National Networking Week

Less than 6 degrees of separation
Monday 1 - Friday 5 August 2011

AIM Networking Refreshers

Refresher 6 - Research

Before you go to a function engage in a little research about:

• the event itself – see who the event is sponsored or hosted by and who is likely to attend. Search the net for current information about the organisation.
• current affairs/today’s paper – so you will have something current to say and will be able to respond knowledgably to current affairs issues raised in conversation
• Networking tips – little tricks of the trade that are worth revisiting – try www.networkingtowin.com.au or www.shyness.com or "Care and Feeding of Your Network" which has a common sense approach to networking. The cover says it "will help you get what you want without begging" www.changethis.com/21.CareFeedingOfNetwork

Refresher 7 - Reorientate

Many people try and make themselves sound more interesting out of nervousness.

The trick is to reorientate the conversation and to make the other person feel fascinating. Don’t overdo it but reorientate the conversation to the other person and what the two of you have in common. As Frederick L Collins said “There are two types of people. Those who come in the room and say, “Well, here I am“ and those who come in and say “Ah, there you are!!”

Refresher 8 - Reflect

Critically reflect on every networking event or opportunity.

• How effective were you? (Not how many business cards did you receive?)
• Which business cards you received at the event appealed to you most and why?
• What did you observe in other networkers that you found impressive?
• What did you observe in other networkers that you found a little off putting?
• How can you comfortably follow up the connections that you made?

Refresher 9 - Return on Investment

Networking is a proactive investment in your future. Exercise the discipline to invest wisely and you will enjoy a return over time.

Conceive of networking as a discipline – something you do regularly, not just “when things slow down a bit”. The experts suggest that you make a commitment to spend 15 minutes per day on networking activity and attend least one function per week.

Refresher 10 - Retire Gracefully

The big sleeper. One of the most difficult things to do when speaking with someone personally or over the phone is to retire gracefully. When terminating a conversation, always make the other person feel you’d love to talk to them all night. Try saying “it has been lovely talking to you but I must circulate – I haven’t seen some people here for a long time and this will be my only chance to catch up”.

If first impressions count – and they do – parting impressions set the tone for what many or may not follow.

REFRESH, REFRESH, REFRESH

The refresh icon on your computer screen permits you to refresh data. So you need to refresh you networking skills. It’s a bit like a foreign language – use it or lose it. And we certainly don’t want you to lose it because networking is an essential business skill.

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You may distribute this content for networking and educational purposes. Please quote author Vivienne Anthon and source Australian Institute of Management (www.aim.com.au)