Employer Networks: An Overview of Various Types of Employer Networks Job Development Exchange Webinar Series Norciva Shumpert Marc Gold & Associates Employment for All January 11, 2012

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 2 Why are “employer connections” necessary? In the business world, there is an understanding that “connections/networks” are powerful for gaining employment. It is not “what you know, but who you know” that gets the door open for an employer to consider someone. It IS what you do that keeps the job.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 3 Types of Networks Business networking Social networking “individual group” networking Networks  Personal  Organizational  Business  Geographical  Informal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 4 Business networking A socioeconomic activity Groups of like-minded businesspeople Recognize, create, or act upon business opportunities Build new business relationships and generate business opportunities at the same time.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 5 Professional Network Service Technology implemented for business networking Supported by management as it is cost- effective and more effective than advertising or public relationships. Reason: more personal commitment than company money

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 6 Defining Business Community Geographically  Local  Regional/State  National/Global Internet makes it global Trade industry

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 7 Networks Employer vs. Business

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 8 Who needs an employer network? Job Seeker Job Developer Counselor planning with a job seeker Each user will have a different Purpose

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 9 Purpose of Network General review of “job developer” materials Introduction to other businesses  Specific employers  New employers Offer guidance in approaching business Use on behalf of an individual job seeker

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 10 Uses for Employer Networks for individual job seekers Open doors for job “consideration” Direction of employment  Creating a mentor for job seeker  Offering guidance in how to use the skills of the job seeker  Planning the businesses based on the job seeker On-going support  Job seeker  Job Developer

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 11 Expectations of Networks Clarity of roles is essential  Examples are offering info about a business  Introduction to someone either in person, by or phone  Set up meetings and perhaps attend initial meeting with someone Clarify that the role is never to “hire or ask for hiring”

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 12 Job Development Strategy Demand Driven Job Development  Openings and job descriptions Customized Job Development

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 13 Methods of Representation Self Representation – information given about openings or customized Self Representation with coaching Family/Friend representation Paid Rehabilitation representation Blend of all of these

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 14 How to Identify Businesses Demand driven  Openings  Referrals or connections Customized employment Planning meeting identifies businesses that meet the job seeker’s interests, conditions for success, and potentially in need of their contributions.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 15 Job Development Employer Networks Job Seeker Network Job Developer and Agency Networks Community Networks

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 16 Job Seeker Network Personal Social networks  Family  Friends  Acquaintances  Community organizations; churches, little theater, volunteer places  Family member’s networks

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 17 Job Seeker Personal Network Functional or Business  Where they work or have worked  Where they spend their money Housing Banking Purchasing items; groceries, technology supplies, automobile needs, pharmacy products, Communications

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 18 Strategies to Identify Networks Discovery as an alternative to traditional assessment should lend this information Counselor directed type of activities:  Review of records for connections  Coaching the job seeker to do the following activities “Places” charts Friend “circles” Interest discussions; who do you do it with?

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 19 Discovery Activity “places” chart SundayMondayTuesda y Wednesda y ThursdayFridaySaturday WherewhoWherewhowher e whoWherewhoWherewhoWherewhoWherewho Wal mart alo ne GA O RM NB MT A HRHR HR coff ee JBCof fee JBCoff ee JBCoffe e JBCoff ee JB hard ees ann

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 20 Circles of friends JB Friends- HR Aunt Church person-AN JB (inner circle) Friends-HR (next circle) Aunt (third circle from center) Church person-AN (outer circle) *location to center of circle represents proximity of closeness

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 21 Considerations for connections “Understanding what they offer”  Use of their network  Access to targeted groups; churches, clubs  Influence with a specific trade industry; such as computer industry or marine biology  Potential business partners for self employment

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 22 How do you access the job seeker’s Network?

