Improving Communication in a Virtual Workplace

With an astounding 88% of employees working from home on a regular basis, it seems more and more people dimming the lights on an in-person office setting and converting space in their homes into a functional workplace, optimal communication is key in creating a successful virtual work environment. However, most people are new to this new virtual world and aren’t sure how to navigate the workplace successfully. There is actually a learning curve involved in learning how to speak, respond, and engage virtually.

Tips for Improving Communications in a Virtual Workplace

If you or your crew are new to the virtual work world, you might have to teach your team some new strategies for communicating. Here are four ways to improve communication on your virtual team and preserve existing relationships so that you can move forward during this transition and flourish, no matter where you are.

1. Keep It Personal

It’s no mystery that effective communication builds strong relationships, fosters healthy collaboration between managers and employees, and is imperative for successful outcomes. The easiest way to develop this type of communication is to give yourself permission to ‘get personal.’ Even without a physical desk filled with family pictures and one’s obvious football pick by the pennant tacked to their corkboard, an individual’s virtual space can tell a lot about the person and can add to the characteristics that are unique to your coworkers.

Engage in conversation during your morning huddle about what’s going on outside of work. Allow space for people to tell about an upcoming anniversary or celebrate their son getting his driver’s license. A little small talk can go a long way in a virtual setting. Your more social coworkers may be missing the water cooler conversations that ultimately create relationships that lend to professional successes. Those connections are crucial, even when you can only see the person from the waist up.

2. Use the Tools

When it comes to video conferencing and virtual meetings, take your pick of the many effective platforms, including Google Meet, Zoom, and Skype, just to name a few. Thanks to the advances in this digital era, there is no shortage of ways to meet in large groups or one on one. A strong point in favor of these apps is that they are an easy way for teams to unite, which is motivating and allows for clarification of assignments, in addition to encouraging discussion among team members.

3.Create a Calendar

Gone are the days when the workday is a strict 9-5. A major advantage of working remotely for most of us is the flexibility it provides. We are well into seven months of a pandemic, which has contributed to canceled appointments, rescheduled time off, and adjustments to our workday. Some of us are working to accommodate children as they attend cyber school instead of brick and mortar or looking for safe ways to see parents in nursing homes.

It is more important than ever to keep each other in ‘the know.’ A simple shared calendar can do the trick! By showing others what times you are available, everyone’s day can be as productive as possible. Block off times you are unavailable or set an auto-reply in your e-mail settings so others aren’t guessing as to where you are if you can’t be reached.

4. Embrace the New Norm

As time goes by, this new way of working is becoming less of an anomaly and more of a normal way of life. Embrace this opportunity, and support others in their circumstances. Not everyone’s space and workday will look the same. Learn what works best for you and think twice before judging someone else’s situation. The best form of communication is empathy. Develop the ability to put yourself in someone else’s shoes and you will be surprised how easy it is to form deeper connections that will yield success in all aspects of your work life.

Get Advice When You Need It

Cultivating good communication among a virtual team is well worth the time. Keep it personal. Use the many existing tools to fit your team’s needs without reinventing the wheel. Share your calendar and find ways to support each other along the way. The successful outcomes are a direct reflection of how well your team communicates.

Additional Resources:
https://globalworkplaceanalytics.com/global-work-from-home-experience-survey
https://www.computerworld.com/article/2519498/6-rules-for-better-communication-in-virtual-teams.html
https://money.usnews.com/careers/articles/how-to-communicate-effectively-when-working-with-a-remote-team
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/356439?utm_source=GoogleNewsstand&utm_medium=related&utm_campaign=syndication

Communication

Susan Ascher Quoted in an InsideHook Article on How to Host a Zoom Meeting Without Incident

Originally Published by Inside Hook

The Zoom revolution is on. With an unprecedented number of American workers signing in from home, digital meeting places (Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, etc.) have become emblematic of business culture in this singular here and now: separate but together, unfamiliar and uncanny. And imperfect — perhaps particularly in the way they have become for many companies the default communication solution.

Susan Ascher, president and CEO of The Ascher Group, a consulting firm based in New Jersey, contributed:

Between you and me, they’re getting very annoying. It’s so funny to me: In this age in which everybody is texting and emailing and not wanting to pick up the phone, all of a sudden, everybody wants to Zoom! It’s an oxymoron. Maybe that Zoom call could just be a phone call!

