Networking for Idiots (Because Networking for Dummies is Probably Trademarked)

I’m a networking idiot.  I know it’s important.  I’ve seen it work for lots of other people!  But here’s the thing:  small talk is hard for me.

I make awkward jokes…in general.  Once you get to know me, I swear it’s halfway charming, but initially, it might be…well, awkward.

I happened across an article on MSNCareers and thought I might share it.  It gave me hope that one day, maybe I can be a networking aficionado.

*Note:  Aficionado – An enthusiast. 

(Thanks, dictionary.com).

Annnnnyway, the article has a list of things you can do to be a better networker.  I was excited (yep, excited) to see that “Say Thank You” was on the list.   Mostly because I’m a nerd and I like picking out thank-you cards at Dollar Tree and then actually sending them.  So one out of five isn’t bad, right?

Check out the article and then let’s practice the steps together at the next New View event.  It’ll be amazing.  Also, you’ll get a thank-you card from me! WINNING!

http://msn.careerbuilder.com/custom/msn/careeradvice/viewarticle.aspx?articleid=2599

Lindsey Mathews

New View Outreach Chair

Project Coordinator at Shive-Hattery

outreach@wdmnewview.org

It’s Not What You Know, It's Who You Know

Ok, I’m sure everyone has heard this saying before, but that’s probably because it is accurate.  I tend to go one step further and say “It’s not who you know, it’s who likes you”.  Regardless of which statement you subscribe to, they both share the foundation of knowing people, and the only way to know people is to meet them.

Most days, while I’m eating lunch, I flip through various news apps on my Blackberry.  I like to stay up to date with what’s going on for my own personal curiosity but also to use while helping clients choose investment options.  Today I stumbled across an article on Fox Business that really hammers on the thesis of this blog post.  The article demonstrates that who you know (or, who likes you) is likely the most important thing when finding a job.  Common knowledge tells us anything important for finding a job is equally important when it comes to career advancement and those in a sales position.  Every sale and every day at the office is a job interview, whether you realize it or not.

From the article:

 “Research tells us that between 60-80% of jobs are found through personal relationships,” says John Bennett, director of the Master of Science and executive coaching and assistant professor of behavioral science at the McColl School of Business at Queens University of Charlotte. “Learning to work in networks and in relationships in a way that is meaningful, that has impact and that conserves both our interest and the interest of the people we’re connected to, certainly is only going to add value to us as employees.”

60-80% use personal relationships to find a job! That is staggering! Take a minute to think, how many jobs have you gotten where you didn’t know anyone that helped you get it? What about other aspects of your life? Have you ever gotten a great deal on a product because you knew someone? I remember growing up in Iowa City our family always had a “go-to” for any service or product we needed.  We had a go-to plumber, a go-to furniture guy, a go-to motorcycle dealership (my favorite!) a go-to car mechanic.  We had these because my dad was a great networker, he knew people and they knew my dad, that meant we got the best deals, the best service, we trusted the providers whole-heartedly, and in most cases, had running tabs with these businesses.  And it’s all because of personal relationships!

Networking isn’t easy for everyone, in fact it’s frightening for a lot of people, but you can’t let that hold you back.  Every missed connection could be a missed opportunity.

From the article:

“You shouldn’t network because you’re desperate--you should network all the time,” says James. “You should always be making contacts and have a Rolodex or computer program that lets you file these people away.”

There is a reason why ‘work’ is included in the word networking, says Bennett,  it is an active process that requires a concerted effort, not something students can passively sit back and not worry about.

This is the reason organizations like the West Des Moines Chamber of Commerce and New View exist.  They facilitate networking.  You don’t have to look any further than the WDM Chamber’s slogan, “Belong. Connect. Achieve.”  

Stop by the next New View event on May 5^th and start building your portfolio of personal relationships.  You might even meet the person that will give you your next big break!

Link to the referenced article - http://www.foxbusiness.com/personal-finance/2011/04/25/know-networking-job/

Brad Phillips
Vice-Chair, New View
Agent for Farm Bureau Financial Services

The Best Five Minute Networking Tip—EVER!

I would typically classify myself as a slow to warm up person. It is not that I am shy or bashful, but I generally feel uncomfortable until I have had a few minutes to warm up to someone one-on-one. For me, this was one of my biggest struggles when I graduated college. I knew networking was essential in furthering my career and growing as a person; however, I felt awkward about doing it. Lucky for me, life threw me exactly what I needed: a move to Des Moines, Iowa. Ah yes, the bright lights and the big city of Des Moines, Iowa; a place I aspired to live since a child. All joking aside, when I came here I knew pretty much no one, so I had no choice but to do what I hated doing: networking.

I am still no savvy networker by any stretch; however, there is one really great little trinket of advice I picked up on my own journey. Now, I may be bashing everything your personal trainer has told you, but don’t take the stairs, go ahead and hop in the elevator. I don’t know about you, but our elevator takes a solid five minutes to arrive, open its doors and then to slowly climb the four flights to my office floor. In those five minutes I have done more networking, and had more interaction with people than I otherwise would by taking the stairs.

