I don’t know about you but my parents taught me anything worth having requires hard work.
Hard work may mean a lot of hours which doesn’t fit neatly into this world of fast > faster > fastest.
With no formal #marketing background and the infinite support and encouragement from all my instructors, friends, family, and colleagues University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies, I owe a huge debt of #gratitude. It’s no small feat to earn this certificate over four years.
Squinting at tiny source code through my reading glasses, scratching my head at search engines and landing pages, sweating at the possibility of simply not “getting it”, these are the benefits of being a lifelong learner.
I also have the privilege of teaching “Fearless Networking: Connecting Creatively and Confidently” at the School of Continuing Studies and with our learners, my learning has compounded like interest earned.
Our School is not only a place where you can build skills and learn more but it’s also a community and network where we help one another and stay connected. Why not join us as a lifelong learner? It’s hard work but it’s definitely worth it!
We love “random collisions” and meeting new people!
Dream Network Drop-in No. 18 at the Art Gallery of Ontario March 11, 2020
How It Works
The Dream Network Drop-in is a fun, free, friendly, and no-frills approach to speed-networking once a month. We are a curated audience, i.e. by invite only. It’s easy! If you’d like more information and an invite to our next Dream Network Drop-in No. 33 on Wednesday May 26, 2021 18:00-19:30 EST, please contact Jean Chow at [email protected] . And yes, you can add friends! Just email Jean!
Pre-COVID, we met at the Art Gallery of Toronto or Assembly Chef’s Hall, both located downtown Toronto, usually with 30 – 40 members in attendance.
Given the extraordinary circumstances of COVID-19, our highly diverse Dream Network Drop-ins are now being held virtually on Zoom with 20 to 50 members attending. In 90 minutes, we would go through 4 rounds of introducing new people, 1 on 1, and you would have 10-minutes each round in breakout rooms to get to know one another.
Post COVID, we’ll continue to host both virtual events and in-person events.
How We Started
We started the Dream Network Drop-in as a “social experiment” after I was invited by University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies to design and deliver “Hacking the Networking Code now titled “Fearless Networking: Connecting Creatively and Confidently” on July 8, 2017. At that time, my “secret outcome” was creating a new network for our learners by the end of the workshop. Also after our all-day workshop (yes, I can talk about networking for 7 hours!), I saw the need for a physical (and now virtual) safe space for our lifelong learners to practice their newly-minted networking skills.
So the Dream Network Drop-in was launched April 28, 2018 as a think tank with six members! Now 450+ member strong, we continue to build and grow our Network organically by inviting young professionals, former students, emerging and recent graduates, early to mid-careerists, mentees, and adult learners from all over the world.
May 2021 NEWS FLASH – Dream Network Drop-in is now a case study in recently published “Organization Theory and Design” Chapter 4 by University of Toronto Rotman Professor Ann Armstrong and her colleague, Richard L. Daft.
Organization Theory and Design Published by CENGAGE
Introducing our honour roll of “Distinguished Dozen” at our Ryerson Chang School’s inaugural “Mentoring Makes a Difference” Event last Thursday, April 22nd from Left to Right above:
After pre-matching our “Distinguished Dozen” with our newcomer professionals from two #bridgingpprograms, the speed-mentoring evening zoomed by in four 15-minute rapid rounds of one-on-one conversations.
And a little like love, chemistry plays a big role in matching mentors and mentees together. In my experience in designing professional mentorship programs, I agree with the school of thought that mentoring “magic” doesn’t necessarily come from matching individuals from the same industry and occupation. What’s important is recruiting mentors who are leaders with solid experience in developing people and mentees who are coachable.
What makes a great mentor? To be a difference maker, you set an intention, have shared values, and communicate clearly and effectively with empathy. You #aspiretoinspire
Our “Distinguished Dozen” are solid with a total of 300+ years of experience! As founders and leaders, their experience spans staffing solutions and executive recruitment, law, coaching, international business development, private real estate development, professional services contracting, innovation consulting in sustainability. While some hold multiple professional designations and degrees – PMP, CPA, FCPA, MSc, PEng, MBA, BA, PhD, others graduated from the School of Life. Our mentors also work in multiple industries: renewable energy, oil and gas, banking, insurance, government, retail, and property management, education, Fintech, construction, engineering, and utilities to name a few.
To be a mentee, you are coachable, having humility, respect, and curiosity, asking good questions.
Our mentees are students and alumni from our two bridging programs: “Middle Level Managers with Technical Background” and the “Green Economy” at Ryerson Chang School. From Egypt, Ethiopia, India, Iran, Iraq, Morocco, Nepal, Pakistan, and Turkey, our mentees have also worked in the Middle East, Moldova, Nigeria, Uganda, and the United States.
We are infinitely grateful to our Mentors for their generous time, support, and wisdom and to our Mentees and their willingness to meet new people. Thank you to all who attended and participated. As the award-wining American author and 2017 Man Book Prize winner, George Saunders, wrote “Congratulations, by the way: Some Thoughts on Kindness” (2014), here is my parting thought: Congratulations, you all made a difference – an indelible difference!
