Schmooze.biz

I still cringe when I think about it. When I was in grad school at Columbia, one of the ways to land a finance job was to go to networking events & chat up senior people from Wall Street firms. At every event, there'd be clusters of students, all gathered around some managing director from Bear Stearns or Morgan Stanley, chatting him up. If you didn't want to be unemployed after graduation, you'd better try to insert yourself into a conversation & ask a smart question that might get you noticed. Talk about stressful! I ended up getting a job offer because of a relationship. (Thank you Sharon Moore & Carolyn Buck Luce!) Building a network of business relationships is a must. But networking doesn't have to be so stressful. Schmooze hosts IRL networking events that we call "organized" or "structured" speed networking. Instead of being left to your own devices to connect with people randomly, we'll facilitate introductions & help you connect with people. Tickets for the next event are on sale now! ?? It's on Thurs, Dec 5 in NYC from 5:30 to 7:30pm. ?? Schmooze members can use the discount code they can find on the Schmooze website to buy discounted tickets. ?? Non members can buy tickets by using the Eventbrite link in the comment section.

I'm always tired. Is it because I'm an entrepreneur & I'm always doing the cha cha - 2 steps up, then 2 steps back? Is it because I'm in my 60's? Is it because my car got rear-ended earlier this year & now my back ALWAYS hurts? Whatever the reason, when I open my eyes in the morning, I'm already exhausted. That's why what Marie Roker-Jones said really resonated with me. Marie is the founder of Curious Introverts. She said "connection doesn't come from being the funniest or most charming person in the room or being "on" all the time." "It happens when you show up as you are, even if that means saying, 'Hey, I'm not at 100% right now, but I'd still love to hear about you.' "Some of the best connections I've ever made were when I had nothing to give but curiosity and realness." On Tues, Dec 3, at 12 noon ET, Marie will be teaching a Schmooze.biz Mini Masterclass on "The Secret Way Introverts Can Instantly Connect With Anyone". Then, on Thurs, Dec 5 from 5:30-7:30 PM, Schmooze.biz will be hosting an "organized speed networking" event IRL in NYC. If you're a Schmooze member, all Mini Masterclasses are included in your membership! And you get discounted tickets to the Schmooze networking event. Register on the Schmooze website or on Eventbrite using the code that I provide in every Monday's email. Non-members can pay a one-time fee to attend this class & the networking event. Just use the?Eventbrite?links in the comment section.

It's not just about you. Sometimes we don't network because..... ** we just landed a new job; so we "don't need" to network anymore. ** our career is flourishing so we don't feel like we "need" to meet new people ** maybe we made an appearance at an industry event six months ago. So we're "good". But having a robust network of business relationships doesn't just benefit you. Let's say.... ** your boss is looking for a panelist for a event she's moderating. You come through in clutch time by connecting her with the perfect person. ** your neighbor is a tech exec; but his kid wants an internship on Wall Street. Luckily, you know someone at JP Morgan who can help. ** your best friend is looking for investors for her business. You remember you met someone who knows someone who is an angel investor. Connecting others is a form of reciprocity. It not only feels good. It's a way to expand your own network and become known as a resource who "knows everybody!" Two weeks ago, Mina E. Black of The RainMakers Collective invited me to a Women & Wealth breakfast sponsored by Vanessa Lindley of AllianceBernstein. I am NOT a morning person! But I dragged myself out of bed, put on some lipstick, and took the train into Manhattan. I met a venture capitalist who is raising a fund that invests in women's sports. Two weeks later, someone called me about a new women's sports league & I was able to introduce them to that VC + two women at How Women Invest. I also met someone who reached out to me a week later, looking for female founders who are close to an exit. I was able to introduce her to a few VC's I know. Connect with people. Stay in touch. Introduce them to others. Repeat. You can start with our Schmooze.biz "organized speed networking" event. It's on Thursday, Dec 5 from 5:30 to 7:30 PM in NYC. Schmooze members can use the link & the discount code in this week's email to purchase discounted tickets. Non-members can buy tickets by using the Eventbrite link in the comment section. Connect. Reciprocate by connecting others. Repeat. Because it's not just about you.

