro should emerge as a household name after this season.  The Cubs mortgaged their future to obtain Garza, but I believe he will be mediocre in Wrigley.  If Zambrano keeps his head on straight (as he did during the last 2 months of 2010), they just might have an ace. 

 4)      Cincinnati Reds – I am probably ranking these guys too low; but I am critical of Dusty Baker as a manager.  When the going gets tough, his teams tend to collapse.  Cincy has such a young team that I can easily see this happening.  The pitching staff has no legit aces, and Rolen is going to be injured at some point this season.  Votto, Bruce and Chapman should still get better, so this decline may only be temporary. 

 5)      Houston Astros – Despite a low projection, hope springs eternal in Houston.  The team has got the makings of a new powerhouse lineup with Bourn, Pence, Johnson and Wallace.  Happ and Norris are underrated pitchers, and will remind teams why throughout the season. 

 6)      Pittsburgh Pirates – When will the next winning season happen in Pittsburgh?  They have a great young lineup, but the rotation rivals Cleveland and Kansas City in anonymity.  This will be the undoing of the team in 2011.  

 NL West:

1)      * Colorado Rockies – It is an odd numbered year, so therefore, the Rockies must go to the playoffs!  On a serious note, I make this projection more on the strength of CarGo, Tulo and Ubaldo than anything else.  Jimenez threw a no-hitter right before my wedding day, so I am always rooting for him.  The team should be aggressive enough to battle for a playoff spot and potentially go on a Giant like run. 

 2)      * San Francisco Giants – Has there ever been a more unlikely World Series Winner than the San Francisco Giants in 2010?  The lineup was a mix of rookies, replacement players and rejects; somehow they pulled it together.  This team illustrates why starting pitching is so valuable and I have them slotted to return to the post season on this strength.  They also are a threat to repeat with the rotation in tact from last year. 

 3)      Los Angeles Dodgers – There is a dark cloud hanging over this team with the McCourt divorce.  I think the uncertainty was evident in the lackluster offseason, where it was clear that management did not have the ability to make a splash.  Largely the same team returns, and I expect the same results; mediocrity. 

 4)      Arizona Diamondbacks – I was tempted to pick the Padres here, but I get a feeling that this is the year that Arizona’s young talent steps up and delivers.  Daniel Hudson is a legit ace, and the White Sox got fleeced when they traded him for Edwin Jackson.  The team will go as far as Stephen Drew, Justin Upton, and Miguel Montero take them. 

 5)      San Diego Padres – Mat Latos has a tattoo on his throwing arm that reads “Love me or hate me” .  This is pretty ironic because Latos is now the most talented player on a roster full of little known players.  The team nearly made the playoffs after an unlikely campaign, but the lineup is too thin for me to believe that they can do it again.  Pitching will not be a problem in Petco, but the team should compete with the Mariners for the fewest runs scored. 

Playoff Results:

AL Playoffs:

1^st Rd:   Boston over Minnesota

                Chicago over Texas

2^nd Rd:   Boston over Chicago

NL Playoffs:

1^st Rd:  Philadelphia over Colorado

              Milwaukee over San Francisco

2^nd Rd: Milwaukee over Philadelphia

World Series: Red Sox defeat Brewers in 7 Games

                #1) Get more sleep; Experts recommend 7-9 hours of sleep every night.  What I realized is that I have been balancing too many priorities and only getting 5 or 6 hours in a typical night.  Now I have started going to bed earlier than ever before, which also has the added benefit of less late night snacking! 

                #2) Eat Breakfast; Breakfast is the most important meal of the day because it jump starts your metabolism.  Research has shown that you burn 10% more calories a day and are 49% less likely to be obese if you eat something every day.  The key is that something is always better than nothing, even if it may be “unhealthy” such as bacon or a breakfast sandwich.  Personally, I have decided to stick with something simple such as a yogurt cup (Activia is great!), bowl of oatmeal, piece of whole wheat bread with nutella or even a simple banana.    

                #3) Hit the Gym; Everyone knows this is a key step for living a healthy lifestyle.  I realized that I was paying for the membership but not using it as effectively as I could be.  Just having the membership does not psychologically contribute to weight loss, you must use it.  I was only attending once a week, but many people have told me that you will not see gains unless you attend 3 times per week.  I am now going to set my routine with a mix of lifting, cardio, stretching and sauna time for the max effect. 

                #4) Eat Less; On the opposite end of the spectrum from burning calories is the concept of cutting the intake.  Portion control is critical, especially when people have are bad at estimating how many calories are in the food they consume.  I have now decided to use smaller plates and to request take home bags when eating at restaurants so that a standard meal is now both lunch and dinner.  This is going to be tough, especially when I have a wife who cooks some of the best food around! 

