Art of Networking Part II
Introduction
“Definition of networking – the exchange of information or services among individuals, groups, or institutions. Specifically: the cultivation of productive relationships for employment or business” www.merriam-webster.com
“Networking, Networking, and Networking – how to leverage it to maximize career objectives and job performance” – stated as one of the key elements on career management in the “Art of Closing the Deal – A new perspective on Career Management, post date: January 24, 2022.”
“Networking” is often referred as the not-so-secret formula for success in everything in Career Management by mentors, coaches, and even professional trainers. Unfortunately, not everyone knows what that really means. It is almost second nature for those who are outgoing and enjoy meeting new people. It is difficult to achieve effective results and impact. Networking event often turns in social gathering. They have fun for the moment without any return on the time investment for their career. For those who are more reserved and less outgoing, they often let others take charge of the conversation and forget why they are there in the first place.
In this three-part series, we will explore with the Art of Networking and how to leverage it to maximize your career objectives and job performance. We will first review the key elements one has to deal with in Part I and develop a practice approach for effective networking in Part II. Finally, we will address multicultural tug-a-war for Chinese/Asian Americans or immigrants in the Art of Networking in the American business or professional environment in Part III.
PART II – How?
Here is a 4-stage plan that suggest a practice approach to Network with measurable results and impact.
- Preparation – Prepare yourself and establish a plan before joining a Networking event.
- Develop an objective of your networking effort.
- Identify most effective networking opportunities on your objectives.
- Determine who you will target. For example, speakers of a conference, VIP guests, and fellow participants.
- Do appropriate research and available public information.
- Prepare a thirty second to one-minute self-introduction pitch.
- Orientation – Join in a friendly networking event with limited expectation and expected outcome. Practice your self-introduction pitch with a friendly audience. This is best to practice in a non-professional environment such as community or advocacy events.
- Engage people you do not already know.
- Avoid spending too much time catching up with old friends but make a conscious effort to meet new people.
- Learn to avoid potential controversial topics: politics, religions, and history of conflicts between different countries.
- Learn to politely change topics and walk away from the conversation.
- Implementation
Depending on your job responsibilities, the opportunity to expand your normal working hours may be limited. Most organizations provide professional development time and often sponsor activities with good networking opportunities. It is important for you to get the support of your management and ensure it fit into your education plan.
In just your job responsibilities do not allow you to attend professional events, you must develop a strategy to do it on your own time. Often you can volunteer for trade organization, industry groups, advocacy, and community organizations.
- Assessment
How to measure if your networking is effective or not? It really depends on what you rely on network for. If you rely on the network to help you find solutions to your work challenges whether it is technical or people related, you will only know if you take an issue to your network. It should be one-on-one and work it privately. It is only effective when your problem is resolved. If you no one in the network who can help you, you do not have an effective network for such issue. Most people do not engage the network until they have a major issue such as losing a job, frustration with supervisors, or colleagues. Usually that is too late. I suggest engaging your network by first offering to help others.
Assessment of your how effective your implementation of the plan is essential. Be honest with yourself and go back to the Preparation phase and redo your plan if necessary.
Summary
To be successful in networking in a sustainable manner, it requires a comprehensive approach. First, we need to understand the key elements, establish a plan, and act. This Part II of the series suggested a practical approach for networking. See Part I for the definition of the key elements and Part III for special consideration for Chinese/Asian Americans or Americans with international background and culture. Also, creative adaption to the networking environment is also necessary. Hence it is really an “Art” not a “Science”