Reaping The Rewards

There are lots of rewards, and things to remember about how to collect them. The more you attend networking events, the easier it becomes. Your social skills become second nature to you. Continually practise wherever you are – in the supermarket, at the gym, when travelling.

Join other organisations where you can shine and radiate confidence. New members are often welcomed in groups – take advantage of every opportunity.

Devise ways of being of value to others. Offer to share your contacts and skills with them. Ask them to reciprocate. Pay attention to each new personal connection you make. Show interest in them, sincerely, by following-up shortly after your meeting.

Be curious – ask questions (but not personal or sensitive ones). Develop a genuine interest in other people. To build trust takes time. Don’t expect overnight results.

Take contact details of everyone you meet. Make sure you have an effective way of keeping notes. This is your unique contacts database. Your memory – however good it is – will fail you sometimes.

Make regular telephone call follow-ups. It’s not as daunting as you think. Call people even when you don’t want anything from them. They will be amazed – and they will remember you. Keep a smile in your voice – it shows!

Understanding The Process

Networking is essential – it is important to build internal and external contacts. Networking builds rapport with bosses, subordinates and peers. It also fosters relationships with customers, suppliers and competitors.

Networking and selling, however, are like chalk and cheese. Networking events should be used as a platform to make positive business connections. You may sell yourself, but not your products or services. There is much to be gained professionally and personally from networking inside and outside your company.

At its best, networking is a process of making connections with a diverse range of people. These connections can then be developed into reciprocal relationships to increase your business or advance your career.

One of the reasons why networking gets a bad name is because people who do not understand the process abuse it by trying to sell services or products. Meeting people who do not respect your values and attitudes, who have poor interpersonal skills and who find it difficult to share, can be off-putting.

If you’ve encountered people who go to an event unprepared, have low self-esteem and fear rejection, they require careful handling. Through shyness, their persona and approach are negative. They lack self-confidence and show no sign of curiosity about others because they are too wrapped up in themselves.

Conversely, those who miss the point of networking creatively will attempt to dominate groups and conversations. They will not engage in dialogue nor show any interest in offering help to others.

By keeping the positive benefits firmly in mind – you will find the process an enjoyable precursor to the next stages of building brilliant business connections.

Summary

• Everyone needs to network, whether it is for jobs, information or fresh ideas.

 

• Have a plan. If you know what your goals are you’ll be able to work out who you need to meet to get there.

 

• Analyse your network. Who do you already know and how well do you know them?

 

• Don’t assume the most senior people are the most valuable – pay attention to juniors and admin staff, too.

 

• Attend selected events. You can’t be everywhere and you don’t need to be.

 

• Image is important – don’t be too formal or too scruffy.

 

• Be organised. When you collect details make a note of them and follow up with information that is relevant to your contacts.

 

• Be consistent – do make time for contacting people. If you are persistent the rewards are high.