Derek Coburn

Derek Coburn is an entrepreneur, author, and thought leader who is passionate about helping busy professionals build meaningful relationships and develop satisfied, productive teams. He has written A Practical Guide to Strategic Networking: Practical Steps to Build Quality Connections and Become a Masterful Networker (2008), which offers actionable steps to help entrepreneurs, professionals, and business managers succeed in making meaningful connections.

Born and raised in Pennsylvania, Coburn studied entrepreneurial finance at Babson College and then graduated from the University of Southern Maine. After graduating, he worked in corporate finance and venture capital before he founded his first company, Carnation Group, in 1991 in Portland, Maine. As the principal of Carnation Group, Coburn gained hands-on experience in business development, mergers and acquisitions, technology, and venture capital. In 2003, he co-founded the VOX network, a blog for professionals who are committed to developing relationships.

Coburn's experiences in business enable him to provide readers of his books with in-depth insights about the challenges faced by entrepreneurs, business executives, and interns in their respective industries. In addition to A Practical Guide to Strategic Networking, Coburn has contributed to several journals and recently published an updated version of his book entitled Succeeding at Networking: 10 Steps to Connecting with the Right People (2020).

The main purpose of Coburn's book is to help readers build meaningful relationships and learn essential networking strategies. Coburn's book focuses on the power of creating connections and provides specific strategies and tools to help readers build contacts and become better networkers. It covers topics such as: identifying potential contacts, learning how to ask intentional questions, developing your personal brand, creating an effective "elevator pitch," learning how to collaborate, recognizing the importance of setting defined objectives, and understanding the importance of creating value to others.

For Coburn, any type of networking is more than just having a friendly conversation. It's about creating opportunities, growing meaningful relationships, learning from others, and ultimately building a strong network that can be used as a foundation for any future endeavors. Coburn believes that strong networks are the key to professional success and helps readers identify the different types of networks that exist; such as: the professional network, the family network, the proprietary network, and the political network. Additionally, he provides practical steps for networking in person and online.

Ultimately, Coburn's work is a guide for anyone looking to create meaningful relationships that will be beneficial in the long run. He provides readers with action-oriented steps and critical tools to help them achieve success through networking. Additionally, he stresses the importance of collaboration and being genuinely interested in people in order to create lasting relationships. His book is an asset to any reader looking to create valuable connections that will be beneficial in the long run.