Amber Travis-Ballinas, BBA ’91, is a career and image consultant, university lecturer and small business owner. She is available to McCombs alumni through her company, Career Creators, an innovative consulting firm specializing in career and image consulting. Amber uses her subject matter expertise and real-world experience to provide her clients with practical and relevant information and guidance in developing the strategies, actions and behaviors necessary for success in the hyper-competitive job market. McCombs alumni receive a complimentary thirty minute in-person consultation and 33% off regular consulting fees. For further details view http://www.careerdesignspecialists.biz/ or contact Amber via email at AmberTravisBallinas@CareerDesignSpecialists.biz.

Darrell W. Gurney, BBA ’84 (Summa Cum Laude), supports forward-thinking leaders to know themselves in new ways, and to transform that knowledge into personal branding that opens doors. He promotes a proven system of relationship management which has people create backdoor connections offering a world of new possibilities—for industry growth, entrepreneurial venturing, or complete career change. Recognized as an Outstanding Business School Student at McCombs, he brings that same outstanding commitment to every individual he supports. He offers McCombs BBA alumni the first 30 minutes free and additional services at a 10 percent discount. Visit his Web site at http://www.careerguy.com/ or contact him via email at Darrell@CareerGuy.com.

Laura S. Hill, BBA ’74, is available for personal career counseling for McCombs BBA alumni through Careers In Motion, LLC. McCombs BBA alumni receive special discounts, which include their first 30 minutes free and additional services at a 10 percent discount. Visit http://www.careersinmotionllc.com/ or contact her via email at laurahill@cimllc.com.
 

Neena Newberry, MBA ’92, works with motivated senior leaders and managers to improve their effectiveness. As an executive coach, she serves as a “thought partner” with her clients to clarify their priorities or goals, better leverage their strengths, keep their developmental areas from becoming barriers to their success, work through specific business challenges, and take action. Neena also specializes in working with women in dual career families. She offers McCombs MBA alumni the first 30 minutes free and additional services at a 10 percent discount. Visit her Web site at http://www.newberrycoaching.com/  or contact her via email at neena@newberrycoaching.com.
 
Amy Wittmayer, MBA ’04 and former McCombs MBA Career Advisor, is available for personal career counseling for McCombs MBA alumni. She offers McCombs MBA alumni the first 30 minutes free and additional services at a 10 percent discount. Visit her Web site at http://www.a-w-consulting.com/ or contact her via email at amy@a-w-consulting.com.

• Associate Brand Manager, Dr Pepper Snapple Group – Plano, TX
• Accounting Supervisor, UT Health Science Center at Houston – Houston, TX
• Accounting -Mgmt./Planning, ICAP North America – Jersey City,  NJ

If you need your UT EID to access the Job Board, please contact the alumni office. If you have forgotten your password but know your UT EID, visit the UT EID Self-Service Tools and click “Find/Reset My Password,” or you may contact the ITS Help Desk at (512) 475-9400.

No matter what anyone says, change takes energy - whether it’s positive or negative change.  We may tell ourselves that we embrace change and thrive on it, but the reality is that it can be stressful.  Change often triggers fear, one of the biggest impediments to success.

So, what is fear exactly?  At the most basic level, fear is resistance.  Let’s take the simple analogy of a thermostat to further explore this.  We are living creatures with systems that operate in a narrow range.  For example, the human body temperature is 98.6 degrees and blood pressure falls within a specific range.  So, in essence, your body has a particular “setting” on a thermostat.  If you change that setting even half a point, your body has to expend energy - so your body “resists” in order to conserve your energy and keep you exactly where you are.  When you are trying to make a change in your behavior, a similar process occurs.  Fear and other discouraging thoughts show up in order to keep things status quo.

