Archive for the ‘Social Networking’ Category

FBI Warns Of Crypto Scammers Prowling On LinkedIn, Bitcoin Falls – Outlook India

Crypto scammers have taken to the professional networking site, LinkedIn, now, according to the FBI.

FBI special agent Sean Ragan said that investment scams are a significant threat to user safety. There are many potential victims, and there are many past and current victims, Ragan said.

The Microsoft-owned social networking platform claims to have 830 million members in more than 200 countries.

Apparently, the FBI has noticed an increase in investment-related fraud. From January 2021 to March 2022, US cryptocurrency traders lost $575 million due to investment fraud, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

LinkedIns director of trust, privacy, and equity, Oscar Rodriguez acknowledged that the number of scammers are increasing on its platform. Fake profiles often claim to be associated with legitimate and successful companies, or represent people with entrepreneurial spirit, Rodriguez said.

LinkedIn emphasizes business news and relationships. LinkedIn does not currently offer profile verification for notable users, unlike Twitter and Instagram. The company says it has a track record of proactively removing spam and scam content.

Elsewhere, with recent crypto losses totalling $1.5 trillion, a flood of class-action lawsuits is on the way. One major question is who, if anyone, is to blame and who might be held accountable for investors losses? From a peak of $3 trillion in November 2021, the total value of crypto assets has fallen to less than $1 trillion.

The lawsuit alleges that followers were encouraged to join a pump-and-dump scheme that deceived investors. Earlier this month, a former employee of OpenSea, a non-fungible token (NFT) marketplace was charged with wire fraud and money laundering.

Crypto Prices

The price of Bitcoin in the cryptocurrency market fell by 8.24 per cent in the last 24 hours, and it was trading at $19,263.07 at 5:30 pm IST. According to Coinmarketcap.com, its dominance in the crypto market is currently at 43.42 per cent, down by 0.90 per cent in the last 24 hours.

In the last 24 hours, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $1,003.66, down by 8.30 per cent, while Binance Coin (BNB) was down by 7.10 per cent during the same time period, and it was trading at $202.32. Solana (SOL) was down by 5.44 per cent to $30.01, while Cardano (ADA) was down by 5.22 per cent to $0.4654.

Meme Coins

Dogecoin was trading at $0.05414 at 5:30 pm IST, down by 5.73 per cent on Coinmarketcap.com. Its rival, Shiba Inu, was down by 5.01 per cent, and it was trading at $0.000007863. Samoyedcoin was down by 1.91 per cent, and it was trading at $0.004003, while Dogelon Mars was down by 7.21 per cent, and it was trading at $0.0000002557.

Overall Scenario

According to Coinmarketcap.com, the global crypto market cap was at $846.87 billion, a decrease of 6.30 per cent in the last 24 hours, while the total crypto market volume was $69.62 billion, a decrease of 6.95 per cent.

Idea Chain Coin (ICH) was the biggest gainer, gaining 1,666.42 per cent. It was trading at $0.5063 at 5:30 pm IST, according to Coinmarketcap. In contrast, Teloscoin (TELOS) witnessed the maximum loss and fell by 99.04 per cent. It was trading at $0.001606.

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FBI Warns Of Crypto Scammers Prowling On LinkedIn, Bitcoin Falls - Outlook India

Boosting Science Through Social Media | UArizona Health Sciences – University of Arizona

Social media has emerged as one of the most powerful forms of communication worldwide. Its simplicity and accessibility make it almost effortless for users of virtually any age to join and share content across a multitude of platforms.

To put into perspective how wide social medias reach is, an analysis by marketing strategy consultancy Kepios estimates there were 4.65 billion social media users globally in April 2022, an increase of 326 million users over the same month last year.

For many, social media can be used to expand their social and professional networks, share photos, information and opinions with a broader audience, start conversations and engage with that audience, as well as build their reputation and brand.

Scientists and researchers in particular can use it to inform their peers and educate the public about new research and discoveries relevant to their lives. When employed thoughtfully, social media can be a tool to promote science and health literacy among a general audience. Alternatively, social media used in a maliciously misleading way can spread misinformation and have damaging consequences.

Indu Partha, MD, clinical assistant professor in the University of Arizona College of Medicine Tucson Department of Medicine, is an active Twitter user.

