Austin.BloggersPub

There are so many reasons to do volunteer work, and to serve on not-for-profit boards. One of those reasons is the knowledge and experience you gain from doing the work, as well as the knowledge and experience that you share.

There are really two schools of thought when it comes to board service. Some say you should only serve in roles that are outside of your regular line of work so that you gain new skills and experience. For example, if you’re a CPA don’t serve as the treasurer. The other school of thought says that you should leverage your strengths, and simply do what you’re best at where you’ll have the greatest impact. Depending on your needs and the needs of the organizations you’re working with I think you can decide what makes the most sense on a case by case basis.

Regardless of your current professional status, almost any type of board service will give you the ability to demonstrate your current skills and talents. In discussions you’ll able to refer to your previous experience to help guide your organization to better decisions. As you work closely with your fellow board members you’ll develop bonds that will last a long time. If you really apply yourself you’ll likely find that these board relationships become the core of your own network. This often happens because you share a passion, and you’ve had the opportunity to show that you’re a credible professional.

Whether you choose to step outside your comfort zone into a new role or leverage your strengths, the new situations and challenges your organization presents will give you an opportunity think differently and try new things. The skills you’ll develop in these roles and the experience you gain can be invaluable to your career growth. Not to  mention all of this work looks pretty good on a resume as well.

If you’re not already working on a board I hope you’ll seriously consider it. Talk to others who’ve done this kind of work and I’m pretty sure they’ll tell you that you almost always get more than you give.

Happy Networking!

Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

It’s time again for the Board Summit! Twice a year Greenlights for Non-Profits in partnership with Leadership Austin hosts their Board Summit. This is a "board fair" where you’ll have an opportunity to visit with 24 pre-screened not-for-profit organizations who are actively looking for new board members.

I’m a huge believer in non-profit board service. There are so many reasons to do this great work, and there are just as many organizations who could use your talents, expertise and help.

The Fall 2009 event is at the LBJ Library & Museum (2313 Red River St. at the University of Texas). The reception begins at 5:45pm and includes plenty of good munchies, beer and wine. Registration is just $35.

Don’t forget that in addition to networking with local non-profits you’ll also have an opportunity to connect with 150 other business professionals and community leaders. This event is not to be missed! Register today… because I said so!!

Happy Networking!

Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

Many people tell me that they’re just uncomfortable at networking events. Especially large happy hours or mixers where the feel intimidated when it seems that everyone is already talking with someone else.

For these folks, and for anyone else for that matter, I recommend the networking event buddy system. Here’s how it works:

Find a business friend. This could be on of your clients, someone in a complimentary business whom you frequently work with, or just someone you’ve been networking with for a while. Ideally it’s someone who has worked with you for a while and can effectively brag on you… This system doesn’t work nearly as well if you implementy this system with a co-worker.

Bring your new networking buddy to those events that you’re intimidated by. Now, whenever you meet someone new introduce your buddy to that person, and allow them to introduce you. The beauty of this is that you essentially never have to introduce yourself, and your buddy can brag on you in ways that would send people screaming from the building if you tried saying them about yourself.

Once you’ve gotten comfortable with a few opening conversations it’s time to divide and conquer. Split up and start engaging in your own conversations. This happens more naturally once you’ve gotten into the swing of the event as one conversation winds down and your introduced to someone new.

If you ever feel like you’ve been isolated you can always walk back over to your buddy who can introduce you again to the person you’ve just met.

You can do this through the entire event and have a blast meeting new people with your built-in third party testimonial/endorsement.

Give it a try and let me know how you like it.

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

It seems I’ve been speaking an awful lot lately (that’s not a complaint, as I love speaking). Last night was a new experience. I spoke to a group of about 60 students at Texas State University’s Public Relations Student Society of America (PRSSA). Somehow this was the first time I’ve had the opportunity to speak with students. What a blast!

They were hyper engaged, asked great questions and hopefully really learned a lot about what networking really is and how it works in the real world.

