Shy & Introverted Business Owners: Suffering from NAS?

Which of these NAS Rationalizations do You Use?

  • “I’m too busy to network.”
  • “I know enough people already!”
  • “I must not be doing it right!”
  • “I’d rather just take referrals ’cause I hate selling myself.”
  • “I’m just not cut out for networking — those slick extroverts are running the joint anyway.”

Networking Avoidance Syndrome has hidden costs, short- and long-term, to your career and your soul. But this ages-old condition needn’t continue to impact you.

Is There a Cure?

I’m Paul Aaron Travis and though I teach networking now, my background may be closer to yours than you think. After being a software engineer for a decade, I “jumped the fence” to corporate marketing where I was blindsided by:

(1) the importance of a professional network,
(2) my lack of such a network, and
(3) my irrational fears of meeting people and developing a network!

Then, after a decade getting good at marketing (and years of conscious studying/effort at networking) I started my consulting practice — where networking is essential.

From this perspective, I was able to see shy and/or introverted businesspeople habitually avoid networking like the plague. This happens across industries, notably among accountants, analysts, engineers, graphic designers, architects, actuaries – even in direct sales.

So I created the first edition Business Friendship DVD program to “re-frame” the notion of networking. The offering was so well received that, last year, I formed The Relationship Capital Co. to turn that DVD into an interactive program.

“Paul’s networking series has been of immense value to me in a number of ways given my introverted personality. Committing to work with Paul has given me the kick-in-the-pants I needed to get in action — and gotten me a cheerleader for my efforts and accomplishments. Working with Paul is a pleasure and worth every penny!”
Stephen Gibson, Architect
Business Friendship mitigates NAS

The Premise is based on the old saying, “It’s not what happens in life; it’s how we respond”. Business Friendship helps you re-frame the networking experience in your mind — from a throng of surface-level schmoozers to a delightful opportunity to make one new friend.

The Promise of this course is to replace your past reservations, awkwardness and regret about meeting a new group of people (or an individual) with capability, comfort, and confidence because of your participation.

Four Weeks of Learning, Four Dimensions of Learning

Research shows learning/retention is maximized through a combination of reading, writing, listening, and speaking. You know this already, as you’d have changed this important part of your life a long time ago if all it took were reading an article or a book!  BFriendship is a multi-dimensional program, but “trimmable” for those on a tight budget.

Weekly
Self-Study Module

Weekly Webinar to
Discuss Module

Weekly Small Group
Video-Coaching

Option: Bring your
own support buddy

Program Schedule and Overview

Each week’s program is focused, with its own learning objectives, and builds upon prior weeks — helping you develop and reinforce your new perspective for the long-term!

  • Nov. 30 —  Modules 1/2: Macro perspective, shy vs. introvert, your WIIFM
  • Dec. 7    – Modules 3/4: Discovery approach, meeting another person
  • Dec. 14 —  Modules 5/6:  Self awareness/esteem, meeting a small group
  • Dec. 21 — Modules 7/8: At-home strategy/grounding, synthesis
  • Dec. 28 — Wrap up call!

Again, if you could change your life by reading a $25 book, you wouldn’t be reading this page. In fact, the book industry knows there’s only a 5% chance you would even finish that title! And some people who do change their life overnight, change back the next day. “Greener pastures” are a dream.

The promise of this course is bold: that you become capable, comfortable, and confident. Aren’t you and your business worth the time and investment?

“I’ve never met another person more connected than Paul. And not just is he connected, but each connection hold a meaning and a memory. The program he takes you through in this production will give you incredibly valuable tools that will not just make networking easier, but it will ensure that the connections you make are qualitative. Listen to this man. He knows of what he speaks.”
Britt Santowski, Author/Facilitator
Four Options for Investing in Yourself

Silver

Self-study course to learn in your home a new way of relating to networking, new module(s) each week. Regularly $79 – Limited Special Pricing $47

Gold

Self-study plus one audio-video webinar each week to review the module and allow Q&A.The sessions are recorded for subsequent access by students unable to attend when scheduled (usually Weds. evenings). Regularly $199 –
Limited-Time Special Price $137 (31% savings)

Platinum

The full program — self-study plus webinars plus ourspecial saucesmall group video-coaching via webcam to practice the homework with a committed set of fellow participants, from the comfort of your home or office.This too is recorded for subsequent access by students unable to attend when scheduled (usually Sunday evenings). Regularly $499 –
Limited Special Price $297 (40% savings!)

