Networking: A Guide to Building a Fire Without it Burning Out

Sitting by a warm cosy fire on a cold winter’s night is one of life’s simple pleasures. The resplendent glow that radiates and the long promise of warmth makes for an inviting night in. The majestic flames bring both fascination and smiles as sparks fly.

Networking is like starting and maintaining a fire. Time needs to be taken to get it right. To have a fire that lasts all evening, it needs to be set right. Logs are placed at the base, kindling on top and then something for a starter, such as paper, which is easily flammable. Without each of these essential ingredients, the fire will not last. Equally, there are fundamentals for creating powerful connections - the approach, conversation, business cards, giving to others and followup - that assist you along your networking journey.

Just before lighting, anticipation builds. As the fire is lit, there is a thrill when it spreads and oxygen feeds the fire. The roar of the orange flames excites and brings an instant rush. During the evening the fire needs to be attended to, perhaps additional logs and stoked so embers can reignite and the fire won’t go out. Otherwise neglect at your peril and you’ll be left with ash.  

Like stoking, building fruitful long term partnerships takes time and, like anything, lots of practice. Networking isn’t just about turning up, collecting contacts or likes, or selling a product or service to someone. If you’re overzealous and demand too much of others, you might get that initial rush but you also risk getting burned.  

Kiwis do business with people they know, like and trust. Make contact and stay connected on a regular basis, check in on them, ask for their advice, make them feel like they are a part of your story and journey, include them in your successes, inspire them. They will feel valued and appreciated and want to continue to be part of your team. They are the embers slowly burning in the background ready to jump in when you really need them.

By feeding and nurturing, a fire can last long into the night, or in this case your network lasts for years to come. The alternative is your network becomes stale, people lose interest, you’ve burned bridges, it dwindles in intensity, suffocates and ultimately snuffs out. 

Why have short-term intensive combustion when you can have a long-term steady, comfy fire. What are you doing TODAY to build and grow strong relationships, based on mutual trust and respect, so when the time comes you can call for help?