Who do you know?

Networking is about sharing what you have.

As part of my work I had to implement quite a large number of training programmes, projects and coaching sessions for individuals as well as for organisations. While travelling around the world, either for pleasure or work, I’ve met a lot of interesting people and have spent my fair share of time at diplomatic functions, rally meetings and many other networking parties and waiting rooms. For a long time I attended these meetings because they were part of my work, but actually I did not enjoy myself. In the hours, and sometime days, that preceded one of these events, I happened to wind myself up and lament about how much I disliked going to these functions. Luckily, I always survived the first 10 minute freak (standing awkwardly in the middle of the room or “hanging” at the coffee table) and then I enjoyed myself tremendously.

Regarding my initial collection of business card, I have little to show: only a large list with nameless faces and functions. What a shame! The cards and names I have kept are of people who came to me because they needed me, were my friends and/or colleagues. All the important people I had the chance to meet passed by me and I, frozen with anguish, did not dare to articulate a simple hello. Not because I did not have an opening line, but because I saw myself like I saw many others: contact seekers. For a long time I was appalled at people who just made fast contacts and got favours. I did not want to be like them, so I just stopped talking to people I felt could be good for my career. Worse of all, I refrained from doing what I loved the most: spending genuine time with people.

Looking back at those years I see that my perception of networking was the wrong one. Networking is not about “grabbing” opportunities or milking the cow to exhaustion. It is not about using people for your own benefit. Networking is not a one-way- relationship, where one always gives and the other takes.

Networking is, of course, about taking but also about giving. It is about selling and buying, and about using the information you have for your benefit, but also for the benefit of others, because what you give around comes around.

What is networking?

For a coach/entrepreneur the purpose of a good network is much more than a basis for getting new clients. For a student or a career seeker the purpose of networking is more than just finding a good job. Networking is built over time and is a source of many things such as a career, your organization, finding useful information and friendships.

Networking is not about elevator speeches, neither a mere exchange of business cards. Networking is about learning, sharing, taking and giving back. It’s about empathy and human exchange. It’s about collecting information and staying in contact with each other.

Networking is about maintaining and nurturing your network of contacts and making this your priority. It’s not about getting something out of your network. If lately you have been lazy, forgetful towards your network, then you need to start to renew yours by sending an email, a call, a card, refer someone, or just send an article like I am sending you this one!

Networking is about sharing what you have. Asking for favours and returning them and, most probably, not to the same person who helped you. Networking is about bringing people together and seeing how they get along and profit from your introductory action.

Also networking is determined by the people and their customs. In Latin America networking is all about sharing resources with the people you know and trust. In the Northern European countries, networking is seen more as a business activity and people need to clearly ask what they want. Networking in Asia is done over a meal, but do not get right to the point at the first meeting.

Go out and network and above all enjoy the results and gains of your networking actions.

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Activating your network Game

Take as many business cards as you have.  Spread them out on a table  and without much thought pick out  2 – 3 cards.  Look at them and ask yourself the following questions:
What does the business card tell me?
What is the feeling I get from looking at the card?
What can the person of the card do for me? and
How can I  be of service to the person on the business card?

When you have the answers to these questions, contact them.  Tell them about your experience with the Game  and use the networking tips.

Do the game at least once a week  and enjoy winning at the networking game.

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Networking Tips

1. Make contact with your network:

• By being YOU
• Be honestly interested
• Listen and be empathic

2. Always honour your network and the contacts you make through it.

• Thank your contacts for the introduction of a  new contact
• Let others know how you met your new contact
• Do not disclose private information nor gossip

3. Contribute to other people

• Networking is not only about promoting yourself
• Networking is also about contributing to the people you meet

4. Trade your negative ideas about networking

• Networking is not about hard sell of you nor your services
• Networking is about being genuinely interest and generous
• Good networking is about enjoying and enriching each other

5. Have Fun

• Contribute
• Be empathic
• And above all be Passionate about who you are and the people who surround you.