And you thought it was the Hokey Pokey

So, what’s it all about?

The “it” in the sentence above is The FENG. The FENG is many things. Is it about job leads? Is it about webinars? Is it about Chapter and Special Interest Group meetings?

Well, one thing I can tell you is it’s not about the Hokey Pokey.

I got the note below from one of our members in Connecticut. I think it pretty much sums up what we’re about.

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Good morning, Matt. I hope that you and your family are well. There is a lot to be said about not letting worry overwhelm you. Someone once said to me that almost all the things we worry about will never come to pass, and that’s mostly true. However, two months ago I was told I was going to be laid off at year-end if we couldn’t generate more revenue. Our agency is struggling, and we must cut costs if things don’t improve, I was told. I am in my mid-60s and, for a variety of reasons, I must work well into the foreseeable future.

So, I began an intense networking effort on three fronts: contact any client where I still have a relationship (dormant or active), every referral source I’ve ever spoken to, and anyone else with whom I’ve had a professional relationship during my forty year career, including FENG members. I am determined to either generate enough revenue to make it impossible for my firm to part ways with me, find a new job, or lay enough track to have some clients and other commercial relationships to generate an income if I go it alone. Thus far, I’ve been modestly successful and each contact I make serves any of those three goals. Amazing -- now where do you suppose I learned that?

And why am I telling you this? Because I could never have been prepared for this situation without your guidance and the fellowship of The FENG community. I joined ten years ago, after getting the job I may now lose, at the suggestion of a good friend who said, “you never know if you’ll need the help down the road.”

Well, now I do but I also feel I’ve already been helped. I’m often connecting with new FENG members to encourage them, give ideas for their networking efforts and make introductions when I can. Ironically, the time has now come for me to take my own advice. I am so grateful to be a graduate of the best “school” there is, where I learned it all.

Thank you, and please feel free to share my experience if you think it will help others.

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Not much I can add. I think this member has said it all.

Regards, Matt