As you embark on building or expanding your network, first ask yourself the following questions:
+ Who is in your network?
+ How would you rate that relationship?
+ Where do you need to spend time building your influence?
+ Where are the weak links?
Click here for a copy of the worksheet I created to help you map out your network. From here you can target the people who you will gain the greatest benefit by networking with further. Here’s an example of the power of networking:
Overview
One of my clients, Jim recently scheduled a meeting with his COO. As it turns out, they both attended the same university, although at different times, and had spoken to one another at a number of college alumni events.
Jim identified the COO as someone he wanted to build greater visibility with and to keep the connection alive.
Purpose
They met over coffee and Jim came prepared to fill the COO in on the new project he was responsible for and the progress he and the team were making. He was hoping to gain the COO’s insight into the future potential of being on this project and gaining greater visibility.
Now some of you may think this was a bold move meeting with the COO. However, the COO was impressed with Jim from his interactions through the alumni group and was happy to meet one-on-one. And no surprise, the COO found the meeting worthwhile as well. As you may find with many busy executives, the COO didn’t know the latest and greatest status and Jim was able to provide a first-hand look into the challenges and successes of this new and profitable project.
Results
The COO gained value from this first-hand look at the project from Jim’s perspective. And Jim got the needed exposure he was hoping for and the COO appreciated getting to know Jim better and hearing about his and the team’s accomplishments. All around this was time well spent for both Jim and the COO.
As you can see from this example, networking was mutually beneficial for both Jim and the COO. While Jim benefited greatly from this interaction, this enabled the COO to remain plugged in, a key benefit of networking!
What’s an example of a real-life success story you’ve had through networking?
Sage Alliance, a Leadership Performance Company, provides coaching, teambuilding and assessments, workshops and speaking on topics including; leadership development, empowering teams, communications, lasting impressions, personal branding and building a coaching culture for executives and high-potentials – for both team and individual leaders.
Contact us today to discover how your organization can get the most through improved productivity, efficiency and direct impact to your bottom line, while leaders gain powerful insight, crystallize opportunities for growth and fine tune their strengths, enabling them to make the greatest impact. You can contact Shelley Hammell directly at shammell@thesagealliance.com.