So, how can you keep fear from holding you back? Here are five strategies to consider:
 

1. Tame your Gremlins

The “Gremlin” is the internal voice that makes us have second thoughts or fear change.  For example, your Gremlin might say “You’ll never find another job that pays this well and has this level of flexibility.”  Realize that the Gremlin does not always speak the truth.  Its function is to keep things exactly as they are…to stop you from making the change.  Pay close attention to what your Gremlin says to you, and develop strategies to counter its voice.  Depending on your circumstances, the Gremlin may be very powerful and you might need outside help to reduce the power of its voice.

2. Take small steps

Break change down into manageable pieces and tackle each piece one at a time.  This will break down your resistance, and make the change feel less insurmountable.

3.  Identify what is holding you back.  Be specific.

Let’s take the example of a man whose stomach turns upside down at the thought of giving a presentation.  What triggers his fear?  When he starts to think about it, he realizes that his fear surfaces only in presentations to his boss or peers.  After we dig a little deeper, he realizes that at the heart of it, his fear is really about appearing incompetent in front of his colleagues.  Now he has something concrete he can work to overcome.

4.  Play out your fear and develop a rational response

Play out a video of your worst fear.  What is happening? How likely is it that what you see in the video will happen?  What is the size of the risk (large, medium, small), and the probability of it occurring (high, medium, low)?  If your fear came true, how would you handle it?

When we go through these questions, we often recognize that what we have imagined is far worse than what might happen!  But even if our worst fear came true, having a game plan can make it less scary.

5.  Get support from others

Don’t try to take it all on by yourself.  Getting help from others will make you feel like someone cares about your success.  Create a support system for yourself with individuals who will encourage you and celebrate your successes - big and small.

Change can be hard work, so make sure you stack the odds in your favor.  If you need some support to achieve your goals, consider working with a coach.

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SIGN UP FOR NEENA”S NEWSLETTER: http://www.newberrycoaching.com/
Neena Newberry is an executive coach and consultant based in Houston. She is the President of Newberry Executive Coaching and Consulting LLC and has over 16 years of experience coaching and advising clients in midsize to Fortune 500 companies. She works with motivated managers and leaders to improve their effectiveness, and has a passion for working with women in dual career families.

Contact: neena@newberrycoaching.com; 713-822-3032

Smart professionals know that networking is a proven way not only to find a job, but also to thrive in a job and bring in new business. Learn how to take the stress out of networking and get better results in a way that feels natural to you.

In this series of three teleseminars presented by Carol Ross, career coach, social entrepreneur and founder of Carol Ross and Associates, LLC, you will learn to create and nurture the connections needed to thrive in hard times.  You will also have the opportunity to network with alumni from McCombs and other major universities through a participant-only site.

Watch this video to learn how a visit to the dentist’s office led to a job interview with the CEO of a start-up (really!).

Other results reported by past participants include:

• New contacts: Who would have thought that business cards would be exchanged at a dog park or while waiting for a train that was late?  But that’s exactly what happened.
• New clients: “To my surprise, I have two new clients and the possibility of two additional. And it all feels natural.” -Lynn Pearson, graphic artist (http://www.pearsonandgraham.com/)
• New business opportunities: The founder of a non-profit dedicated to financial literacy (http://www.money-masters.org/) applied her new networking skills with two speakers at a conference. She walked away with an invitation to submit her resume for a national task force under the Department of Treasury and consideration of her middle-school curriculum by The New York Federal Reserve Bank, to teach financial literacy to kids in Puerto Rico.

Teleseminar Dates & Topics:

October 27: Avoid Common Traps in Networking
November 3: Create Meaningful Conversations and Develop Lasting Connections
November 10: In-Person + Online Networking, Put It All Together

Location: Anywhere (online or by phone)
NOTE: Teleseminars are not sold separately.  All teleseminars are recorded and available via MP3 download.  The McCombs School of Business and Carol Ross & Associates value your privacy and will not share your email address with others. 

Choose from a mid-day time or an early evening time to attend:
Mid-day series: 10am PT/11am MT/12noon CT/1pm ET
Early evening series: 4pm PT/5pm MT/6pm CT/7pm ET

Teleseminars are 75 minutes long (50 minutes of presentation followed by 25 minutes of Q&A).

