Lesson 1: The power of knowing what you want
Be clear about what you want from your networking efforts and everything else to falls into place naturally.
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Why do you network?
Most people answer this question with general statements, such as “to meet new people” or “to generate new business”.
This is too vague and not very useful because it doesn’t really help you identify what specific actions you need to take.
For instance, if you say you want to “meet new people”, who are these people, and where are you most likely to meet them?
On the other hand, if you say you want to find speaking opportunities to generate more visibility for your business, then you have something concrete to work with.
This level of detail allows you to easily decide which events to attend, whom to talk to, whom to follow up with and why, etc.
Self-Assessment Quiz
Which of these apply to you?
- Do you often return from networking events or business mixers feeling vaguely disappointed that “nothing happened”?
- Do you have a stack of business cards that you collected at various events that you don’t know what to do with?
If you answered “yes” to either question, you may want to step back and clarify your networking goals.
Networking Mistake #1
One of the most common mistakes people make when networking is not being clear about exactly what they want from their networking efforts.
In order to get the most from your networking efforts, you must be clear and very specific about what you’re looking for – which may be information; introduction to certain people; help from someone, such as an expert in a particular area or topic, and so on.
Being clear and specific helps you focus your time and energy.
It helps you quickly identify the kinds of people who either have the information or contacts you’re looking for, or can help you find them.
It also helps you determine where you might meet these people, and what exactly you might talk about when you do meet them.
How to Correct Mistake #1
Learn to recognize your true end-goal in various contexts and focus or re-direct your attention to it in “real time”.
Complete details on how to do this, is covered in module 1 of the Effortless Networking self-study program.
For now, answer this ONE question, and you’ll be on your way to getting really clear and specific about what you want out of networking:
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What do you consider to be a successful “networking interaction”? Why is this?
Your networking goals directly affect your actions: what events you attend, whom you talk to, whom you follow up with.
So the clearer you are about what you want, the more focused you can be about where and how you spend your time, money and energy.
If it sounds simple, you’re right – it is.
So what prevents us from doing these “simple” things?
That’s the topic for the lesson 2, coming up next.
Sri Dasgupta
Phone: 1-650-704-5384
Links to all 5 online lessons:
5 Simple Ways to Network Successfully — Lesson 1
5 Simple Ways to Network Successfully — Lesson 2
5 Simple Ways to Network Successfully — Lesson 3
5 Simple Ways to Network Successfully — Lesson 4