                #5) Drink water; I never realized how many calories can hide in the form of beverages.  Starbucks has several drinks that would make eating candy seem healthy.  Water is much better for you and it also helps you feel fuller.  I have decided to repeat the motto “pop is poison” when faced with the choice to drink any soda or sugary drinks.  Even diet soda is bad because it contains sodium which causes the retention of water weight. 

                #6) Eat more fruits and veggies: There is a reason that fruit and veggies are found in the heart of the food guide pyramid; they are packed with the vitamins and minerals a body needs.  The problem is that they are not always “convenient” foods and expire if not eaten shortly after the purchase date.  To combat this, I have found it is a good idea to do some meal planning and to buy less groceries during each trip.

                #7) Cook: When you prepare a meal, you control what goes into it.  Not only does eating out less help my wallet, it helps my waistline. 

                #8) Relax: Stress causes your body to produce cortisol, a chemical that actually slows down metabolisms.  Your body goes into a sort of “survival mode” when stressed, meaning that excess calories are stored as fat.  Reduce your weekend commitments and actually use vacation time to relax. Do what you can to not take work home with you and unplug from the internet for at least a few hours every day.      

                #9) Eat slowly: This is the most surprising and least thought about weight loss item on the list.  It does require conscious effort to think about the food as we consume it.   Some experts have found that when you chew your food more, it is digested better and the nutrients are fully absorbed.  You also will enjoy your food more and are more likely to stop eating when full.  It takes about 20 minutes for your body to “feel full”, and often we eat too much before that actually occurs.  No one likes the heaviness of eating too much and eating slower can help.  One simple trick that I have begun doing is saying grace before beginning a meal to put me in the conscious mindset. 

                #10) Break up with food: This is the item on the list which I need to do the most, end my relationship with food as it currently exists.  Food has always been a source of comfort and a source of happiness.  I would buy candy, snack without thinking, and end up eating too much when stressed.  The relationship is unfortunately killing me slowly, so I have decided to change the way that I think about food.  When I see a piece of cake, I think about the hours on the treadmill required to burn it off.  Every little bit helps. 

                I know that weight loss is possible when effort is put in.  A few years ago in 2006 I weighed 223.6 lbs before leaving for a 3 ½ month timeframe in Nairobi, Kenya.  When I returned from Africa in 2006, I weighed only 206 lbs, which is a loss of 17.6 lbs!  I realized that the main reason for this was that I ate smaller portions, lived a more active lifestyle and lived without stress during that time.  The weight loss did not stick because my last weigh in was 241.6 pounds.  It is hard to believe, but I, like many people  who fail to monitor their weight, I had accumulated 35.6 lbs of weight over approximately 5 years.  Gaining 7lbs a year is no way to live, and this is why I strive to be a big loser!

 If you have any advice, words of encouragement or ideas, feel free to comment below!  Stay Healthy.

Increase Your Findability With A Google Profile

Over a year ago I discovered the “Google Profile.” Not many people know about it or know how it can dramatically increase one’s “findability” on the web. People often ask me if they need a Google Profile when they already have a LinkedIn Profile.   I emphatically answer, “Yes!”

While LinkedIn helps you build a quality network of contacts, referrals and connections, a Google Profile helps you get found on the web.

Whether you’re an executive in career transition or embarking on a whole new second career, prospective business partners and employers now Google you to make their initial assessment of your experience, credentials and unique value. Equally important, a Google Profile lets others know you’re forward thinking and adopting the new channels of communications.

We can’t control everywhere we appear on a search result, but we can control our personal branding and reputation management plan that includes; creating, managing and distributing links to our professional profiles on social networking sites like LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter. Adding a Google Profile to the mix not only lets you create and manage your personal branding message, but it also allows you to leverage the reach and power of Google to deliver a link to your profile on the first page of the Google search results.

Creating a Google Profile requires you to have a Google account. If you already use Google Gmail, Google Reader or other Google applications, just use your current Google email and password to access the Google Profile setup page. Otherwise you’ll need to register as a new user.

