FOCM Networking is headed to Greece for an in-depth observational study of that country’s approach to networking. I have been training for this all summer and feel very prepared.
I will spend the week on the island of Rhodes, which looks to be the easternmost island (not counting Cyprus) in the Greek islands.
On the agenda is lounging poolside learning to communicate with our Scottish hosts, dining out amongst the local peoples, listening, talking, eating, drinking and observing behavior and attire on the beaches.
FOCM will be back in the USA September 7.

Here is an example of not missing any opportunity or place to network. This event occurred at a Sunday church service and was initiated by the mother of a recent college graduate. You never know who you might meet at an event and whether or not they know of someone who is hiring for just the skill set or education that you or a friend of yours might have.

Submitted by a FOCM member

Her son graduated from Penn State with a degree in Civil Engineering. At Sunday church service the following week, during the “joys and concerns” portion of the service, this proud mother stood up and said: “Our joy is that our son graduated from PSU. Our concern is that he needs a job so if anyone knows of any company that needs a civil engineer, please see me after church.”
After church a woman came up to the mother and said “I am a professor of Civil Engineering at Villanova and I recently received an email from a guy with whom I had done a project. He asked if I had any December grads and I did not. I will let you know if he still is looking.”
A week later the mother received an email from the Professor forwarded from the hiring company. The mother forwarded it to her son and within 2 days he had a phone interview. The company does not use Monster or any of those internet job sites. They only hire from referrals. Three phone interviews, two face-to-face interviews, and 4 weeks post-graduation this young man got a job.

An announcement was sent for FOCM Philadelphia area chapter to meet at Champps on Goddard Rd in King of Prussia, PA, just north of the big mall on August 19, 2013 from 6:00 to 8:00. The turnout was surprisingly good given my typical short notice (about 7 hours before the event) and the fact that *(&%^$ Philadephia traffic delayed my arrival until 6:30. Several new faces attended.
I was too busy talking, eating and drinking to remember any particular points of interest. We really must do it again sometime!

submitted by FOCM Member Mark Mickunas

Here is an interesting article that appeared in the Raleigh News &
Observer on what I am currently involved in at work – Risk-based
Monitoring:

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/08/15/3110740/new-fda-guidelines-could-benefit.html

This is how it happened to the best of my recollection.  An announcement was sent for FOCM RTP (Research Triangle Park, NC) chapter to meet at Serena’s on Miami Blvd in Durham on August 13, 2013 from 5:30 to 8:00.  The Biotech Tuesday group was meeting there as well, so we chose to sit outside under an oscillating misting fan.  First to arrive was Adam Chasse of RxTrials.  RxTrials was just featured in FOCM’s first Company Spotlight earlier this week.  You can check it out at this link: http://www.focmnetworking.com/focm-company-spotlight-rxtrials/

Subsequent arrivals were: Josh Davis, Greg Zak (Greg received his FOCM membership card in the customary traditional & formal ceremony), Phil & June Keicher (June received her FOCM membership card, also in the customary traditional & formal ceremony), Rosina Maar Pavia, Bill Newcomb, Andrew Smith, Mark Paul, Nick Macaulay and Vince Hoefling.

Many things were discussed, major global issues were resolved, but by then I forgot to write anything down, so we’ll have to reconvene at some point in the future.