Networking 101

​Networking is about building and maintaining relationships with others, and it’s an important part of professional life. These connections provide invaluable opportunities to exchange information, get advice, learn something new. But it’s not always easy.
 
As we continue to reconnect this year, many of you have been talking about the challenging transition back into the in-person networking environment.  Some of you are naturals; you didn’t skip a beat. In fact, you are SO GLAD to be back together! Others of you are slower to re-engage, partly due to the anxiety of the whole networking “thing.” Walking into a big room, needing to make a few new connections….. some of you tell me that you leave early or don’t even attend events at all! I get it. I’m in this second group and groups of new people are always challenging for me.  So I thought I’d share what I do to make it through networking events – and even enjoy them!
 
“Feel the fear and do it anyway!”

• Find your person. When I first get into the space, I step to the side and scope out the room.  Maybe I walk through a bit, see if I know anyone.  As I move through the room, I’m looking for the one person who looks as uncomfortable as I’m feeling. And that’s the person I introduce myself to.
• Seek to learn something.  Once I introduce myself, I actually want to know this person. My eyes don’t wander over the shoulder looking for someone else I’ve “simply got to meet.”  I focus my attention on the person in front of me.  Without fail, I learn something really interesting in these new conversations. Quick tip:  when talking to a businessperson, the easiest ice breaker is, “how is your business this year?”
• Make another introduction. If you see a friend pass by, stop him/her and introduce them to your new friend. If you’ve found someone who’s even more uncomfortable than you are, he/she will really appreciate another introduction!
• When it’s time, move on. If you need to move on, do so gracefully (or bring your new friend with you).  “It’s been a pleasure to meet you and I hope to see you again.”

 
This is what I do. I try to remember that other people struggle with this as well, so they’ll be patient with me if I’m clumsy.  And I also remind myself – really connecting with ONE person at an event is worth far more than a series of “grips and grins” that don’t add value to either of you. So I hope to see you sometime soon – and, please, introduce yourself. I’d love to meet you!
 
Oh, and one more note: Cat Video Festival 2022 is returning to CHS Field.  Not-to-miss event!
 
See you in the trenches.
B

• Minn. Commission rekindles debate on repeat offender policy. The Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines Commission on Thursday again considered a proposal to reduce criminal sentences for those who commit a crime while in custody, on probation or supervised release. The group delayed a vote on the proposal earlier this year. And on Thursday, members met with stakeholders from various areas of the criminal justice field to decide whether the policy was worth considering.
• New Ramsey County dashboard details who gets prosecuted for what crimes. This online database is part of a new transparency effort by the county attorney.
• Why are wealthier Minneapolis neighborhoods receiving extra police patrols? Some neighborhoods are paying for extra police patrols.

• Minnesota’s unemployment rate dropped to 1.8% in June, hitting another record low since the number has been tracked in 1976. According to DEED Commissioner Steve Grove, the shrinking metric was entirely due to job seekers moving from unemployment to employment.
• The Federal Reserve begins its two-day Federal Open Market Committee meeting on Wednesday, July 27, and while most voting members have indicated support for another "jumbo" rate hike of 75 basis points, the historically super-sized option of 100 basis points seems to be off the table. The committee will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday.
• Housing market chills as mortgage rates and prices scare buyers. The Federal Reserve has aggressively raised short-term interest rates to fight inflation, which in turn helps push rates higher for credit cards, auto loans and mortgages. Rising mortgage rates have combined with already high home prices to discourage would-be buyers. Mortgage applications have declined sharply. 
• Last week GreaterMSP launched The MSP ARPA Tracker! This is a searchable, easy-to-use digital resource that tracks the spending plans of 12 counties and 17 cities in the Greater MSP region. See the press release here.      

​Regional

• St. Paul City Council to review ballot question funding low-income day care, pre-K on July 27.  The St. Paul City Council will consider a potential special election question that could be added to the Nov. 8 ballot asking voters whether to create a dedicated fund to back pre-kindergarten and home day care services for low-income 3- and 4-year-olds.

 
Election season is ramping up. Be sure to reference our East Metro Voter Guide to learn more about your candidates!
 
Subscribe to our Chamber Advocacy Update to keep up with advocacy news.

• Regional Economic Conditions Webinar: Federal Reserve.  Tues, Aug 16, 9:00 – 9:30am. Register here!
• Check out your Chamber’s calendar of upcoming events as well, which include:
  • Get a Tourism Update with Explore Minnesota at our Roseville Business Council: July 27, 7:30am, at McGough.
  • Come meet some new people at our next free monthly mixer! July 27, 3:30 – 6pm: Chamber Connect at Saint Paul Brewing.
  • August 1: Golf Classic at Mendakota Country Club.  Golfing is sold out, but join us for Golf 101 and dinner!
  • 2022 VIP Vikings Training Camp Experience: August 3, noon – 5:30pm, at MN Vikings TCO Performance Center!

• The COVID retirement surge: share of retirees in the Federal Reserve’s Ninth District grew at a faster pace between 2020 and 2021 than in prior years as older workers faced new working conditions during the pandemic.

• In a recent study from SmartAsset, St. Paul ranked 23rd in the nation among the Best Cities for Women in Tech, tied with longtime tech hub San Francisco!

• Finance & Commerce’s Top Projects of 2021. Includes a nice article on workforce retention and recruitment, “Finding The Next Generation.”
• The promise of onshoring: as companies bring manufacturing back to the U.S., demand for industrial space soars even higher.
• Oppidan breaks ground on a 171-unit apartment building in Cottage Grove.