Presentation on the value of creating a personal network, providing tips and hints specifically for the information professional. Created for SLA's First Five Task Force, January 2010. Cindy Hill, Hill Information Consulting Group
2. MY BACKGROUND
Cindy Hill
Solo librarian, info center manager, consultant,
entrepreneur, international speaker
SLA Fellow and Past-President
Shy person
3. WHY NETWORK
Can you really work alone?
Learning from others
Sharing experiences
The bigger perspective
Source: Flicker.com K!T's photostream
4. THE BIG PICTURE:
A SOCIAL NETWORK DIAGRAM
Christian 1st Degree
Christy
Cindy 2nd Degree
Rich
3rd Degree
Sun Alumni Group Mike
6. “…create information that people want. Create
an online presence that people are eager to
consume. Establish a virtual front door that
people will happily link to…”
David Meerman Scott
7. “…And one that employers will find.”
David Meerman Scott, www.webinknow.com Nov 11, 2008
8. IDEA: AT WORK
Walk around
Join a team
Never eat alone
Attend meetings
Share ideas
Talk!
Get out of your “space”
Ask for a meeting with a department head
9.
10. IDEA: WITHIN THE PROFESSION
Meet people from other SLA units
Attend other conferences, meetings
Mentor others
Offer to work on a project, team, task force
Volunteer your time, talent, experiences
Attend webinars – chat!
11. IDEA: AT THE CONFERENCE
Strike up a conversation with someone new
Attend receptions, parties, vendor events
Have a calling card
Talking in line
Meet the speaker
Follow-up
12. IDEA: AT HOME
Read outside the professional literature
Attend webinars – outside the profession
Community exposure
Free receptions, events in town
volunteer
13. USE TECHNOLOGY TO CONNECT
Discussion lists
LinkedIn
FaceBook
Twitter
Blogs
???
14. CONNECTIONS
Maintain a rolodex
Virtual or physical?
Information details
Source: Flikr.com TOKY Branding and Design
15.
16.
17. TOP 10 MISTAKES NETWORKING
#10 - Failing to show gratitude
#9 - Not using social media networks
#8 – Not targeting specific people
#7 – Being a pest
#6 – Not having a personal pitch
Adapted from Bill Holland, “Top Ten Mistakes Networking” http://www.slideshare.net/talentproof/top-10-mistakes-networking
18. TOP 10 MISTAKES NETWORKING
#5 – Not following up
#4 – Being selfish (give and take)
#3 – Not having a plan
#2 – Limiting yourself to people you know
#1 – Failing to network
Adapted from: Bill Holland, “Top Ten Mistakes Networking” http://www.slideshare.net/talentproof/top-10-mistakes-networking
19. WHAT WORKS
#10 – Acknowledging & thanking people
#9 - Starting with the tools you have
#8 – Setting goals
#7 – Controlling your requests
#6 – Knowing why you want to connect
20. WHAT WORKS
#5 – Following up
#4 – Sharing and giving
#3 – Planning
#2 – Moving outside your comfort zone
#1 – Making connections
21. WHAT TO DO
Offer insights
Share experiences and stories
Give before asking
Be authentic
Be open to making new friends – virtually
22. START NOW
Set goals: SMART ones
Possibilities:
Invite someone new to lunch, coffee break
Create a calling card
Write response to one blog posting
Ask a question
Send a thank you note
23. RESOURCES & CREDITS
The Virtual Handshake by David Teten & Scott
Allen, www.thevirtualhandshake.com
www.careerbuilder.com
Never Eat Alone: And Other Secrets to Success,
One Relationship at a Time, Keith Ferrazzi
SLA 23 Things: http://bit.ly/7KcBEb
SLA Leadership & Management Division; Solo
Librarians Division
24. THANK YOU
A special “shout out” to all the SLA Fellows who
responded to my request for tips on networking.
Thanks for sharing your ideas!
Peter Moon Buzzy Basch
Richard Hulsar David Stern
Judy Field Doris Helfer
Marydee Ojala Ann Caputo