Ascher’s takeaway: Understand the tool for what it is, and adjust accordingly.

I lead a mastermind, and once a month, [members of the mastermind and I] will meet for lunch together. One of them asked me if we could do a Zoom meeting, and I thought that made sense. Next week, one of my friends had a birthday on March 22, and instead of going out to dinner on March 31, we’re having a virtual Zoom cocktail with 10 people. That works — that’s fun. And I’ve had two virtual Zoom dates, with a person I met a while ago who popped back up, wanting to see how I was doing, and I said, ‘Why don’t we have a Zoom cocktail?’ And that was fun. There’s just a time and a place for it: Not every single chat wants to become a Zoom. Frankly, I think some bosses are needy in that respect and don’t know how to entertain themselves.

>> CLICK HERE to read the full article on InsideHook.com

Communication Conflicts Workplace

Best Methods for Resolving Workplace Conflicts

Conflict resolution should be a be a skill in every workplace manager’s arsenal. With more than half of American workers reporting feeling dissatisfied with their work situations, managers must recognize the role conflict plays in employee retention and turnover rates as well as overall productivity. Workplace conflicts can breed resentments among coworkers and deteriorate the culture of any company, but they can also become opportunities for growth when leveraged appropriately.

Encourage Internal Resolutions

As a manager confronted with a conflict between two or more employees who report to you, one of the best steps to take to solve a workplace conflict as quickly and effectively as possible is to encourage an honest and productive discussion between the parties involved. Perhaps two of your direct reports disagree about a particular workflow or some uncertainty exists concerning job responsibilities for a particular project. Encourage the employees who report conflicts to sit down for a civil, mediated, and productive conversation. Passive aggressiveness and unwillingness to start open dialogue are some of the most common driving forces behind ongoing workplace conflicts.

Practice Active Listening and Encourage Others to Do the Same

Many people struggle with honest communication and conflict resolution because of an unwillingness to listen actively to others’ points of view. Too many people simply wait for their turns to speak instead of actively listening to the other side of the dialogue. When you initiate conflict resolution with your team, make sure the participants are actually listening to one another and absorbing each other’s points of view. Encourage them to ask for clarification when necessary or to paraphrase each other’s statements back to each other before replying to ensure nothing is lost in translation.

Identify Unworkable Problems

When a conflict arises from a disagreement over a work process, that is a workable problem with many potential solutions. However, if you encounter any type of conflict that is unworkable, such as an abusive employee or an employee who has actively harassed others or engaged in willfully malicious conduct against others, there is no other option other than to investigate the issue extensively and take appropriate action to rectify the issue.

Brainstorm Solutions

As a manager, your goal with any conflict resolution should not be to issue a decree as too how all parties involved will proceed, but rather to help those parties develop a cohesive and mutually agreeable solution together. As you engage in discussions about the conflict, help your employees recognize potential solutions and develop a list of potential outcomes. This can provide much-needed perspective and help reach the best possible solution.

Ensure Agreement on the Solution and Respect Going Forward

When you conclude a conflict resolution discussion with your team, ensure everyone is on the same page moving forward and encourage those involved in the conflict to shake hands and thank one another for resolving the conflict professionally. Ensuring your team is satisfied with the result of your discussion and ready to move on is the crucial final step for conflict resolution in any workplace.

Conflicts at work are an undeniable and unavoidable reality; when people work together for a long time, they will inevitably encounter disagreements. Speedy and decisive conflict resolution helps preserve a healthy working environment for everyone and minimizes lost productivity from ongoing internal conflicts. Keep these tips in mind the next time you notice any type of workplace conflict among your team members.

Additional Resources:
https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/303617
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/02/22/5-keys-to-dealing-with-workplace-conflict/#b8cdc091e95c
https://money.usnews.com/money/blogs/outside-voices-careers/articles/how-to-handle-conflict-in-the-workplace
https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidsturt/2018/03/08/10-shocking-workplace-stats-you-need-to-know/#5ab46ab3f3af

Communication Teamwork Workplace

Guidelines for Effective Communication and Teamwork

effecitve communication at work

A successful business hinges on the productivity and morale of its employees. Although a company’s general work environment may be conducive to individual productivity, faulty communication and boundaries among team members could cause issues. Improving teamwork within the workplace comes with establishing a few key guidelines that will encourage efficient communication and discourage habits that have been hurting team dynamics.

