We are all "self-employed" now.
Today there is absolutely no job security. We are living in an age of corporate downsizing, and freelance consultants, or self-employed workers are growing by the day. Networking is one skill you need to practice to get ahead and survive these uncertain times.
Wisdom in a Nutshell:
1. Networking is essential for both new jobs and business contracts.
2. Effective networking is 12 times more effective than answering advertisements.
3. Advertising is becoming ineffective except on a large scale.
4. Networking helps you find hidden opportunities and can set you apart from the competition.
5. An indirect approach is better than a direct one. Use someone you know to introduce you to your target contact. Never go straight to your target without a go-between who will put in a good word for you.
6. You can overcome your natural shyness, your fear of using people, and your fear of rejection.
The 3 key networking techniques are:
1. Build a network of partners to keep an open eye and ear for new opportunities for You.
2. Reach targeted individuals in two ways: directly or indirectly.
3. Build visibility by raising your profile. Go to every social gathering you possibly can.
Building your network is an ongoing process. You need to increase your range of contacts constantly.
Planning your campaign:
1. Define your objective.
2. Select the right technique.
3. Understand that "deal flow" or your number of prospects must be great in order to bag one new business contract.
4. Identify your target.
5. Work out your positioning. This is a short statement of what you are about, what you can offer.
6. Think about what you can do for your network partners in exchange for information and contacts.
Building Network partners:
1. Talk to everyone you know about opportunities.
2. Clarify what network partners can and will do for you.
3. Know which contacts to build into network partners.
4. Find those friendly network spiders, those types of people who just seem to know everyone.
5. Use the telephone.
How to grow and refresh your network:
1. Go out of your way to be where people are.
2. Get into the habit of being talkative.
3. Get the contact details of people you meet. Not just exchanging business cards but stapling information like birthdays, anniversaries, hobby clubs, and key information onto their cards.
4. Choose the right method for the right person.
5. Warm up long-cold contacts.
How to find targeted individuals:
1. Focus on what you want to achieve and how people can help you.
2. Use your network partners to find suitable companies.
3. Gather key information on these companies.
4. Figure out who is the one with the power to hire you.
5. Find people connections and common areas of interest.
Reaching targets through network partners:
1. Find and persuade the best partner for your targeted individual.
2. Engineer an introduction.
3. Build word-of-mouth exchanges about yourself.
Reaching targets directly:
1. Decide if you should write a letter or not.
2. Be able to demonstrate your achievements.
3. Have a line ready to get you past the secretary.
4. Act as though you expect to be put through.
5. Be ready to leave a short, persuasive message for the decision-maker.
Your opening line:
1. Be cheerful, confident and straightforward.
2. Exploit connections and recommendations.
3. Mention common interests.
4. Report news of interest to the target.
5. Wait for a response. Know when to shut up.
6. Write down your opening lines before picking up the phone.
How to be visible without really trying:
1. Ask a question at a conference.
2. Make a point in a meeting.
3. Write letters to your industry magazine.
4. Introduce yourself to lots of people at an industry show or ball.
5. Buy people a drink at the bar at a lecture.
6. Discuss a book with an industry leader.
7. Wear bright ties.
8. Make people laugh.
9. Have an opinion on everything. (But keep an open mind)
10. Hand out an unusual business card.
11. Recast your CV to be a little different.
12. Take up an unusual hobby. (But not too unusual)
13. Don't overlook using the email and Internet to communicate your cause.
By: Regine P. Azurin and Yvette Pantilla http://www.bizsum.com A Lot Of Great Books....Too Little Time To Read" Free Book Summaries Of Latest Bestsellers and More mailto:freenewsletter@bizsum.com
BusinessSummaries is a BusinessSummaries.com service.
(c) Copyright 2001-2005, BusinessSummaries.com
Regine Azurin is the President of BusinessSummaries.com, a company that provides business book summaries of the latest bestsellers for busy executives and entrepreneurs.
