Let's Get Down To It Part #1 - The Corporate Mindset Vs. The Entrepreneur Mindset

I've always admired those who work towards enhancing their professional development skills. There is a study that shows that growth comes with change, changes come with the environment and people who you choose to be surrounded within your life. According to Forbes contributor, Andrea Loubier, in her article, "How offices Are Innovating To Improve Our Happiness, Productivity And Well Being," she gives examples of how corporations and business owners are changing the game on how effective and beneficial their employees have become in the workplace. Some were, creating an environment to encourages movement, this allows employees to incorporate healthy activities while full-filling their daily duties. In addition, having more modern spaces for them to work and relax during the day but most importantly, I identified with health because of my experience working in corporate settings.

There were no areas near or within my office that provided healthy snacks or meals to the employees throughout the day, especially considering positions that required me to work overtime. Most meals were full of meats and carbs, salads were not a norm. Not to say that I wasn't grateful for free lunch on busy days, however, I would have not been angry about eating a spinach salad every once in a while.

Now, after noting the above factors in changing the productivity in the workplace, I didn't address the people. Corporate environments and entrepreneurial environments are different. Let's touch on that, as an entrepreneur we tend to focus on marketing, branding, targeting a selected group of people to market to. We tend to forget from time to time to air out the negative voices, the tension that we build amongst ourselves and others, and to focus on the good. We do have control over how we respond, the message that we project and the image that we wish to portray.

My point is that each factor that addresses necessary change in the workplace should not just be held to the standards of a corporate environment or small business. If you didn't have the CEO, the executive manager or the co-worker who sat across in the small cubical that you share to blame for your bad productivity, or your inability to connect with clients or effectively marketing yourself then how great are you really in your position. As an entrepreneur, that is a part of the struggle, not being able to place blame on our environment or the people who we work with but taking more accountability on how we do business. The people who we keep in our circle, are they only interested in having drinks with us or are they interested in doing business with us? Will this person share my product, give me help in promoting it or offer any assistance? Are examples of questions that you should ask yourself before building relationships with people, not after. You want business and professional relationship with people. You can have personal relationships but ask yourself can you be friends with a person who doesn't support you or celebrate your accomplishments with you?

At this point in my life, I guess I'm more concerned with how I can make changes on my own and with the help of others to promote a better professional career for myself. I want to leave less time to blame others for my shortcomings and take more responsibility for how effective my work actually is. To me that defines a good leader, being able to carry great loads of responsibilities as well as being accountable for your own pitfalls. Leaders provide constructive criticism as well as they take it. They provide tips, tools, and training to help those around them succeed but, by demonstrating what that work ethic is all about.

Try not to let the conditions and the people around you control how effective you are in your career.

Read the Forbes article by Andrea Loubier by clicking the link below: https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrealoubier/2017/10/30/how-offices-are-innovating-to-improve-our-happiness-productivity-and-well-being/#746afed76ad1




My morning revelation,


Miriam Dixon-Davis
Creator of Networking Business Solutions
Author of Intolerable Boundaries, Series, Vol. 1 &  2

Event Update for Intolerable Boundaries, Vol. 2

I would like to thank everyone for their support on my latest book, Intolerable Boundaries, Volume 2.

Over the past month, I've hosted two book signings for Intolerable Boundaries, Vol. 1 & 2. I've had to opportunity to meet and connect with new people and also share details about my final book for this series. Here are a few pictures from my recent signings in Chicago and Maryland, you can view the details below on my next upcoming signing in Alexandria, Virginia next month.

