We often get so focused with business related networking that we never reach out to people who may be doing cool stuff in other fields of work… and you never know what may come of it. “Sure thing, my time is apparently worth nothing to you so let me drop everything I’m doing and call you up!”, As freelancers, many of us know this feeling all too well, yet a lot of us still suffer from “internet pandhandler syndrome” when trying to network with people. ), reach out to one person who’s work you find interesting. Use email to stay in touch with those important people in your networks, staying connected is often much more important than getting connected. This networking skills training course gives you an understanding of professional networking and the confidence and skills to build your internal and external networks. You will find them, together with downloads on our site in the ‘who should you network with‘ page.Watch for ‘contaminators’ – these are the people who will negatively influence your activities. Networking is about relationship building, not making sales pitches where you force others to listen to you drone on about yourself. There are four main steps that a person must focus on while trying to build an effective professional network. Prioritize efforts that develop strong … Be Helpful. Who is Networking Skills Training for? Gregory Ciotti, More information & great conversation with smart people. Keep questions positive and focused. When people in your network get stronger, you get stronger. How Do Leaders Inspire Continuous Improvement by Employees? List them and lose them. Be sure to keep an eye on these people, networking isn’t always Pareto principle in practice, but in many instances your most frequent contacts will be the ones that really matter. You’ll … Just because a connection doesn’t result in more direct dollars in your bank account doesn’t mean it was fruitless, and you shouldn’t be pursuing connections with people just to wring something out of them. When you’re looking to initially get someone’s attention, you need to tread carefully. That way, you have no fear of coming off as sleazy/begging, will consistently reach out to new people (not just for a week before you quit), and you’ll likely come across a lot of interesting folks in your industry, which is always a plus. If you’re worried about jumping in to networking or how you can keep it as a habit, just follow this one simple strategy — every other day (or every day, or twice a week, etc. Not much has been published on the subject, but the online disinhibition effect is one that we all probably recognize in one way or another. Ground Floor, 7 Macquarie Place Sydney NSW 2000. BUSINESS SCHOOL. Genuine networking doesn’t start with your hands out during the first contact. The Two Most Valuable Skills You Can Develop to Network Successfully, Important Active Listening Skills and Techniques, Virtual Networking Tips for Remote Professionals, Want to Be Good at Networking? This should be a no-brainer, but if you’ve ever gotten an unsolicited email that felt like a spam message but actually wasn’t, you know what I mean here. You don’t need to know the most people, just the right people. Do you know that networking is important but aren't sure how to start a conversation? Do not fidget, shift your body weight often, and never look at your watch! Asking questions is an art. Use Your Resume as a Tool for Advice. This “skill” is actually one of the most important of all, because with the right mindset you can usually avoid many of the big networking mistakes out there. It spotlights your uniqueness. Don't overlook the … Most people are good at recognizing those who are trying to suck-up to them and are offended by insincere interest, compliments, and gestures. One guy even told me that he wanted a “quick” analysis of his productivity problems over an hour long Skype call! example eBook about software development proposals, 10 Negotiation Techniques to Successfully Raise Your Rates, A Dead-Simple Customer Profile Template that will Massively Increase Sales, Creating a presence of being “that guy that everybody knows and likes”, Created from research of 25,000 proposals worth $270M, Used by top agencies to land high paying clients, Includes templates, worksheets, cover page designs, and more. Talking too much is perceived as rude, dominating, and not reciprocal. One of the most unappreciated networking skills that you can easily master is the ability to listen. Networking refers to the ability of exchanging ideas and information with groups as well as individuals that have shared interests, such that long-term relationships are developed for mutual benefit. Drink strategically. Respond by repeating at least one key point the person you are talking with just made in the form of a question. Professional networking simply means building professional relationships. But to be able to utilise it is another. Sometimes, it’s all about who you know, which is why networking is a powerful tool that can help you achieve more in business and in life. Here’s how you can improve the next stage…. Nod your head to show agreement but do not interrupt to make your point or share your own experiences. This “ skill ” is actually one of the most important of all, because with the right mindset you can usually avoid many of the big networking mistakes out there. Networking Skills Workshop 1. Networking skills are the competencies you need to have to maintain professional or social contacts. Networking skills are necessary to make and develop relationships with new contacts and promote something of value. 