"You just NEVER know!"

 

This is a common phrase I use when conducting a networking workshop.  If you allow yourself to be open to new possibilities, you just never know what wonderful things might be in store for you.

 

I am excited to share this great success story from a recent Networking Workshop I presented a few weeks ago at the Small Business Development Center in Houston.  The theme and title of this workshop was, "Networking for the Non-Networker".  I designed it primarily to help small business owners and other business professionals feel more comfortable with networking. 

 

Kathy Satoro, pictured below on the right, had been out of the workforce for the last few years taking care of her grandchildren.  During the introductions, Kathy explained that she was taking the class to learn about how to network effectively and what some of the do's and don'ts were.  She, like everyone else, said that she didn't feel comfortable walking into a room full of people she didn't know because it's awkward.

 

Another workshop attendee, Nelson Bean, is the President of Evans Team USA, a growing company that provides rapid response disaster recovery services for commercial structures.  Believing strongly in the value of networking, Nelson brought four of his employees with him to the workshop to enhance their professional development.  During one of the interactive class exercises, Kathy and Nelson engaged in dialogue and had an opportunity to chat briefly. 

 

After the workshop, Nelson wanted to talk with Kathy more and learn about her work experience and background.  The following week Nelson interviewed Kathy, and less than 2 weeks following the workshop, Nelson hired her as a Projects Administration Manager for Evans Team USA!

 

Obviously, professional development forums are excellent opportunities to network; this one just happened to be about overcoming awkwardness and skepticism about networking.  The irony is that attending a networking class resulted in landing a great job.  Never overlook an opportunity to network, no matter what the forum.  It simply goes to show that "You just NEVER know!"

 

Until next time,