Why do We Network?
Returning late from a First Tuesday networking event on Online Recruitment. Briefly, I’m struck by the following:
1. How relatively inefficient ‘open cast’ networking is (i.e. going to an event under a subject matter banner with minimal time to research and plot the attendees in terms of targeting, and then being expected to network efficiently)
2. How relatively efficient targeted networking is (i.e. using social/ personal networks for introductions)
3. How objective driven you have to be to be successful in/ get any return from networking
The event just about held itself together as a hybrid seminar/ round table/ networking/ investment and investor matching event… but only just…
Mike Southon gave 5 great tips/ questions in an FT article in his Entrepreneur column. Entitled ‘Five Questions for Networkers’ he suggests that networking is a well-understood process that can be refined into a small number of easy steps:
Starting off: (To a group of strangers) “May I join you?”
1. Open with “Where are you from”
2. Then ask them what their company does and their specific role
3. Next ask them “How?” (do they do their jobs/ their companies undertake their activities..)
4. Pause, think, consider disengagement if not going anywhere and the ask the crucial “Why?” question
5. Offer some information (website/ article/ book) and then go for the big ‘Who?’ question
Make a quick note on their business card to arrange a follow-up
Just Seven Things 