In addition to her personal account, @InduPartha, Dr. Partha oversees several other accounts like @SundayWIMChat, which provides a space for women in medicine to discuss internal medicine topics and @primarycarechat, which hosts weekly conversations between primary care providers where they take a deep dive into various medical topics. Another Twitter account Dr. Partha oversees, @UAWomenAcadMed, offers mentorship, networking and career development space for female College of Medicine Tucson faculty

I think social media allows for making amazing connections across the country, Dr. Partha said. I love being able to access colleagues and experts who live on the other side of the United States that I would normally know nothing about in my day-to-day life in Tucson.

I think many people associate social media with negative connotations representing a false sense of a perfect life, beautiful photos and something more superficial, she added. I encourage people to look closer to see what avenues social media can open professionally.

Deepta Bhattacharya, PhD, professor in the College of Medicine Tucson Department of Immunobiology, said he finds social media, and particularly Twitters direct-to-consumer form of communication, very appealing. Dr. Bhattacharyas Twitter page dedicates a lot of space to his research, which studies antibody responses to infections and vaccines.

I think Ive had my Twitter account since 2016 or so, but I almost never logged on and never tweeted anything until the spring of 2020, Dr. Bhattacharya, who is also a member of the BIO5 Institute, explained.

At that time, I started getting really frustrated with some of the news coverage of the pandemic, as I felt that they were getting a lot of the basic immunology wrong, for instance equating COVID-19 to AIDS. I felt that Twitter was a venue that allowed me and other immunologists to respond.

Interestingly, as I started tweeting and my follower count increased, I started getting interview requests from journalists. I had really underappreciated how science journalists were using Twitter as a guide to decide who to interview. Im not sure this is the best model of how to choose sources, but overall I do think they have been doing a much better job in choosing people with relevant expertise.

For Bellal Joseph, MD, College of Medicine Tucson, Division of Trauma, Surgical Critical Care, Burns, and Acute Care Surgery chief, connecting to people all over the world, knowledge-sharing and learning others perspectives are his reason for using social media, particularly Twitter.

I post on Twitter for different reasons, Dr. Joseph explained. Sometimes its my own expression of feelings or thoughts, other times its intended as mentorship, coaching or lessons learned. There is a part dedicated to science research, medicine and current trends and I often seek out opinions from people around the world. There is also a social aspect in building connections with many thought leaders and people around the country. Finally, the personal and family posts are to show people that we are all the same. Its to humanize my account rather than create a separation.

Dr. Josephs Twitter account proudly displays the coveted blue verified badge that indicates an account of public interest is authentic (identity confirmed), notable (associated with a prominently recognized individual or brand) and active (with a record of adherence to Twitters rules).

Building trust comes with time and content, explained Dr. Joseph, who is also a professor of neurosurgery. Keeping it real to my own thoughts and feelings are important. The blue verified badge also keeps me in check to make sure Im tweeting and to the standard that got me to that point.

Dr. Parthas approach to building trust with her followers is simple be authentic. I try my best to be authentic online, she said. My online presence truly represents who I am in person. I like to think that I am a trustworthy, down-to-earth person in real life, and I hope that my audience can pick up on that through my posts. I also am watchful about any medical information I post. I stick to the science.

Staying true to the science is also Dr. Bhattacharyas approach. I try to keep my tweets confined to my area of expertise immunology, he said. My style is very much more about informing than it is trying to persuade people to do something per se. The goal is to try and give people accurate information so that they can come to the hopefully correct decision on their own. I dont weigh in on polarizing public health recommendations or policies because that is not my area of expertise, and it would be counterproductive.

Dr. Partha said that when it comes to misinformation spreaders and science deniers invading her social media, she has been lucky. I have not been placed in a position to defend science, fortunately, she said.

Every once in a while, I get an anonymous bot or troll-type of account that tweets something snarky but I just ignore these, Dr. Bhattacharya said. They have no influence on others and there is no point in elevating their profiles by engaging.

As a daily Twitter user to a wider audience, Dr. Joseph has found his own way to contend with this issue. Over time, I realized that when Im engaging with conspiracy theorists, its different than engaging with those who just question the science. As a scientist, I question everything we do each day, but I look at the data and literature to find support. I try not to read tweets from conspiracy theorists or people who are there just for the controversy. Often the best thing to do is to stay focused on my brand and my message, he said.

