Thursday, April 21, 2011

The Network



Speaking to the pursuit of professional progression, in ANY industry, the effectiveness in which we network holds pivotal importance. Regardless of whether an industry requires formal resumes, employers, mentors, and pretty much anyone who will vouch for your character and ability to contribute will always require at least an informal one. I realize the term, “informal resume” may have some people scratching their heads, so allow me to check in the GAME and explain further.

As some of you know, I am active in the public speaking circuit (e-mail contact@JustGQ.com for bookings, by the way), and I will be giving a talk on Monday to students at the University of Illinois. In the interest of dual benefit, I thought I could share with you what I will be speaking about at the engagement. Personal branding in the arena of networking is an applicable skill across the board. In my “Best Foot Forward” seminar, I explain how one’s appearance produces the initial grounds on which he/she will be judged. I will move on because I previously wrote about that specific subject in a previous post.

Secondly, effective delivery of one’s “30 second commercial” or “elevator pitch” affords people the opportunity to buy into you and your vision for your future, and therein lies the purpose of networking—strike common ground and find mutual benefit. An elevator pitch or informal resume is a clear, concise summary of what you have done, want to do, and what you can bring to the table in give or take 30 seconds. Clearly stating one’s elevator pitch helps people evaluate the capacity in which they can help you achieve your goals, so it would benefit you to practice, so you can be prepared, as you NEVER know when an opportunity will present itself!

Lastly, once you look polished and you have practiced your elevator pitch to perfection, it is time to add the cherry on top—confidence. I have often felt like networking, is frequently like displaying interest in the opposite sex; you must be an display an attractive presentation, convey intelligence through your speech, creating intrigue, and portray confidence through proper posture, eye contact, and charisma! See what I did there? Display, convey, portray—nevermind. Lol. Networking is NOT the time to be shy! Closed mouths don’t get fed, and MJ told us “you miss 100% of the shots you don’t take”!

Thanks for checking in the GAME with Just GQ! Be on the look out for updates on JustGQ.com (launch coming SOON!), and also, check out Just GQ on LOOKBOOK! I need y’all to HYPE my looks on there! Let’s GO! GOD BLESS!

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