Networking - Non-random Connections

2024 Author: Harry Day | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 15:43

"The richest people in the world are looking for and building connections, while the rest are looking for work."

Robert Kiyosaki

You bake amazing pies or make fun toys, or maybe you are a great hairdresser or fitness instructor. How many people know about your skills and abilities, your professionalism?

Have you ever thought about it? What do you tell about yourself when meeting with friends?

In the modern dynamic world of new computer technologies, social networks, smart phones, the old business wisdom is still relevant: “Connections are everything!”.

We turn to our relatives and friends on various issues, be it a jam recipe, a good dentist, a reliable travel agency, a shop with good service … It's a common thing for everyone.

There is a whole science of "correct" networking, which is called networking. This newfangled word, which recently appeared in our lexicon, still seems to many to be something complicated and mysterious. In fact, everything is quite simple - "networking" - (from the English network work - work) is the science of the ability to establish and maintain social, personal and business contacts.

This scientific movement originated in the 70s of the 20th century in America. It began with the so-called "theory of 6 handshakes" proposed by psychologists Stanley Miller and Jeffrey Travers. According to their idea, every person on earth knows another through 6 acquaintances.

Today, success depends not only on what you know, but also on who knows you. We meet very different people in our daily life. And, as a rule, for this communication it is not necessary to have any special communication skill. Simple communication with those people who are interested in you and who are interesting to you can be quite successful. This is the essence of positive networking, which consists of one person's relationship with another.

When building relationships, it is important to observe the principle of the exchange balance “take and give”. You should always be ready to not only ask for help, but also be able to provide support to any member of your network. If you are not ready to "give", then you doom yourself to loneliness in any relationship.

Another principle worth paying attention to is the warmth of human relationships. Connections in the network must be maintained, filling this structure with life. A meeting over a cup of coffee, a walk in a park or a shopping center, if this is not possible, then a call or a greeting card is all a perfectly suitable way to remind you of yourself.

People prefer to deal with those they trust, and acquaintances, as you know, trust more than the most tempting advertising. If you want to be trusted, start creating your own social network. This does not mean at all that you need to rush to get acquainted with everyone in a row. To begin with, notice that it is you who tell other people about yourself, how you present yourself, who, what features, skills you are talking about. It is this information that will be further disseminated through word of mouth.

Practical task: You need to present yourself as a good specialist

• Make a list of the skills and qualities you want to share.
• Think over a text that can captivate, surprise, inspire, etc. interlocutor.
• Unobtrusively tell your friends about yourself.

You never know in advance where this information can "shoot".

Where to look for "the right people". Everywhere and everywhere! First, rank all your relatives, friends, acquaintances by group:

• First order contacts. These are people who are very close to you, with whom you closely communicate and have access to their contacts.
• Contacts of the second order, let's call them "friends of friends". These are people whom you know personally, but rarely communicate with them, as well as friends of first-order friends.
• Contacts of the third and fourth orders. These are people whom you know, but have not communicated with them for a long time, also friends of second-order contacts, casual acquaintances, work colleagues whom you only know by name …

Write down everyone you remember in the table

First order contacts

Second order contacts

Third order contacts

Everything is clear with contacts of the 1st order, you communicate with these people constantly. Analyze the contacts of the second order, for sure there will be people who can be useful to you for now theoretically. It is with them that you need to establish a personal acquaintance through the presentation or recommendation of people from contacts of the first order. So these people will move into first-order contacts and your network will expand. The same applies to contacts of the second and third orders.

Building connections is a long, creative process that requires patience and perseverance.

Places of good acquaintances can be festivals, corporate events, places of recreation, cinema and dance clubs. Although quantity plays an important role, quality is more important!

Once again, I want to draw your attention to the fact that the task is not to have 3000 friends on your social network, and you do not remember who these people are and what their names are, but to skillfully build long-term contacts. To do this, you need to be able to properly present yourself, exchange business cards beautifully, and start an unobtrusive conversation. Therefore, if you get to know a person, take the time to cultivate a relationship and only then your efforts will bear fruit.

Notice yourself and people, communicate, share feelings, recipes, impressions, hobbies … The result will not be long in coming! Apply networking in practice, improve yourself, I wish you success and prosperity!