IT in the D

For the first time since we moved to the new studio, we weren't completely overbooked and insanely packed with guests last night, which was a nice change of pace and allowed us to have some great conversations with Natalia from VizBe and Alexas from TEKSystems...

VizBe is a company that's put together software to create electronic-based vision boards to help you achieve your goals by staying focused, being able to visualize what it is that you're working for and more.  We were lucky enough to get Natalia Petraszczuk, the company's founder.  They've got a lot of great things coming as well, and the chat led to why a company getting national attention chooses to stay in Detroit, things in the area of note, and beyond.

Listen in, and check them out at http://vizbe.co/

TEKSystems is a national, even international, company with an office here in the metro Detroit area, and they've been coming to our events for some time now.  We were joined by Alexas Bihn, one of their recruiters, to talk about what they're seeing in the metro Detroit marketplace, their approach to hiring, what their needs are in the area at the moment, and a whole bunch more.

Check their local office out at http://www.teksystems.com/locations/united-states/michigan/southfield, and look for them at upcoming events.

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For the first time since we moved to the new studio, we weren’t completely overbooked and insanely packed with guests last night, which was a nice change of pace and allowed us to have some great conversations with Natalia from VizBe and Alexas from TEKSystems… VizBe is a company that’s put together software to create […]

Another week, another great episode full of conversations with guests doing great things in and around the metro Detroit area. This time we were joined by Bamboo Detroit to talk about their co-working space downtown and an impending expansion, Newmind Group to talk about an event in September that they're putting on along with their core offerings, and Andrea from the Pontiac Public School District talking about technology in the world of public schools and her search for advice and help with a hackathon that she wants to pull together to help kids in the area...

Like we always do, the first segment covered our upcoming events, local events around the area of note, and the news, items and stories that caught our eyes over the past week.  From the lawn mowing robot brought to you by the makes of the Roomba vacuum cleaner to the outstanding story of the troll on Target's facebook page that destroyed people hilariously, the return of the Godfather theme as Bob vented about U-Verse and our new business venture for an extreme snow removal company since you can now buy flamethrowers on the cheap and more, we had a lot of fun topics.

Tonight also marked the first time we tried something new - we did the broadcast live through our own IT in the D stream while simulcasting through the Podcast Detroit stream.  It worked out really well, and so now there are more ways to listen live.

In segment two, we talked with Andrea Zellner, a teacher in the Pontiac Public School System that's trying to figure her way around this whole "hackathon" concept in order to help out kids in the area.

We talked about tech in the public school systems, what kinds of information are available, and what sort of help she's looking for.  If you're interested in helping, touch base with her at alzellner AT gmail DOT com.

For segment three, we chatted with the folks from Newmind Group.  We covered their company's offerings from a managed services perspective and what they've got going on there, but we mostly chatted about their upcoming Build IT Together event on September 10th.  It's a little different than the events we do, in that there will be focused panel discussions during their morning events on a variety of topics as they move forward.  Check out Newmind Group at http://newmindgroup.com/ and the Build IT Together events at http://buildittogether.co/

Our fourth segment involved our old friends and repeat guests from Bamboo Detroit.  They're awfully busy these days, as they're preparing for a major expansion to a new location that will allow them to start offering a wide variety of new services like private offices and greatly increase their membership capacity.  Check them out and keep up to date with all of the goings on at http://bamboodetroit.com/

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Again, the links for tonight's guests are:

To chat about helping with the Pontiac Schools, hit alzellner AT gmail DOT com.

Newmind Group can be found at http://newmindgroup.com/

Build IT Together is at http://buildittogether.co/

Bamboo Detroit is at http://bamboodetroit.com/

Podcast Detroit: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastDetroit

As always, we can be found:

On the web: http://www.ITinTheD.com

On Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/ITintheD/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=91763

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD 

On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITintheD

As with everything that we do, this has evolved over the years.

Because we don't believe in revisionist history, you can always still find the original version over at http://www.ITintheD.com/68/the-ten-commandments-of-networking/ if you're so inclined...but this version's been updated.