The elevator provides an excellent opportunity for you to have a brief, friendly conversation about something, simple (i.e. the weather, the general logistics of your job or even about weekend plans).  Here is the best part: if the person is just not your type, you have an excuse to leave the conversation—just step off the elevator! However, if you enjoyed the conversation, continue communicating with them in the future. Connect with them through social media platforms, or stop by their office to say ‘hi’ if you work in the same building. Just remember the fundamental rule of networking is to provide value to someone else.

Alexandra Guzik

New View Communications Committee

Project Manager at One Social Media

alex@onesocialmedia.com

Is Your Life Uncertain...Its OK, Mine Was Too!

Have you ever felt that, in spite of completing your education or training, you still don’t know what you want to do when you grow up?  …Yeah, me neither…

Wait…

Actually I have felt that many times (or maybe continuously) since graduation from college in 2007 until recently.  As a Rhetoric & Speech Communications major, I was told I could do anything I wanted, “Oh, you have so many things you can do with this major, really, Lindsey.  You could go into marketing, public relations, and human resources!”

You know what I do?  I work as a project coordinator for Shive-Hattery Architecture & Engineering. 

Thankfully, post college, I was able to get placed via a temp agency with Shive-Hattery.  I’d never heard of them and didn’t know what they did (nothing to do with hats, turns out).  But I was eager to work, eager to join the workforce, eager to begin my “adult life.”  And so, for three years, I worked in administrative support.   You name an administrative task, I’ve probably done it.  And in three years, my skill set grew exponentially. 

However, I wanted more.  I began looking into civic organizations I could become involved with, charities I could volunteer for.  Anything I could get excited about.  Delivering mail and answering phones wasn’t it.

It was then I learned about New View.  It was brand new; in fact, their very first event was coming up.  I decided to check it out.   It was…intimidating.  There were at least 100 people there, and I really only knew one of them, my roommate.  I’m not shy, by any means, but 100 people in a small space was overwhelming for me.

I collected a couple business cards from people whose names I’ve long forgotten (sorry!) and went on home.  I went to a few more events, but wasn’t enthusiastic about it just yet.  Small talk isn’t really my thing.  I figured I’d have to find something else. 

Fortunately, Shive-Hattery genuinely encourages growth within the company. I was able to move into the Project Coordinator position at the beginning of this year.  Now I serve as a liaison between the architects and engineers in my office and the many people it takes to make a design come to life outside of our office.   In addition to that, the opportunity to serve on the 2011 New View board popped up.  I was reluctant.  But I went to the meeting and found myself willing to give it a go.

That room of 10-15 people was much more manageable for me than 100.  It was then I realized that committee work is where I could make my difference.  I could talk genuinely with the people I’d met, rather than worrying how I wasn’t shaking hands with the other 75 people in the room.  I also get to be part of creating and accomplishing goals within my committee.  Currently, the Outreach Committee is working on one major goal and a few small ones, all of which are coming along quite well, I might add.  We are aiming to make New View known in the Des Moines area and motivate young professionals to get involved.

All in all, 2011 has shaped up pretty nicely.  I was promoted, AND I found myself the chair of a New View committee. 

At the risk of sounding salesman-ish:  Being a part of New View has offered me the opportunity to learn concepts that actually help me be a better project coordinator.  I get to meet people from all kinds of industries.  I get to hear ideas and suggestions that I never would have thought about on my own.  I attend luncheons with speakers that I likely would not have heard of otherwise. 

So, if you’re out there reading this and you’re feeling a little lost, unfulfilled or maybe you just want a way to get more involved in the community and meet some helpful, entertaining, and/or awesome people, I recommend checking out New View’s next event.  It’ll be May 5^th (Cinco de Mayo, come have a drink before eating your weight in nachos at the nearest Mexican restaurant).  Or, if you’d prefer, you can email me at outreach@wdmnewview.org to get some information on the next Outreach Committee meeting.   Hope to see you there!

Lindsey Mathews

New View Outreach Chair

outreach@wdmnewview.org

New View’s Networking on the Green

Exciting new event for New View!

Get out your polos and khakis and mark your calendars for Friday, June 3^rd!  New View has partnered with The Principal Charity Classic to bring you New View’s Networking on the Green.  The details are still being worked out but we can tell you it will be an exciting and relaxing afternoon of meeting key executives and business owners in the area followed by some casual networking and then a free concert!  All of this surrounded by the excitement of the Principal Charity Classic! Plus, your ticket gets you into Friday’s at the Fountain in West Glen after the concert.  Tell your boss you are going to an afternoon networking meeting, park your car at Gino’s in West Glen, grab a free lunch (did I mention that was included too?) then hop on the shuttle bus to Glen Oaks.  New View has your Friday night covered!

We will be extending invitations to YPC as well, making this a regional event.  There will only be 100 tickets available so make sure you snatch up enough tickets for you and your friends when they go on sale.  Follow New View on Facebook (www.facebook.com/newviewwdm) for more details and be the first one to know when tickets are available.

Again, we can’t stress enough, this is a casual event.  That doesn’t mean ripped jeans and T-shirts, but if you show up to a golf course in June in black three piece suit you might stick out a little, in a bad way.

Brad Phillips

Vice-Chair, New View