Kay Stout

Network = Net Worth - -

On my radio show Sunday evening, Matt Crevin- the voice of the 49er's (for non-football fans - that's the San Francisco professional football team) - made several references to the importance of building your networth through your network.  He's right.  The challenge, though, is that it takes time to build a network and you must stay in touch with your contacts.

Here are two real-life examples from my wonderful file of war stories.

#1)  A client  (Jack) had relocated to a new area and been very unsuccessful in finding a job "his" way.  He contacted me; I helped him identify companies in this geographical area who would benefit from his expertise and send them a referral email.  Now the fun begins.  When he called to follow-up with one of the companies  - they were eager to see him.  He met with them and discovered they were starting a new company and he has a chance to help them accomplish this goal.

#2)  A client (Bob) stopped in to see an old college pal.  The pal introduced him to some new people.  They liked Bob, so they introduced him to their boss.  He hired him.

#3)  A client (Joe) read an interview with a CEO in the paper and realized he had much in common with him.  He wrote a letter, he got an interview and the rest, as they say, is history.

For many young people today, they frequently give push-back to the word networking.  Yet, when you read stories in the business section, or sports section, of the newspaper, you learn that more often than not people get where they are because not only #1) they could do the job; but #2 - more importantly, they built a strong network and that network led them from job-to-job-to-job.

So - - there is a definite connection between network and net worth - - - but it sure doesn't happen overnight.

Listen to the show - - enjoy :  http://wbtm.info/audio/btm/Ice-MattCrevin.mp3

College Graduate - - how do you find a job????

This will be an ongoing blog - I'll just simply add to it in the coming weeks.

I'm working with BE, who will graduate from a small, private college in December.  His major is accounting and accounting graduates from this school are told they will be highly recruited (when they enroll - - they're told this).  He graduates in December and has had little, actually no, success in securing either an internship or a "real job" with a paycheck to look forward to once he changes the tassel on his cap.

He has attended job fairs, had interviews - 2 of which led to a 2nd interview.  But no job offers.  I found it fascinating that he was on LinkedIn - but not fully engaged.  We're working on his profile and the groups he should join.

The next step will be identifying key alumni from his school who live in the area where he wants to live.  Once they're identified, I'll help him reach out to them to establish a connection, start a relationship and begin his "networking worth" before he leaves school.

Stay tuned - for more

Next Chapter 1/27/11)

BE found email addresses for 6 alumni - - but it took some digging.  There doesn't appear to be a central place where he, as a student, can get access to alumni (who've agreed to help - of course).  Now his next step is to write an appropriate referral email to each of them - asking for a few minutes of their time.  His goal should be to learn about where they work, what do they like most and least about their jobs.  And the $64,000.00 question - If you were me, where would you focus your efforts?"  

It is amazing that college graduates seem so ill-equipped to start their marketing campaign to find a job.  Working with a bright, young, professional is fun.  He is willing to listen, willing to try and knows it is very important that he be employed as quickly as possible following graduation. 

Those universities who do not have a robust career center and are not utilizing alumni will face real challenges in about 10 - 15 years when they beging to court today's graduate to give back to the university.  If the student's last memory is how hard they struggled to find a job,  it will be reflected in the check they write.

Fountain Lady

The caption for this video is somewhat misleading.  While it is true no one went to her aid - I get the feeling that what prompted her to ponder a lawsuit is the fact that someone in mall management decided to post it on youtube without her permission.  Think wiki-leak mentality.

I know we haven't completely figured out the new transparency in our lives brought about with cameras and youtube, but more and more it seems that personal responsibility will play an important role in the decision to post - not post - a video without the subject's approval. 

So - it may be okay to take a picture or video of someone without their permission - but think long and hard BEFORE you post it for the world to see.  We live in the days made famous by Hans Christian Andersen's fairy tale - The Emperor Has No Clothes".  Then it was a village that saw the emperor - - in today's connected environment - it would be the world.

