Linked by Fate: Unlocking the Doors of Opportunity
How often do we find ourselves sitting at an event, wondering if we’re truly making the most of our networking opportunities?
Whether you’re trying to advance in your career or make valuable connections, the power of networking can open doors you never thought possible. In this episode, Cindy and Lisa dive deep into the importance of networking, and how personal, professional, and social networks can all help shape your career. They share personal stories of how they’ve built their networks over the years, from random elevator chats to planned-out LinkedIn connections.
Listen in for actionable tips and strategies that can transform the way you approach your own networking game!
Episode Chapter Markers
00:00 Introduction
02:46 The Importance of Networking
07:40 Tips for Effective Networking
16:36 The Power of Personal Connections
18:25 Professional Networking Strategies
23:19 Maximizing Conference Opportunities
25:49 Social Networking and Community Involvement
Must-Hear Insights and Key Moments
Personal Networking: Small Conversations, Big Opportunities – Cindy shares how a simple hello in an elevator led to a lasting connection, proving that you never know where a conversation can take you.
The Power of LinkedIn: Your Online Networking Hub – Lisa emphasizes the importance of using LinkedIn to expand your network and connect with people who can help further your career.
Gatekeepers and Their Role in Your Success – Cindy explains how knowing the right people and networking within your industry can help you bypass obstacles in the professional world.
Making Networking a Planned Strategy – Cindy and Lisa discuss the importance of planning ahead for networking events, from conferences to one-on-one meetings, ensuring you get the most out of every connection.
Social Networking Beyond the Screen – Lisa highlights how social activities, like golfing or volunteering, can lead to valuable professional connections outside of work.
Words of Wisdom: Standout Quotes from This Episode
“Personal networking starts with a simple ‘hello.’ It’s amazing where one conversation can take you.” – Cynthia Ficara
“You never know who you’re talking to, and that’s why every conversation matters.” – Cynthia Ficara
“In today’s world, it’s about being open to meeting people outside your company, outside your industry.” – Anneliese Rhodes
“Networking isn’t just about what you know; it’s about who you know and how they can help you along the way.” – Anneliese Rhodes
“Networking is an investment. You’re not just collecting names; you’re building relationships that pay off later.” – Cynthia Ficara
“It’s not about being competitive, it’s about being collaborative and helping each other grow.” – Anneliese Rhodes
“Networking opens doors, but you’ve got to make the effort to walk through them.” – Cynthia Ficara
“Take the time to prepare before a conference – know who you want to meet and make it count.” – Cynthia Ficara
“The beauty of networking is that you’re creating opportunities, not just for yourself, but for others too.” – Anneliese Rhodes
“Sometimes it’s the most random conversations that end up leading to the biggest opportunities.” – Anneliese Rhodes
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We'd Love to Hear Your Stories!
Even in life’s darkest moments, we have the power to create change. We’d love to hear from YOU — whether you’ve taken a leap of faith, overcome adversity, or found purpose through a challenge. Share your stories with us in the comments or send us a DM. Let’s keep the conversation going and continue lifting each other up.
A Team Dklutr production
Blog Transcript:
Note: We use AI transcription so there may be some inaccuracies
Cynthia Ficara: I can't believe our power play series is almost over. So those of you, it's been kind of fun. so we are on number nine already.
Yep. If you believe that. And today's episode is actually quite simple, and we chose this topic because we really feel that it's important to remind you and understand that there's certain items that kind of fit as the glue to your whole career, to your success. And today's topic is all about networking.
So while you think this may be something you know everything about or something you already do, hmm, how about you listen in? And ask yourself, do I do these things? And if you do, have you done them lately? Should you do them more? Ooh, all questions to ask for the end.
The Importance of Networking for Career Success
Anneliese Rhodes: I love you, Cindy. You're so cute. And you know, as as I was sitting here listening to you, I'm thinking about a lot of our listeners and.
