Author: themeetingpointNG

Osaretin Asowata, Bpharm 2002, Uniben, MBA 2011, Enugu, MWAPCp,2014

 Click here for NETWORKING 101; NETWORKING TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS

Here is the concluding part on “NETWORKING TO ACHIEVE YOUR GOALS” by our coach Mr. Osaretin Asowata. It’s a detailed and highly enlightening presentation. Enjoy!

ROAD BLOCKS TO EFFECTIVE NETWORKING

• Fear
• Personality Types – note that you can modify your personality type. All skills are learnable including networking skills
• Unfamiliar Territory

GETTING STARTED

A great rule here is: he that wants friends must himself be friendly. So if you want to find people, you must be findable. If you want help, be helpable. If you  need a job, you must have the minimum requirements.

Network is a career catalyst, you still must provide the main substance of the reaction.

HELPFUL HINTS

•  Develop your personal ‘elevator speech’ or commercial
•  Practice with friends who can provide helpful feedback
•  Get a short and appropriate email address
•  Order resume cards with brief resume stats
•  Write and master a 30 seconds pitch( record & listen)
•  Build a LinkedIn profile and update it often – Add recommendations
•  Become active on LinkedIn groups
•  Sign up on Twitter – follow and people who follow you
•  Create an appropriate Facebook page
•  Ask for referrals when sharing business & resume cards
•  Join organizations & networks, chambers of commerce & business networks
•  Participate in discussion forums
•  Join professional organizations
•  Attend industry conferences
•  Attend Job Fairs
•  Join support groups
•  Volunteer your time and talents to worthy causes
•  Join a gym
•  Identify mentors and/or coaches
•  Schedule and conduct informational interviews
•  Utilize Alumni Associations and career offices
•  Follow up better than your competition
•  Send Thank You Notes as often as you’re helped.
• Above all your face book and twitter pages, please spend more time and effort building your LinkedIn profile. 

NETWORKING DO’S

•  Be genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships
•  Develop your goals for each networking meeting
•  Visit groups that spark your interest
•  Hold volunteer positions
•  Ask Open-Ended questions
•  Become known as a resource to others
•  Articulate what you are looking for & what you do
•  Follow through quickly and efficiently on referrals
•  Understand the needs of the people you are networking with and offer some value to THEM
•  Try to contact one person per day
•  Go beyond your industry

NETWORKING DON’TS

•  Don’t fear the ‘big shots’
•  Don’t corner a ‘heavy-hitter’ with your personal life story at a social event
•  Don’t hand out business cards to everyone
•  Don’t only talk to people you know
•  Don’t waste time talking to self promoters
•  Don’t drink too much at evening events- obviously!
•  Don’t expect anything
•  Don’t dismiss anyone as irrelevant
•  Don’t take ‘NO’ personally

GOLDEN RULES OF NETWORKING

• Give before you get – bring something to the table
• Build it before you need it
• Never attempt to use people, they will know because they’ve been where you want to go
• Your network must be bigger than you.

Thank you.

Kindly drop your comments and questions in the comment section!

SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

by Veronica Okugbeni, an Assistant Director, Pharmacy Department of the Federal Neuro Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba

“In looking for people to hire, you look for three qualities: integrity, intelligence and energy. And if they don’t have the first, the other two will kill you.” – Warren Buffet.

Integrity simply means doing the right thing at all times and in all circumstances whether or not anyone is watching. In this present time where employees have complaints about human resources,  integrity will make you stand out. It is so important in every area of life because people will only trust you and commit things to your care when they can see you are a person of integrity, as it is a trait that cannot be hidden.

Zig Ziglar said “Honesty and integrity are absolutely essential for success in life.” The real good news is that anyone can develop both honesty and integrity.You can actually be a man of integrity if you see it as a value that is important for success in your life and live by it everyday. A friend and classmate of mine, who is also a pharmacist, shared her personal experience on integrity with us. She is into cake making and she said on this particular day she was baking at night as she had a delivery to make the next day. Along the line, she dozed off and by the time she recovered from her nap the cake had passed the heating time and got slightly burnt. She said she could have iced the cake like that, as it was already late at night and the thought of starting all over was not appealing to her at all, but then, she remembered one of her values in life which is integrity. She started all over again and made a supply for the event. A commissioner of a ministry came for that event, tasted her cake and loved it. When the ministry had an event she was called upon to make their cake. She made us understand that even when there is a little error in her baking process and her staff tells her to ignore it as the customer will not know, she tells them that she is out to build a business known for integrity and doing the right thing. Her business has grown in that state and that’s because of her core value – INTEGRITY.