Ted Williams - Ron Franklin - Pan American - the power of video

This week the world fell in love with Ted Williams through the power of video.  His story and the youtube video quickly catapulted him into the public eye as well as a new career.   The use of video as a way to share your story is not new.  A long time ago (no this is not a fairy tale) in Miami, Florida and Clinton, Oklahoma - I discovered the power of television -- today that power is shared with the internet.

An Oklahoma soccer team, headed to Brazil, was stranded at the Miami airport because of a snafu in their tickets.  After 2 days, it looked as though the players and the parents would have no choice but to return to Oklahoma.  I went to bed that night thinking "who do I know" that can help us.  The next morning, I got the wheels in motion by calling the editor of the Clinton Daily News.  He referred me to one of the wire services.  I knew the "hook" of the story was the stranded kids and that was my lead to them when they called.  I  asked where it would go - the answer was:  it will go out on the wire around the world and anyone who is interested can use it.  I thought for several minutes, then called the CBS affiliate in Miami and asked for the news department.  Luckily, it was a slow news day so the reporter was more than willing to go to the Miami airport to cover the story.   I then called Kelly Ogle at Channel 9 (they had provided pre-Miami coverage of the team's adventure) and, suddenly the news was now running on the Miami TV station and Channel 9, Oklahoma City.  I knew I had to get it on CNN, so I watched CNN for 45 minutes - slow news day - then called them.  I convinced a reporter to look at the news feed from Miami - and 15 minutes later it was the breaking news on CNN.  30 minutes later Pan American sent an airplane to Miami to fly the soccer team, parents and coach to Brazil.  While Pan Am is no longer flying - - that day they certainly made history for a soccer team from Oklahoma.  The Pam American  Airlines  gives an excellent history of a very proud airline :  http://panam.com/default1.asp   The story behind this story is the power of visual - whether it is an interview, a news story, a lucky break or a bad break.

The name Ted Williams no longer means baseball - it also means a  homeless man with a Golden Voice = http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6rPFvLUWkzs  

Then there's Ron Franklin - - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBcREQxjA2Y .  A long career with ESPN derailed because he had trouble editing what he said beforeit came out of his mouth.  Honestly, I hope there is more to this story than that one incident.  Why?  Because everyone at some time has said something inappropriate.  For most of us, though, it's not heard 'round the world on Youtube and does not cost you your job.

Now good news - who can forget this amazing voice - found on youtube....Charice Pempengo - - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opdd-_Z2pRE

The good, the bad, the ugly and the amazing - - when caught on video - can lead to unexpected changes (good, bad, ugly and amazing). 

The power of video, but more specifically the power of the spoken word, can transform lives and the future in so many positive and negative ways.  The power of the spoken word allows you a vehicle to share your story, even face-to-face in an interview.  What you say will be important - bu so will how you say it.

Oath of Honor - Thunderbird School of Global Management -

I had the privilege of attending the graduation ceremony for students enrolled in a dual program from Thunderbird School of Global Management and Kelley School of Business,  Indiana University.   Thunderbird has a unique history, but what intrigued me at the ceremony was the recitation, by the graduates, of the  Oath of Honor, written by the student-run Thunderbird Honor Council. 

As you read it, you can't help but wonder how different our financial world would be if everyone involved in the most recent scandals had followed these guidelines during their career.  Here's the oath:

As a Thunderbird and global citizen, I promise:

• I will strive to act with honesty and integrity;
• I will respect the rights and dignity of all people;
• I will strive to create sustainable prosperity worldwide;
• I will oppose all forms of corruption and exploitation; and
• I will take responsibility for my actions.

As I hold true to these principles, it is my hope that I may enjoy an honorable reputation and peace of conscience.

This pledge I make freely and upon my honor.

There were 150+ graduates, representing 30 countries.  It was impressive to hear them take the oath as part of their graduation. 

Remembering the days of Enron - and our most recent financial history - - an oath, like this one, taken seriously can play a key role in the writing of our future.