Lori Riegel is, hands down, the most effective networker I've met in Tucson. My phone rings because Lori met with someone in her capacity as Marketing Consultant with Tucson's Arizona Jewish Post. She's a machine!
Lori has a simple (and simply the most effective) two-book system for tracking her business contaces. I'll share that with you in another post later this week.
Today, I want you to meet my friend and BNI (Business Networking International) associate.
Lori's parents were both Real Estate Agents in Chicago. In 1980, they moved to Tucson, Arizona. Lori was in 3rd grade. While Mom, Freddi Pakier, set about conquering the real estate scene in Tucson, Lori was busy figuring out how to get into one of Tucson's first magnet schools. No surprise to me, she was successful. In the 6th grade, Armand Dirtadian was Lori's drama teacher. An actor and golfer, Dirtadian's emphasis is "focus and concentration."
Fast forward to today. Lori Riegel has learned focus and concentration. In our BNI chapter (google it if BNI is new to you) Lori has won the Outstanding Networker Award enough times that we call the award "the Lori." She whipped the competition by giving 339 referrals in her first ten months as a BNI member. To put that in perspective, the top referrer has 350 lifetime referrals in BNI in Arizona.
Lori teaches Hebrew when she's not selling advertising for the Jewish Post. She makes her living full time in the Jewish community--something that has been a focus of her business life, as her grandparents were holocaust survivors. A committed teacher of Hebrew since she was 18, Lori is the 2007 winner of the Grinspoon-Steinhardt Award as Outstanding Jewish Educator of the Year. You go, Lori!
Mike in Tucson
I show up ON TIME. I do WHAT I SAY I'm going to do. I FINISH what I start. If I mess up, I 'FESS UP & I fix it. In the mortgage business, these 4 things are why you'll want to do business with me.
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WOW! If she decides to sell real estate instead of advertising, she'll be a force to be reckoned with there! ;)
Can't wait to read about the two book system...I'm always looking for good ways to track contacts.
Cheers,
Heather
Heather: Thanks for commenting. I'll have that second blog out in the next day or two.
Mike in Tucson
Mike, BNI is a great networking machine. In another life time (another career) I was a member and really was amazed at how great that organization works.
Mike, Lori looks like a person I would like to hook up with. I'm going to check out the BNI website! One of the things I like about you is how you always promote others in your community. What a friend you are!
Focus and concentration is something we can all learn more about. I believe it's the secret to being financially successful -- see my blog Eliminating Debt for Homebuyers. I'll be waiting for part two on the contact tracking system later this week.
WOW, Mike - looks like we all need to get together to meet Lori. She sounds like quite a talented powerhouse. Thank you for introducing us. I, too, am looking forward to your next blog. - Calie in Chandler
Mike - Keeping focused is probably the hardest thing to do sometimes! Can't wait for your next blog. It is interesting to hear about BNI. We have a client of ours that is actually in the BNI and he has asked us a few times to be a part of it. Maybe we should consider it??? Thanks for sharing and we look forward to "Part 2!"
What a fantastic track record! Her parents must be extremely proud!!! Thank you for writing about this successful young woman with so much going for her!!!
Hi Mike,
Lori sounds like a person we could all learn much from. Focus and concentration are very important but not always easy with all the distractions.
Hi Mike - I could use a hint or two from Lori! I too will be looking forward to your next installment. I can tell the pride in your voice of this wonderful woman.
What an inspiration. I can't wait to hear about her system. As Zig Ziglar says, "If we help other people get what they want; they will help us get what we want." That's the reciprocal power of referrals.
I really admire people like Lorie and you should give her at least one post!
Thank you all for commenting; I'll be back later this evening to comment back. Lori set up a get-together at Elle Restaurant this evening, and I need to go participate.
Terry: If we can find a category for her, I think Lori should join Active Rain. I've learned so much from her in the short time she's been a member of our BNI chapter.
Dan: I love ole' Zig! And you'll love the simplicity of Lori's system!
Candy: Thanks for stopping by to visit and comment. Too often, we only hear the negative stuff from people. I love to trumpet the positive.
Barbara Jo: I love stories with good endings. Lori's started with her grandmother's generation. I googled Freddi Pakier + Tucson, and found this picture in an article authored by Lori about her Mom and Grandmom.
Rick & Lyn: BNI is a tremendous referral network. Like most things in life, it is what you make of it. Join up! Let us know how it goes for you.
Calie: Will you be the organizer for an AR get-together? I'm sure Lori will come up with an appropriate place. I'm thinkin the Historic Hotel Congress, where Dillenger's gang was finally caught.
Marsha: Thanks for commenting. I'll be over to check out that blog of yours, and leave a reciprocal comment!
Linda: Thanks for the encouragement! Givers Gain!
Matt: BNI in another career? Sounds like another MEME for Matt! I Meme thee! (Will this be your third?) Enquiring minds want to know.
Mike in Tucson
Mike...A Marketing Consultant eh...any good tips to pass on? Sounds like she follows her own advice!
Lori: Congratulations on your award! It's a joy to know you, and I'm thinking we have a new Tucson Active Rain get-together coming, from the sound of things. Historic Hotel Congress? Call Calie Waterhouse.
Joan: That she does! Lori lives the BNI credo: Givers Gain!
Mike in Tucson
Inspiring story, Mike. My breakthrough to-do for 2008 is the basic: Make those calls.
Ann: that's grist for a new post! Have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Mike in Tucson
Wow! What a networking superstar! Thanks for the profile.
Dan
Dan: She is, in my book! Thanks for stopping by to comment!
Mike in Tucson
Mike, thanks for the link to www.jewishtucson.com. I remember fondly a little synagogue in our neighborhood when I lived in Tucson. The temple looked like a Spanish-style adobe dome with a small stained-glass window with a Star of David. We used to call it the "Casa Hadassah"!
Happy Thanksgiving, Mike!
Mike- what a great, motivational post! I've never looked seriously into BNI, but will now take the time to read up on it. Like so many others, I will be waiting to hear about her 2 book system! Thank you so much for sharing Lori's story :)
Sandi: There's a world of difference between a leads group, and a referral group. Check out BNI; you'll do a Lori! The two of you have much in common.
Eric: Casa Hadassah is still there! I should go take a picture for you. Thanks for commenting.
Mike in Tucson