Week 4: Networking - SujeethFoundation/sujeethfoundation.github.io GitHub Wiki

Link to Sway

Week 4 Agenda

  • Group Reflection (20 minutes)
  • Working Out Loud with John Stepper (2 minutes)
  • 10 Ways To Contribute (1 minute)
  • Exercise: ChatGPT Follow Leaders (5 minutes)
  • Branding Yourself Through Social Media (5 minutes)
  • Group Discussion (20 minutes)

Group Reflection

  • How can you incorporate your personal goals and values into your networking efforts?
  • What challenges have you faced while trying to network?
  • How can using your coat of arms help you in networking?
  • What strategies have you found effective in building professional relationships?
  • What do you want to get out of this week?

Working Out Loud with John Stepper

Purpose

The "Working Out Loud" video introduces a powerful concept aimed at building meaningful relationships by helping others achieve their goals or explore new topics. This approach involves actively engaging with what others share in online communities or contributing relevant updates about your own projects. The video serves as a promotional piece for a "Work Out Loud Circle," a group that regularly meets to practice identifying key connections and taking concrete steps to foster these relationships. Within the context of the Career Circle Program, this concept can be applied by setting networking goals at the end of each session and sharing progress at the beginning of the next. While the video provides an overview, the true value lies in the concept itself, which is more thoroughly explained in John Stepper's book, available for free from the foundation. This practice not only enhances networking skills but also aligns with the program's overall goal of establishing genuine, mutually beneficial professional relationships.

Questions

  • How can you apply the principles of Working Out Loud in your own networking efforts?
  • What benefits do you see in sharing your work and progress openly?
  • How can Working Out Loud help you build stronger professional relationships?
  • What challenges might you face when trying to Work Out Loud, and how can you overcome them?

10 Ways to Contribute

  1. Offer recognition or attention
  2. Show appreciation
  3. Share interesting or useful resources
  4. Ask a question
  5. Answer a question
  6. Introduce people
  7. Offer feedback
  8. Share work in process
  9. Share your experience
  10. Share a unique idea

Purpose

The "10 Ways to Contribute" video is a brief advertisement that highlights various practical methods for engaging in an online community. It emphasizes that contributions can be simple actions such as liking, reposting, and commenting, which are easy to implement and help build initial connections. The video also covers more advanced contributions like introducing others, providing feedback, and sharing personal experiences. These actions are effective ways to network without directly asking for help, making it easier to establish genuine relationships. This approach aligns with the overall session's goal of fostering meaningful connections and enhancing networking skills.

Questions

  • Which of the 10 ways to contribute do you find most appealing or relevant to your networking goals?
  • What challenges might you face when trying to contribute in these ways, and how can you overcome them?
  • Can you think of additional ways to contribute that were not mentioned in the video?
  • How can contributing in these ways help you build stronger professional relationships and networks?

ChatGPT Follow Leaders

Open chatgpt.com and try the following prompts:

  • Create a table of thought leaders that are sales engineers. List the thought leader and what they are famous for in a table.
  • Which thought leader is respected by Microsoft employees?
  • As an undergraduate with no work experience, how can I network with Tiffani Bova on LinkedIn to get access to Microsoft leaders?

Purpose

The "ChatGPT Follow Leaders" exercise emphasizes the importance of adding value to a community by reposting interesting and relevant information. To ensure consistency, it's crucial that the content you share aligns with the specific ideas and topics related to the job you are aiming for. Building on the previous ChatGPT exercise, this task involves identifying leaders in your desired field or company and finding straightforward ways to start networking with them. By engaging with these leaders and sharing pertinent content from them, you can begin to establish meaningful connections that support your career goals. This exercise not only enhances your networking skills but also helps you become a valuable member of your professional community.

Questions

  • Which thought leaders did you identify using ChatGPT?
  • How can these thought leaders help you network into your target companies?
  • What strategies will you use to approach and engage with these thought leaders?
  • What challenges might you face when trying to connect with these thought leaders, and how can you overcome them?

Branding Yourself Through Social Media

The "Building Brand" video encourages you to thoughtfully consider the personal brand you want to establish and how your posts can support this image. It emphasizes the importance of sharing content that positions you as an expert in your field. By consistently posting relevant and insightful information, you can enhance your professional reputation. Additionally, sharing content from industry leaders, such as those identified in the ChatGPT exercise, can further solidify your expertise and credibility. This approach not only helps you build a strong personal brand but also aligns with the overall session's goal of effective networking and professional growth.

Questions

  • What changes do you want to make to your current social media presence?
  • How can a strong social media brand help you in your professional networking efforts?
  • What challenges might you face in maintaining a professional social media presence, and how can you overcome them?

What's Next