What veteran networkers know to be true
November 8, 2008 12:34 pm Business Trends, NetworkingMention the word networking to most people and they cringe in horror. But for many, when economic times are tough and budgets are slashed, networking comes back on the radar as a low cost and effective means of making connections.
Be ready because due to the current down-turn in the world economy there’s going to be a flood of novice networkers hitting the market. Many who in more buoyant markets have dismissed networking as a brash business card dispensing in your face exercise are now being forced to seek ways of attracting new business.
Switched on veteran networkers know that you don’t just turn your networking button on or off with market fluctuations. There is a level of respect between networkers. Regardless of the state of the economy, they know for sure that networking is a vital and invaluable skill that saves them time, effort and money in building business and personal relationships.
What veteran networkers know to be true
It’s vitally important to build your networks on a ‘care’ factor. Being authentic and interested in other people is the secret essence to successful networking. Falseness or a hidden agenda of making quick sales is a sure way to kill off any potential relationships.
Be prepared to always step outside your comfort zone. The shyest of people often make the best networkers. It comes naturally for them to listen to others opposed to mouthing off about themselves. It’s no secret that you always learn heaps more by listening than talking.
Don’t expect that from just throwing a few business cards around at networking events that your phone will start ringing. It takes 18 months to build meaningful networking relationships that start producing quality results, so sadly laziness and the lack of ability to stick to anything eliminates most people anyway.
Networking is not about building a trophy case of business cards. Don’t bother taking someone’s business card and tell them you are going to ring when you have no intention of doing so. And if you do make this mistake and feel guilty because you don’t have the time to follow them up use one of WNA’s free ecards to make initial contact until you do have the time to make a personal phone call.
If you’re an employee and not a business owner DO NOT attend networking events with an ‘I’m above it all as I have nothing to sell’ attitude. Besides the fact that your employer would be totally embarrassed to think you were out there representing the firm with such a poor attitude, recognise that the skills and information you possess across all aspects of your life - not just where you work – are all part of what you bring to the networking table. Get with the program and realise that you do actually have something to give and receive through the networking process. It is not about selling something!
Take responsibility for your future success. If your employer will not cover your attendance at networking events step up and part with the money yourself. Throughout your life employers will come and go but the quality networking connections you make are with you for life. They are yours and no one can take them away from you.
Lynette Palmen AM, Founder and Director, Women’s Network Australia. Subscribe free to WNA’s weekly eNoticeBoard service or attend a WNA networking event in your region.
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