How do you say hello in this day and age?

The concept of how to say hello in the current virtual world is one that I find very interesting. For years the introduction was one of the highest forms of validation in the business world. Often two men, (because there were few women working at that time) would meet over drinks, dinner or at a club and discuss the issues of the day and then if they found each other agreeable, they would exchange business cards.

This was a very time honored tradition and more often than not the initial meeting could only be arranged by a mutual acquaintance so there had to be a common frame of reference to begin with. It was also considered to be very bad form to discuss one's actual business during the initial meeting so as you can see it was very much a formal and ritualistic endeavor to network.

In today's age the opposite is true. We can connect with people that we may never meet. The informality of the meetings are really a case of one friend emailing another seeing if they might want to meet with a third friend. Usually based on the mutual friends word, the two will meet together often times virtually. So then the question becomes how does one say hello in this day and age.

Well, I have always favored the " Hello, this is Rick Sheehy," approach when answering the phone. I always sign off emails to new introductions as Sincerely, Rick Sheehy. I believe this way I demonstrate a knowledge of proper communications and show a professionalism that is often lacking in today's overly casual environment.

I am also a firm believer that communications needs to be refined so that we teach people, especially younger people that there are various methods of communications , (and by that I am not talking about tools.) Too often people think that the casual vernacular they use when speaking to friends is appropriate in the workplace. In some circumstances it may be, but in most professional work situations a different type of language is required so where a simple nod may have sufficed before, a more robust good morning Bill or hello Nancy may be the more reasonable tool to use while in a more professional setting.

In unrelated news the Red Sox continue to disappoint by slipping into second place. As usual, the scrubs of the league are beating up on the Sox. This is typical Red Sox, if you put the greatest team ever made on the field the Sox will beat them handily. The 1962 Mets will take 2 out of 3 from them.

After a one day return to June weather it seems like we are heading back to normal summer weather. God I hope so!!!

Why networking is about more than your next job

Networking is a key tool in today's business environment. That's for sure. But many people seem to think that networking exists solely for the purpose of finding a job. I was speaking with a friend of mine a few days back who had an opening and was looking for some help to fill it. She told me how sad it was to see all these people whom she had met at one point come out of the wood work and say, "oh do you remember me from XYZ event, well I saw your opening."

Needless to say, she found this very off putting. Quite obviously these people had believe that one previous interaction or maybe a prior conversation or two had put them on some level whereby they were very close and were able to network to a much higher degree than someone just off the street. In some regards, someone just off the street may be a better candidate because there is no supposition of familiarity that these people are trying to project.

True networking is within a small circle and extends to include business life as well as none business life. If you belong to a network you keep your network involved on major areas of interest that might concern them. I know to some this is a gray area but it really should not be. If you know of some great charitable event and think others in your network maybe interested, you share it with them. If you are having a baby or get a new job, go ahead and share that. But keep in mind a network is like the proverbial ripples on a pond. The further out in the network, the more likely they are not interested.

So I would counsel what I counsel to college grads I network with, use the person you are networking with to gain from their experience and insight. Don't go into networking thinking it is entirely focused on securing a job. Also, find time to enjoy networking. The social aspect is one of it's best components!

On the less serious side, I woke up this morning to a thermostat that read 49 degrees. For July 10th that is just not right! Well at least the sun is shining bright and the forecast is for a nice weekend! Perfect for laundry!!!

The Joy of Networking

Yesterday was a big networking day for me and as with all networking it was a mixed bag. I have to admit that I enjoy networking. I am a social animal and do don't have any fear of walking up to someone new and introducing myself. I started off at a luncheon in Boston and parked down by the courthouse and the Barking Crab and then walked to Broad Street. Thanks to our lovely June weather, I was wet but the time I got there and soaked by the time I got back to my car. None the less the event was interesting and I was able to make some connections that I hope will help the business down the road.

I also went to the Price Center's cookout, held indoors due to bad weather. They had pizza from Paddy's which was very good and by the time I went to my third networking event of the night I was so full I could barely move. Still, I made some great contacts and most importantly, I enjoyed the events. Having to sell a new concept is never going to be easy, but if you're able to do it based on not only firm conviction but an easy, gregarious nature then you are sure to succeed.

Getting back to being soaked that is just another symptom of our lovely June weather. It never rained hard and that was the case yesterday. The wind is what made me wet, I never walked through anything more than a sprinkle but it was whipped around by the wind so that I was it from all ends. Needless to say, I was soaked and if were not for an access to a dryer, I would have caught pneumonia.

My third meeting was at Boston College last night and it was for a restart of their community service committee. After so many years of gross mismanagement it is nice to see them take back the initiative and return to something closer to what Boston College is supposed to be about. The previous administration of both the Alumni Association and chapter in the Boston area was a textbook case in incompetence and inability to even care about the alumni themselves. They were out for a few people and the rest of the alumni were basically excluded, quite the opposite of the great program they inherited. Thankfully this dark chapter seems closed.

Oh and another win for the Sox last night and another homer for Big Papi. Lester seemed to pitch a good game and things look great. It will be interesting to see if John Smoltz is worth the money he is set to be paid. I hope I get home in time to see it tonight!