No BD's on Tuesday, Linda Anger drops the guantlet and what can we do for you?

To answer your question - "..tell us what we can do for you."  Offer a free or low cost networking opportunity - - $20 is too high.  Especially for a new person to the group-looking at the posts  - I don't think I would get $20 worth at your events.  I'd maybe pay $5 for a cup of coffee and networking  - - But not $20 for a lunch I don't need and networking with a bunch of other unemployed people.  There are plenty of opportunities to network with other unemployed people for free.

Susan I'm sorry to hear that you don't think there is any value in attending an MCC networking lunch.  I've attended a couple and I haven't experienced any of that.  In fact most of the MCC members that attend these networking events are quite successful in their own fields.  I really don't think it's fair to judge so harshly.  Even if a person is unemployed MCC has provided many opportunities for them to find new work through new connections.  In fact, isn't that what networking is all about.  Finding the right opportunities for anybody and everybody.  As for free events, well MCC has done plenty of those too.  Terry Bean has done many free trainings and meetings with the MCC community.   Just last month Terry Bean (founder of MCC) and Charlie Wollborg (co-founder) did a free networking event for over 200 people at Walsh Community College.   Many people found it very worth while.  Everything that you can do on this website is absolutely free and lots of great connections are made here everyday. 

Stephanie:

Obviously feel very strongly about the group and that is fantastic.  However, the question was asked - - what can we do.  My answer is providing a low cost or free networking opportunity. 

Trust me I am not judging anyone for being unemployed as I am myself.  But to pay $20 to be with people in the same situation - - I can do that for free at a large variety of venues with many dedicated people to assist.  $20 would be better spent somewhere else.  I belong to several free networking groups and have met some great and helpful people.  I have heard nothing that would justify spending $20 for what I can get for free.

So to be clear Stephanie - - I am in no way judging anyone - - just answering the question that was asked.

Susan:

 We all understand the challenge of a job search, and the need to be mindful of where your money goes while in the process. Reaching out to MCC members through the on-line portion of the group can make a difference.

You can attend any of the meetings for just $7.00 if you choose not to purchase lunch... just let Terry, Charlie (or whoever else is the meeting facilitator that day), know that you are not eating.

There are many people here who find great value in the MCC luncheons, and are willing to help in whatever way we can. I, personally, have made great contacts and friends through MCC and have gained a half-dozen new clients as a result of my participation at the lunches and on this board. Like any other networking option, you have to work it, and be consistent with it.

I don't know how familiar you are with the "search" option of the CollectiveX board, but you can search for people and/or companies that you think might be good connections for you in your search, and use the "send a private message" option to contact them directly. If you are not sure how to use that feature, contact Terry - he will gladly walk you through it.

Wishing you great success -

Linda

Hi Susan-

Thank you for your answer. I apprecaite you taking the time to do so.

It's funny you should mention a low cost alternative, I have a draft e-mail to the MCC leadership team dated 1/12/09 that talks about a $5 meeting where we meet at member's offices. Needless to say I am on board with your suggestion. What we will need to do is communicate this idea AND get volunteers to host.

In reference to other parts of your message, I am quite sure you have never attended our events. If you had, you would know that at least 85% of the attendees are there to grow their business, not to find jobs. We are a business networking group who happens to be connected enough to help job seekers.

Charlie and I have donated our time and knowledge sharing valuable information at such places as The Shrine Career Network and Walsh College (their career services department). As such, there are more job seekers here and that's great. Tell us what kind of work you seek and we may be able to help you. You never know who has the connection you seek until you ask. Specifically. I should also mention that Charlie and I and a LOT of other people have shared lots of expertise and knowledge on this site. If you dig through the discussion boards, you will learn A LOT.

I did visit your profile and I would ask you to do 2 things:

1. Put up a photo. People like to see a picture as it tells us A. You took the time to fill out your profile B. That you are a human. C. that remember faces well whether or not we have met you.

2. Describe your ideal position (or at least one you want) on your profile, in the ask discussion board and the employment board.

Happy to discuss this Further Susan. Be on the lookout for $5 meetings coming soon!

Thanks for the support Linda and Stephanie.

Terry Bean

I would like to chime in here too.

