My Networking "Family"

As some of you may know - I have been going through a rough time this week. That's why you'll see a lack of blog posts for the past few days.

On Saturday - my mother was rushed to the hospital and was diagnosed with severe pneumonia. She was immediately ( with her consent ) put on a ventilator on a temporary basis. Being an only child and having my mother as my best friend, these past few days have taken it's toll on me. I know in the long term , her wish would be to never live artificially so every day I go up to hospital and deal the guilt of wondering if we're doing the right thing, I watch her struggle as they try to wean her and fail and I go crazy at the fact that she cannot communicate with me in this state. It's not an easy time but thanks to my extended TNE "family" - it has been bearable.

This experience has truly taught me how networking not only affects my business world , but also my life in general. Even when I'm not asking for leads or swapping cards and am just being a loving daughter , my networking family is there to help me. They have been wonderful.

The support and caring that has been shown by my fellow TNE members is overwhelming. I have found out this week ,more so than before, the the majority of people I network with on a regular basis within TNE are great people.

They are extraordinary human beings who truly believe that treating others right, helping others and giving back create more happiness and overall success in their lives than winning a lottery ever could.

It's that principal that Keith Reynolds used to start The Networking Exchange . If he ever doubts whether what he believes is evident in TNE - I am here to tell him it's there and it shines through beautifully, The outpouring of caring thoughts and support I have received these past few days are evidence of that .

I am thankful I am surrounded by such wonderful people and thankful that TNE is home to such great business people. I know as The Networking Exchange grows , we'll find more great people out there in the world that believe that giving back is the key to success and I'm excited to be part of this great organization.

As far as my mother ,we're taking one day at a time. Tomorrow I will journey back to ICU again and watch as they try wean my mother off the ventilator again and I'll pray it works this time. I'm sure it wont be any easier tomorrow than it has been these past few days but knowing that I have my TNE family behind me, praying for my mom and supporting me as I go through this is really all I can ask for.

- Kelly

Meet Our Members- Andee Saper

It's Friday and time to Meet Our TNE members! This week our featured member is Andee Saper from More Than Gifts! If you haven't visited her store located at 401 Taunton Blvd in Marlton - you are missing a great experience.

Andrea Saper (known to all as Andee) is committed to helping small businesses thrive,

not merely survive. For almost thirty years, Andeeowned and operated a property

management company which serviced 29 homeowner and condominium associations.

Ten years ago, Andee started a new venture: More Than Gifts, a gift shop with postal and

shipping services. Over the years, the business has gained a reputation for the unusual

and unique. More Than Gifts has been voted the best gift shop in South Jersey for the

last four years in a row by readers of the Courier-Post. Most of you do not know that

Andee took voice lessons for 19 years and sang for the USO troops and was voted

by them Miss 1973 USO. She met her husband because they were both singers. Little

did Andee know it would lead to 32 years of wedded bliss (so far).

As the product line expanded, so did Andee’s reputation as a master of networking.

Andee served as President of the Marlton Business Association, the largest non-profit

business organization in Evesham Township, for two years. As a member of several

networking groups, Andee has helped dozens of small businesses obtain services and

products to help their businesses grow. Andee is the“Queen” of customer service; she

bends over backwards to help others, and her always upbeat personality is legendary in

local business circles. Small businesses, especially those locally owned and operated, are

what drives our economy; Andee fervently believes in helping small business owners,

knowing that “what you give, you will get back”. To reach Andee - email her at morethangifts@verizon.net or call her at 856-810-7422

Live Radio

I have to give credit to people like Carol Burnett, Ed Sullivan and Johnny Carson. All of these people were pioneers in the live TV era. As I'm sitting here down at Coffee Works in Voorhees watching the live broadcast of Talk Exchange radio, I realize to do this day in and day out is nerve wracking at best . This is radio and it's nerve wracking - I can not imagine live television. You have to have a special personality to be able to perform under pressure and deal with the unknown. Just today we started out with technical difficulties. Thank goodness for Jerry Woodard. He was the epitome of grace under pressure

Still it's a fun new program fr0m The Networking Exchange and with hosts like Jerry Woodard and JoAnn Corso taking the reins, I have no doubt it will take off like wildfire. We already have a host of venues who want Talk Exchange Radio to broadcast live and we're getting a list of guests that want to come on board. So tune in every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 11:30AM ET to 2:30 PM ET as we touch on topics that are relative to business today! http://www.blogtalkradio.com/talk-exchange-radio

So you want to be a Star?

The Networking Exchange is taking an innovative new leap into helping businesses expand their geographic footprint and enhance the way they advertise by offering Talk Exchange Radio. Business Leaders in different areas will be invited on to provide expertise on different areas of business management, sales, day to day operations and self improvement- just to name a few. It's a low cost way to advertise with packages starting at $50 per half an hour and 30 second commercial spots of just $10 each. Now local businesses have the opportunity to reach across the country affordably.

