Networking A-Z featuring online, offline, optitude and proxemics!
Hello and welcome
For first timers a brief introduction……
This A-Z has been compiled from sources gathered over the last 25 years – many before Google – it is by no means exhaustive or I trust exhausting; merely something that will help you get more from your networking. Originally written or should I say compiled as a resource for members of Business Network SW and then developed into a series of seminars. Now it’s the basis for a number of blog posts which I trust that you will find informative, useful and – dare I say, even worth sharing and ultimately even engage with. I will serialise in posts over the coming weeks and months and it will develop as more knowledge and wisdom becomes available – which it undoubtedly will!
All previous posts – the A- N are listed at the end of this post!
O
Online and offline networking – a combination of the two is the best plan. Online is a great way to see who are the “influencers” – those who create content that is interesting, relevant, shared and commented on Bloggers, blog editors, Journalists, authors, Podcasters, radio hosts, Event producers even event hosts! Twitter is a great place to search and you’ll get to see the degree of influence that they have – followers, retweets, likes and all the other diagnostics that Twitter offers!
I must mention LinkedIn also – the biggest business rolodex in history. For those that don’t know – this is a rolodex
A Rolodex – available on Amazon
Everyone in this social network is there for the networking. My tips here would be to connect with people once you have met them rather than connect first and then try to meet or as in most cases do nothing. The connections you make are people not just a number! If you want some top tips on how to get the most from LinkedIn then find your local expert….mine is Greg Cooper who has helped on many an occasion and has a great series of articles published and is available for your bespoke expert LinkedIn training!
Opportunity – are you using your Optitude – the ability, skill, to spot opportunities – this is not just for you- for the person you are talking/listening to, for someone you know, perhaps something someone has said has triggered something – that’s an opportunity. Combining Opportunity with what’s new and WOW!
“optitude” – the ability to develop/spot/create be open to opportunities in the short, medium and long term! A word from Sean Humby – not yet in the OED!
P
Personal Development – You can never know too much…pick up the books, the tapes, attend seminars, webinars and find a forum to share ideas. Like you do to be an expert in what you do. Stay abreast of local knowledge, engage with thought leaders, follow blogs that inspire. Share what you’ve found that you’ve enjoyed! All great conversation starters and conversation content when you are networking. Would you rather ask someone “What do you do?” and get the stock elevator pitch back that they have probably said for the 1000th time or would a question like “What was the best piece of business advice you’ve recieved be” or “What business book would you recommend?” and then the “Why” and lo and behold a conversation!
Personal Development 2 – Networking hones your presentation skills and makes you consider your business and your pitch from an outsider’s perspective. By going networking, you are constantly developing and refining your brand messaging. The valuable lessons you learn won’t only help you professionally, they will also be a rich source of personal development.
Positive – A positive attitude will feed your own beliefs and genuinely make things happen. If you’re always optimistic and enthusiastic you will see the opportunities presented to you and grasp them with both hands. Positive people learn from adversity or mistakes, they definitely swim rather than sink!
Proactive – If you want your business to grow, which is why you’re networking in the first place, you have to get active. Opportunities won’t just land in your lap so get out there and make sure you play your part. You and only you can make things happen! And to coin a phrase “Action overcomes anxiety” – if networking or going out meeting people is something that you worry about then try it – the action of doing is far less traumatic than worrying that you should be networking and not!
Proxemics – the branch of knowledge that deals with the amount of space that people feel it necessary to set between themselves and others. Edward T. Hall, the cultural anthropologist coined the term in 1963. What does it mean…..well a picture paints a 1000 words…..
Thank you to Wikipedia and WebHamster (Own work) [CC BY-SA 3.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0) via Wikimedia Commons
Next comes the Q’s and R’s!
A-Z Networking blog posts
- Part One @seanhumby A-Z of #networking http://wp.me/p1UdDl-6Nq #BNSW
- Out today…..Networking A-Z part II which is the C’s & D’s http://wp.me/p1UdDl-6PX #BNSW
- C is for conversation & D is for Dale Carnegie – part 3
- A – Z of networking part 4 – the E’s & F’s
- Part 5 of the Networking A-Z – it’s the G’s & H’s http://wp.me/p1UdDl-6Sj
- G is for genuine and H is for help it’s part 6 of the Networking A-Z http://wp.me/p1UdDl-6Sj
- It’s the I’s and J’s of the A-Z of #networking http://wp.me/p1UdDl-6TY
- A-Z of Networking – the K’s and L’s Part 8
- Mindset, mistakes and names – part 9
If you would like to connect then you can find me on
Have a great day and enjoy your networking and make it enjoyable and beneficial for those that you meet!
Sean Humby – event host
Sean Humby
Director and host – Business Network (SW) – monthly lunch time networking events in the Bristol.
Business Network SW was established in 1993 and for the last 25 years has been helping businesses build effective business relationships.
Want to know more?
FAQ’s
- What others are saying or look on Twitter, look up @seanhumby or search #BNSW
To book your place
Call 01981 540708
or
Email sean@business-network.co.uk
with “book my place for Bristol” and I will arrange everything – how to prepare, confirmation, any dietary requirements and your invoice
or
Bristol Business Network 