When people hear the word “networking,” they typically think of face-to-face meetings and using connections to meet others for the purpose of advancing their business prospects. LinkedIn has taken that concept to the next level, making networking easier and more profitable than ever, provided individuals are skilled in its use.

Mickey Cohen, a construction professional and one of the hosts of the upcoming LinkedIn Healthcare Networking Event, which is scheduled for Wednesday, January 15, from 6:30 to 9 p.m., at Avenue Event Space in Teaneck, is aware of the need for professionals in all fields to become more skilled at using LinkedIn. He said that this event will teach non-users how to use the platform, and teach users how to use it more effectively and efficiently.

“This event will help people figure out how to best utilize their time using LinkedIn to be more efficient in terms of networking,” Cohen noted. “It will help them take LinkedIn to the next level. It is even for people who ‘don’t like’ technology. It is useful for them because the technology is out there anyway, it’s another tool in the shed for them to use, and use efficiently.”

Why would Cohen choose to get involved in a healthcare networking event? Hosting this event gets his name out there, he said, adding that he sees networking opportunities in every situation, and understands the power of those connections.

“Maybe I meet someone and they like me, and someone they know needs a new floor,” Cohen said. “That person might just say, ‘Hey, I have a floor guy.’” 

Tully Kraus, aka “the scent guy,” is co-hosting the event with Cohen, who also known as “the floor guy” to his friends and associates. Kraus works for Fresh Scents, Inc, and is a proven relationship builder. Check out his LinkedIn profile to learn more about him. 

Kraus has a business network of people in the healthcare industry, and is hoping to use this event to assist them, and others, in learning the best practices and most effective methods of using LinkedIn to grow their industry network. 

“I have found that industry specific networking events are the most effective,” Kraus commented. “My strength is LinkedIn and I don’t think healthcare professionals are using it at all, or as effectively as they could be. This event is for them.”

The event will be emceed by Cohen, and will include two panels, a healthcare panel and a LinkedIn panel. The healthcare panel will be made up of individuals from various sectors of the healthcare industry: pharmacy, hospital, nursing home, home care and more. Members of the panel include Sammy Gershon, network manager for Clover Health; Tim Hodges, chief strategy officer at CareOne; Eli Kohn, chief financial officer and chief marketing officer at Promise Care NJ; Shenee Moret, co-founder of MedSnake Media; and moderator Dovid Weiss, CEO and founder of Optimized Business Services. Kraus will be one of the members of the LinkedIn panel, along with several other individuals who successfully built their professional network using LinkedIn.

According to Kraus, a huge impetus for the event was Simeon Ratner, director of CareOne at Teaneck, who came to him looking to plan a healthcare networking event. 

Cohen was very clear that the event would not be possible without the assistance and participation of Moshe Kinderlehrer, Jewish Link founder and co-publisher. 

“Moshe made it happen,” Cohen said. “He found the venue.”

“This event in Teaneck promises to be a great evening for local businesses, our advertisers and our community to come to learn and hear from some great speakers. We are proud to be associated with it and a sponsor of it…and we are looking to do more events like it in the future, Kinderlehrer remarked.

“People in different industries can all be helped through this event,” Cohen said. “The old school way of meeting people, in person, still has power, but LinkedIn puts that power at our fingertips. A contact based on LinkedIn is a stepping stone; it creates warmth rather than plain cold calling. It enhances conversations and in-person meetings.”

Kraus stated, “LinkedIn is about second degree connections, building relationships and expanding your business network.”

Corporate sponsors of the event are The Jewish Link of New Jersey, ProTech, CareOne Teaneck, MedElite and Digital Office Solutions.

Admission to the event is $30 per person and includes kosher food and an open bar. In an effort to keep this first event intimate in nature, only 100 tickets will be sold. To purchase tickets, go to www.eventbrite.com/e/linkedin-healthcare-networking-event-tickets-86830234569.

Avenue Event Space is located at 1382 Queen Anne Road.

For more information, Kraus can be reached at (845) 517-9714. Mickey Cohen can be reached at: (201) 937-2192.