Yesterday I touched on negative networking. Today let's explore positive networking. The kind of networking that really works. According to Fisher and Vilas:
Networking is:
* The process of gathering, collecting, and distributing information for the mutual benefit of you and the people in your network
Beth says: Your network being the people that you interact with on both a regular and limited basis. Most of you do this without even thinking about it.
* The genuine expression of interest in others and the willingness to contribute and support them when possible
Beth says: In other words… It’s not just about you and your career. What can you do to make a difference in someone else’s life? While attending a conference there are multitudes of opportunities for positive networking. Helping someone who had their hands full . . . chatting with the people around you in line. Inviting someone to sit at your table when they arrived looking a little lost and alone.
* Giving as well as getting information
Beth says: Share your personal expertise with your critique partners. Share industry news on your email loops, research a subject and write an article or present a workshop. No contribution is too small. Listen and learn, but also reach out and give back.
Tomorrow: Networking in action.
Quote for the day:
“Effective networking is little more than basic friendliness to strangers – and then maybe going a little further for their sake. When we put others at ease, we also put ourselves at ease and that opens up the door to connect. We meet a lot of people every day, but how many do we take the time to get to know even a little bit? Yet, it’s the ones we know that we remember.” – Mary Stella, published author, media relations/public relations specialist
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