The format structure of a Google Profile features three primary components: content, images and links. The content section includes your short profile descriptor and bio. Unlike LinkedIn that limits you to 2,000 characters in its Summary section, Google Profile allows unlimited area to pen your narrative. This is a huge advantage of the Google Profile since it gives you maximum flexibility to format your bio to include a brief introduction, subheads with bulleted copy points and testimonials from clients and peers. Images are another plus of a Google Profile. In LinkedIn, you can add just a single bio picture. Google Profile, on the other hand, uses a “film strip” format which lets you add multiple images to tell your story. And finally, adding links to your other places on the web is unlimited with a Google Profile. Google lets you add links in two areas: 1) Embedded in your content narrative, and, 2) In the right sidebar where you can build a list of links to create your “social graph.”

When you feel your Google Profile is ready for primetime, promoting its existence is next. Feature a link to your Google Profile in your LinkedIn Profile, on your resume, in your email signature, and even on your business card. Include a link to your Google Profile in every valuable touchpoint you have with prospective employers, referrals and business partners.

For executives in transition or seeking a second career, creating a personal brand for social networking is no longer an option. It’s an imperative for the way business and career opportunities now come together. When you already have the experience, credentials and proven value under your belt, conveying them through these new social channels is a must. That’s where the eyeballs you really care about are looking.

By Glenn Raines
Revealer of Value
Direct 708/420/3170 | Skype Rainsmaker | glenn@socialmediamoves.com

 A year ago, I was downhearted about my employment prospects. Just out of college, without any real professional experience, I despaired of finding a job that would pay enough for me to live on. I had tried all of the usual ways to find employment – contacts through my college, employment websites, and even temp agencies – but no one was hiring.  The only way I could make ends meet was to be self-employed doing whatever short term work I could find. I edited books freelance, tutored students of all ages, and taught ESL classes.  Besides the stress of never knowing when I would have regular work, I was exhausted from constantly finding new clients and getting to all of my various gigs. This was in addition to sending out resumes and trying to get interviews, which I never stopped doing.

 Video games, which I had always loved, gained a new importance. They let me escape from the stress, and gave me a sense of accomplishment that I was lacking in my professional life. I started fantasizing about making my own video game. Writing is a passion of mine, and I noticed that the quality of the writing (dialogue, scenarios, world-building) really impacted how much I enjoyed a game. So I came up with the story for a game.   Every day, I’d try to do some work on it, whether it was writing some dialogue, drawing one of the still images I was using to illustrate the story, or talking someone into doing some voice acting.

 My pet project didn’t get very far, but for the best of reasons: it got me noticed for an entry level job in video games, which I have thrown myself into with all the enthusiasm I once reserved for my own game. I realized that my little hobby video game might make a really great portfolio piece. The coding was nothing to brag about, but I didn’t want to be a coder anyway; I wanted to prove that I could write for video games.  I was talking about my independent game at a party, when someone happened to overhear and say, “Wow, you really must love video games – I have a friend whose company is looking for a Community Manager.” That led to the interview where I was able to show off my writing samples, my forum moderation from my online collaborative writing days, and my partially finished game. I now work full-time at a job I love, and paying my bills is blissfully easy.

 The moral of the story: Never miss a chance to show your enthusiasm, because you never know who might be listening. If you’re unemployed, make the most of the opportunity to add to your portfolio or flesh out your resume. Think about what you want to do in connection to the industry, and find a way to showcase your talents in that area. And finally, never give up. Even if you despair, even if you fail again and again, you never know how much your life might change overnight.

 - Lucy Song,

(Grateful to be) Community Manager for Dragon Oath

                Clara Shih first introduced me to her book, The Facebook Era, when she gave a presentation at DeVry inc.  about her company Hearsay Labs.  She has previously worked in strategy and business operations at Google and as a software developer at Microsoft.  It immediately became clear to me that I could learn a lot from her book, and I ordered a copy for review.  The text is not overwhelming at all; I found it to be well organized and very readable.  I quickly discovered why this text is being utilized at Harvard business school and why she has been featured in the New York Times for this work! 

                Shih begins Part One with chapters on the history of technology and the big picture framework for understanding social media.  She writes in a style similar to Thomas Friedman; very conversational and informative.  Often she will rely heavily on personal experiences, but I did find the business case studies included to be a valuable departure from the norm. Social networking is described as the 4^th major revolution in technology and the advent of the online social graph and World Wide Web of people.  Clara has an uncanny ability to present complex concepts in ways that an ordinary person can understand.  I worked in technical staffing previously, but am not a technical person yet I had no problems following along as she was able to trace the development of technology from the mainframe, to the PC, from the PC to the Internet, and finally arriving at the pinnacle where we now find ourselves as a society. 