You know, some of you guys probably do this really well. Um, I can admit that when I first got in medical devices, I did not do it really good. Uh, I just kinda, it was actually was like a running, but why, why
Cynthia Ficara: is that? Why do you think you did well?
Anneliese Rhodes: So a number of reasons. You know, I, um, I work really hard, um, and sometimes that means just putting my head down and just going, going, going and not really paying attention to other things that are around me, other people, competitors.
And I'm super competitive. So it makes me almost come across really like, mean. A lot of people think I'm really mean. I'm not mean cold, competitive. You know what I realized, and I think it was probably, I'm trying to remember now, Cindy, I wanna say I was probably maybe 10 years into my, maybe not 10, maybe it was eight.
But I was driving down the road one day leaving a hospital and I was on the phone with a colleague of mine from a, the same company, different division, and he was telling me about an opening in his company. And I'm like, oh, that's great. And he's like, didn't you know about this? And I'm like. No. And he goes, well, we've been talking about this.
He's like, don't you talk to so-and-so and so-and-so, and I'm like, no. And he goes, Lisa, you have to pull your head out of the ground and start paying attention to things. You gotta start talking to people. He is like, I know you're a hard worker. I know you're all about the number. I know you're all about making it to the, you know, to the top and just doing the best that you can.
He's like, but if you're not connecting with other people in your own company and, and even in our company, different divisions, he's like. You're doing yourself. A disfavor. A disfavor, what's the word? Disfavor.
Cynthia Ficara: Is that the Yes. Yeah. A dis Yeah. You're, you're
Anneliese Rhodes: not doing the right thing for yourself. You're doing yourself
Cynthia Ficara: a Oh my God.
Yeah. Oh my gosh, that's so funny.
Anneliese Rhodes: Anyhow. Disservice, disservice, disservice. Holy crap. Yes, yes. Disservice. I forgot to come on Lisa. Blonde moment there. That's a true blonde moment. Um, but he was, and he's like, Lisa, he's like, I can't believe. He goes, I make a point, and this is when it really hit me. He goes, I make a point.
Every day. To pick up the phone and talk to one person, either in the company or somewhere in another company and get the lowdown on what's going on. I'm like, really? You have the time for that? He's like, I drive, so do you. He's like, pick up the phone and talk to him for 10 minutes. And sometimes it may be nothing, but sometimes you can learn a lot about what's going on and not just your world, but in the other worlds of these medical device sales reps.
And you can find out information on docs, you can find out information on company openings, new companies coming out, new technologies. I mean, he's like, it's endless. He goes, you have to pull your head out of the ground and start really connecting and networking with other people. So I'm so glad you said that because it just like jogged my memory and I'm like, God,
Cynthia Ficara: I remember this.
I remember those days. And I'm so glad you shared that because how many people listening to this right now are competitive just like you? And here's the thing. You can be competitive and you can to one extent. I think there's two sides to what you said about putting your head down. I think it's important to selectively block the noise that's.
Negative, but if you don't ever get out there to hear anything, you are never gonna know anything. And you're right, it is a disservice because if you just keep going down your path, what if things are starting to change? And what if you're missing these little cues that you need to actually, okay, maybe I.
I'm just so competitive, I'm gonna do what's worked for me. But we know quarter after quarter, you know, goals change, things change, competitors come out with new products, maybe your approach needs to change. So you're right, it keeps you on the up and up. But I think again, it's also, it's also good to point out, to be selective that I love that you said you know, one person for 10 minutes.
Because what you can start to do is reach out to different people and you'll know who you can connect with, who tells you the right things. Yeah. So I, I will. They be a little careful of not just calling everybody just to, it's not about gossip. It's truly about networking and building important information and where you can find openings and where you can find opportunities, and even in the job you're in now, how to make it better.
Hundred percent. So I'm glad you said that percent.
