Building Your Network Through Organizations: How To Maximize Your Career Prospects for the Future

Episode 83 In-Person Networking
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Welcome to Morning Coffee and Mimosas. I'm Christina. And I'm Joe. We are a father-daughter duo. We come here Sunday mornings, but you can come here anytime you please. We banter about life, about business, and we do it over coffee and mimosas.

Well, good morning to you. Good morning, 

FAJ. How are you? I'm good. I will tell you I'm a little full. Yeah, well, it was a big breakfast, bacon this morning. Yeah, so it's sitting a little heavier. 

We're realizing after two years that if you have a big breakfast, have a mimosa and. , nap is usually what you want to do after.

Yeah. You want a nap. You don't wanna 

on a podcast. Podcast, but we'll do it anyway. We're gonna do it anyway. We've been doing it for two years and that true. If it sounds a little bit like we're napping on the job this morning, you'll know why. Listeners. Well, I 

snore. So does, you'll know right away. . Yeah.

Can you imagine how impressive we would've been if we just like did this at a normal time? 

Like if we got up, talked and then ate, . Maybe that's something to think about for next time. . I feel like the food inspires us though. . No, it's good. Also, that's when we brainstorm and talk about what we're going to talk about.

So you know, it would be a bit abrupt. We'd probably get on here and we'd be like, so 

what do you wanna talk about for Simon? So . Good point. Good point. I 

think we'll stick with the model. We do a little bit of planning, but we'll stick with the 

model. It's good. Yeah. Yeah. So, I wanted to jump right in a little bit because I wanted 

to No, it's because you always wanna jump right in a little bit.

Okay. I'm gonna jump right in a lot this time. . 

Alright. I won't stop you 

today. No, and I'm gonna tell you why cuz uh, we, we, last week we were, last episode we discussed, networking for business but from more of an el. You know, the LinkedIn type and, and the importance of putting yourself out there, even though you're not looking for a job.

Like, we're not, we're not here, you know, trying to tell you to leave your job or anything like 

that. But if you are, it's a, it's something very good to remember too, because I think there is a lot of, uh, there, there's a lot of change happening. Mm-hmm. . Mm-hmm. from a, um, Corporate standpoint, you know, the economy is changing.

And with that you see, like if you're following big tech, uh, you know, all these jobs that were safe and companies that were just in like mm-hmm. , pure growth mode for years are now downsizing or changing the way that they're doing things, right. So with that, I think a lot of people that probably have been in a place of security for a long time, or probably at a point of either.

Just looking for something else or reinvention, so. Right, right. I think it's, um, it probably is relevant to a lot of people for, you know, job search or just a thought of maybe wanting to do something else. 

Mm-hmm. . Well, and you bring up a good point. You never know. No one ever knows, you know, there is no, there are no guarantees.

So no one knows, you know? Yeah. I'm comfortable with my job. I've been here for how long? Anything can happen. So, so last week our con our our, our conversation went into, uh, the LinkedIn and social networking professional networks and so on. And what I'd like to talk about is the in-person networking and before interview say, well, I don't have to network cuz that's not what my job does.

I'm talking about and we are talking about, um, let's say your local, your trade associations. You're a local Chamber of Commerce or community groups, rotary and so on that you could participate in to build your social network and professional network because one never knows that's true. And I am the president of the Nutley New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

And just to give you an example, we had a, um, once a month we have a luncheon and once a month, the week after, we have a business mixer. So the luncheons at luncheon, the business mixer is at like five o'clock, and we had a mixer last night. You know, you never know who's gonna be there or, or what's gonna happen.

And last night Wild happened. Well, no, it's not wild, but , my point is people came and it was an amazing night of new connections, people getting to know each other. Uh, we had, uh, a few people joined the chamber, but cards exchanging and all different bi people, in other words, from attorneys to, uh, home inspectors.

Uh, realtors to title companies to rank and file people that just worked at companies that came and what I, I was just smiling the whole night because you're seeing people just building a network and when you have a network of people you can talk to or see every single month run into. you can just see the opportunity.

