Networking

Thus far I have received three new invitations to networking events this week – on top of the regular announcements from organizations whose events I have attended in the past. Which got me to thinking about networking.

As a business person always searching to expand my sphere of influence, I regard networking events as important venues for introduction to people I have not met, and renew relationships with people I have. For a year or two I attending almost every event I was made aware of, and finally came to the realization that I could easily put my real career in peril as I pursued a job as a full-time networker. This led me to significantly cut back on, and become more selective of, the network events I attend. I also strive to derive greater benefit from the few that I do go to.

Some things I have learned about networking that I think are worth passing on are:

1. Do network – it’s the best way of getting to know potential colleagues, suppliers, and customers.

2. Carefully choose the networking events you attend. Go to those events that are most apt to attract the people you need to meet.

3. Go to each event with a goal. It might be to meet a specific person. It might be to reconnect with certain people. It might be to meet a specific number of new people with whom you will arrange follow-up meetings.

4. Follow-up with each and every person you recieved a card from with a phone call, a handwritten note, or an e-mail. If you believe that you want to establish a relationship with a person you met, setup a meeting.

5. Keep in touch with people in your network. Call them. Meet them for coffee. Send them newsletters.

6. Introduce people in your network you believe should meet. I often send an e-mail to two people introducing them to each other and include full contact information for each.

7. Manage your time, balancing all of your business activities including networking.