Sandy Jones-Kaminski

Not so secret Santas

belladomain — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 21:17:37 +0000

I must have been a very good girl this year because Santa definitely came early! I knew I needed to show my gratitude by sharing these awesome book reviews (and links) for my book “I’m at a Networking Event–Now What???” from this past week:

Matt’s review on his Career Horizons blog.

Randy’s review on his Hire Ground blog.

Who knew I’d have 2 not-so-secret Santas this year?!

Networking myths debunked

belladomain — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 20:11:42 +0000

This morning I had the exciting challenge of living up to the introduction I received below at an event hosted by Matt Youngquist of Career Horizons:

Topic: Networking Tips, Technique & Etiquette

Guest Speaker: Sandy Jones-Kaminski, President of Bella Domain & Author of “I’m At a Networking Event: Now What?”

In this next meeting, we’ll be joined by a good friend of Career Horizons and one of the top local experts on professional networking, Sandy Jones-Kaminski of Bella Domain. Having recently published her new book, mentioned above, Sandy has agreed to come share some of her top tips about how to win friends and influence people in the modern marketplace. A huge proponent of the “pay it forward” philosophy, she’ll be discussing some personal stories of how she’s leveraged her network of relationships to great effect and how her constant attempts to assist others have brought her many levels of personal/professional prosperity, in return. It should be an exciting discussion, and in the first hour of the meeting, we’ll also be engaging in some networking exercises and icebreakers designed to help all of you make some new acquaintances and become more effective at this important interpersonal aspect of the job search process.

One of the things I reviewed with the group had to do with some networking myths (included below) which I believe I adequately debunked during the presentation. My goal was to set the stage for all 47 of his guests to read the gift copy of my book (he provided them) with a much more open mind. Based on the feedback I received at the end of the event, as well as Matt’s kudos, it appears I did fairly well and I think I even achieved my goal!

What a great time I had and what a wonderful group this was to be part of today! Thanks so much Matt – you’d be hard-pressed to find a bigger fan than moi!

Myth #1: Networking means you’re looking to use people to achieve selfish goals, or opportunistically ask people for help.

REALITY: The definition of the word network according to The Oxford Dictionary:

nétwerk n. & v. a group of people who exchange information, contacts, and experience for professional or social purposes.

Therefore, networking can be defined as one’s efforts to create this group, and of course it can be done honestly and considerately.

Myth #2: You have to be a born networker or a natural at it.

REALITY: The skills needed to be an effective networker can be learned by anyone. Get comfortable asking folks you meet, “So, what are you working on these days?” or, “What do you need help with right now?” Then, just read my new book titled, “I’m at a Networking Event—Now What???” for more ways to further develop your networking muscle.

Myth #3: You must have above average charisma to be a good networker.

REALITY: You merely need to be thoughtful, sincere and genuinely helpful. You get offered a job or opportunities from people who are trusting of you. There IS a hidden job market out there, but you have to be willing to be open and giving to be part of it.

Myth #4: You have to be a good talker or an overly chatty “schmoozer” to be a good networker.

REALITY: The truth is it is almost the exact opposite. According to Guy Kawasaki, co-founder of Garage Technology Ventures, Forbes columnist, and author of the recently published, Reality Check, “The mark of a good conversationalist is not that you can talk a lot. The mark is that you can get others to talk a lot. Thus, good schmoozerʼs are good listeners, not good talkers.”

Some networking food for thought

belladomain — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 06:26:30 +0000

These are some of my favorite quotes that have everything to do with effective networking:

Just like you can never receive too many gifts at the holidays, you can never have too many contacts in your network. Being well-connected connotes success and influence — the kind of cachet every serious professional seeks to achieve.
- Debra Davenport for Yahoo! HotJobs

To be successful, you have to be able to relate to people; they have to be satisfied with your personality to be able to do business with you and to build a relationship with mutual trust.
- George Ross

….relationships take time, getting to know folks requires patience, and people are generally cautious – if not fearful – of Johnny come lately that is asking, rather than giving.
-Jeremiah Owyang, Sr. Analyst at Forrester

You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you.
- Dale Carnegie

Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time.
- Alan Collins, author of “Unwritten HR Rules”

You take people as far as they will go, not as far as you would like them to go.
- Jeanette Rankin

best left behind in 2009

belladomain — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 03:36:28 +0000

It’s time to start making a list of the things you’d like to leave behind in 2009.

As I shared last year, a few years ago, my hubby and I learned about an incredibly helpful year-end tradition that we’ve embraced. For us, and other folks that aren’t fans of a new years resolution list, making a list of the things you’d like to leave behind in 2009 allows us all to create space for the things we really want to have in our lives in the new year.

Be sure you can print it though, and then on New Year’s Eve say a little “goodbye” to your entire list and do something dramatic with it like burn it in your fireplace, flush it down the toilet, bury it in the sand at the beach or in the dirt in the woods or somewhere other than your backyard (it’ll still be around then).

If you’d like an example I’ve decided to once again share mine (I’ll add to it between now and Dec 31):

Sandy’s best left behind in 2009:

Unconscious people (still working on this weed out from last year)

The excuse that I have no time to work out if I’m writing a book (I’ve joked that you too can write a book if you just stop working out!)

Acquaintances that simply do not demonstrate an interest in creating a quality or meaningful connection

Working without even the opportunity of a few decent windfalls

Netflix (boo hoo!)

Buying things that I can easily just borrow from others

Trying to remain “friends” with people that really don’t have the same core values as I/we do

Hit and runs (read more about this in my book or this post)

AMEX Rewards plan loyalty

Checking my book ranking on Amazon daily

So, that’s all I have come up with so far, but I am sure they’ll be more and here’s to a very HAPPY 2010!

Video montage Nov 19 PIF event

belladomain — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 23:04:56 +0000

Check out the video we just got up on YouTube and please share it w/your peeps! Thanks to Keith, Geoff, Marc, Kendra, Julia and Karin for the great giggle (watch – you’ll see).