What is Networking?:
In the standard
definition, networking is a subset of marketing that gets the word
out about your business and helps you get clients. In practice,
networking is you advertising you with personality, a three
dimensional way to grow your company. It isn't a one-dimensional ad
in the yellow pages that a person calls not knowing who or what
they will get. In networking the prospect gets you, your energy,
your enthusiasm and passion. They connect your business with a
face, a real person, someone they know, a friend. This is what
makes networking magical, deeper than just dealing with a nameless,
faceless corporation. Even if you work for a large corporation, a
client still wants a connection with a face, a person they know, a
connection they can trust and depend on. Networking is for
everyone.
With this in
mind, I recommend you adopt a few basic philosophies in your
approach to networking to get the best results.
Be
future-oriented. Talk about it, plan for it; think
about what you want and how to get it. Optimistic people tend to
have a future orientation. They talk about what can be, and are
excited about the opportunities and possibilities. A past-oriented
focus is generally reserved for pessimistic people who mostly
complain about what happened before and how hard and difficult life
is. They talk about what they don't want, and don't like about
their lives and, by focusing on this, they create more of it. In
networking people are attracted to your enthusiasm, your love of
what you do. So be optimistic. Have fun creating the vision and
life you want, and others will help you.
Be
genuine. If you are sincerely interested and fully
attentive to what others really want, guess what? They'll be
interested in what you want, who you are, and what your dreams are
too.
People see
right through anyone who has the ability to influence people with
their oratory excellence but really don't care about others. Be
genuine or be refused.
"Kindness is my true religion." ~ 14th The Dali
Lama
Be kind.
All of the best networking is done in the spirit of kindness,
so be friendly and willing to help others. Encourage them and
believe in their dreams. Find creative ways to keep in touch. Treat
people like friends. Erase the dollar signs in your eyes, and see
the person standing before you.
Give
first. Plant an apple tree and be willing to let it
grow, no matter how long it takes before you get to pick off a
nice, ripe apple. Help others achieve their dreams and your
selfless acts of kindness will come back to you a thousand
fold.
