One of the things I love about Milwaukee and Madison is the opportunity to meet some great local people. With our close proximity to Chicago and with Madison, WI being a host to biotech companies and technology companies – all with a dash of start-ups – I love the people I get to meet here.
My next interview is with Michael Phelps of Phelps Research Services. Michael Phelps, is Vice President of Research and LinkedIn Trainer at Phelps Research Services. He is also a Public Speaker on LinkedIn and it’s strategic uses for sales. Actually, I would say more of a LinkedIn Guru! I met Michael through LinkedIn sometime back and our networking relationship has grown. He has grown so much in fact that Michael will be quoted in Fortune magazine in an upcoming article.
Here is my interview!
Jennifer: Okay … we have to get this out of the way … what’s it like having your name taken by a swimmer?? After all … no disrespect, but I’m guessing you had it first? How are you handling it?
Michael: *LAUGHS* This is an ongoing problem AND blessing in business. The jokes never stop, but at least most people save your business card a little longer to show to people. My girlfriend and I write a blog (ourspiralnotebook) and I talk about how sometimes I hate the famous Michael Phelps. I watched a TON of the Winter Olympics in Vancouver and was glad to finally enjoy an Olympics WITHOUT Michael Phelps.
Jennifer: Your background is recruitment – so you understand the power of a network as it relates to that field. What made you decide to go this route?
Michael: That’s a great question. I have more than nine years of recruiting experience, but I was laid off from my last recruiting job at Christmas ’08. My specialty was deep web sourcing of hard-to-find candidates (often using LinkedIn). I had several offers to go to other recruiting firms, but I decided it was time to throw my hat in with the family business.
I joined my father and sister at Phelps Research Services in Jan ’09, and found I really enjoyed both business development and research as we pursue it. Only about 30% of our business intelligence comes from published resources or the Internet. The other 70% is from executive interviewing, which is a skill I had sharply honed as a recruiter. It was a much easier transition than I thought. Plus now I get to present or speak publically on LinkedIn almost every single week!
Jennifer: What are 2 productive tips you would provide reader’s of my blog for things they need to make sure they do on LinkedIn no matter what?
Michael: I’ll give you three, our BUILD, GROW, PARTICIPATE philosophy:
BUILD a compelling LinkedIn profile that showcases you as a business professional
GROW your network organically with every business contact you meet and others these contacts refer to you.
PARTICPATE in the LinkedIn community by providing expertise in Groups and Answers, communicating with your existing contacts regularly and seeking out new business contacts.
Jennifer: Where can we find you next?
Michael: I presented on LinkedIn or social media usage policy consulting seven times in the last month throughout Wisconsin. I’m taking a break from public speaking for the rest of March ’10 to work with clients on customized LinkedIn training for their sales, recruitment and research teams. I have two different financial services clients who’ve scheduled LinkedIn training for their sales or HR teams in March yet. But look for me to be back at the podium in April in a Wisconsin town near you speaking about the power of LinkedIn!
Jennifer: Can you tell me a success story from one of your classes / students? In General?
Michael: There are a variety of success stories upon which I can draw, but I like those where I actually get to witness the “aha moment.” My financial advisor, from Principal, took an individual 1-on-1 LinkedIn training session from me. We formulated a strategy based on an industry he’d not recently tapped into.
Since then he’s established a variety of connections in that industry and has made many sales. His “aha moment” occurred when I showed him some of the finer points of the Advanced People Search function on LinkedIn. It’s without a doubt the most powerful tool on the site, and he’s reaping the benefits now of having developed good searching skills over the last six months.
Jennifer: Question I have to ask everyone …. Money or family no object … where would you buy your second / vacation relaxation home?
Michael: Savannah, GA, without a doubt. I lived there just shy of 4 years in the early 2000s. It’s a relaxing, magical place. I highly recommend vacationers go there for an extended weekend between Thanksgiving and Christmas, just with their honeys, when the weather has cooled and tourism dips. It’s one of the most beautiful and engaging places in the world. Be sure to catch breakfast at Clary’s.
Want to connect with Michael Phelps? You can reach him on any or all of the profiles below!
LinkedIn profile
Facebook profile
Twitter Profile
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Hey there! I stumbled on your website when i was on Google researching a few current Twitter trends to see what has been popular recently. Stuck around a lttle bit to check things out and read a few of your articles… good stuff. I’ll be back around again down the road without a doubt. Go Spain!! World Cup 2010!