Find Your Networking Drive to Boost Your Career Tips to Turn On Without Turning Off: By Barb Girson

Despite the increase in social networking involvement, face-to-face networking is still powerful, popular and most important to build a successful career. As people become more and more connected with like-minded individuals on line, they will hopefully crossover to interact and congregate off-line as well. According to Trendwatching website, “social media and mobile communications are fueling a MASS MINGLING trend that defies virtually every clich about diminished human interaction in our online era’. ” As people have access to where people are gathering, “They are likely to meet with their friends and followers in the real world1.”

Today’s professional, whether a corporate employee or an entrepreneur, must blend on line and offline tactics to thrive. Additionally it is critical to know what repels or attracts others to engage in a professional relationship. Strong professional relationships can make or break a career so be aware of the tips to turn on (attract other) without turning off (repelling).

The top turn offs or networking repellents can be career-limiting. Many try to network without knowing what works and what actions are turn-offs.

What does not work is to meet new people and focus on your own agenda. New acquaintances notice quickly if you do not show interest in their needs and motivation. Another posture to avoid is the ‘poor me’ approach. People have enough of their problems.

I was approached at a networking meeting and asked to do business with a new contact. She had been affected by the recession; her business had dropped, and on two occasions, she was encouraging me to respond with a sympathy yes’. While the reasons behind this approach may be legit, (other business failing, knows few people in the area) she missed the main purpose of networking; to make a strong personal connection and build mutual beneficial relationships.

Furthermore, after meeting in person, she used one of the least effective and impersonal ways to attempt advancing a professional relationship: Email. Email conversations are easy to delete. Make effective phone or face-to-face follow up first (or combine with email) to make yourself “un-deletable” in the future! Granted, email is convenient and quick to use. Email is a wonderful form of communication to reiterate messages you have delivered in another form. Email has a place in our contact methods. Use an effective mix of on-line and off-line means to launch professional relationships forward.

Why is Networking so Important?

To foster your networking drive, one must understand why networking is integral to career success.

Most professional begin their career with a small circle of contacts or their warm, close-knit market of family and friends. Family and friends however are only capable of producing limited growth.

There is an inextricable connection between moving beyond the borders of personal contacts and career advancement. The aim of networking is to build supportive professional relationships that have the ability to refer, regenerate, and reward. Strong networking skills are the foundation of a professional’s career. New business contacts are the heartbeat of business.

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3 Common Networking Concerns

1. Fear of Being PUSHY

2. Plagued by Perfection

3. The Possibility of Hearing NO

In order to address these fears:

Fear of being PUSHY This concern is real because some professionals get the reputation of being PUSHY. These people pitch their business or personal agenda too soon, and act like their business product or service is the cure all for everyone. This is a deterrent, unless the other person is receptive to listen and ready to buy.

Guaranteed repellents or turn offs to avoid while pursuing prospects include: pity, desperation, diving into the pursuit of business before discovering the motivational need or desire for a product or service.

An introvert may have the desire to speak to the person at a luncheon; however by the time they work up the courage to assert themselves, the opportunity is gone. To increase effectiveness, turn up the volume and be ready to converse. Also shift the focus towards building new relationships instead of focusing on finding immediate new business or asking for job leads. With practice and encouragement, this action will grow to be routine and sincere.

An extrovert may drive people away with their conviction, enthusiasm and zeal. In order to increase effectiveness, turn down the volume to connect with others. With patience and objectivity, the prospects will blossom accordingly.

I spoke at an organization meeting last week about the benefit of being an entrepreneur. Bob walked in and at the end of meeting out of the blue; he said something similar to this:

“Hey everyone I have a fantastic new opportunity that my millionaire friend and I are bringing to this town. She has made gazillions from this industry and it is coming to town. If you are interested you can just listen to this CD and come to the meeting. The key word here is “WELL-NESS”.

A heavy cloud dropped over the room. Eyes rolled, faces scrunched and immediately after the small group of people looked down so as not to make eye contact. The response reflected the aftermath of PUSHY. To increase effectiveness, place the focus on other. Find ways to build rapport before blurting out business bids or career hunting requests.

Plagued by Perfection Release the idea that the delivery needs to be perfect or that each encounter needs to be a hit. Focus on practice and progress and develop a personal style. If all one walks away with is practice, this is beneficial to build a career.

The Possibility of Hearing NO Stay mindful of the fact that receiving a ‘no’ is not a personal rejection or personal attack. When new contacts sense that there is freedom from concern about the outcome, conversation flows easier and the context is more comfortable.

A ‘no’ provides additional opportunities for reflection, and sometimes correction. No may mean ‘not now’ versus ‘never’. With permission to check back at a later date, the contact may be willing to reconsider and engage in advancing the business relationship. Most professional relationships form after six communications. Fostering the connections during future meetings will often help build the relationship and results.

Finds your networking drive, and the potential is limitless. Each interaction bears a different set of circumstances, with a different outcome. With this insight on how to turn on potential interest without turning off new contacts, careers can flourish. Blend their on-line and off-line business so that your network will think of you when for a new position, possible project or new business venture surfaces. Even though networking strategies and tools can change with time and technology, the basics remain the same. With an understanding for the importance of networking and awareness of networking turn offs, career advancement opportunities will increase. _______________________________________________________________

Side Bar

Networking Turn On’s

Networking Turn Off’s

Source: 1Trendwatching.com

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About The Author

Barb Girson, International Direct Selling Industry Expert, Trainer & Coach, helps companies, teams & entrepreneurs gain confidence, get into action, & most importantly… grow sales by sharing her “Strategies That Stick”.

Barb is a highly interactive, creative speaker and author offering customized, professional skill development programs for workshops, leader retreats, conventions & teleclass training programs. For a complimentary field teleclass, contact Barb at 614.855.0446.

To learn more, visit www.MySalesTactics.com