Chuck and his wife, Martha, live in Hot Springs and have two sons, Robert, a 2010 Information Systems graduate of the Walton College, and Thomas, currently enrolled in the Walton College. Chuck, Robert, and Thomas are members of Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity. Chuck is a Past President of the Arkansas Alumni Association, and currently is Past President of the Walton College Alumni Society.
DON’T UNDERESTIMATE THE VALUE OF THE U OF A NETWORK
WHY NETWORK?
In this age of instant communication, one might wonder about the necessity of belonging to groups that network. Alumni groups, church groups, civic groups and the like.
The fact of the matter is that people still hire people, and fancy worded resumes might get you in someone’s door, but……..any employer worth their salt will look past the wonderful language and get to the heart of who you really are.
So, that means that you need to have personal relationships to help you build people skills that will set you apart from the run of the mill applicant. Here’s the deal: if you are looking for a new job or career, you won’t find that person who can help you on Dickson Street on a Friday night. You might, but it would be a lucky break, for sure!
That is why building your network(s) is highly important. It has been written that the current generation graduating from college might have ten different jobs by the time they are 40 years old. Mind boggling for sure as most people want some stability. If you are fortunate, you may get that. Many will not.BUILD YOUR NETWORK
Okay, so how is this done? Well, for starters, look no farther than the best business network in the state of Arkansas and beyond…….the University of Arkansas Alumni Association! It is the best place to start.
As a young graduate, I joined as a Life Member in 1977. What I have found is a lifetime of contacts that would not have been possible had I not attended the University of Arkansas, and specifically the Walton College. I made friends while at school, and have made new friends and contacts over the years because we had common ground. Common Ground is what a salesman understands is the key to working with a client. My dad taught me this over 40 years ago. Find something in common with a prospect, and then you have a basis for a conversation. Maybe it’s about financial products and planning, or developing a relationship with a person that might hire you in the future.
But first, you have to run in the proper circles. My highest recommendation is to make sure you are a member of the Arkansas Alumni Association, and then jump in and get involved in a local alumni chapter. You will begin to expand your network, and make contacts in all walks of life. You will find people you can help, and people that can help you. And, you can talk about the Razorbacks while expanding your network!!
As a young graduate, I joined as a Life Member in 1977. What I have found is a lifetime of contacts that would not have been possible had I not attended the University of Arkansas, and specifically the Walton College. I made friends while at school, and have made new friends and contacts over the years because we had common ground. Common Ground is what a salesman understands is the key to working with a client. My dad taught me this over 40 years ago. Find something in common with a prospect, and then you have a basis for a conversation. Maybe it’s about financial products and planning, or developing a relationship with a person that might hire you in the future.
But first, you have to run in the proper circles. My highest recommendation is to make sure you are a member of the Arkansas Alumni Association, and then jump in and get involved in a local alumni chapter. You will begin to expand your network, and make contacts in all walks of life. You will find people you can help, and people that can help you. And, you can talk about the Razorbacks while expanding your network!!
DON’T HESITATE….
The Arkansas Alumni Association has a lot of tools to help you connect, and better yet, put you in touch with the kinds of people you need to be associating with. To be fair, church groups, civic clubs and other similar organizations are helpful, as well. Don’t underestimate their value to your network building. But the cornerstone of your network should be the one you were in most recently, the Walton College at the University of Arkansas. It has been a great network for me, and I hope it can be for those of you that read this blog.
If you need help getting started or finding an alumni chapter, contact me or go to: http://www.arkansasalumni.org/index.php. They have great people at the Alumni Association in Fayetteville. Here’s a link to the Walton College, as well: http://waltoncollege.uark.edu/.
Get involved, build your network, expand your relationships. It is an integral part of your lifetime plan.
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