Anneliese Rhodes: Yeah, no, and and you're right, it's, it's not the gossip, it's just being open-minded and making new connections and getting, gathering information. I mean, you never know when you're gonna be able to collect it. So I'm really glad that we're talking about this today because it's actually reminding me of a couple people that I need to reach out to, you know, in terms of a couple physicians that I'm trying to get in front of.
And they have great relationships with them, and I don't have a relationship with them. So we're gonna talk about that.
Receptiveness in Networking: A Secret to Career Growth
Cynthia Ficara: You know, Lisa, I almost kind of think that, I'm glad that story popped in your mind because it aligns exactly with our secret this time, because, you know, again, networking we all think is quite simple.
But I'm hoping by the end of this you're gonna think of it in a different way. So I'm just gonna jump right in and reveal our secret, because you really defined. Where this fits in. So the secret that Lisa and I chose to believe what is behind good networking. Is receptive and being receptive. So think about what you just said.
You were closed off, you were, you were competitive, put your head down. Well, not being receptive, you know, now you've missed out on opportunities because if you are receptive, what does that do? It allows you to be open to new ideas, like he mentioned, experiences, perspectives, or. Maybe a job opportunity, but it also kind of helps with collaboration and understanding in your environment.
And when you form those connections, that's when all the doors open. So I think it's important that you really remind yourself today to just be receptive and selective, but receptive.
Anneliese Rhodes: Yeah. I love that. And so that brings to mind another story I was just thinking about. Funny. Um. This was 15, 18. I don't know, it was a long time ago.
Um, maybe not quite that long ago, but, uh, I, again, you know, head down just doing my job, whatever. Um, there was this rep that would always find me in the hospital. It was like he searched me out and he's like, Hey, hey, hey. And he worked for like a really small medical device company. You know what? Just had just started, just got into medical devices.
And again, me being super competitive and oh, I'm so cool. Um, I knew him, but I was like, oh, he is kinda like agna, you know, like, go away. But he was like always trying to talk to me in the OR and I'm like, dude, I'm busy.
Cynthia Ficara: Everybody has that guy. Like, seriously, you know, you're laughing right now if you're listening because leave.
I'm like, oh my God, I see him coming down the hallway right now. That's hilarious. I go home
Anneliese Rhodes: and complain about him because I was like, dude, I just saw so and so again, and, and my husband at the time knew him and he is like, oh, that guy. I am like, I know the guy. Like, leave me alone. I just wanna do my job.
I'm talking to my doctors. But anyhow, so. He found me in the, OR one day I was literally leaving the, or going to, um, supply chain, and he stops me. He's like, Lisa, Lisa. I'm like, what? And he goes, listen. I am looking to make a jump in my company. If you ever leave your job, your current position and go to another device company, would you recommend me to your company to be interviewed as a good sales rep?
And I was like, yeah, sure, whatever. Like, I literally was like, yeah, sure, sure. Maybe. I swear to goodness, every freaking three months, it was like, Hey, any, and you know, let me know. Hey, let me know. Hey, well. The day finally came, uh, and I decided to move to a different company, and I texted him and I said, Hey.
I said, I am leaving. The company, would you like to have an interview with my manager? I will recommend you. And he was like, absolutely. And he did the interviews and he got the job. And not only did I recommend him to my manager, I recommended him to my doctors. Because the truth is he was a hard worker.
He was a little annoying, but he was a really hard worker and he deserved to get that job. And when I recommended him to my docs who trusted me, Cindy. That guy legit became sales rep of the year, year over year. What? The first year he started and then won it two more years after sales rep of the year.
Now I'm not saying it's because of me, but what I am saying is that guy was really good at networking. He was really good at staying persistent on the same line. You know, with me, just be in there an annoying me a little bit, but like reminding me of who he was and working hard and never letting up. And he, I mean, he's still, he's still with the same company and he's still kicking ass.
Sorry, cut that out. And he's still, and he's still kicking butt. So, you know, I mean, I'm just super I that, it's a perfect example of being a good, of course, hard worker, but being really good at networking and not giving up and being persistent.
