Get inspired. Stay current.

Think back over the past week or so, did you have a particularly tough day? Did anything go “not your way?” Were you surprised by an opportunity that quite frankly you just weren’t ready for? You have the choice every day to show up as the best version of yourself. As an employee. As an entrepreneur. As a parent. As a friend…the list goes on. Sure, you may know it when you see it, but how can you make choices in advance so that you are at your best…more?

What if your phone was intelligent enough to automatically save the phone numbers of people you network with into a dedicated contact list? Wouldn’t that be great!

In corporate America, your rise to the top can be determined by a host of contributing factors such as your passion, drive, determination, intelligence, self-discipline, quick wit – just to name a few. Although these traits can significantly contribute to your overall success, not having a strong, well-rounded professional network can inadvertently stagger growth in your professional life. I know you’ve heard the saying, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know.” Well, it’s true. Having a strong professional network of like-minded individuals, with a shared interest, will dramatically improve your chances of success over time.

Recently, I attended a global networking event. Those in attendance were C-level executives from Fortune 500 and 1000 companies. It was only fitting that everyone was exchanging business cards in rapid-fire. While networking and mingling, I came across a number of individuals who either ran out of business cards or simply forgot to bring them. This made me ask myself a question; what is the real value of a business card? What if companies did away with paper business cards? Would employees still be able to network with potential customers and colleagues?