Networking Skills Workshop

Networking skills workshops are held immediately prior to the Dinner with Entrepreneurs event. The focus is on creating an environment where networking skills are learned and practiced in a mock environment. The clinic is set-up to replicate a real networking situation where new faces, an unfamiliar environment, appetizers, and beverages are confronted and mastered. Students learn to set a goal for meeting a defined number of people, efficiently navigate the room, identify important signals from body language, politely disengage from a conversation, munch on appetizers and drink a beverage while networking. Good networking skills will become second nature after you have attended our workshop.

About the Speakers

Judith P. Bowman

Judith Bowman founded Protocol Consultants International in 1993 is one of our country’s leading authorities on corporate etiquette, international protocol, dining, networking, behavioral styles and presentation skills. Ms. Bowman provides training and seminars on issues of corporate etiquette to many Fortune 500 firms and is also a corporate key note speaker and presenter on Professional Presence and protocol.

Ms. Bowman is a graduate of Boston College and has pursued studies in Effective Business Communication at Harvard University. In 1993 and 1995 she earned certifications in Child, Teen and Adult Etiquette as well as Corporate Etiquette, International Protocol and Dining Savvy. She has been active in numerous professional organizations including the World Affairs Council, Boston Women Communicators, Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Boston Business Roundtable, New England Speaker’s Association, New England Human Resource Association, Greater Boston Concierge Association, Women’s Business Network and the Women’s Educational and Industrial Union.

Judith Bowman served as host of Etiquette First and Mind Your Manners, a weekly feature on New England Cable News for a combined total of four years. She appears on local and national radio and television shows extensively including Fox News, UPN 38/WBZ, Chronicle, CBS This Morning, the TV Food Network, and more.

Ms. Bowman authors a weekly etiquette column and has, for the past six years, syndicated throughout New England by the Pulitzer Prize winning Eagle Tribune Publishing Company entitled "Everyday Etiquette." Her book "Don’t Take the Last Donut" will be available Spring, 2007, published by The Career Press, New York.

Articles and quotes by Ms. Bowman have appeared in Forbes Magazine, CFO Magazine, CNN Everyday Money, The Financial Advisor, The Boston Business Journal, Women’s Business, Mass High Tech, Banker & Tradesman, Self Magazine, The Boston Globe, The Boston Herald, The Restaurant Review, The Boston Courant, Elegant Wedding and others.

Ms. Bowman is the executive producer of her corporate training video entitled Executive Etiquette - First Impressions, Volume I and, just released her new DVD dining video entitled: Dining 101.

Ms. Bowman is known for her ability to help students and professionals further distinguish themselves in business and, help them to develop, cultivate, maintain and grow, strong relationships.

Rockie Blunt, Ed.D.

Blunt Consulting Group

Rockie Blunt, Ed.D. will host several of the networking clinics. He is president of Blunt Consulting Group, a Massachusetts firm that offers customized communications training and consulting services to corporate, nonprofit and educational organizations throughout New England. He also facilitates strategic-planning and team-building sessions, and is an adjunct instructor in communications at Assumption College. Dr. Blunt holds a bachelor's degree from Yale University, a master's from Clark University, and a doctorate in human resource education from Boston University. He has successfully delivered many workshops at WPI.

Michael O'Steen, President

Cedarwood Associates

Michael O'Steen is Founder and President of Cedarwood Associates, Inc., an award-wining technical communication company providing consulting, development, and training services for high-tech companies. Clients span from startups to Fortune 500 companies and include Sun Microsystems Inc. and Motorola, Inc. Experience working with software, hardware, semiconductors, medical devices, and other products spans many decades. Mr. O'Steen has over 20 years of experience in technical communication, course development, and instructional design. He has been an Adjunct Faculty member at Northeastern University, New Hampshire College, Rivier College and Northern Essex Community College. He has been a guest speaker for the Collaborative for Entrepreneurship & Innovation, Amoskeag Business Incubator, Greater Nashua Software Entrepreneurs Group, Society for Technical Communication, Small Business Administration, and other organizations. He has published numerous articles and has authored more than 250 technical titles for the high-tech industry. He can be reached at mosteen@cedarwoodassociates.com, or via Cedar Wood Associates.