Basics of the Network Meetings

-This is a Structured Network Event-

Concord Research Associates, since 1988, has provided Career management services to individuals and corporations. We are also the S. Florida representatives of ExecuNet.

 ExecuNet, is an exclusive organization for executives with salaries in excess of $100,000.

Our Objective - Everyone walks away from the meeting with a positive experience.

You must come to the meeting with an Objective. The more specific your objective, the more you will get out of the meeting.

These are your meetings, we’re just here to facilitate and to encourage your feedback.

We Need You To Contribute, Participate, and Share with others at the meetings.

Dress Code – A minimum of Business Casual.

Tax - The tax season will soon be upon us. Our services and Network Group meetings are probably deductible.

You may recognize or know someone at the meeting. It does not necessarily mean they’re looking for a new job.  But, it probably does mean they recognize the value of networking.

1-2 (only) sentence Bio or Summary - Should consist of about 35 characters and briefly say who you are or what you do. The small data field forces us to be concise in describing ourselves. Attendees of the network meeting receive a handout with everyone's contact info and specialty. Use it to reach people you met at the meeting or as a referral to a trusted search firm (make a friend).

Your resume - Concord Research Associates would be happy to receive a confidential electronic copy of your resume. Please do not Fax or Snail Mail it to us.

Contact Info - In no event would personal information about you be released from Concord Research without your permission. Make us aware of what information you do not wish to be made available to other members of the group (Name, e-mail, phone number, etc).

Location(s): We try to select the location of the meetings for the benefit of the majority. For the latest information, visit: http://www.GroupConcord.com/meeting.htm.

C-Level network meetings are available. (Typically for compensation levels >$200K). Inform us if you are interested in being part of such a group. Pre registration required.

E-mail: If you wish to be removed from our mailing list, just let us know.

Please register early If you plan to come to the next meeting.

Why Register early? We have to pre-register for the hotel facility. If you don’t pre-register with us, we have no reason to believe you will be attending the meeting and do not make provisions for you. Also, people paying at the door create a bottleneck and delay the meeting schedule thus there is an additional charge at the door for those individuals.

Tips for the Network Group

Come with an objective - The more specific your objective, the more specific help someone may give you.

Have a 30 second self-commercial prepared. Something that says what you do and why you are a solution to an employers problem.

Your resume and Presentation – Don’t get wrapped up in “authors pride” in the resume you have worked hard in writing. Resumes can be very subjective thus everyone has an opinion. Others at the network meetings often have good, well intended suggestions. We hope you be open to others inputs although, when in doubt, your best advice comes from a trained and experienced professional resume writer.

Don’t be an elitist because of your experience or position. You never know who knows someone who knows someone or something. Statistically, a greater number of effective networking contacts are made by those outside a particular industry.

Give positive feedback. Don’t say: “That it was fine!” if someone asks for feedback.  Give some constructive specific feedback. See if they’re ready to answer questions fired at them about what they’ve said. Give others leads. Participate.

Expand your personal and professional network but, keep in mind, it is not a competition. Everyone should have equal air-time.

If you’re going to make a mistake in presenting yourself, this is the place to do it.

If you’re shy, all the more reason to be here.

Format of groups:

Colored Dots – Use any number or combination of dots on your name badge. It helps you, and others, find someone with common interests.

Groups of 6 for the network table is the target number

First session – group by industry, function, or area of interest.

Second Session – a random shuffle so that everyone meets totally new people.

Pick a leader  - Tallest, shortest / youngest, oldest, it doesn’t matter – The leader manages the timer giving everyone equal time.

Timer – It is to be set by the leader at 7 minutes so that each individual will have an impartial, equal amount of time. Open discussion at the table can follow everyone having had his or her turn.

5 P’s - Use them to make everyone’s network time more productive.

Feedback - Take a moment to fill out the feedback form at the back of your handout. We value your inputs for ideas, speakers, and suggestions. We can’t read minds to know what improvements to make.

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The Facilitator:

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Phone: (561) 279-9560; Fax: (561)278-6106; Email: Info AT GroupConcord.com