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Kimberley Erskine works for BT and has had training on networking skills which ‘have played a part in enabling me to achieve promotion, adding more value to my team, and promoting myself further and greater than I could possibly imagine, with the minimum of effort!’ If that doesn’t convince you of the power of networking, nothing will! Kimberley highly recommends Heather White and her company The Magic of Networking. Qamar Zaidi points out that networking ‘is not a black art. It turns black only when the intentions and goals are black.’ I would suggest that the best possible approach to networking is to forget all about selling your product or service and concentrate on getting yourself known and liked by a wide range of people. If they have had an enjoyable chat with you, they will naturally think of you first when they need what you are offering. They will remember you when someone asks them for a recommendation. Check out my article on Networking Events - 7 Good Questions to Ask for ideas on how to get the conversation flowing with someone you have just met. They will be so glad you are not trying to sell to them that the conversation will take off straightaway! Heather Nichols is a networking coach and suggests you approach an event with these beliefs: There are more opportunities in this room than I can possibly handle. I have the right to speak to anyone. I have an elegant exit strategy to use when I need it. If all else fails, I will at least learn something.
Our next networking newsletter in the New Year will provide some practical tips to help you make the most of your networking opportunities. Our Christmas newsletter will share some of the ideas and websites we have found useful over the year. Back to Newsletter Archive page |