Their Twitter comments were certainly flattering (If you’re on Twitter follow them. They’re sharp!):

Cayers05: listening to @scottingram speak about networking at PRSSA at #txst! He is awesome!

 

 

maisaguiar: At #txstateprssa meeting learning about networking with @ScottIngram

 

 

NoamKrig: Scott Ingram media specialist to TSU students: stay in touch with each other you can never know who will become what http://pic.gd/5b39

K_Schmidt: Ive taken more notes than I did in class. RT@dquack Loving how the @txstateprssa students are really listening to @scottingram presentation.

Of course all of the bits about my being "funny" were qualified. In talking with them afterwords I came to learn that I’m really just hyper funny compared to their average dull college professors. Oh well, I’ll take what I can get.

You can find a copy of the presentation here: Networking for College Students.

Thank you Dara Quackenbush (@dquack) for the invitation. I hope it was all you had hoped for.

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

When it comes to networking at events I frequently hear advice along the lines of: Don’t talk to people you know, you should be focused on meeting new people.

I completely disagree with this advice. Only talking with co-workers whom you see everyday is one thing (I don’t recommend you spend a lot of time with them), but having the opportunity to reconnect with people you’ve met before at events makes tons of sense. First of all, when was the last time you had an opportunity to visit or chat with them? What a great opportunity to touch base in person and deepen your relationship.

Here’s where everyone asks: But what about meeting new people? I won’t meet new people if I only talk with the people I already know.

You’ll actually have better opportunities to meet new people when you’re visiting with your friends. Just make sure you appear to be open to having people join your conversation. Don’t stand directly face to face and appear closed off. Instead stand next to each other which is a way of inviting more people to join you. When someone comes up you now have an opportunity to introduce each other rather than giving your own self focused elevator pitch. You’ll frequently find that your networking buddy will say nicer things about you than you can get away with saying about yourself. Now you’ve made a new connection and already have some built in credibility as provided by your friend. Now be sure you do the same thing for them.

This is a highly effective strategy once you’ve been networking for a while. You’ll start to see numerous people you’ve met before. In one event you may find that you’re able to reconnect with a half-dozen or more people you’ve met before, and meet some new people in the process. All of this over the course of an event that is just a couple of hours long. This may be even more effective than if you’d tried to call those same people… You’d probably get their voicemail anyway.

Give it a try. Which works better for you? Only talking to people you’ve never met at a networking event, or taking the opportunity to reconnect with those you have. Which is more fun and enjoyable?

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

Matt Genovese

I wear a number of hats, and one is that of an engineer.  As such, I love talking to other engineers about professional networking.  Why?  Because most of my brethren don’t do it, at least on purpose.  Granted, I am trying my best to reach them through door64.com - the technology community I started a couple years ago - but there’s still much work to be done.

One non-obvious reason for engineers to network is simply to expand their horizons.  Speaking for engineers, it’s easy for us to pigeonhole ourselves, daily captivated in the details of scan chains, assembly code, hold time violations, virtualization, and the like.  But it’s rare among engineers to be knowledgeable across domains, which is especially valuable in adjacent industries that supply to or buy from companies in one’s industry.  Gaining an awareness of another company’s business model, products, and challenges are easily within the scope of a conversation at a networking event, and this understanding can help engineers become more well-informed and valuable in their own job.

In addition, chatting with others about their technology and related issues can yield ideas about their own engineering problems.  More often than not, a seemingly revolutionary idea in one domain is just a reapplication of a solution from another domain.  Networking between technologists can get the brain juices flowing, and since engineers are natural problem-solvers, they may leave the event with a new insight into their own technical challenges.

So do me a favor and encourage your engineering friends to leave the lab and network.  They may just walk away with more insight than they ever saw coming!

–

Matt Genovese is the founder of door64.com, a community of over six thousand technology professionals in Central Texas with the goal of helping members become more well-connected with each other and the local tech scene.  He consults on community building, and blogs at BrainshowerConsulting.com.  Matt and his family have lived in Austin for 11 years, and he enjoys Drupal, biking, and chocolate…but not necessarily at the same time.

