Archive for June, 2009
Is Your View of Money Gnostic?
Closed Published by Jonathan Dodson June 30th, 2009 on Creation Project
Many of us have a gnostic view of money. Community is good; giving is bad. Missi0n is great; money evil. Prayer and Bible reading are truly spiritual, business, finance, and administration are sub-spiritual. This is not a biblical view of the world. We were baptised into one faith and one Lord who is both Creator […]
Ever since being totally hooked on the move Love Actually, I am a big fan of airports. Happy or sad, they are places filled with emotional reunions and tearful goodbyes. DW was late yesterday and MK and I sat coffee in hand and watched the men anxiously waiting with bouquets in their hands. It makes me […]
Oxford University Press recently sent me a copy of the Oxford Bible Atlas 4th edition by Adrian Curtis. Unlike a lot of atlases, this one does not overwhelm with lots of text or underwhelm with too many photos. The photography is stunning and the commentary concise and insightful, providing rich historical detail regarding the time […]
Wewere talking the other night about marriage. We like to think we’re pretty good at it so far. We do a lot of married things, but also are just such good friends we love being around each other. We bicker all the time – we think it’s funny to always disagree, make bets, impose punishments, […]
As we made our way down 6th street around 6pm, things were just starting to pick up. More people. More sounds. More cars. Well, at least more than when we were there hours earlier for our church gathering at The Parish. We made our way up the stairs to The Parish to find a transformed […]
Networking is NOT an Event
Closed Published by Business Networking in Austin Blog June 28th, 2009 on Business Networking in Austin BlogNetworking is not an event… It’s a lifestyle.
It’s not something you do only when you’re looking for your next job, big contract or when you’re desperately trying to make a sales quota and your other opportunities have run dry. No, networking is about building trust in relationships over the long-term.
Unfortunately there are a lot of folks who come onto the scene every now and then to mine their networks only when they need something. Then when they’ve found what they’re looking for they disappear again until the next time they have a need.
I see this behavior most frequently among job seekers. They become really active when they need their next job. Once they land that job nobody hears ever from them again. This is certainly understandable in the first few months of a new role. Eventually it’s important to maintain some level of consistency in your networking efforts or you’ll just be seen as a taker. If your network sees you as a taker then you can soon expect them to stop helping you.
The job market is a very different place than it was a generation ago. Statistically you can expect to need to look for a new job every 3-5 years, and 80% of jobs are found through networking (I’m looking for a real source that quantifies this 80% numbers, it’s the most commonly used number, but I don’t know where it came from). With those kinds of numbers it’s easy to see how important networking is, and it’s not going to work if you only do it when you need it.
Networking is a lifestyle, and I believe it’s something you need to work into your regular schedule in a way that fits your style. In my opinion the most powerful form of networking is the networking you do one on one. Sure, being involved in your trade association, the Chamber of Commerce or another community organization is important, but if you’re only going to do one thing make sure you meet with a regular number of people one to one.
Do you do the Starbucks thing most mornings? Once or twice a week invite somebody to join you for your morning cup of coffee. Enjoy eating lunch out? Lunch is my favorite way to get to know someone, and I eat lunch everyday anyway so I’m able to make a traditionally non-productive part of my day incredibly useful. Happy hour after work? It really doesn’t matter which of these you use. Leverage one or more that you already do most consistently.
Define a set number of face to face meetings you’ll schedule each week. At a minimum I recommend the one and one approach. Schedule one meeting (coffee, lunch, drinks, etc.) with someone already in your network who you enjoy spending time with, and can build a deeper relationship with. Schedule a second meeting with someone new that you’ve never visited in-depth with before. This might be someone you’ve known for a while that you’ve just never had an opportunity to sit down with one on one. Better yet this is someone brand new to your network, and the goal here is build your network (just one person at a time). The easiest way to find these folks is to tell those already in your network when you meet with them that you’re doing this. Ask them to suggest someone you should know. It’s that easy. Do this consistently over time and you’re guaranteed to have a strong and always growing network.
Start a habit like this today, and keep it up over time. You’ll thank me one day.
Happy Networking!
-Scott Ingram
NetworkInAustin.com
Thoughts on the Death of Michael Jackson
Closed Published by Jonathan Dodson June 27th, 2009 on Creation ProjectThe life, death, and career of Michael Jackson are now ubiquitous. Turn any media on, and there it is, staring you in the face. I first found out by flipping my cell phone on and staring at the Yahoo headline. It seemed ill-fitting that such news was first shared between me and my phone. It’s […]
Just a little tribute.
#101
My Five Favorite Michael Jackson Songs:
Don’t Stop ‘Til You Get Enough
PYT
Remember the Time
Man in the Mirror
Human Nature
ACL Worship EP RELEASE this Sunday!
Closed Published by Jonathan Dodson June 26th, 2009 on Creation ProjectThis Sunday is the Austin City Life Worship EP release! Lamar Stockton and the Resonate band, as well as JJ Plasencio and the Gateway Band will open. If you are in Austin, plan on joining us for a night of vibrant worship at The Parish, 6pm this Sunday!
Preview the entire EP for free at My […]
When we were chillin’ chilly style up in Utah, I mentioned (more than once, I think, but only found this time) the crazy liquor laws. And it went beyond that. Not being able to drink on election day. Really NEEDING a drink one night and not being able to get one. Inviting guests and forcing […]