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.
At the Drug Information Association Annual meeting in San Diego, Peter Benton received his FOCM card. This photo does not adequately capture the sheer joy that Peter experienced during the ceremony. Peter has been diligently working to complete the secret membership requirements for a couple of years. Having finally been deemed worthy, I surprised him with an impromptu card ceremony.
At the Outsourcing in Clinical Trials -East Coast meeting in May two new members joined FOCM. Pete Nieto (in his usual spot in the bar) introduced me to Michele Grabowski and Michele introduced me to Karen Pypniowski. That was one of the quickest time from first meeting to initiation in FOCM that has been ever recorded since the organization first began recording this data. Pete and Michele (Karen’s sponsors) are visible in the background of Karen’s ceremony.
I saw this via LinkedIn and it’s a good article for those over 50 to read about how to adjust your resume.
I saw this on LinkedIn and is a great way of thinking about and running a successful business in this age of information accessibility. It is how Google works.
http://www.slideshare.net/ericschmidt76/how-google-works-final-1
At the Outsourcing in Clinical Trials -East Coast meeting in May, several existing FOCM members were spotted and quite a few new members received their cards. Daneil Dixon was seen setting up her booth but no photos were allowed, Kris Kuhner was walking through the exhibit hall with purpose and Pete Nieto was in the bar. Suzanne Besse and Lisa Banket with Pharmavoice, Pippa Wilson and Christina Alexander Smith with Barrington James and Bryan Clayton with Y-Prime all received their cards in a very busy meeting for FOCM.
One of the benefits of paying one’s annual FOCM Networking membership (an incredible value at $20/year) is that you get either your business or yourself highlighted in the prestigious “Spotlight”. The first Corporate Member Spotlight featured RxTrials where FOCM member Adam Chasse is the COO and the first Member Spotlight featured Vicky Martin. This is the first spotlight to feature both a person and a business – Julia Parker/Julia Parker Designs.
How do I know Julia and when did I first meet her:
I was introduced to Julia electronically through our mutual friend, Kelly O’Brien. Kelly and I worked together for about 10 years. While Julia and I have not met in person, we were several miles apart in June of this year.
Julia’s bio: Julia comes to the FOCM Network via referral from Kelly O’Brien. Julia grew up in Columbia, NC and graduated from NC State University. Julia currently lives in San Diego, CA.
Spotlight
While it was January 2014, when Julia started Julia Parker Designs (http://juliaparkerdesigns.com/), she has been metalsmithing and doing custom work for 4 years. Julia Parker Designs includes something for everyone – men, women and even children. As you’ll see on her website her Numeral Line (http://juliaparkerdesigns.com/?product_cat=numeral) was designed around the numbers one through nine and each of the pieces holds a subtle representation of its number. The meanings for each of the numbers are listed and people can choose the piece that represents the things they are looking for in their lives or they can choose the piece they are drawn to stylistically. Julia also will work with people to determine their number in numerology if they would like to choose a piece based on that or the number of their family. The rings in the collection are unisex so they work for lots of different styles. The bangles are solid and substantial with a very unique style.
The Bond Bangles (http://juliaparkerdesigns.com/?product=fine-silver-bangles-copy) were created to celebrate mothers and daughters but have expanded to celebrate sisters, best friends, bridesmaids and any of the other special women you want to honor in your life. The fine silver aspect of them is great because they never tarnish even if you get them wet. They are also malleable so they conform to the shape of your wrist and really become yours.
If you’re looking for a gift for someone with a new baby girl coming along the As She Grows (http://juliaparkerdesigns.com/?product=as-she-grows-fine-silver-bangles) bangles are great because they celebrate the stages of a little one’s life. These are also made from fine silver and they can passed down for generations to come.
Julia Parker Designs also has some fun earrings (http://juliaparkerdesigns.com/?product_cat=earrings) on the site. And she absolutely love to do custom work. It’s important for her to know the people who will be wearing her work and she wants to put the thought of them into their pieces.
I spotted this great article on LinkedIn by Pam Ross. She offers great tips on how to get better at networking. A summary is:
Use Twitter: to join chats about things you are interested in, to search for people locally, follow event hashtags and attend them.
Use her rule of 3: look for odd-numbered groups of people: 1, 3 or 5, set a small goal of meeting 3 people
Think of how you can help people connect with other people in your network.
The full article can be found at:
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140930103316-12715656-how-i-stopped-sucking-at-networking
I spotted this on LinkedIn, written by Bruce Kasanoff . He is a ghostwriter for entrepreneurs and executives, see his website at: Kasanoff.com. He is the author of How to Self-Promote without Being a Jerk. If you haven’t worked for such a boss, you’re lucky.
The full article can be found at: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/article/20140930184113-36792-quit-if-your-ceo-talks-like-this?trk=tod-home-art-list-large_0
Bruce says: Here’s how to spot a CEO who is in over his or her head: they still think business is a zero-sum game in which you try to screw everyone else. You can tell such leaders because they often give speeches according to this crude formula:
Full-time Clinical Project Manager needed for an Oncology/Immunology Project. The study will last for 6 years.
Also a Project Assistant is needed for this project as well. Ideal locations for both positions are RTP, NC and San Diego, CA.
If interested in more information send an email and/or your resume to chris@focmnetworking.com and it will be submitted to the organization managing this trial.
On March 26, FOCM held an event at Fortnight Brewing Company in Cary, NC to welcome Martin Cleary. Martin has been a member of FOCM for many years, but on this particular night, he officially received his membership card. As you can well imagine, it was a tearful moment, but they were tears of sheer joy. In the first picture are from L to R, Martin Cleary, Mike Burrows, Kelly O’Brien, Gayle Grandinetti, Carrie Gallagher. In the second photo are: 1/2 of Bill Newcomb, Ari Cofini, the Chairman and Martin.
