Get KNOWN –

“A wise person knows everything, a clever one, everybody.”

        This year make an effort to improve your networking skills.

        Networking is about building and improving your relationships with others.

        Many great leaders owe their success to their ability to remember people’s names and their details.

         Today’s it’s often not what you know but who you know that counts the most.

        Try to connect with people you feel have some interest and value to you. When you do this you are networking and will be well rewarded.

A Handful of tips to help you build new relationships

* Seek people with common interests

        Join groups that interest you

        There are three main types of grouping:

        The professional and business type groups such as professional societies.

        The hobby, sporting, educational and religious types of grouping.

Thirdly, there’s the online group which can connect people from all over the world. This is the most important group today.

        Join groups that appeal to you and make an effort to contribute to the group. Enhance your life with new friends and contacts.

 * Gain a reputation by making a contribution

        Join in activities and help organize events. Take office. Contribute to the group and gain respect.

        Go out of your way to help others. Generosity is an attractive quality and it is something special that people will remember about you.  

        Make an effort to move around at social events and talk to many people, especially to strangers.  Show you are interested in others and ask open-ended questions. “What brought you to this meeting tonight?'” “Where did you grow up?” “What are your main interests?”

        Take care you do not talk too much. Question and concentrate on what the person has to say. Seek things you have in common, or ways you can help them.

* Establish a good reputation

        If you say you will do something to help someone, do it as soon as possible.

        Respond to any referrals you are given as soon as you can. Keep in touch and let them know how the new connections are going. Your contact will feel grateful their contacts were useful and admire you for seizing the opportunity.

* Keep  records

        Collect and file business cards or use an electronic filing system. You must be able to make contact quickly, if and when required.

        Keeping a diary can be a valuable tool and can bring you rewards when you need names, dates, and specific details.

        Jot down notes about people, so you can quickly establish a rapport with them next time you meet. “Keen on sports.” Has a family of three boys.” “Born in Australia.””An Eisenhower Fellow””Like’s a good Scotch whiskey.”

* Meet regularly

        Groups should meet on a regular basis to reinforce contacts, and to refresh relationships.

        Networking is successful when groups of like-minded people recognize, create, and act upon opportunities and go out of their way to help each other.  

        Who you know is more important than what you know so fortify your life with new friends and contacts.

-Geoffrey Moss(mossassociates.co.nz)

“A person’s name is the most important sound they can hear.”

Source: “Secrets for New Managers” first published by Moss Associates Ltd., New Zealand (mossassociates.co.nz) and Cengage Learning Asia, Singapore. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com and from the VitalSource Bookshelf. (Articles published in “Today’s Manager”, the Singapore Institute of Management magazine.)