Jim Edwards and Joe Vitale who are both well known... Read More
Kmart's Ten Deadly Sins: How Incompetence Tainted an American Icon... Read More
THE FROGGIN INCIDENTAs I recall this particular happenin', which we... Read More
Marone Memoirs ? An immigrant Story by author Sarah E.... Read More
This is one book that I would have cherished as... Read More
The Power of 2: Win Big with People in Your... Read More
Her Backyard by Doreen Lewis is an adventure, romance novel... Read More
Today Lavaine is doing well and able to go about... Read More
Title: Bury My Heart at Redtree Author: Patrick Chalfant Genre:... Read More
Book Release: Gina's Poems -- Adventures in Love Written... Read More
Author: Thomas C. Oden Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco;... Read More
Chapter OneI was ready to start the fourth grade, the... Read More
On the Brink of Risk is a fiction novel inspired... Read More
For those of you who've been on another planet for... Read More
This article is based on the following book:What Is The... Read More
Author Joseph Yakel presents his own blend of humor and... Read More
What does it take to get in touch with your... Read More
This modern, aristocratic book portrays real-life events and how hard... Read More
This very fun, exciting, fast-paced, warm novella - Bob the... Read More
The Leadership Challenge: The Most Trusted Source on Becoming a... Read More
Are you a parent that has all the financial responsibility... Read More
Finite Capacity Scheduling by Gerhard Plenert PhD and Bill KirchmeirI... Read More
"Debra Warren has appropriately titled her book of poetry 'Pausing... Read More
The Review Diaries "If It Doesn't Go Up, Don't Buy... Read More
Practice What You Preach: What Managers Must Do to Create... Read More
I've reviewed a number of eBooks recently, and none of... Read More
Moon Child by Simone Maroney is a larger sized adventure,... Read More
Why do some prayers seem to be answered while others... Read More
This land is my memories. For two thousand years this... Read More
Never Fry Bacon in the Nude (And Other Lessons from... Read More
The Leadership Pill is another volume for those of you... Read More
Let me start with a small disclaimer: I am a... Read More
Please Don't Just Do What I Tell You, Do What... Read More
For me, poetry is often too obtuse and difficult for... Read More
Are you a parent that has all the financial responsibility... Read More
Karmic Relationships: Healing Invisible WoundsCharles Richards, Ph.D. Jodere Group P.O.... Read More
THE FROGGIN INCIDENTAs I recall this particular happenin', which we... Read More
Create Your Own Future: How to Master 12 Critical Factors... Read More
The Rich Jerk "Making Money on the internet is Easy"... Read More
Betty Woodrum released her first book of poetry entitled Shattered... Read More
"Jason Seeley's War" is centered in the heart of a... Read More
For those of you who've been on another planet for... Read More
The "Rich Jerk" has created quite a stir on the... Read More
Author: Thomas C. Oden Paperback: 384 pages Publisher: HarperSanFrancisco;... Read More
When I reached the top of the driveway after getting... Read More
In a profound and provocative work of scholarly detection, best-selling... Read More
Teenage years for Russ Whitney were not filled with opportunity,... Read More
With this all possible the price could be lowered to... Read More
The Leadership Pill is another volume for those of you... Read More
FISH! Tales: Real-Life Stories to Help You Transform Your Workplace... Read More
Title: Bury My Heart at Redtree Author: Patrick Chalfant Genre:... Read More
"The Road of Silk is an adventure fantasy, with mystical... Read More
"Dorinne Davis has written many books that concentrate on the... Read More
Book Summary:This article is based on the following book: ... Read More
RAT RACE BLUES: How To Break The Stranglehold Darlene Arechederra... Read More
"Fern's Dragon is a wonderfully fun read that stimulates the... Read More
Title: Conspiracy Of Fools: A True Story Author: Kurt Eichenwald... Read More
Blue's Clues for Success: The 8 Secrets Behind A Phenomenal... Read More
MONEY WITHOUT MATRIMONY: The Unmarried Couples Guide to Financial Security,... Read More
If you're like me then chances are when it comes... Read More
Washington Historian Remembers Harriet Lane, the Greatest First LadyWASHINGTON DC:... Read More
The New York Times' columnist visits India often. I read... Read More
This land is my memories. For two thousand years this... Read More
These are some of the highlights of a connected story... Read More
I have decided to start with this text as simply... Read More
Reality intertrudeAs MS (multiple Sclerosis) is doing such a fine... Read More
Book Reviews |