Why?  Because it needed to be.  It's been two and a half years since that first version was written, and things have changed since then.  We've also been doing some speaking engagements using this as the foundation of our presentation and discussion flow, and we've gotten some great feedback from people.  And...well, we also noticed that we might've been a little snarky about some personal things going on at the time the original was published, and so we decided it was time for an update to the version here on the site as well...

As I sit here watching History of the World, Part 1 for, oh, it must be the 8,173rd time...it dawned on me.

If Mel Brooks can use the Ten Commandments to completely crack me up every time I watch his film, then surely I can use them to help those asking "What's networking?"

(it's when a bunch of people get together with a common purpose...and, I know...don't call you "Shirley")

Yeah, sorry. I watched Airplane!, too.

So as we get ready to close out 2011 and start preparations for our 2012 events (and, yes, watching old comedies that I've seen a bajillion times), I thought I would take the time to put my thoughts towards another blog entry...because as Mel would surely agree...we've all met That Guy that breaks them. And so I give unto you these fifteen...[shatter]...oops...ten. Yes, TEN Commandments...for all to obey.

(and if you don't catch that reference, do yourself...and me...a favor. Go rent History of the World, Part 1. Immediately)

COMMANDMENT I - Thou Shall Understand The Importance Of Networking

This one blows up in people's faces.  A lot.  We all know "That Guy".  The person that you've tried to get out to a networking event (ours or another) so that they can meet people.  Or maybe you just wanted to get them out for drinks with a few people from work.  Or maybe there's a recruiter that you invited them to come along for lunch and meet.

But they always have a reason not to go.

They're too busy.  There's too much work.  There's something else that needs to be done.  They don't want to.  Whatever the reason...they never seem to make it.

And then...and this happens so many times...suddenly they need to network.  They get fired.  They get laid off.  The company closed.  Whatever the reason...now they're the ones ringing your phone off the hook and filling up your inbox asking when the next event is, or can they have the name of that recruiter again?  The one that always comes to mind for me is a guy that I tried to talk into coming to an event for seven months, and he always had a reason that he couldn't make it.  And then he got fired.  At the end of the day on the very day that his wife went into labor.  Guess who called me from the parking lot of the hospital the next morning as he drank a coffee after watching his son come into the world to make sure that our event was still taking place the next night?  Bingo.

 

COMMANDMENT II - Beware of False Prophets

There are many kinds of networking events out there. Some are designed to help you find jobs. Some are designed to convince you to cash out your savings to start selling some freaky new juice to your friends and co-workers. Some are designed to be a support group to let you talk with other unemployed folks to compare notes. Some are introductory events for multi-level marketing "systems". Don't get us wrong - if those events are what you're looking for, then we hope they work out for the best for you. Just make sure you know what you're getting yourself into beforehand. Just because they call themselves a "networking event", or "Job Fair" or even a "Pink Slip Party" doesn't mean that they're what you're looking for. We've all made the mistake of not asking enough questions before attending an event...and it usually doesn't turn out well. Remember - if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is, and don't be afraid to ask as many questions as you need to in order to feel comfortable before showing up. Especially when you're in an immediate need, there's nothing worse than having your time wasted.

And for the love of all that's good in the world people...use some common sense.  Some of the events out there are just flat-out money grabs.  If you're paying $10 to $20 to go to an event because they're offering a "complimentary bar" or "complimentary drinks" for the first hour...wise up.  There's nothing "complimentary" going on there.  Those drinks aren't free.  You're paying for them in advance, and they're betting that you'll run late, or won't drink much, or won't be able to get anywhere near the overly-crowded bar to get a drink in the first place...and they can pocket your cash with zero payout.  Why does an event need color coded nametags?  Because there are too many people there that have precisely nothing to offer you beyond a stupid sales pitch to buy insurance or move your 401k.  Or worse.

 

COMMANDMENT III - Thou Shall Be Prepared

Read the website and announcement of the group that's throwing the event. Find out everything you can about what you should, and should not, expect. Find a contact email and fire off some questions.