Cost: $75 for all three sessions (discounted from the public registration price of $189). Register by Oct. 25!

Click here to learn about the presenter, Carol Ross. Questions? Contact alumni@mccombs.utexas.edu.

“I have trouble starting conversations with people. Your program gave me the confidence to start networking with people.” –Keith, attorney
“I’ve already had positive results, not only in my job search, but with personal relationships, which is an added bonus!”—Nancy Gallagher, commercial real estate professional

Click here for more testimonials.

I’ve been going to networking events for years, first as a way to build my career and then as a way to build my business. For some, this may sound like hell on earth. I prefer to think of it as a long-term study in human behavior. Think rats in cages. Okay, just kidding.

I’m 48 years old. I’ve met hundreds, if not thousands, of strangers in ballrooms with overactive air conditioning and in restaurants with noise levels approaching take-off at O’Hare. I’ve had engrossing conversations and “ewwww” reactions. I’ve been bored silly eating appetizers in the corner and been the last person to leave because I found myself having so much fun. After all of this, I think I may have found the Rosetta Stone of networking.

Before we go any further, it’s useful to introduce the idea of a “stake,” the core driver for how one behaves in any situation. It’s the thing that one can count on when things go awry or when things are going smoothly. Some people might call this your intention but more often, it’s “unintention.” Most people are unaware of their stake at any moment. For me, my stake is usually to learn. No matter what I’m experiencing in life, if I’m learning, I feel okay. Learning is my homeostasis, my thermostat of life.

Now, dissect any conference hall crowd, formal social gathering, or group of industry seminar attendees. Create an expectation among normal adults that they will be interacting with people they’ve never met for the next thirty minutes. The Petri dish begins to reveal mixed emotions and intentions.
My theory is that you’ll find three types of individuals with three different stakes:

• Givers. The stake for a Giver is to provide value to others, no matter what else happens. Givers operate from a sense of abundance. They give without strings attached. Givers are not looking for anything tangible in return other than a genuine expression of thanks.  They feel good that they can be of service to others and are otherwise unattached to the outcome from their giving.
• Takers. The stake for a Taker is to get something of value from others, no matter what else happens. Takers operate from a tit for tat mindset. They keep count of who is ahead and who is behind, in both giving and receiving, so that they come out ahead. They give with strings attached–to get something in return.
• Protectors. The stake for a Protector is to stay safe, no matter what else happens. Protectors are wary of both Takers and Givers, because they can’t distinguish between the two. For a Protector, all networking interactions carry the risk of being taken advantage of. Protectors neither give nor take. They remain safe by holding back and keeping their distance.

Which one are you? At different times in my life, I know that I’ve played all three roles, Giver, Taker, and Protector. There’s no shame in that. What is important is that you consciously choose what role you take on and know the consequences of doing so.

The stage is set. Walking across a hotel carpet, with busy patterns designed to hide the spotty record of past networking encounters, we each assume a position—Giver, Taker, or Protector. What happens when the different pairings interact?

• Giver-Giver. Nirvana. This is the ideal situation. Both parties feel like they are appreciated when they give, which engenders even more giving. Unfortunately, this pairing is not what most people experience when they are networking.
• Giver-Taker. Tricked, again. This can work for awhile, until the Giver realizes that she is working with a Taker. Takers may even initiate giving first, with the intention that they will get something in return. At some point, Takers give themselves away by operating from an entitlement mindset (as in,” I did this for you, so now you owe me.”) The impact on the Giver is that this can turn them into a Protector.
• Protector-Taker or Protector-Giver or Protector-Protector. The drawbridge is up. I’ve combined these three pairings because the dynamic is the same. The Protector holds back from any meaningful interaction in order to remain safe.
• Taker–Taker. It’s just bizzz-ness. What can I say? This is purely transactional and both parties know and agree to it. They know what the game is.

