Networking within FIRST and Today’s Business Community Andy Baker

Details Married with 3 daughters BSME, Univ. of Evansville, 1991 Delphi Corporation, 1992-2007 Owner & President of AndyMark, 2004-present FIRST Mentor: 1998-present (FRC 45, 3940) 2003 Championship Woodie Flowers Award Winner andyb@andymark.com

Networking What is it? Why do it? How do we do it? Prepare Be productive In FIRST In your community Within your market Online

Prepare Figure out who is going to be at your event Set goals I’m gonna talk to xx, yy, etc. I will ask these questions, find this answer Have plenty of business cards Don’t look sloppy Don’t be sick or hung over Realize that you’re always being interviewed Realize that you’re representing your company/school/team

Be Productive Push yourself Take notes, keep a journal (Word doc, email, etc.) Follow up (thanks/action) Don’t procrastinate Remembering names takes effort, not talent

Social Tips Be aware of how you socialize/network: Don’t just talk to (or sit with) your friends Be positive Listen Associate, but don’t always “one up” the conversation Ask questions, ask for advice, let others lead the conversation Don’t waste people’s time Be discreet when asked/needed Look for social cues Handshake and eye contact Know how to end a conversation Know when you’re attention is no longer wanted Watch your body language What your tongue

In FIRST FIRST alumni and intern resources Perform your task as if it’s a job or long interview Be on time Stay productive Treat people with respect Be accountable Do what it takes to finish the job Scout who will be at the event (2016, 2017) What teams Who are their sponsors? Who are their mentors? Know and make contact with key people

In Your Community Business networks Peer to peer Sales: BNI, Rainmakers Executive, entrepreneurs: Vistage, EO Chamber of commerce Community organizations Young professionals Not for profit boards Engineering societies Clubs Use your family/personal relations for advice and entry into networks Be careful when mixing business and personal life

Within Your Market Trade Shows Providing on-line assistance Indy, Chicago Providing on-line assistance Tutorials Discussion board activity Be a mentor Find a mentor Volunteer at events

Networking as a College Student Be active in your classes Use your faculty and staff Reach out to alumni networks Go to networking events Push yourself and practice Get an internship

Networking Online Contact tracking: LinkedIn Current list of everyone’s resumes Keep up with friends: facebook, instagram Be an adult: keep your online presence clean Realize that everyone connects a bit differently Phone, text, pm, chat, call, email, smoke signals Keep your profiles up to date Review your connection networks

Any questions, comments? Thank you!