Head on over to VistaPrint or OverNight Prints or your local Kinkos and get yourself some business cards made up for yourself. Nothing fancy or extravagant necessary - your name, a phone number, an email address, and a one-liner title for yourself. Even something as simple as "Oracle DBA" or "Network Engineer" will help in the long run...in fact, the simpler it is, the better. You want the person that you hand a card to one night to be able to quickly and easily remember you when the next morning rolls around and they're in the office shuffling through the deck of cards they picked up. Do you want them to have to try and remember you randomly out of the 50 or more conversations that they had last night, or do you want them to have something that says "Oh yeah - here's that Oracle DBA that I talked with about that job with that new client who has an immediate need...I'd better call and get them in here today if I can for an interview"?

Dress appropriately.  We always tell people that the best way to get you in the right mindset is this: Think of being at a bar (because, well, our events take place in bars…), and imagine that at the table next to you, you hear someone talking about needing to hire someone for what is basically your dream job.

Don’t wear anything that would keep you from approaching that person and starting a conversation.

 

COMMANDMENT IV - Thou Shall Not Have Anxiety

Look, we get it - networking isn't easy for everyone.

Let me let you in on a little (not so well kept) secret - it's not easy for anyone.  We all have social anxiety.  We all, even the most outgoing salesperson in the bunch, get nervous when we're out of our element.  Meeting new people can be hard, especially when you've got a laser-like focus of trying to find a new job now Now NOW.

It's okay.  Breathe.

If you've followed the first three commandments, you're already in a better spot than most people.  You're starting ahead of time.  You're in a group that has merit, value, and meaning to you on a personal and/or professional level.  You've done your homework and you're prepared.  Even if you haven't, the situation can still be salvaged...assuming you at least followed Commandment II.

So relax.  This is a piece of cake.  It doesn't matter if there are 20 people or 200 people in the room you're about to dive into...relax.  Don't get overwhelmed.  You don't sit down on a barstool and try to down a shot of each liquor behind the bar within the first 15 minutes of showing up (note: if you do, you need to read this, and then you need an intervention), you also don't need to meet everyone in the room as soon as you arrive, either.  If you have the chance, always bring a friend with you.  This not only ensures that you'll have at least one person that will help you relax by your side...but as Bob and I have found out first hand, it can also lead to some stories for later on if it goes wrong.

If nothing else, your fallback should always be the meeting organizer - the person or people actually putting together and throwing the event that you're attending.  Whether they like it or not, their job that night is to make sure that you get whatever you need out of the event.  It's on them to get you started.  So the pressure's not even on you...it's on someone else.

Feeling better yet?

...and here's a tip - if the organizer fails this simple, basic test...leave.  Just turn around and walk out the door.  If they can't engage you in a conversation...if they can't help you identify at least a couple of people in the room that you should be engaging with...leave.

Trust us.

 

COMMANDMENT V - Thou Shall Not Be "That Guy"

We've taken the time to tell you about over sixty different kinds of That Guy.

They are real, they exist, and every single one of them stems from a personal interaction and chain of events that forced us to write another entry to keep the story from screaming in our heads until it's out there.

Jehovah's Witness Guy.  Oily Weasel Guy.  Sense of Entitlement Guy.

Multi-Level Marketing Guy.  Greedy Networking Guy.  Creepy Guy.  Drunk Guy.

All of them real.  All of them annoying as all hell.

All of them...each and every one...a cautionary tale.

All of them...someone that you do not want to be.

Ever.

 

COMMANDMENT VI - Thou Shall Not Have An Elevator Pitch

Look, we get it.  There are tons of idiots out there telling you that you need to have an elevator pitch - some 30 second shpiel about who you

As with everything that we do, this has evolved over the years.

Because we don't believe in revisionist history, you can always still find the original version over at http://www.ITintheD.com/68/the-ten-commandments-of-networking/ if you're so inclined...but this version's been updated.

Why?  Because it needed to be.  It's been two and a half years since that first version was written, and things have changed since then.  We've also been doing some speaking engagements using this as the foundation of our presentation and discussion flow, and we've gotten some great feedback from people.  And...well, we also noticed that we might've been a little snarky about some personal things going on at the time the original was published, and so we decided it was time for an update to the version here on the site as well...