Persistence and Consistency is Key
Cynthia Ficara: Well, there's something else in there that when you talk about that persistency and consistency, he was authentically him.
Yeah, okay. So yeah, maybe he was annoying, but like that's who he was all the time. But annoying in a sense that he was clearly driven and, Hey, this is what I want. This is where I am, and you know. When something else you said I think is really important. So you recommended him to your company? Well, you know what?
You saw that he worked, you saw that he wound every day he was doing his job. He wasn't sitting at home, sitting back, letting somebody else do it for him. Mm-hmm. And I think that, you know, our actions are just as important in networking than what we say. So if you want to be out there and you're gonna network that you're out there, you better be out there.
Yeah. It's very simple, you know? Um, be receptive to everything that's coming. I mean, you can't tell me this. If you go into the hospital one day versus sitting at home, you know, you run into somebody, you learn something. Maybe one of the staff is gonna have a baby or somebody just got engaged and it's really exciting when you get to go back and follow up.
I mean, it's the tiny little simple things and I'll make a difference. So, yeah. And, and I, I just think that's really exciting. So, yeah. Um, I love your stories too, by the way. Thank you. I always have. In fact, as we look this up, 85, and I'm gonna say this again, 85% of jobs are filled through networking. 85%. Wow.
And like think about that. Like that makes sense
Anneliese Rhodes: though. That makes total sense. I mean, how many times, Cindy, have you reached out to somebody that you know, um, if you were interested in a job to say hey, or use them as a reference when interviewing? I mean, I. The, the, the options are endless, so I think, you know.
Mm-hmm. I think today we're gonna talk about three really important ways to network, and to some of you, again, you're probably really good at this. This may just be a good reminder for you, but I think you're still gonna pick up a couple things of going, you know what? I need to call so and so. I need to pick up the, or pick up my laptop and email so and so, or touch base with so and so.
The Power of Personal Networking
Anneliese Rhodes: You, you cannot network enough. I can't underline that enough. I mean, even in today's world, with all these kids going to college, that one of the most important things is finding a college where not only are they interested in the subjects mm-hmm but where are they gonna be able to network? Who are the kids that are attending these colleges?
Are they coming from, you know, very. Substantial, uh, families, wealthy families, well-known families, you know, I mean, it is, it's so important for networking and I feel like today's generation is so much better at that than we were. Mm-hmm. You know, so,
Cynthia Ficara: you know, my nephew just got, um, I talked to my sister yesterday and he's gonna do an internship this summer.
He's going into a senior year of college and it's actually with a medical device company. And, um, he. Because he is at this school. This person did an internship before and he wants to have each year do an intern with somebody in that school. Now he ultimately wants to go to med school, so think about it.
He's networking. To be in an OR with an orthopedic company all summer. Wow that. And so that's, I mean, I think it's great and it's all because of his alumni. He's like, well, you went to this school, we wanna have somebody from this school. And he is like, well, I need to be in the OR because he wants to be a surgeon.
He doesn't know what type, but he wants to be a surgeon. So like you never know. But starting with college is really. Oh my gosh. And you know, I could talk about my college all day. I love it. But when you love where you go to and you network with people like that, that personal networking flows into professional networking.
Like it's, it's all synonymous.
Anneliese Rhodes: Well, it's funny, I was talking to somebody the other day. Here's a perfect example. Okay, so you guys, sorry, we're like super talking the, uh, stories today. That's fine. Um, so number one, one we're talking about personal networking, right? What are your personal connections? Who do you know in your personal life, uh, who do you know at your bank, right?
Your financial advisor? Well, he probably knows, or she probably knows a ton of people. Let's say you wanna buy a home, well, they can probably connect you with a real estate agent, or the real estate agent can connect you with. A plumber or you know, like, like there's all sorts of things that you can use, your networking, your personal networking abilities to get things done.
