Networking

Picture the scene. You been told by your boss that you need to cover for him/her at some networking event. Such a request/demand leads to unhealthy thoughts that you would rather stick needles in your eyes than have to spend time trying to sell your soul to shift some widgets. Sell, sell sell is what your boss demands. Make sure you hand out as many cards as possible is the parting shot as your boss walks out of the office. Love it or hate it, networking is one of those things that you not only need to do but do well if you are going to move ahead in your career.

Hold on. Back it up!

Your boss has it all wrong. You need to ditch the ego and the agenda! Proper networking that will lead to the establishment of rapport and a long term relationship has nothing to do with you. Yes. That's right! Nothing to do with you, your ego nor your agenda. It has everything to do with the person that you meet. You have to be more interested in them than you being interesting to them. You need to be a person of value. You have to go in with an attitude of wanting to help. Think fisher rather than hunter!

The two most important questions that you can ask are:-

• What are you working on at the moment?

• How can I help you with that?

Your new networking pal will be so shocked and dumbfounded by this disarming approach that he will undoubtedly remember you - the first step in being referred. He will then feel obligated to ask you what you are working on and if he can help you.

Bingo! You're on your way to establishing that all important rapport.

Give it a go and see if it works................................................................