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
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Example from SQL Saturday - Discovering Pass Summit
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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!