I have only gone to one meeting because of the cost but I did find it beneficial and also as a way to springboard to other events around town.  I didn't realize that you didn't have to buy lunch or else I would go to more.

I am interning at the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and work 2 other low paying jobs.  So right now, money is tight.  But the people here are wonderful and you never know where in your network that you might lead you to your next opportunity.

I personally would rather network with people that are working.  I am a member of the Shrine Career Network and I have connected with people on here at different events.  So you can network for low cost if you want too.  If you network once a week then you are in good shape.  I was told at a Detroit Young Professionals event.

Thanks Terry for considering the low cost networking.  That is partly why I have only gone to one meeting.

I wasn't aware that to be unemployed was a pre-requisite when I attended the lucheons and breakfasts in the past.  If it was, I sincerely appologize.  It wasn't aware that Brian Eyster as well as most of the other people I met at the events were really not employed. 

Sarcasm aside Susan, use the ask area and be very specific about your requirements.  The beauty of the members of MCC is they beleive in giving.  We want to help you.  You must tell us how.  One of the first tenets of networking is to find out how you can help a person you meet achieve their desires without keeping score or looking for that person to repay you.  You may want to read Never Eat Alone as a guide book.  I have a copy you may borrow or the cds of the book if that would be easier for you.  Let me know if that would be something you would find helpful.  If you would like to meet at my office sometime, I would be happy to sit down and talk with you. 

Greg Wolf

Remember- Happiness is a choice.  Choose well.

Greg - -The negative attitude expressed in your comment is not appreciated.  If you were looking to post and advertisement as to why I should not attend events associated with this group - - your post is a great one.  Why would I want to associate with condecending people who choose to add negativity to a 2 month old conversation?

I have a lot of sympathy for Susan's and Jaime's points.  We must all target our marketing resources carefully to get the best value. 

When I have attended MCC lunches, my observations is that there have been far more sellers than buyers, and very few employers.  Now sure why, but the no-cost events have been a little better in terms of making helpful connections.

While many MCCers are marketing their own firms and practices, I have noticed a distinct rise in the number of members who are in career transitions.  Perhaps there could be more programming for the needs of those who are in transition. 

Low- or no-cost networking events are a good start.  Providing more programming for unemployed and under-employed members would be good too.  How about sessions on job-search techniques, branding and marketing oneself to prospective employers, managing finances during the transition period, what to do with retirement plan assets (a favorite topic of mine), interviewing techniques, tools for low-cost new business start-ups, etc. 

Maybe a session for members in transition to discuss what they have found to be helpful in their job searches, similar to job clubs that have emerged in some cities, would be of interest to some.  Empathy and comeraderie can be of some value.

Here's an idea:  Maybe MCC has grown big enough that it should host it's own job fair.  If not now, perhaps in the fall or early 2010 as the economy picks up.  Might be a good way to gather new members, too.

Meeting the needs of unemployed and under-employed members now will build loyalty and greater participation later when they return to their perferred professional positions.

I'd be happy to work with MCC leadership to explore ideas  like these and others.

I think that a job fair is an excellant idea for the future. I believe that a lot of the things people in transition are looking for and you mentioned are under the topic Employment on the discussion boards. There are job postings, best practices, tips and job fair postings. I know MCC did an event for people in transition and it went very well. Keep and eye on the calendar for more like it.

Keep the faith!

I am a little surprised by these discussions but there are some great suggestions here. Free and low cost networking events are a wonderful idea. Many people are watching budgets and having other options is a nice idea. However, I am slightly disturbed by the view of "networking." One of the great values of networking is not meeting someone who can do something for you. When you interact with someone new you are also interacting with their entire network. Specific to job seekers, a number of statistics bear out that jobs are not found through your first degreee contacts but 2nd and 3rd degree. So it's not who you know but who they know.

On a personal note, I am rewarded daily by my networking efforts. I gain insight, inspiration and yes even new business by simply being open to the opportunities to get to know people. I do understand that people seeking a job may want to direct their networking efforts in a more purposeful way but there have been events for that purpose such as the recent Parnasa fest.

There are also many people here (me included) who can offer advice, help and resources for job seekers.

I steadfastly believe that we can all work together to provide moral support and practical help for all members.

Karen