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SPEAKER: So first, everything starts
with doing your research.
Make sure you do the quick research before you
head into any situation involving networking
because it honestly only takes five minutes to really just go
on LinkedIn, learn something about the person;
go on Google search, learn something about the person.
You'd honestly be surprised what you find you have in common.
I always say the goal is to find the center
of the Venn diagram of your interests
and the other person's interests.
This will obviously be the anchor
for the rest of your conversations
and also applies to organic or inbound networking
opportunities as well.
Maybe you're heading to an event.
Just do a quick look at the attendee list and their bios
and see what you may want to focus
your efforts on connecting.
Maybe you received an inbound email
from someone looking to connect with you as well.
Take a look at that person's LinkedIn
or do a quick Google searches for them as well.
And you may find an unexpected point of mutual interest
that allows you to get more out of the connection on your side.
Next, critically important-- be transparent, be upfront.
Start with clearly managed expectations
of what you are looking to get out of the conversation.
Humans can't read minds.
So I say don't force them to.
Always start with the why.
Why is this an opportunity that you would like to support?
What are your goals for the meeting?
What are you looking to get out of the meeting?
And what are you hoping the action
items will be at the end?
Focus the conversation not just for you, but out
of respect for the other person.
They will appreciate it.
Your goal is to make the most out of everyone's time.
People actually appreciate directness and transparency.
And I found not only appreciate it,
but they remember you for it.
And even if you don't skip the small talk,
you can at least focus it on things that are relevant to you
or are of common interests.
Perhaps, something you found in your five minutes of research.
Next, critically important to your own happiness--
make networking productive for you.
Find a way, if you're an introvert like me,
to make networking expand your fuel tank versus taking away
from it.
Integrate networking into your daily activities
versus trying to squeeze it in between meetings
or between lunches and meals.
Leverage a common interest-- maybe one that you discovered
earlier--
or a standard part of your routine, as a
means to connect, especially, especially,
especially, if you consider yourself introverted.
This makes it so much easier on yourself
and allows you to have a little bit of self-compassion
in the process.
People often enjoy seeing you in your natural element
as well, especially if this is an activity
that you share in common.
Next, I included one of my favorite books.
This book was gifted to me when I was 18, actually, on my way
to college by a friend.
It's called "Never Eat Alone--" by Keith Ferrazzi--
"and other secrets to success one relationship at a time."
And I often say, never eat alone.
But I'm only kidding in that.
Of course, everyone needs their quiet meal from time to time.
But take advantage of your meal times.
Have a set recurring coffee, meal, a lunch,
a snack block that you use for networking regularly to just
make it easy for you.
This strategy works also in a digital-first world
because, honestly, everyone has to eat.
And everyone appreciates a meeting,
even if that meeting's digital, where they can do so and have
a conversation, an open conversation,
a casual conversation with someone
that is talking about a mutual interest.
It also allows you to manage your capacity in a very
structured and predictable way.
As with everything, having a schedule and a routine
is, of course, helpful and predictable.
And in a digital-first world, perhaps you're
a morning person.
Perhaps you're an evening person.
But pick a set time that allows you to bring your best self
and minimize distractions.
And just make that your go-to time for networking.
Next, I always, always, always appreciate
someone who starts with a laugh.
Humor builds trust.
Humor builds bonds, diffuses tension,
boosts innovation, and bolsters resilience,
even in the hardest of times.
There's a lot of research out there
that shows the connections that can be formed through humor.
And I included one of my favorite books,
"Humor Seriously--
Why Humor is a Secret Weapon in Business and in Life."
Because in that book, a lot of tips around how humor
can help foster connection.
But included a quote that I really, really enjoy, actually
by Eric Schmidt, ex-CEO and executive chair of Alphabet.
And it goes, "I've learned, often the hard way,
that the best way to be taken seriously
is to not take yourself too seriously.
My teams are always at their best
when approaching problems with levity,
which entails both humility and optimism
and always engenders trust.
Plus, it's more fun!"
So I encourage you to find a way to introduce levity
into your networking conversations.
Take a risk, maybe make a bad joke.
But I promise you, by introducing humor,
you're able to connect on a much deeper level and a much more
trusting level with the people that you're networking with.
The next one is simple--
maybe obvious-- but often, often, often forgotten--
take notes.
Your future self will thank you so, so, so much.
I thank myself all the time for the notes
that I took because honestly my memory is not that great.
So jot down some notes, some talking points immediately
before and a few follow-ups during and immediately
after each meeting.
Don't force yourself to rely solely on memory,
to remember that action item, that person you
promised to connect them to.
If you have it in your notes, you
will always be able to reference them later.
And I promise you, it's not weird.
And if anything, it shows you're interested in what
the other person has to say.
And the next one, of course, I will say,
pass the baton because you should always
be networking your network.
I often ask at the end of each meeting,
who else can I connect you to to help
you achieve some of your goals?
Regardless of the context, I'm sure there's someone
that you could connect the individual to that
might be beneficial to them.
And best practice, of course, always
make intros double opt-in.
Both sides should always agree and be
interested in connecting.
And it should always be of mutual benefit.
But it always allows you to expand and grow your network
in an organic and efficient way.
And most importantly, make everything easier.
And finally, pay it forward.
You really do get what you put in.
I included a movie.
You might remember it from the early 2000s, "Pay It Forward."
The movie had a profound impact on me
in terms of how I think about approaching relationships
with other people.
But honestly, "real networking is
about finding ways to make other people more successful."
That's a quote from Keith Ferrazzi of the book
that I mentioned earlier, "Never Eat Alone."
But it's true.
The more value you're putting into your network, the more
value you eventually receive from it.
So think about ways that you can start by putting value in
and know that you'll receive that value back 10X
in the future.
And the half-- the eight and a half tips.
This one's the half.
I will say, when all else fails, just
think, how can I be known as the best supporting actor
or actress within my network?
And remember that this is your ultimate goal.
Networking is all about helping others.
And you always want to be known as best supporting actor
or actress within your network.
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