Building an effective
network
John Puchtel/Human Resource Staffing
Networking is more than a buzz word. Good networking makes
a difference. Much like publicity, some networking is better
than none, but if you maximize your network you will begin
to experience big results.
So, how do you build an effective network? The main ingredients
are listening and learning;
listening to what others are doing and learning
how you might help them. Learn more about them as a person,
their profession and the people they know. Take an interest
in the people you are talking with and make it a goal to be
an effective resource for others. Be willing to share what
you know and ask for what you need.
Attend as many meetings as possible in your professional organizations.
Get active in your organization and join a committee; help
prepare for the meeting or volunteer to greet members as they
arrive. This will ensure you meet a large amount of people
in a short amount of time.
After you meet, stay in touch. If you tell someone you will
contact them, make sure you do. There are many different ways
of staying in touch; hand written notes, visits, phone or
e-mail. If someone indicates they will contact you –
and they don’t – follow up with them before they
contact you. Relationships need to be cultivated and nurtured
in both directions. One effective method of staying in touch
is to clip an article that is pertinent to your conversation
and mail it to them. Attach a hand-written note saying the
article made you think of them and you wanted to pass it along.
Networking does not have to be only with people in your profession.
Contacts may be found in your neighborhood, office or even
your golf league. You’ll never know where networking
can occur. How many times has someone asked you for specific
information such as a tangible item at the grocery store,
a recent sale on an appliance or a professional article you
read in a magazine? Effective listening can provide a wealth
of knowledge. When you hear of something that may benefit
your network, share the information as soon as possible.
Remember, when you are talking to one person, you are talking
to their entire network and this could be upwards of 200 people
or more. Listen to what people are saying, learn about how
you can help them and stay in touch. Your network will now
lead to big results.
