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Proven Strategies for Meeting Prospects at Business Events

The Edge for March 2024

An Exclusive Article for NJ ChamberEdge

This Month's ChamberEdge Contributors

Now is a good time to brush up on your networking skills - with the state’s top business networking event, the N.J. Chamber’s ReNew Jersey Business Summit and Expo coming up on March 26 and 27. We have asked some N.J. Chamber members to dish out their secrets on meeting people and developing prospects. Their answers are below.

 

Tara ThurberBe Yourself. Be Authentic.

Actively listen and hear what others are saying. Try to understand their needs and interests. It will help you convey your message and make that connection. Be yourself. Be authentic. Share information. Stay aware of why you are connecting – whether you are looking for a role or looking to build relationships. Respect the other person’s time.

– Tara Thurber, Co-Founder & Director of Talent Partnerships, DefinedTalent

 

Omprakash RajagopalanPresent Mutually Beneficial Opportunities

Be selective on who you approach – think quality over quantity. When you engage in conversation, think about ways you can offer value to your new contact. Think about an article they should read or people they could meet. Present mutually beneficial opportunities. Perhaps you can make an introduction at the event. Building a network is not a ‘you’ exercise. It is a ‘we’ exercise.

– Omprakash Rajagopalan, Founder & CEO, Rzolve LLC

 

Charisse LimListen Attentively and Ask Meaningful Questions

Everyone at the event is there to network so don’t be afraid to put yourself out there and make those connections. Best-case scenario, you will come out with a bunch of new connections you can follow up with later on. It’s a simple as saying ‘hi’ and introducing yourself. Listen attentively and ask meaningful questions.

– Charisse Lim, Senior Campus & Military Recruiter, Fiserv

 
Nick Malefyt

Follow-Up on LinkedIn with a Personalized Message

Be strategic in regards to overall networking approach. Focus on topics that will directly impact you or your business. Make sure you are attending networking events that are related to what you are looking to accomplish. Follow-up on LinkedIn with a personalized message.

– Nick Malefyt, Owner, Master Search Solutions

 

Responses for this article were edited for space and clarity.

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Newsmakers

Hackensack University Medical Center has been named New Jersey’s top hospital for a fourth straight year – and the ninth time in the past 13 rankings by U.S. News & World Report. HUMC finished just outside the Top 20 rankings in the country, but it was ranked No. 6 in the New York metropolitan area. Atlantic Health Morristown, the only hospital to break HUMC’s grip on No. 1 in recent years, came in at No. 2. Atlantic Health Overlook came in at No. 3.

RWJ Barnabas Health was one of three systems to land two hospitals in the Top 10 of the prestigious U.S. News & World Report 2026-27 Best Hospitals rankings. Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick and Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston each ranked No. 6 in New Jersey and No. 23 in the New York Metro Area.

Hackensack Meridian Health was selected to PEOPLE’s '100 Companies That Care' list for 2026, coming in at No. 48. The list recognizes companies for their commitment to employees, communities and the environment.

Atlantic Health has named Dr. Vicki LoPachin to serve as its executive vice president and chief medical officer, the health system announced.

Johnson & Johnson announced a contribution of $300,000 to Rutgers School of Nursing–Camden to modernize its simulation lab and establish scholarships for first-generation nursing students.

Johnson & Johnson named Tom Cavanaugh executive vice president and worldwide chairman of its Innovative Medicine division, effective Sept. 1. Cavanaugh, currently the company group chairman for North America, succeeds Jennifer Taubert, who is retiring after 21 years with the company.

Inspira Health announced it has completed an expansion, doubling the size of its maternity unit at Inspira Medical Center Mullica Hill. The expansion bumps up the number of maternity beds from 20 to 38.

Bergen New Bridge Medical Center unveiled most of a new emergency department following a $10 million, four-year project aimed at addressing rising demand for mental health and addiction services. The expanded facility increases capacity from 19 to 49 beds and will grow to more than 60 beds when the final wing is completed in 2027.

RWJBarnabas Health has been named a ‘World’s Top Disability Inclusive Business’ based on its performance on the Disability Index, the leading global benchmark for workplace disability inclusion. The recognition recognizes the health system’s commitment to creating an inclusive workplace for its 45,000 employees, as well as inclusive patient experiences.

Saint Peter’s University Hospital has been honored with the American Heart Association’s prestigious ‘Get With The Guidelines – Stroke Gold Plus’ quality achievement award. It recognizes the hospital’s continued dedication to ensuring stroke patients receive swift, research-backed treatment designed to save lives and mitigate long-term disability.

The FirstEnergy Foundation has awarded a $100,000 grant to the American Red Cross of New Jersey to support disaster response efforts following recent severe storms.

Bank of America awarded a $50,000 grant to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Essex, Hudson & Union Counties to expand mentoring and workforce development programs serving more than 3,000 young people annually.

Moshe Kam, who has served as the dean of NJIT’s Newark College of Engineering since 2014, was named as the university’s interim provost and executive vice president for academic affairs. Kam succeeds John Pelesko, who is serving as interim president, following the retirement of Teik Lim this summer.

Rowan University’s William G. Rohrer College of Business introduced a 30-credit Master of Business Administration pathway, set to launch this fall. It expands options for working professionals and full-time graduate students seeking a more streamlined, efficient route to a high-level business credential without sacrificing academic rigor.

Archer & Greiner announced the elevation of six attorneys to partner, effective Oct. 1. The newly named partners are Eimi Figlio, Timothy Horn, Rafael Llano, Matthew Nicodemo, Amy Pearl, and Scott Sears.

Rizco President & Partner Debra Rizzi has been named an honorary commander of the 305th Operations Group at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst. The program connects military commanders with civic leaders to strengthen understanding and relationships between the base and the communities it serves.

Goya Foods, the largest Hispanic-owned food company in the U.S., is donating more than 200,000 pounds of food to support communities affected by devastating earthquakes in Colombia. In partnership with Global Empowerment Mission, Goya is helping provide essential food and supplies to individuals and families most urgently in need.

Stockton University has received a $2.4 million grant from the Pro-NJ Trust to upgrade its Marine Field Station and Coastal Research Center in Galloway Township. The upgrades are expected to expand coastal research and educational programming.

MWW, celebrating its 40th anniversary this September, has grown into a global communications firm, with more than 225 professionals across North America, Europe and Latin America, advising organizations on corporate reputation, crisis management, consumer marketing, public affairs and employee communications.

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