Dam Hee Kim, PhD, assistant professor in the UArizona College of Social and Behavioral Sciences Department of Communications, researches how people share and engage with news and politics on social media.

On social media, there is not necessarily editorial filtering or fact-checking in place before anyone posts any information, Dr. Kim said. Information, correct and incorrect, along with entertainment and social content are all presented together on social media, which makes it challenging for users to separate facts from opinions and false information.

Dr. Kims ongoing research found that social media might have fueled the anti-vaxxer movement by facilitating misbeliefs about COVID-19, such as that COVID deaths are exaggerated. These misbeliefs are then associated with vaccination avoidance, Dr. Kim said. On social media feeds, users are likely to be presented with information social media algorithms think users would like, engage with or agree with.

If users beliefs and views can be solidified when they rely on social media for information, how should scientists counter misinformation?

It is important for health scientists to share correct health information on their social platforms and encourage more social media users to actively engage with it by commenting and sharing it with others, Dr. Kim said. When engagement numbers on scientifically informed posts are higher, the social media algorithm will push those posts further to reach a wider audience.

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Boosting Science Through Social Media | UArizona Health Sciences - University of Arizona

6 reasons why LinkedIn is important for your business – OnMSFT.com

The business-focused professional networking platform LinkedIn has proved itself vital for working professionals. Whether working as an employee, employer, recruiter, sales professional or business owner, the social networking platform can help you extend your reach and connect with the correct people who can help you advance your career.

Since its launch in May 2003, the business networking platform has evolved into a powerhouse of networked connections where over 810 million professionals interact to share business and related career information. But with all the major brands on the platform, how can LinkedIn benefit the small business owner? Here are some of the top reasons why you should seriously consider creating a personal LinkedIn profile, a company page, or adding some of the new features and changes released in 2022 to your existing profile to take advantage of some of its new features available for free.

Extending your personal brand online. You can manage the professional image you want to display to your customers. A carefully crafted profile showcasing your skills, experience, testimonials and work history can bring you business. Your profile will also appear when people are searching for a particular skill or experience. Having your business value proposition displayed on your profile can bring inbound clients to you with minimal effort on your part. Having a great profile will bring your credibility and allow you to tell your story to bring your work to life.

Showcasing your professional brand with Company Pages. Having a company page, which shows your business expertise in your industry, the products you produce and news about the company can really enhance your brand. You can advertise jobs available at the company and post white papers. In short, if used correctly and updated frequently, a LinkedIn Company Page can eliminate the need for small businesses to actually have a paid-for website.

Finding work on LinkedIn. Contractors or teams of ad-hoc workers can use LinkedIn to find suitable employment in their area of the country or find work online. LinkedIns search and tagging features can showcase roles which are tailored to your skills. If you are open to finding a new job, your profile will show up when recruiters search for your specific skill set, location, or even if you want to work remotely. You can show whether you want to work as a part-time contractor, a full-time employee and when you want to work. You can even specify the audience for the profile setting so that recruiters are the only group of people who will see this new information

Generate Leads. You can collect leads from LinkedIn members who visit your Company page by creating a lead generation form to capture member information so you can close the deal. LinkedIns data shows that using LinkedIn to generate leads can increase conversions by two to three times compared to standard campaigns using sponsored content. These forms can not only be used to connect LinkedIn members to your brand, but also enable you to promote your whitepapers or encourage signups to a webinar.

Showcase your skills. You can add specific skills gained to each work placement you have done. Any recruiter who is performing a skills search will see your name listed under that specific skill. You can also add your skills and ask for and receive recommendations about your work. These endorsements will be visible to others who view your profile and will further validate your expertise on your profile

Update your job-specific skills. You can search LinkedIns online courses to enhance your knowledge about any topic you want. LinkedIn Learning courses vary in length and complexity and cover a plethora of topics. Many are free courses and are offered in six languages. You can follow structured learning paths, or browse the videos on offer. The courses range from beginner to advanced levels and several courses lead to certifications.

LinkedIn is a fabulous networking tool that, when used properly, can really enhance your ability to grow your connections and advertise yourself or your business to gather new business opportunities and advance your career. Over the next few weeks, I will be drilling down into many of the free features of the platform that you can adopt to create a LinkedIn presence to be proud of. So What are you waiting for?

