Effective networking

Excerpt from article by  Adele Kimber

When it comes to career success it’s often about who you know, not what you know. Networking is now a critical part of managing a successful career and it is important to build up a wide network of contacts you can call on for help, advice or even a job.

Email and internet technology has transformed the traditional ways of making business contacts. The good news is that networking is a skill we can all learn and use to our advantage:

• Start by looking at the network you’ve already got. You’ll be surprised how many useful people you know both through work and hobbies.
• Find new ways to make contacts. Check out some formal networks such as professional associations, chambers of commerce or local business groups.
• Attending training courses and conferences is also an ideal way to make business and professional contacts.
• Keep in touch. Remember networking is not just about collecting business cards, it is also about sharing ideas. Getting to know people involves making a regular effort to keep in touch, so always follow up conversations with an email.
• Be economical with your contacts. Don’t attempt to juggle a huge network of people that would be difficult to maintain. You need to stay in control and networking isn’t possible with too many people on the list.
• Don’t be afraid to ask for help or advice. But make it clear what you are asking your contacts to help you to achieve, and how far you wish them to go.
• Always maintain a professional image. Treat networking as if you were in a lifelong interview. This may sound a daunting prospect, but just as you wouldn’t go along to a job interview and confess all your darkest faults, it is vital to keep up appearances with your network.
• Be positive. For example, don’t sound off in general, however tempting it may be.
• Relationships and trust are central to successful networking, and the skills of networking are no different from the interpersonal skills required to build, explore and maintain relationships with others.
• The key attributes of a good networker include:
• Treat others as you would wish to be treated yourself – look for a mutual balance of give and take;
• Keep in touch – make unprompted communication on matters that may be of interest to the recipient;
• Build bridges – make connections on behalf of others;.
• Cultivate contacts – build relationships by giving time with no expectation of return; and
• Feel comfortable with asking for what you want.