Jeremy Cline | Executive and Career Coach | Change Work Life
I used to hate networking.
Who am I supposed to talk to? Why will anyone want to speak to me? What am I meant to say? How am I meant to get new clients here? These were my thoughts before an event.
Twenty years’ experience later, I’m much more comfortable with what I’m doing, why I’m doing it and how it works.
This is the first in a series of articles which will arm you with tips and strategies to get the most out of networking and business development, starting with first principles: what is networking and why is it important?
Building relationships, not acquiring business cards
Networking goes beyond exchanging business cards or adding someone on LinkedIn. It's about building meaningful relationships that provide mutual benefits over time.
True networking is creating a web of connections where you support, inspire and help each other grow in your careers.
More than new clients
Networking can significantly benefit your professional journey beyond acquiring new clients.
Don’t know how to do something? Someone in your network does.
Want a recommendation for a referral? Ask your network.
Who’s more likely to offer you a work opportunity? Someone who already knows, likes and trusts you.
Your network can seriously enhance your promotion and career advancement prospects.
Be authentic, be curious, have fun
Two themes will run through this series:
Authenticity: You can’t be what you’re not. You’ll get better at networking by doing more of what you’re already good at, whether that’s presenting to large groups or having deeper one-on-one conversations.
Curiosity: Apply the 80/20 principle and make 80% of your interactions about the other person. Who are they? Who do they help? Where do they need support? The more you find out about another person, the better you’ll understand how you or someone else in your network can help them.
Above all, have fun. Successful networking has a low bar to entry. If you enjoy talking with friends or colleagues, you can make networking work for you.
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