So here's a really great example of that. So the other day I was talking to a guy who's trying to break into medical devices. Now I know we're talking about breaking in, but either way, getting a job in medical devices. Okay. And he doesn't have any prior sales experience. It's so crazy. His wife ends up working out.
With the CEO of a tech company. Okay. Wow. Uh, it's, she, well, she, I'm sorry. She works out with the wife of the dude. They have like five kids. They live in a mansion. They have like their own freaking gym in their backyard. And so the wife goes over there every day to work out with this woman. Well, one day she's like, Hey.
What do you do? Okay, so asking questions guys. It's so important. If you actually want to connect, you have to talk. You have to like ask questions of people. It's amazing the things you can learn when you actually talk to people. So she's like, what does your husband do? You're at home all day, you know, you guys have five kids.
Beautiful mansion. What does he do? Oh, he's a CEO of a tech company. She's like, my husband wants to break into the medical device, but he doesn't have any sales. Would he potentially like want to interview him? She's like. Heck yeah. So she sets up a coffee meeting with this little girl's husband, okay. He, they're much younger and he goes to meet him.
Guy offers him a job on the spot. What no joke offers are you serious? Offers a swear. Swear offers him a job on the spot. All because of one personal connection. So it's like, I bet all of you out there right now driving or listening to this on your, on your phone as you're cooking dinner or whatever you're doing, you can think of one person that you might wanna get to know a little bit better and be able to use that connection to network into something greater.
I mean. The, the, the opportunities are endless, you know, foundations that you can become a part of, dinner parties that you can go to, even your church. I mean, there are endless ways to network and it doesn't have to always be for your professional use. It can be for your personal use too. I mean, you might find out about a brand new.
I don't know, restaurant because somebody that you know knows somebody that owns the restaurant and you could go in there for a fun like reopening night and just have a blast and meet really cool people. Like it is so endless with networking and I can't emphasize or underscore enough. All you have to do is talk to 'em.
You just have to be open and talk and not put your head in the ground like I was doing. You know? Just be open, be authentic, be you.
Cynthia Ficara: You know, that is so fun and so true. And you know, I remember, I mean, there's, there's 10 million stories we could tell. Yeah. Um, but I mean, in, in, and one more quick think and we'll move on with personal networking.
So when my daughter was touring college, we got on this one elevator and I said hello to this couple and their son and I have a daughter. Anyway, we ended up walking over with them. The parents are super nice. They lived in Texas. We live in Virginia and the. Both kids ended up going to, um, Auburn. And so we went to like parents' weekend and we met up with the parents.
They were so fun. And then like my daughter and the son, like they, they were in totally different worlds. They knew each other but kind of weren't really. Like, I think the first semester they kind of were in a group of friends, but then they all became their own people. But we kept in touch with the parents.
Lo and behold, they moved to Huntsville. My daughter moves to Huntsville, right? Oh my gosh. And she becomes a real estate agent. My daughter runs into her and my daughter is looking, you know, to have a real estate agent this summer. So it's like, gosh, and I know it's somebody who will take care of her because you know, like young people.
Buying houses like you could be taken advantage of. And I know I'm putting her in good hands with somebody that can, and it's all because I just said hello on an elevator.
Anneliese Rhodes: I mean, that is so amazing. It's amazing what opportunities open up when you just are receptive. When you just are like, you know what?
I'm just gonna talk. I'm gonna meet this person. I'm not gonna be stuck in my own little world. I'm gonna be open and I'm gonna talk to everybody. And I think that's so important.
Cynthia Ficara: I think it's important to say this. One other thing too is you never know who you're talking to. And so if you like Cindy. You just have to always think like, maybe this person would come around in my life again and maybe this would be great again.
Or you know, you sometimes you wanna say something, but you might wanna bite your tongue 'cause you don't know where that person's gonna come around professionally, personally, you never know. It's just crazy things. What's that old Six degrees? What's the Kevin Bacon thing? Oh gosh. Six degrees removed of Kevin.
