Telstra Reunions in South Australia

Photo is 1950 Franklin Exchange installation of the latest switch technology. Corrections by Email. Listings are FREE.

Enjoy the fellowship of former work mates. Networking added 22-7-07.

A very successful reunion of the above intake and their partners was held at Racquets Club, Tonsley Park at 11am on 20th January 2008, 50 years and one week from the day we entered the Training School in Simpsons building in Pirie St, Adelaide to begin our 5 year journey of learning. The Instructors who trained us did a great job and the training we received was first class and we would be the envy of anyone being trained nowadays.
A committee of 6 ex 1958 T.I.T.’s namely Peter Ginnane, Barry Schirmer, John Duffield, Neil Stewart, Ralph Giles & Mal Bradley organised the very successful day.
Of the original 150 guys who were in the intake on 13 January 1958, we located about 125 and found sadly that about 20 were no longer with us. Vale to those guys. We made contact with about 100 of the remaining 125 and eventually 76 were able to attend the reunion luncheon, along with 56 spouses. (Total of 132 people attended the reunion). We also had apologies from a lot of those unable to attend, who asked to be remembered to those attending.
We located a couple of the original Instructors, namely brothers Ken & Wally Bradley. Ken attended the reunion with his wife Pat. Wally is not well and was not able to attend.
All later said they had a great day out reminiscing etc. and that their partners had enjoyed meeting people they had heard about , but never met, for years.
DVD’s of both our 40th & 50th reunion’s and a CD of digital photos of 50th reunion have now been sent to all who requested the pack. Anyone who would like the DVD & CD pack of reunion can contact Ralph Giles.

Pre-50 year test run January 2008 at the Union Hotel with a small group including Peter Edwards, Ken Graham, Walter Fabian

GAS / Guinness Appreciation Society

Listed as some of the members are / were technicians, meets 2nd Tuesday monthly, member benefits, etc.

OPERATORS - REUNIONS

Co-ordinated by June Robinson. Phone : 83401975. Mobile : 0421288858

Sunday 4th November, 2007 at Bonython Park from 10am.

BYO picnic lunch, drinks, glasses, chairs and gold coin donation to help June defray expenses.

Please tell your former work-mates.

S.A. NETWORKING

Fuse. For enteprenuers
Glam Adelaide. For fashion, events, clubs, etc.
Wings. Monthly guest speakers hosted by Royal Flying Doctor Service
YVariety. For young professionals, helping kids
Global networking. Robyn Henderson
Shyness
Care Feeding Of Network

Networking Tips. Below or Click to go to the Web & PC page.
Networking is both an art and a science.

Tip 1. Give and You Will Receive
Connect with people and getting to know them without the need for immediate gain.
Be a known as a connector and you will be held in high esteem.
Building a relationship before you need it. Networking is about generosity.

Tip 2. Be Clear About What Networking Is and What Networking Isn't
Connecting with others
Helping and sharing knowledge and contacts with others
Deciding to find people genuinely interesting and fascinating
Networking is not:
Promoting or selling goods or services
Landing a job
Extracting a donation
Wrangling funding
Schmoozing or ingratiating oneself to gain an advantage
Stalking
Networking is not about who you know – it’s about who knows you!

Tip 3. Move Out of Your Comfort Zone
Build on your existing networks
Get out and about even when you don’t want to.
Do not cancel a networking opportunity after a hard day at work.
Seek out people you don’t know rather than gravitate towards people you do know
Put yourself out there without being too out there.

Tip 4. The Make or Break Handshake
There is a tiny amount of time to make a good first impression
Speaking uses 3 communication methods – words 7%, voice/tone 38%, body language 55%.
Both ladies and gentlemen should know how to offer and receive a hand shake. You should:
Extend the hand with the thumb up, firm grip only, 2 or 3 pumps.

Tip 5. Always Have An Introduction Planned
Prepare a 10-20 second introduction for yourself that you like and can say easily.
Your name
How you fit into the situation
What you can do for others.
The words help, provide, contribute, give, serve, teach and solve are important.
If your introduction is successful, it will invite discussion. If it shuts down conversation, rework it.

Tip 6. Entering and Contributing to a Conversation
Many people find it difficult to enter a conversation with strangers.
Approaching a group of people you do not know, try “My name is John Smith. May I join you?”
. . . . Inevitably you will be welcomed into the group.
Have some neutral open ended questions on hand as a back up such as :
What prompted you to come to this event?
What sort of trip home do you have after tonight’s function?
What sort other sorts of professional associations do you belong to?
What have you got planned for the long weekend?
Avoid politics, religion, privacy, sex and gossip – you never know who is listening.

Tip 7. Cherish the Business Card ! An essential tool. Have plenty with you.
Treat cards with respect when you are giving or receiving one, maybe refer to the info thereon.

Tip 8. Little Things Count
Place your name tag on your right side as the eye naturally flows up as you are shaking hands.
Always keep your drink in your left hand, so that your handshake does not feel clammy.
Always ensure you eat before you arrive – gobbling after a busy day is not a good look!!!
Everything is moderation – especially alcohol
Don’t fret if you forget a name – it happens to everyone.
Invite people who are standing by themselves into your group – they will really appreciate it.
Avoid gossiping – it’s a small world and you never know who knows who.
Always present a well groomed image. If in doubt, go up a notch.

Tip 9. Follow Up
Follow up those you have met in a meaningful way.
A phone call, email, article, newspaper clipping, interesting website, a good referral
Send a thank you note to the host or organiser
Carry through with committments made in conversation

Tip 10. It's Not All Face to Face
Scan recent appointments in the press and write a letter of congratulations
Write a letter of support to someone who has contributed to the community.
Contribute to blogs in your area of expertise.
Contribute to company newsletters
Contribute to newsletters of your professional association

Our guess is that these tips are not new to you and one more tip would be :
It is actually doing things consistently that bring results.

Networking Refreshers
Refresher 1 - Revisit all of the tips you have picked up networking game and conduct an audit.
Refresher 2 - Relationships. Be genuine and sincerely interested in others.
Refresher 3 - Remember Your Manners
Refresher 4 - Read the Situation, what is appropriate and what is not in any given situation
Refresher 5 - Rank Rules. Introduce less prominent persons to more prominent.
Refresher 6 - Research. Before you go to a function.
Refresher 7 - Reorientate the conversation to make the other person feel fascinating.
Refresher 8 - Reflect on every networking event or opportunity.
Refresher 9 - Return on Investment. Conceive of networking as a discipline, not just fitted in.
Refresher 10 - Retire Gracefully personally or over the phone for parting impressions.

REUNIONS & NETWORKING