Someone's looking for an attorney or someone's looking for, you know, some position. You don't have to be a a, a fancy job or any job, any fancy thing. They just. people know 

you well, and I think that's the, that is kind of the art of networking, right? Mm-hmm. is that you can't expect it to happen overnight.

And so, so much of, like what we're gonna talk about this morning is how do you select the right groups for you, right? Mm-hmm. . And for the goals that you have, how do you select an, uh, you know, a group or organization that aligns with your interests? And that could be personal and professional, right? Um, going into it, like with the long game in mind, thinking through you're, you're gonna put yourself out there, you're gonna be present, and you're going to, you know, really like meet people and have real human to human interactions organically.

Things just happen. Right. You're right. You're right. And so it's less about, like, I think that's a big challenge with, I know I sometimes like, You know, you get that icky feeling about a networking event because you know, everybody's like you've ever met the people that come up to you and immediately they pitch you what they do.

Mm-hmm. . Right? And that's not an effective way to meet people, build relationships, to approach people. Um, but I think to your point, if you put yourself in positions where you're around people that you know are either doing things that you want to be doing, Um, are in, you know, an industry subject matter expert group that you want to be a part of or something else.

Organically, you're gonna start to know who is who. They're gonna start to know who you are, kind of know what you're about and build relationships. But I think that's the big, you can have fun with networking, I think if you do it the right way. Mm-hmm. , or it could be one of those super awkward chores if you, you know, you're approaching everybody in a super cringey, uh, Carl car salesman.

I don't mean to say that like, Nothing wrong with car salesman, but if you're approaching it in a super cringey way where you are, you know, just kind of like out there slinging your wares, right? Like right, this is what I do and you know, are you interested in buying from me ? Mm-hmm. or working with me rather to organically just be present, get involved, and build relationships.

That's correct. And, and, and I like what you said, the long term. The long game, because that's what it is. So I mentioned the Chamber of Commerce, but I've been a Rotarian for many years. You know, or there's any, any number of groups. Join the group. You enjoy, you know, ambulance squad, fire department. I, I don't care what it is.

Get involved. and, and your trade associations. There may be a trade association for your company. we can't overestimate the statement that don't turn this, you know, episode off because you say, Well, I'm not looking for anything and you know, I'm happy and all that kind of stuff. No, you don't want to do that.

What you want to do is somehow grow your personal network of contacts that are outside of your friends and family. you're not selling anything. You're just being, you volunteer, get involved, uh, you know, join a committee. Get, get to know people. You never know what the future holds, but the future is better if you have a larger quote network of people who know you, trust you, understand your worth and so on.

Now, couple of things. If you have a business card at work now this is 2023 and I'm, you know, Mr. Technology, uh, I very much believe in having business cards. It is 

so nice to hear you say. Dad. Why? Because that's one of the things that I sell, , my company produces those and I get them from Taylor Communications one 800.

My company, Christina, my company, my company produces those and, uh, is just a, a plug, one of the largest producers of business cards in North America. But, but I honestly didn't know that. But no, I mean, I, you, you wouldn't, right, but. . It's funny that you say that because I was in a meeting recently and you know, we were at the point where we were talking about things and follow up and somebody had a kind of a, a thing that they did on, on the side.

They, you know, um, were, were built, had like an Etsy shop and I was like, oh, that's so cool and how can we connect and didn't have a card and we were exchanging information. Otherwise I handed my card to them and they were like, oh yeah, I left my card in the, but, but it's still. a really good way to like just quickly capture people's information.

Yes. And I, I just laugh being in the industry that I'm in because people constantly talk about, oh, well print, print is dead. And I'm like, no, it's definitely isn't not dead. You still dead need. You still need it. And everywhere you look it's around. So anyway. 

And here's what was convenient last night.

