Networking Article from Networking Today Canada, Nat'l
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Seventeen Random Rules of Networking
Date: Nov 2009
It's easy to hide behind online social networking. Develop your face-to-face networking skills and you'll stand out above the folks bent over their keyboards hoping that telling the world what they're having for dinner in 140 characters or less will improve cash flow.
- Talk to strangers. Forget what mom told you. Find the person standing alone in the room and walk right up.
- Talk first. Don't wait to be adopted. Take a deep breath and say, "Hello."
- Ask for what you need. Figure out a need before you network. Searching for it gives you a mission and allows someone else to be helpful. People like to help if you're specific about your need and you don't take advantage of them.
- Be interested as well as interesting. You don't have to be extroverted to be a successful networker. You'll learn valuable information if you ask thoughtful, open-ended questions and then just sink into the answers.
- Encourage the other person to talk with a simple response such as "Hmmm" or "Oh."
- Ask, "What brings you here?" Then shut up and listen. The person's response will be the basis of your next question or comment.
- Ask, "How can I help you?" No one is expecting you to ask this. You'll stand out as someone who is a resource and a giver.
- Network all the time everywhere with everyone. Waiting for a plane? Standing in line? Leafing through the latest Sports Illustrated? These are great, natural opportunities to network. Don't waste them. As mom says, "You never know."
- Be a matchmaker. Put people together who can benefit from knowing each other. Then follow up to see how the match worked out.
- Smile. Make eye contact. Be approachable. Would you want to talk with you?
- Practice your handshake. Your handshake sends a visceral message to the other person that is hard to shake, so to speak. Get feedback on your handshake and also on the distance you stand from people when you talk with them.
- Play the host. Treat people as if they were guests in your home and you wanted them to be comfortable and at ease.
- Asking for business cards is more important than giving them out. So, collect, record in you CRM system and follow-up.
- Volunteer. Never just pay dues. Get on a committee right away. You'll feel more comfortable. You'll be known and you'll make a contribution.
- Be a central clearinghouse of information. Information is power. You don't have to know it all. You just have to know who knows it all.
- Practice "good mouthing." Putting people or organizations down is a turnoff and will not further you in any way. If someone else is bad mouthing someone, change the subject. Move on. Don't get dragged down to the bad mouthing level.
- Get a kick out of networking. It's fun to see what you can make happen.
________________________________________
Karen Susman is a Speaker, Trainer, Coach, and Author of 102 Top Dog Networking Secrets. Karen works with organizations that want to maximize performance. Programs include Humour at Work; Balance In Life; Networking Skills; Presentation Skills; and Building Community Involvement. Order new guidebooks on humour, networking, time management, and community involvement by calling 1-888-678-8818 or email Karen@KarenSusman.com. www.KarenSusman.com
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