What is Networking? A good definition is Networking – the acquisition and cultivation of influential connections. Notice how there’s no “handing over business cards” or “sending cheesy emails” there? True networking is pressing the flesh and doing it often.
I have, and I’m sure you have too, noticed some people who are just so well connected. They know big names and most important they get work done and know who to get in touch with. This is something that I love doing too. But I do it because people interest me. I like connecting with different types of people. Some do it for business.
There is no talent in this per se. You have to practice and want it, just as is the formula for wanting to be good at anything in life at all. However there are some guidelines. These are notes I have composed over a period of time. Here you go. A lot of them is inspired by one of the most famous networkers in the world, Keith Ferrazzi. Some of them are directly his advice too.
1. You never walk in to meet the CEO in your bedroom clothes.
Remember the old saying, “Clothes maketh the man”? The message is simple. Dress Well appear well groomed. Scruffy beards and heavy mascara is good in a club, not in a meeting room. Unless, of course, you work in a new age company that’s like a startup, in which case you can wear anything you want. In start ups I wore jeans. I pretty much wore it in a corp environment too and I would love to wear it everywhere but sometimes you don the suit.
2. Appear Important. Look confident. Walk tall.
In article in Wired magazine about Keith, this line resonated well, “The way he walks and looks, all tanned and fit, with the styled hair and custom suit and black Prada shoes. The deals that are hanging in the air, the favors being extended or secured, the sideshows, the laughter, the juggling. That irresistible balloon of energy”. The lesson here is exburating confidence in whatever you do and truly enjoying living in the moment. He had deliberate, delicate movements, his listening as assertive as his banter. Good advice.
3. Have something to start with besides your sales pitch.
When Ferrazzi observes that his friend hasn’t spoken much. He leans in and whispers, “You’re a fucking loser if you don’t walk out of here with some reason for getting in touch with her again.” Sound advice. How many times have we seen people who are fake and have nothing to say except made up corny cliched bullshit? “Oh I heard about you so lovely that is, I totally agree with everything you are saying it is so nice.” It is not. Be genuine cut the fake.
4. Business is a game, play it to win.
Keith Ferrazi believes that business, like life, is a game, and that the people who play it best will win. And the rule in the game that trumps all others, Ferrazzi became convinced, is that he who knows the most people, and knows them well, becomes a member of the club, not a caddy.
5. Basic things you don’t do.
When you speak don’t stutter, unless that’s a challenge you are facing in which case, take it slow and explain your point. All stuttering is only due to fear (mostly) so let go of it. Don’t ask the question for the sake of asking the question. This whole CAT debate thing is the dumbest way to introduce a person to the group.Some people, when I attended, just HAD to ask because they were being seen. Often their desire overrode their brain impulses. The end result wasn’t pretty.
6. Important: what you know. More important: who you know. Most important: who knows you.
Don’t network to just network. Know what you want. If you want to be the president you can’t get there by knowing a lot of middle level people. You need to know the right people for the right reason. The more focused your goals the more outrageous your networking can become!
7. Build it before you need it.
If you talk to someone on the day you need a favour, you are not going to get it done. You have to talk them far before hand. It’s important. Learn how to.
8. Never Eat alone.
Always find someone to talk to, someone to share stories with and someone to listen to. I’m not talking about marriage that’s a whole different thing, this is about meeting new and interesting people.
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