I feel that most of the times, people confuse the real meaning of networking, which leads them into losing opportunities in their lives. Wrong networking can really give you the exact opposite results of the right networking. Networking is all about connecting.
Let me start with the definition of Networking. If you google for "what is networking" you will get the below results.
the action or process of interacting with others to exchange information and develop professional or social contacts.
the linking of computers to allow them to operate interactively.
So we can see that it is all about connecting either computers to work together, or people to work together, to interact and to exchange information, which lead them into building professional or personal friendships.
Networking Vs Business Networking
Networking
is about making new connections, friends and in general extending your power circle.
Business Networking
is about making new connections, friends and in general extending your power circle, with people who are in business.
So next time have this in mind. The word business is not there because you are in front of your next client, but because you are in front of a business person, which probably has common things to share with you, if you also are in business.
Networking and Opportunities
Networking is bringing up new or more opportunities. That could be in terms of your career, your lifestyle, your circle of trust and the list can go on. In the case that you are an entrepreneur, a business owner, an investor or a founder, these opportunities could be extended to new business opportunities.
You are who you know
In the world we live in, you are who you know. So the more people we are connected to, the more opportunities we have that we could be easily referred to someone, for a new job, a new potential client and other situations that we might be interested in.
Get it. Don't burn it.
So you need to make sure that you get these opportunities, by staying connected to people. Just think for a moment, how could someone be willing to help you if you managed to burn the connection, therefore you lost it.
You can burn a connection with your behaviour. You might either be too negative, too pushy in terms of business, or because you only pay attention to you and not them.
Use Networking Wisely
See networking as being alive. Humans need to be around other people, so as you. So by meeting new people, connecting to new people and making more friends, it will make you feel alive. This is how you should be looking at networking.
Keep networking for:
Continuously grow your network (contacts sphere)
Allowing people to know you better
Increase your knowledge in various topics
Help others with what they need
Educate people about your business
Let people know you better
Ask people to help you
Keep Networking everywhere
You can exercise networking whenever you are not alone. That could be in person or virtually at:
Social events
Gatherings
Trainings
Webinars
Meetings
Business Events
Conferences
Seminars
Weddings
etc
Business Networking Opportunities
Same as above you have the opportunity to find business people at those events. But if you need to filter those people so you can easier be around business people, you can join different clubs which have been created only for this purpose. A very good example is gbo or for my local friends gbo Cyprus.
What are your thoughts?
I would love to get your comments and thoughts on this topic or on the content I am sharing.