Networking
Tips & Tricks

Jeff Taylor

jssug.org

Every 3rd Wednesday 6-8pm

Except for May, November and December

Jeff Taylor

Principal Data Consultant

Database Consulting, LLC

Networking
Tips & Tricks

Jeff Taylor

Benefits of Networking

  • Career Growth
     
  • Career Change
     
  • Knowledge Sharing
     
  • Support System
     
  • Next Gig

Data Community Key Networking

Events and Conferences

  • Local User Groups - https://meetup.com
     
  • SQL Saturday/Data Saturday - Local, National & International Events
     
  • PASS Data Community Summit - Annual Internationally Attended https://passdatacommunitysummit.com

Building Your Network

  • Identify Networking Goals - Finding Next Gig, Finding Help, Learning
     
  • Target Audience - More or less experience, wanting or giving help
     
  • Approach Strategies - In person (User Group/Conference), LinkedIn Message, Email

Effective Networking Techniques

  • Elevator Pitch - What do you do in 30 seconds or less, practice!
     
  • Active Listening - Build the conversation on what they say.
     
  • Follow Up - Ask a question.
     
  • Teach/Present - Prepare a session on what you did last week or yesterday, or the most challenging thing you have done lately.

Networking Etiquette

  • Professionalism - Branding, Perception, Marketing, Speak Slowly and Clearly, and Practice.
     
  • Communication Skills - Spellcheck, Grammarly
     
  • Gratitude, Humility, Follow Up

Leveraging Online Tools

  • Microsoft Learn
     
  • Microsoft Tech Community - Tech line specific blogs https://techcommunity.microsoft.com
     
  • Social Media - YouTube, Blogs, MVPs and Community Leaders

Overcoming Networking Challenges

  • Shyness - First Contact, Prepare
     
  • Find Something in Common - Auto Racing, Sports, Photography, Woodworking
     
  • Time Management - Attend session to ask a question or connect, or skip a session and do the same

Success Stories

  • Example from Similar Passions
     
  • Example from Colleagues - Discovering User Groups
     
  • Example from Local User Groups - Discovering SQL Saturday
     
  • Example from SQL Saturday - Discovering Pass Summit
     
  • Example from PASS Summit - International Connections
     
  • Lessons Learned

Conclusion

  • Prepare - Business card, QR Code, Website, Be Professional, Market yourself.
     
  • Be Confident - They are a person just like you
     
  • Call to Action - Meet five new people per day at an event
     
  • Just say 'Hi, my name is Jeff and I love Data! What do you do?'

Thank you

Jeff Taylor

Thank you for attending my session today. If you have any additional questions please don't hesitate to reach out. My contact information is below. Please don't forget to evaluate my session!

Networking Tips & Tricks

By reviewmydb

Networking Tips & Tricks

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