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6 reasons why LinkedIn is important for your business - OnMSFT.com

30+ Networking Statistics 2022 That Will Amaze You! – Enterprise Apps Today

WHAT WE HAVE ON THIS PAGE

Networking Statistics: Networking is an essential part of doing business and advancing your career. Even after learning how critical networking is to ensuring success, many professionals remain dubious or hesitant to network.

There are chances that you have taken part in face-to-face networking whether you are working for a company with client-facing roles or self-employed. After all, this is the best way to build new connections.

But is it the only way that works?

Networking statistics show that sites such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, etc., are highly effective, particularly for people who are more comfortable with networking online. In addition, networking is not just about making business connections. You can use it to search for a job.

Are you curious to learn more about networking statistics? Then please continue reading!

The statistics in this article will convince you that networking is vital for your business growth and career.

You will understand why networking is vital for building and maintaining a career by the end of this article.

These are some fascinating statistics and networking facts to be aware of:

Statistics from the networking state indicate that people prefer to meet face-to-face rather than online. Why is that so?

According to networking statistics, nearly $12.50 can be generated for every dollar spent on business travel by a company. These numbers make it easy to understand why so many businesses invest so heavily in international travel- meeting face-to-face with clients and colleagues means making better work relationships.(Source: FinancesOnline)

We love to shake hands, whether after securing a deal or saying hello to someone we care about or a stranger. Unfortunately, things have been quite challenging due to the pandemic.

Handshakes have been common since the 5th century, according to networking facts. They represented peace amongst Greeks since they used it to sign that they were not carrying weapons.

Even though many US states have eased restrictions, the handshakes future remains uncertain. Some people believe that we should eliminate it from the health context. However, most people believe that handshakes are a stress relief method.(Source: BBC)

Around 33% of consumers prefer in-person shopping as they like to touch, interact, and view physical items. In addition, 13% of shoppers consider store shopping convenient.

In 2020, virtual meetings were very popular because they allowed people to carry on business without being restricted. It wasnt long before people realized they had a significant limitation: their inability to network and collaborate with colleagues.

According to statistics on effective communication, around 7 out of 10 participants believe that online meetings lack adequate human interaction for proper networking.Theyre not wrong to believe this.

According to research, nearly 97% of participants prefer meeting in-person with less than 10 persons. The most important reasons to choose smaller events are team collaboration, better group discussions, and more interactions.Conference organizers have therefore planned to combine face-to-face and virtual meetings to maximize the benefits of both.(Source: Nature)

Despite the fact that more people work from home, technology seems insufficient. This is at least what face-to-face networking statistics indicate.

Approximately 30% of CHROs (Chief Human Resource officers) in Canada and the United States expected face-to-face networking to resume within 6 to 12 months. Around 19% of people believed that it would take at least one year before face-to-face events would continue.(Source: Meetings Net)

According to communication statistics, more than 63% of survey respondents expect online communication to be more important in 2021. Approximately of them believe that online communication has helped them make meaningful connections.(Source: Deloitte)

These include several things such as eye contact, facial expressions, personal space, posture, etc. Overall, 55% is visual communication, 38% is vocal communication, and only 7% is verbal communication.

Eye contact is an effective way to show that you are interested in having a conversation. Its important to establish eye contact immediately and adhere to the 50/70 rule. Eye contact should be limited to a minimum of four to five seconds.

It is all about common interests. Here are some great places to network: Coffee shops, alumni events, hobby clubs, retreats, online forums, classes, job fairs, and cultural events.

According to networking stats, approximately of researchers desire virtual meetings to become the norm after the coronavirus pandemic, despite having numerous webinars and Zoom fatigue. The main reason is the ability to attend webinars and conferences from anywhere around the globe.

More than 70% of the over 900 scientists who participated in the survey stated that they had attended more meetings than ever before. Here are some of the things the contributors indicated they liked about cyber conventions:

(Source: Nature)

While online networking can be helpful, face-to-face networking is more effective. The most popular places for networking are events, professional associations, festivals, conferences, etc.(Source: Fit Small Business)

One-on-one meetings can be the most effective method to meet new customers. But, traditional methods like handing out business cards are ineffective and outdated. Take a look at these statistics:

Statistics on business networking show that the majority of people will throw away their business cards within their first week. This is likely because many people dont intend to use the business products or services. The digital business card is a better choice than the paper one. They are cost-effective! Theyre also much more beneficial for the environment.(Source: CreditDonkey)

Most businesses worldwide used virtual meeting software such as GoToMeeting, FaceTime, and Zoom to meet with their clients during the pandemic. Following the vaccination rollouts, companies slowly return to traditional meeting methods as most countries reopen.

