Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 26th

Pulling a good network together takes effort, sincerity and time. – Alan Collins, author of “Unwritten HR Rules”

The currency of real networking is not greed but generosity. – Keith Ferrazzi

You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want. – Zig Ziglar

Networking is marketing. Marketing yourself, marketing your uniqueness, marketing what you stand for.     – Christine Comaford-Lynch

Tips for Networking

Dress for success - Our society has gone to business casual and even more casual in some offices.  This is definitely not appropriate attire for networking.  Your attire will be determined based on the event attending, but always dress appropriately and no less than business casual! 

Business cards – A great way to be remembered is by providing a professional business card.  This may be a business card from the company you work for or you can purchase inexpensive professional business cards with your personal information on it.  When attending events, everyone will be talking to a lot of people.  Business cards will help a new contact remember you.   

Risk it!  - When going to a networking event, the likelihood is that you will not know anyone.  Take the risk and go introduce yourself to someone.  New contacts = New opportunities

Firm handshake – According to the American Psychological Association, a firm handshake can cause a favorable first impression.  Research has shown that a firm handshake indicates extraversion and open to new experiences.

FOLLOW UP – As I am attending events, my goal is to write a handwritten note to the individuals I meet to set myself apart.  When I first started going to meetings on Capitol Hill for the company I work for, I would write handwritten thank you notes and I believe that is why so many people on The Hill remembered us.  Sometimes, handwritten notes are not an option so sending a cordial email and connecting on LinkedIn may be the best option. 

Your smile is your logo, your personality is your business card, how you leave others feeling after having an experience with you becomes your trademark. - Jay Danzie

CHALLENGE: The goal is to meet someone, interact with them and then follow up.  By having three interactions with an individual, you have made an impression and they will remember you. 

Based on your unique skills or profession, what other ideas can you incorporate into your networking opportunities?

Additional Reading & Resources

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/62/8b/1a/628b1a389568bdadfa3d813351d2fd45.jpg

http://www.careers24.com/career-advice/job-hunting/why-is-networking-so-important-20140702

http://www.businessinsider.com/the-importance-of-networking-2011-5

http://www.foxnews.com/story/2008/06/03/importance-networking.html

http://www.scienceagogo.com/news/20000611025925data_trunc_sys.shtml

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 19th

If you want to go fast, go alone.  If you want to go far, go with others.  – African Proverb

Networking is not collecting contacts!  Networking is about planting relations. – MiShaat

The richest people in the world look for and build networks, everyone else looks for work. – Robert Kiyosaki

Last week Terri’s Tuesday Tip of the Week was about how important it is to read about various topics to be educated when networking.  This week, let’s discuss why networking is so important.  According to dictionary.com, NETWORKING (v.) is:

to cultivate people who can be helpful to one professionally, especially in finding employment or moving to a higher position: to connect to a network.

Networking is for everyone for different reasons.  Here are a few benefits from networking:

• Make contacts and build relationships
• Find mentors
• Resources to learn the latest trends in industries
• Attract new opportunities
• Personal growth
• Learn different perspectives
• Raise an individual’s profile
• Gratification from helping others.  Remember that networking is not just about helping yourself, but you also have knowledge that you can impart into others. 

CHALLENGE: What are the current networking activities you’re doing?  Research other events/activities that you can do to grow and develop yourself!

Networking is an essential part of building wealth. – Armstrong Williams

Networking is more about ‘farming’ than it is about ‘hunting’.  It’s about cultivating relationships. – Dr. Ivan Misner, BNI

Resources

https://janvermeiren.wordpress.com/2008/03/01/26-reasons-why-networking-is-important/

http://www.girlsguidetopm.com/2014/07/6-reasons-why-networking-is-important/

http://elitedaily.com/money/importance-networking-staying-connected-successful-career/

http://smallbusinessbc.ca/article/five-benefits-networking/

Terri's Tuesday Tip of the Week - July 12th

The more that you read, the more things you will know.  The more you learn, the more places you will go! – Dr. Seuss

Don’t just read the easy stuff.  You may be entertained by it, but you will never grow from it. – Jim Rohn

If you only read the books that everyone else is reading, you can only think what everyone else is thinking. – Jaruki Murakami

Over the weekend, I was reading a book that said narrow your focus on two or three reading topics such as philosophy, technology, theology so that you can become an expert in those.  Those are broad topics that provide a lot of reading options; however, I disagree with this author.  

Living in a new city, I am having to reestablish myself, attend networking events and meet new people.  It is not easy for me to walk up to someone, introduce myself and start a conversation.  However, I can tell you that I believe it is easier for anyone to network when they are well versed in many topics.  For example, last week I attended an event with the Wall Street Journal.  I talked with one person I knew from previous trips to The Hill and then I met three ladies.  During those conversations, we discussed regulatory compliance, things to do in DC, politics, travel, the Federal Reserve Governor, human resource issues and the weather.  This is a wide variety of topics, but I was able to converse with each person on a “30,000 foot level” because I read, listen to the news and do research. 

Technology provides so many options for education.  Reading can be done on our phones, iPads, etc.  We do not have to hold a book like we use to.  Additionally, books are almost outdated after they are 

published so staying up-to-date via articles is so important. 

CHALLENGE: How are you improving your knowledge?  What do you need to do to prepare for an impromptu conversation about Brexit????

Write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow. – Lawrence Clark Powell

Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body. – Joseph Addison