We are just starting to work on the next NetworkInAustin Gives project. The Wurst Ride is coming on Saturday, November 7th, benefiting the Bob Woodruff Foundation. There are numerous ways that you can get involved in this fun little project of ours.

Ride

Join the NetworkInAustin.com Wurst Team and ride either 100K or 50K from Austin to New Braunfels. Riders will be treated to a scenic view of rural Texas the foot of the Texas Hill Country. Five rest stops between Austin and New Braunfels will provide plenty of refreshments for all participants and a post-ride party in New Braunfels will wrap up the party. Sausage and beer for everyone!

It’s just $60 to ride if you register before 10/14. Don t forget to indicate sign-up as a member of team NetworkInAustin.com. Register Here

Volunteer

We’ll be sponsoring the 5th and final rest stop and we need volunteers. Help make sure everyone coming through has a blast and gets the water and nourishment they need to make it to the finish. There’s no cost to get involved as a volunteer, just a willingness to have fun and do a little work.

Rest Stop Co-Sponsor

We’ve negotiated a special opportunity for you to co-sponsor the 5th, final and BEST rest stop on the ride with us. For just $300 you ll get all of the following:

• Signage at the rest stop
• Recognition on T-shirts and web site
• Direct access to over 1,000 cyclists on the day of the event
• Opportunity to place literature or "give-away" in gift bag given to registered cyclists and other sponsors

If you’re interested please e-mail me and we can talk about the details (scott /at/ networkinaustin.com).

Party!

Ok, so you don’t want to ride or volunteer and a co-sponsorship isn’t for you? Why don’t you just join us for the sausage and beer party at the end? This option is available as well for just $30. Register Here

Who said you can’t have a whole lot of fun (and beer and sausage) while doing good in the community and building your network? Please get involved and join us. Just let us know which of these 4 options is for you.

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

If you’re reading this blog my guess is that you probably belong to at least a couple of different organizations. Maybe it’s a Chamber of Commerce or a professional association.

All too often I hear people complain that they don’t get anything out of being part of these organizations. Yet when pressed these same individuals really aren’t engaged in these groups. They might attend a meeting here and there, but they’re really missing the big opportunities that come from involvement.

For each organization you’re a member of decide just how time and energy you’re willing to commit. If you’re not going to be involved, it may not make sense to a be a member unless you view your membership as a charitable contribution or are just wanting to show your support for the community.

Develop your own organization by organization plan. What meetings and events will you attend? How else will you be involved? Will you serve on or chair a committee, volunteer in another capacity that will allow you to demonstrate your talents and skills or perhaps you even want to work yourself into a position on the board of directors.

Don’t be afraid to talk with the leadership of your group. Ask how you can be most helpful or what their biggest needs are. You may also wish to share what you hope to gain from your involvement. Being transparent and asking is generally better than keeping your motivations a secret. Often times you’ll find that the leadership is more than willing to help you get what you want simply by asking. Certainly that won’t happen if you’re not open about your own needs. Of course you need to be just as willing to help the organization accomplish their own goals if you expect this kind of treatment.

Hopefully these suggestions will help you maximize each of your own memberships.

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

Congratulations to the members of the 2010 Class of Leadership Austin who are just beginning an incredible journey together:

• Melissa Anthony  -  Anthony Barnum
• Richard Archer  -  Archer Investment Management
• Stacy Armijo  -  Pierpont Communications, Inc.
• Susan Armstrong  -  Texas Land Trust Council
• Shetay Ashford  -  Dell Inc.
• Susan Avant  -  Avenue One Properties
• Joanie Bentzin  -  Boxcar Holdings, Inc.
• Sue Breland  -  Breland Facilitation
• Suzi Brown  -  GSD&M
• Jim Bryce  -  DLA Piper
• Andy Bucknall  -  Austin Travis County MHMR Center
• Michael  Cannatti  -  Hamilton & Terrile, LLP
• Bryan Case  -  Travis County District Attorney’s Office
• Anthony Chapple  -  Texas Department of Aging and Disability Services
• Abigail Donovan  -  Junior League of Austin
• Julie Dye  -  Zimmer Spine
• Tab Ebrahim  -  HulseyIP Intellectual Property Lawyers
• Daniel Estrada  -  Texas Legislative Budget Board
• Dave Floyd  -  W. David Floyd, PLLC
• Tracy Gartenmann  -  American Society of Addiction Medicine
• Eva Garza-Nyer  -  Austin ISD
• Sister Teresa George  -  Seton Family of Hospitals
• Vijay George  -  LCRA
• Janis Gernert  -  The Austin Children’s Shelter
• Nina Godiwalla  -  Banyan Meditation
• Chad Goldwasser  -  Goldwasser Real Estate/Goldwasser Institute
• Eric Hepburn  -  The University of Texas at Austin
• Sara Hickman  -  Sleeveless
• Michael  Inabinet  -  HNTB Corp.
• Dennise Jackson  -  Texas CASA, Inc.
• Nahid Khataw  -  Accurate CAD and Technical Services, Inc.
• Dave Knoll  -  Resolve Development
• Karen LaShelle  -  Theatre Action Project
• Cory Leahy  -  The University of Texas at Austin
• Joy Legan  -  St. David’s Community Health Foundation
• Gerry Lewis  -  Seton Family of Hospitals
• Katherine Loayza  -  Jackson Walker L.L.P.
• Andrea Marsh  -  Texas Fair Defense Project
• Chelsea McCullough  -  MPOWER Labs, Inc
• Jerele Neeld  -  Dell Inc.
• Suzanha Pena  -  Goodwill Industries of Central Texas Inc.
• Jason Qunell  -  Capital One Bank
• Armando Rayo  -  United Way Capital Area
• Sharon Reddehase  -  Double Line Partners
• Gail Romney  -  Ballet Austin
• Jenifer Sarver  -  Burson-Marsteller
• John Sepehri  -  Texas Secretary of State
• Sarah Stasney-Chun  -  Silicon Valley Bank
• Dave Swincher  -  Junior Achievement of Central Texas
• Ryan Therrell  -  The Beck Group
• Javier Valdez  -  ERCOT, Inc
• Tanya Vazquez  -  Hillco Partners
• Yasmin Wagner  -  Advanced Micro Devices
• Colin Wallis  -  Lance Armstrong Foundation
• David Whittlesey  -  Andrews & Kurth, LLP

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

Do You Network Randomly? Are you building relationships with people that you meet at random or do you know who you want in your network?

Networking can be a very time consuming activity, and it takes time to build relationships. If you build your networking relationships completely at random you could be spending valuable time that would be better invested in building a more deliberate network. It helps to first have an understanding of what you want to accomplish through your networking efforts. Who can help you in those efforts, and who can you help to pay it forward?

For most it will be easiest to describe these individuals by their titles and roles. In other words what they "do." However, it’s important not to only focus on these attributes. Give some thought to the type of person your wanting to get to know. Personally I look for intelligent, thoughtful and caring people. Individuals who are willing to help me, the same way I’m willing to help them. People who will follow through and be true to their word. At the same time you may wish to have some disqualifying attributes as well. Who don’t you want in your network? I’m not interested in those who lack integrity or are only concerned about themselves.

When you can clearly articulate who you want in your network it’s easier to know when you’ve met the right person. Better yet, you can begin to ask your existing network to introduce you to these types of individuals. They can accelerate the growth of these deliberate connections, and help with a lot of pre-screening and pre-qualifying of the more personal attributes which you probably won’t find listed on their LinkedIn profile.

To give you a better sense here are some of the types of people that I most enjoy building relationships with:

• Successful Business Executives and Owners
• B2B Sales & Marketing Professionals
• Great Networkers and Resources
• Major Community Leaders/Contributors (time and money)

Hopefully this gives you something to think about as you build your own network. This purposeful approach may help you get where you’re going just a little faster. Please note that I still encourage a certain amount of random networking because, well, you just never know. A diverse network is important as well.

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com