by Career & Professional Development Day key-note speaker, Cathy Paper, MA  

Networking is not a one-dimensional activity. Relationships are multi-dimensional.  Growing healthy relationships makes you more successful in your job search, your career and your life.  Yet, 9 out of 10 people think expanding their network means pushing themselves on other people and feels "slimy."  Below are several ways to grow your relationships across all generations and heighten your reputation without becoming a slick image of your authentic self.

Through the years of networking, events and book launches, here are five ways I've seen people quickly become effective at increasing the power of their relationships.

1. Define your style.  What kind of a person do you want to be known as? A giver, a taker, a connector, a writer, a self-promoter, a volunteer etc.  Spend half an hour defining your personal brand.  Ask someone you trust and respect what they think about you and how they would describe you to someone else.  If they hesitate and can't answer the question, you have some work to do to be seen as a value-add.

2. Get involved and give back at every level, with every age.  Building relationships is not just lunch after lunch or 50 cold calls to grow your contact list.  One of the best ways to get to know other people is to serve on a committee or a volunteer team.  You can make a difference to an organization you are passionate about and meet great people along the way.  Making connections starts with thinking about someone other than yourself.

3. Start small.  Five nights a week out with high hopes of business development and networking and you'll burn out.  Everyone gets busy and needs to hunker down with billable time or project deadlines.  The best relationship people know that being a consistent but authentic presence out and about is one of the ways to stay top of mind.  So pick one night a week or a Friday lunch to get to know someone new.

4. Find a wingman or wingwoman.  I first learned of this concept through a New York Times article on dating.  A pair would scope out a "prospect or potential date" and send one of the other people over to ask questions and talk up the other person.  Brilliant.  Find a person to attend an event with you and they can do your promoting for you. It's much better to have someone else say what you do and why you're amazing than to toot your own horn.

5. Be strategic.  Who do you want to meet?  Do your homework.  Sam Richter, author of Take The Cold Out Of Cold Calling, has a toolbar where you can research people and companies in great detail using the "invisible web."  Before an event, research people and study the guest list if possible.  You will make the most of your time and the people you meet will be impressed by your thorough knowledge.

These are just a few of the ways to build strong relationships in today's virtual world of connections.  I recommend a combination of virtual connections and face to face to cement what you want most, a lifelong network to champion your work and serve as your best business development tool.  Hope to see you at one of the RockPaperStar events or out about, please say hello and continue to Play Your Game and Take Inspired Action.

About, Cathy Paper, M.A.

RockPaperStar acts as the marketing and product development division for authors and small businesses. Cathy Paper, company founder, gets things done. With seventeen years of experience in leadership development, nearly 10,000 coaching hours and experience guiding hundreds of organizations through change management strategy and implementation, Paper knows how to improve people. Her quick wit and competitive spirit makes her a trusted advisor and repeat presenter for companies, individuals and associations such as Best Buy, Paramount Studios, Ameriprise, Harvey Mackay Swim With The Sharks New York Times Best Selling Author, Steven Schussler, Founder of The Rainforest Café, Sam Richter, Know More! #1 Internet Sales Expert.  She holds her Master's Degree from St. Thomas in Organization Development and a BA from Williams College.

One new customer said, "Cathy really put the wind in my sails about how to build my network and expand my reach."  -- Al Watts, President of Integro-Inc.com and Author of Navigating Integrity, Transforming Business as Usual Into Business at It's Best

Great New Member Asset in development!

CFAMN is embarking on an exciting new project in 2011 which has the potential to become an invaluable asset to its member base.  The Media Guide is a multiyear, expansive endeavor to connect CFAMN members with others in the community looking for a better understanding of all things finance.  We are excited about this great opportunity!  Look for more details soon.

For more information, click here.  If you'd like to get involved with the development of this resource, contact Sam Smith or Karen Florez. 

(Register for Society events on our calendar page)

Member Social - Happy St. Patty's Day!

at Lyons Pub   

Lyons Pub

16 South Sixth Street
Minneapolis, MN 55402

 
Event:  5:00 - 6:30 PM 

FREE!

For more information and to register, please click HERE.

  

Our employment committee is gearing up for another great event this year with speakers from around the region and the country presenting on two topic tracks with sessions such as:

1) Job Seeker 
 - How to write a dynamite resume

 - Utilize Linked-in and MSP Business Journal

 - How & when to work with a recruiter 

2) Career Development 

 - Presentation skills: voice, style, slides

 - Position yourself for a promotion 

 - Networking: On and off the screen

To get involved with planning, to sponsor or exhibit or to learn more about this exciting event, contact Maren Amdal or Mike Lingvall. 

To feature an open position at your firm, click here

January Events Summary

Other industry related associations may submit relevant listings directly to info@cfamn.org

Monthly Luncheon:

From Recovery to Expansion:  Back to Fundamentals 

 

Warnings of the dangers facing holders of US municipal bonds due to state and local budget shortfalls and high debt burdens abound in the press. Will we see a rash of defaults? What is the current fiscal condition of cities and states? What are the causes of the recent volatility in the municipal bond market and should you expect it to continue?   Hear Martin Atkin of Alliance Bernstein present on this topic. 

Click here for more information and to register.

CANDIDATE OPPORTUNITIES:  

CFA Minnesota is happy to continue our collaboration with the Boston, MA, affiliate of the CFA Institute.    

   
Starting in April!  

We will once again be offering the following for your personal use: 

1) Practice Exam - US$149.  A full-length, properly formatted practice exam based on CFA Institute's 2009 Body of Knowledge® which includes a detailed answer key with LOS and curriculum references and calculations. 

2) Online Test Bank - as a special offer, with purchase of Practice Exam, receive FREE (a US$99 value) access to extra exam questions online: 700 Level I questions, 360 for Level II, and 180 multiple choice questions plus 30 constructed responses for Level III candidates - grouped by topical area.    

Level I, II & III Study Groups

If you are planning to sit for any level of the CFA exam in June, 2011, we want to help you find a study group!  If you are interested in establishing a group in your neighborhood (or downtown), please contact Volunteer Travis Hoium for more information.