Six weeks ago, I dragged myself to a networking function. As an introvert, I wasn’t really up for going, but I knew it was important to do so – this one was on Green/Sustainable Design, and I knew it would be highly attended by prospects, networking opportunities, and colleagues alike.
Sure enough, the first gentleman I met was a superstar: Chris Happ. Chris CEO of Goby, a firm that helps building owners, management companies, AE teams, and construction firms make smarter sustainability decisions that generate positive results–eventually culminating in LEED certification. They oversee the entire, potentially cumbersome, process. Good stuff!
Anyway, I met Chris and was intrigued by his recently-launched company’s value proposition. Further, after talking with Chris about the LEED AP exam (of which we all know the final deadline to sit for the ‘old version’ is June 30th), he convinced me that I should indeed dedicate my time and resources to taking the exam. It is Chris that I have to thank for all the upcoming studying I’ll be doing over these next few weeks!
But that’s not my main point. In this short time, knowing Chris has already opened up some new doors for me. I hope I have done the same for him. No, we cannot attribute any new revenues to one another, but we have most certainly provided leads, networking introductions, an opportunity to pitch a service (SC to Goby, in this case), and other worthwhile things. Not to mention, I consider Chris a new friend.
How has this happened so quickly? Well, Chris was extremely generous in terms of getting me signed up for the LEED exam. He has shared study tips, encouragement, and hard-to-gather information to make my process to becoming LEED AP easier. I was both impressed and touched by his interest in a virtual stranger (me), and I believe that Chris behaves this way with his entire networking. It’s his modus operandi , and I most certainly will use him as an inspiration in my own networking.
