Networking

How many of you have a network?◦ All of you!

How big is it?◦ That depends.

What is a network?◦ Any system of interrelated buildings, offices, computers,

or PEOPLE.

Do you really need your own network (of people)?◦ Absolutely!!!

Questions

You all have people that you know and associate with.

The size of your network depends on how many people

you know.

A network helps people or things that are not close to

each other to work together more efficiently.

Because your network is the people you know, having

a good one means that you can get yours or somebody

else’s needs met quicker.

Why?

If you have an effective network, you will be able to get things done that you might not otherwise be able to do.

What does it provide?

1. Enable you to meet people.

2. This means that you can help others.

3. They can then help you.

A good network will:

People can't recommend someone or

something to you, or you to someone else

if they've never met you. So you have to

meet people, and you have to get to know

those that you meet.

Why meet people?

You will find that many times, the 5 most welcome

words for someone to hear is "How Can I Help

You?" Asked sincerely, these words will open doors

that nothing else will. Try asking that question to a

friend sometime and see what their reaction is.

Though they may be surprised at first, they may

also come up with something! Help them, and

they'll be a little more willing to help you later.

Why help others?

Most people naturally want to be helpful. If they hadn't thought of it consciously, your request for help will prompt them. If they had thought of it, your request will hopefully inform them on what you need help with.

Why will others help you?

You've probably heard that a business gets

most of its new customers through word-of-

mouth advertising (personal referrals).

Not: billboard ads radio ads newspaper ads or TV ads

In finding a job, somewhere between 60-

90% of jobs are filled using networking and

referrals (i.e. word-of-mouth advertising).

Imagine an executive that has 100 resumes on his desk for a new

manager. 90 resumes were submitted online, 10 were submitted online,

as well as someone bringing in a copy to his secretary. Those 10 people

also each knew a person in the company, who all spoke to this manager

about what a great addition to the company this friend of theirs would be.

Given this scenario, which resumes do you think the manager might look

at first, the 90, or the 10?

Do you think he might even find the person he wants in the 10, and not

even look at the 90? It is possible!!

For example:

1. Specifically identify your network. Write down the name of everybody that you know, where they work, what other interests/abilities they have, and how you can help them, and how they can help you. You can keep track of this list on the computer or on index cards.

2. Read about networking. This includes books such as “Use Your Head to Get Your Foot in the Door” by Harvey Mackay, and “Successful Networking” by Frances Kay. You can also search online for 'networking', 'business networking', 'how to network', etc.

3. Practice your networking. You can do this at Toastmasters, on LinkedIn, or at a “Job Networking Club”.

To help improve your networking, I would suggest that you do the following:

Remember: Network = Networth

Finally,