Welcome to issue 5 of the Career Manager.

NETWORKING NOT NOTWORKING!

If you think that networking is walking into a room full of strangers and swapping business cards, or a nice alternative to "real" work if you have the time, you are missing out on significant opportunities.

As long ago as 1977 a Harvard study into the importance of networking concluded that 62% of purchasing decisions were influenced through word of mouth recommendation.

If you are looking for a new job you should be aware that 70% of new opportunities aren't advertised; the only way to get access to them is networking.

In business today, 90% of new opportunity or sales leads originate from referrals".

Networking is continuing to evolve.
Professional networking sites like Linkedin and Ecademy are attracting thousands of new business people every day.
People are increasingly turning to social networking sites on the internet like myspace for recommendations on anything from dating to buying an mp3 player.
There are even social networking sites specifically for children like Bebo and Habohotel.

The reality is you cannot afford not to network.

Networking is as natural as talking…. in fact that's exactly what it is.
Any time you have offered your opinion on someone or something, or you have asked someone else for help or advice you have networked!
It's not just a one way flow of information to you…it's both ways.

If it's so natural why is it that so many of us find it so difficult?
Like anything else in life the first few times you try something new it can feel a little alien especially if you are not sure you are doing it right.

Networking should be mutually beneficial, you should understand as much about your contacts business and benefits as you can.
Networking is no quick fix and is as much a philosophy as a process so you should be prepared to make a referral without expecting an instant return of the compliment.
You should only be willing to make a referral if you would trust your contact and be willing to use them yourself, it's your reputation that's at stake if you make a referral that does not live up to expectation.

Business networking requires a little more thought and strategy than social networking to be successful.
We have compiled our top 10 networking tips to help get you started:

1. Networking is about relationship building not an opportunity to make a quick sale or a pitch for a new job.
Use your networking time to get to know more about someone, if it's working well they should be as interested in you as you are in them.
2. Cast your net wide, everyone knows someone who could help you.
You are only 7 steps away from anyone else in the world, so your next great opportunity could be less than 7 steps away.
3. Know your outcome.
It's important to be clear about you want to achieve from networking, if you don't how will your contacts know when they come across an opportunity for you?
4. Variety is the spice of life.
There are many ways to network from family, friends, neighbours to formal membership "clubs" (golf is a good one), internet sites, trade organisations. Try them all and use the ones that best meet your needs. If you are asked to make a paid subscription ask for 3 or 4 free "guest" attendances before you commit yourself.
5. Have a plan and operate it.
Prioritise your list and plan your contacts. Plan regular face to face meetings for the newest or most active and regular phone calls and regular emails to your more established contacts. You need to work to keep all your contacts 'fresh'.
6. Be proactive. If it feels right ask for referrals.
This newsletter is a form of networking, if you find it interesting and send it on to just 2 people and they did the same this network would increase to 1600 at the click of a mouse- why not give it a go?
7. Develop your elevator pitch.
Networking opportunities are everywhere. You have 2 minutes to state what you do plus your three 'good ats' ….be ready to say what you are looking for if that's appropriate. Trust your instincts.
8. Remember your manners.
When you make a new contact make sure you let them know who made the referral and remember to go back to the 'referrer' to thank them.
9. Keep records.
Unless you have an elephantine memory keep records of your contacts and their business. A great tip is to make a few key notes on the back of their business card.
10. Network in your sleep
If you follow this simple guide your network will be working for you, even when you are asleep.

Above all keep it simple, enjoyable and fun…(with a purpose).
If 25 contacts give you 2 names each (unlikely, but illustrates our point) and they all give you 2 names each, you'll have 175 people in well over 100 businesses!

If you are interested in finding out more about networking please contact us now to arrange a free no obligation discussion with one of our coaches.

NOW…we need an active network as much as anyone else, so a simple request. Are you able to email us with two names in two organisations who you think would be interested in how career management would benefit them? There's networking with an outcome!

We have a large and expanding network. Have you thought about contacting us to let us know about your networking needs?