Welcome to Day 12 of 30 Days of Networking. You can go to a networking event most days of the week, if you want to. There are definitely some events that are better than others and some that are just better-suited to your goals than others. I have a goal to take part in at least one face-to-face networking event (preferably two) per month. These face-to-face meetings are with people that I want to know more about and with whom I think I can collaborate. My networking events tend to be one of these types: Targeted Learning Events Because I am interested in media, marketing and business I attend events in these areas. These are not networking events, they are usually learning events, but networking occurs. Similarly, during the monthly ABN business webinars, the learning is focused on a business subject, but networking happens as a side-effect of the online conversations and collaboration, as well as on the post-webinar forum that we direct participants to. Many members attend month after month as part of their networking plan. Intimate Group Lunch I’ll invite someone that I want to network with (or a couple of people who I think ought to meet) to lunch or coffee. It takes just an hour or so out of our day but they key is to pick someone who you can add value to and for whom the time spent is not going to be for a one-sided outcome. Before we meet I establish rapport and discovered the area of interest in which we may be able to collaborate. I keep an open mind about what may be possible, but I go in with some way that I can help with either the products and services that I provide or my own network. Like most, I’m very busy. And, I don’t have a ‘networking plan’ as such… but having the goal of a minimum of one lunch a month keeps me on track. Who do you want to network with this month?
TODAY’S TASK Set up a lunch or coffee (or whatever suits) with someone you’d like to network with. Keep the agenda open (rather than go in with a predetermined idea of what you ‘want’ from the relationship). Tweet to let us know you’ve set this up! (Use the tag #30DNet.) And, please, let us know how the meeting goes. Good luck. We’ll look at pros and cons of networking events in a future 30 Days of Networking lesson. Today though I’d like to look at one-on-one or one-to-few networking. Best wishes, Suzi