                In Part Two of the text, Shih breaks down the applications of social media for sales, marketing, product development, and recruiting.  The applications for each of these functional business areas are absolutely incredible!  As Clara describes in the text, we are all increasingly asked to do more with less professionally.  We must leverage the power of our networks, colleagues, and customer’s networks to do work better, faster, cheaper.  I was very impressed with her quote on page 42 “Individuals with greater social capital close more deals, are better respected, and get higher ranking jobs.  Online social networks offer access to social capital, empowering those who are well connected with private information, diverse skill sets, and others’ energy and attention”.  There are good reasons to read this book if you are in marketing, because you need to be where your customers are.  If you are in transition, you will learn how these tools work and fit into the overall scheme.  If you are a recruiter or HR professional, you will learn how to find others on the web. 

                In Part Three, Shih offers a Practical how to guide for implementing ideas and possibilities in the previous chapters.  She begins with very basic instructions on how to set up a Facebook page (pgs. 157-159) all the way down to how to begin application development.  Topics covered include an overview of social networks and summary of the features and benefits of each as well as advice on managing your connections when you finally have them.  The only weakness in this part of the text is that Twitter is not addressed at all; which is probably the result of the fact that Twitter was not relevant in 2007 when the research was compiled for this book.  Shih outlines how you can navigate social media tools without feeling too much pressure and how to make sure you follow the appropriate etiquette online. 

                The bottom line theme for The Facebook Era, is that social media is not going away and is not a trend.  There is a real power in collaboration and relationships which can elevate you above your competition.  Clara has succeeded in writing a practical guide to navigating the 4^th revolution is truly an expert in her field.  I recommend reading this book and would give it a 4.7/5.0 scale for the quality of information, easy to understand writing style and relevance to the topic.  Clara can be contacted directly at the following email address: clara@hearsaylabs.com.  The text has a Facebook fanpage where you can learn more about the text and connect with the community: www.facebook.com/thefacebookera.

 Earl was a hard worker who devoted himself fully to the company Standard Forwarding.  Working primarily as a truck driver for the startup freight company, he was the second person hired and enjoyed a successful 43 year career. During his retirement interview, he proclaimed; “I always had a lot of love for my company.  I grew with them and helped them grow”.  His service was valuable and the company has continued to prosper beyond his retirement in 1984.  Earl was always one to seize an opportunity and made a living selling scrap metal and junk.  He was the original “recycling king” before green energy ever became a trend. Earl never wasted his money and worked hard to provide for his family.  He never complained when times were tough. 

 Commitment to his company was only surpassed by his commitment to family, especially his wife of 62 ½ years, Alice Paasch.  It is not common anymore to see a marriage last this long, and for this reason, I have always admired the relationship of my grandparents.   It was not always an easy journey for them, but when they made the vow to remain together till death did them part, they kept it. A successful marriage will not be defined by the absence of conflict, but rather the presence of conflict resolution, which is something Earl and Alice did well.

 My grandfather taught me the value of remaining optimistic and faithful, even when life was difficult.  When Alice was diagnosed with breast cancer and given only 6 months to live by the experts at Mayo clinic, Earl devoted himself fully to taking care of her.  His love is the reason why I feel she went on to live 12 more years.  His prayer was simple “just one more day with Alice”, and he gave thanks for the time he had to share with her.   When she was wearing a wig at the end of her life, he would often remark how she looked more beautiful than ever, and joke that hair was overrated.

 Helping others and giving back is another important lesson from the life of Earl Passch.  It never mattered whether or not he had time or resources, you could count on him to be there for you.  My grandfather said “the secret to life is loving people and helping people.  People make life a joy and making people happy just makes life more enjoyable.  This concept has been echoed by some of the greatest thinkers in human history, including Ralph Waldo Emerson, who stated many times that one of the best blessings in life is that no man can help others without being helped themselves.  Earl understood this, and always lived selflessly for the benefit of everyone who knew him. 

            One of the reasons for the success of Craigslist is the fact that it is a very simple tool to use.  Anyone can post a classified ad based on location and organized by type.  The ads are free, and require only that you have a working email address.  The lack of screening that takes place means that for every valuable piece of information, you will have an equally useless or undesirable post.  When responding to postings on Craigslist, follow these basic principles:

1)    Use common sense when evaluating opportunities: When in an online environment that is not strongly regulated, expect that some things will be false. Many people have been the victim of fraud on the web by not verifying the source of information.  If the opportunity seems to good to be true, it probably is.

2)    Be careful with your personal information:  If someone calls asking for a social security number or directs you to a web application without giving you specific details about the position, don’t apply.  Do your research before trusting the person on the other end of the phone.  Ask them to direct you to the website or to provide payment up front for a service using PayPal. 

