Tuck Applies New Technology to Personal Networking

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE—June 26, 2003

CONTACT: Kim Keating-603-646-2733

HANOVER, N.H.—The Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth is known for having a tightly knit community that fosters teamwork and lifelong loyalty. Tuck students and alumni have always been ready to open doors for each other, and in a tough economy and job market this form of networking is critical. Recently, Tuck began using a new technology to make those doors easier to find. Tuck has launched the Tuck Contact Network, a powerful web-based application that allows participants to search a combined "Rolodex," or contact database, of the Tuck community. Until now, this technology has been exclusively a tool of top corporations.

The Tuck Contact Network, launched in May by the Contact Network Corporation, has been particularly popular among students still searching for their ideal job. "It is hard to know where to start in a job search today," says Ethan Balakier, a 2003 Tuck grad. "My classmates have a huge network of contacts and they are very willing to make introductions-now I know who to ask."

Participants in the Tuck Contact Network allow the system to scan their address books, resumes, and email traffic. This information is kept private in the secure database that associates them with companies where they have a connection. Upon receiving a request, participants decide if and how they want to share their contacts.

"A-players know A-players," says Steve Lubrano, assistant dean and director of the MBA program. "And now people in the Tuck community-who have top-tier networks and backgrounds-can help each other even more effectively than before. We are always looking to deploy the best tools for our students and alumni, and in this tough job environment, this technology is valuable."

Lubrano's contacts are all in the system. "I'll help the students any way I can," he says. Faculty, staff, and alumni also participate. Each additional member makes the entire Contact Network more effective.

Corporations use this technology to generate leads and close deals, especially where personal relationships drive business. Geoffrey Hyatt, CEO of Contact Network Corporation, says, "Contact networking is the great underused asset of companies today. Typical companies access less than 30 percent of the potential network of contacts. Our clients understand that their business is built on the basis of personal relationships, and that the right application of technology improves sharing without sacrificing privacy."

Based in Boston, Mass., Contact Network Corporation is a leading provider of relationship intelligence technologies. Information about the company is available at www.contactnetworkcorp.com.

Founded in 1900, Tuck is the first graduate school of management and consistently ranks among the top business schools worldwide. Information about the Tuck School is available at www.tuck.dartmouth.edu.