Keep in touch

You are visiting a city or a friend of yours came to visit, what do you do? How do you contact him?...

As I have told before, I have the opportunity to have friends that travel a lot and what I consider really interesting is the way we keep in touch. For this reason, my friends know that if they look up for me, they will find me. Skype, email, Facebook, Whatssapp, Linkedin, any social media is good enough.

One of the most important things related to Networking is the availability, when I have needed information from some people, I like to get answers really soon, and because I like to have this type of fast response, I always, always, always try to do my best and answer really fast too.

Innovación

 When I have traveled to Monterrey, if I have some spare time between events, I find the way to visit my former neighbors, the past 2 times I have commited with a friend to go for lunch to catch up, and the second one I visited my Innovation friends and get an invitation to a congress.

 Some of my former students know where my new office is and they had make some time between events to visit my office, or send me messages to meet at some spot in this city. It's very flatering to know they remember you and that they get some minutes to catch up.

Aldo

Viaje a Xochimilco

Another way to keep in touch with your friends and colleagues is given by the different events and promotional tours we have. The past week I was promoting at the MBA Tour and in my 5 minute break, I identified the stand of a different institution. I went by to say hello, take some pictures, and send greetings to our common contacts. Because of this fast track meeting I got some other invitations to different events at this city, this means more networking.

Jeff

So, here come my advice to get better and maintain your Networking:

1.- Make sure you know where to find your friends, and if possible visit them at their working places, a fast hello visit is always well recieved.
2.- If you have more spare time, make plans to have lunch or dinner, the people like to have special attentions from their friends, and also this little things can make you get forward on your personal proyects.
3.- If possible, make arrangements with time, so you won't surprise your friends and the contact will get better.

95 years of Networking

Blanca Basterra Perea, lived 95 years, she just passed away to reach her siblings, her daughter Marcela and my grandfather Adal. Now she is networking at heaven...

My grandmother just left us, and I am still receiving condolences and affection tokens. What I have being considering since this event is the great friendships and network that she grew during her life.

Grandmom and Gabrie

We met to say goodbye to her at my mother's house and the stories about her life appeared immediately. Blanca was the third of 5 brothers and sisters. She had two daughters, Marcela and Ana María, also grandchildren, uncles, nephews, cousins and some close and not so close relatives. She had a really good relationship also with her godchildren. She was a flirty and joyful woman, she liked the music, knitting, painting, the good food and the good wine.

One of his nephews told us that at some time they lived close to each other at the condo unit, as a student he gather with some friends to play Poker. One time they have one space left to complete the game. So my cousin asked my Grandmother if she want to join them, "of course" was her answer. They also told me that she was a very good Domino's and Poker's player, as they told me, that was not the only time she were asked to play with the group.

She had this resilience quality, she changed addresses and cities a lot. She lived at Mexico City and at Monterrey in different times of her life. She seem this changes as a moment in her life, and she decided not to cut off communication with her friends, no matter where her city was at the moment. It's important for me to clarify that she never used a computer, had an email account or facebook. I think it doesn't matter to her, because she always keep in touch with all her acquaintances.

95 Anniversary

She had a lot of visitors, the people asked a lot about her, and she kept sending her regrets and calling her friends. She always had "little presents" for the people that visited her, it doesn't matter if it was a little box with pills, a hand cream or some earrings. She always find something for the visitor. Her last 8 years she lived at a nursing home were she had the opportunity to grow more friends and had the chance to prepare herself to her next challenge.

I remember her as a gentle woman and tame, she always find a way to adapt herself to the many situations she had. She lived deeply, enjoy good times and tough times, now she is resting and enjoying the legacy that in life she created.

May She Rest In Peace: Blanca Basterra Perea

Market Networking

The past weekend I went to the Market to get all the stuff for the week, and leave without paying...

This is my first time shopping for groceries at a market, I used to went to the supermarket franchises, because my job duties won't allow me to get on time to this fabulous places that in Mexico are really popular.

Since I came here, the people recommend me to go to the market, and I have to accept that I was reluctant to change my shopping habits. But in the meanwhile I realized that I should adapt myself to buy and consume on the places that the locals do, because trying to maintain my habits is becoming complicated. I think that I should practice my resilience.

Fruits and Vegetables

The first thing I learn to buy was the fruits and vegetables, I have here my "Marchantes" (Sellers), they show me the fresher fruit and they take care that I should not choose yesterday's coriander. This would never happen at a convenience store, if you find your fruit, you take it and no one will tell you anything about its freshness.

Fish Station

Then I went to the fish station, this became a very interesting experience, the lady that sell me the fish, told me which one was the fresher and she gave me a recipe to make a mouth watering fish broth.

I move forward and buy some species to make some "Mole", I always brought the one that is preprepared, now I came home with a bag of "Mole Almendrado" (Almond Mole), and it included the recipe to cook it.

