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Does Your Net-work?
By Jerrilynnb | April 15, 2006
You can spend your life planning for success or you can arrange for all of the support you need to actually become successful.
-Thomas Leonard
Successful people credit their network as a key element to their success. By surrounding themselves with a diverse support network, they can attain their goals with less effort. They can also help others do the same. It is an integral part of developing your personal presence and professional equity.Networks are developed from three main sources, personal networks, social networks, and professional networks.
1.Personal Networks are family and friends, and like-minded people who make you feel good or recharged when you’re around them
2.Social Networks are people who you have fun with or see at parties or share a hobby such as working out, bike riding. These are acquaintances that you see less often than your personal network
3.Professional Networks are groups of people that you see less often than social acquaintances. You see them at professional meetings and in the office. This group can also include college professors, mentors, and former employers and former co-workers.
What Is Networking?
It is sharing information and resources, unconditionally, expecting nothing in return. Did you know that when you share with others, others tend to share with you. Many people confuse networking with selling. Networking IS NOT selling!
Why Do Networks Work?
They work because you are actively building relationships and expanding your circle of influence. The key word is active!
The Fear of Networking
Don’t fear networking. You are not imposing and others are usually happy to help you. It is the manner in which you ask and whether or not you’re prepared for the meeting.
Tool Box
Get organized. Use a contact management system or simple index card system to keep your contacts organized with dates, follow-up meetings, and other information about the person you have just met or are about to meet. Keep a good supply of your business cards and letterhead available.
Have A Plan!
Who are you going to contact? What are your goals of the meeting? When and how many people are you planning to call or meet each day, each week?
Format- The Questions
People enjoy talking about themselves and what they do. Have several questions in mind- make sure they are open-ended. Know your purpose, which is, getting to know the other person and how you can benefit them. The person you’re talking to will want to learn something about you and will start asking you questions. A good response is , “what would you most like to know about…?â€
The Event
Know the distinction between being a host and being a guest- be a host, even if you are networking one-on-one. Be an active listener! Focus on the person and what they are saying.
Ask For Referrals
Whether you are networking to grow your business, in a career transition, or networking internally in your current company, always ask for three more contacts. When you are sincerely willing to help others, they will be equally willing to listen to you and help you. There are different ways to approach this. You can find out what they found most interesting about the discussion, you can ask their permission to be put on your list to receive your newsletter or company program updates or you can ask them who do you know that (fill in the blank here). When you’re in a career transition and going on information interviews, it is common that you will ask for names of others who may provide additional information. Remember, the purpose of networking is to gather and share information. You are not going to go into a networking meeting to sell your services/products or in the case of an information interview, ask the person for a job.
Follow-up
Yes, write a thank you note. Decide whether to follow-up via email or snail mail depending on the style of the person you talked to. If you write a note, it is OK to type the letter, but sign your name by hand. Follow-up on phone calls as well. If you agree to talk to someone later, accept the call. Make plans to meet again
Common Networking Error
Problems occur when you go through the motions of contacting others. It is not enough to just meet someone for 15 minutes or ask others for a lead. Keep contacts in mind every day. Make sure to offer any information, help and insight you can in return. Did you read an article or book that a contact might be interested in? What about a helpful business tip or service? Know as much about your contacts as possible.
Like a garden, networks need to be nurtured and tended to on a regular basis for maximum growth.
© 2006 High Performance Leadership, Inc. All rights reserved. Ellyn S. Traub, Executive Coach and President, High Performance Leadership, Inc. 317/844-9825. High-Per Hints offers general information only and recognizes that individual issues may differ from these broad guidelines. Personal issues should be addressed with professionals familiar with detail of specific problems.
Topics: Networking, Articles, Women Partner |
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