Who are these VIPS, Very Important People? Where are they? And why do you want to connect with them? Are you looking for a job or maybe your DREAM JOB? From their perspective, they want to know who you are and most importantly, why should they give you their time. How do you speak up?
If you are looking for your DREAM JOB, consider the help of a top professional recruiter. Mike Fedryk, my good squash friend and President of Flex-Solutions, a Toronto recruitment firm focusing on people and technology, is a regular and very popular guest speaker for our students. Not only does he share a unique perspective, he also is very generous in providing invaluable job search and interview tips and tricks
Mike: “You need to tell me who you are and what you are looking for in the opening third portion of the first page of your resume for me to continue reading the rest of your resume.”
Speak to Me – With Your LinkedIn Profile
If you are looking for your Dream Job, consider connecting with employees who already work for your “Dream Employer” on LinkedIn. How do you connect with a stranger? Try reverse engineering and start with a search with your Alumni. Find a first or second connection who works with your Dream Employer. Add a concise, clear, and compelling note. Invite them to link in you’re not already connected and always add a note. Nick Boyd, Senior Marketing Coordinator at KPMG, and also one of our guest speakers created the following simple self-intro template:
Speak to Me – On Our Website
If you are looking for your Dream Job, consider offering your skills as a volunteer to help the charity your Dream Employer supports. You can usually find out on their website. Connect with the person who is on your Dream Employer’s team and who leads the foundation or projects associated with their charity of choice. Tell them who you are, what you are looking for, and how you can help with their charity. Be authentic and relevant. Can you help them build, market, plan, lead an initiative? Stand out. Meet their Board of Directors of both the charity and your Dream Employer.
Speak to Me – On My Channel
When you initiate any form of communication, did you know it’s your responsibility to ensure your listener understands fully what you are saying? To have a meaningful connection, you have to find the right channel and the right frequency so both of you can tune in. How? By simply asking the other person which channel is best and most convenient for them – email, text, phone, video conference, and when.
If they are in senior executive roles, thought leaders, or entrepreneurs, find out where they are active for e.g. LinkedIn articles and posts, their company blog, notable industry platforms where they’ve been invited as a guest author, keynote speaker, or guest panelist whether they are at a conference or an industry event or quoted in a publication. You can also comment or ask a good question during a virtual event in the chat.
And if the person happens to be your Dad who hates wearing his hearing aids indoors, you not only have to find the right channel but also the right frequency in order for him to not only understand you but also hear you! What do you do when he already has his menu of monologues prepared in advance … and he won’t let you get a word in over the phone?
We rarely jump on a video call because they don’t have internet so it’s only when my siblings are visiting them. Last night instead of yelling louder, I decided to try another channel – analog. I grabbed my Sharpie and post-it notes and created flashcards, holding them up in front of the camera for Dad to read. He was very amused and didn’t miss a beat. Finding the right channel made a world of difference for us both.
Post-it notes with Dad
In our highly interactive networking workshops and courses offered both live online and in-person, “Speak Up” is Hack #3 of the “Five Hacks for Fearless Networking”. We focus on the importance of small talk, building rapport, and asking good questions using improv in individual, pair, and group activities.
So whether you are an aspiring networker or a seasoned connector, you will discover new and strategic ways to network in “Fearless Networking” at University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies. Reserve your spot starting at 10:00AM EST March 13th for three consecutive Saturday morning 90-minute live webinar sessions. AND you’ll get to put your new networking skill into practice at the invite-only monthly “Dream Network Drop-in” on Thursday March 25th at 18:00 EST. Find out more and register now to connect creatively and confidently. Or speak to me at [email protected] .
Jean is a part-time Sessional Lecturer and Instructor. She teaches online and off-line courses in networking, advanced career management, and leadership at University of Toronto, Ryerson University, and Seneca College. She also leads networking workshops for corporate clients and not-for-profits. As a business-career coach, Jean works closely with recent graduates, career-changers, and entrepreneurs and helps them realize and recognize their potential.
Remember the classic restaurant scene in “When Harry met Sally”? In the film, after five years, fate reunites Harry and Sally, two former college students, and the story of their relationship unfolds as best friends and … well, you must watch the film.
Fate also introduced Akram and Sally, also two former university students. Akram recently welcomed new graduate students at University of Toronto School of Graduate Studeis when afterwards Sally walked up to him and introduced herself.
Sally was describing her new mater’s program in Translational ResearchProgram at the Faculty of Medicine and she mentioned she was taking my module “Hacking the Networking Code) when Akram suddenly exclaimed, “Jean Chow? No way. She’s my very first mentor when I first arrived in Canada.”
Akram was one of our mentees in my professional mentorship program at a not-for-profit in Mississauga. Recently arrived in Toronto from Cairo, he eagerly soaked up everyhting there was to know about building a successful life, not only in Canada but also anywhere in the world. He stood out because the meaning of “Anything is possible.”. That was six years ago.
Both Sally and Akram have made me proud. Akram’s career path has been stellar and still going strong. Sally’s networking ability is off the charts and also gaining momentum. Thank you both for allowing me to share this story and special thanks to Sally for bringing Akram and I back together again.