You may be tempted to think that honesty does not pay. I can boldly tell you it does. People will keep recommending you because they know you will not cut corners or cheat them.

Building a reputation of integrity takes years but it takes only a second to lose. So never allow yourself to do something that would damage your integrity.  As young professionals you cannot reach the peak of greatness if you are not known for honesty. Stand for the truth even if others are cutting corners to make gain. Let your boss and associates be able to speak good of you and recommend you when an honest person is  being sought.

Let your clients be able to say of your business  – “I always prefer to do business with AB company because they don’t cheat their clients.” Don’t make promises you cannot deliver. Keep to time and don’t compromise because of money. SEE YOU AT THE TOP!

 

 

 

 

 

Don’t wait for a promotion or lucky break; embrace this framework and you’ll create boundless opportunities.

BY JOSH LINKNER

Source: Inc.com

In an effort to get ahead in our careers, we test out new leadership tactics like we change our clothes. Whatever  the current fad – from Lean Processes, to Management by Objective, to Agile Leadership – it’s easy to get sucked into the next promise of get-successful-quick.

The truth is, one simple mindset has stood the test of time. It’s the difference between those who achieve and those who stumble, those who rise up and those who get left behind. While it may not be some glitzy acronym or viral trend, this mindset endures as fads come and go.

If you want to seize your full potential, think and act like an owner.

The owner mindset, as opposed to an employee mindset, can be the difference in your quest for success. You don’t have to own a company to embrace this mindset; from any position in the corporate organizational chart,  you can rise through the ranks and enjoy significant rewards by internalizing these principles.

If you want to achieve at world-class levels, adjust your mentality and follow these seven principles of owners:

1. Forcibly get things done. Lock your sights on a desired outcome and then move heaven and earth to deliver results. This involves adapting in real time, putting in whatever effort is necessary and making real sacrifices in order to achieve.

2. Accept personal responsibility for outcomes. A salaried employee gets paid for activity, while someone with an ownership mentality only gets to savor results. If you position yourself toward outcomes instead of activity, your energy and focus go toward what really matters.

3. Never punch out. Those who are driven to succeed can’t stomach unfinished work. Their desire to achieve is ever-present, not just 9am to 5pm. Sure, they enjoy family time and recreation, but the mission is always in mind, the target is always in sight.

4. Find creative ways through obstacles. There will always be adversity. Those with the owner mentality refuse to accept excuses, and they double-down when things get tough. In contrast, those with an employee mindset are quick to rest on excuses, loopholes, and reasons things “can’t be done.”

5. Take extra initiative. The owner mentality is never satisfied with delivering only the basic requirements. If you make it a rule to add just 5% more than what’s expected, you’ll quickly emerge as a top performer.

6. Thirst for more. The owner has a burning urgency to do more, accomplish more, grow more, learn more. There’s no such thing as being sated. They always want to reach the next level, and never pass on an opportunity because they’re “too busy.”

7. Bend time. For an employee, taking longer means getting paid more for the same amount of work. For an owner, time is money, and more productivity yields more rewards.

 

Whether you’re a recent graduate or have 25 years of experience, a small business owner or a Fortune 500 executive, embodying the ownership mindset will help you stand out and soar.

Don’t wait for a promotion or lucky break; embrace this framework and you’ll create boundless opportunities.

( Excerpts from an online meeting with members of the meeting point)

MEET OUR COACH

I am Osaretin Asowata, a graduate of Pharmacy, University of Benin , 2002, with a Masters in Business Administration,  2011, and a present member of the West African Postgraduate College of Pharmacy (WAPCP).
I had my internship in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital and worked as a locum pharmacist in a community practice but I’ve been in marketing and sales since 2004, after NYSC.

I’ve worked in Megalife Sciences, Pfizer and presently, I am the head of marketing and sales for Biogenerics since 2011.