3)    Only agree to public meetings: If you do land an interview or are required to meet someone whom you have initially met on Craigslist, make sure you agree to meet in a public place.  This is a common way in which I verify safety when selling items for cash on this site, but also must be used when speaking with a company with no office address.

            Job postings cost $25 each to post, so there is an incentive for people not to post “fake” ads in this category.  This incentive is not very strong for firms that make a living off of fraud so follow the above mentioned principles closely.  The good news about the cheap job post is that many companies use this as a best practice for advertising jobs.  Recruiting firms and HR departments receive many responses from a Craigslist posting and the cost per resume is much cheaper than job boards such as Monster, CareerBuilder, and Dice.com.  $25 is a small price to pay for the extra volume of resumes.  The bad news is that I have noticed that many of the jobs tend to be entry level positions, or internships.  Occasionally, director and management positions are posted on the site so it is worth checking on a regular basis.  It seems that many smaller companies and start ups utilize Craigslist because they do not have the budget for the big job boards and to pay recruiter fees.  This makes CL a great place to check when targeting companies of this size.  Many people need to get back to work during this recession, and Craigslist can be an important place to start, especially if any job will do. 

            When responding to the job posting section, you may target opportunities by location and industry as you would with any other job board.  I recommend crafting an email “cover letter” for each response that is individualized. Chicago is divided up into suburban areas and the city itself, giving you options when planning your search.  In the interest of safety, I would advise you to remove your home address from the resume before responding or posting it on Craigslist and just leave city and Zip code behind.  This will likely not negatively affect you, because key words are searched and zip code is utilized to determine location.

            In 2009 alone, two of my professional connections have landed job opportunities on Craigslist.com postings!  Try replying to a few ads to gauge the effectiveness.  It will only cost you your time. 

            Events/Networking Opportunities are also present on the Craigslist site.  The advantage for event organizers and organizations is that it is free to post these notices and they generate much needed publicity.  As a networker, you can search out relevant events to attend by location and category.  Not everything is free, but this is a good place to establish an RSS feed to monitor the types of events you may wish to attend.  Once again, try using Craigslist as a portal to the web and a filter for information. 

Over the next few weeks, I will be focusing on a number of new media and web 2.0 tools for job seekers.  This is part 1 in a mini series of individual technology reviews focused on Craigslist, http://www.craigslist.org/about/sites and the value it has both for networking and the job search.

One thing that makes the NFL so exciting is the parody.  Anything can happen when making predictions and one can look no further than the Patriots can go from having a perfect season in 07′ to being bumped from the playoffs in 08′ by a team that had a 1-15 record during that perfect season.  It is very safe to say that I could be completely wrong in my assessments, but I believe that this year will see the emergence of several teams contending for the SuperBowl.  After reading several magazines and following training camp, here are my projections for the upcoming season:

AFC Division Winners:

New England Patriots – In a classic Patriots personnel move, superstar player Richard Seymour is traded a week before opening day.  There is still enough talent on the defense to cause trouble and Brady is back in the saddle, so this will not define the season.  I expect plenty of fireworks and another season of excellence as New England compiles a 13-3 and secures a playoff bye. 

Pittsburgh Steelers – This might be the toughest team in football.  The team is largely the same as the SuperBowl champion team from last season and the defense is the NFL’s best.  Big Ben has shown that no 4^th quarter lead is safe, and the Steelers will again dominate the division in route to a 12-4 finish and first round bye. 

Indianapolis Colts – The team is too good not to make the playoffs, but I expect a bumpy ride this season.  Gonzalez should emerge as a stud #2 receiver in this offense, and I expect Donald Brown to do a lot of damage paired with Addai.  My questions begin with the new coaching staff and the aging defense.  The South division is top to bottom one of the toughest in football (second to the NFC East in my opinion).   I expect the Colts to win, but only have a 10-6 record heading into the playoffs.

San Diego Chargers – With all of the changes in the division, the Chargers remain the hands down favorites to win it.  This is team that grossly underachieved last year, so I am only forecasting a slight improvement despite immense talent on both sides of the ball.  11-5 record heading into the playoffs, but a strong playoff run can be expected. 

Wildcards:

Houston Texans: Every year the Texans come close to the playoffs and play tough.  This will be the year which the team lives up to its potential and qualifies for the playoffs.  There will be plenty of setbacks, but Andre Johnson will establish himself as the best receiver in the NFL and Steve Slaton will show that last season was not an accident.  I expect them to narrowly edge out Tennessee for the playoff spot with a 9-7 finish.

