In a recent edition of 'Company Director', a publication printed by Australian Institute of Company Directors, my article called "The Simplexity of Networking"sparked a lot of interest with some, and created a little, a ho-hum to others.
Those people, who believe that networking is easy and as experienced Directors, perhaps don't need to learn more. Now, it's interesting to know that this feedback came to me by readers who emailed me directly or told me personally when we "schmoozed" at other events or over the phone. What they said generally sounded like this… "You know Ricky, most people think they do OK when it comes to networking and in building relationships but it stops there. In principle they KNOW what they have to do,… but the problem is they DON'T do it. They let the companies they work for do the introductions and present the business, they let the brands they stand for open doors, but most people want to be with people they like and trust first. If only people would be more authentic at networking then it would be so much easier and simpler to do business.
So what about you? First, think about the title of my article "The Simplexity of Networking" as a start before you decide whether Networking is easy or hard. I call it Simplex - We can all network - yes, that's the SIM-ple part of the work, but the comPLEX is the hard part - converting contacts to contracts and building relationships. So here's my point - take the first part of networking and learn to SCHMOOZE - (Verb) to chat in a persuasive manner to gain favour, business or connections. There is an art to conversation and making sure that you're not filling up the air space with the proverbial BS Factor. Schmoozing is creating a mood or showing interest in learning and establishing more about others, about listening to conversations and sharing the air by not suffocating others with irrelevant information that chews up valuable time and patience.
If you are serious about business, and want to build a business case around your work, product or service, schmooze with others outside the work they are doing, schmooze about their lives, their stuff, their experiences…. Or lose opportunity and business. It's that simple and that complex!
www.rickynowak.com
Those people, who believe that networking is easy and as experienced Directors, perhaps don't need to learn more. Now, it's interesting to know that this feedback came to me by readers who emailed me directly or told me personally when we "schmoozed" at other events or over the phone. What they said generally sounded like this… "You know Ricky, most people think they do OK when it comes to networking and in building relationships but it stops there. In principle they KNOW what they have to do,… but the problem is they DON'T do it. They let the companies they work for do the introductions and present the business, they let the brands they stand for open doors, but most people want to be with people they like and trust first. If only people would be more authentic at networking then it would be so much easier and simpler to do business.
So what about you? First, think about the title of my article "The Simplexity of Networking" as a start before you decide whether Networking is easy or hard. I call it Simplex - We can all network - yes, that's the SIM-ple part of the work, but the comPLEX is the hard part - converting contacts to contracts and building relationships. So here's my point - take the first part of networking and learn to SCHMOOZE - (Verb) to chat in a persuasive manner to gain favour, business or connections. There is an art to conversation and making sure that you're not filling up the air space with the proverbial BS Factor. Schmoozing is creating a mood or showing interest in learning and establishing more about others, about listening to conversations and sharing the air by not suffocating others with irrelevant information that chews up valuable time and patience.
If you are serious about business, and want to build a business case around your work, product or service, schmooze with others outside the work they are doing, schmooze about their lives, their stuff, their experiences…. Or lose opportunity and business. It's that simple and that complex!
Networking for Success
www.rickynowak.com
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