As I sit here watching History of the World, Part 1 for, oh, it must be the 8,173rd time...it dawned on me.

If Mel Brooks can use the Ten Commandments to completely crack me up every time I watch his film, then surely I can use them to help those asking "What's networking?"

(it's when a bunch of people get together with a common purpose...and, I know...don't call you "Shirley")

Yeah, sorry. I watched Airplane!, too.

So as we get ready to close out 2011 and start preparations for our 2012 events (and, yes, watching old comedies that I've seen a bajillion times), I thought I would take the time to put my thoughts towards another blog entry...because as Mel would surely agree...we've all met That Guy that breaks them. And so I give unto you these fifteen...[shatter]...oops...ten. Yes, TEN Commandments...for all to obey.

(and if you don't catch that reference, do yourself...and me...a favor. Go rent History of the World, Part 1. Immediately)

COMMANDMENT I - Thou Shall Understand The Importance Of Networking

This one blows up in people's faces.  A lot.  We all know "That Guy".  The person that you've tried to get out to a networking event (ours or another) so that they can meet people.  Or maybe you just wanted to get them out for drinks with a few people from work.  Or maybe there's a recruiter that you invited them to come along for lunch and meet.

But they always have a reason not to go.

They're too busy.  There's too much work.  There's something else that needs to be done.  They don't want to.  Whatever the reason...they never seem to make it.

And then...and this happens so many times...suddenly they need to network.  They get fired.  They get laid off.  The company closed.  Whatever the reason...now they're the ones ringing your phone off the hook and filling up your inbox asking when the next event is, or can they have the name of that recruiter again?  The one that always comes to mind for me is a guy that I tried to talk into coming to an event for seven months, and he always had a reason that he couldn't make it.  And then he got fired.  At the end of the day on the very day that his wife went into labor.  Guess who called me from the parking lot of the hospital the next morning as he drank a coffee after watching his son come into the world to make sure that our event was still taking place the next night?  Bingo.

 

COMMANDMENT II - Beware of False Prophets

There are many kinds of networking events out there. Some are designed to help you find jobs. Some are designed to convince you to cash out your savings to start selling some freaky new juice to your friends and co-workers. Some are designed to be a support group to let you talk with other unemployed folks to compare notes. Some are introductory events for multi-level marketing "systems". Don't get us wrong - if those events are what you're looking for, then we hope they work out for the best for you...

Another week, another great episode full of conversations with guests doing great things in and around the metro Detroit area. This time we were joined by Bamboo Detroit to talk about their co-working space downtown and an impending expansion, Newmind Group to talk about an event in September that they’re putting on along with their […]

Episode 104 is in the history books, and we had a pretty decent set of conversations with our guests for the night about everything from secure storage, cloud vs local hosting, the information technology job market here in the metro Detroit area and this weekend's Windsor Comic Con happening across the river that you might want to check out...

From how deleting your browsing history can get you nailed with an obstruction of justice charge to the ridiculous scariness of people in Colorado dying from the plague...yes...that plague...and on out to Hawaii banning non-compete agreements for IT workers and the impending fight the fireworks retailers are gearing up for over Chinese lanterns of all things and more, our opening segment covered the news and stories of the week that caught our eye.  We also chatted a bit about our upcoming event next week at Hopcat, our Pink Slip Party event next month at the Majestic...so listen in to make sure you're up to speed on everything going on.

Our second segment dove in with one of core sponsors, Online Tech.  We had Yan Ness and Mike Klein, the co-CEOs of the company.  Yes, co-CEOs, which is an interesting approach in and of itself, but just barely scratches the surface of what Online Tech has going on.  From their approach to securing your data to providing a ton of white papers and resources to help you have the conversations you need to have about data security in your own organization, their site is a treasure trove of information about what they do and the industry as a whole.  Check them out at http://www.onlinetech.com/

In our third segment, we got to chat with long-time member of our group, consistent attendee at our events, and one of the best recruiters we've built a relationship with over the years, Andrea Kress.  She's with Lochbridge, one of the companies spun off of everything that went on with Compuware, so she's been around the block a few times and has some great insights to offer.  We chatted about the job market here in the metro Detroit area, tips and tricks for you to keep in mind while you're interviewing, what matters most to recruiters like her when it comes to evaluating candidates and more.  Check out Lochbridge at http://lochbridge.com/

In our fourth and final segment, we took a call from one of the organizers of this weekend's Windsor ComiCon.  With guests like Kevin Smith and a whole list of comic artists, film and tv guests, it's definitely worth taking a look at if you're looking to cross the border for a little fun this weekend.  Details can be found at http://windsorcomicon.com/

Then the usual banter and wrapping things up for the night, and episode 104 came to a close.