Cincinnati Bengals:  This is my true shocker prediction.  I like the fact that Carson Palmer is back and healthy and love the way that Benson has finally emerged as a feature back.  The defense should be a plus this year as several new additions will come together.  I like them to edge out the Ravens and finish in second place in the North with a 10-6 record. 

Outside looking in: 

It would not be shocking to see any of these teams in the playoffs, but here is the assessment of each:

• I was tempted to pick the Titans as a playoff qualifier, but I feel that they got lucky with Collins and the running game last year.  They still cannot throw the ball, and the defense has digressed.  I think they will be in trouble if they fall behind in games.  (9-7)
• The Ravens return a loaded roster, but people forget how old this defense is and how young Flacco is.  Flacco will experience a sophomore slump and the Ravens will have trouble scoring points against teams that can stop the run.  (8-8)
• Miami made the playoffs last year, but got lucky to be in a weak division and to unveil a new wildcat system.  Teams have had another year to prepare for the Dolphins and Pennington cannot be expected to carry this team like Manning or Brady.  (8-8)
• Buffalo should be dangerous with TO, but he cannot will the Bills to the playoffs.  The Defense has holes and Edwards needs to emerge as a top notch passer for them to contend.  (7-9)
• The Jets are an intriguing team, and Coach Ryan has talked about the team being Super Bowl Contenders.  Stranger things have happened, but a rookie QB and a suspect group of receivers dampens my projection for this team, even if the defense is good.  (6-10). 

Championship Game: New England over San Diego Chargers in OT 27-24.

NFC Division Winners:

Philadelphia Eagles: Forget about a Michael Vick distraction, he adds an extra dimension to this offense.  I fully expect the Eagles to dominate the East with their loaded roster on both sides of the ball.  Imagine McNabb taking snaps with Vick and Westbrook in the backfield, how do you scheme for this team?   The Defense is always strong, and the East has experience a lot of changes over the past year, meaning that the Eagles can capitalize with consistency.  First round bye with a 12-4 record is the end result of this campaign.

Chicago Bears: The North is going to be a battle this year with every team taking major steps to shore up weaknesses.  Sure, the Bears receivers are a question mark, but Cutler has the ability to spread the ball around and Forte is dangerous.  The defense should have enough to contain teams and based on the preseason, the Bears will be able to throw with anyone, so the weakness will not be as negative as expected.  (10-6)

Atlanta Falcons: Matt Ryan will not have a sophomore slump and the Falcons will build upon the success of last season.  The offense will be great with Gonzalez, Turner, White, and Norwood, but the real story will be the emergence of the Defense.  The NFC South is going to be strong again, but the Falcons will be the last team standing and qualify for the playoffs. (11-5)   

Arizona Cardinals: The Super Bowl qualifiers return the same cast with an upgrade in the running game in Beanie Wells.  Playing in the NFLs softest division, the Cardinals will compile a good record using the same formula as last season.  I am forecasting a 12-4 finish and a first round bye.

Wildcards:

Dallas Cowboys: Playing in a tough division without TO will not help the cause, but I like the team chemistry to improve when Romo is forced to spread the ball around.  I feel that Barber and Jones are going to have the type of season that Williams/Stewart in Carolina and White/Johnson in Tennessee experienced in the last year.   The defense is solid, and I expect no late season collapse en route to the playoffs with a 10-6 record. 

New Orleans Saints:  I am worried about this pick because the Saints have never been strong on Defense.  They play a brutal division schedule and are in the tough NFC.  Any team with the depth and QB as good as Brees will have a chance to win, but winning by shoot out each week is not the way to go.  I expect them to slide into the final playoff spot ahead of other contenders based upon head to head matchups (9-7) .

Outside looking in: 