Encourage Effective Communication

Effective communication comes in many forms, but one goal that all communication should gear towards is clearly giving/receiving a message. Set ground rules that will foster clear communication between co-workers; these ground rules will reduce arguments caused by misunderstanding.

Remove distractions during conversations – It’s difficult to clearly communicate an idea to an individual who is distracted on their phone while you are talking. During meetings and team discussion, employees should put their devices away.
Regulate off-the-clock calls – Set ground rules for when communication that happens outside of work. For instance, this could mean limiting work-related calls after work hours to emergency situations only. Team members who excessively pester each other outside of work tend to foster more tension inside the workroom.
Encourage full-disclosure – Encourage team members to remain honest when discussing ideas. Effective communication means talking about the things that aren’t working, too. Bringing these topics to light will boost morale rather than hurt it, especially when the concerned team member receives respect and active listening to their own ideas in return.
Provide conflict management – Set up a conflict management plan for employees to use when disagreements arise. Model how this would look like in practice and be open to receiving input and revising the plan dependent on what works for your employees.

Tips for Working as a Team

Become an active listener – Even without distraction, some employees tend to zone out when other co-workers are pitching ideas of discussing other matters. Active listening takes the passive aspect out of being an audience-member. Ask questions for clarification, add your own ideas after respectfully listening, and reflect on what the discussion achieved.
Be open to constructive criticism – Be open to receiving feedback about both the things you are doing well and what you could improve. Remaining flexible in your outlook can be difficult at first but everyone has room to grow. Ask for clarification and communicate about your growth rather than dwelling on imperfection.
Don’t complain – Complaining about issues versus discussing them and complaining about things that can’t change are two negative habits that hurt both the employee and team morale. Stay positive even about things you can’t change, and this will translate into your work.
Clarify roles – In team-driven settings, clarify what each coworker is doing to contribute to the team. Miscommunication often happens when employees are unclear about their roles within a team.

Effective team dynamics does not always come naturally. When you expect opposing personality-types to work together, setting guidelines for coworker interaction is the best bet in fostering respectful, effective communication. Though it may take time for effective communication to build within a team, transparently adhering to set guidelines will eventually build a natural team dynamic that will enhance the workplace.

Additional Resources:
https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2018/06/14/six-ways-to-improve-team-collaboration-and-enhance-productivity/#196f75a72037
https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/teamwork/7-tips-to-help-you-improve-your-teamwork-skills/
https://www.predictivesuccess.com/blog/24-hours-to-improving-teamwork/

Coaching Communication Leadership Leadership coaching

6 Traits You Need to Be a Great Leader

leadership coach

Strong leadership can make or break your team or organization. Great leaders model the characteristics necessary for success. They motivate others to reach their highest potential and help individuals become part of a team. Many leaders are adequate, but the ones who are truly great share some of the same characteristics.

Self-Motivation

Leaders can’t expect their team to show inner drive and motivation if they don’t possess it themselves. They continually push themselves to go beyond expectations, not because they must, but because they are passionate about what they do. They seem to have an extra dose of energy that gets them out of bed every morning and helps them embrace each new challenge with enthusiasm. They don’t see problems as someone else’s job to solve, but as their chance to make a difference.

Contagious Optimism

Effective leaders expect a positive outcome, and their optimism spreads. When budgets are reduced, the flu drastically reduces available personnel, and deadlines keep changing, they don’t panic. They remain sure that with a consistent effort they will reach their goal, and their emotional stability helps those around them feel less stress and frustration. They always have a solution or something inspiring to say. They motivate by encouragement, not criticism.

Empathy

Leaders who are truly great get to know the people who work alongside and under them. They know what’s going on in their lives and care about their concerns, even when they aren’t related to work. They show a high level of emotional intelligence, recognizing both how their emotions impact staff and how to manage the feelings of others.

When there’s conflict, leaders have insight into the factors that motivate it and connect with those involved to help them find solutions. They demonstrate loyalty, showing constant support to the people who work with them.