2083 words (8 pages) Essay. While “saying” the same thing, you likely immediately realized that #2 was far more inviting and using positive language to get the same message across, but without the bluntness (which can be misinterpreted for rudeness via text) of the first example. The launch of professional network sites such as LinkedIn has … Here are 3 good pieces of advice for outreach emails: Once you’ve established contact, the conversation begins to shift quite a bit (obviously). But the reverse is also true; asking the right questions can build trust by opening lines of safe communication. Networking is a critical skill in sales, business development and several other industries. It is important to show that you respect and value someone by listening and asking the right questions. As an example… when I recently wrote a huge article on productivity, I got a lot of good emails after it was published from people who enjoyed it (more on that in a bit). Professional networking tips 1. PS: If you want to network with me or just reach out and say hi, contact me via email or feel free to follow me on Twitter (@GregoryCiotti). This is especially true when you consider that so much communication today is done via text, and it’s hard to display emotions and other subtle cues without the other person’s face being in sight. Contacts made through business activities including accountants, lawyers and so on. Eventually, you’re going to come across “leeches,” people who you’ve connected with but don’t see the relationship as give-and-take, more like, “How much can I get out of you?”. Networking is supposed to help you grow your business by meeting genuinely awesome people, not create a network of vultures who only reach out to you when they need something. The importance of networking for career development Learn the most in-demand business, tech and creative skills from industry experts. These two skills will impress new contacts and potential clients even more than your best business statistics. That said, you should know how to write a good email, both during the “outreach” stages of networking and when you’ve already established a connection. Professional networking platforms such as LinkedIn provide an online location for people to engage with other professionals, join groups, post blogs, and share information. All these things send a message that you are bored, impatient, or not interested. If you hand out business cards like you’re dealing poker, most folks will fold. To get people excited about you and your business, it seems counter-intuitive, but you need to do more listening and less talking. When you are always out to get something, you are not truly networking with people, you’re just running a long-term manipulation game. Business networking is the process of establishing a mutually beneficial relationship with other business people and potential clients or customers. The professional network. When building networks you must give something back. When in doubt about the tone of your message, it is best to keep this rule in mind and evaluate whether or not you are using positive language, there is essentially no downside (just don’t be overly chipper or “Whoo hoo!” for every single message) and it is a great way to avoid communication problems that stem from using harsher language. Networking is one thing. I want to do an interview with you on your new project by this Friday, we have very similar audiences.”, “Hey, I’d love it if we could do a quick interview sometime soon on your new project, my audience loves your work.”. Although we’re both busy, I try to stay in regular contact with Leo, make contributing to the Buffer blog a monthly priority, and constantly make mentions of Leo wherever I post (hint hint). The goal of networking is to create a professional network. It’s similar to when you make a new friend vs. talking to a friend you’ve had for 2 years, you’re familiarity changes what you talk about. Networking enhances your interpersonal skills Technology is great for communicating, but you still have to interact with people and know how to … To be a good listener, take the following actions: Good questions follow good listening and accomplish two very important things: it shows you are listening and interested enough to ask a question and it keeps the conversation going in the direction you choose. Top 6 Career Networking Tips for Millennials, These Are the Most Important Leadership Skills Employers Look For, The Best Ways to Sell Yourself in Your Next Job Interview, You Can Become an Effective Active Listener. When you are always out to get something, you are not truly networking with people, you’re just running a long-term manipulation game. Yikes, somewhat of a controversial point to place on a post about networking, no? By helping people in your … Rating: 4.4 out of 5 4.4 (23 ratings) Rather than simply listing networking skills, we have decided to put them as a list of questions. 