Coffee & Convos: Essentials of Networking

Calling all small business owners! Coffee&Convos provides breakfast, networking and programming to help support your small-business needs. GRCA is excited to relaunch this series to assist small businesses in Berks County with items such as developing marketing plans, driving sales leads and improving customer service.

Essentials of Networking
One of the most cherished aspects of Chamber Membership is that of being connected to a greater whole, a business community that rises together and enjoys the synergy of strong relationships. As a member, there is a sense of belonging and being connected that facilitates myriad benefits in the give and take of introductions, referrals, and access to resources. While there is nothing fundamentally new about networking, the technology and ways that people “network” has changed significantly over the past decade. Now, whatever your level of confidence, competence, and intention for networking, there is a golden opportunity to examine and take your networking effectiveness to the next level.

What would be possible if you had a more vibrant and enjoyable way of connecting, networking with people you know and people you may want to know?
What if you had greater clarity in the two primary principles that drive networking results: 1 – the six degrees of separation and 2 – the power of warm referrals.
What if we had access to the distinctions that really empower our networking results and unlock the full potential of growing our network and facilitating networking for others?

During the coffee and conversation, we will share the myriad common opinions, understandings and that people have about networking. Inside of those beliefs there are a surprising number of myths and misperceptions that truly limit possibility, self-sabotage, and prolong suffering. How refreshing and “freeing” it can be to have guidance on what actually matters and works in a way that serves all. We will cover the essence of the structure to support networking campaigns, examine practices that sustain your network effectiveness, and look at networking as a process which includes 1- preparation, 2- execution, 3- follow-up, and 4 - learning. We will also introduce key conversations that are essential for highly effective and positively impactful networking, whether it is part of an intentional networking campaign or spontaneously through the many synchronicities that will appear for you.

Coming into the coffee and conversation, each participant has their own sense of the effectiveness of their networking competence, the value that networking has for them. If you have an open mind, a bit curiosity, and an intention and commitment to grow the results you produce, there will be a turning point for you personally and professionally from the program. The insights from the discussion have provided great value to C-level executives from nearly every industry and type of organization. It has made a huge difference in professionals exploring new opportunities. And, it has provided extraordinary value in elevating confidence and enthusiasm for this important aspect of professional growth and social responsibility. Intentional networking is a way that each participant becomes a more empowered champion for the communities in which we live and work.

Meet our Speaker:
THOMAS W. RHOADS is an Executive Consultant who leads individuals and organizations to the next stage of their career and organizational growth. Rhoads’ career has always been on the leading edge of innovation and entrepreneurship bringing new products and services to the marketplace, and expanding possibility for professionals, executives, and the organizations that they lead. He is highly effective in helping people envision possibility, define success, and distinguish and implement the critical factors to attaining extraordinary outcomes. His acumen in helping people grow their awareness and expand their authentic power are central to all his work of unlocking the potential that is already within each person. He inspires professionals and executives to courageous new ways of seeing, thinking, and expanded ways of being in the world to contribute, grow, and achieve their dreams. Rhoads provides individual executive coaching and organizational programs to a diverse clientele: healthcare, universities, manufacturers and service organizations. The scale of his organizational work spans start-up sole proprietors to the Fortune 100. He also leads the GRCA capstone program on the Essentials of Effective Leadership.

Rhoads has enjoyed long-term engagements as a trusted advisor to IBM, John Deere, Harley Davidson, The US EPA and the US Navy, Anheuser Busch, Xerox, Clorox and Pepperidge Farm. He is a graduate of Franklin and Marshall College and earned his MEM from Duke University. He has been supporting the efforts of the Workforce Development Department at Bucks County Community College for over 10 years with more than 2,000 program participants and has served as Chairperson for the Chester County Workforce Investment Board.

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Date and Time

Thursday Oct 19, 2023
7:30 AM - 9:30 AM EDT

Location

Center for Business Excellence
49 Commerce Dr., Reading

Fees/Admission

Free for GRCA Members & NEBerks Chamber Members.