FAMILY AFFAIR

As you are networking don't forget to utilize the network of your family to assist you in opening doors and gaining opportunities that will assist you throughout life. I am including in this blog a link where my son Connor talks about how his network assisted him in securing his current position with Abernathy & MacGregor. Upon his arrival at JU his father through a mutual connection introduced Connor to Vice President for Student Affairs Kristie Gover who mentored Connor throughout his undergraduate and graduate experience. His preparation to get to D.C. involved a number of connections that his father had but then Connor took the initiative to follow-up. It started with a summer internship with Steve Dust and the Greater Cedar Valley Alliance. That led to his father connecting him to a former Mizzou connection, Enterprise VP Jack Talley about an internship in Jacksonville. I was helping to coordinate an ELCA conference while at Wartburg College and approached President Tim Cost at Jacksonville University to serve as our keynote speaker. In preparing for his remarks we met in advance of the conference and I took Connor along for his first introduction to the President.

That single 20 minute introduction turned out to be so very important to Connor gaining further internship opportunities, being introduced to
the Public Policy Institute and deciding to pursue his masters degree at Jacksonville University. That introduction provided him opportunities to gain experience through internships with Congressman John Rutherford, US Senator Marco Rubio's Office and an internship with the Fiorentino Group. Throughout his graduate experience Connor served as a Graduate Assistantship for Student Life and the River House which provided invaluable experience.

Then when it came time for him to decide if Washington D.C. was the place to continue his career he connected with former U.S. Senator Ed Pease from Indiana who his dad worked for at one time when Ed served at VP for Advancement at Indiana State University. He reached out to a family friend from Mizzou Jann Carl, Co-Host of the syndicated show Small Town Big Deal whose daughter Katherine works in D.C. as well. Ultimately President Cost helped Connor secure an interview with Abernathy & MacGregor that has led to full-time employment.

I share this only to show the many connections that make up an experience and that opening a door doesn't get you the internship or the job.
Connor had to interview well, present his talent in order to take advantage of the opportunities that were presented to him. I have introduced many people to others and they didn't do the follow-up to turn that connection into their own, cultivate the relationship beyond just an introduction.

Authors Note: This is also a young man who used to complain, "why do you have to talk to so many people, can't we just go".

Here is a link to an interview I had a chance to conduct with Connor recently that speaks to many of the connections I have outlined.
https://vimeo.com/405700376?utm_source=email&utm_medium=vimeo-cliptranscode-201504&utm_campaign=28749

NETWORKING HAS NO BORDERS

This past year my professional career led me to Jacksonville University
as Assistant Vice President for Admissions.

Back in 2012 my son Connor enrolled at Jacksonville University.
Throughout his undergraduate career I connected with counterparts at JU in various offices.

VP for Student Affairs Kristie Gover and I have a mutual friend in Tara Singer with ODK.

I talked with Associate VP for Student Solutions Tom Taggart and former Director of Admissions Allana Forte at various conferences about JU and the profession.

President Tim Cost was the featured speaker at a professional association conference I coordinated. He has been instrumental to my son’s professional career in Washington, D.C.

Professor Shelly Grant was a faculty mentor to my son. Her daughter Caroline now works for me as a student assistant.

Former Mizzou student Karen Feagins has lived in Jacksonville for a number of years. She stored my son’s belongings one summer and we reconnected again once I moved here.

Indiana State University college friends Bill and Kara Alford moved to Jacksonville as well.
They introduced me to Joe Bowers, co-owner of Party Shack who I since have assisted in identifying distributors around the country for his product!

Angie Morgan Kaiser is a former college classmate that helped me identify my new doctor.

All this in nine months! Through social media and word of mouth my lifetime connections have opened doors!

Developing and cultivating relationships over time opens doors.
It has created opportunity's in way’s that I never imagined!

The point is NETWORKING has no borders and doesn’t tell time!

MAKING THE NETWORKING MOVE

Do remember picking up the phone to call the girl or guy that you liked and then hanging up at the last minute to gather more courage?   Have you waited too long to pursue a job or position only to find that someone else beat you to it.  There are times in life where you have to take the initiative to make your own connections, determine your own path and here is an example of a person doing just that!

