Art of Speaking Science

For those that have attended my professional networking seminars you’ve already heard many of my ideas on how to start a conversation and for those that haven’t yet attended I created the list below.

In addition, you can listen to an the very first episode of my new show that I create for Macmillan.

The name of the show is The Public Speaker: Quick and Dirty Tip for Improving Your Communication Skills and the first episode is called “How to Start a Conversation”

(yes, the name was changed from People Skills Pro to The Public Speaker for those that heard me talking about the show). The show is full of ideas and what you see below are some of the highlights.

A few weeks ago, I was “on the fence” about going to a Jeff Pulver social media networking breakfast. The main reason I was even considering this event was to meet a particular person who had RSVP’d a confirmation. I was thinking, “Hmmmm…but what if he decides not to go–will it really be worth my time?”

Then my brother emailed me to let me know he had been laid off from his job (after 13 years of employment with the same company) and was wondering if I could help with his job search. I immediate thought about the networking event and told him it might be a good idea to attend the event–even if just to brush-up on his networking skills. So I directed him to the Facebook event page detailing the event and told him to review the profiles of the people who had confirmed attendance.

On the day of the event I met my brother at the train station. On our ride in I asked my brother, “Hey Ron, did you have a chance to review the profiles and set your goals?” He told me he didn’t have a chance to review and then said, “I need goals?”

I responded “Here’s the thing, if you don’t have goals for attending an event, how will you know if was worthwhile?” I then went on to say, if it’s possible, it’s always a good idea to plan who you want to meet and want you want to accomplish BEFORE the event.

Why are goals important? First, if you can’t come up with at least 2 or 3 specific, obtainable objectives, then attending the event is probably not worth your time. Second, goals helps you to focus your time (and choices) while you are at the event. Finally, when the event is over, you can measure your level of success which can then help you decide if you should do it (or something like it ) again.

However, I’ll admit you also need to consider  the “you don’t know, what you don’t know” factor. For example, the two things biggest benefits I gained from attending that event were things I couldn’t have anticipated ahead of time.

Unexpectedly I met a fiction writer, Christine Cavalier (aka Purplecar) so I mentioned to her a new “writing” project I am developing with a major NY publisher. She made a suggestion that was incredibly insightful. I knew immediately that her idea was going to make a significant positive impact on the project. I was even somewhat embarrassed that I hadn’t come up with idea. Of course, I thanked her over and over again! (Thanks, Christine - again!)

The second biggest benefit was learning about a possible source of seed money for a community service project that I have been thinking about. I have a great idea that with a small amount of money could really make a major impact on the lives of people in my local community. In fact, I would like to ask for YOUR help. How can you help? Well, the more votes I get for the project, the more likely it is that I will get the funding. Once I find a few moments to post my idea, I’ll post a link here so you can cast your vote for me! (That is, if you agree that it is a fabulous idea!)

Finally, my goal of meeting Kevin, never panned out. (Kevin Werbach, if you are reading this, I will be at University of Pennsylvania delivering seminars in both April and May and I would like to meet you.) So although I met my goal of helping my brother brush-up on his networking skills and I gained two pearls of wisdom, I did not achieve all of my up-front goals.

Was the event worth my time? For me, family always come first and if I was able to help my brother in some small way, then for sure it was worth my time. (In fact, he just called to update me on his job search. Sounds like he will be gainfully employed very soon!) In addition, the idea from Christine, for sure, was worth the time investment and my guess is that I’ll get a chance to meet Kevin soon.

So, my question for you is…what goals will you set for your next event? How will you know if you have been successful? Tell us about it in the comments.
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This past week I delivered two seminars for the School of Medicine at Harvard University. At the end of my first seminar something surprising happened.

As you might expect, after seminars, participants often come up to ask questions they didn’t want to ask in front of the entire group. Of course, I answer what I can and if I have supplemental materials that pertains to the question, I usually offer to send the person more information. I always ask for the person’s business card so that I can follow-up with the requested information.

Well, this typical scenario played out again at Harvard, except, this time, each time I asked for a card, the response was “I don’t have a business card.” (It wasn’t just that they didn’t have the cards WITH them–they DIDN’T HAVE business cards at all! Well, to be fair, one guy did have a card, but he was the exception.)

I thought to myself…”What??? No business cards???” The audience was made up of postdoctoral researchers, who by definition, either are currently looking for a job or very soon will be seeking a new position. Hadn’t someone explained the need for business cards?

So, why do I think postdocs (for that matter - anyone trying to advance their career) should absolutely have a business card? Because to most, the very presence of a business card means that a person is serious about their career and they recognize the value of looking professional in all interactions. Besides cards are so cheap (you can get 100 full-color cards for approximately US$15) there is no reason NOT to have them.

So what does a scientific researcher do with business cards?

First and foremost, a card should be exchanged anytime there is an exchange of ideas, a possible collaboration. Certainly, you should be handing them out during poster presentations, after conference talks, during professional meetings with people outside of your lab. You should even consider giving a stack of cards to you mentor/collaborators so that they can network on your behalf. Of course, business cards can also be used to conveniently leave a note or to easily provide your contact info–you’re never stuck looking around for a pen and paper. (For a more unusual use of your business card, read about speed-networking for science geeks).

Those early in their career can also use business cards to make important contacts. When you hand someone a business card, “card courtesy”, dictates that they give you one in return. For senior people, it’s almost a reflex. You can take advantage of this by giving your card to senior research professionals (you won’t have to “work up the nerve” to approach them for their contact information). Simply hand them your card at an appropriate moment.