I discovered several years ago that I enjoy myself more and get better results when I’m a Giver. The time goes by quickly and I’m energized when I go home. I make new connections and in some cases, new friends.
However, as you can see from the pairings above, just because I’m playing the role of a Giver, doesn’t mean that I will meet Givers. It may take me a few tries to find “my tribe” of Givers.

Whether you are a natural Giver, a born-again Giver, or like me, one borne from years of living, here are tips for Givers: 

• Don’t take unpleasant interactions personally. You can’t control how others behave but you can control how you respond to their behavior. For all you know, the person in front of you may have caught their spouse cheating last week, gotten laid off, and be taking care of a dying mother. Being a Taker or Protector sounds pretty good right now. Or it just may be the man or woman in front of you is a jerk.  In either case, it’s nothing personal.
• Know the signs of a Taker, so that you can steer clear when you need to.  You will sense a “tit for tat” in the moment that something is given by the Taker. It may be very subtle but trust your own feelings. The giving will be less joyful and more purposeful on the part of the Taker. Often, Takers will have a laser-like focus as a way to make sure that they get what they want out of the interaction. They won’t waste time on people who they perceive can’t give them something of value. They seek out others based on status, title, position, experience level, or closeness to someone else with power.
• Know the signs of a Protector–wariness and holding back (not to be confused with introversion.) Even after you extend a giving hand and ask questions from genuine curiosity, Protectors won’t let down their guard. It’s worth a try working with Protectors to shift their idea of who you are and what your intentions might be. However, at some point, if you don’t sense a change, it’s best to move on.

Topics for further research (which may take the rest of my life to fully understand):

• What causes a Taker to become a Giver?
• What causes a Protector to become a Giver?
• How can we create more Givers in the world?
• How can you recognize Givers, Takers, and Protectors in the online world?

For now, let’s try this experiment: Independent of what role you naturally gravitate towards, the next time you find yourself in a conversation with a stranger, choose to be a Giver.

_____________________________
Copyright © 2009 by Carol Ross and Associates, LLC. As a coach, Carol delights in working with Boundary Crossers, individuals who operate in multiple worlds but who fit wholly in no one world. As founder of A Bigger Voice, she works with frustrated social entrepreneurs to transform an idea into a sustainable, scalable movement. Find her playing on Twitter (@carolross), musing about life and work on her blog, or sampling new groups on LinkedIn.

• Real Estate/Financial Analyst, Thackeray Partners – Dallas, TX
• Business Research Manager: Energy Efficiency, Energy Market Innovations (EMI) – Seattle, WA
• Cost Accounting Manager, Energy Alloys – Houston, TX
• Business Development Consultant, Gallup – Irvine, San Francisco, New York City, Washington DC, Omaha, Chicago 
• General Manager, Amnisure International LLC – Cambridge, MA   

If you need your UT EID to access the Job Board, please contact the alumni office. If you have forgotten your password but know your UT EID, visit the UT EID Self-Service Tools and click “Find/Reset My Password,” or you may contact the ITS Help Desk at (512) 475-9400.

If relationships make the world go round, then effective networking is the axis on which the world spins. If you haven’t brushed up on your networking skills, take some time now, to create longer lasting, deeper relationships that can get you to where you want to go, in good times and bad.

Here are nine networking mistakes made by individuals of all experience levels, including seasoned career professionals. Many of these are mistakes I’ve made myself:

