Monday, March 7, 2016

A Bookish Conversation with Gail Tolstoi-Miller, author of 'Networking Karma'






She is a former "goth" girl, a soccer mom, career coach and an avowed introvert who transformed herself to become a successful dual CEO of Consultnetworx™, a consulting/staffing firm and Speednetworx™, a B2B speed networking event company. Her companies are focused on connecting people for mutual fit and success.

As someone who always preferred solitude and time for reflection, Gail struggled for decades with social interaction, small talk and networking; but knew she would have to master these skills to reach her goals. When Gail began to focus on others instead of herself she saw her opportunities skyrocket.
During her 20+ years as a staffing strategist, Gail has coached thousands of job seekers and discovered a startling truth; that those with the strongest networks and the most generous spirits always landed the best jobs in the shortest amount of time. In fact, Gail credits her own success to her mindful giving of care, compassion, and guidance in all areas of life. In other words, she's living proof that Networking Karma works!

And now, to fully live by her beliefs, Gail is sharing these secrets with her readers in her first book, Networking Karma.

Amidst the shrinking job market, Tolstoi-Miller's innovative approach to business and life has singled her out as a resource in her field.  She’s frequently sought after by many media outlets, including Forbes, FOX Business, msn careers, and others, where she shares her ideas on networking, recruiting and the job market. Gail has received the NJBIZ Best 50 Women in Business 2013 award as well as the Diversity.com Top 2014 and Top 2015 Business awards. She was also named Leading Women Entrepreneur finalist, and selected as a finalist by Enterprising Women of the Year 2013.  Gail has a Bachelor's from NYU.

For More Information


Title: Networking Karma
Author: Gail Tolstoi-Miller
Publisher: Consultnetworx
Pages: 160
Genre: Business/Self-Help

Are you Awkward? Uncertain? Even jittery at networking events?

Author Gail Tolstoi Miller, an award-winning entrepreneur and successful CEO, feels your pain. In fact, she spent years experiencing the same emotions when networking. An avowed introvert, Gail discovered a powerful and universal law of connecting, she calls Networking Karma. And when she embraced it, Gail put those anxious, apprehensive interactions behind her to become a career coach and owner of a networking event planning company.

Now, Tolstoi-Miller shares her secrets with you in her new book, Networking Karma.

If you are trying desperately to get past the constant inadequacy you feel every time you try to attend a networking event, this book is for you!

Networking Karma is a mindful approach to living that asks you to consider each chance meeting and budding relationship as an opportunity to inform, assist, advocate or connect others. “Embracing this spirit of selflessness,” Tolstoi-Miller says, “is the key to building a professional and personal fan base; one that will ultimately return your kindness in unknown and awesome ways. “

Networking Karma proves that life is not “all about me.” In fact, Tolstoi-Miller reveals that the most successful networkers are on a constant mission of “giving.” 

Throughout this book, you will explore dozens of essential and specific Networking Karma to-do’s; powerful ideas you can implement immediately. Shared by some of today’s hottest thought leaders, speakers and business trailblazers, these proven tactics are absolutely essential to getting the edge you need to succeed in business and in life.

Written in a fast-paced, no-holds barred style and steeped in real-world situations, Networking Karma reveals:
  • The negative beliefs that hold you back from networking success, and the 6 empowering steps to overcome them.
  • Why Speed Networking is more fun and effective than absolutely any traditional networking method you’ve ever tried.
  • 3 unique and foolproof strategies for breaking the ice at your next networking event.
  • The 3 vital building blocks to your personal branding success.
  • A surprising fashion “don’t” that may make you appear more successful to others.
  • 10 ways your body language can work to your advantage
  • The simple secret to creating a strong elevator pitch and the best place to test it out.
  • How to turn passive listening into active listening, to attract important new contacts.
  • Smart strategies for bringing stalled conversations to an end—without offending!
  • 3 creative approaches to business card design that will launch countless conversations
  • How to provide value, build awareness, nurture relationship and establish relevance through proper social media avenues
  • The dramatic personal and professional benefits you can acquire through mentoring relationships.
  • BONUS: The #1, can’t-fail networking approach to becoming the most visible and unforgettable person in the room. Hint: It’s all about Karma.
PLUS, exclusive guides, cheat sheets, checklists and secret resources, available only to Networking Karma readers.

Read Networking Karma and integrate its law and lessons into your life. No matter how introverted, shy, awkward or uncertain you are when it comes to networking, you’ll get past your sticking points and see your relationships--and dreams--take shape.

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Thank you for this interview!  I’d like to know more about you as a person first. What do you do when you’re not writing?

I’m a very busy mother of 2 boys. I’m also a CEO, award-winning entrepreneur, career coach and staffing strategist.

When did you start writing?

This book is my first attempt at writing!

As a published author, what would you say was the most pivotal point of your writing life?

The most pivotal point was just getting started; putting my head and heart into it 100%.

If you could go anywhere in the world to start writing your next book, where would that be and why?

I am already thinking of my next book! It would be wonderful to find a serene, peaceful place to write. Some place that is warm, with both scenic and spiritual energy. I envision a Buddha statue or temple. Perhaps in China or Thailand. This kind of environment would inspire me, help me tap into my intuition and that would optimize the process and outcome.

If you had 4 hours of extra time today, what would you do?

I would spend some extra time with my family, do more career coaching (because it is so satisfying helping job hunters) and I would schedule in some yoga.

Back to your present book, Networking Karma, how did you publish it?

The book is self-published. I worked with Ingram Sparks.

In writing your book, did you travel anywhere for research?

More than 20 years of personal and business experiences went into this book. It is the culmination of thousands of job interviews, hundreds of coaching hours, countless networking events and business situations, and a lifetime of observations.

Why was writing Networking Karma so important to you?

As an introvert, I had to overcome many personal dispositions to become the best version of myself. I did this by discovering a mindful approach to living; one that believes each chance meeting and budding relationship is an opportunity to inform, assist, advocate or connect others. I believe embracing this spirit of selflessness is the key to building a professional and personal fan base; one that ultimately returns kindness in unknown and awesome ways. I wanted to share my journey and my discoveries so others can be happier and more successful.

Where do you get your best ideas and why do you think that is?

I reflected on my journey in business and in life. I also enlisted the help of some of my business connections, super-hot thought leaders, speakers and business icons who provided their viewpoints and expertise on what is needed to succeed in business and in life. I reached out to these contributors to show how important it is to have a powerful network. I couldn’t have written the book without these connections. Also, many of my best ideas are when I am alone in the shower or very late at night when I am able to think without distractions.

Any final words?

There are a lot of networking books that provide tips and to-dos to help readers become better networkers. The truth is, most people buy these books and never do the things that the author recommend. Why? Because of fear.

Fear of networking. Fear of failure. Fear of the unknown.

I address this fear in Networking Karma. With some self-reflection and visualization exercises, readers can get past this fear and start putting the book’s unique content to work for them. In addition to dozens of tips, secrets and to-dos, which I share from my personal experiences, the book features guest contributors who are industry powerhouses. From the world’s foremost authority on body language to a fashion industry icon; from an insanely popular LinkedIn Makeover expert to a master storyteller—and more—their help and guidance is found in the pages of Networking Karma. I truly believe this abundance of insight, ideas and inspiration will help readers connect and conquer anything!








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