Networking Quotes

You’re Not AloneWhen I was speaking to thousands of teenagers a year, I interviewed my niece Sarah Jane, who was a high school student at the time. I asked, “What do you think would be helpful for kids to know that would make a difference in their lives.” She said, “I was terrified, but I put on a happy face so that no one else would know. What I didn’t realize is that everyone else was as scared as I was. Knowing others may feel the same way as you can make social situations feel less awkward. When approaching new people, find ways to put those at ease who might be reluctant to approach us otherwise. Where Can You Begin to Mix, Mingle & Glow?

~ Susan C. Young

Glow What can you do and how can you be in order to bring out the best in others and truly help them shine?• Be complimentary; say something nice.• Be a great listener and make them feel like you are hanging on every word.• Create enthusiasm and anticipation for the person they are getting ready to meet.• Act as you have personally invited them to the party and help ensure they have a wonderful time.• Give people an experience, not just a conversation

~ Susan C. Young

BE HERE NOWDo you feel fully present and engaged in the way you live your life? Do you immerse yourself in the moment or do you strive and struggle as you negotiate the distractions of our modern world? It’s easy to have blind spots regarding how you are showing up for life when you are consistently bombarded with distractions, commitments, and personal preoccupations, isn’t it?

~ Susan C. Young

Your life is happening in the NOW, yet the present moment is often squandered by your thinking about what has happened in the past or may happen in the future.

~ Susan C. Young

When you are off somewhere else people notice. Have you found yourself in conversations in which you’re so concerned about what you are going to say next, that you don’t even hear what the other person is saying? Guilty as charged, right?

~ Susan C. Young

A lack of engagement sends the message that you may not care, are not interested, are too busy, or that the other person does not matter to you. Even though this is rarely your intention, it can happen when you’re not being mindful and deliberate to connect in the moment.

~ Susan C. Young

Being 100 percent in the moment and focusing on the person you’re with is one of the finest compliments you can offer. One of the most respectful and considerate things you can do for another is to truly be with them in the here and now.

~ Susan C. Young

Employee Engagement“Employee Engagement” has become a very hot topic in recent years. The escalating statistics for disengagement are alarming. In 2015, the Gallup Polls’ “The State of the American Workforce” survey found that only 32.5 percent of the U.S. Workforce is engaged and committed where they work, and 54 percent say they would consider leaving their companies if they could receive a 20 percent raise elsewhere. Disengagement not only lowers performance, morale, and productivity, but it’s costing employers billions of dollars a year. It's a growing problem, which has many companies baffled.

~ Susan C. Young

Why is this disengagement epidemic becoming the new norm? A few reasons I have witnessed in speaking with companies across the country include . . .• Information overload• Distractions• Stress/overwhelmed• Apathy/detachment• Short attention span• Fear, worry, anxiety• Rapidly changing technology• Entitlement• Poor leadership• Preoccupation• Social media• Interruptions• Multitasking• Budget cuts• Exhaustion• Boredom• Conflict• Social insecurity• Lack of longevityThese challenges not only create separation and work dysfunction, but we are seeing it happen in relationships and personal interactions.

~ Susan C. Young

When you are fully present and engaged in your workplace, you will demonstrate that you care about the success of your organization, are a team player, have a can-do attitude, and will go the extra mile to fulfill and exceed expectations.

~ Susan C. Young

11 Ways to Be More Engaged 1. Care about others.2. Be 100 percent in the moment. 3. Keep focus on the person you are serving. 4. Try to get involved, engaged, and interactive.5. Show interest in what matters to other people by listening, acknowledging, and responding.6. Arrive in the moment anticipating creating a valuable interaction for yourself and others.7. Move towards the things that inspire you and provide a sense of joy and connection.8. Reconnect with the essence of yourself and be grounded in that essential relationship.9. Maintain eye contact and deliver the non-verbal cues that you are fully with the other person.10. Limit distractions— close the door, silence your phone, hold calls, put tasks aside, etc.11. Show up to the moment being your best and giving your best.

~ Susan C. Young

Just be Nice. Nice—this little word has a big meaning. Use it generously. Being nice helps people feel emotionally safe, allowing for more authentic, trusting, and happy interactions.

~ Susan C. Young

Be Brave. Bravery takes fortitude—put yourself on the line, even if you risk failing, falling, being embarrassed, or looking stupid—if being brave were easy, more people would be. Just try it!

~ Susan C. Young

Manners Matter. Courteous behavior is the hallmark of healthy relations and human interaction. Manners ensure you will be more respected, admired, and appreciated. Thank you!

~ Susan C. Young

Polish the Gold. Be an optimist; look for the best in others, the best in situations, and focus on what is working rather than what is not. It's golden!

