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!
Saturday, May 8, 2010
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.
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.
Sunday, April 4, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, March 22, 2010
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!
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!
Sunday, February 28, 2010
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!
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!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
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!
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!
Monday, February 15, 2010
NETWORKING WITH VENDORS
Almost every profession has a professional association or conference that you will belong to. Most of those conferences are subsidized through the support of vendors who provide products and services to all of us. In addition to their support of our profession one of the most valuable assets they provide you? They are a tremendous connection for you to have within your professional network.
A vendor partner travels the country visiting other clients in your same industry trying to sell their products and services. They are very aware of who in the industry is talented and a leader. They can be valuable to you when the time comes to move to another job or selling a product. In addition they are great resources to talk with when you are considering a potential move because they know, or have heard about the situation you may be entering.
Don't forget that you can be a tremendous resource for them as well if you are a satisfied customer and help them attract new businees. Never under estimate the power of vendors and how they can contribute to your professional success. The next time you attend a professional conference then make sure you stop in to meet the vendors and keep your name and/or your business active in their minds.
NETWORKING NEVER TAKES A VACATION!
A vendor partner travels the country visiting other clients in your same industry trying to sell their products and services. They are very aware of who in the industry is talented and a leader. They can be valuable to you when the time comes to move to another job or selling a product. In addition they are great resources to talk with when you are considering a potential move because they know, or have heard about the situation you may be entering.
Don't forget that you can be a tremendous resource for them as well if you are a satisfied customer and help them attract new businees. Never under estimate the power of vendors and how they can contribute to your professional success. The next time you attend a professional conference then make sure you stop in to meet the vendors and keep your name and/or your business active in their minds.
NETWORKING NEVER TAKES A VACATION!
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