Face-to-face networking stats for 2021 show that more than 80% of professionals plan to meet in person by the end of 2021. Around 60% of people will do it in Q2 of 2021, and 19% of people hope to have their next meetup in 2022.(Source: Northstar Meeting Group)

According to a study done in the United Kingdom and Oxford, in-person meetings can increase sales conversions. In addition, according to meeting stats, up to 40% of prospects are converted to customers when they meet in person, compared with 16% who dont attend an in-person session.(Source: Fit Small Business)

These professional networking statistics demonstrate that networking is an essential tool in finding a job.

According to current statistics on job search, networking is a better way for job seekers to find work. As a matter of fact, nearly 70 to 80% of all jobs are not advertised. This means that many individuals could miss out on incredible opportunities because they spend as much as 80% of their time surfing the internet looking for jobs.(Source: FinancesOnline)

The same group believes that not only networking is essential for their current career success, but its also essential for their future career growth. According to professional networking stats, only half of those surveyed worldwide say they maintain contact with their network.

Despite this, just 48% of professionals claim they stay in touch with their friends and family because of the lack of time and other factors.

(Source: LinkedIn Newsroom)

Have you ever wondered how many jobs can be found through networking?Answer: At least 70%. According to networking statistics, this makes it one of the most effective methods to find a job.(Source: PayScale)

Entrepreneurs know the importance of networking, and online networking is ubiquitous among several businesses globally. Linkedin is a social networking site used by 57% of entrepreneurs, and the Facebook site is operated by 37% of businesspersons in the United States.

If you dont like face-to-face meetings, there are various social media platforms to help. This is no surprise, considering how much time we spend on social networking. The following social media statistics support this.

Instagram has been a popular platform for businesses that want to reach a broad audience over the years. According to statistics on networking, Instagrams social networking service has nearly 1,074 billion global users as of 2021. They spend almost an hour per day browsing the web and then posting.(Source: Oberlo)

Social networking stats show that 200 small and medium-sized businesses use Facebook pages. This tool allows establishments to connect with large communities across different geographical areas. They can also post their location and contact information on Facebook, so the tool is so popular.(Source: Oberlo)

According to networking statistics for 2021, nearly 40% of LinkedIn subscribers use it every day. This means that there are billions of interactions each month. In addition, users log in to LinkedIn social networking sites for just 17 minutes, so it is vital to make an excellent first impression in order to get their attention.(Source: Kinsta)

Many workers were forced or chose to work remotely due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Working remotely can affect your ability to network. Here are our findings:

Approximately 70% of respondents agreed that online networking enabled them to attend more meetings. This is in addition to another benefit employees pointed out, where 19% of people stated that online networking was cost-effective.

Virtual meetings are preferred by 61% of employees for large group meetings compared to 31% who do not. These numbers are even higher for small group project meetings, where 51% of employees prefer virtual meetings and 49% of staff prefer in-person meetings.

This is the activity that employees are most comfortable discussing among all work-related activities. In addition, meeting the colleague you supervise is the second most preferred in-person activity, with 59% of people agreeing that it is better to meet your supervisor in-person than via virtual meetings.

Although in-person networking is 24% more effective than online networking, almost half of all businesses prefer to network online.

Preferences for Employee Workplace Activities: In-Office or VirtualWould you prefer to undertake each of the following work activities face-to-face at your business or virtually from home if you had to choose?

According to statistics on small business networking, bars, airplanes, and restaurants are the most common places for networking. As co-working spaces grow and Google translate improves, things will likely change. Soon people will have the ability to network from anywhere in the world.

