Effortless Networking: Why Bother Networking?
Before getting into how to network, it seems appropriate to pause and reflect on why we network in the first place.
What do you want and expect to get out of networking?
Most people think of business networking as the reciprocal process of exchanging leads, referrals and recommendations with other people, making the business process easier and more profitable.
However, I think of networking as a means to an end.
It is the process of connecting with other people for help or information. It is a natural part of life. (You probably network everyday in your personal life.)
This means that you can use networking to achieve any goal you have.
You don't have to limit yourself to exchanging leads and referrals. You can use it to get information, do market research, get expert advice, recruit a "Board of Directors" or a "mastermind group" (a group of people you can turn to for professional advice or guidance when you need it), and so on.
For instance, a few months ago, I was very excited about a particular project, but I wasn't sure how to fund it. I had no idea who the "best" person might be to ask for advice on this.
So at the next event I attended, I decided to ask the people sitting around to me for their personal opinion about this project and ideas on how I might proceed.
This event was a dinner following a conference, and I didn't know any of the people at my table. But they were happy to engage in the conversation, and help out if they could.
Well, it turned out to be a wonderful brainstorming conversation!
I left with all kinds of information and new ideas. Not only that, two of the people at the table gave me their business cards and offered to personally help out later - with additional advice, introductions to key people, and so on - as I developed this project further.
This is true networking, is it not?
So in the business context, what is your end goal? Why do you network right now? And what are some other things you want and need to succeed professionally, that networking can help you get?
My point is this: if you're clear about what you want and need, you can use networking as a means to get it.
So if you have wondered about the whole point of networking (i.e. "why bother?") or wondered about how best to get started, start here: By clarifying for yourself what you want and need. Then find people who can help you get these things
And this, of course, is networking!
Related Tags: how to network, networking tips, business networking, networking conversations
(c) Copyright 2006, Srirupa Dasgupta
Srirupa Dasgupta is the author of Effortless Networking: Everyday Wisdom to Transform your Business and Life. If you liked this article, you'll LOVE the book. For more information, visit http://www.EffortlessNetworking.com .
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