Being Mr/Ms Stingy in the networking world might not come with great complications, but sure does come with karma.
As many of us dread networking session and introducing ourselves
to a massive audience that consists of unfamiliar faces, networking is a
successful marketing strategy to use, especially for business owners, company representatives
and yourself.
When it comes to networking it is important to network for
the right reasons, which will ensure that you get a positive outcome from the
engagement and know what you will utilize the information and contacts you get,
to improve yourself, your business and others in the long run.
You don’t have a clear vision about what you want out of the
contacts you create, you will be stuck in what you know and what you have , which
will ultimately automatically limit your chances for creating a bigger and more
trusted network, and relatively seal in your chances of attaining and
achieving.
As much as networking is a skill, networking is a lifestyle
With networking being an action that happens progressively on a daily basis either formally or informally in different setting, places and occurrences. As much as the contacts you get are useful for you, it’s important to share. Sharing of contacts is not only an act of kindness but an opportunity for both yourself, the candidate you are sharing the contact with and the contact it's self. Lesson: Be willing to give, even if you won't get anything in return, a kind gesture goes a long way.
With each person you meet, there are associations, groups and clubs they are part of that consist of powerful and effective people within their
networks. Though some might not have the opportunity of meeting the same people that you meet within your circles, it's good business to share those contacts with those you believe might uitilise to better their business and personal goals. Lesson: Be willing to share your contacts, knowledge and relevant information
with others
'It’s not about who you
know, but who knows you.' - Zanele
Keeping a
relationship with your contacts
Maintaining your relationship with your contacts and following up on them after networking sessions helps with remembering who you are, and having you play a role in their engagements. When you share contacts, it makes it easier for the primary contact to remember who you are when referenced by the retriever of the contact. Being in the mind of your contacts not only paves way for first priority when it comes to referencing but it is good for business, it's not about who you know, its about who knows you.
Maintaining your relationship with your contacts and following up on them after networking sessions helps with remembering who you are, and having you play a role in their engagements. When you share contacts, it makes it easier for the primary contact to remember who you are when referenced by the retriever of the contact. Being in the mind of your contacts not only paves way for first priority when it comes to referencing but it is good for business, it's not about who you know, its about who knows you.
Have a strategy
Some of us have trouble with keeping up with contacts after our networking engagements. to avoid having hundreds of business cards where you do not remember 75% of the peoples faces associated with it after networking, it is important to have a strategy. Besides sending emails of acknowledgement (keep the emails short, 250 characters is long enough) disclosing your engagement and possibly schedule an appointment to meet.
Usually due to over crowded schedules for work, one might not get the time they require with the individual they wish to follow up on, but setting a 30 minute coffee break during the week to learn more about the associate is a good strategy. not forgetting the 72 hours rule to following up, 3 days is the best time to communicate with your contacts, after 3 days, they might not remember you and they might have set new agendas for themselves. So keep that 3 day rule in mind.
Some of us have trouble with keeping up with contacts after our networking engagements. to avoid having hundreds of business cards where you do not remember 75% of the peoples faces associated with it after networking, it is important to have a strategy. Besides sending emails of acknowledgement (keep the emails short, 250 characters is long enough) disclosing your engagement and possibly schedule an appointment to meet.
Usually due to over crowded schedules for work, one might not get the time they require with the individual they wish to follow up on, but setting a 30 minute coffee break during the week to learn more about the associate is a good strategy. not forgetting the 72 hours rule to following up, 3 days is the best time to communicate with your contacts, after 3 days, they might not remember you and they might have set new agendas for themselves. So keep that 3 day rule in mind.
Understand the power of other peoples networks
With each person you meet, there are associations and groups
they are part of that consist of powerful and effective people within their
networks.
It is important to understand the power of other peoples
networks as the contacts they have could be highly influential to not only yourself but your acquaintances as well.
Yet again, Don't be Mr or Ms Stingy when it comes to sharing contacts. Let your guard down and spread the network and circles. Lesson: You get what you give in.
Twitter: @zanelemabaso23
PS: Don't be Mr Stingy! ;-)
Yet again, Don't be Mr or Ms Stingy when it comes to sharing contacts. Let your guard down and spread the network and circles. Lesson: You get what you give in.
Twitter: @zanelemabaso23
PS: Don't be Mr Stingy! ;-)