20 networking tips

Networking is a critically important component of career and organizational success. Being well connected and having strong relationships both within and outside your organization is a cornerstone of success, in any industry and any field.

In a nutshell, networking means building a robust and diverse group of peers and colleagues who can support your personal and professional success and the success of your organization. It is important to take networking seriously, and remember that it isn't about schmoozing; it’s about developing real relationships. 

Here are 20 tips to help you network the right way:

1. Sincerity is the most important aspect of successful networking. You have to keep it real.

2. Cultivate a deep appreciation for the people you meet. This means showing genuine interest and being a good listener.

3. Make a positive first impression. Use open and positive body language, good eye contact, a good handshake, and a positive attitude.

4. Smile, smile, and smile!

5. Wear your nametag (left side, please).

6. Introduce yourself properly and clearly.

7. Develop a great (and short—20 second) elevator speech that tells people who you are and what you do. 

8. Remember people’s names. If you forget, just ask again politely.

9. Don’t scan the room for better opportunities.

10. But your focus on the other person. Ask engaging questions, be a good listener, and try to be a good conversationalist.

11. Be memorable. Express yourself well, and be someone who others are glad to see.

12. Don’t give the impression you are tying to use, sell, or get something out of people. 

13. Introduce people to other people. Smile and invite others to join your group. This is also a great way to learn and remember names.

14. Develop relationships with people, not their titles. Don’t dismiss people you meet because their title isn’t right or because you don’t think they are worthwhile or high enough up the ladder.

15. Attend as many professional and social events as you can, and introduce yourself to people you don’t know.

16. Don't drink too much. Drunk never makes a good impression.

17. Find ways to add value and do favors for others.

18. Say goodbye with warmth and graciousness.

19. Follow-up with people you like and cultivate relationships. Send an e-mail, use social networking, meet for coffee, etc.

20. Don’t expect instant friendships. Friendships take time to develop. Don’t overreach early on. Developing a network takes time!

Memory tips: How to remember someone's name

Memory tips come in handy when networking, especially when it comes to remembering someone's name. It's flattering to someone when you remember their name, and it helps you put them in your mental database of contacts.


Here are six tips to help you remember someone's name:



1. Repetition, repetition, repetition. When first introduced, repeat your new acquaintance's name. First, repeat it directly. "It's nice to meet you, Tom. How do you do?" Then repeat it twice during the course of your conversation. Using their name while conversing will help cement it into your memory—but don't overdo it, or you'll seem odd.


2. Association/Mnemonics. Anchor their name to a particular feature. In your mind, a simple "Tom" might become "Tom with the eyebrows," "Tom wearing blue," or "Tom with the crazy hair." Next time you see them, that feature will remind you of their name.


3. Rhyme it. Try making a simple rhyme out of their name. This can be as silly as you like because, remember, it only needs to make sense to you. Tom could be "Tom went to the prom."


4. Ask someone else. If you forget, discreetly ask a mutual friend. You needn't be embarrassed. It's far better to do this than to call them by the wrong name.


5. Introduce them to someone else. Introduce your new acquaintance to a friend to prompt them to give their own name: "Have you met Peter? He's a good friend of mine from the polo club." Hopefully they will introduce themselves, giving you the opportunity to hear their name again.


6. Just ask. If all else fails, simply ask them again. Politely say, "I'm terribly sorry, I've forgotten your name." Everyone forgets names from time to time, so don't be embarrassed, and don't make a big deal of it.

Six networking mistakes to avoid

Networking is more important than ever. Here are the six most common mistakes people make, and how to avoid them.

Is your network wide enough?

Diversify Your Network


In any market, the most important thing you can do to advance your career and professional interests is to network. But now, as our economy shifts and changes, as new technologies arise and old ones are replaced, networking is more imperative than ever.


By the same token, it is important to remember that these are business relationships. Yes, you want to build on common interests and yes you want to establish relationships with people you like, but remember that this is a different situation than building friendships. Women, very often fall into this trap, which is odd, given that women are naturally more social creatures than men.


