Your Network is Your Net Worth
Everything that you need to know about networking!
Bonjour à tous!
‘Your Network is Your Net worth’ — a phrase almost all of us must have heard, especially after entering the college life. So, what exactly constitutes ‘networking’? To quote Hal Lancaster, “it is the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions, specifically, the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business.” Although, that is not it. There is much more to networking than just exchanging of information. What exactly though? Let us dig deeper into it to find out.
Networking is not everyone’s top priority in their to-do list. It can be really exhausting, challenging, downright uncomfortable on occasions, and — depending on your personality— immensely painstaking. When your calendar is already overcrowded with work appointments and family commitments, the last thing you want to do is make small talk with strangers at yet another cocktail party or meet and greet session.
Nevertheless, there is no refusing or contradicting the impact that a strong professional network can have over your career accomplishments. When done the right way, networking will not only assist you in getting a job faster, but will also give you a competitive edge throughout every phase of your career.
Networking is not solely the exchange of information with others — and it is definitely not about pleading for favors. Networking is about initiating and developing long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with the people you encounter and nurturing them; whether you are in line to order your morning coffee, participating in an inter-college sports league, or attending an important conference. You do not have to be a part of numerous professional associations and attend every networking session that comes your way in order to be a commendable networker. In fact, if you take time off of your smartphone when you are out in public, you’ll realize that networking opportunities are all around you every day, in the form of most basic day to day activities.
Networking is important for not just people in the business domain, but every individual in common. It is used by professionals to widen their circles of acquaintances, find out about job opportunities, and to increase their awareness of news and trends in their fields. People usually connect to networking groups based on a single mutual point of interest shared by all the members. The most obvious is a professional affiliation, such as stockbrokers, but some people find effective networking opportunities in a college alumni group, a church or synagogue social group, or a private club.
Entrepreneurs might network to establish relationships with individuals and companies that they might be looking forward to doing business with, in the near future.
Professional networking platforms help in providing an online location for individuals to connect with other professionals, join groups, post blogs, and share information.
For professionals, the greatest networking opportunities might occur at trade shows, seminars, and conferences, which are formed in a way to bring together a large crowd of like-minded individuals. Networking helps a professional keep up with current events in the field and develops relationships that may boost future business or employment prospects. Needless to mention, it also gives numerous opportunities to assist people to bag jobs, make connections, and catch up on the news.
Here are the different categories of Networking:
Business Networking
Small-scale business owners network for establishing relationships with individuals and companies that they might do business with in the future. These network establishments help them in developing rapport and trust among individuals in their own communities. Effective business networking includes continually following up with contacts to discuss valuable information that might not be easily accessible outside the network.
Online Networking
Professional networking platforms, for instance, LinkedIn provides an online location for individuals to connect with other professionals, be a part of various groups, post blogs, and discuss information. And, of course, they provide a place to upload a resume, which can be accessed by prospective employers, to hunt for jobs, or to identify eligible job candidates.
These days, a business-to-business(B2B) customer pipeline can be established almost entirely through the usage of a social networking website. Online networking forums permit professionals to demonstrate their knowledge and connect with like-minded individuals.
Some life savior key points on how to become a successful networker:
1. Research
Prior to attending an industry gathering, try to procure a list of attendees and shortlist the people who are an asset for you or you would like to connect with. Follow up on their business and look for potential topics for discussion. Think about your objectives for the event and identify as to how you would like to come across to the people you meet or connect with.
2. Put the smartphone away
It can be enticing to take refuge in a corner with your smartphone when you are stuck at a networking session all by your lonesome. But, keeping all your attention towards your phone is an undeniable signal that you are not interested in socializing.
3. Keep business cards handy at all times
Not only at networking events, but also when you step out for coffee or to grab lunch, keep your business card with you. You never know who you might bump into, and you would not want to let go of an opportunity to make a connection. Show some confidence, even if you are actually not.
4. Learn to listen, and listen to learn
If you are not an active listener, take the advice of Ivan Misner, founder of the professional business networking organization BNI: depend on your natural instinct to be a good listener. Ask a lot of questions and attract your conversational partner. Ironically, being interested frequently makes YOU seem more interesting!
5. Be open and equal to all
It is undoubtedly very thrilling to bump into the CEO of your dream company while going down the aisle, but it might be just as favorable to spend some time talking to his admin or the person who handles the front desk at his company.
6. Be curious and ask meaningful questions
Do not hesitate to show that you have a keen, inquisitive mind. Look for innovative ways to phrase your questions. This helps in the other person in believing that you are smart and intellectual and have a fair idea about how to converse.
7. Develop a long-term relationship
Follow up with the people that you have connected with in person by sending them a LinkedIn invitation request and reaching out to them on Twitter to catch up.
8. Start a conversation with a positive opener
It does not matter if you are not excited about the venue, or the traffic jam on the way made your commute exhausting, these do not qualify for good conversation starters. Starting off things on a positive note depicts that you have a good attitude and are open to look into the upside of any scenario — which are some bankable qualities for companies looking for individuals to help them troubleshoot product complications and handle customers with poise.
9. Don’t forget — It is YOU who is most valuable
The most significant way to leave your mark wherever you go? Always plant in their head about how you can be an asset to them. While you are chatting, look for opportunities to thrust your particular skills and know-hows.
The thesis that we are only six people apart from anyone in the whole world might seem unlikely or unrealistic, but one cannot deny that this idea does hold some significance. It is quite unlikely that you would be connected to all of the acquaintances of your acquaintances and this is where you could look in for a potential job opportunity. The most important point to keep in mind about your network is that it is way more wider than you can imagine and has people you have never even met!!!…. well, YET!
There is no such thing as a wrong time to invest in your network. Whenever you start, the right time starts then. The most beneficial way to enhance your networking skills is by putting yourself out there and giving it a shot.
According to Baikowitz, “the worst networking mistake you can make is not trying at all.” If you are an introvert or get hives on the mention of the word ‘networking’, this quote is meant for you. Networking is not about small talks, awkward silences, or giant group of strangers. It is about meeting people for generating and refining your ideas. Take it from any extrovert, not even trying to connect to people is the worst possible mistake you could ever make.
To be a savvy networker, you need to genuinely enjoy learning about the people you interact with. Your goal is to build two-way relationships with people you want to be part of your circle.
Rand Fishkin sums it all up by saying — Best way to sell something — don’t sell anything. Earn the awareness, respect, & trust of those who might buy.
So, how exactly will you do that? Quite obvious, through NETWORKING! This was all about networking that you need to know. Hope you all now have a clear picture of it.
Until next time,
Au Revoir!
