Network Your Way to Personal Success

Has this ever happened to you? You’re invited to a business reception. You know it’s a great opportunity to make important contacts because people from your industry will be there.

So you arrive. You don’t recognize a single person. Everyone seems to be conversing in pairs and small groups. The room is buzzing with animated conversation. Everyone seems to be having a great time. Everyone, that is – except you!

You head over to the hors d’oeuvres table and with great detail examine every delicacy. When you’re finished going down the line, you start all over again.

You wish desperately that someone would come over and talk with you. But no one does. So you finish off your fifth helping of shrimp wanton delights, nervously glance around the room, nod at some phantom client, then quickly make your way to the door. You wonder why you ever made the effort to go in the first place.

ANOTHER WASTED EVENING! ANOTHER MISSED OPPORTUNITY!

But it didn’t have to be . . . not if you know how to network!

Networking is never a waste of time. It turns every social event into a unique opportunity to connect with others for mutual benefit. There never has to be another evening like the one just described.

Networking is a universal approach to life that is gaining momentum around the world. Just like a computer modem links someone to the Internet, networking connects you into an incredibly rich source of contacts that can open doors of opportunity you never dreamed possible.

Whether you’re looking for information, promoting an event or product, trying to make that important contact with someone you don’t know, looking for a job, or simply wanting to connect with people who have similar interests, networking can help you!

Simply put, networking is PEOPLE — people promoting, supporting, nurturing and relating to other people. Networking is all about creating productive links with people through an ever expanding base of contacts.

Effective networking depends upon good two-way interaction. It’s all about cultivating effective communication. Yet many people find it difficult to walk into a room of strangers, meet new people and initiate meaningful conversation.

Statistics indicate that up to 90% of all adults experience anxiety when attending group functions with people they do not know. This reluctance to mix and mingle can drastically hinder effective networking efforts.

The key to taking advantage of significant networking opportunities is to improve your interpersonal communication skills. Knowing how to start, how to continue and how to end interesting and sincere conversations will help you circulate among people with ease and confidence.

Try the following suggestions the next time you’re invited to a function. Keep in mind that every event can be made productive if you give it a little thought before you go. Planning in advance will enable you to approach any social function with enthusiasm and purpose.

1. Prepare some short briefing notes for yourself prior to the event. Review WHO will be attending? WHO is sponsoring it? WHAT is the purpose of the event? WHAT is the background information regarding the sponsoring agency? WHEN does it commence? WHEN can I depart? WHERE will it be held? WHERE do I park?
2. Think specifically about the benefits of attending – both professional and personal. List them. Then commit yourself to them. The benefits may vary from event to event. Clarify in your mind how you might benefit prior to attending.
3. Develop and practice your self introduction. It should be clear, concise, distinctive and engaging. It should be tied into the event in some way with a connecting statement. For example, at a wedding reception: “Hello! I’m Joy Dirks. I’m a long time friend of the mother of the bride.”
4. Practice your handshake. It should be a firm clasp that joins palm to palm, not finger to finger. Keep in mind that your handshake always makes an impression on others. It is a significant indicator of competence and confidence.
5. Prepare your small talk in advance. Read up on local and national issues. Come prepared with at least three pieces of conversation. When stuck for something to talk about, positive comments about the function, the facility or the food will always be appropriate.
6. Make yourself a more interesting person to be around by reading more and increasing your vocabulary. But read good literature – books related to the history of the area in which you live, motivational books, books about famous people, and the best book of all, the Bible.
7. Make yourself more visible! Volunteer your services on a church committee or community organization. Join a service club. Place yourself in a position where you can not only meet new people, but also contribute to make your community a better place.
8. Listen to others actively – not passively. Look people in the eye when talking to them. Nod, smile and ask relevant questions. Focus your full attention on the reactions, feelings and words of the other person and not on your own thoughts. Be in the moment with them!
9. Adopt a mind set that willingly offers help to others – without expectations. Incorporate the important questions, “How can I help you?” and “What can I do for you?” into your regular conversations. Think about what strengths you have to offer others. Build a powerful momentum with your life that leads to people being helped by you.
   
10. Have your business card ready to hand out, especially when asked for it. The exchange of business cards is particularly effective when it follows a meaningful conversation.
11. Regularly collect business cards from new contacts. Write relevant comments on the back as soon as possible regarding date, conversation and follow-up strategy. Then make sure you follow up!
12. The value of networking contacts is diminished if you neglect to implement an appropriate follow-up procedure. Whether by phone, fax, personal appointment, or a hand written note, make sure to follow up on your networking contacts. Keep accurate records of contacts by using a personalized documentation method that works well for you.

Remember to approach every new contact with an open mind and an open heart. You never know where each new relationship may lead. Doors will be opened, friendships gained, and your life will be greatly enriched.

Whether you want to provide a service, promote an event, purchase a product, meet new people, or find a job, networking will enhance your possibilities for success.

So start networking – it can change your life!

2 Responses to “Network Your Way to Personal Success”

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• Tina Fortune says:

  December 4, 2009 at 8:58 am

  This is SUPER information! I have an event coming up in 2010 and I’m going to share this with them to ease the discomfort for the newcomers.

• Amir Khan says:

  January 7, 2011 at 1:55 pm

  Thanks a lot, this provide me a lot of information, i will try to do this in future…