Accountability

Great leaders take responsibility when tasks need to be accomplished and share credit where it is due. They keep track of timelines, checking on employees to make sure everyone completes their part of the job. They remind staff of company policies and re-train on procedures as necessary. Instead of blaming others when things go wrong, they find the reason for the problem and work with their team to solve it.

Innovative Thinking

what makes a great leader The best leaders are extremely organized, but their thinking is flexible. They know the rules, regulations, and potential resources, and they are always working scenarios in their heads. They work a possible solution until they understand it from every angle, then they can clearly communicate it to their team.

Because they see the bigger picture, they can outline the end goal and the strategies that will help reach it. When problems arise, their flexible thinking allows them to quickly adjust and come up with an alternative course.

Self-Confidence

Strong leaders can act decisively because of their self-confidence. While they are generally well-liked and respected by those around them, they don’t need the approval of others. They are continually learning, so their knowledge base gets ever wider. Their confidence allows them to make unpopular decisions, ask difficult questions, and try solutions where others might balk.

Leaders infect others with their passion, enthusiasm, and positivity. They implement processes and build relationships that help everyone who knows them meet personal and professional goals.

Additional Resources:
https://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/sba/traits.htm
https://briandownard.com/leadership-skills-list/
https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/the-9-traits-that-define-great-leadership.html

Career Coaching Communication Workplace

4 Ways to Fix Your Next Communication Breakdown

communication breakdowns

Have you ever been the victim of a communication breakdown? There’s nothing more frustrating than failing to complete a task on time or to the best of your ability because of a miscommunication between a coworker, client, or boss. Fortunately, there are things you can do to improve communication and customer satisfaction. Try one of these strategies to avoid communication breakdown:

Be Upfront About Expectations and Goals

Workplace communication becomes a lot easier when you’re all coming from the same place. Don’t kick off a brainstorming session or meeting by assuming everyone knows their roles, goals, and other action items. This leads to missed deadlines, unclear objectives, and confusion about roles.

Start every meeting with a review of your action items and when to expect deadlines and other assignments. Once assigning who is responsible for what, send a follow-up email or call to confirm.

Avoid Over-Communication

avoid communication breakdowns At the same time, be wary about communicating too much with your employees and teammates. If you’re sending someone 20 emails a day, they’re more likely to tune you out. Communication breakdowns can result from the best intentions. Instead of haranguing your workmates virtually, consider following this golden rule: a dozen exchanges an hour between all team members can maximize productivity – any more will actually detract from your efforts.

Communicate Wisely

At the same time, not all communication is created equally. According to a recent article in the Chicago Tribune, email can be an ineffective way to complete work tasks. If you want to know how to avoid a communication breakdown, consider this tried-and-true method: a good old-fashioned face-to-face conversation. According to a recent study, over 35% of a team’s performance is attributable to their face-to-face exchanges.

However, this doesn’t mean that you need to call a board meeting every day. Simple, informal exchanges like coffee breaks can be just as effectual. If you’re spread out over multiple companies, consider adding video collaboration to your routine.

Leverage Collaborative Technology

Finally, technology makes it easy for us to collaborate effectively. Consider using Slack for quick team exchanges and Trello to keep track of items on your to-do list. With a little prioritization and organizing, you and your team can eliminate communication breakdowns and complete your tasks on time and to the best of your ability. Apply one of these tips to your next project and see your productivity skyrocket. A job well done is worth celebrating!

Additional Resources:

Career Communication Leadership Mastermind

What to Expect from a Mastermind Group

Attending a mastermind group is like nothing you’ve ever experienced. The atmosphere is buzzing with intellectual minds thinking, brainstorming, and supporting one another. If you talk to someone who has been to a mastermind group, he or she will tell you it’s an experience that will change the way you do business. You’ll gain access to incredible resources, networking opportunities, and a team that understands your objectives and wants you to succeed.

When you walk through the doors at The Mastermind for Masterminds, here’s what to expect:

A Friendly, Welcoming Community

All members of the group share the same goal – to improve their businesses. Whether you want new perspectives on a business venture you’re considering or advice from successful entrepreneurs about how to take the first step, you’ll find it at a mastermind meeting. You will meet people with similar goals, those who have been in your shoes, and those eager to impart wisdom that could take your professional life to the next level. Group members are endlessly supportive, and welcome newcomers with open arms.

