Networking of the third kind

Networking of the third kind Cover Image

I have written many times that there are only 3 ways to find a job and manage your career: Networking, networking and more networking.There are actually 3 kinds of networking. The first is making new friends. The second is keeping in touch with old friends. And the third part of networking...


Oct 21, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Paint on a smile

Paint on a smile Cover Image

During the upcoming Labor Day holiday weekend, a great opportunity will be presenting itself to you in the form of gatherings of those who know you (and presumably love you).In order to enjoy the greatest benefit, you need to paint on a smile. I don’t care if you have been out of work 3 or...


Aug 29, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Paint on a smile

Paint on a smile Cover Image

During the upcoming New Years Day holiday weekend, a great opportunity will be presenting itself to you in the form of gatherings of those who know you (and presumably love you).In order to enjoy the greatest benefit, you need to paint on a smile. I don’t care if you have been out of work ...


Dec 27, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Paint on a smile

Paint on a smile Cover Image

During the upcoming Memorial Day holiday weekend, a great opportunity will be presenting itself to you in the form of gatherings of those who know you (and presumably love you).In order to enjoy the greatest benefit, you need to paint on a smile. I don’t care if you have been out of work 3...


May 25, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Keeping your network alive

Keeping your network alive Cover Image

A very long time ago, President John F. Kennedy was holding a news conference. After he concluded his prepared remarks, he opened himself up to questions from the assembled reporters. The first question was: What had he and his administration done to further the equality of women in this c...


Apr 18, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

A curious requirement

A curious requirement Cover Image

As our organization has gotten better known, each week we get several membership applications without a sponsor indicated. But as all of you know, a sponsor is required.Our first approach is to ask “Who sent you to our website?” Usually that brings up the name of a member. But failing that...


Aug 22, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Watching each other's back

Watching each other's back Cover Image

I don’t know if you have noticed, but all of the job leads from The FECG include a sentence that says “You may forward this to other members of The FENG if you are aware of their background and/or interest in this kind of opportunity.”I wish all the job leads in our newsletter had this sen...


Nov 10, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

The ultimate scam

The ultimate scam Cover Image

I was recently reminded of one of my favored approaches to networking that I discovered in the early 90’s.(Sometime in the late-90’s I stopped calling some of the things I was doing “scams” and started calling them “approaches,” which for some reason those in polite society found more acce...


Sep 08, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Acts of friendship

Acts of friendship Cover Image

As you know, every two weeks I publish a list of our new members and I ask each member of our august body to call at least one person from the list. I sometimes spend close to a full day out of my personal schedule to review new member candidates. I only ask that each of you call one perso...


Aug 21, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Life is a journey

Life is a journey Cover Image

I have often noted to my friends who aren’t into boating that the difference between a power boater and a sail boater is that power boaters usually use their boats to go somewhere, whereas sail boaters are already there once they step onto their boat.In our goal driven, management by objec...


Jul 23, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Just checking in with you

Just checking in with you Cover Image

I spoke to one of our members of long standing several years ago who joined when we only had 100 members. Yes, I know it is hard to believe that The FENG only had 100 members back in 1997, but it’s true. We have indeed come a long way!I guess I had one of my many flashbacks while I was tal...


Jun 10, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

We’re not a job listing service

We’re not a job listing service Cover Image

I know this will come as a shock to those of you who skip ahead to the leads, but The FENG is a social networking group, NOT a job listing service.Yes, I know this counter intuitive information is coming from someone sending you job leads 5 days a week, but please don’t be fooled. Only a s...


Jun 02, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Making introductions

Making introductions Cover Image

Everyone knows a few important people who they believe will at some point be helpful to us in our search for that perfect job. The problem how to keep your name in front of them so when that perfect job comes to their attention you will be top of mind.You certainly don’t want to waste thei...


May 06, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

90% of life is just showing up

90% of life is just showing up Cover Image

While I am sure the correct answer is “about” 90% (90% is a little too precise), there is no denying the fact that showing up is important.If you have an interview and you don’t show up, you can’t possibly get the job. If you expect to get paid, you have to show up for work. And, the list ...


Mar 21, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Managing our growth

Managing our growth Cover Image

By a significant margin, we are the largest networking group of senior financial executives in the entire world. Not only that, but by any measure, we are more connected with each other on a national basis than any other organization as well. And, our reputation is well known. We no longer...


Mar 13, 2024

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Do you have enough friends?

Do you have enough friends? Cover Image

If there is anything those of you who have ever been engaged in a job search have learned is that NO ONE ever has enough friends.Although I count all 35,000 of you as friends of mine, I still continue every day to try to make a few new friends.It is almost sad in a way that networking beca...


Aug 07, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Old friends and your job search

Old friends and your job search Cover Image

One of the greatest disappointments you may discover during your job search is that old friends don’t call you back.When I began my job search back in 1991 and in the years since, I have often struggled to explain this syndrome to my many friends. My purpose is not to make excuses for anyo...


Nov 07, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Life is a journey

Life is a journey Cover Image

I have often noted to my friends who aren’t into boating that the difference between a power boater and a sail boater is that power boaters usually use their boats to go somewhere, whereas sail boaters are already there once they step onto their boat.In our goal driven, management by objec...


Aug 20, 2023

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Just checking in with you

Just checking in with you Cover Image

I spoke to one of our members of long standing a few years ago who joined when we only had 100 members. Yes, I know it is hard to believe that The FENG only had 100 members as recently as 1997, but it’s true. We have indeed come a long way! I guess I had one of my many flashbacks while I w...


Jun 07, 2018

By Matt Bud, The FENG

Matt’s lost friends society

Matt’s lost friends society Cover Image

Over the past few years I have had the great pleasure of reconnecting with three very old friends. Not only have I known them each for a long time, but like me, they are getting old.You would think that since all roads lead to Matt Bud, I would long ago have reconnected with everyone I eve...


Aug 17, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG

If the phone doesn’t ring, it’s me

If the phone doesn’t ring, it’s me Cover Image

Several years ago, a very old friend of mine called my attention to this song by Jimmy Buffet.I’m not sure why it is, but many people never call anyone. In the enigma within a puzzle that is life, they are also always wondering why no one calls them.When I was in college, my grandmother on...


Dec 19, 2022

By Matt Bud, The FENG