Networking: Look to Give - Not to Get

The more you network - the more access to opportunities you will have.

That is a fact, and research has shown that even distant acquaintances can be more powerful sources in our network than close friends.

But the secret, at least for the most part, is to ‘look to give, not to get’, when using these networks.

A recent Johns Hopkins University study found more than 80 per cent of people in the US had found jobs through weak or distant connections.

The main goals of networking are to:

1. Meet new people

2. Maintain connections

3. Create opportunities, and most importantly

4. Do something for somebody.

There are of course many opportunities to network - it’s just that many of us are unaware of the possibilities.

Networking is all about good communication - and the best way to ‘make things happen’ is of course, to find opportunities and get involved.

Conferences, workshops and exhibitions all offer great prospects for making important and useful connections.

Other opportunities include ‘speed networking’ events, talks, demos, and presentations.

When attending these however, rather than approaching them with the idea of selling something, why not look instead at just ‘being friendly with no agenda’?

Remember everyone else is in the same boat - and that by not pressuring yourself to sell or promote your business - you may actually end up enjoying yourself!

However, always remember when you do talk to people to be engaged and focused.

You need to develop a rapport with people - so don’t assume anything and most importantly, never judge a book by its cover.

The other thing about these events is to endeavour to maintain links with some of the contacts you do make.

This could be through LinkedIn or if you really hit it off, by organising another catch up at a later date.

Always attempt to continue to go to similar events - so you can get reacquainted with the same people.

Also, keep in mind that, very often, you will need a lot of patience so do not expect good connections to happen overnight.

This also goes for the use of social networks, which although they have made the job of networking so much quicker and easier, can be a ‘double-edged’ sword.

Indeed, the very power of those social networks can sometimes work against you, as you are essentially networking with a wider and wider audience, and therefore your efforts can lose impetus.

Finally, we all know networking can be very useful for growing contacts outside of your organisation.

But how can you make it work for you with the contacts you already have within your organisation?

Having good relationships with your colleagues goes without saying – but if possible, it can also help to make friends at work as well.

A diligent but shy employee may well ‘fly under the radar’, whereas those who foster close colleagues and friends at work may be the first to know when new opportunities arise, or to easily obtain a recommendation, where required.

To help build closer relationships, try asking someone at work for their opinion about something you have done, or plan to do.

And, if someone is happy do you a small favour they will usually feel good about themselves, and you - and of course, it works the same if you can do that person a small favour.