To wet the ground for today’s topic, let me tell you. I got my present job through facebook, had interview on the phone and resumed before meeting my employer face to face. That just tells the power of today’s networking media.

OBJECTIVES

At the end of this session you should:

• Understand why networking is important
• Describe yourselves and your career goals succinctly
• Recognise and take advantage of a networking opportunity when it arises
• Develop networking skills
• Increase awareness of networking resources

WHAT IS NETWORKING?

First, a Network = “An interconnected system of things or people”;You are in one whether you know/like it or not

Some popular Quotes:

‘No man is an island’

Networking is more about listening to what people say than saying the right things.

It is “using the personal relationships people have with one another to increase your exposure to information and opportunity”.

Networking is the development and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships.

Key words :

Development – Takes time

Maintenance – ‘Not a one-time occurrence’

Mutually valuable relationships –

Focus- is not ‘me’ centred

Note: information and opportunities! That’s the primary objective of networking, NOT money! Information and opportunities bring money but you must get your priorities right.

WHY IS NETWORKING IMPORTANT?

Life has changed and will keep changing: In the past, we talk of -‘connections’, ‘Long legs’, ‘big name’, etc., now, its networks.

Networking is the #1 way to find a job now.

Over 60% of job opportunities are obtained through networking. High percentage of jobs at all levels of employment are now through personal contacts.

70% job vacancies are filled by recommendation or referral.

The wider your network, more likely you are to find the right connections.

HOW DO YOU BUILD YOUR NETWORK?

Take one step at a time

Develop a Networking Plan

o Who to network with?

o When to network?

o Where?

o How?

Work the plan

o Follow-up with every lead in a timely manner.

o Keep a record of conversations and meetings.

o Develop a contact follow-up schedule.

Thank those who help you at anytime. Always keep doors open.

* Develop a Networking Plan – Who?

Social Networks

• Friends, Family and neighbors.
• Alumni contacts.
• Volunteer contacts.
• Use networking tools – Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, LinkedIn/Classmates, alumni groups.
• Reach out to personal networks.
• Volunteer, get involved to meet new people.
• Keep your contacts informed – your 1st job won’t be your last (long term process).

Professional Networks

• Professional associations like PSN, ACPN, NAIP etc.
• Professional Networking events.
• Social clubs like Rotary, Lions Clubs.
• Economic Development Groups.
• Small Business Development Groups.
• Special Committee Involvement.

How do you Develop a Networking Plan ?

One on One approach: Use Informational Interviews:

E.g. If you want to work in a particular company, you need to identify someone who’s already there:

• Can you tell me more about this/your company?
• What do you do there?
• What do you like about your company?
• How did you get your position?
• What type of education or training are needed for this type of job?
• How do you apply for a position at your company?
• Is there someone in particular I should talk to?
• Can you look at my resume and give me some feedback?

One-On-Many Approach

• Offer to speak at various local groups, organizations and associations.
• Transform your professional expertise(eg as a pharmacist) into an informative, concise and entertaining speech that will help others boost business.
• Write articles or tip sheets about hot topics in your industry.
• Give examples of hot topics in pharmacy today Or in your area of interest. What can you say or write about it?

Your Current network – you already have one!

• Friends, family, lecturers
• Contacts from voluntary work, societies/clubs
• Part-time work, internships voluntary work

Expand your network by:

• Attending careers fairs, employer presentations, conferences.
• Alumni services (Expert scheme).
• Ask people you know for other contacts.
• Join professional associations (student membership).
• Study abroad if you can afford it.

Online Networking

• First impressions count – even online! And may be the last.
• 45% of employers use social networks to screen job candidates.
• 35% of employers did not offer a job based on a candidate’s content uncovered on a social networking site.
• Facebook, LinkedIn and My Space are targets.
• Provocative photos / references to drinking and drug use are cited by employers as ‘red flags’.
• Bad mouthing previous employers/colleagues and poor online communication skills also a problem.
• Social media self-audit: http://mashable.com/2009/04/08/social-media-recruitment/
• Lock down your Facebook account!
• Choose and accept your friends wisely.
• Be careful what you post.
• What does your online behaviour / presence say about you?

