Never underestimate another person’s network.

People. They’re all around you. And guess what? They know other people. And it’s through these relationships that you may just find your next job, board member, customer or friend. Whenever I’m meeting someone for the first time, I think about the guy in the old Verizon commercials – the one with the network behind [...]

How do you build relationships if people are scared to talk to you?

I often say that it takes a lot of little impressions to make a big impression.  And it’s with this in mind that I think about the idea of approachability. It’s hard to build relationships when people feel like they can’t even talk to you. Have you ever said hello to people, only to have [...]

The opportunity to network is all around you. Are you paying attention?

Networking doesn’t just happen at formal networking events.  In fact, most of the really good networking is all around you.  You just have to be ready for it.  I went to Sydney and Bali recently.  I love travel, but I especially love international travel!  And because my husband and I have different airline allegiances, I [...]

Why is society shunning the conversation?

It’s just a matter of time.  It’s just a matter of time before we don’t need a voice anymore.  After all, who uses theirs anymore anyway?  We live in a world of online communication.  And what seemed like such a technological breakthrough is on the verge of creating a human breakdown. A friend of mine [...]

Why I don’t talk about The Price Is Right at networking events.

You know what I want to talk about when I go to a networking event?  The Price Is Right.  I love The Price Is Right!!  Absolutely love it!!  Not only do I watch the show, but I have the game loaded on my iPhone.  Nothing makes a workout go faster than running on the treadmill [...]

When is a good time to start networking for a job you saw online?

You just saw a posting for a position.  Great!   Are you ready to start networking your way into the job?  Whoops.  Too late.  You know when you should’ve started networking for the job?  Before they ever posted it.  That’s right.  If you really wanted to work for that company, you should’ve been in the game long [...]

Is 2011 the year you get to know everyone?

I was at a networking function this morning, and ran into Bill – an incredibly genuine and all around fantastic guy. He introduced me to Susan by saying “This is Molly – she knows everyone!”  With an introduction like that, I wasn’t surprised that Susan was interested in connecting with me to continue the conversation. [...]

Networking gone wrong! Completely wrong.

I should have followed my own advice.  But no.  Time was of the essence and I couldn’t afford to wait a moment longer.  What a mistake!  What a HUGE mistake.  It went something like this: I want to get a meeting with Marty, an SVP of a fairly large technology company who shall remain nameless, [...]

What does your story say about you?

I was at a networking event last week.  It was mostly for entrepreneurs and those looking to fund entrepreneurs.  And as I met person after person, I was amazed at what each person’s story said about them. Three people I met happened to be in a job search.  And that was pretty much the second [...]

When it comes to networking, go big or go home!

I was speaking about networking at a conference a couple weeks ago, and I asked the attendees if they enjoyed networking.  One man raised his hand and said “I can’t stand it.  It’s boring.  I don’t meet interesting people.  Frankly, I’d rather stay home.”   And I thought about it for a second, and then said [...]