Zoom – Croixstone

Big Changes Coming to LinkedIn

Strengthening your networking skills and nurturing a diverse network is mission-critical for today’s business professional. LinkedIn is making some big changes to help you accomplish both.

Here’s what you need to know about three big changes coming to LinkedIn.

New Look
LinkedIn is introducing a cleaner look that features more white space to make it easier to navigate the site and app.

Stories Launch
LinkedIn is doing a global roll-out of Stories that allows you to post both photos and videos that will vanish in a day. LinkedIn members who have been testing Stories have used the tool to share photos/videos of their home office set-ups, chat about job opportunities, and more. Think of Stories as a way to connect more personally and less formally (similar to water cooler moments).

Video Call Enhancements
Now, with one click, you can start a video call over Zoom, Teams or BlueJeans by Verizon.

Learn more here.

Personal Branding – Advanced Skills Workshop

A well-developed and communicated personal brand can land you that next great job or promotion. But how do you truly define, and communicate, what sets you apart in the workplace and beyond?

Join personal branding expert Emily Lopez, leader of Croixstone Consulting’s human capital practice, for an interactive, 60-minute Zoom video meeting. Emily is known for her high-energy style and ability to deliver practical, actionable tips to help professionals drive their careers.

You Will Learn the Following

How to find the “secret sauce” that really sets you apart.
How to define what you are all about in the workplace and beyond.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, June 9
Time: 2-3pm EDT
Cost: Free with Eventbrite registration
Registration Deadline: 5pm EDT on Monday, June 8
Zoom Log-In Info: Will be emailed to each registrant

The Business of Consulting – Networking Event

Join Croixstone + the Charlotte Chapter of the National Black MBA Association for a virtual Zoom meeting/webinar on “The Business of Consulting.” Joining us will be leaders from Deloitte, The Kaleidoscope Group + The Graybeard Partners.
Wednesday, April 8 from 6-7:3pm.
Grab your tickets here.

Links to Navigate the NOW Normal.

In last week’s blog post, we provided a list of links to help consultants, job seekers, and others navigate the “now” normal. In this week’s post, we provide additional links with a focus on networking.

8 smart ways to keep networking while you’re stuck at home.
The wisest among us are not letting the quarantine stop mission-critical networking. Fast Company magazine shares 8 tips from a networking guru.
C lick here.

How to network in the age of Coronavirus.
A marketing & branding consultant shares her advice with Ladders.
Click here.

The dawn of the virtual happy hour.
Happy hours haven’t gone away. They are still going strong, and they definitely fuel networking. Learn more via Forbes.
Click here.

Virtual happy hours are boosting morale at work.
Chief Executive magazine provides additional perspective on the virtual happy hour trend.
Click here.

10 tips to secure your Zoom video calls and meetings.
Stay safe with these helpful tips from cybersecurity advisory Joseph Steinberg.
Click here.

The NOW Normal.

Life has changed dramatically for all of us in the Charlotte region over the past couple of weeks. Given the vast uncertainties we’re facing with COVID-19 and the economy, the Croixstone team isn’t quite ready to call these times the “new” normal. We prefer to think of our current state as the “now’ normal.

Whether you are presently employed or seeking your next opportunity, COVID-19 is causing all of us to think, and act, differently. The following links are designed to help you navigate the “now” normal.

Learn about consulting.
Join Croixstone + the Charlotte Chapter of the National Black MBA Association for a virtual Zoom meeting/webinar on “The Business of Consulting.” Joining us will be leaders from Deloitte, The Kaleidoscope Group + The Graybeard Partners. Wednesday, April 8 from 6-7:3pm.
Grab your tickets here.

Learn how consulting revenues may be impacted by COVID-19.
Yes, the consulting industry is being impacted. Source Global Research has surveyed hundreds of consulting firms from across the world to gain insights.
Click here.

Find a job.
Your best strategy during the COVID-19 pandemic might be to focus on short-term solutions.
View this Fast Company article to learn more.

Learn more about collaboration tools.
Inc. magazine has compiled a comprehensive list of tools including pricing.
Click here.

Learn how to stay productive + connected while at home.
LinkedIn is offering 16 free professional development courses on Microsoft Teams, Skype, Zoom and more.
Click here.

Learn Zoom basics.
Zoom experts host interactive, live training webinars daily.
Sign-up for free or watch a previously recorded training session.
Click here.

Take your Zoom skills to the next level.
Learn 13 Zoom video chat tips, tricks + hidden features.
Click here.

Learn how to run a virtual meeting.
An executive recruiter shares 8 cardinal rules for successful virtual meetings with Forbes.
Click here.

Access a library of COVID-19 resources.
Check out the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance’s “COVID-19 Resource Portal.”
Click here.

Learn how to lead during a crisis/downturn.
5 great tips from Chief Executive magazine.
Click here.

Find your right work-from-home playlist.
LinkedIn is now on Spotify with a variety of playlists curated for the varying times of your career journey.
Click here.