The Joy of Introducing @CarolSchiroGreenwald

Introduction for Carol Schiro Greenwald at her book launch for

Strategic Networking for Introverts, Extroverts and Everyone in Between

I’ve known Carol for almost 25 years. We initially met through a general marketing group in NY and then again through a legal marketing group, then called NALFMA, now known as the LMA. She was a smart and witty Marketing Director and though very intimidated by her, I wanted to become her friend. We had a mutual friend and Dee bridged the gap between us over a polo game in California during an LMA Conference. I’m still grateful to Dee to this day.

I didn’t understand then that my extroverted, over enthusiastic nature probably scared the hell out of Carol and Carol probably didn’t understand that I viewed her introverted nature, with the utmost of respect - for her brain, her being a single mom, and her ability to seemingly talk about anything with knowledge and conviction.  

Carol is incredibly modest.  And she never reminds people of her incredible academic background – including an undergraduate degree from Smith, a Masters in International Relations from Hunter, a Ph.D. in Philosophy, including a focus on comparative constitutional and legal systems and then a Post Doc at the Bunting Institute in political science and public policy. She also does not boast about all the volunteer and board work she tirelessly does.

She is unique in both the world of consultants and of humans. I am so excited about her book, Strategic Networking for Introverts, Extroverts, and Everyone in Between because it is so relevant for today’s digital world. It goes far beyond, cocktail party conversation. It elevates the conversation – beyond the elevator speech – literally and figuratively.

I am also delighted that she is educating professionals about her system because Carol is a born teacher. She takes information and data, she synthesizes it and then she adds in her own perspectives, tailored for her clients’ needs. Along with her book, Carol is doing keynotes, workshops and training to reinforce the messages in the book and tailor it to her audiences. I’m the Global CMO at Alvarez & Marsal, a 4000 person, global management consulting firm based in NY. I’m actively looking for places where she can educate our professionals, both introverted and extroverted. Data has shown that it is at times our 2nd and 3rd degrees relationships that yield the most work – not our 1st degree ones.

All of Carol’s techniques are informed by data. Her book and workshops beautifully talk about what to do BUT also what not to do. Whether it is doing the Business Double Date or avoiding Random Acts of Lunch, Carol talks through the agenda that every meeting or event should possess. If you haven’t yet read the whole book, not just where you were quoted, I implore you to do so.

Consider giving it as required reading to your professionals, gifting it to the people you know who want to be better at what they do and, better yet, hire her to come talk to your colleagues or others who would benefit from her erudite content and authentic style.

Carol does not actively market herself, so it is my true pleasure to do so for her. Carol is one of the few people in my life who is personal and professional mentor and a friend.

I am so pleased to be able to introduce her tonight and ask her to share some of her book with us.