Now I’m sure most of you have one or more FB, twitter, Instagram, Blog accounts. Take note these are double edged swords that can make or mar your networking efforts. Make rules for yourself on these platforms.

Note that anything you post can be seen by the whole world. Once you ‘like’ or share anything, it becomes your own. So be careful what you post because it will come back to you.

The dreams of the dreamer

The visions of the seer

The day dreaming of the teenager

The plans of a young adult

The heaven of the clergy

The hell of the demon

All appears to be in the future

I  will become this tomorrow

I will have this in the future

I will possess that much in two decades

The future where we all want to be

Lurks silently in the dark today

Now presents herself raw materials

Now presents time

Now presents strength

Now presents opportunities

Now present networks

Now gives you a blank check

Now places the future in your hands

So no more day dreaming

No more wishful thinking

Wake up! It’s time to make the future

THE FUTURE IS NOW!!!

 

WHO AM I?

I am Oluwatosin Fatungase, an upward mobile pharmacist and teens’behavioral coach. I see myself as special and unique and this special trait is felt anywhere I walk into. I love meeting and learning from people. As a child, I was stubborn and talkative, but I channeled this behavior to positive use and now consult for individuals and organizations on character development and excellence.

I studied Pharmacy at the University of Lagos where my friend and I started our speaking and counseling career. I coached and counseled students from the Queens College, Yaba  for a while and later left for Calabar  for my youth service. My passion for teens was not affected by a change in location as I continued coaching teenagers on becoming responsible and excellent ambassadors of themselves and their families on a weekly basis and stayed back in Calabar even after completing my youth service.

My decision to study pharmacy, really, was because I thought it was easier than medicine, this I later discovered to be a relative thought. Being a pharmacist has helped in shaping me into a teens’ behavioral coach and a role model to young people. When I talk to individuals or groups of people, I share my experiences of pharmacy school, the precision, the required focus and hard work needed to succeed and I relate this to everyday life.

I found out, quite a number of teenagers find it difficult to read because of obvious distractions of the times, the internet, games, movies, football, etc. They complain to me that reading is boring. I’m able to explain to them my experience as a pharmacy student, how it was either I read or I was out! My graduation from pharmacy school was a definite affirmation for me so I had to put it in my best. Though I didn’t like reading, I had friends who did and they encouraged me by their lifestyle. Now that I am out of school, reading books and different materials have become a necessity for me. My teenagers are able to relate with my experience and this inspires them.

AWARD AND ACHIEVEMENTS

I have coached over 8000 teens and 200 parents in Lagos and Calabar and written over 15 articles, 15 presentations for teens.In 2014, I was awarded by Evans Therapeutics Limited (formerly CiplaEvans Nigeria Limited) as the First Youth Ambassador for the company. This for me was reward for hard work.

MY PASSION

I am a Lover of God and teens. Simply put, I inspire boys to be godly men,and girls to be virtuous women and this is done through deliberate mentoring using various training delivery methods. Teens want to be independent and can be easily distracted. I am constantly innovating ways by which I can inspire and motivate them. I usually host a program for first year and diploma students in Unilag where the students are encouraged to stay focused and determined. At the first edition in 2014, one of the participants asked how possible was it to get a 5.0 GP? I didn’t have the faith for that, but we said it was possible. At the end of his first year he had a 5.0. When I heard, tears dropped out of my eyes. I am grateful to God and humbled, when I see teens I have coached excel and strive to be the best in their various fields.

I’m presently writing some books and compiling materials, videos, films, music, that will be beneficial to teens, all of which will soon be released.In the future (which is now), parents won’t have to look far for where their teens can learn and engage themselves on social issues and character development.

MY INSPIRATION

My inspiration is totally from God who has given me the opportunity to be a blessing and to fulfill destiny.

FOR THE YOUNG PHARMACIST

I desire that every young pharmacist aspires to fulfill God’s purpose for their lives.

 

Oluwatosin Fatungase (BPharm)

Teen Behavioural Coach

 OluwatosinFatungase

 @Oluwatosinfatun

 OLUWATOSINFATUNGASE

 

Dear mentee,

Having a great mentor is one of the greatest things that can happen to you in life. Someone once said IF I SEE ANY FURTHER ITS BECAUSE I STOOD ON THE SHOULDERS OF THOSE THAT ARE AHEAD OF ME. So let me say a big congrats to you for signing up on this mentoring platform. I am sure this platform will afford you the opportunity to connect to a great mentor that will inspire, coach and will help bring the best out of you.

