Ever ask a colleague you see at a networking event ‘Why are you networking here tonight?’ I Don’t Get why so many of their answers are so unfocused, like ‘I don’t know … I’m just networking’, ‘To meet new people’, ‘My boss told me to do it’, ‘To tell my story to strangers’ or ‘I heard they’re serving shrimp’
With most businesses, failing to plan is planning to fail. It’s the same simple paradigm for networking like a pro instead of an amateur. And I do get that.
It all starts with the reason(s) why you’re networking. Whether you want to learn things to help you do your job better or find ways to grow your business, I also get networking with a focused Strategic Plan like the pros do it. Here’s how:
- Define your specific networking objective(s). As a result of accomplishing them, what outcome(s) will result? A good objective is SMART – Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and Timely. Better to have three different very focused objectives than one all-purpose, vague or generic one.
- The ‘what’ determines the ‘who’. Who do you need to meet and learn from to achieve each specific outcome? If you don’t know their names, what kinds of people – by function, position or industry – do you need to meet?
- The ‘who’ determines the ‘where’. For those people you already know, begin the information-gathering process by phone, e-mail or in person. For those you don’t know, where can you find them? What Platforms for networking exist where large numbers of these kinds of people are in the same place for a short period of time where networking is both encouraged and supported?
- Pick your Platforms wisely. You only have so much time to invest in networking, so make every event and every hour count. Professional Association and Chamber meetings, events or seminars can be time-efficient Platforms for networking. But, don’t choose such an event based only on your interest in the topic or organization. Choose it based on your interest in the people who are interested in the topic or organization.
- Maximize your ROI and networking potential. Get there early and stay late. Most networking happens before or after the program anyway. Make it the most important thing you’ll do that day. You can make up the lost work time the day before or day after.
Sounds like a lot of work, doesn’t it? That’s probably why they call it ‘net-WORK’. And I certainly get that. But, a focused Strategic Plan will significantly increase your chances of accomplishing your networking outcomes. The choice is up to you.