Justin G. Roy

Since today is Christmas, there will be no news reported about the architecture and engineering industry.  I wish everybody a safe and wonderful Holiday Season and New Years; hopefully everybody has a chance to spend time with their family.

- Justin G. Roy

Though this video has nothing to do with architecture or engineering, nor with recruiting and retention, I thought you all might enjoy. 

I have been forwarded a link to this group countless number of times (I estimate about 20) from friends, clients, candidates, and people in my network this year.

Here is a video of my favorite song (which happens to be others as well).  Enjoy!

Great post on TECH cocktail the other day, 4 Rules for the Networking Rookie, where they highlighted an article from Silicon Valley Post.  The 4 rules, or tips, are:

• Never, ever, underestimate anyone
• Be genuine
• Be patient.
• Give before you get

This is good advice for any industry, from architecture and engineering to information technology.  Breaking into the “networking world” is not as simple as it sounds.  I have observed many people run into the room, pockets jam full with business cards, and shake hands with more people than a bottle of purell could keep up with. 

There is much debate over the “correct” way to network; there is typically a divide between the old way and the new way. 

Professionals who follow the old-school thought of networking try to collect as many business cards as possible to follow up with after the event.  Problem is, that person does not remember you.  Might as well save yourself some time and pull their information up on the internet and email them.

New-school networking involves actually talking to the person, finding out why they are at the event, who they are trying to meet, and what you can do for them.  Chances are, they are not attending to search for you.  However, this is a great time to help them, connect them with people they need to know, and solve their pain.  Is it an instant sale?  No.  But neither is the old-school way. 

It breaks down to this.  You either play the numbers game or the relationship game.  Numbers work for the present.  Relationships work for the lifetime. 

I ask you this.  Do you want a client right now for one sale, or do you want a client who will buy from you for life without needing a “pitch” every time?  Added bonus of the latter, he/she will introduce and endorse you to their connections. 

Seems like a no-brainer.  If you find yourself passing out cards, and not having a good time at a networking event, I propose the following challenge:  next event you attend bring 5 business cards, a pen, and a small pad of paper (to take any notes). 

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This question seems to be asked by many, and yet very few know the correct answer.  If there even is an answer. 

If you have email, I am sure you receive the invites.  Lately, as the news reports more doom and gloom, I have noticed the amount of requests to connect have severely increased.  Though I am not sure by how much, and depending on my mood that day, I would say there are some days I think it has increased ten-fold. 

Possibly it’s because I am a recruiter?  I’d like to think other wise, and perhaps people want to connect to hear what I have to say, but luckily I am a bit wiser.

Check out a post from David Meerman Scott, Why I am not on LinkedIn, to read his thoughts. 

Similar to my opinion, Scott talks about how you possibly cannot be on every site, and why you should not.  The following is a quote from that article, which I think sums it up pretty nicely:

We can’t possibly be a part of every conversation. It sort of reminds me of a terrific cocktail party with a few hundred people. You know there are tons of great conversations going on and you know that you can’t be a part of them all. What do you do at a party? Some people do the look over the shoulder of the person you’re talking to thing to always be on the lookout for a better conversation. Some flit from one person to another every few minutes all night. Some may think you’re rude when you spread yourself thin, but hey, you don’t miss as much. What I like to do at parties is have a few great conversations and be happy that I’m at a wonderful event. I know I can’t be with everyone, so I have fun with the people I’m with.

Make sure to check out the post from Scott here.

My question to you:  What site do you use to network online? 

Does it differ depending on who you are trying to reach (potential clients, potential new employees, vendors, ect)?

If you are an Architect, Landscape Architect, or Civil Engineer:  Are there sites dedicated solely to the A/E industry?

Social Media. 

Another post from Liz Strauss informed me of a neat quiz from Search and Social.  If you told me a year ago that I would be an avid blogger, follow many more blogs than I care to admit, have a [healthy] addiction to LinkedIn and Facebook I would have laughed.  However, as we wrap up 2008, I’ll admit it. 

As 2009 approaches, I have been thinking about the number of blogs hosted by architecture, engineering, and/or landscape architecture firms.  Though blogging has not caught on as quickly, there certainly are many more today than in January. 

If you are an A/E firm, or blog about the Architecture & Engineering industry, I would love to know more about your blog (and sign up for your RSS). 

- Justin G. Roy

PS.  I scored a 57% Addicted to Social Media.

Clever title from Pam at We Know Engineers.  Pam recently wrote a great article about Millennials and tips on how to manage them.  Here is an excerpt from the article I found very interesting, along with some of the tips Pam shares.  Make sure to check out the full posting!

I had breakfast with another associate this morning who reminded me of the need to involve and value the Millennials. This associate, who is 60, owns a firm that works in the A/E arena. Of his 9 employees, all but one are Millennials. He was bragging about how smart they are, how involved they are, and how much they want to contribute.

They relish responsibility, demand instant feedback, and expect to accomplish things. They are socially responsible and want to work for companies that are involved in good causes.

And, of course, they are the technology generation. My son didn’t know how to fax a document-he had never needed to. But if he has his way, WeKnowEngineers.com will soon be available on YouTube and podcasts.

Here are some tips on how to manage your Millennials.

• Create coaching relationships between your experienced staff and the Millennials.
• Give constructive feedback immediately-not once or twice a year.
• Treat them like a colleague or associate, not a subordinate.
• Don’t shut down when they ask “why” you do things a certain way. Explain. Turn it into a learning opportunity.
• Teach basic self-management skills, such as planning their time, assigning priorities, etc.
• Work with them to develop a career plan, with goals, timelines, resources, etc.
• Create a database of “go-to” people that can help them with their learning in different subjects.

Click here to read the full article.

I cannot remember where or when I came across this article, but it was saved in my favorites and I was quite surprised I did not share it.  The posting is from Get Organized Wizard blog and is on the top 5 mistakes people make while networking; all of them can lead to missed opportunities.

• Having too few business cards.
• Being all about the food and drink
• Keeping business cards in a bag or jacket
• Talking ad nauseam about themselves
• Bogarting the talent

Click here to read the full article.

Being an avid networker, I’ve found there are additional habits you should be self-aware of if you are in the design and building industry.  Here are three tips on what NOT to do at a networking event if you are an architect or engineer (note: these are based on true events)

• Don’t doodle a drawing on napkins or hand-out materials.  At first, I thought there was something wrong with myself, or the conversation we were having until a few other people made comments later in the event in regards to this person habitually drawing while networking.
• Don’t talk about how much wastewater your design is going to handle while eating dinner, appetizers, or anything.  Period.  I understand getting excited about work and wanting to talk about it, just ask the family, but there are some times where you might want to talk about a different engineering design.
• Don’t treat the event as a speed-dating opportunity.  Walking around and only introducing yourself to the opporsite gender and suggesting an after hours coffee or cocktail meeting to continue your 10 second conversation only creates rumors.