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I am currently attending my 25th college reunion at Stanford University. It is day #3 of a 4-day extravaganza. Stanford really knows how to host a grand event.

I had the opportunity to attend two special events facilitated by classmate Andy Chan. Andy had run career services for Stanford Business School for several years until he was recently whisked away by Wake Forest University to build an exciting new platform of integrating personal and professional development into the college experience.

1. Career and Life Visioning workshop
2. Career Networking event

While attending Andy’s group networking event, I made several terrific new contacts that I am keen to develop into potential relationships. I also gained a few new insights from Andy about networking, what it is and what it isn’t and how to do it even better. I felt compelled to share what I learned from Andy with all of you.

Here are some pearls of wisdom about networking from Andy Chan:

1. networking is about building relationships one person at a time;
2. it’s takes a curious mind – ask a lot of questions about the other person, listen carefully and have a “helping heart.” Look for ways in which you can help each other;
3. gather information while you network with other people;
4. networking is like gardening – it takes time for beautiful things to grow;
5. be strategically thoughtful about introducing yourself and deciding in advance who you want to connect with.

Networking Insights for Job-Seekers

Andy also introduced the EPA method of networking when you are looking for a job.  Rather than the difficult task of calling people to tell them you are out of work and looking for a job, Andy suggested that you ask your networking contacts for:

1. E = Experience. “What your experience, what do you think would be required to do a job like that?”
2. P = Perspective. “From your perspective, what is the most important attributes to bring to the table?”
3. A = Advice. “What advice would you have for me in this situation?”

Andy also suggests that job-seekers ask very straight-forward questions, such as “Be honest with me, do you think I have a shot at this job opportunity?” If they answer no, then ask “What experiences, knowledge or other skills do you think I need to acquire to be a serious candidate for such a position?”

If Andy is correct and networking is like gardening, then why do so many people approach it like shopping for take-out food at the grocery store or drive through fast food. They next time you feel hungry for new connections, remember the gardening metaphor. It’s time to till the soil, plant the seeds and nurture your relationships over time. Then and only then will you reap the true rewards of an influential professional network.

For more tips on networking, please visit our resource page.

I recently attended a networking outing as the guest of Reid and Riege’s Womens Alliance. It was a day of “golf for non-golfers” at the Tumble Brook country club in Bloomfield, CT.  I was the guest of estate planning attorney Ingi-Mai Loorand. I made some great new business connections and had a ball. My score didn’t matter, in fact, we really didn’t keep score. We just enjoyed each others company and a day out of the office.

It got me thinking….

Do men and women network differently?

Of course we do. We think differently; we communicate differently; and we relate differently. Even our brains  work differently. (see John Medina’s book Brain Rules – chapter on gender differences).

Occasionally during my workshops on networking skill development, a man will ask me if my networking methods and techniques are more effective with women.

It has been my observation that women tend to build relationships through conversation, while men tend to build relationships through activity. Read the rest of this entry »

Talking to strangers is good for you, your business and your career!

One of my favorite books on networking is from Keith Ferrazzi. It’s called Never Eat Alone and other secrets to success one relationships at a time.

It made me think more deeply about building a more powerful network by fully leveraging my present network, re-activating my past network, and yes, talking to strangers.

It’s worked for me. If this is something that you need to do as well, click through for some practical networking tips to help you get started right now.

…about networking at least. Your mother’s intention in telling you not to talk to strangers was to protect from bad people and bad things happening.

The intention of this article is to show how networking (even with strangers) can bring good people into your life and create good things for you and your business.

Why talk to strangers? Your future success will depend on more than just what you know; it will rely on who you know.

Your sphere of influence can grow exponentially as you leverage your past, present and future network. So talking to strangers is one way to grow your future network.

Why network? Networking is an essential part of … Read the rest of this entry »

You should have been there. Over 800 professional and business women gathering at the Business Women’s Forum in Hartford, CT. ABC News’ Good Morning America anchor, Robin Roberts shared her ideas and experiences, her philosophy and delightful sense of humor to help us all bounce back from these challenging economic times. Ms. Roberts inspired us with her advice to “put yourself in position for good things to happen to you.” She believes that “proximity is power” and that you need to “dream big and focus small.” This is the attitude and actions that have helped her build a stellar college basketball record, a successful career in sports journalism with ESPN and her current success as a national anchor on Good Morning America.

She advised us to remember our own steps to success and to find a way to “make your mess your message.” A survivor of breast cancer, Ms. Roberts reminded us that difficult times are only chapters of our life, they are not our life story. “Allow your experiences to change you” but not define you. Read the rest of this entry »