We’ve all heard about the power of networking, many times in the past. But what is networking, exactly? Is it just about meeting people? Or, perhaps, getting to know people? And if yes, how are these different than merely socializing?
I define networking as the act of getting to know other people and providing (or offering to provide if not possible immediately) value to them. As I’ve said before, I live my life under the assumption that I am surrounded mostly by good people. This means that I give value (whatever form this may have-informational, technical, etc.) freely because deep down I believe that if and when I may need something back from that person, I will be very likely to receive it.
This also means that you do not really have to go to “networking events” to actually network, provided you can use language adequately to start a conversation and then stay silent so you can let the other party do what they love most—listen to themselves!
Here’s one of the simplest (and most recent) networking opportunities that I had, during a night out with friends, and friends of friends: A friend of a friend was talking about his job. He is working in the IT industry. (He has his own firm.) He mentioned that he would really like to get just one project to work with a certain company, because he was so sure of his quality of work, that he felt confident they would then retain him for other projects as well. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts to arrange a meeting, the owners ignored him. I told him that I knew the CEO since we had worked together in the past and that I could arrange for an introduction if he wanted. He said he would love that and I made the introduction the following day. I don’t know what happened after that, but what I do know, is that two days later he introduced me to the CEO of one of his own clients, without me even asking for it.
Do I consider what happened at that night out as “networking”? Yes. Did I know that I was networking at the time? No.
Bottom line, do not expect to go to “networking events” and become all of the sudden the epicenter of the world. Real life doesn’t work this way. But do try to keep your ears open (easy for me) and your mouth shut (still struggling with it) when in the vicinity of people you don’t know.
You know what else am I having difficulty with? Reducing the size of my two written monthly columns, since I have received enough feedback to know that many of you often struggle to read them from the beginning to the end. I am gradually getting there though-this post is about 150 words shorter than the average.
OK, seriously, enough for now, I will leave it at that…!