Topic: Networking… when you think you don’t need it!

As financial executives, we are often more focused on doing the work than managing our careers or our network. Many of us got into finance because we had great technical skills and were less comfortable with all that “people and networking stuff.” However, over the last several years we have consistently lobbied for, and seen a shift in, financial executives becoming trusted business partners deeply involved in every aspect of growing and developing the business. This has caused us to refocus and place greater emphasis on our network. And many of us have realized we may have been neglecting one of the most important areas of our career.

A recent Boston FENG speaker and career coach noted to our group that, “your network may be the number one indicator of your ultimate career success.” Furthermore, when faced with the inevitable future transition from one position to what’s next, we immediately realize that our limited network limits our future options, keeps us in transition longer, and may impact our value to a future employer.

So come learn some secrets, strategies and tips you can immediately apply from one of Boston’s most proficient networkers. During this session, Al Barese will share his insights and how you can improve your approach, effectiveness and impact.

Presenter: Al Barese, Principal at Black Knight Associates

As a decorated Army officer, to include commands at multiple levels, Al knows a thing or two about leadership and building and nurturing strong relationships. A West Point graduate, and former faculty member at West Point, as the founder and Principal of Black Knight Associates, he has taken the experience and lessons learned from his time in uniform and shared it in the corporate world to help organizations attract and recruit the best talent and then develop and ultimately retain them. Drawing on the tenets of Stanley McChrystal, Simon Sinek, Nigel Travers, and others, he has developed a consulting practice that focuses on forming and developing a cohesive and efficient team. The result is a strong organizational culture committed to strategic, collaborative and sustainable growth.

A major component of that development is networking. Many people focus on networking only when “they need something”. Whether looking to move on to the next opportunity to further their career, or involuntarily forced into transition, that is when most of us try to reenergize our networking efforts. Al will show the value of a consistent networking strategy and some practices that can improve the effectiveness of your networking.

FENG Presentation/Agenda:
8:00 am – Introductions & 30 second elevator pitches
8:20 am – Presentation & interactive discussion
9:10 am – Wind-down, and final networking discussions
9:30 am - Adjourn

FENG Boston Chapter Leadership:

Marc Cote
Duxbury, MA
[email protected]
617-538-5688