Past/Upcoming Book Signings

Chicago, IL - June 29th, 2018
Red Pepper Lounge
428 E. 87th Street,
Chicago, IL 60619

Silver Spring, MD - Saturday, July 21st, 2018
The Silver Spring Library
900 Wayne Ave,
Silver Spring, MD 20910

Alexandria, VA - Wednesday, August 8th, 2018
Time: 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm
Beatley Central Library
5005 Duke Street,
Alexandria, VA 22304

Blessings to you all,

- Miriam Dixon-Davis
Author of Intolerable Boundaries, Vol. 1 & 2
Creator, Networking Business Solutions

Author, Miriam Dixon -Davis

Short Story Reading

Short Story Reading/ Q & A

You Scream Support

     Over the course of seven years, I've witnessed most slack off from their inconsistent sharing of others as well as perfecting their own craft - with that I'm including myself in the mix. If you've put off time from interacting online and have struggled with identifying with your own brand, how can you scream support? From my evaluation, I've found that less than a third of people I know on social media fail to share other's successes, brands and/or products regularly.

Example of inconsistency -

ex: Janet Strong, Jewelry Consultant (this person does not exist as far as I know)

Janet utilizes social media once a week or less and expects - 50 followers a week. How do you expect that? There is something to be said about someone who expects something for nothing, we should refrain from being that person.

I've also learned that everyone will not support your cause, campaign or successes. What does that mean? It's simple, it means that either they don't recognize it as an accomplishment, they feel lack of support from you themselves or they just don't care.

So, here's what you should do:

Focus on sharing more, inviting others into your space and again networking (connecting with others through the exchange of information and connections with the purpose of expansion). What are you doing in exchange to help others? How often do your friends or followers see you supporting others? Does your brand or product interest those that you're seeking attention from?

In a world of business, we expected others to help us and fall guilty into the celebrity social media status. Being honest here, social media has somewhat ruined us with this fake narrative that people like us based on whether they do or don't like our post. I assume that those who fall into the category of true social media celebrities are the ones who are actually getting paid for their talents. My point is to not focus on status, we should focus on our talents and embrace those who can see our vision already. It may take time for some to appreciate your gifts, be willing to share what others have and have respect for them as they learn more about you.

I get it, we all need support and having someone show interest in us is a great feeling but does their interest in you weigh more than YOUR PASSION? I most certainly hope not.

Lastly, remember that those who don't have interest in your brand or product now may be drawn to it later. As entrepreneurs, creators and faces of our own particular brands, we can not take offense so easily to others. If you're complaining or throwing shade on social media who will want to embrace or support you, I've found that to be a turn-off. You can push away, your followers, viewers, listeners, and friends by verbally beating them because their response does not come when you desire it. How unprofessional is that? Do you really want to be seen as an entrepreneur or a social celebrity?

We must spend more time embracing those things that set us apart and not the likes of those who have not begun to know who we are.


Be blessed with today, happy Friday!



Sincerely,



Miriam Dixon-Davis
Creator of Networking Business Solutions

INT. VOL.2 - New Cover Reveal

I'm so pleased to announce that on Sunday, January 28th, I will be revealing the new cover for my book, Intolerable Boundaries, Vol.2. If you're looking for excitement and passion inside of a short-story, then my series is perfect for you.

Take a sneak peek inside of my first book, Intolerable Boundaries, Vol. 1, where you meet Marleena Johnston and Jonis Mitchell. This funny, sexy and smart couple will truly bring a smile to your face as you follow their romantic journey.


Follow social media outlets below to view my new cover of Int.Vol.2!

Twitter: @listener86
Facebook: N.B.S - Networking Business Solutions

Building your network and communication skills

Do you recall your time attending a company meeting, participating in a brainstorming session or sitting in a classroom where people talked over one another constantly?

You would probably be able to hear them clearly, if you talked less and listened more. However, I've noticed that even people who've attended, held executive roles or hosted all three, still may have not mastered effective communication.

Would you believe me if I stated that I experienced all three in each event listed above? I can admit to being one of those people who wanted to get my point across, by strongly voicing my opinions or just listening while quietly disagreeing. Now, I know that it was not the best way of communicating, that took me time to figure out. What I didn't realize at first is that, not having an open-mind, and selfishly dismissing the opinions of others could effect my relationships with some.