I forget. Like everything's related to Kevin Bacon.
Anneliese Rhodes: Six. Don't ask me those kind of things. I don't. I'm terrible at that kind of stuff. Alright. Alright. So professional number one, professional networking. Yep.
Cynthia Ficara: I mean too,
Anneliese Rhodes: we kind of, we kind of talked about this a little bit. Um, so professional networking, you know, my story's a good example.
You need to be open to talking to everybody, not just in your company or your industry, but in. All different types of companies and industries. I mean, in today's world, things are moving so quickly. I think it's really important that you're open to talking to other people. And again, you never know where that's gonna take you.
Um, I think one of the biggest things that if you're not doing this right now. Listen up, you should be doing it. Get on your LinkedIn and start connecting. It means finding people that you want to connect with that have the same interest as you both professionally and personally. It means commenting on other people's comments.
If you wanna connect with people, you should be on LinkedIn and you should be networking. It is amazing the people that you can meet, the companies you can get connected to, and the opportunities that are out there for you. Even if you're not looking today, I'm telling you right now, something will happen on LinkedIn and you will find yourself going, wow, I'm so glad I connected with this person or this company.
Because what a, what a great connection. So I think it's so important.
Cynthia Ficara: How many of you have thought, you know, you wanna connect with somebody who wants what you want and who's out there? And it's almost like you can find mentors. You know, it's amazing when you say, wow, this person's where I wanna be. I wanna connect with somebody like this.
I wanna see how they do it. And you can really form great relationships. Professional networking is so, so key. You know, I think something, um, especially specific to medical device is when you think of gatekeepers. So done, done, done, done. Yeah. Um, you know, say you just took over a new hospital. Well, if you network well amongst your, your colleagues and peers, not only within your company but other companies, maybe you need to call that person who works for such and such company that you know has.
Called on this hospital for years and by simply reaching out and asking what is the protocol? Who do you need to talk to? What, what do you need to do to get past the gatekeeper? You might have just saved yourselves Months of pain and time is money, right? So the quicker you can get in, quicker, you can do what you can do, the quicker you can sell and the quicker your, you're.
Professional advancement can go and I just, I think that gatekeepers is so important because it's not even just hospitals, but in so many different ways and it's just so important. And networking is what will get you past a gatekeeper.
Anneliese Rhodes: Oh my God, absolutely. A hundred percent. I mean, I can't tell you how many times I've asked my colleagues and honestly.
I've even done it with a competitor. Do you have so-and-so's information? Can you just send me their information? The name? I just need a name. Gimme the name. I can look up the rest on my own. Like it's just, or get an introduction like you, I mean, you said it's so important professionally to have as much.
I don't wanna use the word leverage, but it's like it gives you a step up. That's good. You know, it, it, it buys you credibility. It absolutely will buy you credibility with your customers and with those that you're trying to get in front of. Especially if somebody that you know knows them very well. Like I was mentioning before, there's a person I need to call because there's a doctor I really need to get in front of and they know them very well and I don't know them at all.
And they're not a competitor per se, uh, but they do work for a different company. And I ran into 'em the other day in the hallway and I'm like. You know what? I need to talk to you about something. And then I was running off and doing something else. I'm like, I'm gonna reach out. So it is so important to be professionally connected.
Just be, again, it's open. You know? Be kind, be nice. You don't have to be super mean and competitive like I was years ago, you know, scowl on my face like. I'm gonna beat
Cynthia Ficara: all of you. Hey, you don't have to be that
Anneliese Rhodes: way. You know,
Cynthia Ficara: we've said all along, we tell you what not to do. I mean, we've made these mistakes, we've done this.
You know, we're, we're here to like shorten your learning curve. Absolutely. Learn by us, you know, learn
Networking as an Unseen Opportunity
Anneliese Rhodes: by us. Don't do the same things we did. Oh, did we talk about conferences? That's what I was just gonna
Cynthia Ficara: say.
