Novice to Networking

July 1, 2008 at 8:00 am | by Amy Newton, Blog Harmonizer

Amy Newton I’m what you might call a novice to networking. This is the first job where networking has been introduced to me on a formal level. Like many of you, my first reaction to the idea of networking was fear of the unknown. I know as a young professional that I should be networking and I truly want to, but I admit it’s a little intimidating and still a bit foreign to me. I decided to embrace this unchartered territory and formally made it one of my 90-day goals. I thought I’d fill you in on the baby steps I’ve been taking, in case some of you are struggling with this too.

Networking fears that make my palms sweat:
• What if I don’t know anyone…or worse, what if no one talks to me? It seems like everyone knows everyone at these types of events.
• What do I say to start conversation without sounding like an idiot? Do I talk “work/industry” or “personal” or both? Which is correct?
• Is it just about meeting people at an event? How do people become part of your network?

Sound familiar?? To get over the hurdle of putting myself out there, I needed some coaching. My boss has a favorite book on the topic of networking skills that she recommended. It’s called, “How to Work a Room” by Susan Roane. It’s a quick read full of good advice on how to be more confident when working a room. Between the tips I gained from this book and in consulting with a few of my coworkers (who are serving as my networking mentors), I am learning that the reality of networking is that a majority of people are uncomfortable at events where they don’t know a good number of people. Whew, I’m not alone.

Here are a few pointers I’ve found helpful:
• Seek out other “solo” attendees and approach them; extending yourself to others to make them feel more comfortable not only gives you something to do but making other people comfortable will make you more comfortable.
• Have courage to approach people and once you do, show them you care. Be an engaged listener. Who doesn’t appreciate that?
• It’s the “norm” to talk briefly which each person you meet – maybe 5-8 minutes and then it’s ok to politely move on.
• Plan for the event you attend. Bring an ample supply of business cards. If you have access to the guest list, review it to see who you want to meet and make a point to meet them.
• It’s ok (and preferable) to start conversation on a personal level to build rapport. Talking work comes later.

Since deciding to increase my networking efforts, I have put my new findings to the test at two events: a Chamber of Commerce meeting and an Association meeting. I think both went well. I connected with a couple of people at each, had very enjoyable conversations, most of which were personal instead of professional and even left with a business card or two…all without hyperventilating. I think the more I get out there and “practice,” the more comfortable this will become. The next stage I’ll be tackling is follow-up. What are the appropriate measures to take after you’ve met someone? Stay tuned as I continue on my networking journey.

What are some good conversation starters you use when meeting people at networking events?

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Summer Reading Recommendation from Ingenuity

June 24, 2008 at 8:00 am | by Kathy Zappa, Blog Navigator

Kathy Zappa If you have a marketing question, call us. If you want to know a good summer read, call us too. We are readers at Ingenuity. We, of course, try to keep up with the latest hot business and marketing books, but reading for pleasure is certainly a worthwhile pursuit. You should always have a fresh answer to the question, “Have you read any good books lately?”

So, in our quest to give you information that we think will help you personally as well as professionally, I offer you my first Ingenuity book review. It is not a new book, but I continually see it, here it referred to and remember how amazed I was at the stories Malcolm relayed while I read it. It also made me trust my first instinct more instead of laboring over every decision. Enjoy!

Blink: The Power of Magical Thinking

Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking, by Malcolm Gladwell (author of the bestseller The Tipping Point in 2000) is the book that made me talk to strangers. Everywhere I went, this book went with me and I could not help asking anyone near, “Hey! Have you read this?” Gladwell takes an in-depth look at how we make snap decisions. More information is not necessarily good information, as he shows us throughout the book. He lays out fascinating examples that include everything from speed dating to military strategy. Gladwell examines the psychology of John Gottman, the psychologist who has perfected his rapid cognition abilities to determine whether a marriage will succeed or fail, based on just mere minutes of video taped conversation between couples.

Gladwell also shows us the “darker side of blink” where snap decisions in the emergency room, on a police call or picking a political candidate can have devastating outcomes. As busy people all looking for more minutes in the day, Gladwell can validate for us the gut instinct and intuition that can easily have more substance than all of the other information put together. A must read for anyone who wants an interior view of our mental lives and what we really know - in a blink of an eye.

Have you read any good books lately?

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