markewicken in Myths and RealitiesNetworking

Networking is easy and nothing more than meeting people

Myth: Once you have connected with someone at a networking event, the hard work is done.

Reality: Following up with the people you connect with is the key to networking success. Always do something to maintain that connection. The initial follow-up saying how nice it was to meet them and spend time chatting is a must. Adding their contact information to your address book or adding them to your LinkedIn, Facebook, or Twitter accounts is the next step. Then, whatever it is, find something to keep the connection going. Take an interest in what they are doing and look for opportunities and reasons to email or call them. But be sure your reasons are reasonable, viable and appropriate. Nothing is worst that communicating with someone with inappropriate or boring information and/or comments.

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markewicken: Mark Wicken is a marketing professional with over 30 years of advertising, communications and strategic planning experience within the retail and packaged goods industries. He has been a senior member of agency management teams with both account and brand management responsibilities. His strengths have always been on innovative thinking, solid organization and strong interpersonal skills. Starting in the advertising agency industry, Mark held senior account management positions at several multinational agencies including Leo Burnett, Foster, Caledon, Vickers & Benson and Saffer Advertising, and has been responsible for the management of accounts like IBM, McDonald’s, Esso and General Motors. Mark moved from his agency roles to the Client side and held the position of Divisional Vice President of Marketing for Domino’s Pizza International and Director of Marketing for KFC, Hardee’s and Sbarro restaurants in the Middle East. In 2002 he established The Mark Wicken Group, a business specializing in executive search, training and consulting within the marketing, advertising and communications industries. In addition to executive search, Mark has devoted much of his lifetime to teaching, education and youth development. He is President of MusicFest Canada ‘The Largest Annual Music Festival in North America’ and has been an instructor at the International Academy of Design and The Toronto Film School since 1998. Mark graduated from The University of Toronto, took post-graduate studies at Northwestern University, and is married with two sons.