What makes people want to work with you, refer you, or hire you? When networking, once you’ve gotten past the initial “what do you do?” discussion, how can you go a bit deeper about what you do and what you have to offer? How do you make sure your existing contacts know about your recent achievements and new skills? You can do all of these things by giving them examples of past successes.
In this fun and interactive session with Karen Kouagou, a certified Contacts Count trainer, you’ll learn to take your networking to the next level by learning to talk comfortably about your successes and your organization’s - without bragging. Through storytelling, people learn how to use your skills and send opportunity your way.
Learn how to find, construct, and tell examples, vignettes, and stories that highlight your work . Get more comfortable and competent at teaching people what to count on you for, what to ask you for, and what kinds of opportunities and information to send your way. Use these skills when giving a workshop or speech or when talking with clients, prospects, referral sources, colleagues, ASTD members, vendors, suppliers, and acquaintances.
Karen will show you the 5-S formula for constructing a story using these steps:
· Segue
· Situation
· SAFNU
· Solution
· Significance
She’ll help you figure out what you want to teach others about your expertise (That you’re a good instructional designer? That you’re dependable? That you’re creative?) and how to figure out which of your experiences will illustrate that message. With a background in recruiting and career coaching, Karen can also answer your questions about how to fit this strategy into your job search.
Karen Kouagou is an Industry Coach at Georgetown University, assisting MBA students with internship and job search strategies, resume feedback, mock interviews, and networking skills. She is also a Certified Trainer with Contacts Count LLC, an international training and consulting firm that specializes in professional and business networking. To fulfill her passion for helping people achieve their potential, Karen specializes in workshops and presentations on professional and business networking skills for diverse groups including, women leaders, job seekers and networking groups, global audiences, association managers, and corporate and not-for-profit employees
Before the program, enjoy the volunteer fair where you can learn about volunteer opportunities with the chapter.
Program Agenda
6:00 p.m. Registration, networking, volunteer fair, and heavy hors d’oeuvres
6:50 p.m. Announcements
7:00 p.m. Program
8:30 p.m. Program concludes
Cancellation Policy
Metro DC ASTD will refund your registration fee when cancelled by the end of the "Early Bird" registration window. Cancellations after this time will not be refunded.
Special Accommodations
If you have dietary or accessibility restrictions, please email admin@dcastd.org so that we can accommodate your needs.