I love making cool connections with people. Whether it’s the old fashion way of engaging someone in a live conversation or using social media, it’s fun to see the results of the connecting. Two examples:

1) About a year ago, I was sitting on a plane headed off for a speaking engagement. I happened to hear a guy sitting right across from me talking about FSU (where I went to grad school). After he ended his conversation, I asked him if he attended FSU which lead us to a great conversation on the flight. During our brief time together, Dr. Fritz Polite and I exchanged cards and agreed we needed to connect again. Last week, Doc “P” as he became to me, invited me to give my signature keynote speech “Living Rich: Giving, Working, and Leading for a Better Tomorrow” at the University of Tennessee where he is a professor. When I put a note on Twitter that I was speaking in a Sports Management class, Dr. Chrystal D. Porter, at Endicott College tracked me down. I later found out she also went to FSU (with Doc “P” as I now call him).  Somehow I think I’ll remain connected with two new friends for awhile.

2) Several months ago, I responded to a LinkedIn request from a lady named Lisa Cummings. Lisa is the founder of the International Assocation of MBA’s. She was looking for interviewees for her blog so I sent her an email. When she read my blog and Richest People in America website, she became interested in my views on becoming RICH. She then requested an interview which was recently posted on how MBA’s can become RICH. From that interview, I have met some interesting MBA’s who are using their skills to make the world a better place. I also have come to learn about MBA’s Without Borders that helps entrepreneurs in developing countries find MBA’s to help them with their businesses. I also found out about the Goodness500 which tracks the good deeds of big companies. Both of these “discoveries” came as a result of connecting with Lisa.  Incidentally, I introduced Lisa to Doc “P” so it’s come full circle.  So in addition to keeping your ears open on a plane, I recommend you Twitter to get LinkedIn. Who knows where it will lead you.

Twitter with Tim or get LinkedIn

Inspirational speaker Tim Richardson speaks about how giving increases employee morale, lowers employee turnover, increases customer loyalty and creates higher profits for Fortune 500 companies, associations, healthcare, and financial services. He is founder of the Bill Walter Melanoma Research Fund. For more information on Tim, go to www.TimRichardson.com