Networking the Right Way
I have attended a number of networking groups and I have attended a number of gatherings which call themselves "networking groups".
Why I make the distinction is important, for those who truly want to eleveate their profile and status through a route of stakeholder management, it is important to undertake the correct activities, as such meetings.
You can share coffee and food and spend an hour or two discussing the weather or how great the food or coffe is but all you are discussing is that environment and a moment in time. If you are sitting opposite an influencer do you really want to waste the opportunity discussing the quality of coffee or food with them? As an ice-breakler that's fine but suspect if you continue that channel of dialogue you will see them loking at their watch or falling off the chair from induced boredom!
The discussion needs to be about :
You- who you are what you do
What you can bring to the influencer in terms of their objectives. Describe your qualities, ideas and aspirations. Don't forget your achievements !!
Ask them t guide you on how to approach the areas you aspire to. What was their journey like- what are the behaviours to adopt or shelf?
Get involved in the activities and ensure you are positioning yourself above the peer group. The stakeholders who get invited to these things expect to be inspiring- let them see you are inspired whilst the others discuss how much sugar they put in their coffee.
Do whatever you can to present at these meetings- even to organize. What better way to be in regular contact and build a network of influence than to be seeen as the architect of networking progress.
Food for thought but remember - think about the food - talk about yourself !!
Why I make the distinction is important, for those who truly want to eleveate their profile and status through a route of stakeholder management, it is important to undertake the correct activities, as such meetings.
You can share coffee and food and spend an hour or two discussing the weather or how great the food or coffe is but all you are discussing is that environment and a moment in time. If you are sitting opposite an influencer do you really want to waste the opportunity discussing the quality of coffee or food with them? As an ice-breakler that's fine but suspect if you continue that channel of dialogue you will see them loking at their watch or falling off the chair from induced boredom!
The discussion needs to be about :
You- who you are what you do
What you can bring to the influencer in terms of their objectives. Describe your qualities, ideas and aspirations. Don't forget your achievements !!
Ask them t guide you on how to approach the areas you aspire to. What was their journey like- what are the behaviours to adopt or shelf?
Get involved in the activities and ensure you are positioning yourself above the peer group. The stakeholders who get invited to these things expect to be inspiring- let them see you are inspired whilst the others discuss how much sugar they put in their coffee.
Do whatever you can to present at these meetings- even to organize. What better way to be in regular contact and build a network of influence than to be seeen as the architect of networking progress.
Food for thought but remember - think about the food - talk about yourself !!
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