Dear mentee, my reason for writing this letter to you is to let you know how to get  the best from your mentor . The three things I will tell you in this letter I have found to be very important for every mentee to take note to make the best out of a mentor.

Dear mentee, you should have your goals. For every relationship to be beneficial, goals and expectations need to be set. I will not set your goals for you, I  can only help you refine and clearly define your set goals and objectives. To get the best from  me you will need to state your goals, career plans, the end you have in mind, and what you expect from this relationship. Never mind if the goals are not clear, don’t think about impressing me. You need to be yourself! Let me see your goals as unrefined, scattered and perhaps well set as they are. Let me be aware of things you are sure and unsure of about your career. As your mentor, I will help you clarify your goals, I will show you the red flags and green lights that I can see as a result of my experience and expertise. I will coach you, stretch you and help bring out the best in you. Really, I will not do the work for you, but with me you will get things done in a great way with very few mistakes.

My dear mentee, another thing I would love you to do is to follow through. I will give you instructions if need be. I would not force you to do them but I believe doing them will help you a great deal. I may even give assignments with or without deadlines for submission. I trust you to follow well enough to submit the assignments if I ask for them or not. This will make me know how willing you are to learn. Since it’s not a kindergarten class, I will not teach you the way you teacher taught you then. I however expect you to be observant and inquisitive. Your questions will make me speak from my depth of experience. You may even learn more from my answer to your questions. At some point you may feel you have learnt it all, but dear mentee I encourage you to remain teachable. At this point is where learning just started. I tell you calm down and learn more. For there is no great master who was not once an apprentice. My dear mentee you need to follow through

Finally my mentee, I expect you to periodically review and evaluate our relationship. Are the goals you have set being met? Are you learning from me or are you just passing time. I really want you to make the best of this relationship. So as time goes on feel free to discuss with me things you have learnt and how they have impacted on your career. This relationship is a learning relationship. If after your evaluation you feel your goals are becoming clearer, congrats, but don’t rest on your oars, it can always get better. However if you feel you are not learning enough after your evaluation, don’t be discouraged. Talk to me about the challenges you think you are facing and ask relevant questions. I can assure you that your  persistence will pay off.

So my mentee, I can assure you that if you will follow these simple steps, having a mentor will not just be a cliché for you, it will be a life changing experience for you!

I wish you all the best…

 

Your mentor.

 

Sailing through the tides of pharmacy school, I must say for all, was not a mean feat! The times in the laboratories,  late night readings,  cramming of structures you weren’t sure you would ever use, industrial attachment experience ( for the newer generation pharmacists) and of course the trepidation that gets the best of you when  final results are about to be released. Whether it was at the first or second attempt, eventually you qualified as a pharmacist! Then comes the induction ceremony and the Pharmacy oath is taken, relief and excitement is fully expressed when celebrating with family and friends. The day ends and reality dawns; its Welcome to the real world of Pharmacy! One with various options, filled with opportunities but laced with surmountable challenges as long as you are clear on your vision and purpose for choosing to follow this path.

Developing as a professional could be seen as a series of colors. The first color is black which could be likened to total confusion.

Ironically, a greater percentage of pharmacy graduates fall in this category, many grope in the dark and are totally unsure of what they really want to do. The various career paths in pharmacy are laid before them; hospital, community practice, academics,  marketing,  manufacturing,  and newer ones like logistics and supply chain, public health, journalism, digital health and honestly many are confused and not sure which route to take. To exit this state you need to do a soul search, try to discover who you are, answer the questions, why did you study pharmacy, what’s your purpose and passion and what skill sets do you have to make an impact? As you begin to answer these questions you gradually step into another color state, which is grey.

In the grey state, darkness is gradually receding, it’s still a bit hazy though, but your instincts seems to have started joining the dots together slowly. This is where you hear most people make statements like,” I think this is what I want to do!” It’s possible to remain like this for a while  without taking any  decisive step but just musing over so many things you could do.  It’s important you get motivated and move to the orange side of life.

