The word "networking" has been overused. It has become one of the modern buzz words in various business industries, and in career development or job hunting. It is an important marketing tool to establish contact and facilitate a win-win situation.
Networking involves people relationships and communications. A networker can be an employee, manager, customer or client, supplier, consultant, entrepreneur or small business owner. Considerations how to be a successful networker vary according to the purpose of networking, for instance, a job seeker has a different reason for networking from an employee or entrepreneur.
Whether people realize it or not, everyone in business is a networker although others are better at it. And more, whether you are sending an email or enjoying a cup of coffee with a colleague, you are networking.
If networking is that important in tapping into business opportunities and bringing forth a profitable business, how then can a business person be a successful networker?
Be a successful networker by learning the habits of those who are.
1. Possess the art of communication
Since you will interact with people who are likely to help you achieve your desired goals, you need to possess business etiquette and people skills to effectively connect and build your network.
Networking is not about connecting to thousands of people in Facebook, Twitter, other social media, and not even LinkedIn. It is creating a broad base of people that should benefit your business and those whom you know. It is about who you know, what you know, and what you need to know.
2. Know who you are and what you want
Effective networkers are clear with what they want, their goals and objectives. They don’t only talk about their plans and objectives. They use their abilities and knowledge to act on valuable opportunities. Assuming you already know your expertise and skills, you should be clear what you are offering and what you do.
3. Develop a networking strategy
Before engaging in any business opportunity, successful networkers consider the basics of who, what, why and how. They brainstorm questions such as: what do they intend to accomplish? Who are their target connections and contacts? How will they introduce their business products and services? What are their methods of communications? How can the relationship grow to be mutually beneficial?
4. Make the first move
Whether communication is through email, by phone or face to face, successful networkers try to make the first move. They introduce themselves in a courteous and polite manner. They listen more, talk less.
5. Practice proper etiquette
Effective networking has a lot to do with good manners. For example, during trade shows, good networkers while talking to someone, maintain eye contact with who they are talking to, rather than look around for the next possible person. The practice of active listening skills come into play. Good networkers respond to what’s being said and keep their exit lines courteous like, “I have enjoyed our conversation. Thank you.”
By showing the best in business etiquette skills, well-mannered networkers are often the people others seek out in the future, for information or to offer an opportunity. By nature, people want to be in the company of those who put them at ease and makes them feel comfortable.
6. Follow up contacts
If there’s a necessity of following up into people you’ve met and your current network, do so. Following up is important in effective networking to facilitate a continuing business relationship. It can be as simple as inviting the person over a cup of coffee to writing them a brief email.
Successful business networking is all about connecting to people in the business community: to achieve an outcome for your business on one hand, and to provide something useful you offer to others on the other, both beneficial, a win-win situation.
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