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Dr. Remy Ojo in conversation with Marie Baptiste at the monthly First Fridays networking held at Valdrina's Restaurant in Scarborough, Ontario, Canada.Tyrone Wilson, Gleaner Writer
It's not what you know, it's who you know, and who knows YOU.
Effective networking is all about crafting and nurturing relationships. Upward mobilisation is dependent on how you maintain these new relationships with people you meet over your lifetime. This is critical in creating an effective professional network.
Six tips on how to network
1. Show interest in others. The secret is being unselfish; take an interest in the other person and what he or she is interested in. Ask questions and get people to talk about themselves and their professional experience. 2. Move from just an acquaintance. Strangers won't put their reputations on the line for you. Build a relationship with a new contact before asking for help. Consider dropping a personal note to any new contact you meet at an industry event. Congratulate that person on a promotion or a new job, call the person or send an email just to say hi, or add that new contact to your social networking page such as Facebook. By doing this, you are sure to move from an acquaintance. 3. Be an asset, not a liability. Remember networking is a two-way street. If you have met with a new acquaintance, it is beneficial to offer to introduce him or her to other people in your network. If you are a recent university graduate seeking a job, you may not be able to assist a CEO in finding a new financial controller, but you may be able to help him find someone to give his daughter advice on college application. 4. Organise your contacts. You can use a combination of tools to organise your contacts. Access database, Outlook and even Microsoft Word are some tools that can be used in accomplishing this task. Whether it is the first person you have met or the last one, it is important to group your contact in a specific format. This can make it easier for you to locate a friend or acquaintance that you met at a specific event. 5. Use your existing ties. A smart way to start networking is to tap into your existing contacts, including friends, family and colleagues. It is surprising to see how much your network can spread by using the people around you. By using your existing network, they can introduce you to people you don't know. 6. Don't abuse relationships. Being too annoying or clingy can end a relationship in the blink of an eye. There's no rule for how many phone calls are too many; and at the same time, try not to come off as always looking for a favour.<
