Havertown man writes the book on networking secrets
Havertown man shares how to be successful networker in helpful new book
“With the worldwide pandemic, we don’t know when we’ll be allowed to shake hands with a stranger again. I truly believe we will soon return to in-person networking – ballrooms packed with suits, board rooms packed with executives, conferences packed with hungover colleagues, etc. In the meantime, it’s important for us to build and strengthen our networks virtually.”
— Sean Hand, author of “That Was Awkward — 7 Secrets of An Awkward Networker”
HAVERFORD » Sean Hand didn’t become the networking king overnight. Rather, the national speaker and trainer spent years perfecting his craft and honing his skills. With over a decade of networking experience, Hand developed a wealth of techniques to avoid the natural awkwardness of networking.
“Networking is inherently awkward for all of us, regardless of where we identify on the extro/ intro-vert spectrum,” Hand explained in a recent interview. “Having averaged five networking events per week for over a decade,
I began compiling my own list of tips, tricks, and techniques that gave me the confidence and skill to walk into any room, anywhere, and create organic conversation with strangers and ultimately build a substantial network.”
To help others develop successful networking tools, the Havertown resident shares not only the skills that he’s acquired, but also the pitfalls and fiascos along the way, in his new book, “That Was Awkward – 7 Secrets of An Awkward Networker.”
Hand says the book can help anyone who has ever put their foot in his mouth or repeatedly called people by their wrong names in important social situations, stumbled over what to say and how to say it, or just froze up when the time was optimal to open up.
“A few years ago, I heard from many of my mentees that the techniques I shared with them were helping them not only feel more confident networking, but making it fun and successful,” Hand stated. “They are the reason that I created AwkwardNetworker.com and ultimately wrote this book. I became enamored with the idea that I could take what I’ve learned through years of intense awkward networking and synthesize an easy how-to guide that anyone could pick-up and implement with success immediately.”
Hand, aka The Awkward Networker, seems to have released the helpful book at an ideal time. Although the unprecedented global pandemic has caused national lockdowns, social distancing, and remote working for nearly a year, many have lessened, or even lost, their comfort with in-person networking. As vaccines are distributed, restaurants reopen, and people start meeting each other in-person again, many people are looking to shake-off the rust and gain more benefits from successful networking and that’s where the timely book can be most helpful.
“That Was Awkward – 7 Secrets of An Awkward Networker” is a compilation of the author’s firsthand networking lessons learned during an almost fourteen-year intensive networking career. The author draws from personal experiences to teach tens of thousands
of people across the country and in over 100 countries, how to build lasting relationships. While many of these tips and others outlined in his book work for face-to-face communication, they can also be applied in a virtual setting. Hand notes that displaying confidence on a Zoom call, making connections on LinkedIn, and prompt following up via email can turn virtual encounters into successful business leads.
“With the worldwide pandemic, we don’t know when we’ll be allowed to shake hands with a stranger again,” Hand stated. “I truly believe we will soon return to in-person networking – ballrooms packed with suits, board rooms packed with executives, conferences packed with hungover colleagues, etc. In the meantime, it’s important for us to build and strengthen our networks virtually.”
Hand works as a director of
relationship development for KPMG, a global professional services firm. He started his career there in 2009, right out of college as an International tax consultant. After five years, Hand transitioned into global marketing to learn the marketing side of the multi-billion dollar global services firm. After four years there, he has spent the remainder of his career as director of account relations.
Throughout his career, the author said, he learned the value of being an experienced networker. It was through his experience with networking, that he transitioned into the roles of relationship developer, author, public speaker, and a tireless advocate for professional development, with a passion for philanthropy, organizational development, and public speaking. Hand is a frequent lecturer at the University of Florida, Drexel University, Temple University, Rowan University, and La Salle University on topics of networking and professional development.
Hand’s community
involvement
is plentiful, including serving as a board member for the Greater Philadelphia Chamber of Commerce, the Young Professionals Council of Philadelphia, the Arts & Business Council of Philadelphia,
the LaSalle University Alumni Association, and more
Hand, a Northeast Philadelphia native, earned a bachelor’s degree in International Economics from La Salle University and
an MBA from Temple University’s Fox School of Business. He is married to wife Kristin and is the father of two children.
“Everyone says, ‘It’s not about what you know, but who you know,’ yet, we spend decades of our lives and hundreds of thousands of our dollars learning the ‘what,’” Hand stated. “I’m intrigued by one simple question: ‘What if we put that same rigor into learning the ‘who?’ What kind of success could we enjoy as individuals? What kind of problems could we solve as a community? It’s time to embrace the awkward and learn the true secrets to building a successful network.”
To order Hand’s book, invite him to speak, watch his podcasts or participate in one of his virtual on-line presentations about networking and building and selling your brand, visit Awkward Networker.com or email him at sean@awkwardnetworker.com. “That Was Awkward – 7 Secrets of An Awkward Networker” is also available at Amazon.com.