By Carol Ross, www.naturalway2network.com

1. Networking Naturally IIT Stuart School of Business Carol Ross March 29, 2011

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3. 3 “Sometimes, I feel like networking is best done by smooth talkers and schmoozers. I feel uncomfortable being that kind of a person. It’s intimidating to network with people to build your own chances of finding a job, without necessarily being able to give something in return. Why would someone else want to help me after just one meeting?”

5. Follow-up, keeping in contact

6. Meeting the “right” people

7. Time to network

8. Introversion

10. 6 Photo by Photo Du.de

11. Photo by fdecomite 7

20. Social Networking 16 Photo by ilamont

21. Create a Compelling Profile Photo More than a resume Memorable, differentiated “I love to play the role of “technical detective”” “Call me Portfolio Surgeon”” 17

22. Example: George 18 I’ve always liked gadgets. My folks didn’t like me taking apart their watches, TVs, appliances and electronics just to see what made them work. But when I put them back together, they worked better. As the world got digital, so did I. I taught myself to write computer apps, starting with assembler and moving to high-level languages. In college, I pursued another passion: working with people. I learned teaching and training. I taught in public schools for years and was dismayed at how unbalanced my two passions were: great people and no technology. I endeavored to change that by bringing technology to schools.

23. Example: George 19 Through that process, a new love was revealed to me: the art and science of business. Maybe because organizations work like “black boxes”—closed systems with obscure inner workings. I was inspired to dissect, examine, evaluate and reconstruct businesses to make them better. After 6 years at AT+T, I knew what NOT to do. I left to work with startups. Two failed startups later, I realized I had no grasp on entrepreneurship, so I resigned to working for a larger company again. I spent over a decade at Apple, a company that put structure to entrepreneurship--and learned more than I ever could’ve imagined.

24. Example: George 20 Six startups later, I now spend my time working with and teaching entrepreneurs in a well-known business school. I help startups and coach founders and leaders. My life is about my passions: technology, teaching, entrepreneurship, and startups. As a consultant and member of many boards, I bring years of experience to solve intractable problems. I’m lucky to have worked with companies worldwide. I’ve raised capital, sold companies, negotiated strategic deals, filled strategic gaps, and improved their businesses. My students and clients call me insightful, experienced and knowledgeable. My life and passions are their benefit—and my joy.

25. Example: Jason 21 “Why can’t it be done?” Answering this question has shaped my life and career. As long as I can remember, I’ve been able to see possibilities and then inspire people to join me to make them a reality. In high school, an interest in Christian rock music spurred an effort to bring a concert to our town and led to an event attended by hundreds. In college, I shared a vision for a fraternity that held itself to a higher standard. We founded that fraternity and ultimately received national recognition for our efforts.

26. Example: Jason 22 Today, I focus on the reinvention of people and companies. After years in executive recruiting, I wondered why recruiting services couldn’t be offered in a more customer-friendly way. I started my own business and found a way to do it. My entrepreneurial recruiting venture didn’t make me rich, but it led me to conclude that corporate human resources were broken. As an HR leader, I have rebuilt teams and designed talent management processes in a organization where the idea of talent didn’t at first exist.

27. Example: Jason 23 In a company that didn’t talk brand, I led an effort to rebuild the corporate brand. When it was revealed, the CEO said, “Someone finally put into words what I have always felt but couldn’t say.” I have a calling to reinvent Human Resources. I do this by being an HR leader who connects HR to business and teaches others how to do the same. I also volunteer my time and talent to empower the HR profession to achieve something greater (e.g. www.HRReinvention.com). My work is far from done.

29. Photo by Link576 Cast a Wide Net 25

30. Photo by E. Labrador Photo by *clairity* Move “Offline” To Do Business 26

31. 27 Photo by Marc_Smith Follow-Up, With Ease Photo by MikeBlogs

32. 28 Photo by Pictures By Heather Relate in Small Bites, Over Time

33. Photo by Cameron Nordom Photo by simonkoleznik Photo by smoorenburg 29 Photo by Jinx Photo by smoorenburg Photo by chic09 Be Human.

35. Follow-up, keeping in contact

36. Meeting the “right” people

37. Time to network

38. Introversion

40. Expand Your Career Opportunities 32 SHIFT! Impact of Social Media on Careers, recorded Discover Your Brand Story, Apr 5 and 19 Create Your Social Media Strategy and Implement It, Apr 28 Advanced Social Media for Solopreneurs, May 17 URL: http://hades.banner.iit.edu:97/careers/eyco.shtml

41. Networking is….. a process of deepening relationships, initiated through curiosity, unattached to outcome, guided by energy, and driven by the possibility of what can be created with another human being. It unfolds over time, sometimes years, and rewards us with clients, collaborators, partnerships, and better lives. 33

42. 34 Let’s Connect! carol@myalumnilink.com Twitter: @carolross LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/abiggervoice