Callers can chime in live and there is also on online chat area. Being broadcast live on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM - we invite everyone to get involved now as TNE grows this innovative new program. Tune in and participate at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/talk-exchange-radio

For more information on advertising and guest starring,email TNE at voice@thenetworkingexchange.com.

Fabulous Fare- foodwerx

For the employees who work in the corporate office buildings around the NJ/Philadelphia area-foodwerx is the place where they can go to escape the daily grind and get a good nutritious lunch within their complex. What many of these cubicle dwellers don't realize though is that foodwerx is so much more.

foodwerx featuring Nicholas Caterers was founded in 1998 by Nicholas Wall,with a mission to create unique events centered around remarkably great food. As a small exclusive catering firm, he & his team orchestrated elegant parties for leading corporate & cultural institutions as well as the Tri-State area’s most prominent host.

Known for their wonderful and above the top service, foodwerx offers delectable dishes in their “appetizer atlas “ such as baby beef wellingtons and lamb lollipops and outstanding main entrees like roasted butternut squash ravioli , gooey & tangy seared apricot chicken breasts or double wide stuffed pork chops. Desserts from foodwerx - chocolate ganache cheesecake, tartufata and carrot cake, just to name a few, are sure to tempt even those who adhere to the strictest diet.

No matter what occasion or time of day foodwerx is there. From sumptuous breakfasts to catered lunches , sit down dinners or even midday snacks ( tastykake break anyone? ) foodwerx is there to ensure they have you covered. To learn more about foodwerx visit them on their website at foodwerx.com or call 856-231-8886

The 3 Basic Laws of Networking

While reading one of the many articles I read during a week about business relationships and networking , I came upon one that really resonated with the principles in which The Networking Exchange was founded. It talks about the 3 universal laws of networking and because they really encompass the vision The Networking Exchange has, I wanted to share:

Networking Law 1- The Law of Abundance.- This looks at the idea that everyone can win. There are plenty of opportunities , ideas, clients and customers in the world, Great networkers believe in an abundance of opportunities and are willing to help and work with everyone. They take who others might see as competition and turn them into opportunities to collaborate.They know that the best win - is when everyone wins.

Networking Law 2 - The Law of Reciprocity - This is the belief that whatever you give out comes back tenfold. Whether it's help , love or information, - if you are willing to give it - you'll get it back. Usually the giving is instantaneous and the getting back may take some time. True networkers however believe that no matter what - you'll always get what you give 10 times over so they are willing to help out whenever needed.

Networking Law 3- The Law of Giving Without Expectation - The most successful networkers simply give. You do something for someone not because you want something, but because you want to see someone succeed

This law also says networkers also make heart-to-heart connections with people when they talk to them. They listen with their hearts as well as their ears – they are totally focused on the person in front them, regardless of whether they think that person could be a prospect, client, new friend or just someone to add to their network. . The basic philosophy of great networkers is to treat everyone the way they would like to be treated.

These laws all draw the same conclusion. Networking is not something you do to get something. Networking really is a life skill and it is something that flows through all areas of your life. I think you'll find the most successful business people are the ones that adopt these laws as their personal philosophy not only in business but also in life in general.

The Networking Exchange has been built for it's members success. Through collaboration ,education and programs designed to take businesses to the next level, The Networking Exchange is providing cutting edge advertising opportunities to the area business community. Tune into tomorrow http://bit.ly/talkexchange to listen as Talk Exchange Radio launches and don't forget to call to save your booth space at the expo for April 888-894-3555

Meet Our Members

As anyone would agree, a business organization can have as many bells and whistles as it likes but without members, all those extras mean nothing. The members of any organization are the heart and soul and along with a strong leader, they determine the path and success of an organization.

I am happy to say that The Networking Exchange has both the caliber of members and the leadership it needs to be one of the most successful networking organizations around. Those two ingredients are what has led to the tremendous growth to date and what will help elevate this organization to the next level.

Because the members are so important, I believe that they should be recognized not only for what services or products they sell but who they truly are. We have some remarkable individuals in our midst and I think it's important to learn a little about them.

Did you know for instance that one of our member served time in the military on a submarine? Or did you know one of our members has publicly spoken and held a personal development session in front of 5000 members?

It's those types of things that shape who we are and how we interact with the world around us and is important to how we all handle business today. Because of that, Fridays will be Meet the Members day. Each week we'll showcase a member and tell a little about them and include some of those little known facts. So invite everyone you know to follow us as we learn more about the people we see, refer and do business with every week!

Don't forget - The Business Exchange Expo for success is coming in April and one of the great features is Restaurant Row where area food vendors will be sharing samples of their food and beverages. Stay tuned on Tuesdays as we highlight their establishments with "TNE -Fabulous Fare".

If you you are interested in learning more about TNE membership, the Expo or any of the programs, send an email to info@thenetworkingexchange.com