Nova – March 2010

Each month the SSWBN Membership Team recognizes a member who exemplifies the qualities of a Networking Nova, a person who embodies the Network’s core values of contacts, coaching and collaboration; someone who is visible at many SSWBN events and who treats others with respect and dignity. In addition, this personalizes the Network to build his/her business and helps others do the same.

Curry College’s Marge Duffy Gets Results from Networking Efforts

Marge Duffy,  the Senior Director of Continuing and Graduate Studies at Curry College writes:

Why is networking easier for some people than others?

For those of us who find networking a challenge, SSWBN is the ideal group in which to become actively involved.

When I first joined SSWBN two years ago, networking was a fairly new concept for me. However, as is the case with all new learning, what you get out of the activity is directly related to what you put into it.

To become effective at networking, you need to begin by attending SSWBN sponsored events and become an active participant. SSWBN offers an array of event formats that will allow you to choose those that best fit your comfort level, personal style, and work schedule. If you are new to networking, the Brown Bag Breakfast or Lunches might be the perfect fit because they use a smaller, structured meeting format and have an educational focus. The evening events offer a more casual format where you are able to drop in at your convenience.

SSWBN has provided me with many opportunities to increase the visibility and reach of Curry College’s Division of Continuing and Graduate studies. Curry’s evening and graduate programs offer the busy adult a convenient, supportive, learner-centered environment to begin college studies, or to return to college to complete a degree — not unlike SSWBN’s culture of creating a convenient, supportive environment in which to network with peers and colleagues.

While attending my very first SSWBN event, a member asked me about Curry’s MBA program and as a result of that conversation, she later enrolled. At last June’s Celebration! event, one of Curry’s Continuing Education students received a SSWBN Education Foundation scholarship. When you become part of SSWBN, you never know where a conversation will lead, what results will unfold, or how one networking opportunity can multiply into many others.

A key concept to remember about networking is that it is not merely a single event, but part of a larger process of engaging with colleagues. Effective networking requires time, patience and effort. Again, what you can get out of it is directly related to what you put into it. Attend the events, join a committee, and become involved. Committing yourself to becoming effective at networking will pay off, and you may even find that you have some fun along the way!

Congratulations Marge!