How We Helped Each Other Today

 

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Emmaus Work Connectors had our monthly meeting this evening.

The group is about helping each other in our work journey.

We started out with the following encouraging words and a brief prayer:

Isaiah 41:10. “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not anxiously look about you, for I am your God. ...
Psalm 37:23-25. “The steps of a man are established by the Lord, and He delights in his way.

We then started with the question:

• In one minute, explain what would be the best outcome of this time together tonight?

Everyone took a turn. Some people were there to help others. Some had things they were working on that they needed help with. Here are a few highlights of the meeting.

1. We talked about how to get motivation to get to our goals. This article was shared: "How To Master Your Goals With The Ulysses Pact" on the trello blog.

Someone mentioned that this was along the lines of a book they just picked up titled "indistractable" by Nir Eyal

2. One person was working on an introduction of themselves to a class they are taking.
We worked together on ideas of how to write a good introduction. 

It was mentioned that telling a story makes it more memorable. One person remembered that tomorrow the Vyond team is offering a "tour" online (for free) that goes for several weeks on Wednesdays called the "Virtual Story Telling Tour".

We also discussed how we can use mind-mapping for brainstorming in writing ( which a few people in our group are doing ) or presenting (which I do a lot of)

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mind_map

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_concept-_and_mind-mapping_software

We talked about creating an effective headline - for LinkedIn and for our introduction:

https://cultivatedculture.com/linkedin-headline/

3. It was mentioned that in a future monthly meeting (or in one of the weekly small group meetings) we could work together on our LinkedIn headlines as a task to help each other with.

 Conclusion:

These meetings are glitzy, they're not all that structured, but they are helpful to the people who participate by either sharing their needs or helping others. And, just like one of our main goals states, by helping each other, we create strong net-working bonds.  We use the team "Net-working" because we network by working together on each other's work-journey goals.

Maybe you'll consider joining us at some point. 

Please comment here about what you have found to be effective in your work-journey or in helping others.

Sign up and find details here.

Discussion points for the first mentoring meeting

Someone recently asked me to mentor them.

From past experience and looking around, I found this list to be a good starting point for our first meeting. I asked them to schedule the first meeting and I suggested that we would start with discussing the following points:

1. Introductions and experience background of each of us (let's please exchange resumes and/or brief autobiographies before the first meeting)
2. Goals? (for both of us)
3. Constraints, issues, boundaries, and considerations
3.1. Confidentiality
3.2. Duration, frequency, and Length of meetings (How long of a commitment will this be for? How often will we meet? How long will we meet each time?)
3.3. Checkpoints to assess the mentoring status and/or if we should continue
3.4. Considerations of environment: such as lack of confidence, new to position, etc.
3.5. How will we consider that we're reached the goal
3.6. Can we contact each other ad-hoc? Under what conditions and how?
4. Agenda for our meetings?
5. Who will take notes (i.e. action items, learnings, agenda for next meeting) and how will these notes be shared?

Big consideration for the first meeting: Is there any way that we can meet in person? Even if our periodic meetings must be on the phone, can we at least meet in person for the first meeting?


A few reference articles for mentoring:

• http://www.mentors.ca/mentorpartnertips.html
• http://www.rad.washington.edu/academics/mentor/pdf-forms/Mentors%20Checklist%20-%202%20-%201st%20mtg.pdf/view
• http://deptmed.med.som.jhmi.edu/faculty/body7.html
  

I'm open to suggestions for improving this list. Please leave a comment!

Tips for those looking for a job

I've been to many networking meetings. Recently (in April) and then last night I went to two special networking meetings. The first one, at my Alma mater NJIT, was their first speed networking event and it was for alumni to help students. The second one, last night, was a networking meet-up for the Professional Services Group out of the local unemployment office (I'm an alumn there).

I like to go to these because, while networking always has value, I believe we add value when there are people attending who are employed. They bring a different viewpoint.

Here are my suggestions to those looking for a job (I shared many of these ideas with the people at these networking sessions):
(note: if you don't read the books first, you won't get the full value of the remaining points)

• Read "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale Carnegie - apply it to all your encounters, and especially to those who you network with and interview with. You'll find this book at your public library most likely
  
• Read "Never Eat Alone" by Keith Ferrazzi - great book how how to network
  
• Always offer something (reference: "Free Prize Inside" by Seth Godin) to the people you are talking to. It's sort of the Golden Rule: treat people as you want to be treated. You need to be giving in order to receive. Example: when you talk to someone, don't say "I need a job" instead say "I am looking for a company where I can offer my talents and where I can increase their profit by..."
  