• The Minnesota Vikings will be tough all season, but the Favre circus will derail the team from fulfilling their potential.  Every 300 yard / 3TD passing game will follow up with a 3 INT special, and the Vikings will implode because of the sheer amount of pressure for the roster to achieve.  Childress should not be a coach in the NFL with his track record of failure.  (9-7)
• The New York Giants finished 1-4 without Plaxico last year, so the storylines Giants wide receiving threats are real.  Eli is not as good as Peyton, and I expect him to become frustrated when things get tough.  Nicks will emerge as a stud this year, but Hixon and Smith are decidedly average in my opinion.  Jacobs gets injured every season because of his punishing running style, and when it happens again, I thing Giants ownership will realize the folly of letting Ward leave in free agency.  The Defense is solid, and for this reason alone, the Giants could make the playoffs, but this will be a challenging season.  (8-8)
• The Carolina Panthers have the best running game in football, but Delhomme is the Achilles heel.  As John Fox’s squad showed last season, the lack of an air attack will make them vulnerable, and Steve Smith cannot win games by himself.  Playing in a tough division with a mediocre defense, Carolina will purr to an 8-8 finish. 
• The Green Bay Packers failed last year because of the Defense, and while the team is much improved in this area, it will take another year of experience before the team will gel.  I expect a slight improvement, but the pressure on Aaron Rodgers will keep him from raising the Packers to elite status.  (7-9)
• Washington has done it again with a major free agent class, but the team is not going anywhere with Jason Campbell at QB.  In a tough division, I expect the team to roll to a 7-9 finish good enough for 4^th place.  The occasional flash of brilliance is there, but Snyder will need another offseason to build. 
• Tampa Bay deserves an honorable mention here because each year they manage to be competitive.  Because of the high roster turnover, Leftwich starting at QB, and a new coaching regime, I expect the team to finish 6-10.  They are laying the foundation for success and might manage to make the playoffs this season if everything is working, but there are too many talented teams in the NFC to contend with. 

Championship Game: Philadelphia Eagles over Falcons 24-14.

Bottom Line: I am predicting a rematch of the Eagles and Patriots super bowl, only this time Belichek and Co. will not be so fortunate. 

1)      Business Cards:  It seems obvious to list business cards, but it is surprising how many people arrive at a networking event without them.   This is like arriving at the pool without a bathing suit; you are forced to improvise in this situation.  Don’t be the networker who must write contact information on bar napkins.  You should have a business card, even if you typically do not use physical business cards; it is polite to exchange cards with other contacts throughout the evening.  Make sure you do not forget them at the office and bring at least 20 to any event you plan to attend.  The card should make it very easy to connect with and find on social networking sites like LinkedIn and must be an accurate representation of your abilities.  Even if you are in transition or a recent college graduate it is expected that you will have a business card at a networking event, so simply go to a site like www.vistaprint.com and design a basic card for the cost of shipping. 

2)      Altoids (or other breath freshening solution other than gum):  Chicago is a culinary mecca; home to classics like deep dish pizza and Italian beef sandwiches with onions.  Don’t leave everyone in the room guessing what you had for lunch that day.  Often the most subtle things about a person are the most remembered, so don’t let it be your breath become the feature that stands out.  Altoids are inexpensive and will mask pretty much any lunch item.  Chewing gum at a networking event is a bad idea, especially because it is hard to dispose of and looks tacky.

3)      Cologne/Perfume (or other body spray):  It is always a good idea to apply a few drops of cologne/perfume an hour before attending a networking event (do not overdo it; this isn’t a date).  By the time of an evening event, the cologne/perfume you applied in the morning will likely have worn off, so this is a necessary refresher.  I recommend purchasing a smaller, travel sized bottle of your main cologne/perfume choice to have for these occasions. 

4)      Tidesticks: Nothing is more frustrating than spilling wine, soy sauce ketchup or other condiments on your clothes on the day of a networking event.  Not only are you unable to dry clean the clothes in time for the event, but you must venture out into public with your stains.  Tidesticks are a quick, easy, and surprisingly effective stain remover for these situations.  It is also a good idea to have one in your pocket on the day of a networking event as you will look like a hero offering this to someone who spills on the day of an event.   They are widely available at grocery stores or Bed Bath and Beyond with 3-packs costing about $7. 

5)      Hand sanitizer: It is certain that you will shake a lot of hands during an evening.   Everyone you shake hands with will also have touched at least 5-10 other people.  It is always a good idea to wash your hands and use hand sanitizer to combat germs.  Avoid applying hand sanitizer during the event so you do not appear rude, unless you will be eating.  There are several pocket sized sanitizers sold at stores such as Bed Bath and Beyond and Walgreens which usually cost about $1. Bring one with you to every event. 

6)      Nametag: This may seem like a surprising thing to bring with you because every event usually provides some form of nametag at the door.  The problem is, these nametags are not consistent and many times are stickers which will not cling to suit fabrics.  It is also common to show up and find that your name has been misspelled or your company details are incorrect.  Rather than spending the whole night explaining the discrepancy, bring a simple nametag that attaches with an alligator clip.  This way, you will always send the right message with your backup.  You can find nametags are office supply stores such as Staples or Office Max. 

7)      Pen: You will need to take some notes at every event.  It is a good idea to bring a reliable pen with you rather than having to look unprepared by asking others to lend you one.  You don’t need to buy an expensive brand, just make sure you have one handy.

