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Networking Naturally - NU Club of DC, March 2011
1. Networking Naturally
Northwestern University Club of DC
Carol Ross
March 10, 2011
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3. Biggest Networking Challenges
• Starting a conversation, making it
meaningful
• Follow-up, keeping in contact
• Meeting the “right” people
• Time to network
• Introversion
• Introducing myself
3
16. Create a Compelling Profile
• Photo
• More than a resume
• Memorable, differentiated
“I love to play
the role of “Call me Portfolio
“technical Surgeon””
detective””
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17. Example: Jason
“Why can’t it be done?” Answering this question has shaped
my life and career. As long as I can remember, I’ve been able to
see possibilities and then inspire people to join me to make
them a reality.
In high school, an interest in Christian rock music spurred an
effort to bring a concert to our town and led to an event
attended by hundreds.
In college, I shared a vision for a fraternity that held itself to a
higher standard. We founded that fraternity and ultimately
received national recognition for our efforts.
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18. Example: Jason
Today, I focus on the reinvention of people and companies.
After years in executive recruiting, I wondered why recruiting
services couldn’t be offered in a more customer-friendly way.
I started my own business and found a way to do it.
My entrepreneurial recruiting venture didn’t make me rich,
but it led me to conclude that corporate human resources
were broken. As an HR leader, I have rebuilt teams and
designed talent management processes in a organization
where the idea of talent didn’t at first exist.
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19. Example: Jason
In a company that didn’t talk brand, I led an effort to rebuild
the corporate brand. When it was revealed, the CEO said,
“Someone finally put into words what I have always felt but
couldn’t say.”
I have a calling to reinvent Human Resources. I do this by
being an HR leader who connects HR to business and
teaches others how to do the same. I also volunteer my time
and talent to empower the HR profession to achieve
something greater (e.g. www.HRReinvention.com). My work
is far from done.
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27. Biggest Networking Challenges
• Starting a conversation, making it
meaningful
• Follow-up, keeping in contact
• Meeting the “right” people
• Time to network
• Introversion
• Introducing myself
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28. Networking is….. a process of
deepening relationships, initiated through
curiosity, unattached to outcome, guided
by energy, and driven by the possibility of
what can be created with another human
being.
It unfolds over time, sometimes years, and
rewards us with clients, collaborators,
partnerships, and better lives.
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PRINCIPLE: Successful networkers focus on building trust..
PRINCIPLE: Successful networkers are gracious.
READ THEN ANALYZE AS FOLLOWSParagraph 1 is his “Hook.” It’s intended to grab the reader’s attention while setting up the value he delivers. It uses the power of the defining idea. It differentiates, and sets the main theme against which all action unfolds.In writing your hook, it’s useful to isolate a central belief or attribute that has continually been tied to your career success and the difference you make in your work. Use simple and clear words to describe the value you deliver.Paragraph 2 starts his backstory with an early success in turning “why not” into a success. Backstory starts with the earliest realization or demonstration of what it is that you do well and enjoy doing. It’s often tied to your sense of purpose and represents a central them in your life… Jason’s story shows how his purpose played out in high school and college.. In starting your backstory look at your work and life history as a learning journey; then capture the key moments and experiences which tie to the value you deliver today. ----------------------------------------------------------------------People who see Jason’s summary get drawn in by the opening and want to read on..
Jason’s next paragraphs take us to more recent events and perspectives. It continues to tie together past events in a way that gives a picture of where he is now, how he work, and his motivations. In developing your backstory, choose formative experiences. These may have involved turning points that resulted in key insights to move your development forward. Again, the idea is to get the reader clear on how your past development impacts what you do now. As well, it should set the stage for the final paragraph of your story.
The next to last paragraph establishes credibility. If you can do this in your story, it makes it more powerful.Finally, Jason’s last paragraph gives us a glimpse of where he is headed, and how he wants to continue making a difference.In crafting your closing paragraph, think aspiration. It is you chance to leave the reader with a sense of the “driving force” that will energize you while providing the best “experience” for your audience….
PRINCIPLE: Successful networkers offer up value first, before asking for anything.
Emotion!Again stories evoke emotion and an emotional connection! Story hooks the reader, draws him in, and gets remembered. -------------------------------------------------------------------------It’s said that the best brands, whether a company, like Starbucks, or a person, like Cherare attractive and form an emotional connection with their audiences… (And not always a positive one, for the strongest brands repel as well as attract…)But let’s focus on attract. Attraction does not come just from a great value proposition or tag line or good looks… it comes from a great story..Story hooks the reader, draws him in, and gets remembered. It also establishes the basis for becoming known, liked and trusted….