I annually speak to seniors here at Wartburg College on the power of networking at a senior seminar hosted by the careers services office and alumni association.  In addition to students attending they also invite area alumni and community leaders to interact with the students.  It is a great opportunity for students to gain valuable experience in working a room, gathering contact information and sharing their professional goals with strangers.

Every time I speak to a group I hear additional networking stories about how meeting someone has opened a door for them or some unique aspect of how someone they know networks.  On this occasion Wartburg alumni and Executive Director of the Waterloo Convention & Visitors Bureau Aaron Buzza, '01 shared a story with me.

He knows of a gentleman who took the initiative to begin networking without waiting on someone else to assist him.  This gentleman who was moving to the Cedar Valley decided to contact 60 individuals within the Cedar Valley to set up appointments to learn more about the community he was moving to and build a network of individuals who might assist him in his job search.  Aaron indicated how impressed he was with this man for taking the initiatives to schedule these appointments and use it as a catalyst to identify a job which he did. 

So many times in life we wait for someone else to "make the move" , whether that is asking an individual out on a date, waiting for a company to call you rather than you call them or waiting on your network to produce a result for you.  There are some instances where you may need to take the initiative like this man did make connections on your own. 

There is no substitute for meeting someone in person and if you take this approach just make sure you are respectful of the individuals time you are meeting with, have a purpose for the meeting and make sure you thank them for their time.

Aaron, thank you for sharing this story and for giving your time to assist our students. 

SHOW YOUR HEART TO BUILD YOUR NETWORK

People are more likely to connect with a person or want to reciprocate a good deed with a good deed.  Utilize specials days like Valentine's Day to reconnect with members of your network that you value.  Staying connected is about looking for opportunities to reconnect or stay connected to individuals important to you.   Although most of our interactions will be for a tangible purpose don't discount how a day like "Valentine's Day" can be all the connection you need.  What you are hoping to achieve is an ongoing connection with someone so when you do need to call on them for assistance it is not the first time they have heard from you in years! 

Over the years Valentine's Day has morphed into lover's day when in reality it is an international day of caring.  Take time out of the hectic world we live in to remember a friend, family member, colleague and remind them they are important.  It may seem small and trivial at times to you but your kindness could mean everything to a person who is struggling at the time.  Your network needs to be nurtured and days like today are a wonderful time build on those wonderful relationships you have developed over time. 

There is no better way to solidify a relationship than to show someone you care! Remember members on their birthdays, during holidays or create your own special "connection day" each year!

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED TODAY

What you find out in life is that it is very humbling and that you never stop learning.  You grow from your mistakes and that no matter your age you continue to make them unfortunately.  I am not sure who reads this blog and although it pertains to networking there sometimes aren't ways to seperate it from life in general because it is all intertwined. 

Always remember when dealing with emotional situations to step back, catch your breathe and wait a day before sending out any communication.  In this day and age of social media it is far too easy to send out immediate communication about a topic before you have had time to find out all of the facts or before you have time to collect your thoughts.  What you put out in Twitter, Facebook, etc. is seen by many who don't know or understand the context of the issue.   All people are getting is one side of the story and your responses may not truly be indicative of the message you are trying to convey. 

Make sure you thank the individuals in your life who give you enough leeway to make mistakes and learn from them.  It is far more beneficial when making a mistake to be punished and given another opportunity then to be jettisoned to the curb and never given another opportunity. 

Communication is critical to success and you will need to be able to express yourself effectively to everyone you encounter at all levels.   Most items that become issues are a result of poor communication and people intepreting things the wrong way. Remember that the best way to gain the truth is directly from the individual and not someone else's interpretation of partial facts.

It is easy to let the wrong items take priority in your life so make sure you periodically review your personal and professional priorities to make sure you are on track and focusing on the right things.  Make sure that your priorities match up with your values because that is an easy way to keep things in line. 

Identify individuals to emulate because we hopefully all are a combination of traits we have acuired from many wonderful people over the years. 