8)     Portfolio/Notepad: Bringing a nice portfolio is very helpful at an event.  You will likely need a place to store notes, resumes, business cards, etc.  The portfolio is a reflection of your professionalism, and is much better than folding papers and stuffing into random pockets.  Moleskin notepads, available at major booksellers such as Borders and

9)      Cash: This is typically an area I struggle with, as I am a Credit/Debit card user by nature.  There is nothing wrong with having plastic as your primary method of purchasing, it just never fails that you will need an extra $20 for valet parking, cash bars, tipping and other incidental expenses that occur on the evening of an event.  It is a good idea to be prepared rather than searching for the nearest ATM. 

10)   Copy of train schedule: Whether you take the Metra, bus or L Train, it is always a good idea to know how to get to and from an event so you can plan your schedule accordingly.  Nothing is worse than being 5 min late for a commuter train and having to wait for an hour at union Station.  Carry a small copy of the train schedule or call the CTA help line 312.836.7000 if you need to know how to navigate the city. 

Other than a positive attitude, what are some tangible things that are missing from my list?  Feel free to comment away and add to this list.  Happy networking!

                The human brain is simply not capable of remembering every detail about each person you meet.  This might be the result of the fact that we have only been living in large communities for a short period of time as a species, and we are still only accustomed to store information about our immediate networks.  This theory is advocated by Evolutionary Psychologists, and it makes logical sense, because the world has not always been a “global village”.  This is why social media tools are so outstanding for managing a large network well; it allows you to passively monitor your connections and to revisit the people you need to speak with when you need to speak with them.  As I have said before in my article about not being overwhelmed by Social/Digital clutter, focus on tools that will enhance your life and perform this task.  The big 5: Facebook (casual/Informal), LinkedIn (Business/Professional), Twitter (Mobile), WordPress (Blog) and YouTube (Videos) are really all you need on a base level. 

                The frequency in which you reach your connections is not something to be concerned with outside of the marketing Dept.  If you blog, you may want to email your contacts or post new entries on group pages to get increase viewers, but that is about it.  You do not need to contact people every month or even year without a phone call or email to stay in touch.  Just make sure you build a strong connection when you meet them so they remember who you are.   It is good to add people to your LinkedIn account or follow them on Twitter the day after you meet them, otherwise you risk forgetting about the reason for contacting them. 

                Building relationships occurs over time.  Meeting people again and again at different events is not a waste of time, it allows you to re-connect and make those weak ties stronger.   It is great to see what people are up to and check in as your career continues to evolve.  As you get to know them better, is it certainly a good idea to send out birthday wishes, offer congratulations for new jobs, and touch base to see how things have been going.  When meeting someone for the first time, keep in mind that they are not your “friend” or client until the relationship reaches a certain level of trust.  You may be able to do business with someone immediately, but do not push too hard on the new relationship.  One of the most irritating things is showing up on a mass marketed email list after a networking event.  This is my queue to automatically block you from receiving your emails and thus eliminating any opportunity of ever working with you to begin with.   Also, don’t ask for a recommendation upon immediately connecting with someone you just met on LinkedIn.  Without working together, what do you expect them to write?  I have personally archived at least 5 of these requests in the past two years, so the problem is bigger than it might seem. 

                Handling a physical business card: Archive both the business card and connect with your contact on Social Media if possible.  With the physical card, it can be helpful to write details down about the person on the back after the event. You will then be able to remember where you met the person, when you met them, what was discussed, and maybe even what you remember about them.  When technology inevitably fails or you need to refer them to a friend, those little details make a big difference when calling them again.  As a side note, do not write on the cards at the event when talking to the person without their permission. According to PJ McGuire, etiquette coach and expert speaker, this is a rude thing to do.  “Business Card Turnover” is my term for the fact that each person who gives you a card is only current for the time of about 1-2 years from which the card was given.  I typically archive all of my business cards in 3 ring binders with sheets that hold 20 cards. Using last name as the divider, I can quickly find the people I wish to speak with at any given time.  These people tend to move around a lot, so don’t be surprised if you get no response when trying to reach them after the standard business card turnover. 

                The best part about networking is giving back to others, not finding new people to market to. Sure, you may join groups to get in front of your clients and their customers, but it is essential to be a part of that dialogue.   It is very rewarding to make connections between people you know who might have synergy and to make referrals for people who are looking for jobs and hiring.  Playing nice is a skill we all learned in kindergarten and not much has changed since then.   Everyone is a potential friend, client, referral source, job lead, and expert in some area. Learning to build and manage your network effectively takes time, but it is a great soft skill to have.