Three, three potential members, one just joined for the chamber. Uh, one just joined this. , uh, and I know the other two are gonna join, but here's what I'm talking about. Uh, I give my card, they gave me theirs. I put them in my top pocket because I knew that I was gonna get back to them. Our chamber director w when I got home, I took a yes, a picture of the cards, sent it to him in a, met in a, you know, text message and said, you know, send, send them membership information, right?

And. , you, you had their information and emailed them and gave them the URL to the how to join the chamber. My point is, the card traveled around this paper. You know, people go, well, it's a piece of paper. Everything's digital. No, people don't take out their phones and say, oh, connect with me on, on LinkedIn, or connect with me on Facebook.

Right. You're at a networking event while you're talking. You reach in your wallet or wherever you keep your. Take it out and hand it to someone. Well then it 

served as a reminder for you, right? Correct. Because then you had this little card after to say, okay, these are the people that I wanna reach out to.

That's right. That's right. And then you, I'm sure you tossed the card after that, right? Once you had your picture and you put all the information. Yeah. I say I don't need the card anymore. So it's not, it's not something that needs to be timeless, but it's something that is quick and easy and it Correct serves as a reminder of, okay, that's that person that I met right now.

I've 

spoken now and here staying with. Uh, piece, and we're giving you, this is solid advice. I'm telling you it works. Um, I've talked to people that say, well, where I work, we, they don't give us business cards, you know? In other words, I don't have a card. Well, guess what? Make one, you know, go to call Christina, um, , or, uh, you know, Canva or, uh, you know, Vistaprint.

I don't care where it is. They're not. and get a card that just has your name and what you do. If you don't want to put your company name on it or something, what is your, what do you do and how 

to reach you well, and I think that's an important thing to have, even from a hiring standpoint. Mm-hmm. , you may not be employed currently, right?

Mm-hmm. , and you may be looking for something. And, I've always, I, I've always thought it was nice when I saw somebody that was not with a company that had their own personal business card. Correct. Yep. Because it shows me okay, you know, You're buttoned up, you're professional, you're, you thought through, you know, getting the appropriate kind of like right collateral for yourself to, you know, to promote yourself.

Mm-hmm. And leave an impression. 

Yes, exactly. And so, you know, and everything we're saying, obviously we talked at our last episode about having all of this on LinkedIn and so on, which is true, but this is the paper, this is the piece that makes it very co. To give your information and contact information to somebody else, and you can use this at whatever group you chose to get into, and I would suggest join two A Chamber or.

Uh, a, so in other words, a chamber. 

So I disagree with that. Well, hold on. Go ahead before you disagree. let you finish. That'd be nice. , I should let you finish. This is per prom, 

having Mosa, and I have the coffee. So this is, I know that was very interrupting. I'm sorry. No, what I meant was a chamber or trade and or trade group for your industry.

Very important. Business. And there's also if you have your own business, then obviously one of a networking organization, uh, is another where, where you have to find leads for other people. And I'm, we're not that, we're shying away from that. They're fine. I'm just talking about, remember, if you are not really looking and you, you just do a job at a company talking about building up your network, and the other side of it would be other type of place to join.

Like a community group, like a rotary unico, Alex, you know, something where people are not job oriented, they are charitable oriented because they're, you're, you're just, you're kind of just meeting people on a charity community involvement level. The, your job doesn't factor into it, but you are building your personal brand and why people like you and trust.

The networking that that happens there. It does because people then say, well, what do you. Oh, okay. Oh, I need that. Or maybe you, you know what I'm saying? So, 

and it's very lucky for you that you got involved in some of those organizations, cuz I actually have no idea what your social life would look like otherwise,

So not only does she disagree with me, but just insulted me very. 

No, no, I just am saying like most of your close friends, probably by nature of you being a part of like the Rotary Club for 30 plus years. Mm-hmm. , most of your, you know, socialization is with friends that you've made from the rotary. . Right.

