
The Art of Professional Connections:
Success Strategies for Networking
in Person and Online
Endorsements and Testimonials
The following individuals served as fact-checkers and offered insights, experiences, quotes, and case studies that enhance the content of this book. (Note: Their titles and company affiliations are listed at the time of their involvement. In many cases, this has changed.)
What People Are Saying …
─Christine Vicari
Senior Consultant, Waldron HR
─Meredith Shake-Burrows
Middle East Specialist, United States Department of Defense
I hate networking, but even I’ve become quite proficient following Gloria’s sage advice. Success Strategies helps from the handshake to the hors d’oeuvres, and the cocktail to the commentary. If you want to be successful meeting others, meet Gloria first through this outstanding book.
─Alan Weiss, PhD
Author, Million Dollar Consulting and The Consulting Bible
No more excuses! Learn what top business leaders know and use every day. Follow the path that is straightforward to bring key influencers and business contacts into your life through positive impactful networking. Ms. Petersen wants everyone to be a winner and she gives you the tools to achieve success. Success Strategies for Networking in Person and Online is a teaching tool that can transform one’s life both in business and personal interactions. Her style is one of openness, sharing personal stories, and practical steps that are invaluable and easy to incorporate. She is clear on what kind of personal exchanges work and what kind do harm to one’s status. Everyone from seasoned business execs to college grads need this book to set themselves apart and shine!
─Christine Jurich
Corporate Recruiter
─David Moss
Consultant, Chamber for Good
I found Success Strategies for Networking in Person and Online to be a great read! Networking is much more than attending events, meeting people, swapping business cards, and following up with those we’ve met. When representing Caterpillar at colleges, universities, and affinity group career events, the use of mobile devices was one thing I paid particular attention to. As the students mingled throughout the career event, I watched to see which ones would walk from recruiter to recruiter and interact. Those were the ones that I was interested in talking with, not the ones standing on the sidelines checking their phones. The book’s comment about stepping outside the room after you’ve met a few people and collected their business cards to jot down a quick note on the back of the cards is invaluable! That is the best way to remember someone, even if it is a note that you (and only you) will see. I also appreciate the book’s comments on inappropriate material or comments on Facebook, Twitter, etc.; the importance of asking questions of cultures and things you do not understand; and that taking the initiative to walk to someone’s desk rather than sending an email will help you grow professional working relationships.
─Neil Urbanowski
Human Resources Consultant, Caterpillar Inc.
Testimonials
Gloria, I recently attended the worldwide ERC (Employers Resource Council) global symposium and applied some of the tips and techniques that you share in your books, Seven Steps to Impressive Greetings and Confident Interactions and Success Strategies for Networking in Person and Online:
Instead of offering my card first, I used the simple phrase, “May I give you my card?” and then offered my card. I felt that the recipients really did appreciate that, and they responded very warmly. Also, I found that I didn’t like it when others sat at the dinner table and just “plopped” their card in front of everyone. It seemed so impersonal.
Your tip to “focus on making connections for other people” worked wonderfully. I met a few first-time attendees to whom I was able to give pointers and they made it a point to email me their thanks afterward.
When I noticed people sitting for a few minutes “refueling,” I followed another tip and decided to join them (asking first, of course!) and discuss the sessions. One conversation was about a phone app class; it turns out that one gentleman at the table had really wanted to attend that class, and he asked me to email him the details. I followed up promptly, and a week later he emailed me “much thanks” as the apps really were useful to him.
The following week I attended a Friends of the NRA dinner and followed your tips on introductions by repeating everyone’s name and finding a common link. As a result, I was able to connect three couples with a bow hunting hobby at the same table. They had a great time.
I am looking forward to trying the dining tips at my next family function─Thanksgiving dinner!
─Debra Wisniewski
Relocation Director at Dickerson & Nieman Realtors