~ Susan C. Young

Service Beyond Self. Value others; have a heart of service and generosity. Rise above self-interest. Ask what you can do for others, not what they can do for you.

~ Susan C. Young

Take the Initiative. Be proactive. If you want to rock your relationship results, it is going to take action, effort, initiative, and choosing to get in the game—so, step up, step out, and show up!

~ Susan C. Young

Mix, Mingle, Glow. Stretch beyond your own comfort zone to speak with, sit with, and start conversations with people whom you do not know. Take the initiative to help other people capture the spotlight and shine.

~ Susan C. Young

...but to be a connectworker, one must have an overall positive influence on people, and Victor has really made the switch.

~ Michele Jennae

Being on Facebook too much in a row is like playing chess in a black hole. You never know if the next move will lead you to a checkmate or a mate checked.

~ Ana Claudia Antunes

Genuinely support people in ways you can. If you build great relationships and people get to like you for you, they will eventually promote what you do and would want to do business with you. The bottom line is that people love to do business with those they love and trust. Learn to understand people, your audience, their needs, and their real problem. If you are using a Facebook page or even your own profile, involve your friends in a fruitful discussion. Don’t just make a post and leave to expect likes and comments. Take time to leave a note for a friend, ask about their business and what interests them.

~ Bernard Kelvin Clive

Social Media isn't about reach as much as it is about reach out.

~ Michele Jennae

Active participation on LinkedIn is the best way to say, 'Look at me!' without saying 'Look at me!

~ Bobby Darnell

Networking is not a part-time or occasional exercise. Everywhere we go, we haven an opportunity to network with others.

~ Timothy M. Houston

When you are networking you are doing more than just marketing your business, you are marketing yourself.

~ Timothy M. Houston

Referrals are the privilege of the opportunity given to you by someone else to potentially do business with someone who wants, needs or desires the products or services you offer

~ Timothy M. Houston

Many business people end up being relationship rich, and referral poor.

~ Timothy M. Houston

Let 'the cause' become the 'because' – the reason – for people to do business with and to refer business to you

~ Timothy M. Houston

Be conservative in what you do, be liberal in what you accept from others

~ Jon Postel

Everyone you meet should go into a people file (organized by categories) that you keep on your computer or phone. Include a few details about the person. Selected names should be placed on your “big-mouth” e-mail list. It should consist of former bosses, former coworkers whom you want to stay in touch with, anyone who has mentored you, people you’ve met who seem interested in your career. People on your big-mouth list then get sent an e-mail notification when you have important career news—for instance, you’ve switched jobs, been promoted, or started your own business.

~ Kate White

If you’ve just had a brief conversation at an event, ask, “Is it all right if I drop you a note?” You can follow up with a question in writing. Also, periodically send your potential mentor or sponsor information that she will find insightful. When you have an accomplishment under your belt, let her know about it.

~ Kate White

Start with a two-line summary of your background, and then say what you’re looking for, being as specific as possible. It could go something like this: “I just graduated with a degree in economics, and I worked at a hospital for my past two summers. I’d love a job at a health-related website. I know you once worked for WebMD, and I’d really welcome a personal introduction.

~ Kate White

Once you’ve identified people who can be both mentors and sponsors, you need to make contact. Don’t hesitate to introduce yourself to a potential ally at an event or in the elevator and say you admire her work. If the person is spearheading a committee or drive, volunteer to be on it. You can also request an informational interview. You could say something such as “I’ve heard so much about your work [or latest venture] and would love to know more about it.

~ Kate White

If a job opens up that she could “sell” you for, tell her, “You’ve been such a valuable resource for me. I would really appreciate having your help on something. There’s a terrific position open at Company A, and I’m hoping you would be able to advocate on my behalf.” Don’t be shy about also asking a sponsor, “Do you know anyone I could talk to?

~ Kate White

Your LinkedIn profile should leave no room for doubt about the kind of job you’re looking for and why you’re the best person for that position.

~ Melanie Pinola

Your LinkedIn profile must be consistent with how you portray yourself elsewhere. Not only should your official résumé match the experience you list on LinkedIn, but it also should be consistent with Twitter and public Facebook information.

~ Melanie Pinola

Your LinkedIn profile must include keywords for specific skills that match your desired job.

~ Melanie Pinola

Make sure your LinkedIn profile has a targeted headline. Not only should the headline clearly state your career focus, it’s also the most important place to add a keyword or two, because this influences how you appear in search results

~ Melanie Pinola

People Bond when they are having fun

~ Itzik Amiel

It's not about who you think you know, but about who actually knows you.

~ Akilnathan Logeswaran