Butcher

 Once I start my shopping, it's difficult to stop me, so I went to the Butcher and he explain me how to ask for smoked pork chops, He promised that those chops will be the better I could ask for. As a good seller he also convinced me to buy ground beef and "longaniza" (kind of sausage).

Pollería

To finish my shopping day, I stopped by the poultry station, remember I had the "mole", now I have to get the next ingredients. It's amazing on how this people make all the cuts, confection, smashing, feather cutoff, etc. I was so interested on the process, and then taking pictures that we came out without paying to my new friend.

The advantage was that on the process, she listen to me that I had to get some bags that I had forgotten and really shy on what happened, she told me that she had forgotten to collect my payment, at this time I don't know who of us was the most ashamed. I apologized and promised to came back to buy to her more chicken, she of course became my new bff.

So my recommendations to make market networking:

1.- People that work at a market want to create a customer relationship, so they are really kind and will try to give you the best service. Seize this opportunity, it is nice to get all this attention at once.
2.- If you become friend of yours "marchantes", the will give you good recommendations, at the end they are the experts on their products and merchandises, and if lucky, you will get an interesting sale offer.
3.- Its a both way relationship, so if one day you forget to pay, for sure they will track you and with a little shame they will collect the payment. In your case, you maybe be ashamed too and will try to avoid to repeat the damage. That is what a friendship is all about, to learn how to apologize and to learn to tell your friend when he is committing a mistake.

New Talents and Networking

I went to a concert of a new musical proposal, I think they have a promising future. Could I help this group? Should my musical taste is good enough for the upcoming generations?

MariaJulia has a little on the market, but a lot of different exposure. You can notice the experience among them. As I told you before, at the end each people could classify it on like or dislike. For me it was a like.

During the concert

The invitation came through facebook, and then I contact my cousin just to make sure that the event wasn't canceled. This group has a marketing strategy, a musical proposal and an official launch. Now we can see how its musical carreer develops, maybe we are at the beginning of a career like Maná, Caifanes or Fobia.

At that grave I shall not cry again

The appointment was at a small concert hall at Mexico City, with oppening group and everything. This is a good strategy, because you can immediately compare. To my taste MariaJulia was a lot better than Standups. I think that more sooner than later we will be listening to their songs vía Youtube, Spotify, itunes or Radio.

I share with you the musical proposal and the theme "En esa tumba no vuelvo a llorar" (At that grave I shall not cry again), I prefer you judge by your particular musical taste:

So my recommendations on launching networking:

1.- Invite your family and friends to your own developments, this type of event is really interesting to share with people you know and you can have longer relations.
2.- Make a formal launching proposal, you will always have critics, but your friends and family will support you.
3.- Enjoy what you are doing, seize the moment and make the people around you have a good time too.

Mexicanizing!!!!

What do you do if a friend came to live to Mexico? And if this acquaintance, also is friend of your group of friends?

As we realized, Omar is being offered a job in Mexico, so he is traveling each other week in working trips. Since I came to this city, I have met with him at least 5 times, and I have here just one and a half month, so I believe that it's a lot.

Omar is Peruvian, and actually lives at Miami, he is a former student, and when he came to Mexico, he stays at a hotel in Santa Fe and call us and he sort of organize us to go to lunch, dinner, movies or any other leisure activity.

At one of his visits, we talked about how rich in culture and traditions is Mexico, and we convinced him to try all the different aspects we can share with him. Happily he became interested and let me tell you that he is adapting.

Arena Mexico Wrestling

First step in his mexicanization was to take him to the "Lucha Libre" (wrestling). This type of entertainment is worth living with friends. You can see a bunch of wrestlers, with masks, cute pants, trying to take out of the ring to their opponents. Usually this fight is made in teams "Rudos and Tecnicos" (Hardcore and Wisecore), so you can relate with your suitable type. The language, food, and the place had a special mysticism that its better to live than to describe.

Pulquería

After his first introduction to the Mexican culture, the group think on teaching different aspects related with the food and drinking. So we organised the next hangout to a "Pulquería" (a place where Pulque is consumed). We had to do it, since this beverage is produced in Mexico since Aztec time and nowadays is being trendy among youngsters.

Flauta con chile habanero

Once he made it into Pulque, the next step on the agenda was meal. The group thing on taking Omar to get some Mexican delights. So the next step was to introduce him to the "Pozole, Flautas, Quesadillas, among others". Omar tried everything with Mexican sauce, and do pretty well with "Chile". He is doing his best to understand our culture.

Tortas ahogadas

Then Lily suggested that Omar had to try "Guadalajara" style food, so we take him to the "Tortas Ahogadas" (Sunk sauce sandwich). He also adapted pretty well, I think he had a really good stomach. He is still missing "Regio" style food, that is coming on his next trip.