Anneliese Rhodes: That's another great way to like meet people, network. I mean, holy crap. Where else are you gonna be when you can get all these different companies in one room and just walk around?
Just walk around and like be like a doctor or a nurse and pretend, you know, you don't even have to pretend. Just walk around and ask questions. What do you do? Yep. What do you sell? What's your name? My name's Lisa. I work for this company. You know, it's not hard. It's, it's okay. It's a little unnerving. Some people don't do really well.
But then again, you're in sales, aren't you supposed to be okay at that?
Cynthia Ficara: And you know, and I think too, depending on which company you work for, because all companies have different protocols as to how people go to certain events. So like big conferences, maybe there's like one big national conference a year, or international conference a year and smaller ones.
So I think something that's really important in professional networking is take a look at your. Specialty that you're in. Know which conferences are really important, and now look at your customers, which ones are attending because speak with your upper management and kind of say, Hey, look, nine months from now, this particular conference is happening.
I want to be there. I know x. Doctors are gonna be there. And then at that same point, you know, make the most of that. When you plan ahead to network, it is huge. You're like, I wanna go find out what the competitors are doing. I wanna hear the talks. That puts you in such a great place. But that's planning, networking, and I think sometimes we don't think of it like that.
We don't think of targeting networking, you know, like I said at the beginning of this call, we think we network, but hey, did you ever think that Maybe I could just say specifically. This is a networking event that I'm gonna put on my calendar suit, specifically network in all angles, my customers, my space, my, you know, what's new, the research, everything.
It's a, so what you're
Anneliese Rhodes: talking about is being prepared and I love that. I think you actually do, do a little bit of, uh, digging prior to that meeting and know who you wanna go talk to. I mean, it's just like when we talk about, you know. Uh, setting your goals and, and making that list. Make a list of the companies you wanna talk to, learn about the products.
Maybe they are competitive. Well go learn 'em anyhow. You know, hide your badge, turn your badges around.
Cynthia Ficara: Oh, nobody's ever done that before.
Anneliese Rhodes: Or take it off. The problem is once you're well known, you can't take the, the technic device industry. Everybody knows who you work for. That is a problem. So it doesn't matter.
No, it doesn't really matter. But, um. But you know, I mean, yeah, I mean, go and learn about it. I mean, gosh, again, things are changing so dramatically. Um, I know. Alright. And the number, the last thing? Yep.
Cynthia Ficara: Yeah,
Anneliese Rhodes: the
Cynthia Ficara: last one. Yeah. I was just gonna say the last one. Yeah. So number one was personal networking, number two professional.
And the third one is social networking. I guess you can see that there's links and you like all of these kind of overlap in a way. So social networking. Is not just kind of what we said with personal, it's not just online. It is online. But what I want you guys to think about for this is, is really community.
Okay? So let's take for instance, if you're involved, like I, I know somebody that I work with is really involved in this charity and the people that he's been able to meet through this charity is amazing. And when you have people who give back in a community, like a volunteer type situation. You make connections that really open your eyes to so many different things.
And I'm also gonna say, when I think of community, also think about, again, this is a profession we do, but aren't we better at our profession when we do things we enjoy, say you're a golfer. And you wanna get in this golf club. And then, you know, on the weekends you get to meet people playing golf. Say you're a swimmer and you just wanna swim and it makes you feel better or, and then you get to see people.
If you're in a running club, I mean anything. Then it might be 30 minutes on a weekend, an hour on the weekend. But that social networking, you get to meet people from all over who do different things and can connect you doing your social. Fun with like-minded people. Yeah. That really may open doors for a professional opportunity.
Anneliese Rhodes: That's a great point. I, I, I actually. And really, I mean, I thought about it, but I didn't really think about it that way. That was a fantastic example of that because, uh, you know, I need to be more open with that kind of stuff. Actually, now that you're talking about it, I, I, I love this episode because it's reminding me of the things that I.