Be humble.  No one goes through life without any set backs and being cognizant of that is important to your overall growth as a person.



 

THE HARSH REALITY OF LIFE

The harsh reality of life is that you live in a fishbowl and all of your faults will be known by everyone so develop a tough skin. This is not meant to be a downer post but just a reality check for the naive individauls of the world who need a wake-up call. I have personally been blessed with thousands of wonderful connections who I have enjoyed interacting with throughout my life.

The reality though is that I have very few "really" good friends and they know who they are because I express that to them on a regular basis. What people need to understand is that most people, even the one's you think are your friends will stab you in the back and run the other way when times get tough.

Unfortunately we live in a world where, when the truth is told people look out for themselves and when push comes to shove frienship is thrown out the window. If there is a choice of cutting a friend, collegue, teammate at the expense of self preservation or accolades it will be as easy as 1, 2, 3 for that person. We unfortunately still do not live in a world where everyone is treated equal. Those that complain the most, yell the loudest and sit in the expensive seats win most of the battles. There are many wonderful individuals in this world who do give of their time, talent and resources freely and thank god for them. We need more people like them to balance out the very competitive and selfish world we live in today. Please acknowledge and thank those individuals when you see them because what they do is so incredibly important to the soul of the world we live in.

The reality of our world is that we live in a "you scratch my back, I will scratch your back society". Way too many people do something expecting something in return and that is unfortunate. There is no greater sense of fulfillment than to do something strictly out of kindness with no expectation of even a "thank you".

A network can involve 1,000's of individuals and how this all relates to my blog on networking is this:

Manage your personal brand and tell the story about yourself that you want to be told.
Don't allow others to tell the "story of you" except YOU because it most likely will not be postive.

Pick key members of your network carefully because many will not be as complimentary as you think. I have made many reference calls that I am sure the individual thought would say great things and they were full of negative remarks.

Keep your valued thoughts to your closest confidants. Assume that most of what you tell someone will be shared with someone else and probably exaggerated as well.

Every company, school, community has individuals who will gain your confidence to gather information.

Remember YOU are the CEO of You, Inc.and you communicate your own image. Don't let others communicate it for you.

There is a "tell it all PERSON" in every town or company so beware!

Loyalty is an overused word and those that you believe are friends will forgo friendship to get ahead of their closest friend.

Never share anything personal in an email or in a phone message because it will forwarded or shared 90% of the time.

Big town - Small Town, Large business - small business, Facebook-Twitter. Your network community is all of these places and more so be ever mindful.

BUT ABOVE ALL ELSE REMEMBER

There are good people in the world and hopefully many of them are on your "Key Network" list. Don't let the competitiveness of our world and the cut throat actions get you down, Good over Evil! Those that you value most will provide you the greatest rewards !

A NETWORK IS A VALUABLE TOOL WHEN USED IN THE RIGHT CONTEXT !

1st Impressions and your Reputation Last Forever

We live in a society today where teenagers are exposed to so much more than their parents ever were. They are growing up much faster and dealing with mature issues before they have the knowledge base to cope with items that adults don't even handle well.

In the connected world we live in it is hard for a 14, 15, 16 year-old to understand that they are making impressions and people are watching. People of influence are developing impressions of young people at much earlier ages because they are far more visible. Technology allows indivduals of all ages to take much closer looks at individuals than they ever have before.

These people that are developing impressions are possible future employers, admission representatives, coaches, scholarship committees and many more. There is not a day that goes by that I personally don't have someone ask "what do you know about.......". My comments are based upon what I know for fact and what reputation that person has developed through a network of acquaintances and technology postings.

It is common in today's world for adults to spread gossip that they have heard from their kids or friends that eventually becomes fact with no factual basis. I can tell you in my own community I have based impressions of young people upon the way I see them interact with others, what I hear them say and what they post on Facebook. I can tell you who the "mean girls" are, what boys have no respect for women and who is sincere verse those that are fake.

The day of "oh they are just kids" is long gone. We have a created a society that has allowed children to grow up too fast. The result is dealing with the harsh realities of adulthood at way too early of an age. There are young people who have unfortunately already shot themselves "in the foot" by developing a reputation that will follow them throughout life.

