Managing your volunteer efforts

It is the best of things to do: you help an organization by lending them your skills. You get the satisfaction of having helped further a cause or organization.

However, it has it's pitfalls. Remember, you aren't being paid and it can't (shouldn't) infringe on your work time (if you have one; if you are in transition, be careful not to take too much time away from your search).

The good news is that volunteer activities have a way of working on an ebb and flow concept: if you can't do a task, don't be afraid to ask for help. The help also sees when things fall off and will jump in.

It always seems to work out, but you need to manage the time and effort just as you do your work flow.

Relentless

Fishing and Networking

It goes without saying that networking and fishing have a lot in common. Really.

There are three things to remember in each:

• Choose your spot. Where will the fishing be best? You know where the best fish hang out, go to them. Not sure if GPS works in networking, though. Shoreline or IABC happy hour?
• Have the right gear. That lightweight rig or the tie with the blue pattern, nightcrawlers or customized business cards?
• Know the species you are looking for. Walleye or CMO, Sunfish or IT guy, Crappie or C-level exec?

The analogy works, so keep these simple concepts in mind and you should be luck in both.

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Reporting from the field: staying in the moment

Our colleague, Donna Itzoe of Verizon, is on site at the IABC International Conference in San Francisco. Donna had a great observation as she wasimmersed in networking at this large and important conference.

"I'd say staying in the moment is important for networking" she reported. "You are trying to meet and network with as many people as possible, but don't continually scour the room for the "next" person while you're talking to somebody."

While you want to meet as many people as possible, be polite, make eye contact and really listen. Quality contacts and good impressions are far more important than quantity.

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Build your network into your life

This goes without saying. In this day and age and with technology enveloping us, this is something we all do anyway.

The truth is, as our work lives have become more virtual, work and life are intertwined. When I say "integrate" the two, I mean it in a softer, more civilized way.

For example, the networking groups I frequent most are a local chamber and two associations that are in my field.

The chamber allows me contact with a wide and varied group, so I now have a regular set of restaurants I frequent for virtual meeting, an insurance guy, a courier company (who is also a client) and a few graphic and communications consultants I use as subcontractors or partners.

On the association side, I serve on both boards. This allows me to chair a special interest group in my company's area of expertise as well as work with sponsors and volunteers. My company and personal brands are visible without being gaudy or rude. We are here to serve and businss will follow.

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