Lori Ruff is the CEO of Integrated Alliances, an international training and consulting firm that shows people how to tap into LinkedIn and Social Media in order to achieve business objectives.
Lori, also known as the “LinkedIn Diva”, is a writer, speaker, and broadcast host, and she has been named to such lists as: Forbes Top 50 Global Social Media Power Influencers, Forbes #9 Woman Social Media Power Influencer, AGBeat’s Top 50 Industry Influencer, Moody’s 50 Favorite People of 2012, and Webbiquity’s Nifty50 Top Twitter Women Writers to name a few.
Lori writes and speaks on topics such as Relationship Driven Business Development, Presenting an Authentic Digital Presence, and Building Community Engagement via LinkedIn and Social Media at conferences and gatherings. She co-authored, Rock the World with your Online Presence
Attributes of Success
Lori states that the 3P reasons for her success are passion, persistence, and poise. She states that she could have none of these had she not had a safety net provided by her family and friends.
Tips and Secrets of Success from Lori
Lori states that by choosing to care about what her friends care about, by being in their moments with them, and by striving to provide overwhelming value first, the reciprocity in the relationships are exponential in nature. Lori says that you have to start a relationship by reaching out your hand either as a gesture of welcome or in response to someone else. Traditional physical touch is incredibly powerful but she does not stop there. She also strives to offer hugs. Hugs break down barriers, they are usually reciprocated in kind, and are as beneficial to the receiver as to the giver. Lori advises people who have a difficult time accepting gifts, to give hugs or at least receive them well. This is the first step in humbly offering value and graciously accepting it.
Lori says that this may sound trivial, but she has had many people ask why so many people share her content and posts and she always responds with “I make it fun.” The answer that she gets back is, “How do you do that?”
Lori’s answer to this is simple. She pushes the envelope without pushing it too far. She does this so the people around her—who have always wondered if they could be more adventurous, or have more fun, or be more open—can either live vicariously through her or through her example, gain the permission they need to forge new roads in their own lives.
She states that she makes it fun in simple ways by using “smilies” in her instant messaging and using phrases like, “Keep it Real & Rock On!” in her email signature. She also talks about how much she loves hugs and the people who have me her in person and experienced them, confirm that this is true.
All of this makes it safe for people to approach Lori and even if they do not fully engage, they feel good about sharing “her.” She also encourages them and they feel safe enjoying themselves a bit more in public. She states, as Bryan Kramer of Pure Matter says, it is important to be serious in business but to also have fun. You just have to find the balance between the two.
Jim Nico
Jim Nico is CEO and Founder of SNI the parent company of The Social Network Show®, and The Social Network Station® which presents cutting edge, actionable information for social network owners and managers and is a one stop source for social networkers worldwide. SNI provides a quick reference guide on its website by featuring over 500 social networks on parade. Jim believes the future is niche social networks and he continues with strategic partners to catalyze core principles and best practices of Service, Safety, and Sustainability as guidelines for social networks world wide. He can be reached via email at [email protected].
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