So the next time someone tells you "it doesn't matter what others think" or "how you treat others right now doesn't matter" then think again. Your actions as a teenager could have a bearing on your future and your reputation is an important item for you to guard.

I personally keep a list of individuals in my draw who I have encountered and believe they might be potential hires one day. They don't all work out but they are individuals who have impressed me. I don't need a list to remember the people that don't impress me, they are easy to remember.

So remember teenagers as you work through this important age in your life. Have fun, enjoy your teenage years but don't let anyone convince you that these years mean nothing. You are making an impression and people are watching.

IT ONLY TAKES A FEW MOMENTS TO OPEN A DOOR

I have been helped in life by so many individuals who took the time to offer me advice or "open a door" for me. All any person in life can ask for is to be provided an opportunity and then it is their's as an individual to capitalize on.

My whole blog is about sharing experiences that hopefully can help others in their quest to succeed. The stories I share are not about me but more focused on how just taking a few moments of your time can "open a door" for someone else. Once that door is open then it is up to the indvidual themselves to sell their potential to clients and employers.

I have a couple of stories that I wish to share as examples of how "opening a door" can assist someone. Within the past year two individuals Katie Cain and Kyle Vowell had indicated to me their desire to seek employment in the admissions field. They both took the initiative to gain experience in the field by volunteering for assignments and asking for guidance. When they both had identified potential employment opportunities they were interested in they asked for my assistance. In each case I sent emails supporting both of them as candidates that I deemed worthy of an interview. In the competitive world we live in that is all you can ask for, an opportunity to showcase your talent and ability. So many individuals never make it to the interview stage and if you make it that far you should be happy because someone has deemed it worthwhile to meet you.

I did not get either Katie or Kyle a job but I did hopefully help them get an interview that allowed them to showcase their abilities. I am pleased to say that they both were hired but that accomplishment is because they are talented and were prepared. My commitment to assist each of them took very little time but helped in "opening a door".

The common thought process of many young people is that "I am going to do this on my own". The reality is that very few "do it on their own" and asking for assistance to "open a door" is both smart and the way the world works. If you sell a product or get hired for that perfect job take pride because that was all because of YOU! But also remember those that have helped you by "opening a door" and remember to open a few yourself for others!

TIS' THE SEASON - TO NETWORK!

As the holidays approach you will most likely be attending several office parties and family gatherings. The tendency by most people is to congregate with the same group that you have for years or take a nap as soon as the family meal is over. I challenge you this holiday season to break out of your shell!

This year instead of falling asleep in the lazy-boy visit with that uncle, aunt or cousin and learn more about what they do. If you are looking for a job, to change jobs or sell a product they just might have connections that you never knew about! At the office party pick the last two chairs at a table of folks you don't know so well and get to know them. Once again you may find out your new holiday acquaintance has a connection that might be useful to you or someone else.

Speaking of someone else, it is the time to give! Use your network and connections to help someone out this holiday season. You might know someone who is looking to make a few extra holiday dollars, refer them! You might know someone who can provide those specials tickets to a co-worker as a thank you! You might be the person who can provide that smile or hug that someone else needs!

Connect with those in your network over the holidays just to let them know you care!

Merry Christmas !

FIRST IMPRESSIONS LAST A LIFETIME ON THE INTERNET!

I am a big fan of the internet and using technology to network with friends and colleagues around the country. I am not so disconnected to realize as well that Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, LinkedIn are great places to share information about your lives with others. I had a boss once who told me that "you shouldn't do anything that you didn't want to end up on the front page of the newspaper". Well the worries of newspapers are long gone and now it is the internet, and more specifically social networking sites that you should worry about.

Don't get me wrong. Social networking sites are very useful in networking and with over 10 million Facebook users alone it can be a great way to advertise and target market products and services. We all learn from making mistakes and what you ultimately hope is that those mistakes don't cost you a great deal personally, professionally or financially.