• Join the Etp Network (etpnetwork.com) it's free. Get involved. Great value!
  
• Always work on the "warm" network: The "Warm" network is composed of people who know each other, rather than a "cold" connection. Eexample of a cold connection: when you send a copy of your resume to someone you don't know for a job on a job board or job ad. Examples of the warm network: Try to find someone who can find you a contact in the company you're interviewing for (or that you want to join). Use linkedin for this if you must.
  
• It's a numbers game: Make as many contacts as you can. Sooner or later, one will lead to a job. Don't be discouraged if a contact doesn't work out, just move on to the next contact. When you talk to people, ask if they can recommend at least 2 people you can talk to, not about a job, but just to ask them questions, just to practice talking to people, and maybe to find out if you can help them. This will build your network. Sooner or later you'll find someone to help you. Most jobs are found through networking and there was a study I read about recently that said that most jobs found by acquainances, not from people you know real well. So, make as many contacts as you can. Mention what you can offer in a job situation (rather than what you need) to each person so it's clear, then move on to talking about them (not you).
  
• Build relationships: Example: When you're networking or on an interview, try to find out something about the person (their passion or hobby or interest) and start asking them questions about it. Time will pass quickly. The conversation will become more friendly. You'll make a friend instead of someone with a business card. You'll have a future contact. Note: there was a study I read about recently that asked managers to rate reasons that they would hire or promote someone. More than half rated "liking someone" higher than any other criteria (including qualifications) that they would use to decide if someone got a raise or were hired.
  
• Increase you EQ: In light of the above, do some research on the Emotional Quotient (EQ) - this is a recent "hot topic" that expresses how much more important it is to get along with people than it is to have a high IQ
• Don't dismiss anyone as "not a good contact" - while talking to some people, I used to think to myself "They're not even in my industry, this isn't going to be a helpful contact." Later I examined my thinking and realized that anyone you talk with is a powerful person to know. Why? Because you might be able to help them! That in itself is a noble cause! In addition, by helping them, they may feel they owe you something and help you out at some point. Or, maybe you can't help them and they can't help you, but maybe later the relationship might be helpful, or maybe one of you know someone who might be helped or help one of you. There is some value in every person you meet.
• Allow people to be in debt to you - Here's a concept that not many people talk about. Take someone to lunch, work for their company as a volunteer, or give them some information they need. They may in turn "Pay it forward" (i.e. help someone else in return) or they may help you in return.
  

The Bible quotes Jesus as saying "Give and it will be given to you..." Luke 6:38
I firmly believe in this concept of giving. It doesn't always come back the same way, but you'll be taken care of.

God's best to you on your job search!

Working Outline of an Introduction to Twitter

I'm working on an introduction to Twitter. I'm not skilled enough to be a guru yet.

Here's an outline. Give me your comments on what else I should cover.

What is Twitter?

• How does it work?
• What does it do?
• What are the benefits?

Suggestions for how to learn about using Twitter

• View an Overview
• Setup an account (details below)
• Follow what's going on for a while
• Observe RT, @, #FollowFridays
• Find out about Hashtags - maybe make one of your own
  
• Then, Dive in and start posting messages

Setting up a Twitter Account

• Web
• Phone
  

Suggestions for newbies

• Follow first before being followed
  

Following

• What it means to have followers
• How to follow someone
• Examples

How to find people and topics

How to use Twitter to send messages (Tweet)

• Short URLs (links)
  
• Twitter commands
• Special Twitter text (#, RT, @ replies, DM, etc.)
• Twitter hashtags (#FollowFriday, hashtag.org,etc)

Getting followers

• How to get followers
• Good practice when someone follows you

Great uses of Twitter

References:

• http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Twitter
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddO9idmax0o&feature=player_embedded
• http://www.usetrackthis.com (track packages via twitter)
  

PM Controversy: Ratio of Developers to BAs

Let me first set up the background to this controversial question and then I'd like to have your comments here.

Just as Sacha Chua said when we talked two weeks ago, it's great to keep in touch with friends and colleagues through social networking tools like linkedin and facebook, but it's even better to meet face-to-face!

Yesterday, David (a coworker who just passed his PMP last week-YEAH David!) invited me to a great lunch with Betty (a PMP who I used to volunteer with several years ago in the local PMI chapter) and her husband, Jonathan, who's worked in roles as a Developer, BA, and PM. David had worked with Betty years ago and this was a chance for us all to catch up.

