One really simple way to get ourselves out and about and doing some useful networking is simply to do lunch. I mention this because recently I’ve had two lunches where I met business friends for a natter and with no set agenda.
Because we were relaxed we had friendly chats. And…and this is the key point here…in both cases I came away with new options for networking and for pursuing marketing activities.
It reminded me that often we don’t really know what our friends are doing and what other skills they have until we talk to them.
So, here’s my 4-step plan to get us started:
1. Pick a friend who is in similar situation to yourself, e.g. running their own business.
2. Invite them out to lunch, or to meet up for tea and cake.
3. Have a relaxed friendly chat and mention your frustrations.
4. Ask if they know of any solutions, or options for actions?
The key thing is that we need to be comfortable enough to reveal our frustrations. Doing this is a great way to move the conversation from gentle ‘pastiming’ into something more purposeful and ‘activity’ related.
Pastiming is a word from TA and it means a safe level of conversation where we risk little and get little in return. Activity, in a TA context, is when we move beyond platitudes and start to do some work. We risk more, by perhaps revealing concerns, but we get more in return.
So, if you’re wrestling with a problem, want to increase your networking activities, or are chewing the end of your pencil over an issue, then my suggestion is to stop. And to start doing lunch.
You never know how useful it might be and what new possibilities will open up for you.
Where could lunch take you?
This week it’s taking me out to dinner…for more networking with interesting people.
Did I mention that I met Stephen Fry last week? He came to Holt to let me buy a copy of his latest book and of course I couldn’t resist popping by for a quick chat. I even let him sign it for me, as I know what a buzz that gives writers.
And after he had signed it I handed him one of my new Twitter cards (see last week’s post) and asked if he’d be kind enough to pass it on to Mrs Stephen Fry, as her tweets are very droll. He laughed and said ‘Oh my goodness, yes I will’ in that voice of his that could have been agreeing to try out a particularly fiendish piece of grammatical tonguery, or just polish off a slice of rampantly creamy victoria sponge…
…And breathe out. See; I went all Stephen Fry there for a minute….
Anyway, as I was saying, the point was I gave him a card and asked for something. An hour later (I assume he had rushed home specifically) he had tweeted out my request to @MrsStephenFry and in addition @PippinFry was now following me, as were about a dozen new people.
Much fun was had by all as we talked about getting a royal mention, but the point of it all was this:
When you’re networking it pays to ask for something specific.
People are more likely to remember it and act on it than if you’re just asking for something vague. People remember specific details and not generalisations, so don’t ask people if they ‘know someone who could help me’ …instead ask them (in my case) if they ‘know anyone who would be interested in becoming an ILM Accredited Level 5 Coach?’
I would have asked Stephen (we’re on first name terms now), but I assume he’s already qualified, so went for the Twitter option instead.
The vast majority of my recruitment colleagues agree that 75% of all new roles are filled through networking, which is bad news if you’re just hunting on websites and in the sits vac section of your local paper. However, to be successful at networking you have to ask for something specific. So, please ponder this question, which could make a crucial difference to you:
Q: Who are you meeting this week: What precisely will you be asking them for?
Here are some typical answers to that question to mull over:
A) Who do you know who is looking for a business manager?
B) This has been a useful meeting and could I be cheeky and ask for the names of 5 people who you think would be good to talk to?
C) Thanks for your time and I’m interested in offering people a free two-day consultancy project, whilst I look for work. Who do you know who might be interested?
Which one of the above might work best for you? I had planned my Stephen Fry request in advance and I had practiced my words a couple of times too, to be sure I captured the moment confidently. He was fun to meet and if he’s signing a book near you please pop in and say ‘hi’ from me…
More Job Hunting Tips!
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Next Week
We’ll be looking at one of the most common errors people make on their CV. I’ll bet it’s not what you’re thinking!