Google Company has been improving the translation service since 2006, and more than 100 million words are currently being translated daily using the service. Its popularity among business people is projected to skyrocket in the future, enhancing the value and effectiveness of networking for professionals worldwide.(Source: Google)

According to statistics regarding networking importance, apart from restaurants and bars, gyms were the second most popular places, followed closely by airplanes. This proves that networking is possible anywhere.Other common networking spots include the gym (23%), daily commute (28%), and airline (17%). There are many opportunities for networking in our daily lives.

According to networking stats, more than 60% of companies have made reservations for 2021. Nearly 25% of event planners stated that they do not have any prior bookings.This is an increase of 11% over the third week of December 2020.(Source: BTN)

53% of people are reading networking emails during this period, with a peak at 10 a.m.

According to a recent analysis, Millenials have more tablets, laptops, and smartphones than previous generations. They use social media and the internet frequently, implying that online networking is more beneficial for them. For example, nearly 37% of entrepreneurs use Facebook. However, just 60% of Baby Boomers use Facebook, compared with 84% of Millennials.

Nearly 70% of Millennials do not believe that going to the office is necessary. This statement is supported by networking statistics for 2021. Approximately 83% of employees work remotely, at least part of the day. This is why WeWork and other companies are making billions.(Source: Medium)

Are you interested in learning more about networking and strong networking demographics? These are the specific statistics on who, when, and where to network with.

Despite the fact that employee referrals account for only 7% of all applicants, they account for 40% of all hiring. Given that 62% of interviews come through job boards and other recruitment websites.

The business world and the job marketplace are dependent on networking. Many individuals find a job through networking. Many business leads and sales opportunities are made possible by networking. Overall it is a great way to improve your skills, discover job opportunities, and stay up-to-date in your industry.

You may believe that online networking has replaced face-to-face networking because many people worldwide work remotely. But technology is not replacing old, good, and healthy face-to-face interaction. According to networking statistics, face-to-face interactions are still the most effective approach to acquiring new consumers.

Overall, the future looks bright for networking. The rise of co-working spaces all over the world and advancements in Google Translate means that we will soon be capable of connecting with the network almost anywhere.

Hopefully, this article should have clarified why networking is essential for your business development, job search, career, and personal growth.

How efficient is networking?

Networking is the best way to find job opportunities and stay up to date with industry news and industry news. It means that a strong network can increase your chances of finding various career opportunities. Approximately 85% of jobs are filled via networking rather than traditional job boards.To ensure your networking efforts are successful, make sure you are intentional and careful about the contacts you develop, especially if you are just started. It would be best if you always considered what you could offer others rather than focusing on the benefits you get from networking.

How do I improve my network?

You can improve your network by getting engaged in your community, going to social events, asking questions, complimenting people, using social media, finding common interests, following up after meetings, keeping track of who you meet, and making yourself a resource for others to improve your network.

You are not alone if you want to expand your network. Just 48% of people say that they maintain contact with their network, while 38% of individuals believe it is difficult.

Should I network in person or online?

It is important to meet up in person when you can, but online networking can also be effective. Both online networking and face-to-face networking have their benefits. Recent statistics indicate that online networking is 24% better for businesses to get new customers. This shouldn't be a reason to stop you from networking online.

More Americans work remotely after the COVID-19 pandemic. Recent trends show that younger generations mostly prefer to network online. If you are unsure, think about why you need to network. What kind of demographics are you looking for? This will help you decide if you require more in-person or online attention.

Why is networking so difficult?

Networking can be difficult because most people are afraid of or disapprove of networking. It's easy to associate networking with aging business people in Las Vegas conference centers, but the truth is that professional networking isn't all that dissimilar from personal relationship-building.

The underlying idea is that networking is a technique of gaining an unfair benefit by "knowing the right people," which contradicts Americans' affection for and belief in meritocracy.

However, every industry has relied on interpersonal relationships for success since the dawn of time. Knowing people is part and parcel of building a career.

Moreover, networking is complex because it involves putting out your ideas, talking with new people, and engaging in thoughtful and respectful conversations with others' ideas. All of these things require different levels of energy and time, depending on your personality type.

You can make networking more accessible by not putting too much pressure on those relationships. Although it may take some time to change your mindset from being a burden to networking to one that is enjoyable and necessary, you can start to feel excited about meeting new people who share your goals and passions.

Barry Elad

Barry is a lover of everything technology. Figuring out how the software works and creating content to shed more light on the value it offers users is his favorite pastime. When not evaluating apps or programs, he's busy trying out new healthy recipes, doing yoga, meditating, or taking nature walks with his little one.

