About three years ago, I was in career transition and now my need to network took on renewed meaning. Although it is still not trumpeted enough, many people whose opinion I respected told me that I needed to “network” to secure my next career role. However, few had tangible suggestions on the best approach or where. By then, I had become familiar with a few very good groups in my community but I still had difficulty in ferreting out groups where I could stand out --- groups which were outside my “comfort zone” but which afforded me the best visibility. That’s when I started the List--- and like most other projects I undertake, I decided a thorough and comprehensive approach was the only way to go. It became a simple tool, assisting me as I got serious in my search.

 

Well, the rest is rather straightforward. Friends and colleagues in career transition began to ask me to copy the list for them. Within several months, my “subscription” base topped one hundred people. My next role was as CEO of a sales organization and I found that my new sales team used the List as a sales tool. They also began to hand it out at professional sales conferences. It began to occur to me that something this simple could be a value to everyone in business.

 

By January 2002, in the post 9-11 economic downturn and worsening unemployment environment, I made a decision to enhance the List, expanding its reach and significantly broadening its base of information. Although it was being used by sales professionals, consultants and entrepreneurs, my passion had always been to create a valuable resource for those seeking employment and I made it available to a number of organizations involved with career counseling and coaching. At present, it is estimated that over 5000 persons access the List each month and use it as a tool in their career search.

 

           

Our Mission   

 

Our goal is to create, and keep relevant and vibrant, a networking resource that has real value in that it is comprehensive, thorough and all in one place. 

 

 

 

The List catalogs events and meetings being held regularly by over 125 groups in the New York to Philadelphia corridor, with many exceptions. It is meant to be a near comprehensive resource but I am sure it falls well short of that mark. We are continually adding to our internal database and I am certain that we will capture many more. It also lists special, or one-time events as well. Since I am personally familiar with many of the organizations, I have attempted to include some information on each group and background on recent past meetings.

 

The focus of the List is on groups that meet professionally within their sphere of expertise. Of course, over the last several years I have watched the growth of such groups as FENG (Financial Executives Networking Group) and IERG (International Executives Resource Group) that draw most of their membership from those in transition. Many of these fine groups are listed as well however, I am a firm believer that a good networking plan will incorporate meetings from both pools.

 

Please also note that I have attempted to avoid listing many high priced seminars or other similar commercial events. While some of the groups noted are in the business of fostering networking and their meetings are geared to the same, most of the events are meetings in the ordinary course and scope of that group’s purpose.