Now for the "BUT"! So many are connected through "friends of friends" that connect you to others who you don't even know. What all people need to realize, especially young people is that individuals are developing impressions of you based upon what they see and hear about you. Just as businesses can succeed or fail by postive or negative word of mouth advertising the same is true for individuals. I hear people say "Facebook is my own personal space and it shouldn't matter what I put on there", WRONG! Every statement you make on a social networking site, every picture you post, every group you join says something to others about who you are. Many individuals connected to you through social networking have never met you and your friends include not just classmates but parents, relatives, teachers, coaches and others whose impression of you may be important to your future.

Do you know that college admission officers, scholarship directors, coaches and employers are looking at social networking sites. I have friends and colleagues who believe that what you do after school or work hours is your own business. To some extent that is true until you personally decide to post your "after hours" life on the internet.

There are thousands of cases where posting on social networking sites have cost individuals their jobs, families and reputations. I refer you back to almost 15 years ago now when social networking was just beginning to morph into what it is today. A high profile basketball coach at a state university was caught partying with a bunch of students who took pictures and decided to post them to the internet. The coach lost his job rightfully so but thankfully has turned his situation into a positive one.

I know the younger you are the more important it is to be perceived as "cool". In my eyes there is nothing "cooler" than people having the right impression of you rather than the one they create from social networking sites. Think about what your putting on social networking sites and is it leaving the impression that you want it to.

Final word: Growing up in a small town my parents always told me that "someone is always watching", and they were right. News always seemed to make it home before I did. In today's world of technology the entire world has become that small town I grew up in. You are being watched constantly and you are making an impression on thousands of people everyday all connected to you through the internet.

You are the CEO of "You Inc.". You are in charge of your "brand" and control how you are perceived. As the CEO of "You Inc." make sure the impression you leave is a positive one because a bad impression is hard to shake!

RANDOM OCTOBER NETWORKING

While attending my 25 year college reunion I ran into a classmate named Chris who had just recently moved back to Indianapolis after being away for a number of years. She is eager to find new employment in the Indianapolis area so I used homecoming as an opportunity to introduce her to a number of friends to build her network in the area. I am confident that by connecting Chris to others in the area that she will identify the right opportunity for her career.

At the conclusion of the same trip I attended a college fair in Bloomington, Illinois. While waiting for students to arrive my conversation with another college representative named Heather led her to communicate that she was an intern and looking for full time employment in sports marketing. In the true spirit of networking Heather followed up the next day with her resume which I then proceeded to email to 8 athletic department officials I know around the country. Time will tell if Heather is able to identify a position but she is one step closer than she was last Friday!

These are just two more examples of how random and spontaneous networking is. There is always an opportunity around the corner and the process of
networking never sleeps!

FALL IS A TIME FOR NETWORKING AT HOMECOMING!

You can feel it in the air when the leaves begin to turn and the night air becomes crisp! Its time for high school and college homecomings to take place all across this country. From the birthplace of homecoming at the University of Missouri, to the banks of the Wabash at Indiana State University to tradition rich Wartburg College alumni come "home".

My how people change! Some you don't recognize and some friends it seems like it was only yesterday you were hanging out together on campus. As you rekindle friendships and memories remember this is also a time to develop new acquaintances. Depending on what reunion year you are celebrating you may be just beginning a career, revitalizing one or getting ready to ease into retirement. In any case re-establishing old friendships and starting new ones is what homecoming is all about.

There is no better opportunity to network for a new job, sell a product or share an entreprenurial idea then at homecoming. Put the bragging aside about what all you have accomplished and think about what you still have ahead of you.

Most importantly, have fun and enjoy your time returning home to your alma mater. But while you are packing remember to include a few business cards to have handy as you meet old friends and make new ones!

You never know when that next opportunity will come but it just might be at the place where it all started!

VERIFYING REFERENCES IS A MUST IN YOUR JOB SEARCH

I can't tell you how many times I have called references that I am sure the candidate thought were going to provide positive responses. To be honest some of those references have been less than flattering. If you are in the job search mode you should contact your references so they are ready when that reference call comes.