Congratulations to these Schmooze.biz members who are making major career moves, speaking at conferences, & joining nonprofit boards. Birgit Albicker-Rimpel Chelsea Ransom-Cooper, CFP? Marie-Aude Barzac Andrea Henderson, SPHR, CIR, RACR Catherine Gacad

This ?? David Hannan said: "Your #1 mistake: not networking ↓ Networking beats age bias. Networking beats skill gaps. Networking beats no degree. Networking beats short stints. Networking beats cold applying. Networking beats overqualifying. Networking beats doom-scrolling. Networking beats merely applying. Networking beats career-changing. Networking beats employment gaps. Networking beats hoping to be saved. Networking beats no formal education. Networking beats feeling overeducated. Networking beats feeling undereducated. Networking beats non-linear career paths. Networking beats no industry background. Networking beats lack of direct experience. Networking can help you handle anything. It’s the (not-so-secret) secret sauce." David Hannan is so right. That's why I launched Schmooze.biz. Our Mini Masterclasses focus specifically on teaching networking skills. Our Schmooze Events offer you a chance to build your network of relationships. TODAY, Nov 21: "Nail Your Self-Introduction" 12 noon to 1pm ET on Zoom Tues, Dec 3:? "How Introverts Can Instantly Connect With Anyone" 12 noon ET on Zoom Thurs, Dec 5: "Organized Speed Networking" event 5:30 to 7:30PM IRL in NYC Thurs, Dec 10:? "How Introverts Can Build Relationships at Work" 12 noon ET on Zoom Wed, Dec 11: "Why Mid-Career Professionals Should Be Interested In Corporate Boards & How To Get On One" IRL at Luminary in NYC 5:30 to 7:30PM Dec 12: "F*ck Being Humble" author,?Stefanie Sword-Williams 12 noon ET on Zoom Schmooze members: of course, all classes are included in your membership! And you get discounted tickets for the networking event. Register on the Schmooze website or on Eventbrite using the code provided in Monday's email. However non-members can pay a one-time fee to attend any class and the networking event. Just use the?Eventbrite?link below.

Don't miss Part 2 of our interview with Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri, COO of TPG! We often think of our "network" as relationships that are outside of our company. But in Part 1 of our interview, Anilu explained how she built the internal relationships that changed the trajectory of her career. In Part 2 below, she tells us what she means when she calls herself a "truth teller" and how working in "windy" industries can offer more career opportunities.

You might regret eating that second dessert. Or you might regret buying those shoes that felt fine in the store; but now they feel like you're walking in cement blocks. But I promise.....you won't ever regret being intentional about expanding your network of business relationships. Schmooze.biz is hosting an "Organized Speed" Networking Event: Thursday, Dec 5 in NYC 5:30-7:30pm (includes light bites & beverages) And this Schmooze.biz Mini Masterclass will get you ready to network: "Nail Your Self-Introduction" Virtual on Zoom THIS THURDAY, Nov 21 12 noon-1PM ET (includes time for practice & feedback) Schmooze members get: free access to the Mini Masterclass discounted tickets to the networking event. RSVP on the Schmooze site or with the links in today's email. Non-members can: pay a one-time fee to access the Mini Masterclass buy tickets for the networking event Use the Eventbrite links in the comment section.

She has what my friends call "a big job". When I met Anilu Vazquez-Ubarri at a Black Women On Boards event, she had recently been promoted to Chief Operating Officer at one of the largest and most prestigious asset management firms in the world. I know enough to know that the COO role is not a typical landing spot for someone who began their career in HR. In part 1 of our interview, she tells us how she developed relationships with bosses and internal clients - who then encouraged her to take on different types of challenges. Those relationships & opportunities changed the trajectory of her career.