You want a useful professional network? Then you need people in it. You need more people in your network than there are now? Then you should meet new people...and get them to want to spend time with you. And that’s probably where I lost you… One of the biggest challenges in building a strong professional network is that we have to bring new people into it. And let’s face it, meeting new people can be tough. It takes a lot of energy to start and develop a conversation with a complete stranger. It’s especially daunting when you feel that you have to carry the bulk of the weight and be conversationally awesome. Luckily, you … [Read more...]
5 Places You Should be Networking this Summer
I don't know about you, but once the thermometer hits 80 degrees the last thing I want to do is put on a suit and go to a networking event. Here in the Midwest, we try to squeeze in as much fun as we can in our seemingly too short summer. But that doesn't mean your networking should slow down in the summer. In fact, it should be hotter then ever; everyone's in great mood and there's a lot more sunshine! You just have to go where the people are. Here are 5 great places to network when the sun is out: 1. Cookouts Whether it's for your neighborhood association, your kid's little league team, or your church picnic, summer cookouts are … [Read more...]