Networking Doesn't Have to be Work

     What do you think networking is? Is it schmoozing someone you don’t really care about? Is it gleaning vital information from an acquaintance? Well, that could be considered networking, but probably not very successful networking. Networking is a shared, equal relationship between two or more professionals wanting to support one another.

     Effective networking requires that we are Prepared, Present, Perceptive and Polite.

Prepared: You should always be on the lookout for networking opportunities. This means being well groomed, attentive, and alert. You never know when you will meet someone that will be a vital part of your professional life.

     Present: Place yourself at the events, meetings, and seminars where you are likely to encounter people or ideas that are important to your career.

     Perceptive: Know who can help you and why. This might mean reading industry publications and familiarizing yourself with the major players in your industry.

     Polite: Be courteous and respectful of others’ time and commitments. Realize that while your goal may be to meet and greet, others may have other responsibilities.

    Once you have the four Ps taken care of, what do you do when you meet a possible networking partner? You move on to the three Ls: Link, Listen, and Labor.

     Link: When you first meet someone, say hello, introduce yourself, and find what you have in common. Make it something general—you don’t want to start constructing that million-dollar deal right now. You just want to establish a link with this person.

     Listen: Try to strengthen the link into a bond by sharing information about yourself and encourage others to do the same. Listen to their interests, concerns, goals, and accomplishments. Find other areas in which you can relate to this person.

     Labor: Once you’ve established a bond, you can build on the trust and find ways to work together that will benefit you both. Do you know someone you could introduce this person to? Are you a member of an organization that could help him?