Or other groups and things like that. Mm-hmm. . Yeah. Um, so 

why do you dis, what do you disagree 

with? No, so I don't, I, I don't disagree, but I think. , I, I work for a very large organization, right? Mm-hmm. . Um, and there's Roscoe. I work for a very large organization, and I think, you know, you being in the credit union space, right?

Mm-hmm. , um, and having a localized presence in Nutley, New Jersey, for example, a Chamber of commerce or a local rotary club lends itself really nicely to, I think, Goals that you have. Mm-hmm. for a credit union, right? When you're going to these events, the, the, so the long game is bring in more members, right?

Mm-hmm. for your credit union. Mm-hmm. , or the long game is build, uh, community relations for your credit union in the community that it serves. Mm-hmm. . So that's the big picture, you know, so you're gonna get involved. You're building relat. But ultimately that's the goal, right? So I think it's important for, for you the individuals, like, so as I'm thinking about groups that I wanna participate in or join, and for you listeners, as you're doing the same, I think it's less about, you know, um, join a chamber.

Really, it's more about thinking about, okay, what are the long-term goals? Like what is the long game for you? Mm-hmm. , who is your audience or who are the spheres of influence in your world, professionally? Right. And personally, and. Where are those people likely engaged? Because that's, I think, the number one thing you should think of when you're deciding where you're gonna spend your time because you only have so much time.

Well, we actually don't disagree. I agree with that. we didn't get into details. Good. I thought we might agree. Yeah. We were talking about, I, I was simply speaking about the types of groups to join business oriented, community oriented, right? Yeah. I think, yeah. Yeah. I agree. But you, you don't do any of that until.

Just understand, as you just said, what is it that you want to do? And we started this episode off. As you work for a company, you're potentially not looking for a job, you know, but we're saying get involved. It can never hurt. And you're building a network of people who know you and trust. and you never know what the OP opportunities may come up, or if you do get laid off and need a job.

you have people who you can let them know that and someone may be able you, you follow? Yeah. We're, we're agreeing, right? We're agreeing. Yeah. And it had nothing to do with, uh, 

we're, we're not very good at agreeing. So we didn't even realize that we agreed as we were disagreeing with each other, or I was disagreeing with you,

Yeah. But 

Christina, while agreeing, Christina just enjoyed firing the, uh, shot out that you disagreed before realizing that we didn't really 

we're supposed to be sparring on here if we agree on everything. What fun is that? . Well, that's very true, I guess, but no, I think so. I guess it's just the order of operations or step one is really making sure that you've got a good idea of what your goal is for getting involved in these groups.

Right. If it's, if it's socialization, then you know, you should really be thinking about people that share interests with you. If it's, uh, you know, building a professional network, it should be, you know, people that are doing things that you know you're interested in doing or people that are your target audience.

Mm. . Yeah. No, no. That's right. Yeah. And, and the beautiful thing about this is that you don't know. You will never know you know, when you first venture into this, how you'll benefit. And it's actually a beauty because just relax. Just keep yourself open, be yourself, and. being with other people, getting to know other people, helping the organization grow, you know, volunteer for a committee on it, and you, you'll have your own goals.

Like your goal may be to just, I'm just boosting my number of people who I know. Uh, your goal may be to enhance your business. Your goal may be to find the job, whatever that. , just relax because as you said, it's a long game. Not, not forever, but it's a long game. And, the person or people who can change your life for the better might be across from you might be at another table and maybe at the other end of the bar if you're having a drink or you, you just don't 

know.

And I also think it's sometimes really cool the people that you meet, they may be completely outside your industry, outside your mm-hmm. . Initial focus and sometimes it makes you see things differently and an opportunity that you never expected you'd be interested in. That's right. Can kind of open up.

That's right. That's right. Because, uh, and I'm just gonna, this little bit different vain, but it ties into this, all of us have innumerable abilities to do an enumerable number of things, but we tend to get into a. . In other words, you, you gotta, you, you, let's say you went to college or a school for something, a trade school, and you're doing that thing.

