What is networking?
Dictionary.com defines the noun as: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest and the verb as: to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position.
I take it a step further by merging the two definitions in the forming of FOCM Networking. This is a site (system) for sharing information and services among individuals who have a diverse range of interests for the purpose of helping each other more than just professionally, but also socially and financially.
What is networking?
Dictionary.com defines the noun as: a supportive system of sharing information and services among individuals and groups having a common interest and the verb as: to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position.
I take it a step further by merging the two definitions in the forming of FOCM Networking. This is a site (system) for sharing information and services among individuals who have a diverse range of interests for the purpose of helping each other more than just professionally, but also socially and financially.
For you business and vacation travelers, something to be aware of:
http://www.cnn.com/2016/07/13/health/eastward-jet-lag-worse/
A colleague of mine working for a service provider in the clinical research industry approached me to see if I could help them ensure an audience for a promotional and educational event they were hosting in the Raleigh area. This is a perfect example of using my network and passion for connecting people to good use.
By being an active networker, I have also met people similar to me. So in the above case I reached out to one of them, also in the industry as well as reached out via email to people I thought would be interested in attending. I also did a reminder email the day of the event.
As is well known in the advertising and promotion world, sometimes it’s hard to pin down which communication inspired people to respond. The host of the event may have emailed some of the same people as I did.
I did a count and of the 30 attendees, 9 were people I had reached out to.
I am working on a business model for such a service. What would you be willing to pay for such a service?
Remember, networking is a two way street. Do not underestimate the importance about getting to know the person you met. This blog by Whitney Johnson was seen on LinkedIn. I liked how open and talkative the student was; however, he never asked her anything!
Returning home recently from a consulting engagement in Tampa, I found myself stranded, late at night, in the Washington Dulles airport. The small regional airline I was counting on for a puddle jump never came through. Eventually, the airline loaded all nine passengers into a van, and shuttled us the two hours to Shenandoah Regional airport.
One of my fellow travelers was a student at a local university. Upon discovering that we lived fewer than three miles apart, he asked me for a ride for the final leg home. I happily agreed.
During our 45 minute drive, I learned a lot about him: his name, where he grew up, where he goes to school, his major, what his parents do for a living, his own career aspirations when he graduates in a few months. We even discovered that we have an acquaintance in common.
So there I was, up in Raleigh, NC again for meetings and a FOCM networking event was organized. The date, June 30, 2015; the location: San Jose Tacos & Tequila in Brier Creek Shops.
San Jose Tacos & Tequila
A big group showed up. Michelle Jacobson, after more than a year on FOCM Membership probationary status, received her Membership Card. And as it turned out, I also had neglected to capture on camera Sarah Meister’s card ceremony. Sarah has been a member in good standing for quite a while and a frequent attendee of events. The first time FOCM event attendee, John Icardi received his card. John and I hadn’t seen each other in quite a while and ran into each other on a plane, I think, or at a conference and reconnected.
In the group photo (L:R): John Icardi, Pippa Wilson, Renee Brown, Peter Payne, Nick Macaulay, Christina Alexander Smith, Mike Markowitz, Gayle Grandinetti Mark Mickunas, Michelle Jacobson, Denee Oakley, Vince Hoefling, Rosina Maar Pavia and event organizer.
It was a hot few days in June 2015 when FOCM Networking went to Washington, DC for the annual Drug Information Association annual convention. In a stunning, at least to the more seasoned veterans of attending DIA social events, the performer at the ERT and TransPerfect party was Snoop Dogg and Doug E Fresh. I was shocked to see co-workers of mine excited beyond my belief and rushing the stage and singing all the words to his songs!!! These are people I thought were pillars of their communities, respected scientists and project managers and they knew all the words to these songs!!!
Former ICON co-worker Mark Eberhardt got his FOCM Card, Casey Piccirillo who I worked with at YPrime got her card, as did Jennifer Brown in a re-do from an earlier photo (she may have lost her original card). Allen Wooten went to high school with my daughter. The YPrime crew on the last day of DIA were looking surprisingly chipper.
On May 27-28 found me staffing the YPrime exhibit at Arena International’s Outsourcing in Clinical Trials East Coast meeting in King of Prussia, PA. There were many FOCM members attending and proudly wearing the FOCM Sticker on their name badges. Six people received their FOCM membership cards: Ellen Bloome, Elizabeth Van Etten, Linda Mooney, Eric Monroe, Rachel Daniel and Michele Ross.
On May 6, 2015 while traveling to San Francisco for a client meeting, I ran into Tom Gottschalk (also a North Carolinian) with Rx Solutions who was also going to San Francisco. So, of course I invited him to the FOCM event I was having at TasteVin Wine Bar & Bistro in San Carlos, CA. TasteVin is one of the “recommended businesses” (see tab on FOCMnetworking.com home page). TasteVin is owned by FOCM member Sue Simpson.
Tom received his FOCM member card in a very solemn ceremony. Just visible under his FOCM card is the FOCM sticker in the window at TasteVin (located at 890 Laurel St. in San Carlos).
Witnessing this event were FOCM members: Claudia Kunzler, Cindy Howry and Sue Simpson.
On April 29, 2015, Jennifer Brown officially received her FOCM card. She had received one before, but we felt like perhaps it hadn’t followed the proper procedures. I’ve known Jen for 3+ years. She has been in business development for the language translation segment of the clinical research industry for over 8 years. She now works for SDL. She is a card carrying FOCM member and therefore has access to all the benefits of membership.
From April 29, 2015, this once thought lost-forever photo of Steve Jacobs speaking to a room of empty chairs has surfaced. With a tip of the hat towards Bud Light’s Real Men of Genius series: FOCM salutes Steve for his indefatigable (I’ve been waiting for many years for the chance to use that $20 word) leadership role in the Global Clinical Supply Group.
I am way overdue in posting these pictures of happy FOCM members showing off their membership cards. Maybe it’s because they know they might be entitled to a free drink if they show their card before another member shows theirs.
The first picture is Florentina Silva with her card at the Global Clinical Supply Group meeting in San Antonio, TX. She showed her card in the bar and in return she received a free drink.
Rosie Filling was at another industry meeting where she ran into FOCM member Shawn Blackburn and they had a picture taken showing that FOCM members are everywhere.
