DIVERSIFY and EXPAND YOUR NETWORK

Leanna Cruz
Editorial Director

You know that networking is necessary for success, both personally and in your career. You’ve heard more than once that it’s not only what you know it’s who knows you. Relationships are vital to success (which is why an entire issue is devoted to the topic) and the key to personal growth and career advancement is to hone networking skills. Yet many dread networking.

Change your attitude about networking
This is an opportunity to meet people, build relationships and learn. The best way to do this is to listen. Ask a few questions to start the conversation and let others talk. The key is getting to the topic which they are passionate about. Once that happens you won’t get them to stop talking and you will learn a lot about them, their interests, experiences and profession. You will hear opportunities to connect them with others who might be able to help with their challenges or who have similar interest. By helping them first you have taken the first step in establishing a networking relationship and maybe even advancing your career. If this first interaction reveals something you have in common great, if not send a note or email referring to a point in your interaction which they were most excited to share and how intrigued you are by the topic. Wish them well and let them know that you look forward to the next time the two of you will meet.

Take Notes
Keep an index card in your pocket, use your memo application on your PDA or notes in your contacts app. Add information as you learn more about this contact. Some information you will want to record:
Birthday – send a hand written card or take a couple of minutes to make a personal telephone call.
Favorite vacation, upcoming vacation – send a special travel book you happened to see while at the book store, clipping of a feature in travel section of the news paper or email a recommendation about an off the beaten path restaurant a friend mentioned to you.
Hobby – use this when trying to determine which gift to send for a special occasion or special thank you.
Anniversary – send a card or gift.
Children –ask about back to school schedules, spring break plans, extracurricular activities and family activities. Knowing their family information will give you an abundance of ideas. For example there was a threat of snow forecast for the day following the meeting during which Lynda gave Lina great advice to help her refocus and become more productive. Lynda mentioned she hoped for a snow day so that she could work from home and spend time with her children. Lina sent her a box filled with fun card games with a note “Thank you the advice. Hoping for a snow day and when it does come, these should add to the fun.”

ABN Always be networking
Take advantage of as many opportunities as possible to establish even the most seemingly insignificant relationships. With your barista while purchasing your morning coffee, with your server during lunch, while waiting in line at the checkout counter or with parents at your child’s soccer game, practice small talk. This is an especially great way to eliminate the dread of networking at formal events and develop personally. These relationships may also disclose the benefits of developing them such as on the morning you are running late and you walk into the coffee shop to find a line twelve people deep, but your favorite barista surprises you by bringing you your usual to the back of the line and off you go.

These simple connections are also a great way to diversify and expand your network. You’ll discover unexpected relationships beyond contacts in your profession and those who can benefit from your services. You never know who people know. You’ll find that when you network someone you don’t seem to have much in common with could be a connector between you and a whole world of people you might not otherwise meet.

Get Out
You have heard someone remark that it is difficult to meet people. Once you learn how they spend their day you quickly discover why. They spend their day working in their office, run out to pick up a quick bite for lunch, immediately head to the gym for a strenuous workout and go home to relax after a long work day. There are no opportunities on their schedule to meet people. If you are a prisoner of your routine, relationship building will be difficult. If you are too busy, you need to get organized, make more efficient use of your time and decide whether the cost of being too busy is worth the opportunities lost to meet those you can help and who can help you.

Become a Magnet
When you show up wear a smile and be prepared to engage others in conversation with interesting topics, questions and stories. Click here for the online article How to be a People Magnet.