The other day I was on a conference call with my boss and a woman I had met at a networking event. I was not sure what to expect in the conversation because although this woman had become one of my favorite people, I was not sure what my boss would think. I met this woman at a evening networking event at a local college. She spoke at a previous event but I did not put two and two together until I stopped her and said, "do I know you from somewhere?"
We had an instant connection and she was really interested to learn more about the company I work for. We saw some connections between her life's work and what my company does. So we agreed to talk soon.
The next day I sent her an e-mail and she said I beat her to it because she was just about to reach out. She came to the office a short time later for a one-on-one meeting. It was an amazing meeting and I told her she really needs to talk to my boss as it sounded like we could partnership with her in some way.
That call with my boss lasted just over an hour. During the call he called me the "master hooker-upper". Which was a great compliment because really that's what I do for the people on my team. I find people out there that could not only use our services, but that could help us to grow as a company and serve our clients better.
Some people hate networking. They say it is too expensive (really, because I never go to anything costing more than $5). They say they don't have time (really, because it's only an hour or so once per month). Pounding the phones every day is one way to make connections. But after years and years of that, aren't you bored?
The other night at a networking event a woman at my table was talking about cold calling. She said it's like talking to strangers. Talking to strangers is something our parents told us never to do. And that is what makes it so hard. So for hardly any $ you can go to events that put you in touch with people with services you need (I found a woman that does holistic medicine, another that does wine parties). It also keeps you learning. We are never too old to stop learning.
It does not have to be a formal networking event. It can be a gallery opening.
I promise you, it will be a good use of your time. And really, what's an hour a month given the connections you can make. Life is what you put into it, right?
The groups I'm a part of are geared towards women (I'm around a team that's 80% men every day so that's why I lean towards the women's groups).
Here are the groups I enjoy:
Babson College's Center for Women's Leadership http://www3.babson.edu/cwl/
WorldWIT http://www.worldwit.org/ (the group that thru volunteer work led to my current job).
Downtown Women's Club: http://www.downtownwomensclub.com/dwc/index.php
And don't forget MassAudubon. I like to volunteer for the kids programs a couple of times per year (and I bring my mom to help too): http://www.massaudubon.org/index.php
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Comments: 21
This is a great article, which I actually read the other day but didn't have time to comment on. I used to network all the time when I was in sales, and haven't really done much of it in a while. But the reason this caught my eye, is that I've been job hunting recently and it's been suggested that networking might be the best way to get hired. I'm having a little trouble doing that, though. When you are not working, and facing frustrations it's hard to go out there and smile and meet people.
So thanks for highlighting all the benefits, as well as cost-effective ways to accomplish it. It has made me think. And I couldn't agree more with you that....
We are never too old to stop learning.
That's so true.
And networking is taking place all the time. When one attends parties at the homes of other friends and starts chatting to people, that's networking. People who think they can't network don't realize thay do it at these type of functions.
was dubious about the concept of networking when someone first told me about it; being European, I thought of it as a suspiciouly American concept, But it really worked on two occasions for me (first a job and then finding a new literary agent) and then I became a convert.
My only proviso is that one should be genuine when networking--you know, be as open and helpful as you want the other person(s) to be because they are also looking to you as someone who can perhaps help them with something. And if you promise to do something, follow through, etc.
Thanks for your feedback. I believe in being honest while networking. Just last night I met someone at an event and told her that I do research looking for x and why I do so and how it helps my team etc.
Good for you on finding a new literary agent and a job thru networking!
Great point! I always save the cards because you never know!