Some Thoughts on Networking from RWW
Networking is a critical skill to expand one’s career and business
opportunities. People who network actively add a distinct strength to their
professional approach. We recently came across some thoughts on
networking and have adapted them to the Risk Who’s Who context. We
hope you will find them to be useful.
1. Be Willing to Ask for Assistance
If you need professional assistance of any sort, you have to ask other
members in order to get it. Use the RWW professional and social
networking opportunities to establish and maintain contact with other
members. Informal contact (dinner, drinks) is always a good starting
point to building up your personal network.
2. Be Willing to Give Assistance
The first step is to know what you yourself bring to the table in terms of
skills, connections and influence. Don’t just expect one-way traffic, you
have to also give to get - you get out of it what you put in it. But do not over
promise - don’t play up your ability to accomplish things that you can’t or
make deals you don’t have the authority to make. Please respond with
information and advice when other RWW members contact you, ideally
within 24 hours even if it’s just a one-line initial acknowledgement.
3. Networking is a Subtle Process
There is a statistic that suggests that 80-85% of job offers come through
networking. Your next job is likely to come from a competitor, so it’s
important to get to know people and collaborate and not just compete.
Nonetheless, you should not only get in touch with people when you are
looking for a job – on the contrary it’s likely to be a natural outcome of
successful networking.
Take care not to sell at networking meetings – your goal should only be to
meet people and establish rapport and create a positive impression
about yourself so that they perceive you as someone of value. Also, never
expect anything directly more than information and advice or new
contacts to meet. If a business opportunity presents itself directly that’s
just great but don’t go in with that as the focus – drop your sales hat.
When you meet someone at a networking event, remember that you are
both there for the same reason i.e., to make as many new contacts as
possible. Therefore do not monopolize someone’s time. You’re looking
for a new business contact, not a new best friend. Focus on building
mutually-beneficial relationships that will pay off down the road.
While networking keep in mind that it’s not just about people senior to
you, others have unique knowledge and their own contacts which you
may want. Qualify the people you meet into three categories - potential
clients, source of referrals, interesting-but-nothing-more. Not everyone
will be a direct business prospect. Networking is more then prospecting -
it’s also about finding people who could lead you to potential new
customers.
The personal connection always helps – try to remember people's names
and conversations you have with them, ask questions / ask for advice (get
people actively engaged), offer help and above all be yourself – “put your
person before your profession; your personality before your position; your
individuality before your industry”. And needless to say, always exchange
business cards.
Stay in touch - this helps other RWW members to remember you and
pass you on as a contact to other Networkers.
4. Stay in Touch
Check in with your contacts every now and then. A key rule is to keep in
contact with people regularly rather than only when you want something.
Make the effort to meet people in person rather than just talking to them
on the phone, or e-mailing them. Look for cues to make sure that the
other person is as keen to meet – never infringe on peoples personal
time. Always take the same effort and interest in subsequent networking
meetings.
5. Thank other RWW Members for Their Help
When one of the RWW members gives you advice or provides you with a
job lead don't forget to thank them. Be generous in your thanks to people
who do help you, it’s a positive reinforcement.
6. Networking Involves Work
Remember, it is net‘work’, not net‘eat’ or net‘play’. It takes energy and
effort to use the RWW Network to work for you. It needs patience.
Networking is for life and not just for a new job. Keep working on it and it
will work for you. Networking goals can differ depending on your
profession and your seniority. Goals range from meeting someone new
every week to knowing at least five people more senior than you for advice
and professional input.
Lastly, remember that becoming a member of the RWW International
Network is just the starting point – to make the most of your membership
you ultimately have to do it yourself.
Networking is a critical skill to expand one’s career and business
opportunities. People who network actively add a distinct strength to their
professional approach. We recently came across some thoughts on
networking and have adapted them to the Risk Who’s Who context. We
hope you will find them to be useful.
1. Be Willing to Ask for Assistance
If you need professional assistance of any sort, you have to ask other
members in order to get it. Use the RWW professional and social
networking opportunities to establish and maintain contact with other
members. Informal contact (dinner, drinks) is always a good starting
point to building up your personal network.
2. Be Willing to Give Assistance
The first step is to know what you yourself bring to the table in terms of
skills, connections and influence. Don’t just expect one-way traffic, you
have to also give to get - you get out of it what you put in it. But do not over
promise - don’t play up your ability to accomplish things that you can’t or
make deals you don’t have the authority to make. Please respond with
information and advice when other RWW members contact you, ideally
within 24 hours even if it’s just a one-line initial acknowledgement.
3. Networking is a Subtle Process
There is a statistic that suggests that 80-85% of job offers come through
networking. Your next job is likely to come from a competitor, so it’s
important to get to know people and collaborate and not just compete.
Nonetheless, you should not only get in touch with people when you are
looking for a job – on the contrary it’s likely to be a natural outcome of
successful networking.
Take care not to sell at networking meetings – your goal should only be to
meet people and establish rapport and create a positive impression
about yourself so that they perceive you as someone of value. Also, never
expect anything directly more than information and advice or new
contacts to meet. If a business opportunity presents itself directly that’s
just great but don’t go in with that as the focus – drop your sales hat.
When you meet someone at a networking event, remember that you are
both there for the same reason i.e., to make as many new contacts as
possible. Therefore do not monopolize someone’s time. You’re looking
for a new business contact, not a new best friend. Focus on building
mutually-beneficial relationships that will pay off down the road.
While networking keep in mind that it’s not just about people senior to
you, others have unique knowledge and their own contacts which you
may want. Qualify the people you meet into three categories - potential
clients, source of referrals, interesting-but-nothing-more. Not everyone
will be a direct business prospect. Networking is more then prospecting -
it’s also about finding people who could lead you to potential new
customers.
The personal connection always helps – try to remember people's names
and conversations you have with them, ask questions / ask for advice (get
people actively engaged), offer help and above all be yourself – “put your
person before your profession; your personality before your position; your
individuality before your industry”. And needless to say, always exchange
business cards.
Stay in touch - this helps other RWW members to remember you and
pass you on as a contact to other Networkers.
4. Stay in Touch
Check in with your contacts every now and then. A key rule is to keep in
contact with people regularly rather than only when you want something.
Make the effort to meet people in person rather than just talking to them
on the phone, or e-mailing them. Look for cues to make sure that the
other person is as keen to meet – never infringe on peoples personal
time. Always take the same effort and interest in subsequent networking
meetings.
5. Thank other RWW Members for Their Help
When one of the RWW members gives you advice or provides you with a
job lead don't forget to thank them. Be generous in your thanks to people
who do help you, it’s a positive reinforcement.
6. Networking Involves Work
Remember, it is net‘work’, not net‘eat’ or net‘play’. It takes energy and
effort to use the RWW Network to work for you. It needs patience.
Networking is for life and not just for a new job. Keep working on it and it
will work for you. Networking goals can differ depending on your
profession and your seniority. Goals range from meeting someone new
every week to knowing at least five people more senior than you for advice
and professional input.
Lastly, remember that becoming a member of the RWW International
Network is just the starting point – to make the most of your membership
you ultimately have to do it yourself.
| Risk Knowledge Network, Inc. |
Risk Who's Who™
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