Digital Networking: Building Relationships While Keeping it Human in the Digital Age
Kathryn Freund | SENIOR TALENT MANAGER & COACH, KAY & BLACK TALENT MANAGEMENT
2pm
Does the term “digital networking” bring you anxiety? Do you feel icky reaching out to contacts new and old during this time? Not sure where to start or what to say?
As recruiters and coaches, for over 25 years Kay & Black has been at the crossroads of real, human connections that live in an increasingly digital space. Now, the digital world is virtually our only available platform for building meaningful relationships. Many of our clients and candidates have been asking us: how can we still make meaningful connections when in-person meetings may not be a viable option, and feel confident while doing it?
With LinkedIn, Slack and messaging platforms always at our fingertips, some days it can feel like communication overload and many feel "digital networking" can be impersonal or disingenuous — but it doesn't have to be this way. That’s why we want to transform “digital networking” to “building relationships online.”
We will share how you can use technology as a tool to establish authentic connections and ultimately build strong relationships that can help you engage that new client or up-level your career. One single connection can open a thousand doors!
Some things we will cover:
Getting Clear: Defining your goal & why for building relationships
Mindset: Feeling confident while reconnecting with contacts or engaging new ones
Resources: Functional tools and tips to stay organized and grounded
Outreach: Guidelines to make cold outreach feel warm, light, genuine (and anxiety-free!)
bio
Kathryn Freund, CPCC is a recruiter and coach with a background in advertising, design and branding. She holds a double B.A. from Fordham University in Visual Arts (Graphic Design) and English and is a certified Co-Active Coach (CPCC).
Kathryn started her career as a designer and ad agency creative, working with brands from Reebok to Netflix. Along the way, she staffed digital/social agency We Are Social’s NYC office, and realized her true passion was paving the way for others’ talents and goals.
Through the power of an email introduction, she joined Kay & Black Talent Management in 2015. In 2017, she helped found Kay & Black’s coaching & workshop divisions: PerQ & Campus. Since then, she has had the privilege to coach, partner with, represent and place talent in the advertising industry from junior to C-suite level at agencies and brands across the US. Kathryn, once an anxious introvert who barely could pick up a phone, now uses digital tools to make authentic connections on a daily basis.
Kathryn has led learning & development workshops and educational panels at General Assembly, WeWork, The Broad Exchange, Marist University, Fashion Institute of Technology, Fordham University, School of Visual Arts, Ladies Wine & Design and more.
In a world as hectic and fast-paced as advertising, Kathryn finds balance and joy by supplementing her coaching practice with her healing talents. She is a certified sound healer, Thanatologist and reiki practitioner, and is honored to support her candidates and clients not only professionally, but also emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