Know, could do well, and then the things that I probably could still do better. Mm. Um, and I, I, I think, again, I can't underscore networking enough. I think it's so important. It is about who you know, you know, and what they know and their connections. I mean, I. Golly. Sometimes it's right underneath your nose, you know?
Mm-hmm. I just, yeah. So I hope today really help you guys, and, and again, if you guys are amazing at networking, kudos to you, but I still think that there's always a way to better yourself. And if you're not a hundred in one area, maybe you're. Awesome at it professionally. Maybe you're awesome at it personally, but you kind of suck online.
Well go make your online presence better, go to LinkedIn, go to, like you said, Facebook, other things, and get more connected. Make sure that you're reaching out to people of like-mindedness that, like the same things you do and the companies that you're interested in. You know, this is another way, honestly, I'll use it, um, as an investment opportunity.
Mm-hmm. Um, I'll look on LinkedIn for new companies that are up and coming. There you go. Is there a venture capitalist company that manage your money? Has a device in there that I really think it might be worth something. I mean, it's amazing what you can learn online.
Cynthia Ficara: I agree. You know, and I think what I wanna do is summarize this just to give you guys some action steps.
Again, this is so broad, but if you're sitting here, like I mentioned at the very beginning of this episode, am I really doing things so. Quick things to think about. Number one, update your LinkedIn profile. Number two, and, and make it a professional photo. I would just wanna put that in there. That's really important.
Number two, connect with new contacts and old contacts. Maybe join a networking group or an online type community. Look into sports now. Look ahead for networking events. Plan for networking events. And, um, or a professional organization, maybe join an organization. Maybe you have a organization that you've thought about joining.
You just never have. And you know what? Being prepared and set networking goals is important. And practice an elevator pitch. You know, how many times do you run into somebody you know, if, if you're networking because you're in a spot where, hey, I wanna get into medical device. Or I wanna up my career. If you have an elevator pitch where you already know what you're gonna say, work on it.
And by the way, hint, hint, we have something coming. Actually we will launch soon about an elevator pitch because my gosh, it's something you could take with you all the time. And those of you that have listened in the past, you may know we did an episode. It was actually a year ago. It was aired on the 14th of May, and it was with Emma Grace about breaking into medical device.
So if you're new to medical device or you want to get into medical device, she gave some great tips on getting in. So go back to that episode, I think it was May 14th of last year, and. So I, I, I just, I think there's so many great things that we could talk about forever, but building and strengthening professional and personal just can make so many great things.
So I think we should end today with our call to action for power Play Numero. I. Nine. So I want you to challenge you about building your networking. So here's your call to action. Reach out to five people this week. I said five with a value driven message and watch what happens.
Anneliese Rhodes: Hey declutter. We are gonna try something new with our snippet. So, um, I'm going to tell a quick story. Cindy's gonna comment and then we're gonna end and then roll right into the episode. Okay? Here we go. Oh my gosh, Cindy, this story is so perfect for today's episode. So like literally the other day, I was at a basketball game, well, a little while ago, and I saw a lady with an awesome outfit, and I'm like, I'm gonna go ask her where she got that outfit from.
So I go, I wa I ask her where she got it from. She's like, oh, this beautiful brand, whatever. I'm like, oh, where are you from? She's like, Ocala. I'm like, oh, I love Ocala. My daughter and I go there all the time for horseback riding competitions. I'm like, Weck, it's amazing. She's like, oh, I know. My husband runs it.
I'm like. Wait, what? What do you mean he runs it? She's like, oh, he's the CEO general manager of the property, blah, blah, blah, blah. I'm like, can I have your number? Because we can never get into these hotels. And she's like, sure, sweetheart. She gives me her number and I swear Cindy, she is like my biggest connection right now at this new horse facility and I am so excited about it.
Talk about amazing connections.
Cynthia Ficara: It is such a small world, and I can't wait to hear more about this in our episode.