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 23 Job Developer or Your Agency Network Job Developer  Personal, professional networks  Department networks Agency Networks  Boards, volunteer groups  Persons receiving services  Business network

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 24 Business Networks Online business networking Face-to-face business networking General business networking-”rubbing elbows” Networked businesses – (suppliers, professionals) – tend to be open, random, and supportive.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 25 Your Agency Business Networks Personnel of your agency Online business networking, community partners Face-to-face business networking-community groups that personnel come in contact with during business General business networking; licensing, funding, fire inspections, suppliers Networked businesses; other job developers

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 26 Opportunities within your agency s with agency personnel to utilize their connections to specific place Board or leadership relationships in the community Purchasing or Business networks  Where the agency spends money, has agreements, or other partnerships

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 27 How do you access the Agency’s Network?

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 28 Community Networks Formal Existing Groups  Chambers  Employer organizations such as Rotary or Small Business organizations  Trade or profession specific groups, such as Human Resource or Operations Management groups.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 29 Community Networks Informal Networks  People that know each other  Unofficial “hang out” places Agency specific Employer Networks  Agency may have organized groups, such as a Business Advisory Group

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 30 Agency Organized Community Groups Organizational structure defines Purpose defined Specific timeframe for commitment, most successful are 18 months Method for recruiting new members as others age out Clear outcome oriented activities

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 31 Agency Organized Community Groups - 2 Organizational structure possibilities  Advisory vs. Controlling something specific  Formal vs. informal  Meeting times/arrangements Informal group that never meets unless needed Meetings may be individual vs. group

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 32 Agency Organized Community Groups - 3 Purpose defined  Review employer materials  Identify businesses for specific job seekers  “open doors” to other employers  Introduce to “new employers” coming to the community

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 33 Agency Organized Community Groups - 4 Method for recruiting new members as others age out  Have “departing” employer identify and mentor another employer to take their place  Staff or employer group make recommendations based on the following: Business industry not represented Targeted group such as work experience sites

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 34 How do you access the Community’s Network?

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 35 Networks Identify if you are have any of the three networks Learn usage of the three networks Determine  How to use more of the job seeker’s networks  How to build on the Agency network  When/what you need from a community network Create an action plan to access all networks!

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 36 Additional Resource Building Partnerships, a manual for establishing a business advisory committee.  By Melinda Mast, Norciva Shumpert, and Michael Callahan.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 37 Comments & Questions

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 38 Contact Information Norciva Shumpert Marc Gold & Associates - Employment for All

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 39 THANK YOU!

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 40 Job Development Exchange Webinar Series - Archives An Overview of Employment Approaches and Strategies to Serve all Persons Introducing the Online Toolkit for Job Placement and Employment Professionals Distinguishing Employment Relationships: Competitive and Customized Employment Job Development in Rural Areas Developing Sales Tools for Customizing Employment: The Portfolio and Visual resume Preparing for Negotiations with Employers Employer Networks

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 41 TACE Talks Transition (TTT) Monthly concise information on best practices to transition counselors available for their own pace learning; – sign-up and start your subscription via the Transition -List ail_list.php Transition -List

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 42 Education Credits CRCC Credit - (2.0) Approved by Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification (CRCC) By January 21, 2011, participants must score 80% or better on a online Post Test and submit an online CRCC Request Form via the MyTACE Portal. My TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportalTACEsoutheast.org/myportal **For CRCC credit, you must reside in the 8 U.S. Southeast states served by the TACE Region IV [AL, FL, GA, KY, MS, NC, SC, TN]. If beyond TACE Region IV, you may apply for CEU credit.

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 43 Southeast TACE (Region IV) Toll-free: (866) [voice/tty] Fax: (404) WebWeb: TACEsoutheast.org My TACE PortalMy TACE Portal: TACEsoutheast.org/myportal

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 44 Disclaimer This presentation was developed by the TACE Center: Region IV ©2010 with funds from the U.S. Department of Education, Rehabilitation Services Administration (RSA) under the priority of Technical Assistance and Continuing Education Projects (TACE) – Grant #H264A However, the contents of this presentation do not necessarily represent the policy of the RSA and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government [34 CFR (b)].

TACE Center: Region IV, a project of the Burton Blatt Institute. Funded by RSA Grant # H264A © Marc Gold & Associates 45 Copyright Information This work is the property of the Marc Gold & Associates Permission is granted for this material to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright statement appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that the copying is by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to republish requires written permission from the authors.