We were having a great discussion and then Jonathan dropped the "controversial" question:
What do you think is a good ratio of developers to Business Analysts (BAs)?

I sensed an awkward pause of quietness in the conversation...

Well, I guess I inherited this from my dad, he often says and asks things that are bordering on the absurd to illicit a response from people. So, to break the "ice" my response was: "One to one. That's worked for us on some difficult projects in the past where we're redesigning a system from scratch (i.e. Business Process Reeengineering: BPR)."

Well, it did what I hoped, it opened things up for a great discussion.

Jonathan added that it depends on whether or not the BAs are also testers too. And, it depends on the type of project. We also discussed that it depends on the knowledge of the domain by the BAs and the type, competency level, and experience level of the BAs.

It's the classic PM response to any question: "It Depends!"

I was wondering what your answer would be to the question of what a good ratio of Developers to BAs is. What's worked for you? Please comment!

I'm planning to post responses in a few weeks over at PMlessonsLearned.com!

Networking Workshop

I have led a Networking Workshop before that I designed.
It's a topic I can present on to any group, large or small.

It's pretty staightforward, and let's attendees get a chance to actually practice and learn networking as we go, rather than just hearing about it. That's why I call it a "workshop."
Everyone that comes is asked to bring business cards and a pen.

This information was learned from others along the way with strong influences from Rod Colon (leader of the etpnetwork.com - which is free to join and highly recommended) and Keith Ferazzi (keithferrazzi.com) author of "Never Eat Alone," another book that is highly recommended by me.

Here's the general outline:
1. I ask people to spend 5 minutes to go meet someone. I will give a warning, then ring a bell when time is up. Then I ask questions:

• Did you both get a chance to talk?
• Did you learn much about each other?
• Is this someone you would want to keep as a friend?
• How can you remember them? (ask for their business card, turn it over, write the date, where you met and and what you discussed.
  

A few observations then occur:

• It's best to listen and talk
• You can talk about F.O.R.M. (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Money) to get deeper into a relationship
• In "How to Win Friends and Influence People" ( a gem of a book from 1936) author Dale Carnegie mentions how important it is to listen and lavish praise and interest on someone's interests. This will win you friends.
  
• Some people may not be a direct help to your career, but they are still valuable people to know for other reasons. What might they be? (they may connect to someone else, they might be someone that can help someone you know, they might be someone you might have common interests with, but not find you a job)

2. Now everyone is asked to pick someone else and talk again for 5 minutes
Questions:

• Did you both get a chance to talk? Does it feel better that way?
  
• What if they don't have a business card? (you take one of yours and ask them to write their contact info on it)
• You need to follow up with people within 48 hours, or you will forget. Remind them what you talked about. Send them a related article or wait a few weeks and send them a link.
• How deep of a relationship did you establish? Ask for some examples. Was it that deep that you'd remain friends?
• You can learn so much more about people if you ask them what their passion is. Get deep in the relationship quickly
  

3. Try it again with another person: 5 minutes

• What did you find out about the other person? What types of passions?
• Do you feel that you'll have a deeper relationship? Will you both keep in touch now? Will you remember what to talk to him about the next time?
• It's good to enter the information in a spreadsheet (or in linkedin.com notes about the person) so you can remember how to follow up. If you put it in a spreadsheet, put a followup date so you remember when to speak again.

4. Try the networking again with another person: 5 minutes

• Did you find anything out that you might introduce this person to someone else you spoke with this evening? That is a major part of networking: not just finding people to help you, but to help others.
  
• Explain the law of reciprocity: the golden rule
• You need to go to people offering something, not always being needy
  
• When you go to a networking event, don't be looking for the next person to talk to. Try to make a few deep connections rather than many shallow ones.
  
• What can you do to excuse yourself from a conversation so you can move on to someone else? (ask them if they want some punch? Tell them you want to introduce them to someone else? Other ideas?)

5. Try networking with two to three people this time. I'll give 10 to 15 minutes. You have to try to break away on your own. See if you can do it gracefully.

• What worked? What didn't
  
• Are you meeting people that you're connecting well with?
  
• Did you find anyone that might help you? Your network of friends? Stories?

This process is repeated over and over for the lenght of the meeting. The cycle is to learn a bit, then practice a bit: learn, practice, and learn from practice. All of life is made up of learning.

I hope you'll learn from some of these pointers and try these concepts out!