Before you head off to you next conference determine what you will do with the contact information of those people that you met. You need to have a system in place before you leave on how you want to follow up with all the wonderful people that you meet at the conference. Please do not go to a conference and not follow up with the people that you meet. You may learn some great information, but if you do not follow up with the people you talked to, it is a wasted opportunity. You never know where it might lead.Here are three ways to follow up:1. Bring a business card scanner with you to all conferences. At the end of the day, scanner the business cards of the people you meet and schedule times to follow up with each person or write an email to them and schedule it to go out a few days after the conference when you know they will be home and settled. It can be the same email, just change the names and add a detail your conversation.2. On your smart phone, enter in all information from the business cards into your phone and make a note of the name of the conference where you meet these people. Also, schedule a time to touch base with this great people, so that you do not forget.3. Smart and simple choice – Take a envelope out of the desk draw of your hotel desk and stick all the business cards in there. Stick the envelope in your carry-on in a place where you will see it when you get home. If you are a master at delegating, stick them in an envelope and Fed Ex it to your personal assistant or virtual assistant, so that they can mail a letter or email to your new contact. Have your assistant enter all the information into your office systems as well.You never know where following up with someone might lead. They might connect you to your next speaking engagement. They might be your next client. They might be a great affiliate marketer for you. Follow up!

Open Cinema is an organisation intended to benefit homeless and disadvantaged people in the UK, through film. On their website, they describe themselves as a nationwide network of film clubs that help to educate and culturally enlighten marginalised people. Their main philosophy is that excluded people need the benefits of being culturally aware and informed, as well as the benefits of food and drink.Their events are free for everyone to attend and participate in, and residents simply have to follow the promotional posters and flyers at their local community centres in order to find out about the activities and events occurring. Their seasons run quarterly, with 48 weekly events each year. These seasons are also often themed by genre, which helps to inform about particular titles. Additionally, Open Cinema welcomes events including filmmakers presenting their work, and speaking with participants directly.The people behind this nationwide network believe that there is a need for this social business, because it helps to inform homeless and disadvantaged people about entertainment and culture, which they describe as another form of nourishment. On their website, they claim that research has shown that entertainment and culture contribute to the mental health and overall well-being of socially marginalised people.Therefore, they help marginalised people to find stability and mental nourishment through film. Also, this enterprise provides a solid alternative to life on the streets for homeless people. They believe that the regularity of their film events and activities provides people with a sense of routine and belonging. Many organisations and leading institutions support Open Cinema and their goals. These supportive institutions include many important figures in the UK film and television industry.Their social business was founded in 2005 by Christoph Warrack, a filmmaker who initiated a weekly support service for disadvantaged people in London. This weekly service, called Open House, provided food and fellowship, mainly aimed at homeless people in the local area. The idea for adding the element of film and culture came from a participant, who requested that his Open House idea included an entertainment aspect.Then, in 2008, Homeless Link (an organisation providing homelessness services) offered support for their cause, in order to help Warrack spread the film club across the UK. Therefore, Open Cinema officially launched in 2009, with many film clubs of this nature established nationwide. They have only expanded since, over the years, and have now officially settled in their 2 head offices, in Shoreditch, London and in Yorkshire.What do you think of this social business, and their aims? Do you believe that becoming culturally aware would truly benefit someone dealing with homelessness, related issues, or someone who is disadvantaged in some way?

There is probably no country in the world without stereotypes, myths or legends. Russia, in particular, has countless stories that depict the life, customs and traditions in one the world’s most exciting and diverse countries.But what do people typically connect Russia with? Several ideas come into mind such as babushkas, matryoshka dolls, pies, fur hats and beautiful women; cold winters, spies and mad dictators. And of course also parties with vodka; tons of vodka.Without exception, the vast majority of stereotypes come from lack of knowledge or misleading information. Naturally, in order to create cultural awareness, i.e. awareness of a country’s heritage and true values, it is first necessary to overcome a great amount of barriers such as geographical, financial and language barriers. That is generally the reason why we tend to be more inclined towards stereotypes and creating generalized images based on information shared by the media, books and films, all of them passing on to us a subjective point of view from one specific angle.Now, let’s examine the most common myths and stereotypes around Russia and compare them with reality.1. Unbearable cold in Russia – A myth beyond question. Although a third of Russia is located above the Arctic Circle, all the major cities are located in temperate climate.”It was so cold… We had to stop eating with metal cutlery. Some people walked around for days with spoons or forks stuck to their tongues!” – Exaggerated testimony of a tourist.2. All Russians drink a lotAlcohol and stories about intoxication are the objects of many jokes about Russians. However, according to a study published by the World Health Organization, Russia was classed 20th for the countries where people drink the most. The stereotype is then a little far from reality compared to other countries.3. Russians can drink too much and don’t get drunkThe stereotypical ability of Russians to drink vodka cannot be explained from the idea that Russians have supernatural traits, but it is rather connected with their traditional ways of eating and drinking. This supernatural ability is thus also a myth.Moreover, according to Russian tradition, the best way to make new friends is to drink together. Refusal to do so may be perceived as an insult, a direct sign that you don’t want to build friendship with others. This is why drinking responsibly is a perfect opportunity to meet new people and perhaps here lies one of the many truths of Russian people: a true Russian friendship begins often with the sincere will to share a drink.