Networking
is a term that we throw around a lot in our working lives. It's
one of those polarising things that people either really love or
really hate. Or really love to hate. So
what is networking and why is it important?
In
the world of business, networking is essentially the process of
connecting and interacting with others to exchange information and
develop professional contacts. In
other words, networking is about meeting and talking to people who
you will be able to work
with in the future, either collaboratively to
create something new or to
problem solve for one another.
If
you want to be able to network effectively, you have to be able to
ask your self not only “what can this person do for me?” but also
“what can I do for them?” If
you give as much as you take, then you can
build up goodwill. It's up
to you and your network to then keep that momentum going but asking
'what's next?”
A
lot of people see networking
as manipulative and as a necessary (perhaps even unnecessary) evil in
the business world. This doesn't have to be the case. Good, effective
networking is a symbiotic relationship; two or more parties
connecting and creating genuine relationships to get things done.
Is all networking good networking?
It's
a common misconception that all networking is worthwhile. Not only do
you need to make sure that you aren't wasting someone else's time but
also that they aren't wasting yours.
When
it comes to joining networking groups, be discerning and never feel
pressured to sign up. Some groups have a strong, solid purpose and
others are scams, hitting up business owners for joining fees. If it
feels right and you want to be a part of it, then jump right in. But
if it doesn't, then it just isn't worth your time.
Making
sure, going in, that you know exactly what you want and why you are
networking in the first place. Don't do it just because you think
you're supposed to; it's okay to break the 'rules' if they aren't
going to be useful to your business.
Be a Connector
One
of the best ways to build your network and to build your personal
brand is to introduce people within that network to one another. Not
only does this help to improve your relationship with those people –
they feel valued and are far
more likely to remember you – but it helps them to expand their own
network. Often, those will be the people who will offer you work or
help you out later down the line.
With
this in mind, don't spend all our time in industry specific groups.
Diversify the events you attend and the connections you make because
you never know when you're
going to want to diversify your brand or need
that outside knowledge on a
project.
Again,
good networking isn't just about helping yourself, it's about helping
others. Your experiences and
knowledge should be as value to the people in your network as theirs
are to you. Share you expertise, be nice to everyone and shelve your
ego. When people see that you're interested in helping them, they're
more likely to trust you and reciprocate.
Top Tips
1.
Be authentic, genuine and trustworthy. Not only will this boost your
reputation in the long run but people are more likely to work with
you in the short term.
2.
Consider what you can do for others as well as what they can do for
you.
3.
Know what your goals are and
what you need to succeed.
4.
Choose your networking groups carefully. If it doesn't feel
supportive, then walk away.
5.
Ask open-ended questions in networking meetings to open up the
discussion and show members that you're interested in what they have
to say.
More Information
How to network like you really mean it - http://www.inc.com/minda-zetlin/8-things-power-networkers-do-make-connections.html
How to network effectively - https://www.nytimes.com/ref/open/finance/OPEN-NETWORK-EFFECTIVELY.html
Create an effective networking strategy - http://www.marketingdonut.co.uk/marketing/sales/sales-lead-generation/create-an-effective-networking-strategy
No comments:
Post a Comment