Our next series of three Saturday morning live webinars and a special invitation to our Dream Network Drop-in (safe space to practice networking) starts February 13, 2021.
If you managed to catch Kyle Lowry, the GROAT (Greatest Raptor of all Time), playing in the NBA playoffs, you can see how much Kyle loves his job.
His beaming smile after Game 5’s long pass to his teammate, OG Anunoby, with only .5, yes point 5 seconds, on the clock saved the Raptors from elimination. And he saved the Raptors again Game 6 Wednesday night.
Watching Kyle bounce back play after play at both ends of the court in a heart-stopping double overtime do-or-die Game 6, Kyle’s leadership is indisputable.
Watching Kyle compare himself to “Sea Biscuit” after being on court for 53 minutes made fans laugh while exhaling a huge sigh of relief after a tension-filled 58-minute game.
Watching Kyle go to work and get ready for Game 7, you can’t help but be inspired by his consistent work ethic, undeniable belief, and limitless perseverance.
Boston Celtics’ Coach Brad Stevens: “He’s an All-star but he might be the most underrated player in the league. He does everything you need to win.”
Will Kyle do it again and get another day at the office? What I know for sure Kyle will show up … early. Let’s Go Raptors!
People are not only looking for ways to cope with and combat COVID but also ways to deal with sudden feelings of doom and despair.
Field trip in the City
Time for another “field trip” with Creative Mornings! I know I’ll return refreshed and recharged. Members choose from a weekly “menu of field trips”.
We owe huge thanks to Tina Roth Eisenberg (Swissmiss) who started Creative Mornings in 2008 out of a desire for an ongoing, accessible (and free) event for New York’s creative community. Read more …
Our network zooms in from 216 cities across 67 countries to listen and learn about an astonishing range of topics.
Proudly volunteer driven, the fine folks at Creative Mornings know how to host and have fun.
Creative Mornings World-wide
Since COVID, thanks to Creative Morning field trips, I’ve:
As children, we are all the same. Then something happens when we become adults. But on this day, Canada Day 2018, I’m reminded fondly of the conversations I have had with both children and adults at our round table at the ROM (Royal Ontario Museum). As volunteer hosts, we facilitated conversations among soon-to-be Canadian citizens on behalf of the Institute for Canadian Citizenship.
Institute for Canadian Citizenship 2018 Table Hosts
“Why have you decided to become a Canadian citizen?” Canada is safe. “What were your first impressions of Canada?” Snow! “What do you love most about Canada?” Freedom … and snow!
Round table discussions
I’ve been hosting since 2016 and I can guarantee:
When I hear “safe and freedom”, my heart literally swells with gratitude.
When I sing our national anthem “God keep our land, glorious and free, my voice quivers.
When I witness our new Canadian citizens raise their hands and swear their allegiance to Canada, my tears fall.
I am immediately reminded of the hard sacrifices our parents, grandparents, and great grandparents have made over 70 years ago.
As all immigrants, then and now, continue to work tirelessly so that next generations are safe and free, we must remember not only on Canada Day but every day that new Canadian citizens have given up their homes so that we can call “Canada” our home.
Sister is a new Canadian citizen.Mom is a new Canadian citizen.Grandmother is a new Canadian citizen!
Citizenship Ceremony July 1, 2018 at Royal Ontario Museum
“We eat what we kill” was how one shark recruiter described how he made his living. I shuddered. After COVID closed our classrooms, I was looking for a recruitment professional to be a guest speaker for our students. I needed “Nemo”, not a shark. Then I remembered my good friend, Mike Fedryk. He is the Founding Partner of Flex Solutions. One thing I know for sure, Mike is not a shark.
When I first approached Mike back in March, he wanted to be sure he was the right person and asked good questions. By taking the time to ask, I knew he would be perfect. We decided to have an informal “fireside chat” (now “dockside”) followed by Q & A. He also generously critiqued student resumes before our chat so that he could offer his best advice during his live resume review. And because of Mike’s self-effacing manner, he expected absolutely nothing in return…no honorarium, no praise nor recognition, not even something to eat.
Mike’s in the middle of the third row!
Last week I invited Mike again to share again with our students. It’s rare to watch someone do what they love. I’m envious of Mike’s “hip pocket skill” (Indra Nooyi’s definition of super power). He’s able to communicate tough feedback with just the right amount of empathy and compassion so that his listeners know his intention in seconds. As a result, people trust and respect him and listen fully and truly appreciate his feedback. This is how he sets himself apart from the sharks. He is in a pool of his own.
Mike live streaming to students from Ashbridges Bay Marina.
Mike took time off last Saturday and live streamed from Ashbridges Bay Marina for us. He’s so passionate and engaging that when I looked at the time, I had to remind him it was time to wrap up because his sailboat was about to launch without him. Of course, he didn’t leave without inviting all students to reconnect with him on LinkedIn.
Thank you, Mike, for all you have given to help our students. Your generosity of spirit is unsurpassed. On behalf of our students and our faculties, I wish you and your family infinite happiness, success, and clear sailing in the days ahead.