My suggestion when you are visiting-transferring to a different country:

a) Ask about the popular culture at the country, for sure you will have a great surprise mixing around with this cultural elements.
b) Ask for the typical drinks at the country, if you think about it, there must be a reason that made them popular, taste, quality, intensity. Try to figure out the historical events related to them, for sure you will have a future conversation theme.
c) Try every different type of food your stomach fits, it could be sweet, salty or hot. The best thing on learning different eating habits is that you will quickly adapt to your supermarket food consumption and find your new ingredients and at least you will know a little bit more about them.

Miniencounters

I went to my hometown the past week and I found 3 pleasant surprises. Destiny? I still think that Monterrey is a handkerchief.

Let me tell you that I returned to Monterrey about a week ago, it isn't too far away but I missed it and a lot. I organized myself to arrive early and visit my grandmother, she is 95 years old, and I couldn't miss the opportunity to see her. The airport is far away from her house, so I decided to take a taxi and contact the same route my company gets.

This company should have about 70 different operators, and when I used to travel, there was a driver that pick me up. His name is Amador Reyna and I have about 8 months without contacting him. Casually when I get out of the terminal, the driver that was waiting for me was Amador, he recognized me and shyly went to greet me. At the beginning he thought that I wouldn't recognize him, but I remember a lot of different things, specially people, so I immediately recognize him back and we catch up on the streets, new constructions, overpasses, among other.

The second meeting I had, was planned with one month on advance, some of my oldest friends, because we became a group about 30 years ago, concur at Monterrey the same date. This is quite a challenge because we came from different locations: Shanghai, San Sebastian, Charlotte, Playa del Carmen, Mexico City and of course Monterrey. My sister Gabriela organised the party and as expected, when we get together the encounter became wonderful. This long friendship take us to live so many different situations. We promised to keep in touch and always supporting each other.

While returning as I passed my way through the airport security, I bumped to Rafael. He is one of my alumni, and I was really happy to get a fast chat with him. He told me that recently had accepted a job offer and he was on his way to move out to a different country. He had to learn about housing rentals, friends, visas. We shared some memories on his admission to the MBA and he told me how this experience became a springboard on his professional development. I was really proud of his personal projects and that he is willing to have a lot more experiences.

It was a short trip, but as you may see, really productive on my networking contacts. I leave you with some thoughts to live this mini encounters:

a) If you recognize someone, do not be afraid to share it, maybe at the beginning he won't remember, but it doesn't matter, at least it would be an "icebreaker" and you can have a meaningful conversation.
b) If you have a regular contact with your pals, do as my sister Gabriela, use everything on your side to convince your friends and make it happen. Your friends will always want to have spaces to remember.
c) If you find a friend on his way to a new city, offer your long distance help, keep in touch, and when you visit the place, you may be able to have a good chat.

Routes and Networking

Can you help me find an address?

Now that I live in a new city, I have to ask for help with different friends to find my route that lead me to my location. At the beginning was really difficult, now I think I'm becoming an expert using different technologies.

Polanquito's Meeting

First you have to get the address and usually the people that sends it to you, can share the location on a map. This technology gadget is really useful. And if your friend wants she can share some tips on how to get there (if she knows the city).

When you get indications it becomes simple, but considering my particular case, when I get information it sounded as if asking for directions on the Nayging Rode Zone and want to get to the Pearl Market Zone... it sounded as if speaking in Chinese.

Handcrafted Map

Then I get the goodwill from some other colleagues, people that in a very friendly manner created handcrafted maps, specially if you're going to get to a really near place. Here I show the itinerary I received to pick up Omar and Claudia at a near hotel. I was really ashamed when I realized that it was around the corner, literally.

Google Maps Technology

Once I have done my motion and formats, I discover the Google Maps option. So I write down the address at which I want to go, and then print the step by step directions with the street name and everything else. As always this becomes really useful when the street names are the same, but in this city they change the names and then it ends that Miguel Aleman Way its called Rio San Joaquín and as you travel on the boulevard the street name changes.

So I conclude that I need more technology, my car has an integrated GPS, and the mobile phone has the Waze app. Everything runs smooth when both mechanisms go by the same route, but then it happens that one send me to the left, and the other to the right. So I have to use my Scout learning and I look at the sky and try to locate myself by the sun, the stars or some other landmark... and what happen is that is so many smog that you can't see anything.

At last I stop and ask for directions to a near cop or taxi driver, that one time told me:

"Nooooo señito... you are really lost, that address is all the way to the other side... if you like I can lead you and when we arrive to your destination you pay me..." :S

I want to share with you a song that when I'm in trouble I hear and it makes me think that at some moment I'm going to get to my destiny:

So now that I found myself at this new city and happen to pass through all this new experiences, I share with you some recommendations to use the networking when routing:

a) To learn new routes, you have to travel over, its no other way. So throw yourself and if your believe are lost, somehow you will find your way back.
b) Don't be afraid to experiment, at the end maybe you find exotic and interesting new places that you haven't think of visiting, and now you know about them.
c) If you are aware that are lost. Take your time, take a coffee, relax, enjoy, someone will get you at some point.