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July 22 Networking Event Recap

A contingent of North Carolina FOCM members gathered last night at Edwards Mill Bar and Grill in Raleigh.
Seven members fought the traffic and made it.
Attendees: Marysasser Holloway, Andy Holloway, Gayle Grandinetti (arrived first), Mark Mickunas, Mike Burrows, Vince Hoefling, Mike Markowitz

The very reason to network was displayed: Mark’s son, an NCSU college graduate in Computer Sciences is looking for work. It was discussed that perhaps a position in Clinical Data Management would be a good start. Marysasser gave Mark the contact info for a recruiter at Clinforce/DOCS who works in that area.

Other networking value was provided as myself and one other are in job searches and needed to discuss several job offers.

Tina Fey – Business & Networking Consultant?

I certainly did not expect to find tips on business and networking in Tina Fey’s book “Bossypants”, yet there it is on pages 84 and 85.  It is entitled: The Rules of Improvisation.  Within these two pages are solid advice on how to socially interact with others.  The gems of wisdom are part sales technique, part interpersonal communication and how to succeed in business.  She says the first rule is: AGREE; by agreeing, you are respecting what your partner (target customer, new acquaintance) has created.  She points out that we all know people whose first answer to anything is no. As in, “no we  can’t do that, no that’s not in the budget.”

The second rule is to not only say yes, but to say yes, and.  This is good advice to follow in business or social networking settings; how to keep a conversation going.  Agree with something the person talking to you is saying and then add something to that.  It is your responsibility to contribute and add to the discussion.

The third rule is “Make Statements”. “Whatever the problem, be part of the solution.  Don’t just sit around raising questions and pointing out obstacles.”

The last rule is: “There are no Mistakes”, only opportunities.

The other ~280 pages of the book are very funny and witty and I highly recommend reading this book.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bossypants/113835875370231?fref=ts

Nymphomaniac Convention

Submitted by Bob Troeller

_ A man boarded an airplane and took his seat. As he

_ settled in, he glanced up and saw the most beautiful
_ woman boarding the plane.
_
_ He soon realized she was heading straight towards
_ his seat. As fate would have it, she took the seat
_ right beside his.
_
_ Eager to strike up a conversation he blurted out,
_ “Business trip or pleasure?”
_
_ She turned, smiled and said, “Business. I’m going to
_ the Annual Nymphomaniacs of America Convention in
_ Boston.”
_
_ He swallowed hard. Here was the most gorgeous woman
_ he had ever seen sitting next to him, and she was
_ going to a meeting of nymphomaniacs.
_
_ Struggling to maintain his composure, he calmly
_ asked, “What’s your business role at this
_ convention?” “Lecturer,” she responded. “I use
_ information that I have learned from my personal
_ experiences to debunk some of the popular myths
_ about sexuality.” “Really?” he said. “And what kind
_ of myths are there?”
_
_ “Well,” she explained, “one popular myth is that
_ African-American men are the most well-endowed of
_ all men, when in fact it is the Native American
_ Indian who is most likely to possess that trait.
_
_ Another popular myth is that Frenchmen are the best
_ lovers when actually it is men of Jewish descent who
_ are the best.
_
_ I have also discovered that the lover with
_ absolutely the best stamina is the Southern
_ Redneck.”
_
_ Suddenly the woman became a little uncomfortable and
_ blushed. “I’m sorry,” she said, “I shouldn’t really
_ be discussing all of this with you. I don’t even
_ know your name.”
_
_ “Tonto,” the man said, “Tonto Goldstein, but my
_ friends call me Bubba.”