The orange side of life is where you decide to expand your horizon, step out of your comfort zone, get some exposure, attend seminars and workshops, get an extra degree in your field of choice or you obtain a relevant certification, connect with a mentor who could possibly help you with career mapping and get you on the right track. Your natural talent can only get you so far without input from your colleagues, teachers and a good network.You keep fine tuning and keep moving and transit to the illuminating state of yellow.

Yellow is where the future is much brighter, all the knowledge and experience gained is put to use, you’re beginning to make yourself relevant and not just another number or an ordinary knowledge bag. The contributions you make, bring solutions to problems faced by individuals and the society as a whole.  Your impact is felt and then the white zone becomes the place of appeal.

In the white zone,your vision is distinct, and palpable. You are fully convinced, this is it! Great opportunities, which you had been prepared for, will keep showing up under the radar of your light. You beam with such brightness, and in turn bring illumination to one in the state of darkness.

It’s important you ask yourself where you would rather be in the color scheme of being a professional. Note that through these series of color changes, one will meet with naysayers, critics and antagonists who may want to discourage you but don’t give in. Turn every adverse situation into an opportunity. Gravitate towards those who would positively influence you, interact with professionals from other industries to boost you creativity. Look within you and find all that is there.

Pharmacy is said to represent the third largest profession globally and our influence as “Men of honor” must be felt. The world awaits that clinical pharmacist that will help solve various medication therapy problems and save lives, the organized logistics and supply chain pharmacist that would improve patients’ access to medicines, the community pharmacist who is a neighborhood life saver, the digital pharmacist who would explore the world of technological advancement to develop an app that brings drug information at our finger tips and the production pharmacist that manufactures drugs of high quality for the benefit and safety of the patient. Will you be willing against all odds to be that person? The choice is yours!

This article was written by Mrs. Olufunto Olude Bpharm PHRi, CSC, CCSP, a Senior Pharmacist with the Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital Yaba, the convener of The Meeting Point Ng and Project Administrator for the NAPHARM Young Pharmacist Mentoring Programme. She can be contacted via email at funto_olude@yahoo.com

I had an event to attend and had to drive all by myself to the venue, a task I honestly didn’t fancy. So I got the directions though I didn’t quite grab them, set off all the same. Following the traffic signs and going by the directions in my head I made a right turn at some point and found myself on a wrong route, luckily I was able to ask people on the streets for directions and I was back on the highway. Thinking to myself and supposedly following the traffic signs, lo and behold I missed the turn again! The directions I was initially given were for the shorter route to my event but since I missed the turn I had to take the longer route. I almost aborted the journey but with a clear objective of attending this event, no matter how long it took, getting there was it for me. Building a career is like going on a journey, there are different routes and loads of traffic signs. Those for you to follow and those you should avoid in order to get to your destination. It’s more than just getting a job but having a life of purpose and making a living from it. One is faced with various options but with a clear goal, aligned values and guidance you’ll navigate the right path. I came across a career development model by the Society for Human Resource Management which showed stages in this journey and I’ve summarized it below:

Stage 1. Occupational preparation – this is when you develop a self-image, develop occupational choice and pursue necessary education.

Stage2. Organizational entry – obtain job offers from desired organizations and select your preferred one.

Stage 3. Early career establishment – at this stage you have an idea of what you want, and so increase your abilities, learn the job and pursue your career dream.

Stage 4. Mid -career – You evaluate your plans, reaffirm or modify your dream and make the right choice.

Stage 5. Late career- one remains productive, maintains self esteem and contributes to the development of others in their early stages.

It’s important to note that the decision to make progress lies strongly with the individual.
Pharmacy is a profession with a field of options, we have hospital, community, academics, industrial, even logistics and supply chain, public health and some others yet to be defined. To make a sound career choice, you need to discover yourself and what you are good at. Know why you are here and clarify your goal. Harness the potentials you have and apply them. Volunteer and find every opportunity to serve as this helps you build capacity and develop skills. You must be an active learner and expand your knowledge base consistently. Get a mentor who has gone ahead of you in your chosen field who can show you the ropes and help you grow. Listen to advice, but the ultimate decision lies with you.

Olude Olufunto (Mrs) BPharm., CSC,CCSP