“So howmany business cards did you get thisyear?” asked Ryan, one of my teammates.
“Hm, let’s see … looks like about 35or 40,” I replied as I sifted through my pile. “Not quite as many as last year,but good enough!” Ryan rolled his eyes and chuckled. My coworkers neverunderstood why I collected so many business cards at events and conferences,but I did.
According to Malcom Gladwell’s book,The Tipping Point,I tend to be a Connector – Gladwell’s category for those individuals who know large numbers of people and who are in the habitof making introductions. Making connections with people is something I’vealways enjoyed. I’ve had the opportunity to build an amazing and diverse globalnetwork of people over the years – and it’s still growing.
Networking may come naturally forsome people, especially in the training and development world. When theseindividuals find themselves in an unfamiliar environment – whether it’svisiting another country, attending a national conference, or evenparticipating in meetings outside of their organization – they tend tointroduce themselves, initiate conversations, and move easily into icebreakersor other “get to know you” activities.
For those to whom networking doesnot come naturally, connecting with others may be more of a challenge. Theseindividuals may wait to be introduced, allow someone else to start theconversation, and be slow to participate in group activities. Is this a badthing? Not necessarily. Generally, people who are not naturally inclined tonetwork will find someone they already know – perhaps a Connector – throughwhom they can connect with others.
But learning to be more assertiveabout connecting with others can help build your own personal networksignificantly faster, and make those connections richer and more fulfilling. Sowhy is it important to build your network?
From a personal perspective,networking has many advantages. It helps to build new relationships throughwhich you can share information, answer questions, and make connections forsupport and knowledge sharing. People in your network become the portals toknowledge, opportunity, and information you might not find on your own.
For example, when a question stumpsme and I can’t seem to find a solution, I activate my network! I send outmessages to those whom I trust, and they will either answer my question orconnect to someone who can. Conversely, when people contact me with questions Ido the same. If I can’t answer their question or give them the information theyare seeking, I will connect them with someone who either can or will help themconnect to another resource. It’s a win-win situation!
From the business perspective, however,networking isn’t only helpful, it is mandatory. Business networking supports collaboration –whether it’s collaborating with internal team members or making connectionsoutside of the organization. The real value of business networking takes rootafter you make the initial connection. Once you’ve established a businessconnection, you’ve set the foundation for sharing a multitude of resourcesranging from best practices to collaborating on joint ventures and projects.Your business networks can be your most valuable resources!
Helpful Tips for “Natural” Networkers
- Strengthen your existing network by making moreconnections. Ask people to introduce you to more people, and seek to findcommon ground in each new relationship you find.
- Keep contact information updated – yours andthose in your network. Alert people when you change your contact information,and be sure to keep your contacts current. Make it as easy for them to find youas it is for you to find them.
- Continue to grow and develop your network alongwith your own personal growth and development. Reach out to your network andlet them support you. Think of your network as your own personal cheeringsection!
Helpful Tips for “Growing” Networkers
- Try attending more events, which forces you tomeet new people. Make a point to meet at least three new people at every eventor function you attend.
- When you meet someone for the first time,exchange business cards or contact information, and send them a thank you noteas soon as possible. This is not only a polite gesture, but it establishes amore permanent way to contact each other (i.e. Outlook, address book, contactlist).
- Stay connected to your Connectors! They willremain a valuable resource for you as you build and expand your own personalnetwork.