The same applies when networking - 

In order to build better networking and communication skills you must be willing to listen to others to the end of the conversation. You may find that at the end of your conversation when meeting some one new that there is a need to connect. You may also realize that you have no need to connect professionally with someone but that they might be a great referral for you or vice versa.

People would probably say that you're faking it, I strongly disagree. The first initial meeting is your opportunity to learn as much as you can about that individual. There may be instances where you have to speak with a person two or three times to see if you are able to help or exchange services. A person can easily assume that you have no interest in their service or business if they never asked. On the flip side if you never ask me about my business or services that I offered and assume that you don't need them then that is a example of broken communication.

Be selective with your connections, make sure that the person who is trying to connect with you can discuss their business and services specifically. You want to have valuable connection, that you can not only use for yourself but pass on to others. If they can't explain their business, then surely they will not be able to.

I hope that you will practice listening more, not making assumptions and asking more about someone and their business in order to build a stronger network.

- Mrs. N.B.S

"Recreating your networking approach"

When I discovered my passion

Some people say that your life really starts after college; others say after building a family and of course it could be at any one of those moments or after.

For me, everything began two years after college. I was single, getting out of relationship that was toxic, living in my second apartment and working a full-time position in higher education. My apartment was a small studio, with a walk-in closet that I loved. It was the best bachelorette pad, I guess that's the best way to refer to it. As a women, I feel that I can speak on the behalf of others when it comes to the phase "never having anything to wear" we tend to look in our closet and have a room full of clothes but it never seems as if there is enough options for us to select from.

 If you're a shoe fanatic than you could agree that the same applies. I dressed up for work everyday but once the weekend came around I didn't really have much to wear. I stopped buying jeans while replacing them with dress pants and starting purchasing blouses in place of t-shirts. Note to self: Keep your t-shirts, they are so useful in the winter and the summer. I planned on going out with my girlfriends one weekend and realized I had no casual shirts. That prompted me to go to Target; while in Target I couldn't make up my mind so I decided to look up online how to make one. After I made my first shirt, I decided to order me a screen printer which wasn't the best but it worked good enough to get the job done. It doesn't sound too appealing, I know.

However, I decided to design them online utilizing various printing companies and I sold them for a year. After leaving the position, I started working a new position that took up most of my time. I realized that having my own business was my dream. I don't regret taking that position but I do regret not taking time out to learn how to balance between the two. My whole point to this and that you can do whatever you desire. Although, I made some mistakes during that time period my desire to be a business owner never left. It actually changed from just being a clothing designer to becoming an educational advocate for the community. It became greater than I imagined and even greater than me. You need to know that you are not perfect and that it's okay if you veer off track. Sometimes you have to take the long road so that you can truly see your purpose and live the life that you always thought that you could.

Best,

- From Mrs.N.B.S

Should networking always be fun?

The other day, I sat and networked with an inspiring group of women. We are talking about mothers, wives, daughters, sisters and friends all together, discussing natural hair. You know what happens when you put nothing but sisters in one room, they're clowning, cracking jokes and they are more then willing to share their bad hair day experiences.

To fast-forward towards the end of the meeting, I had a mother tell me right before leaving that she did not like social networking. I paused in my steps, because at that moment I knew why my passion to share and educate others on professional networking was so important. She had no idea that she was already networking and had been doing so for years; within that group of amazing women.

It's important that we understand that social and professional networking is two different things. However, networking is communicating and connecting with a group of individuals with the purpose of furthering your career or enhancing your business. You should never look to network with people if you are not looking to gain knowledge, tools, a position, friendships, clients and etc. That does not mean that it can't be fun, it just means that you must do it with purpose.

There will be moments when you have to attend a conference, an executive meeting, there may be a moment where you're attending an after seven event which is more casual. It can be in passing at an art gallery, a comedy show case or on-set for a movie. My point is that you can connect with people anywhere but you must be excited and always hopeful about it because you never know what may come out of it. Networking will not always be fun but it is always necessary.


Be blessed and inspired on today,


Mrs. N.B.S