Making the Right connections: Linking Career Goals to Contacts through Social Exploration
John-Paul Hatala
©Copyright Flowork International, LLC 2007
Introduce participants to the next generation of networking – Social Exploration
Demonstrate that “networking” or “Social Exploration” is a learnable skill with seven distinct competencies
Set personal and career related goals Determine which network members can help accomplish those
goals Create an action plan to accomplish goals Follow a step-by-step systematic relationship building process
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What we’ll be looking at today
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Networking Activity
1. How many of you found this difficult?
2. How many of you found it easy?
3. Is it possible to become a better networker or is it a skill your born with?
4. What does it take to be a good networker?
5. How did it help that you were told what information to collect?
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Network Quiz
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1. The key to networking is to know many people? Agree Disagree
2. It’s not what you know, it’s who you know? Agree Disagree
3. It’s easier to network when you have set goals? Agree Disagree
4. Structuring your network activities will maintain your motivational level? Agree Disagree
5. Resources exist in every network? Agree Disagree
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The Networked Perspective
We all have something in commonGoalsObjectivesDreamsAspirations
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The Networked Perspective
There are many resources that are at our finger tipsBackgroundsConnectionsSkill levelknowledge
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The Networked Perspective
We live in a networked worldSocial networking sites (Facebook, etc.)Network organizational structures (Amazon)AssociationsCommunity programsRecreational activities
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The Networked Perspective
Developing and articulating goals are importantGoals are not just created for us, they are
intended to be shared with the network
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The Networked Perspective
A better network position yields more informationCentral members get more timely informationReciprocity is key to a continued flow of
information (what you give is what you get)
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What is Social Capital (SC)?
Social capital is simply the relationships an individual possesses and the resources that exist within them.
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What is Social Exploration?
Researched based “next generation” understanding of what has commonly been called social networking
The process of systematically exploring a social network for resources which may improve goal attainment.
Making networking a conscious activity
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What is Social Exploration?
Networking is about developing life-long mutually beneficial relationships through which all network members can accomplish specific goals.
Social Capital withdrawals and deposits Ability to articulate goals and objectives
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Social Exploration
K = Knowledge of Self / Knowledge of Network
A = Accessing social resources
U = Utilizing social resources to accomplish goals
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SELF – Phase 2
After self-knowledge and action plans for improvement have been developed, the next area to be examined in the SELF© is in the development of specific goals.
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SMART Method of Goal Setting
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SpecificMeasurable
Action-oriented Realistic Time sensitive
K
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SpecificNot – part-time job – rather 15 hours a week @ $6.00 an hour, in the hospitality sector
Measurable Not only get a job – but get the right job
ActionSearch network for leads, contact friends, etc.
RealisticRight skills for the type of job – high school student who wants to moonlight as a neurosurgeon is not a likely fit
TimeSet parameters for completing goal – i.e. get job within 6 weeks
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Now that self-knowledge and goal development are complete, examine your network for individuals who can assist in the accomplishment of the specific goals.
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SELF – Phase 3
Connection Strategy:(1) Plan to contact individuals assigned to
specific goals should be developed (2) Strategize on how you will get to know
Individuals not assigned to specific goal(s)(3) Examine goals not assigned to a contact
to ensure enough detail has been developed to realistically complete the goal.
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A
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Putting the Connection Strategy into Action
1. Identify Opportunities
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U
• Where are you looking?• Who are you speaking too?
• Who are you existing connections?• Who do your contacts know?
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Putting the Connection Strategy into Action
2. Make Contact
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U
• How are you connecting?• What’s your plan?
• Are you leveraging referrals?• What will you say?
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Putting the Connection Strategy into Action
3. Begin to Explore Relationship
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U
• What does the individual do?• How do they do it?
• What are the gaps?• What do you have to offer?
• What is your plan/goal?
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Putting the Connection Strategy into Action
4. Start to Strategize
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U
• What needs to be done to make this work?• What’s the timing look like?• Who needs to be involved?
• What information is still required?
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Putting the Connection Strategy into Action
5. Negotiate the Win/Win
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U
• How will both parties accomplish what they need?
• What is the plan?• When will this happen?
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Putting the Connection Strategy into Action
6. Reach a Solution
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U
• Has the goal been reached?• How close am I to reaching my goal?
• What other opportunities exist?
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Putting the Connection Strategy into Action
Social Income!
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SC(KAU)=SI