Women are at another disadvantage when it comes to networking, for the reason that they don’t do it often enough. Networking requires going out for drinks after work, or having breakfasts or the like. But because women have more demands on their time with family obligations they don’t network the way they should. This is a mistake, and women need to make more of an effort to get out there and do what they have to to establish and nurture their network. Start small. Commit yourself to a networking event or opportunity once every other week, building to a networking event at least once a week.


Opportunities don’t come from the sky. They come from other people. Who you know is still as important as what you know. And this means networking. Without developing a network, how are other people going to find you? Who is going to come knocking on your door? You have to create and nurture a healthy network, so opportunity can find you.


The key to effective networking in the twenty-first century is to diversify. It’s not enough to do the same old thing, to stick to your chosen field and the players in it. Today, you have to branch out and diversify to other people, in other fields and in other ways. Here’s how.


Get Connected
We live in a hyper-connected world, and in order to network effectively you have to be a part of that world. The good news is that networking electronically is easy, popular and effective. You can get and stay connected via any number of technological means: LinkedIn, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, blogs, and any number of other electronic and on-line forums and associations.


If you are flummoxed by these new technologies or sites, have someone show you how to access and use them. It’s actually very simple. Once on them, you need to maintain them and respond to people in a timely fashion. Don’t be embarrassed if this way of doing things is unfamiliar and strange to you. Get over it and get on board; everyone is doing it and so should you.


And you can’t afford not to. The reach of these sites and technologies is simply amazing. Facebook, for example, has 250 million users, and the fastest growing demographic on that site is over 35 years old. LinkedIn, a professional rather than social site, has 25 million users, of whom 31 percent are over the age of 45. Demographically, on-line networking sites are not just for the young. Everyone is on them. You should too, and it’s as easy as a mouse click.


Freshen Up
The thing about networks is that most people don’t use them until they need them. This is a mistake. You should always be networking and you should always be tending to your network. Whether you have been actively networking or not, now is a good time to freshen up or even get started. Reconnect with people. Have coffee, have lunch or breakfast. Go to events. Join associations and clubs. Attend seminars and industry events. Find colleagues, new and old, through appropriate Internet sites. Connect, connect, connect.


The point is to freshen up your old contacts and network by reconnecting with them, and then start fresh with new networks. You need to build relationships before you need them, so take the time and energy to do it right. The best time to develop a network is when you don’t need it. So get busy.


Be Real
The obvious reason to have a network is to use it to stay informed, engaged and plugged in. It’s also the best way to find opportunities. But the key to being an effective networker is not to appear desperate, needy or on the make. Don’t be smarmy and obvious about your intentions. The point of networking is to build bonds with people who you like, who share interests and who, of course, can help you. But if you appear insincere, phony or too ambitious, it will backfire. Be real.


But very often women focus on the personal rather than on business. For example, women are naturally inclined to become friends, and often resort to cute shoes, love the bag, sort of things rather than on business.


The final imperative to the new rules of networking is to diversify your network. You have to look beyond your specific field, your current colleagues and your current industry. Think this way: What are my transferable skills? What are my interests? Then, look into those fields and start networking there.


Don’t get stuck in one field or one industry. In order to diversify you have to really think about where you can use your skills. Break out of your industry and your employment comfort zone, so you can broaden your base of opportunity.


Second, you also have to diversify the people with whom you network. It’s not your father’s business world anymore. Chances are your peer group doesn’t look the way it did 20 years ago. Today’s market moves so fast that your network has to include those above and below you, those younger and older than you, those with different skin color and sexual orientation. Younger generations are often forgotten when older people network. But remember, the people in Gen Y and Gen X and even younger will be decision makers, managers and leaders before you know it. Your network must include them, no matter where they are now. 


Your network has to be multi-generational, multi-cultural, and multi-industrial. That is the best way to bullet proof your career.

You can watch Mary discuss this topic on tv: http://careerstonegroup.com/media.html

You can watch Mary discuss this topic on tv: http://careerstonegroup.com/media.html