Today’s guest can help anyone make networking an art, not an accident.

He is a principal consultant at Contacts Count, a global training and development firm that has developed 8 specific competencies, a mix of skills, behaviors, tools, and strategies, to teach individuals and organizations the value of networking.

He has worked with individuals in almost every profession and industry to improve their ability to build mutually beneficial trust-based relationships. Relationships that can help his clients improve their performance on the job, advance their career, and add value to their organization. These skills are also critical to success when seeking new employment opportunities.

An accomplished human resources professional, he has worked for over 25 years at organizations as diverse as Dunkin Donuts and the American Chemistry Council.

Please join me in welcoming Vern Schellenger.

In this episode we discuss:

• his thoughts on leadership: “Leadership is servant leadership. The dignity and respect around listening to people and having empathy. There is no leadership without followers.”
• his first experience in management while working as a baker at Dunkin’ Donuts and how that led to a 25 year career with them.
• how he discovered networking during a job search.
• his journey through multiple job searches with resources from New Directions and learning about networking.
• his experience of leading a group through Georgetown Law School to help the participants embrace the concept of networking.
• how he includes networking in everyday conversations and offers to not only teach but give.
• a quick tip to how to weave networking into everyday conversations.
• how he made it possible for one of his colleagues to “visit Mars”.
• how he nurtures and sustains the outer layers of his network.

Listen, subscribe and read show notes at www.OnTheSchmooze.com - episode 245.

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