Up Your Game :: Show Up

A series of stories about networking using the framework from the book Up Your Game by David Bradford. Showing Up, is the networking aspect of being aware of the world around you and participating actively in it.

I arrived early to the sports bar knowing that the USA vs Germany was going to draw a large crowd. I was also excited to meet with friends for lunch, but more excited to meet someone fromCorporate Recruiting. I’m not very outgoing, but networking is important to me. I see it as finding opportunities to serve rather than being social. The server took me to my table —not the best spot—and I waited for the rest of the party. “Are you Arturo?” a friendly face asked, I must have nodded, because the next line was: “Hi, I’m Elisabeth.”

I remember now reading in Keith Ferrazzi’s book “Never Eat Alone” about Connectors, people that are well connected. I kept thinking: “When will I ever find someone like that.” Well now I know Elisabeth. Lunch was great, the game awful. I kept finding myself amazed of how many people Elisabeth would greet in the tables close by and people walking next to us. Was she that elusive Connector, she asked me a few things: my work, my hobbies, my family. I can now picture her mental rolodex spining trying to find a connection, where to *click*. After I told her about my young daughter she said: “I have a friend, who also has a young family, I think you should meet him.” *CLICK*

We finished lunch, I offered to connect back with her. I got to my desk, I had an email from Elisabeth addressed to me and her friend, making the connection. Wow, this is a connector that knows how to follow up. *Double Click* I didn’t do anything, I only showed up.

June 23, 2014

Up Your Game :: Start Up

I’ve been reading this week the book “Up Your Game” by David Bradford. One the the principles he talks about is Start Up.

I wanted to share a story about this principle…

So the story goes back 2 years ago when I was an Intern and my friend Liva R. was also interning. Liva had a co-worker Chizuki W., also an intern; Liva had asked me for some help with an excel project. I took some time off my day, and we completed the project. When Chizuki was having some questions about an excel problem she was having, Liva mentioned my name.

I spent probably 1-2 hours helping Chizuki build her excel workbook, and she was very greatful. She invited me to go to lunch with her and her boyfriend. Her boyfriend, Richard also works here in the company. For the lunch, Richard came with his co-worker, Joby. We had a good time.

2 years later Richard and Joby were looking for an employee to highlight in their series “A Day in the Life” for the company recruiting page. For some reason, they think of me, Joby sends a message to Chizuki and they contact me. They do a video, a photo session and a web post. (Still not public, will update when it is available) All because I decided to help a friend with a project.

June 18, 2014

Up Your Game: 6 Timeless Principles for Networking Your Way to the Top

Title: Up Your Game: 6 Timeless Principles for Networking Your Way to the Top
Author: David Bradford
Genre: Non-Fiction
Publisher: Life Science Publishing
Release Date: 2014
Format: Kindle
Pages: 192

This was an easy and fun read. The 6 principles outlined in the book are:

Start Up
Show Up
Follow Up
Link Up
Stand Up
Scale Up

What the booked showed me, was that there is no magic to networking, it is simply to be aware of our relationships and KNOW that they matter.

Start Up

This means to “give with no thought of getting.” I am amazed how many time we need to be reminded of the golden rule, “Do unto others.” I guess that when people have been cheated on, trampled by loved ones, or otherwise abused it is hard to believe that we have to give freely and others will reciprocate. I do believe that people will reciprocate, and I am amazed by the love that I have received through out my life.

Show Up

This principle is to be present, and in this world of so many options it is hard to be in the NOW. I have been guilty of being at home, yet having my head buried on my phone, or my computer. I have also seen the benefits of showing up, being at the right place.

Follow Up

Return calls, connect back, make something out of an encounter. There are people who are masters of this art, I am not one of them. I have to program myself to do a follow-up, but I know tha it is valuable.

Link Up

Go deeper than just “friend” someone, or “connect” with someone, or “follow” someone. This is the real process of caring for your network. This is easy for me, I am curious, and genuinely care for people. My problem is that when I am comfortable in a group, I don’t try to grow it or meet others. I forget that I need to be more inclusive and continue to find points of interest with other people.

Stand Up

This is about moral fortitude, doing what is right. This will be something that we all need to constantly think about; and strive to be righteous.

Scale Up

Never stop working on your network, this is your footing for anything that could happened in your career or in life. You must push forward.

February 11, 2014

Your Alumni Network

I still remember the talk during orientation where our group was told the importance of the school’s brand. How we were to go out and remember our school, the students, the professors, and the alumni. We were not just getting a degree, were were being meshed into a network.

I can’t deny that I was excited, I really was. I met second year MBA that were just great. They taught me how to improve my resume, how to go after interviews, they even connected me to other second year students that had worked at places where I wanted to work. I also met faculty and staff that lent a helping hand in finding a place for me. I can’t deny that I also met a few alumni, most older professionals that thought our program was great and wanted to contribute. The one group that I didn’t really see, were recent grads. The people that had graduate year before I started my MBA.

I didn’t give it much thought until I was a second year students, and there were first year students that I thought should meet recent grads that I knew, “my” second year students. I discovered that they were very willing to help, but few were being asked to contribute. They were recent hires, so there were in no position to extend offers. They had very little experience in the field they were working in, so I guess people didn’t think they were important.

I thought differently, I thought that they held key knowledge of how company’s recruited. They knew enough people to connect first year students. They were not influencers, but they were people of trust. They also had all the interview and resume knowledge and could critique the work of MBA Students. They are also the link to past generations of MBA Alumni, and that would grow the overall network.

It has almost been a year since I graduated, so I am a recent grad. I talked to the person responsible for Alumni Affairs and also to the head of MBA placement. I told them that I did not want to be the missing link. I wanted to continue being involved with new students and help in any way possible. I was particularly interested in international students, I being also an international student felt that I could bring some additional knowledge.

Over the past 10 months I’ve been trying to be involved with recruiting for Cummins. I have been able to meet wonderful students, and tried to make myself available to as many as I can. I don’t know all the incoming class, but I do know quite a few. I don’t believe in karma, but I do fell that we need to pay forward for all the help we get in order to get a job.

I would be more than happy to help our school. Regarding the interns, I would be more than happy to talk to them. Feel free to ask them to give me a call anytime and I can talk to them too. — Alumni

The other wonderful think I have discovered is tapping the shoulder of the Alumni Network. I have sent a not to all BYU MBAs at Cummins a personal note, just introducing myself. All have responded positevely. Next I have asked them if they would like to be involved in the recruiting efforts of the company; all have agreed. Right now I know of 15 BYU MBA Alumni that work for Cummins, imagine how the 6 interns this summer will feel when they will meet, face to face or virtually, all of these people. These are Alumni that want their peers to succeed, and before had not participated because they hadn’t been asked.

I now live the teachings from that day in orientation. I can see how I am part of a network bigger than my graduating class. Many times I struggle to expand my network at work, forgetting that there are alumni that are more than happy to connect with me and further my career. I also want to make it explicit that there is an onus on you to be available, to be open, to engender trust to your fellow alumni. It is my hope that we can all be more open and find that strength in OUR alumni network.