Just a few reminders:

As you begin the job search contact your references to verify what they plan to say.

Notify your references if you expect them to receive a call and from what company or individual may be contacting them.

Send a thank you note or email to your references updating them on the status of the employment search they assisted you in.

Provide an updated resume ocassionally to your references so they have something to review before talking with potential employers.

Finally, make sure your pool of references reflect the diversity of experiences that you have had previously.

Good luck !

STAY CONNECTED TO FORMER COLLEAGUES

We all have good intentions of staying in touch with high school classmates, college classmates or former colleagues. The reality is that most people are good at this initially but over time we gradually lose touch with people. We are connected in life by our experiences and maintaining those former working relationships is important.

We have become a very mobile and global society. Individuals you have worked with move as often as you have and many times to better opportunities. There may be instances in your life where that former colleague can be of assistance to you. Make sure you periodically cultivate those relationships with former colleagues so when necessary they are a viable option for you.

Over the years I have seen many former colleagues move to positions where they have hired colleagues from their past. In addition you may move into a profession where those former colleagues become potential clients and customers.

So instead of closing the door on your way out leave it open for future opportunities.

LEADERS REMAIN LEADERS

As you move through life whether it be high school, college or your profession remember that leaders remain leaders. Individuals who assume leadership roles in high school and/or college do not stop being leaders in the professional world. So if you are impressed by an individuals leadership in a high school or college organization you participate in then stay connected to that person. In many cases that individual will become a leader in their profession and/or community and remaining connected could be beneficial to you at some point in your life.

All you Facebook and LinkedIn users make sure you reconnect with the Senior Class President, Fraternity/Sorority President, Captain of the sports team or Drum Majorette because most likely they are now leading another organization.

Remember, leaders remain leaders!

NETWORKING THROUGH SPORTS

Anyone who has ever played sports or has a child involved in sports knows that it is like a fraternity. You see many of the same people on a regular basis at tournaments or school events. As most modern parents know bleachers can be incredibly uncomfortable so get up and stretch those leg's by making a new connection. Sports are a greater connector of people and in addition to remembering which kid scored 2 goals or hit a clutch three pointer make sure you meet his or her parents as well.

I know in my own personal experience I remember individuals I played against 30 years ago and our paths have continued to cross over the years. Greg is a guy that I played basketball against years ago and I remember him as tough nosed, yet personable. Over 20 years later we found ourselves living in the same community and after reconnecting I ended up buying items from his promotions business.

So connect with those individuals who you battle on the court or field against. Most individuals who are competitive in sports remain competitive and successful in life so you want to stay connected to them.

NETWORKING AT LARGE EVENTS - ROUNDBALL STYLE!

So many times at big events people are rushing to get to their seat or on to the next event and not taking the time to engage others in conversation.

Well, here is a 12 hour example of the true power of networking from my time at the Final Four in Indianapolis. Try to keep up because it is a frenzy.

Within minutes of arriving at the Final Four I run into two high school coaches that I used to play against in high school, Steve Brett and Ron McBride.

Ramona Smith through my network reminded me before my trip to "congratulate" Bob Burchard the coach of Columbia College on his award. I run into he and his wife later in the day having never met him before and made the connection.

Earlier in the day I engage Bruce Pearl the coach at Tennessee in a conversation because he and my good friend John Feudo were roommates in college.

Not long after I run into a guy that looks very familiar. Instead of blowing it off I say something to him. He is Terry Futch a former basketball player at Indiana State in 1991 who I haven't seen since then. Only a few hours later I run into another Indiana State player Lasalle Thompson who runs a non-profit program for kids. I have encountered his father over the years officiating youth basketball games.

Then at lunch I begin a conversation with a young lady named Abby and her father from Dayton. Abby attends the University of Alabama and wants to be in the event planning profession. Before our conversation is over I have given her my card and will be introducing her to folks I know in higher education/athletics fields.

We get to the games and sitting next to me is Judge Clayton from Hannibel, Missouri who is good friends with the Brown family. Sitting right in front of me is Steve Alford's dad Sam and his wife. Their grandson and my son played AAU basketball together. Then just behind me is my good friend Bill Johnston from the University of Montana who I had no idea would be attending the Final Four.