And a lot of us think that that's what I do. It doesn't have to be what you do, you know, and, or, or you just got a job at a company and you've been doing that job. You don't have to be doing that job. And to your point, someone may say, you know, Hey, I need, I was looking for somebody. to do X, Y, Z. And you say, well, I have no experience in that.

But I will tell you one thing where I work and in my, in my life, my experience, I want people who can learn and are good people and are, you know, willing to work and are reliable. You can train anybody to, um, to do almost anything. I 

could not agree more. 

And that's what what you want are people that fit those.

Cause I can't train you. To be a good person. A good person. I can't train you to be reliable. I can't train you to be trustworthy. Mm-hmm. if you're not right. But, but I can train you to perform this task or to do this or to help that person and so on. And, and you'd be surprised. More and more people are realizing that, and that's what they look for in.

employees or other employees. 

So yeah, I agree with that. I actually, I think that brings up a, a kind of funny point. Um, sometimes you think you have to hire from your industry or from this like specific pedigree. Mm-hmm. of background and sometimes you find people that you know are the perfect fit and you can just see them in your culture and they have the qualities that you look for.

Mm-hmm. . and, and then you bring them into the fold of what, what it is that you do specifically. But as long as you see the qualities, and I think as you're hiring, and I know this isn't an episode about hiring, but when you're hiring something that I've just started to kind of like look for is kind of like a list of qualities that I feel like.

make for a strong, in my case, business development, you know, individual, right? So a strong business developer, you know, what are the qualities like that I look for? And if I can find somebody that fits those qualities that may be from out of the industry, or maybe it may not even be in sales today, right?

Mm-hmm. . Um, I think that that's a really cool thing to look for. And I've talked to people actually, um, I've met people that have been newly hired. You know, our company and different facilities I've visited and things like that, that, you know, I was told, oh, I met her when she was, she was a server at a restaurant that I go to.

Correct. Yeah. I just mm-hmm. , she had, she was charismatic and, you know, we, we went often and she always remembered us and you know, she always remembered what was going on in our lives and she. Fantastic at what she does. So she learned all of the, you know, business side of things. She learned about, you know, the industry of print and graphics, communications, but she didn't need any of that.

Right. You're right upfront. Right. She was able to, as long as you're somebody who's curious and able to learn. Mm-hmm. , I think, um, anyway. But from, to spin that from a networking side of things, you never know who you're gonna meet that will present you with something that, right. You were never thinking about, you know, you may have been thinking, let me, you know, I'm a, a server and I work for a small local restaurant.

I'd like to get involved in a larger, you know, franchise brand. Mm-hmm. that can present more opportunity. Well, guess what? You might find something completely different and something much bigger than you were thinking about. Yes, 

that's exactly. . Yeah. So, you know, um, so as we kind of wrap this up, uh, it, it can never, and I, and I mean this, it'll never, ever hurt to broaden your horizons and join something and get involved.

Um, if you have a little bit of time, put your toe in the water. You know, just, just start and do what you. . I have people all the time tell me. In fact, just last night, um, a new chamber member said, you know, uh, right now it's hard for me to get involved on the board or whatever, but I'm, I'm coming to the meetings, but with my kids and my job, and I, I'm like, and it's fine.

That's perfectly fine. Do what you can, you know, just, you know, be here and, you know, and, and benefit from that. And I know that this person. I like when her kids are maybe home in, during, from the summer or whatever, she'll get more involved, you know? No, nobody's demanding anything. but be there. 

And, you know, something we haven't really talked about, but I think is another you, you can look at, personal development So, Uh, my, our, my mom, uh, when she was starting her business as a professional coach mm-hmm. and personal coach, she decided that she needed to be a stronger speaker, professional speaker, and she got very involved in Toastmasters. Yes. Is right. And. That was something that she joined because she saw a need in herself for growth, and it's become a source of, you know, she's developed friendships, she's networked, she's had opportunities for coaching that came out of it.