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30+ Networking Statistics 2022 That Will Amaze You! - Enterprise Apps Today

For VCU alum and 25000 others using her platform, meaningful connections start with brunch – VCU News

By Mary Kate Brogan

Once we met, we were inseparable, Jackson said. We were always togetherthroughout school, birthday parties, family events, things like thatuntil life took us apart.

The friends made time to get together through collegeMason at Virginia Commonwealth University, Jackson at University of Marylandmarriages, motherhood, careers, promotions, even Jacksons first big move from Richmond to Pittsburgh. But when a new opportunity meant Jackson would need to move to Las Vegas, the two realized they needed a new strategy to broaden their social circles, Mason said.

We ended up having a conversation about friendships as adults, how difficult it is to make friends as an adult, said Mason, who graduated from VCU in 2015 with a B.S. in psychology from theCollege of Humanities and Sciencesand a B.S.W. from theSchool of Social Work. When youre a kid, you just go out to the playground and you play with whoevers outside. As an adult, its a totally different thing.

The traditional networking events Mason and Jackson tried werent quite as fun and easygoing as theyd hoped, so they took to social media to share their dilemmaand see if anyone wanted to get brunch. After booking a brunch in Los Angeles and another in Richmond with rapidly growing guest lists, Mason said, we realized we were on to something. The response from others having a hard time making connections was huge, she said.

People were just coming out of everywhere, like, What are you doing? How are you doing this? We need that inourcity. How can we bring that here? Mason said. We quickly learned that we were not the only people feeling that way.

Tips from Lillian Jackson and Melissa Mason, co-founders of Brown Skin Brunchin, for fostering personal and professional connections where you are:

The pair foundedBrown Skin Brunchin, a platform and app (available on theApp StoreandGoogle Play) geared toward encouraging women from minority backgrounds to connect and build relationships over brunch. Since those first brunches in 2018, Jackson and Mason have expanded Brown Skin Brunchin to 71 cities with nearly 25,000 members in the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean and thousands of followers onFacebook,InstagramandTikTok.

People come in theyre a little nervous at first sometimes but by five minutes in, you would never know that these people did not know each other, Mason said. Weve had complete strangers that are now lifelong friends, traveling with each other, doing stuff outside of brunch. Its great to see how bringing people together in that environment where they feel comfortable, how quickly people hit it off and just make new friends, make new connections, whether it be personal or professional.

Creating a welcoming environment for women of color has been a major focus for the founders of Brown Skin Brunchin.

Its geared toward women of color, and in communities of color its often more difficult to kind of interact and be open and not have to think about what it is youre doing all the time, said Mason, who cited her studies at VCU in helping her understand the impact building a community can have. My education and background helped me with getting people to a point where they feel comfortable. (At our events) people can come and be free. Theyre themselves. They can speak with someone who may understand what theyre going through as a person of color.

In addition to helping others feel more at ease in a new situation, Mason said meeting people where they are, without preset expectations, is a lesson that applies to Brown Skin Brunchin from her studies at VCU, student internships in social work and psychology, and career using her degree in social work. The skills she developed outside the classroom, too, have served her well as she has balanced working full time and raising her kids while she and Jackson have built their business across two time zones.

When I was a student at VCU, I had two school-age children. I was a double major. I was doing two internships at a time, and I was also working, said Mason, who also served as a student leader in theBachelor of Social Work Student AssociationandStudents Today Alumni Tomorrow. That, in and of itself, if you dont learn how to multitask and manage your time in a situation like that, you wont make it. So you have to figure out how to adjust, figure out what works best for you, figure out routines that work best for you and your family.

That time management, paired with her strong friendship with Jackson, has made building Brown Skin Brunchin easier, though certainly not easy, Mason said with a laugh. Jackson agreed and encouraged students and recent grads, if they want to build a business, to pursue their ideas, big or small.

Never in a million years did I think that we could do something around brunch, which is something that we both love, Jackson said. Find your passion and go for it.

Subscribe to VCU News at newsletter.vcu.edu and receive a selection of stories, videos, photos, news clips and event listings in your inbox.

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For VCU alum and 25000 others using her platform, meaningful connections start with brunch - VCU News