How to Boost your Networking Quotient (NQ)

"A strong cultivated network of true peers is a prerequisite for your success and has a clear impact on your performance."

Networking maestros, those among us who are skilled at developing a diversified, cultivated, and influential network, are reaping the benefit in today's social, highly networked business world.?

Networking is an important skill, and it makes sense that we clearly understand precisely where we stand with our "NQ Pulse," our Networking Quotient.

Your Networking Quotient (NQ) gauges the degree to which you're recruiting, developing meaningful relationships, and cultivating a highly effective personal network. The Quality of your network associates matters. It's when your network is so broad and deep that almost anything can be accomplished more efficiently and effectively through your network.

On the other hand, your LinkedIn Social Selling(SSI) Index measures your social selling efforts by considering how well you have established your brand, your profile strength, profile accuracy, publishing skills, and prospecting efficiency.

The networking Quotient (NQ) is being calculated based on three main important factors:?

1) the number of members in your social network;?

2) the depth of your relationships with your members; and?

3) how often do you interact with them??

How big? Your network is diverse, deeply nurtured, or firm and will allow you to help others more and affect your net worth. Your network is your net worth. Increase your NQ, and you will increase your net worth.

When you are well-networked, you build your brand, and in the process, you boost your confidence.?Embrace networking as a powerful tool for your success. Any strategy you take needs to include a highly effective and vital component: peer-to-peer networking.

The central idea behind the effectiveness of peer-to-peer networks is that all of us learn better, have more confidence, and gravitate to the shared experience of others at our professional level and in the circumstances similar to ours.?

There is incredible value in tapping into the collective experience of a group of trusted peers, and Reciprocity plays a critical factor in successful networking performance.?

The outcome is a 'Connect Effect,' a positive result derived from having a strong, cultivated, supportive, and vibrant network.?

If we listen, the LinkedIn notifications feed may provide us with endless, great, real-life opportunities to reach out, greet, engage and celebrate. It will strengthen your bond with your community.

Here are a few little but meaningful actions we should take to cultivate a profound relationship with our peers and network members.

Just Listen.

Some of your peers have just recently started an exciting new position. Some have been promoted to senior positions.?

Well, That's Fantastic news!?

Leverage those events to reach out and sincerely greet them. Be genuine. It's an excellent opportunity to catch up and get closer. Avoid using canned greeting messages like "Congrats on the new role!" And "How are you liking your new job?" Even worse, "Congrats! Let's catch up."

These are all impersonal, recycled greeting messages with little to no effect.?

Try something like: "Best of luck with your new position, John. Warmly,( your name)."

This sounds like a more straightforward, sincere, and genuine message and will be responded to accordingly.?

Some of your peers have just finished their studies. For them, that's a significant accomplishment and an excellent opportunity for you to engage.

Once again, avoid using pre-populated greeting messages like: "Congrats on finishing up at Kellogg Executive Education! What are you up to next?"

A little tweak here will do. Personalize it.

Try something like: "Congratulations on finishing the Kellogg Executive Education program, John. A major accomplishment" Kudos. Warmly, (your name).

This will strike. I guarantee you.

Other peers have just aired their first weekly series inviting you to subscribe. This is an excellent opportunity to engage. Subscribe. Reach out and thank that member for inviting you. Promote enthusiasm blended with recognition and acknowledgment.?

All those cases represent real, good, genuine reasons to reach out, warmly greet, engage, and show that you genuinely care and appreciate.?Many of us are still missing the personal touch and are lacking in truly personalizing our replies.

Greet sincerely and show that you genuinely care. You will stand out. Others will surely notice.

#networkingquotient