Speed network

The Genesee Valley chapter of the American Society for Training & Development had heard from its members that there is never enough time for networking.
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The chapter took that feedback literally and gave them speed networking on April 29 at DBM, a career transition agency in Rochester.

GV-ASTD is a volunteer-run professional resource for workplace and employee learning and development. Nationwide, the organization has 130 chapters.

During its speed Networking event, participants stood in two revolving rows and were given three minutes to exchange professional information.

Jo Anne Sims of Brighton kept time, sounding one of a variety of small musical instruments to signal that networkers should move on.

Although, she said, "if two people are involved in a conversation, no one is going to be bothered."

Former client of and career consultant for DBM, Michael Donnelly of Rochester tells his clients to "be focused and disciplined about networking. If you're targeting a company, you need a mentor within the company to go to bat for you."

Donnelly emphasized following up and asking for an informational interview. "I've found that total strangers are just as likely to help you as people you know," he added.

Dave Pope of Fairport, president of The PDA School, is also vice president of membership for Postprandial Toastmasters, which helps professionals practice public speaking.

"We have to become better speakers if we want to get up and train," he said.

When networking, Pope tries to figure out what challenges other people are working on, "so that I can go back to a company prepared to deliver solutions."

He also suggests that when you send a LinkedIn invitation, you should personalize it.

Paul Jaynes of Fairport, who works in marketing at Kodak, "met some people I've wanted to meet tonight."

"If you want to be in the loop but aren't, that's why you network," he added.

For Joanne Sandler of Scottsville, who is a career consultant for DBM, networking is a "great way to learn about your community. At least 80 percent of people get jobs that way."

Vice president of marketing for the chapter, Michelle Rudy hinted at a possible outdoor program in the next couple of months.

For more information, go to http://gvastd.org.