Double-Platinum

        

To multiply your self-study, webinar, and video-coaching learning, you can bring a friend through the entire program for just $100! Whether you “treat” or split the cost with your buddy, this is an absolute steal.In addition to all your other learning and webcam interaction with your small group, you can compare notes with your support buddy (imagine years of supporting a friend, relative, or coworker). Definitely the deal (steal) of the day; save a whopping $600 or 60%!

Regularly $998 –
Limited Special Price $397
What’s it Worth to Get Rid of NAS?

Let me see if I can put a number here — even though it’s tricky with our unique situations. Consider:

  • From a comfort and confidence perspective, what is it worth for you to stop avoiding networking situations and no longer get stressed out? Only you can say. Many people recognize the damaging power of stress on our bodies and our psyche. Even the full program can be compared to the cost of just five dinners out, stress-relieving massages, or gas tank fill-ups.
  • From a financial perspective, let’s imagine that your new ability and outlook helps you approach and get just one more client or partner each quarter at a one-time value of $300. These results would provide you a 304% ROI in the first year (and far more if your clients are repeat patrons!)
  • Another financial perspective: what if you were to leave your business/practice and return to the workforce? At a hypothetical income of $40,000 annually, the full program pays for itself 2+ times over if your ability and outlook yield you a job just one week earlier (1,000% if Business Friendship helps you land a job a month earlier).

WAIT, you might astutely point out: “I build my business before and got the new client” or “I got that old job and the new one as well!” You’d be absolutely correct. Just like you jumped a puddle, you can jump a river? If you were doing what you wanted to be doing, you wouldn’t still be interested. I believe you can do anything you believe you can do. That’s the issue — your results indicate that you don’t have the mindset, confidence, and capability that you want!

Are You Excited to Have 2012 Be Better?

How could your experience of networking, of relating to other people, of feeling confident, impact your business and the rest of your life?  This is your call — this four-week course is timed to end just before New Years!

Time is ticking for you to act.

And I’ll be perfectly transparent: I have an agenda.

I want you to sign up for the Business Friendship course right away.  Not for me but for you.

I have complete faith that you found your way here for a reason – that this topic speaks to you and that you want to give it a go. You’re ready to have a positive experience meeting other people.

Look forward and look behind you.  Don’t you deserve for your 2012 to blow the socks off your 2010? I guarantee you’ll be more than satisfied — you’ll be inspired.

Convenient Summary of
Your Investment Options     
 Weekly
Self-Study
Weekly
Webinar
Weekly
Video
Coaching
Bring a
Support
Buddy
Savings Click Here
Silver BFriendship Course $47 (regularly $79) Save
$32 !

Gold BFriendship Course $137 (regularly $199) Save
31% !
Platinum BFriendship Course: $297 (reg. $499) Save
40% !

Double-Platinum Course: $397 (regularly $998) Save
60% !

All best wishes to you, whatever you decide!

 

PS. We both know that the things we avoid and run from are those that we let control us.

Be gentle on yourself – nobody ever showed you how to network.  Especially given your personality style. This topic is virtually nonexistent in colleges and universities. How well would you drive a car if you’d never have taken driver training?

And… the training has shown up for you.  Sieze your opportunity – don’t look back and wonder “what if?”

PPS. I’m donating a portion of every purchase to Movember (“moustache November”) in which I’m participating to raise awareness for men’s cancer issues — you may or may not know I lost my dad in May, and am doing this in his honor.

“After we met through your recent presentation in the Bay Area, I knew this program would be perfect for my grown son — he’s a geek (said lovingly) and can use help from experts like you in connecting with people. Thanks SO much for creating this DVD. I can tell from the part we watched this evening, it’s just what he needs!”
M.T., San Francisco