Category: Networking

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.

Is the sales function obsolete? Not at all

 

Saw this on a LinkedIn posting

The question posed was has the internet taken away the human factor in the selling process.  The answer is a resounding NO!  While some research suggests that 60% of the buying process has been done by the time a sales person is contacted, non-personal/internet cannot do these three things:

1) know the details of the situation and the proposal

2) develop trust and confidence

3) Create the right customer experience

Read more at:

http://www.forbes.com/sites/netapp/2014/02/10/sales-human-factor//

 

FOCM Meeting Minutes January 9, 2014

In a rather rare moment of thinking ahead, I gave more than 24 hours’ notice for the January 9 FOCM Northern Philadelphia Suburbs Chapter Networking meeting.  Under the influence of a member from the Northern suburbs, the meeting was held at Via Marconi Sports Bar in Hatfield, PA.  (this part belongs on the humor section but I can’t stop myself from telling it here: Debbie McCoy was invited but unable to attend – do you know why?  Because Hatfield, PA doesn’t allow any McCoy’s into their town – get it? Hatfields and McCoys – okay, so maybe it doesn’t belong on the humor section either)

First to arrive was Jim Ashby, that’s two firsts in a row for Jim – a current FOCM record.  We were joined by Nadine Maag and Brian Connor.  As a result, Brian has added to more contacts into his network and Jim and Nadine have each added Brian to theirs.  It’s really not all that far from Malvern to Hatfield.

FOCM RTP Chapter Meeting Minutes – December 18, 2013

A last-minute (what’s new with that) announcement was sent for FOCM RTP area chapter to meet at Page Road Grill in Durham on December 18, 2013 from 7:00 – 9:00.  Sometimes FOCM likes a small intimate chapter meeting as this one turned out to be.  Jim Ashby was first to arrive and then we were joined by Vince Hoefling.  Jim and Vince had never met, so therefore a goal of networking was achieved.  A CRO person meets a computer industry person.  The food at Page Road Grill is quite good.

Another example of networking’s value

I recently realized how much networking and connecting people is ingrained in my daily life.  An example:

In November of 2013 I was working at an industry conference and met a man from a biotech company (potential client) in Boston.  He saw that my name badge indicated I was from Wilmington, NC.  He mentioned that a college fraternity brother (from 40 years ago) owned, ran or managed a bar in Wilmington, but he couldn’t remember the name of the bar.  I said, it would be good if you could find out as we have a networking group in Wilmington called the Wilmington Pharma/Bio/CRO Networking Group (pretty clever name, right?).  This group meets once a month and we have it at a variety of bars in town and we’d be happy to have it at his bar.  Two weeks later I emailed him saying it was nice to meet him and asking him if he’d been able to find out the name of the bar where his friend worked.  About a week later I got an email from him, saying he found out the name of the bar – The Bridge Tender – which has been in Wilmington for many years and is quite well known in the region.  That is where we had our January networking event.  So because of his comment to me, we brought business to his friend’s place and it also gives me a topic with which to share with the potential customer.

I could have responded, “yeah whatever, so your old frat brother has a bar” or “that’s nice, let me know if you’re ever down there”, but I didn’t, I followed through on the comment.  I now have had 2 more follow up communications with him and we’re building a business relationship.  I thought of this example when I saw this information on LinkedIn last week.

Sales lesson

December 17, 2013 Networking Meeting Minutes

The FOCM RTP, NC Chapter met on December 17 at the Carolina Ale House in Brier Creek.

First to arrive was Eric Rivera, a member of FOCM long before FOCM was invented.  Others in attendance were:  Sherran Brewer, Tom McPhatter, Mike Burrows, Cindy Trowbridge, Heidi Johnston, Nick Macaulay and Renee Brown.

One of the good things about these events is the attendees change such that people get to meet others that have not previously met or as in the case of this event, friends from longer ago got a chance to catch up and reconnect.

Cindy and Heidi received their membership cards in the traditional and solemn ceremony some of you have been witness to.  I still get a little choked up every time.

Heidi is looking for Clinical Project Manager or Clinical Data Project Management positions in the RTP area.  Contact me through the “contact” page if you are aware of any such opportunities and I’ll get you in touch with Heidi.

FOCM Meeting Minutes December 10, 2013

The December 10 Philadelphia Metro Area FOCM Chapter meeting was held at the Tilted Kilt in King of Prussia, PA on a cold, snowy night.  There were several people who had responded that they would be coming, but later emailed to indicate that due to the weather they would no longer be attending.  A question was raised as to whether or not the meeting should be cancelled, but one of the rules* of FOCM is “never cancel”.

The FOCM members who attended are held in the highest of esteem for having battled the harsh winter weather to attend.  Their $20 membership fee is waived for 2014 and their commitment to the organization is unquestionable.  Attendees were: Shannon McDonnell and April Bechta.  Much was discussed and accomplished.

*FOCM Rules can and will be created and changed on an ongoing basis.