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Social Networking probably rings the bells of sights like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.  Did you know it’s easy for you to create a social network all your own?

College Grads of the recent and not so recent past love to keep in touch.  Sometimes we call it ‘networking’ or ‘pinging’ but it all comes down to our desire to stay connected with people we share a relationship.  

Feeling ambitious?  Start your own social network:

http://www.ning.com/

(Bristol Palin, far right…in the picture, not just politically)

Meanwhile boyfriend Levi is ‘exuberantly’ supporting Bristol and ready for marriage.  I don’t suppose Sarah and Todd’s gun collection or hunting prowess figured into the decision whatsoever.

CNN has their own opinion on the matter – with shocking response from the conservative movement.

Fortunately Bristol may be relocating to Washington, D.C.  This town is home to such academic powerhouses as Georgetown and a not impossible commute to Harvard, Columbia, Boston College, you get the picture.  Sounds like Mom and Dad could even pony up the $250,000+ in tuition and daycare costs too (Her father Todd takes care of the kids back in Alaska).

Alright, before this turns into a full out rant, contact your Congressperson or Senator if you are interested in attending one of the universities Bristol will no doubt have access to, instead of more glorified gossip.  Let’s make college education a goal for the incoming administration.

Write Your Representative

Contact Your Senator

Boy, all my financial, business, and networking advice is really taking a back seat to COLLEGE FOOTBALL NEWS this week.  We’ll get serious on Tuesday.  For now, enjoy!

Aw shucks!  Looks like Rich is an apt name for U of M’s head coach.  What’s the price tag for a second consecutive home opening loss to the Wolverines: About $400,000 to Mr. Rodriguez.

U of M Loses…Hey, At Least Appalachian State Went Under Too, Right?  Hahahahaha

Another bank failure.  What you need to know about protecting your funds in an uncertain economy.

Online Resources:

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB121997204578982051.html?mod=googlenews_wsj

http://burlingtonmeansbusiness.wordpress.com/2008/08/30/local-bank-goes-bust/

Dollar makes a comeback, the Pound takes a pounding

Inside all of us beats the heart of a fan.  A fan unwilling to compromise their total, unquestioning loyalty to one school, one mascot.  For those of us fortunate to have attended the finest public university in the country, we don the green and white.

Yes, I am that guy.  I paint my face green and white for Michigan State football games.  Then I tack on a few temporary tattoos for good measure.  Should you even insinuate that Jeff Smoker did not get that last second pass off in time on the winning drive vs. U of M, I will dedicate the rest of the night destroying your credibility brick by brick (you, sir, are an unpatriotic Communist sympathizer!).

Spartans!  Read on for Coach D’s latest and greatest predictions for the coming season, kicking off August 30th at California:

Mark Dantonio Eats Bears for Breakfast! … with a side of porridge and orange juice.

Sparty On!

Selling value is not about being an order taker or looking for the short, quick money.  Gaining an advantage out of college requires someone who cares enough to look beyond price and other smokescreens.  Become a consultant, become an asset.

I’ve met with customers who complain, “your price is higher than the competition” to which I respond “our price is the highest, and that’s a good thing…”

Never take the bait when someone questions your price, it’s a bluff.  If you fold and pander to them you’ve lost all respect and are added to the pile of ‘lowest price prospects’ (and there’s no such thing as the lowest price). 

The customer meeting I describe just got better and better.  Once we got past not being the lowest price I described the value in crafting a targeted advertisement with a message with STOPPING POWER!

Start thinking about your true value to a customer.  Leave price to the people in that other pile.

I love my friend Mike, he’s the best friend a guy could ask for, I even told him so when he stood up as my best man when I was married 11 months ago.  Perhaps being caught up in my own ‘Big Day’ blinded me to a certain fact:

Gathering a large group of white guys with their dates at a wedding is sure to result in some terrible dance moves that rival the ‘Walk-Off’ scene in the movie Zoolander.  When I witnessed an overweight gentleman with a “Hi My name is Bill, your used car salesman” mustache swiveling his hips and pointing heavenward as he gyrated across the floor, I could feel my mouth drop and eyes widen.

Even my wife Casey couldn’t stop from laughing at this aspiring Michael Jackson in tight Sears issued pinstripes.  Not to say there weren’t a few choice moves from the ladies.  A group of single ladies bum-rushed the floor when ‘YMCA’ flooded the room.

With the popularity of the idea ‘Change’ taking hold this political season, let us vow to think twice before jumping into the ‘Electric Slide’ after one too many beers.  No more singing to ourselves as we throw our arm skyward mimicking letters of the alphabet.

Watch an episode of ‘So You Think You Can Dance’, ask your younger cousin (you know, the popular one) for a few moves, and ensure the future of America never has to suffer the oppression of watching family members hot stepping to ‘Jungle Boogie’ ever again.

My name is Joe Mescher and I approved this message.

Newspapers, nightly news, Internet message boards, and CNN tell us every single second that the country is on the brink…of foreclosure, instability, job losses, and total economic collapse.  I have the guts to tell you the truth the big guys are hiding from you, the specific ways you can turn your life and dreams into a reality in this so called downturn.

Cast a Wide Net in a Small Pond

Here’s what the Greeks wrote about the pursuit of success: ‘Know Thyself’.  Learn about the friendships that give you the most pleasure.  Find out what type of work, from architecture to zoology, makes you truly happy without being just another chore.  If you fail to dedicate serious thought to work that will give your life meaning, the job search is off to a terrible start.  Discover which ‘small pond’ you want to fish in.  For me it is a career in sales because I love the thrill of meeting new people combined with the challenge of presenting relevant solutions that show people how to achieve their life ambitions.  First find the pond, then cast your net.

Your ‘net’ is the effort you put into finding the best opportunity in your chosen field.  Real life example: Me.

Recently I left a position with an advertising company in metro Chicago to move with my wife Casey to Vermont.  We wanted to be closer to her family so I left my position without a backup.  Crazy, right?  No way, I know the pond I belong to so I went on a crash course to find a new job…

HOW?  TELL ME NOW!

Create a game plan, it’s completely necessary and the only way to track the progress of your goal.  I put together a spreadsheet containing every employer, every contact at each employer, each position applied for, and when to follow up.  I applied for every position that sparked an interest in my mind, put together a resume with specific achievements and customized it for most positions I applied for.  After two weeks I had applied for 70 positions, called each company to determine the correct hiring contact, and landed 5 interviews for the following week in Vermont.  I took calls from recruiters, telling them whether the positions they offered up were a fit or not.  Once I came to Vermont I continued making and taking calls to schedule interviews.

Result?  I finished with three job offers that interested me, a few that did not, and decided to accept the job from the first company I interviewed with.  Be tenacious, know what you want, and don’t settle for anything you don’t want.  Give yourself one month to make it happen.  You will, I know you will.  

Send me an email if you need help, I’d be more than happy to!

firstcollegenowwhat@gmail.com