MY POINT? I had no idea when coming here that all of these interactions would take place. Even when you are attending a event as a spectator you have the opportunity to network if you will just engage others in conversation.

This is a GREAT, BIG wonderful world we live in and take advantage of the truly wonderful people you have a chance to meet every day. Don't ever underestimate the power of talking to the person next to you or behind you.

ALL OF THIS INTERACTION TOOK PLACE BECAUSE I WASN'T AFRAID TO INITATE A CONVERSATION AND THEN CONNECT THE DOTS!

OH AND BY THE WAY ! GO BUTLER BULLDOGS!

TAKE THE TIME TO KNOW THOSE CLOSEST TO YOU

Many times we aren't thinking about networking when we are at family reunions, weddings or hanging with your roommates. Really take some time to ask questions of your relatives and friends to determine what they do for a living and who they might know. So many times I find that we know the least about those close to us and we just need to ask more questions.

At your next family event make sure you talk to a number of your relatives and find out what they do, or did for a living. Always remember that although they may be retired that your grandparents and parents are still connected. My father who winters in Florida lives in a retirement community where people remain active and connected! Don't forget that even if the blind date you are going on doesn't work out romantically you still have added another person to your network!

Never discard an introduction as meaningless and always ask enough questions to determine how this new interaction might be useful to you one day.

Final nugget: That waitress where you have lunch seems to know everyone, and you are right, she does! Don't ever underestimate the power of networking with who are dealing with the public on a daily basis. One of the best networkers I know is Jean at the local Pizza Hut. She is wonderfully friendly to everyone and everyone knows her!

Keep networking everyday, it will pay off!

THE MORNING AFTER - NETWORKING FOLLOW-UP!

You come home with a stack of business cards that you just collected at a networking event. The dog's need to go out, the kids want to play or you are rushing out to dinner with your significant other. You think I will follow-up with them tomorrow and then there are deadlines to meet and suddenly it is 2 months later and the contact has probably forgotten about you.

We all know that a personal note is still the "gold standard" in communication follow-up. But in today's hectic world you always have time to at least send an email. Make a point to carve out 20 minutes to type a short email to networking conacts you just made because it leaves an impression. It shows that individual that you are serious by staying connected and is a subtle way of providing your contact information again if they didn't get it or misplaced it for some reason.

For the individual who met a lot of people it provides them a refresher on what you might have talked about and the purpose of your interaction. Always remember to put in that one little tidbit of information and shows them you really were paying attention. If they tell you they were just married, recently had a death in the family or are planning a family vacation it is just a simple way to say, "I was listening".

As the recipient of many follow-up emails I can tell you I appreciate them because I can read them at my own pace. A phone call can sometimes to an interruption to your day especially if you are trying to meet a deadline.

Remember the second interaction is sometimes more important than the first and don't let a great connection slip away by not following up!

PAY IT FORWARD NETWORKING STYLE

Most of us have benefited from networking and we probably didn't even know it. How many times when moving to a new community have you asked others where to bank, get a haircut or to find the right doctor? Networking happens every day in our lives when we make referrals to others that benefit someone else. I can't even count how many times my network of friends and colleagues have benefitted me throughout life.

Because of that I feel an obligation to help others by connecting them to individuals who can assist them through the highway of life! Just this week I connected an old high school friend that I haven't seen in 26 years to a friend of mine here in Iowa because I found they both have a passion for baseball. Within a few days of them talking on the phone they both have already assisted a young man in fulfilling his dream of playing professional baseball, all in a matter of days.

A young woman who I only met a few weeks ago is now connected to two colleagues of mine at the University of Oregon so they can assist her in securing an interview for a position. I haven't seen or talked to these colleagues in 5 years and only met this young woman two weeks ago. All it takes is one connection to change your life!

I try to help others by using my network because so many others have used their networks to help me at various times. So the next time you meet someone think about how you might be able to help them connect with a member of your network for a mutual beneficial outcome for everyone!

Pay it for through your network!