Alumni as social billionaires
The networking potential of our alumni
Dear Friends,
In 2020, I was looking for someone to write the Foreword to The Alumni Way. I had read a fabulous book on networking Build your Dream Network by J Kelly Hoey. Long story short: she was connected to one of my local connections- how opportune! PLUS Kelly and I both graduated from the University of Victoria - the stars aligned! Our alumni connection helped to nudge her to say yes!
Fast forward to a month ago. Kelly's new book The Social Billionaire: A Networking Roadmap for Women Seeking to Flourish and Achieve More is launched! I buy an early copy and it arrives swiftly at my doorstep- hurrah! Well, I reached out to Kelly to share this networking win in my life. Two weeks later in a cafe in Dublin, we met in person for the first time! I devoured this book. If you are interested in networking at a new level (with a workbook to allow for true networking reflection!)
From an alumni perspective, The Social Billionaire suggests, 'window shopping' including with alumni profiles - it is a wonderful way for our students and recent grads to get a true sense of the broad lives of our alumni (and do note, extraordinary ordinary profiles are the best!). Kelly also gives this advice: "Networking Pro-Tip: Be A Bridge...Being able to connect into a range of networks and across pockets of expertise is a network strength.' (p.132).
My lesson? I learned that reaching out can mean an extra layer of 'high touch' networking can appear!!
Your challenges this week: (all!) This Alumni Friday reach out to someone to let them know you admired their work, read their book and found their alumni profile inspiring! Be kind and make the admiration stand on its own - no ask is needed!
Hit reply to let me know how it goes! I received an excellent referral here to an amazing inspiring alumni stories from an Alumni Friday newsletter reader (thanks Jo-Ann!) and I am open to more - reach out!
With alumni inspiration,
Maria
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My book The Social Billionaire is signed by Kelly - how lovely!!
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Kelly & I together!
