Weekend Sept 20 2014
f You udon't like my ideas here are some others
Those are good lists of things to remember. I don't agree about using business cards sparingly, that is what they are for, and you never know where a card exchange might lead you.
I am going to address the more general notion of how to interact with people.
Here are what three experts have had to say on the topic.
Dr. Edward Deming is the father of Total Quality Management Concept. He was brought to Japan by General Douglas MacArthur in his rebuilding of that country after WW II. At a time when manufacturers only thought of increased sales and pumped out product as fast as possible, Deming told the Japanese to make the customer the center of their focus. If they were customer driven, success would be theirs. Two decades later the Japanese dominated world production in quality cameras, stereos, and motorcycles. Their success with small four cylinder motorcycle engines would be duplicated in the car business.
Dale Carnegie wrote the original self help book How to Win Friends and Influence People.
He honed the pitch n a series of lectures beginning when he was actually living at 
the YMCA. A publisher rep attended a seminar and suggested he write a book.Since its first publication it has sold millions of copies. It spawned the Dale Carnegie business which still teaches its principles. The principle is simple and here it is. Put is on your 'frigerator door' as George Strait would sing.
You will make more friends in two months showing an interest in other people than you
will in two years trying to interest them in yourself.
I have had classes read the book. Many observe that it should be re written for a more modern audience. Of course he refers to the movie stars and events of his own day, but
times change, people don't.
He of course gives numerous examples and variations of this theme but that is the theme.
Show an interest in the other person, not in yourself.
Now let's use a more modern version of the very same idea. Why is Facebook such a smashing success? Millions of people all over the world use it.
If you have read this far the answer should be obvious.
Facebook allows everyone to have their own version of O, the Oprah Magazine all about
Me Me Me, what I am doing, where I am going , where I am out to lunch, who I am with
Yep you too can be Brad and Jolene.
In short Zuckerberg realized the internet would allow everyone to pontificate on their favorite subject
themselves.
Now how can you use these obvious but valuable observations to further your career opportunities. You can begin visiting professoinal accouinting societies in San Antonio. I have taken numerous students to such events. And they usually make the same mistakes.
I recall one student at an annual CPE event, the large meeting of the hotel must have held 150-200 people all seated at round tables. But she had taken a seat alone in the far corner of the room, how would that help.
Here a a few simple reminders for attending such an event.
- Dress business casual, no shorts, flip flops, t shirts.
- Carry business cards with your name, school, major, expected graduation date, e mail and phone number, they are avilable at any office supply store.
- And I am going to fashion an ID tag for us featuring the school logo and school name, that way anyone you meet will be able to easily read your name.
- Don't be shy. Most of these accountants are friendly and will talk to you, If not well there are plenty of other people in the room.
- Usually groups sit according to the caompany that emplys them, say USAA or Tesoro. Ask which company is at the table. Then introduce yourself. Then
- do your homework, be familiar with what your contacts do, be able to speak the language, familiarize youself with software they use, google the topic to get a feel of what is teh hot issue in the profession
- begin asking questions about what they do, how long have they beenthere, where else have they worked, what has surprised them, what would they do in college if they had to do it over again.
All these are open ended questions. None of them require a yes or no answer. This is what you want. Ask openended questions which give them the cance to pontificate on their favorite topic – themselves.
Still hesitant, join the TAMUSA Toastmaster Group which meets everyother Thursday at 7 PM at Brooks.
Professor Elam 
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