An All-Inclusive Group Discussion

The beginning of the mastermind group meeting will involve personal introductions, and statements from each member of the group regarding what steps they took to achieve goals expressed at the end of the last meeting. You’ll hear success stories, as well as setbacks other professionals have experienced. Remember – hits and misses are all part of the process. Everyone will get a chance to speak at The Mastermind for Masterminds!

A Focus on Someone in the “Hot Seat”

Most meetings will feature at least one person in the “hot seat.” This person will have the opportunity to dig deeper into the details of his or her challenges, and ask for advice or feedback from the group. At every meeting, someone new will sit in the hot seat. This gives everyone the chance to ask for personalized help for a specific problem.

Those who are not in the hot seat will benefit from listening to the discussion and chiming in.

New Goals Formed for the Next Meeting

The meeting will conclude with group members discussing their next goals, and what they hope to accomplish before the next meeting. Members will then have the opportunity to speak to others, exchange contact information, and make plans to attend the next meet up. The Mastermind of Masterminds is an excellent place for both mastermind group newcomers and veterans. It is a celebration of the mind, and an event you won’t want to miss. Sign up today and join something incredible!

Additional Resources:
https://www.ducttapemarketing.com/mastermind-group/
https://www.business2community.com/strategy/5-powerful-reasons-join-mastermind-group-0932088#O6ZtOMXDdOgbVy6o.97

Career Coaching Communication Mastermind

5 Reasons You Need to Join a Mastermind Group

To enter a mastermind group is to push the boundaries of your potential. Mastermind groups are hotbeds of productive activity, intellectual conversation, and creative brainstorming. They are dynamic meetings of the minds, where everyone has important contributions to make. There is no end to the things you can learn from attending just one meeting.

If you need more reasons to join a mastermind group, here are five:

1. Forge Deep and Lasting Bonds with Other Masterminds

People you mastermind with can become your business partners, customers, confidants, and esteemed advisors. You’ll meet professionals in and outside of your niche with priceless contributions to offer you. Professional counseling, ingenious ideas, new tested business and marketing solutions – you’ll find all of this and more at a single mastermind group meeting. It’s networking on a whole new level.

2. Solve Your Trickiest Business Problems

All hardworking businesspeople encounter problems occasionally. If you’re stuck on something that’s giving you a headache, join a mastermind group. Other successful individuals will listen to your situation and come up with innovative solutions for your most pressing business issues. Joining a mastermind allows you to leverage the experiences, talents and skills of your fellow masterminds to improve and enhance your own business. Whether you need help reaching your customers, optimizing your sales funnel, or coming up with new marketing techniques, your mastermind group has you covered.

3. Come up with Your Best Ideas Yet

Mastermind groups have been responsible for some of the greatest accomplishments in history, from creating the New Deal of 1933 to animating Disney’s Cinderella. Aren’t you curious what doors you could open in a stellar group such as The Mastermind for Masterminds? You may crack the code on that new product you’ve been trying to develop, or gain a new perspective on an old problem. Discover your true desires, establish your purpose, and reach your full potential at a mastermind meeting.

4. Overcome Fears That Are Holding You Back

Being an entrepreneur or business owner isn’t supposed to be comfortable – it’s supposed to be exciting and perhaps a bit nerve-wracking. If you let your fears hold you back you’re diminishing your chances for success. A mastermind group can give you a safe space to express your concerns and receive help making your most crucial decisions. You can break away from fear and elevate your passion for life. As a member of a mastermind, you learn rather quickly that you are not alone. Many of your fellow masterminds can relate to your frustrations and provide support knowing that it does get better.

5. Develop a True Master Mind

In a mastermind group, you can’t help but think bigger and bolder. You’ll start to embrace ideas that you were too afraid to consider before, and stretch your boundaries beyond your imagination. When amazing people accomplishing their dreams surround you, you’re sure to become one of them.

Additional Resources:
https://ryanbattles.com/post/what-is-a-mastermind-group
https://www.shopify.com/blog/34508933-why-a-mastermind-group-can-accelerate-your-success-and-how-to-form-one

Career Communication Mastermind

What is a Mastermind Group?

By definition, a mastermind is someone with outstanding intellect. Masterminds can be authors, architects, inventors, initiators, organizers, and more. A mastermind meeting is a gathering of highly motivated individuals who want to encourage, and help one another succeed.

