As its fall quarter event, the CSUSB Alumni Association Hispanic Chapter, along with CoyoteCareers and Associated Students, Inc., welcomed acclaimed author, speaker and entrepreneur Kristin Tillquist to campus on November 5. Gleaning insight from her own experiences and sharing advice from her new book Capitalizing on Kindness: Why 21st Century Professionals Need to Be Nice, Tillquist presented two lectures on campus to more than 70 students, alumni, faculty/staff, and guests. Both provided suggestions for growing one’s business and professional opportunities by establishing a reputation for kindness and a network of supportive colleagues and peers.

Additionally, Tillquist shared her top 5 tips for networking:

1. Make friends first, think business later: When networking, focus on how you can help people and get to know them. Rather than focusing on sealing a business deal, simply see if you can connect. As Jacqueline Whitmore says, “Be a farmer, not a hunter!” Relax and enjoy yourself!

2. Create ‘weak ties”: Think of the expansiveness of your network rather than its depth. Create for yourself a broad network of acquaintances, the more the better. Especially focus on getting out of your comfort zone and meet those who are different from you – different socio economic, race, religion, political views. They will give you access to information and opportunities that you and your friends wouldn’t otherwise have.

3. Find Connectors: Get to know those key people who are natural networking masters, coined “Connectors” by Malcolm Gladwell in The Tipping Point. These outgoing people will be happy to connect you or refer you to others within their extensive networks.

4. Find common interests: People do business with people they know, like and trust. The best way to connect with another person is to start with small talk on topics of mutual interest, such as work, hobbies, places of origin, or travel interests.

5. Make networking a priority: Keep your eyes open for networking opportunities that lie all around you – at school, at social events, at sporting or musical events and so many more. Get these opportunities scheduled in to your weekly calendar and treat them as an obligation in order to make sure you find the time. Remember, you are never too busy to network!

Tillquist is the chief of staff to Mayor Loveridge, City of Riverside. A former attorney, Tillquist is also a noted speaker and columnist. Her book, Capitalizing on Kindness: Why 21st Century Professionals Need to Be Nice, is available online and at retailers such as Barnes and Noble and Borders. Tillquist can be reached at www.kindnesscapital.com.

For its winter quarter event, the CSUSB Alumni Association Hispanic Chapter will host world-renowned speaker, author, and radio personality Daniel Gutierrez as he presents “The 7 Golden Rules to Success” on January 28. For more information regarding this event, please visit the CSUSB Alumni Association website’s Upcoming Events at www.csusbalumni.com.