So what exactly should your card look like?

First and foremost, it should be simple and professional. (For inspiration, take a look at the professional layouts chosen by the postdocs at University of Pennsylvania or perhaps you prefer a more unusual approach). It should be on standard weight card stock and should include the full color logo of your institution. Of course, you’ll want to include your full contact information.

If you have a famous boss, be sure to include “Famous Name Laboratory” in the address of the institution. You’ll also want to include your cell phone and permanent email (institutional email accounts are fleeting) address so that someone can connect with you during personal time or even a few years later.

Finally, you’re card should have a link to your professional blog/website (If you don’t have one, these are free and easy to set-up and are also a job search networking essential) that includes links to your work, your updated CV, and your professional frequently asked questions document.

Every time you meet someone you should be networking. Even when you meet someone at the local coffee house or a wedding, it’s good practice to explain your work and then exchange business cards. It is NEVER to early to start building your professional network –in fact, it’s best to develop it BEFORE you need it. With this in mind, if you don’t have a card, you should get one now!

You should keep some in your wallet/purse, in your glovebox, in your laptop case, in your desk at work, in your desk at home…everywhere, really. You never want to be caught without your card. You never know when you might meet someone that can help you. A professional card can speak volumes about how you care for yourself and how you interact with others.

Oh, and don’t forget, to create the digital equivalent of your business card. There are a number of professional networking sites (I use and have had good success with LinkedIn …see my previous blog post.)

No, no, not to your upcoming social event–I’m talking about a LinkedIn invitation to join your professional network.

When I was first introduced to LinkedIn I thought it was a scam! It wasn’t until a very trusted friend invited me to join, I checked it out and realized the potential professional benefit.

If you haven’t heard about it yet, it is a very popular networking site for people to maintain their professional contacts while also making new connections, finding jobs, people and business opportunities and to asking and answering questions related to your work. According to Wikipedia as of October 2007, it had more than 15 million registered users, spanning 150 industries and more than 400 economic regions.

How have I used it?

For me it has solved an on-going problem I had with maintaining my professional network. Although I am good at initially collecting contact information, I’m not very good at regular follow-up. At times, when I did need to reconnect with someone I would spend much wasted time trying to find current contact information. With this system everyone maintains their own information and when contacts in your network make changes, you automatically have the updates! For me, that functionality alone was a big enough benefit for me to join the network.

But it much more than that! Recently, through LinkedIn, I was able to not only find out that one of my old bosses moved to a new company. Then just two days later, serendipitously he contacted me about a potential business opportunity in my local area.

I also have used it to expand my business in the South San Fransisco biotechnology cluster. Just before my last trip to deliver a seminar at Standford University, I used LinkedIn to offer a few free seats to industry professionals. This way, they got a some free training and I had the potential of follow-on business at their company. It worked! I was recently contacted to deliver a few workshops over the next few months for a pharmaceutical company in that area as a result of those previous seminars.

Just last week, I contacted someone in my local area because I was intrigued with his professional skill set. Since we were close, he invited me for coffee and during our short meeting we decided to barter for our respective services.

Finally, one of my main goals for using LinkedIn is to benefit YOU! Yes, you! The folks that come to my seminars and read this blog. I would like to be able to help you expand your professional networks. I want to be able to help science professionals make connections–especially in today’s very competitive job market– to help you obtain your “dream job”.

So I invite you to send me an invitation to join your network. As I spread the word at my seminars and workshops, I expect that my network will grow quite extensively. If you haven’t joined yet, please at least check it out. If you are already a member, please send me an invitation to join your network. Be sure to mention you “met” me via my blog!

Oh, if you just want to check out my profile on linked in…here it is.

View Lisa B. Marshall’s profile

Use lisabmarshall {AT} gmail {DOT} com to send me an invitation to join your professional network!

If you’ve had some success at using this networking tool, leave a comment below.

The work of a scientist isn’t finished until it has been communicated.  Of course, you’ll want to publish and present at conferences, but now you have a third alternative to help you reach the broader scientific community.  Visit SciVee –they are pioneering new modes of dissemination of scientific information.  Think of it as “you tube” for the scientific community.  According to their website  “Created for scientists, by scientists, SciVee moves science beyond the printed word and lecture theater taking advantage of the internet as a communication medium where scientists young and old have a place and a voice.”  You can submit links to published papers and you can also upload a short video of yourself talking about highlights from the research.  How cool is that?

Check it out.  Oh… and if you want help with making your video presentation, drop me a line <smile>. I know a little about scientific communication!

In both academia and industry a large part of professional success depends on the important ability to network effectively. Networking isn’t just about handing out business cards, asking for referrals and attending meetings. Networking is the development and maintenance of mutually valuable relationships and today you can begin developing relationships by participating in social media (like this blog).

I know, I know, you want to meet other scientists, right…Well, many scientific journals and magazines are adding social media aspects that provide the opportunity to begin developing important relationships online.

Here’s a free blog area from the Nature that I found recently.

Here’s what you can do on it:* Create your own personal profile page and describe yourself and your research.
* Set up a group for your lab, department or institution.
* Join and have discussions with group members.
* Build your own online network of likeminded people.
* On the city pages, search listing of upcoming seminars and conferences.
* Browse local jobs listings.

Check it out. If you are already using it-let us know your experience.

Finally, it is always important to begin building your network BEFORE you need it! So even if you decide not to participate in this network, try to connect with just one person today. (Hey, you could like to me on my LinkedIn network if you haven’t already done that…)