Is networking truly helping you?

If you have ever been in a business or search for employment, you have heard the word "networking" thrown around as being an important part of your business development and job search. You are encouraged to attend networking events and polish off formulate your "elevator speech" to fire it at any human being within a 3 arms length away from you. The goal is to meet new people you hope are looking for your skills (for a job) or looking to do business with you.

What type of results do you think you will achieve with these events? What is your mental focus when you attend these events...just to place your business card in people's hands or to truly make an authentic connection that lasts? Do you think the other attendees have the same wants and needs that you do? These are just some of the questions you should ask before even attending to have a better mindset when you do participate in it.

I recently started reading the book, Networking is Not Working by Derek Coburn which give a completely different perspective on networking in general. I learned that our mindset and intention when going to networking event is extremely vital to the efficiency of networking results. Mr. Coburn also expressed that cultivating value for your current and developing business network is far important than collecting hundreds of business cards arbitrarily. In order for you to create value for anyone, you will have to understand what is valuable to people and speak to their values. Do your best to find ways to become more valuable to them.

So how do you accomplish this? Asking key questions and truly listening to their response. In their response, you can truly uncover what people find valuable. It sounds simple, but you would be surprised by how many people do not actually do this....especially at a networking event! You are likely to hear their rehearsed "elevator speech" than someone that truly takes an interest by listening. Let's do a better job as professional networkers and LISTEN MORE.

#networkingtips #listeningispowerful #mentorshelly #professionalnetworker #learningdaily #peopleskillsareimportant