This past year has presented new challenges for connecting with people in all areas of our lives. At the same time, people have learned new ways and new technology to communicate and engage others.
While my own experience building a small business started years ago, some of the fundamentals of networking remain: being intentional and taking advantage of serendipity.
The Kansas City Chapter of Women in Communications, Inc, (aka WICI) which was our association’s name prior to becoming AWC, hosted the 1983 Midwest regional conference. I drove up from Hutchinson, Kansas, to attend. Of course, I did: My mother was a Theta Sigma Phi from her college days and president of the award-winning WICI chapter in Phoenix. Networking was in my blood. During one of the lunches at the conference, I happened to sit next to Kirsten McBride, a Danish transplant to the United States. She would become a good friend and colleague. (When we moved to Kansas City two years later, Kirsten’s daughter even became a beloved babysitter for our three kids.)
Attending that conference was deliberate. Sitting next to Kirsten at lunch was by chance. As a result, Kirsten referred me to a new client. It was an important connection. My work there led to another client, a company that develops training and performance improvement materials. Like a family tree, decades later, I can trace much of my work back to that lunch meeting.
The KC chapter welcomed me and put me to work. I met, worked alongside of, became friends with and learned communication and leadership skills from many amazing women. We put together programs and special events and directed the work of the chapter.
Other WICI members found me, including a couple of women looking for technical writers for their engineering firms. The fact that “engineering” is in my background helped on that count. The calls from those women led me to more engineering firms and more good women (and men).
That singular event – lunch in 1983 – set some wheels in motion for my career and life.
Several years later, I attended a happy hour event of an organization of Kansas City freelancers whose goal was connecting people to help them grow their businesses. After roaming the gathering without much productive conversation, I threw in the plastic wine glass along with the towel. As I headed out the door another attendee, Paul Davies, overheard my good-byes and thanks to the host and said, “Wait – did you just say you are a writer?” By chance, it was a graphics designer who needed a good writer. What started out as a “so long, farewell” moment had become a connection. That moment suddenly turned into a fun and profitable 20-year working relationship. A graphic designer who grew up in Argentina, Paul fluidly dances back and forth between Spanish and English, and he has a unique perspective on the language that helped us collaborate. He has been adept at tweaking my copy in a way that serves our clients. We have shared leads and projects.
I am an introvert at heart, so putting myself “out there” is not a natural behavior for me. I’ve learned that networking doesn’t happen on its own, I must be in action.
- Intention. Put myself in situations where I encounter others in my profession and interests. A sister to intention: Allow time. Talk with others about how they connect with people.
- Reciprocate. It’s not all about me. Be available to others. Listen to what others are saying, doing and asking. Look for opportunities to connect others.
- Comfort zone. Push yours. Be authentic in the process.
- Serendipity. Be alert for chance encounters. Recognize that connections may come where you least expect.
For me, the most important has been intention. I deliberately putting myself in situations that may not always be comfortable, but doing it, being open and enjoying the serendipity when it happens.
What intention will you stand in this week? What action will you take? And who will you connect? Be action and watch what happens.
About the Author
Writer, editor and engineer by degree, Krista Fritz Rogers is operations director for American Industrial Group. She also owns KFR Communications Associates and is a collage artist. Krista has networked with other women in communications for decades (her mother, also a writer, was a member of Theta Sigma Phi and lifetime member of Women in Communications, WICI). A member of AWC, she served on the board of the Kansas City Professional Chapter of WICI for many years.
