A Word About Networking

There is always a lot of talk about networking yet many people have no real idea what it is let alone how to do it.

Networking is the simple act of making connections with people.  With some of them you may have a lot in common  and others you may not. The point is that you make the decision to widen your horizons and broaden your perspective by  meeting new people,  sharing ideas, exchanging contact information and most important-maintaining the budding relationship.

Networking takes many forms and occurs in many places. Here are some examples:

1. You work in sales and find yourself in a meeting comprised of computer technicians.
2. The woman next door runs a daycare and you speak with her every weekend. Yet you have no kids.
3. Your mechanic is a Nascar fan. You hate Nascar.
4. You are on a flight seated next to a person of another race or culture.

 It may seem that you have little or nothing in common with these people. Yet each of these situations present excellent opportunities to connect with people with some knowledge you don't have but may one day need. Likewise, you may have something to offer them at some point.

But what either of you can "do" for one another is irrelevant. What matters is that you meet as human beings, you share information and you remain open to being available to the people you meet.

Networking only works really well when you continue to interact long before you  "need" something. And you may never need anything. They may never need anything. Surprising huh?

Go into new relationships with an open mind.  Be open to professional and personal friendships. Be as willing to share information as you are to seek it. Most important, don't look at people for what they can do for you-think instead of how you might be of help to someone else.

Best in Business To You!

Pamela

"The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend." Henry David Thoreau