6 strategies to improve your business networking skills Read time: 3 minutes. Business networking benefits are the intangible gains made by communicating with other professionals in or relating to your industry. The Two Most Important Networking Skills Among all of the networking skills you can develop, the two most important, by far, are listening and asking questions. Networking and alcohol often go hand in hand and while some studies show this … The networks set up within business communities which are open to new members, trade associations, professional institutions, etc. It may be easier to think of it as simply building and maintaining a network of relationships with people that you have met through work, or socially. Tips and tools to develop your personal brand and overcome your discomfort at networking. In simple words, networking skills are the ability to make contacts through a process that is two-way. Time Management: As a professional, you will be tasked with completing a variety of tasks. Good listening validates the value of others and shows respect. Networking will help you develop and improve your skill set, stay on top of the latest trends in your industry, keep a pulse on the job market, meet prospective mentors, partners, and clients, and gain access to the necessary resources that will foster your career development. For example, if Cindy Miller just told you how excited she is about a new product, ask her when it will be made available. It’s great when a new connection works out from a professional standpoint, but it’s hard to measure some other things that having a large network can bring, like…. Business Networking for Introverts: Soft Skills Made Easy Overcome social anxiety, improve your social skills & find clients, contacts and friends more easily. 2. She has more than 25 years of experience in small business development and ran her own digital marketing firm. Cut these people off, and fast, you don’t need anyone holding you back. Improving your NetworkingSkills Facilitated by Ian J Seath V2 Networking is a structured plan to get to know people who will do business with you or introduce you to those who will. If you’ve struggled with sincere networking in the past (as I have), definitely give this list a run-through and take notes when you notice an area where you can improve your own networking habits. Artificial networks. The best way to win the connection is to first win the person Networking is your life skills and social skills combines with your business skills An elevator speech is a short (15-30 second, 150 word) sound bite that succinctly and memorably introduces you. A tweet may get someone’s attention, but when it comes to establishing real relationships, the conversation truly begins when you start the reciprocity via email. There is an effective interview tactic that also works very well in networking situations: To get someone excited about you, get them talking about themselves and their accomplishments first. You can also use networking as a tool for finding investors, customers, staff, suppliers … Don’t ask for anything in the first email! Tailored training for groups Join us to learn tips for professional communication! These are very ‘formal’ definitions that make networking sound quite hard work. The point is this: People on the internet tend to lack diplomacy & tact, and one of the ways that this rears its ugly head is that people will ask for things on the internet that they’d never expect someone to give them in “real life.”. Networking is everything - it helps your chances of employment, increases your contacts and can help improve your business. On the other hand, I got a lot of TERRIBLE intro emails from people essentially demanding that I help them with their productivity problems. Another easy yet highly effective way to network during a job … 5th May 2017 Information Technology Reference this Share this: Facebook Twitter Reddit LinkedIn WhatsApp Professional Networking is a widely used skill that many people lack. Good networking skills are not gaining new contacts on LinkedIn; networking is developing relationships over time that is mutually beneficial but may be able to aid you in a job hunt or business venture either initially or in the future. Avoid treating clients, customers, and other business associates as “cash cows” and opportunities. When it comes to most advice on networking, many business publications place too much emphasis on “what’s easy” rather than “what works”. As much as many people may not like to hear it, “All contacts are equal, but some are more equal than others.”. You can stand out by doing your homework and actually getting to know some facts about the person you’re about to reach out to, beyond the “surface level” stuff that everybody already knows. Our Purpose: To prepare Australia to succeed in a rapidly changing environment and enable people to seize the future. Doing something for the sake of doing it is rarely a good idea, nor is it a good use … Good listening is active, not passive. To sustain good personal and business relationships, both parties must benefit in some way. Never attend a social or business event with the idea that it is all about you because it's not. Good listening validates the value of others and shows respect. Eventbrite - Outcome.Life presents Professional Communication and Networking: Conversation Skills - Wednesday, 9 September 2020 - Find event and ticket information. None of the previously mentioned tactics are suggesting that you should make up questions just to sell yourself. “In business terms, networking is the process of speaking to professional contacts and sharing information with them.” Reed.co.uk. This has only been amplified by the recent dominant presence of social media. Networking Skills Training will help you to build confidence, overcome fears and concerns and provide real world sales skills appropriate to any networking situation. For instance, compare these two similar requests…, “Hey. As a guy who loves studying behavioral psychology, one of the most interesting topics to me is what exactly changes in people’s personalities when they interact with others online. Things to think about for your networking skills are: 1. Define your network under different types of contacts headin… So set aside your bias against networking, and step into ‘natural networking’ for building real relationships with people who can help you get where you want to be.