1. Networking sporadically. During the holidays, I often notice a distinct uptick in people reaching out and re-connecting. But what happens after the seasonal cheer wears off and everyone is back in the office, under the gloom of mid-winter blues? Yeah, see you next December. Networking is a continuous effort, in good times and bad. Find reasons to connect, whether it’s an article that someone might like or a conversation that made you think of a specific person. Don’t be someone who connects only once a year, when everyone else is trying to do the same.
2. Being a “taker” rather than a “giver.” Networking works best when you adopt a mindset of giving to others first. Be willing to let the relationship evolve from there. Remember that making deposits to the “emotional bank account” now can’t help but accumulate interest over time. Be a giver first, rather than a taker, and watch how it creates bigger opportunities and better options for the future.
3. Failing to follow up. At the start of a new relationship, building trust is important. The quickest way to sabotage a new relationship is to promise something and not deliver. No matter how small, do what you say you will do, whether it’s passing on a name to someone in your network or emailing the url of a blog that was mentioned in your conversation.
4. Lack of acknowledgment. People want to know that their effort to give to others is appreciated, no matter the outcome. If you get an email introduction to someone who can help you, always thank the person who made the introduction. Copy them when you attempt to connect with the person being introduced. Give them the courtesy of hearing the outcome of their efforts. If someone takes the time to give you feedback (e.g., on your website, on the impression you made on them, on how you are
   proceeding with your job search, on whether you are a fit for a job), let them know that you heard the feedback—even if you don’t agree with it. Complete the conversation. Silence is not always golden.
5. Expecting others to network for you. In the course of meeting new people, you may get an offer from someone to help you network—by sending on a resume, talking with a neighbor, or checking with a hiring manager on openings. This willingness to help is great and it’s misdirected if you count on having a middleman. Ask for the contact information of the person you are hoping to get the attention of. Or ask for an email introduction to that person. It’s your responsibility to move the ball forward, not someone else’s. Be proactive.
6. Missing an opportunity to be a connector. These last four mistakes relate to playing the role of a connector when networking. In this role, it’s not just about making a connection with a new person, it’s making connections between people. What people often forget is how they can add value by connecting someone in their network to someone they are just meeting for the first time. Be on the lookout for these opportunities. It will take your networking effectiveness to another level.
7. Providing a weak introduction, or none at all, to two parties. A weak introduction is akin to no introduction. Take the time to do it right. People will remember you for it. When playing the role of a connector, make it appealing for both sides to meet. Give specifics on what makes each person so special in your eyes. Speculate on what could happen if they meet. Don’t rely on the idea that because you think it’s a good idea, both parties will, too.
8. Connecting two people where there isn’t a perceived win-win. This is sometimes the reason for a weak introduction, because the person making the introduction can’t articulate why both parties would benefit in meeting. Sometimes, only one party benefits. Consider carefully why both parties would want to meet before making a solid introduction.
9. Passing on bad apples, without warning. If you are a great networker, people in your network will trust you to introduce them to quality people—responsible adults with good intentions, integrity, and a generous spirit. Don’t connect two people if you think it might undermine that trust. At the very least, let the person who might end up with the short end of the stick know what they might be getting into.

It’s easier than you think to be remarkable when it comes to networking. The more you do it, flawlessly, the more momentum you’ll have in achieving your goals. By avoiding these nine mistakes, you’ll set yourself apart from other professionals and reap the full rewards of spending time and energy on networking.

Carol will be leading Networking Naturally, a three-part teleseminar for alumni which will cover the benefits of and common mistakes when networking. Registration closes October 25th. Click here for more information or to register now.

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Copyright © 2009 by Carol Ross and Associates, LLC. Carol Ross is a certified career coach, social entrepreneur, and founder of My Alumni Link, a business that helps universities build vibrant alumni communities. A former Bell Labs engineer, she first learned the power of networking after being laid off in 1996. Within a month of her layoff, she had landed another job, with better pay and more opportunities, largely due to networking. As a coach, she delights in working with Boundary Crossers, individuals who operate in multiple worlds but who fit wholly in no one world. As founder of A Bigger Voice, she works with frustrated social entrepreneurs to transform an idea into a sustainable, scalable movement. Find her playing on Twitter (@carolross), musing about life and work on her blog, or sampling new groups on LinkedIn.

When was the last time you heard someone say, “I love networking and I’m good at it!”  Smart professionals know that networking is a proven way to find a job, keep a job, and bring in new business. Learn how to take the stress out of networking and get better results, in a way that feels natural to you.

