If you’re looking for personal, career or business growth then building relationships with others is essential.
The word networking is banded around all the time ‘social networking’, ‘business networking’, ‘career networking’. Some people seem great at it some people dread it. Others really aren’t sure what it is of quite how to do it. Many of us spend countless hour every week online or meeting people in person but what what are you really saying and what’s really coming of it for you in your life, career or business? How do you feel about networking and are you doing enough of it?
Let’s take it back to basics. Networking is the term that is used for relationship building especially in the business, career context. There are many myths around it and many people do networking very poorly and ineffectively. Often this is because we forget that networking is about relationship building first and then finding, sharing and creating opportunities second. As with building any strong, lasting and meaningful relationship it is best done warmly, mindfully, naturally and organically.
1. Networking in person:
It wasn’t until I became my boss that I realised the power and importance of networking. Now I spend lots of time teaching people how to do it effectively. I’ve recently been running a career development series of workshops for the NHS and one of the key themes I’ve been sharing with them is to add networking to their job search strategy. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, your business or your personal life networking can help. The best place to start is stepping back considering where you are, what’s going on in your life, where you’re trying to get to and the kind of people, support and expertise you want and need in your life, career and business.
Here are 5 steps that I guide people through when I run networking skills workshops:
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Rapport – connect naturally, personably and authentically
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Respect – be professional, considerate and appreciative
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Relay & refer: Found synergy? Then sharing ideas, information, opportunities can flow
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Result: Follow steps 1-3 and results will followin time if you’re all reliable / responsive also
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Reciprocate: This should happen throughout always look for the win-win.
There are differences and nuances in networking in person and online. In person there is far more scope for immediate verbal, visual and physical feedback –which can help clarity and understanding. This means that you’ll often get more of a vibe, energy and opportunity to build the connectivity warmly. (See video and see tips below)
2. Online tips:
Online networking can be very effective – especially when blended with networking in person.
- Be strategic: use networking online as part – not your entire networking strategy.
- Most relationships flourish when you can blend a number of the senses and means of engagement.
- That means that when networking online you need to take time and care.
- The spirit of all the tips of networking in person should apply.
- Note as with any relationship don’t force it, fake it or rush it – this applies to all networking but especially online.
- Online ‘friends’ and ‘likes’ are often shallow and meaningless if you don’t take care.
- Personalise messages especially she connecting especially when connecting with some new
- Don’t just send an empty link request. Don’t just click and think ‘that’s it’ – think and make it meaningfull
- Remember: be organic, natural, authentic and respectful – and ensure that you online safety and good sense
- When networking or promoting online ensure what your sending is valuable, relevant and considered.
If these tips have helped you you’ll find many more tools, tips, insights to help you build and benefit from your network in my book Soul Trader – Putting the Heart Back into Your Business. And if you’d like to put it in practice why not come along to my Soul Trader workshop.
Meanwhile happy networking.
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