A group of business masterminds share a common goal – to improve in their niche. Attending a mastermind group is an outstanding opportunity to experience the skills of others, boost your confidence, and gain access to a valuable support group.

History of Mastermind Groups

Mastermind groups date back through history, from The Junto in 1727 (established by Benjamin Franklin) to Nine Old Men – a mastermind group of Disney animators responsible for such masterpieces as Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, and Peter Pan – and beyond. Today’s business mastermind groups are meetings for professionals who want to receive ideas and advice from other like-minded individuals.

Anyone can attend a mastermind group. People who should attend include those who feel stuck and need new inspiration, those that will benefit from brainstorming in a group setting, and those who want access to a valuable professional support network. At any given mastermind meeting, you may see realtors, bankers, lawyers, engineers, consultants, fundraisers, business moguls, entrepreneurs, and more. All minds come together for the greater good.

What Goes On in a Mastermind Group?

No two mastermind groups are the same. There is no one right way to run a mastermind group. However, there is a typical structure you’ll likely encounter during a meeting – the “hot seat method.” Each person in the group vocalizes how they did accomplishing goals they set during a previous meeting. A chosen member (someone in the hot seat) will go into detail about his or her situation. The group then has the opportunity to give advice to the person in the hot seat.

When you attend a group such as The Mastermind for Masterminds, there is no telling what incredible inspirations and epiphanies you’ll encounter. In a typical meeting, you’ll meet dozens of small business owners, consultants, and others responsible for driving business. You’ll make new connections, expand your network, and build lasting relationships with professionals who want to meet and exceed their goals.

A Member Today, a Mastermind for Life

In a mastermind group, you will help others succeed and achieve your own goals in the process. You will leave with important takeaways, such as ideas for the future and solutions to problems you’ve been stuck on. There is no limit to the things you might learn during your time in a mastermind group. Join one today and broaden your professional horizons.

Additional Resources:
https://www.thesuccessalliance.com/what-is-a-mastermind-group/
https://www.forbes.com/sites/chicceo/2013/10/21/7-reasons-to-join-a-mastermind-group/#3f7e8b085deb

Communication Entrepreneurs Networking

Networking Follow-Up Etiquette

It’s not enough to make connections at networking events – you need to be able to pursue the relationship afterwards to cement the relationship and build the connection to a level where both of you can benefit.

However, not everyone knows how to follow up on their meetings. For some it can seem awkward. Others don’t want to come across as pushy or inauthentic. We’ve compiled the best Do’s and Don’ts of following up so you can make the most effective choices.

Follow Up Do’s

DO: Connect with them on LinkedIn in a timely manner. Send a little note explaining where you met the other person and the topics you discussed. For example: “It was very nice to meet you at the event last week. I’d love to continue our conversation about a possible partnership.” This can help you build the relationship while the conversation is fresh in their mind.

DO: Ask for permission before sending an email. When you speak with someone during an event, tell them you’d like to contact them via email. If you don’t reach out first you can seem pushy.

DO: Make sure you explain how your proposition can benefit both businesses. Remember that networking is about building connections and partnerships where both of you can further yourselves. Don’t be afraid to do some research about the other person’s company so you can provide a truthful proposition and list real ways you can help each other.

DO: Gauge their interest before continuing communication. If they’re not interested, that’s fine, but you need to know where to draw the line. Consider how quickly and eagerly they reply to your emails or messages.

Follow Up Don’ts

DON’T: Connect with every person you spoke with. Save the LinkedIn requests for those you engaged in meaningful conversations with or you’ll seem less authentic.

DON’T: Email every attendee. One reason, this is a violation of the CAN-SPAM act. For another, it looks very unprofessional and will likely only push others away.

DON’T: Talk only about your company, or discuss things without understanding their company. You don’t want to come across as pushy or self-absorbed, but it’s easy to do so with the wrong attitude.

DON’T: Continue emailing if you get no response. Harassing the other party is no way to build a connection, and if they’re not answering, they’re probably just not interested. Let the relationship go and move on to more promising leads.

Additional Resources:
https://smallbiztrends.com/2015/08/networking-follow-up-tips.html
https://alumni.asu.edu/news/blog/back-basics-101-how-follow-networking-contact