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Again, you can find tonight's guests at:

Online Tech: http://www.onlinetech.com/

Lochbridge: http://lochbridge.com/

Windsor ComiCon: http://windsorcomicon.com/

Podcast Detroit: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastDetroit

As always, we can be found:

On the web: http://www.ITinTheD.com

On Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/ITintheD/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=91763

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD 

On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITintheD

Episode 104 is in the history books, and we had a pretty decent set of conversations with our guests for the night about everything from secure storage, cloud vs local hosting, the information technology job market here in the metro Detroit area and this weekend’s Windsor Comic Con happening across the river that you might […]

No two ways about it, episode 103 of our live weekly podcast was a lot of fun.  With our guests from The Darton Group as well as VoxVii / The Rack Show, we had no shortage of laughter, fun, and even some interesting viewpoints on the metro Detroit information technology scene, the local employment market, what people might want/need to do a little more of during their job search and more.  More importantly, we managed to pull off our show even though we'd had a Podcast Detroit open house for several hours leading up to it...

Just like we always do, our first segment dove into the events, news, and stories that caught our attention over the past week.

From the (in our opinion) whackjobs opening a storefront downtown to sell t-shirts for the unbelievable price range of $150-198 (no, that's not a typo) to all of this week's fun and excitement with the Windows 10 release, and then of course a touch on Jared from Subway's scandal now involving a 16 year old girl and the sad reality of the report indicating that the University of Phoenix nationally has a 7.3% graduation rate...but a 19% student loan default rate...and it's even worse than that here in the metro Detroit area...we had plenty of topics to keep us going through the first segment and doubling back in the fourth.  We also touched on our upcoming events at Hopcat and The Majestic Theater, Podcast Detroit going through a major growth spurt and the open house we'd held right before our show started and more.

Segment two was all about the Darton Group (who graciously forgave yesterday's typo), a company from down in Charlotte, North Carolina looking to expand their business here in the metro Detroit area.  Clint and Rochelle were great guests with a solid sense of humor...but also with a lot of business knowledge and a firm belief that networking is the way to go to find the right talent...so you know we like them a lot.  They also have some words of wisdom for you metro Detroit job seekers, so make sure you listen in, and check them out at http://dartongroup.com/

For our third segment, we hopped into chatting with Lucas and Corey, two thirds of the team behind VoxVii studios and The Rack Show.  We met these guys earlier in the year at the Midwest Media Expo, had a blast, have kept in touch, and it was time to have them in to talk about their video podcast, their intentions on getting back to "normal" podcasting, why you should check them out and more.  Always a lot of laughs with these guys...even if it did wind up resulting in a challenge for a tag team wrestling match throwdown to take place...   ...so listen into the chat, and catch them at https://www.facebook.com/therackshow

Segment four, as always, was a wrap up of earlier topics and digging a little more into the week's stories.  Photos from the night and more below.

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Check out tonight's guests:

The Darton Group: http://dartongroup.com/

VoxVii Studios: https://www.facebook.com/VoxVii

The Rack Show: https://www.facebook.com/therackshow

Podcast Detroit: https://www.facebook.com/PodcastDetroit

As always, we can be found:

On the web: http://www.ITinTheD.com

On Meetup: http://www.meetup.com/ITintheD/

On LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=91763

On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ITintheD 

On Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/ITintheD

No two ways about it, episode 103 of our live weekly podcast was a lot of fun.  With our guests from The Darton Group as well as VoxVii / The Rack Show, we had no shortage of laughter, fun, and even some interesting viewpoints on the metro Detroit information technology scene, the local employment market, what […]