01.11.19
Change has always been a part of the business landscape, however, there is a significant difference between ordinary change and transformational change, according to Major General Amy S. Courter, CAP, USAFX, who is the former National Commander and CEO of the Civil Air Patrol, a volunteer civilian auxiliary to the US Air Force. She was the first woman to rise to this rank and hold the position of National Commander.
According to Courter, a transformational change is an intentional shift in the culture to take advantage of strategic changes in the competitive marketplace, customer expectations, and workforce, as examples. Agile organizations who take advantage of strategic changes, and those who set the trends, are better positioned to achieve success. While some say that only developmental and transitional changes can be planned, Courter disagrees.
Attendees at the American Cleaning Institute's Annual Meeting and Industry Convention can hear more from Courter on Thursday, January 31 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm in Palazzo H for a networking and educational session entitled, Unite with Inclusion: Transformational Change. Courter will explain how she led a 70 year-old organization to repeatedly adopt transformational changes to position the organization to achieve greater success.
To kick off this session, sponsored by BASF Corporation, there be 30 minutes of speed networking. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with other industry executives and add 6-8 more names to your contact list. Below is an outline of the networking opportunity and some advice to consider:
The speed networking session will consist of 3-minute intervals in which you will introduce yourself, meet the individual across the table from you, and briefly share your thoughts about one of the ideas below:
According to Courter, a transformational change is an intentional shift in the culture to take advantage of strategic changes in the competitive marketplace, customer expectations, and workforce, as examples. Agile organizations who take advantage of strategic changes, and those who set the trends, are better positioned to achieve success. While some say that only developmental and transitional changes can be planned, Courter disagrees.
Attendees at the American Cleaning Institute's Annual Meeting and Industry Convention can hear more from Courter on Thursday, January 31 from 3:30 pm - 5:00 pm in Palazzo H for a networking and educational session entitled, Unite with Inclusion: Transformational Change. Courter will explain how she led a 70 year-old organization to repeatedly adopt transformational changes to position the organization to achieve greater success.
To kick off this session, sponsored by BASF Corporation, there be 30 minutes of speed networking. Don't miss the opportunity to connect with other industry executives and add 6-8 more names to your contact list. Below is an outline of the networking opportunity and some advice to consider:
The speed networking session will consist of 3-minute intervals in which you will introduce yourself, meet the individual across the table from you, and briefly share your thoughts about one of the ideas below:
- What inspired you to do the work you do now/get into your career?
- What is the most challenging aspect of your current job?
- What is your reason for being here today and what are you hoping to achieve?
- What’s something you want to accomplish at work before this year is over?
- How has your company been tackling diversity and inclusion in the work place?
Here are some suggestions to help make the most of your speed-networking experience:
Come well prepared
During a speed networking session, it is extremely important to be well prepared, efficient and goal oriented. There is very little time for small talk in contrast to other networking sessions. Prepare yourself by setting goals and outcomes that allow you to deliver the message that you want to communicate. Don’t forget to bring a stack of business cards to exchange with those you meet.
Prepare your elevator pitch
An elevator pitch is a 30 second description of yourself, what you do and what you want to communicate. Prepare a pitch before the session and think through the most important things you would like to communicate. Refine the pitch so that it sounds natural. A good pitch can be constructed using the following outline: a) Your name. b) Your title and company. C) The values you create for your clients, by describing a typical problem, what activities you used to solve it and the actual result. d) You can finish up by including something about your goals and the results you wish to achieve from the meeting.
Take notes
Scribble down who it is you are talking with, the date, the context as well as a summary of what is being said. Try to find common denominators and ways in which you can help the person in front of you, who amongst your contacts can be a good connection, which of your own goals can benefit from the other person’s experience, contacts, etc. Always carry a writing pad and a pen while at meetings. You never know who you’re going to meet.
Follow up
Open networking time will be available at the end of the session so that you can follow up in more detail with those you met during the speed networking portion of the event. Or, take time when you return to the office to send follow up communication so that you don’t lose that contact.