TBL Networking C1

Warmer: verbification

Verbification is the process of taking nouns and simply using them as verbs. In many languages, verb suffixes may need to be added, but in English that's usually unnecessary. Take a look at some fairly modern examples of verbification.

• to network

• to google smth

• to message smb

• to zoom

• to friend smb

• to ghost smb

• to gift smb smth

• to invoice smb

• to intern smwhere

• to lunch smwhere

• Do these words feel more verbish or nounish to your ear?

• Do any of them sound particularly odd as verbs?

• Some people really don't like using some of these words as verbs. Any idea why?

• How would you translate these 'verbs' into your language?

• Have any awkward verbifications appeared in your language in recent times?

getting in touch with former colleagues / bosses

going to industry

conferences

asking someone to introduce you to someone useful

networking

reaching out to people on LinkedIn / social media

attending meetups

• How might these different forms of networking help if we are looking for a new job?

• Which of these do you think would yield the best results for you if you were looking for a new job?

meet sam

Age: 29

Current occupation: Customer service for an IT company

Current problem: The company is undergoing optimisation. In short, it is replacing all of its customer service agents with AI.

Current aspiration: Moving into sales seems like a safer bet, but transitioning from helping people to persuading people feels a bit scary.

Current situation: Sam's friend Chris works at an EdTech company. They're having a casual meet-up and Chris as invited Sam along. The company is looking for sales people and Chris says that if Sam makes a good impression on the right people, she might have a chance of landing a job.

DIfficulties: Sam will feel a bit like a fish out of water. She isn't a sales person, she doesn't know much about EdTech and she's worried that people will think, "Who the hell is she?"

Discussion

Do you agree that transitioning into sales is a good next step for Sam?

Have you ever been in a social situation where you knew very few people and everyone else knew each other? How did you do?

What do you think Sam's best bet is here?

a) research the company and its product and try to get some face time with the higher ups

b) target some HR and pay them a bunch of compliments

c) be yourself and try to have fun

Now look at the images below.

What strategies do you think she tried first?

How do you think it went?

Now listen to the dialogue between Sam and Chris to find out what happened.

Student A

You are Sam.

After two horrible attempts, you've given up on trying to impress people. You've made a terrible impression on the cofounders and HR. But, there's free food and booze at the party, so why not make the most of it?

As you're reaching for the finger food, a casually-dressed guy approaches from the side and says, "I don't think we've met. I'm Sasha."

Some reminders about you:

- you're here as a guest of Chris - he works in IT. You have no idea what he does exactly. All these terms, backend, frond end, UX/UI, CTO, COO, GTFO are all confusing and nonsense for you.

- you currently work in customer service

- you'd like to work in sales

- you feel a bit conflicted about sales because it seems like lying

- you're a bit of an introvert, but you believe that introverts can do performative jobs just as well as extroverts, if not better!

- your favourite writer is an obscure sci-fi author - Kilgore Trout

- your favourite musician is an obscure pianist - Chilly Gonzalez

Your strategy:

You have no strategy. Be yourself. Try to have a nice time. Explain what a nightmare you've had so far with your previous conversations.

Student B

You are Sasha, the third cofounder. You approach the finger food and see someone who you don't recognise. She looks a little flustered, so you decide to be nice. Introduce yourself by saying, in a friendly way, "I don't think we've met. I'm Sasha. You don't work here, do you?"

Some details about you:

- you're the third cofounder. Really, the business is your idea. The other two co-founders are a bit too serious and businessy for you.

- you like the HR girls, but you found it funny and a bit ridiculous when one of them, nervously, told him that he was a vibe machine. You tried not to laugh because she was nervous, but still. A vibe machine?

- you know Chris, the CTO, very well. He's a good, reliable guy. He's a tech guy. You're not sure exactly what abbreviation he has. All these UX/UI/CTO/GTFO titles are confusing.

- you're looking for a sales person. The last one had great numbers but was a dishonest and sly piece of work. Very much not the kind of guy you want in the office. You're looking for someone who actually cares and has a moral compass.

- you're turned off by loud and excessively extrovert people

- your favourite writer is an obscure sci-fi author - Kilgore Trout

- your favourite musician is an obscure pianist - Chilly Gonzalez

Your strategy:

Don't tell Sam that you're the cofounder, at least not at first. People get weird when you mention that. Be nice and friendly. If you like Sam, ask her if she'd be interested in having a chat in the future about a sales position.

Reflection

• If all went according to plan, Sasha will have invited Sam for a future meeting to talk about a sales role. Did that happen?

• How easy / difficult did you find your role? Did you find yourself coming back to the role cards or were you able to maintain a free and flowing conversation? Which one do you think your teacher wanted from you?

• This is obviously a carefully-designed scenario where Sam gets what she wants, but there is, perhaps, an important underlying point: "You are far more likely to impress people when you are not trying to be impressive." Do you agree with that viewpoint?

• "Just be yourself." Have you ever found it super difficult to follow that advice?

• Finally, this is a pure task-based learning lesson. How does it compare with previous lessons?

Notes