But that wasn't the goal at the onset, right? No, she just wanted to be a better speaker. Speaker. She just wanted to be a better speaker. So I think that's kind of another thing to look at is what are groups and organizations that can help you in an area where maybe you feel like you need some. Or for all of us, right?

Mm-hmm. like an area where we want to, uh, enhance and expand our capabilities. Mm-hmm. . And oftentimes you meet people through that growth, um, while you're, you know, you maybe you don't have time to invest in getting involved in a committee and being super involved in a local organization right now. But oftentimes we have growth for, you know, we have, we have time for growth that we look at as something that's gonna help us to perform our job better or be, you know, a more we well-rounded professional.

So, that's it, you know, it's, it's all about what we are willing to prioritize and find the time for. Mm-hmm. . And if that's something that, you know, you feel like would serve you better as you're building your career, then find time for that and find a group to get involved in that's gonna help you to hone a skill that you're looking at.

Exactly. 

Expanding. Very good. Very good. I enjoyed this episode and I hope you did too because, uh, I love No, I just, I'm, I'm very passionate about, about being out there and networking this 

Well. Well, you have not only been passionate, I mean, you've done this for your whole life. Yes. I mean, as long as I've seen, watched you from being a little girl, you have been involved in groups and organizations and, and I think that's a big part of why your social life has fo, has centered around a lot of these things.

Mm-hmm. , because, you know, that's where you decided. put your time. Right. Um, it's, it's something I've done a lot less of mm-hmm. in my, in my life up to this. , but something that I'm starting to, um, starting to deliberately get involved in. So good things like, but, but I'm looking at, okay, what organizations do I think align with what I care about, my goals and Yeah, exactly.

And what, what professionally makes sense. And, you know, for me, I'm not selling really to local businesses. I'm not engaged as much with local businesses. What, what I do is more on like a national scale. So I'm looking at national organizations, right? Mm-hmm. , where. Um, you know, where there's some kind of a national presence, you know, and, and what do I care about? I have a real passion for, supporting women. And, so I've started to align with Dress for Success and I love clothes, so I'm like, that's something that. Oh, this is perfect for her. Right? Oh my God. I've been going through stuff in my closet and I'm kind of like excited to give things away because I'm like, okay, oh, this is gonna be fun.

Like I could style somebody that needs work clothes, , but find things that, you know, like that's kind of gotten me excited. That's good. And you know, through that, , there's a ton of opportunities to connect with, you know, other women and other people from all different walks of life that, you know, I'll certainly meet along the way.

But, um, so yeah, so I mean, this is fun for me because I'm kind of, um, I've been involved in certain groups for work. Um, but now as I'm kind of thinking about, okay, what do I wanna get involved with, I, it's, it's been good to talk through. And I really like, I had no idea that we were gonna be promoting business cards on this episode, but I like that you took it there.

Dad 

you. Do you want to give your, your contact information? Said no. No, I don't. Quarter card. . . Oh man. So now you didn't know this, but when I was coming. Well, here we go. Dad. When was a kid? When we played Spin the bottle, if a girl didn't want to kiss you, she'd have to give you a. , by the time I was 12, I owned my own home.

dad. 

I had to get that in. It's probably cause I didn't dress for success. . 

Oh boy. All right. Well, um, listeners, I wish that we had asked you to like, subscribe and share with a friend before, before the dad joke came. Um, but please, if you enjoyed what you. Like, subscribe, share with a friend. We appreciate it.

If there's a topic you wanna hear about or a guest that you think would be awesome for us to interview, please let us know. And, uh, we look forward to seeing you in a couple of weeks. Yes, we do. 

Wherever you are, whatever your story. Thanks for spending time with us this morning. Now go and make a difference in your.

Did I tell you that last year I joined the support group for anti-social people we haven't 

met yet. . See, that's the perfect, that was a dad joke. That was actually appropriate this episode. Spin the 

bottle. I wanted to end this Well. Well, you were talking about, I don't know. It didn't fit, but it was fit. It didn't fit at all, , but I 

liked it.

Bye everyone. Have a great week, everybody.