In this series of three teleseminars presented by Carol Ross, career coach, social entrepreneur and founder of Carol Ross and Associates, LLC, you will learn to create and nurture the connections needed to thrive in hard times.  You will also have the opportunity to network with alumni from the McCombs School of Business and other major universities through a participant-only site.

Seminar Dates & Topics:

• October 27: Avoid Common Traps in Networking
• November 3: Create Meaningful Conversations and Develop Lasting Connections
• November 10: In-Person + Online Networking, Put It All Together

Topic Descriptions:

October 27: Avoid Common Traps in Networking
We cover the foundations of great networking. If the basics are not done well, you can unknowingly sabotage your best networking efforts.  We look at myths and beliefs around networking and help you create a plan to meet your personal and professional goals.

November 3: Create Meaningful Conversations and Develop Lasting Connections
We address two of the most cited networking challenges: 1) starting a conversation with a stranger and 2) following up afterwards. We also cover sticky situations as well as the etiquette and nuances of great networking, in-person and online.

November 10: In-Person + Online Networking, Put It All Together
You’ll learn how social networking fits with in-person networking efforts in a world of limited time and attention.  We also look at ways to keep momentum going, make the best use of your existing network, and continuously expand your network.

NOTE: Teleseminars are not sold separately.  All teleseminars are recorded.  The McCombs School of Business and Carol Ross & Associates value your privacy and will not share your email address with others. 

Choose from a mid-day time or an early evening time to attend:
Mid-day series: 10am PT/11am MT/12noon CT/1pm ET
Early evening series: 4pm PT/5pm MT/6pm CT/7pm ET

Teleseminars are 75 minutes long (50 minutes of presentation followed by 25 minutes of Q & A)

Alumni Cost: $75 for all three sessions
Student Cost: $25 for all three sessions

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Click here to learn about the presenter, Carol Ross.

See a video sampling of the information participants can expect to learn during Networking Naturally.

Questions? Contact the McCombs Alumni Relations Office at (512) 232-2441 or alumni@mccombs.utexas.edu.

From The Wall Street Journal

John was a senior manager at Corporex Companies LLC, a real-estate development company. Mr. Brownrigg, 54, was laid off in August 2008 after almost two years with the company. Previously, he worked on commercial real estate and construction projects for General Electric, Ericsson and the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. He earned an M.B.A. from University of Texas Austin in 1984. He lives in Cincinnati, Ohio, with his wife and two children.

 I’ve lost out on a couple of good jobs recently when I was perceived as being overqualified, overpaid and maybe overage or overconfident — who knows what. Career pages on company Web sites call out for “great talent,” “passionate team players” and “champions striving to be No. 1” I’m thinking of Michael Jordan, Derek Jeter, Peyton and Eli Manning — were any of these athletes perceived to be overqualified, and therefore not considered for employment? The concept is absurd in the sports world, where teams are truly competing to be champions. Click here to continue reading from The Wall Street Journal.

As a follow-up to the Genuine Networking class this past spring, Amy Wittmayer returns to lead a Facilitated Networking class.  Using a pre-class questionnaire, this workshop will help you connect with fellow alumni and find common ground.

In addition to the workshop and materials, your fee also includes refreshments and access to a cash bar.

Date:  Thursday, September 24
Location:  AT&T Executive Conference Center
Time:  5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Cost:  $25 / person

BEFORE the event, please fill out this brief, 8-question survey.

Feedback from attendees of the prior Genuine Networking event:

“I appreciate the time and effort you spent on the workshop you gave this week to the UT MBAs!  It was a valuable use of my time and I came away with a lot of useful tips.”  -Elliott Weir, MBA ‘02, CFP

“This class is a MUST for all of those who want to build a strong network to advance their personal and professional lives.  Don’t miss it!” Gene Brown, McCombs BBA ’85, Recruiting Professional