Читать книгу Successful Networking in 7 simple steps - Clare Dignall - Страница 16

You may not yet be convinced by the idea of networking. Many people still have a suspicion of networking, associating it with dishonesty and aggressive deal-making. For some misguided souls, that’s what networking is: only coming out of the office when you need something, working the event to get the introduction you want, or squeezing your new contact till you get the deal you want. Effective in the short term, but you’ll make no lasting relationships.

Contemporary approaches to networking turn this short-sighted tactic on its head. It’s all about building lasting relationships first, and, crucially, offering upfront value to your new contact in the hope that someday you may reap reward in return. This kind of networker (‘go-givers’ in networking terminology) will meet new people and attempt to see the world from their eyes, listening to their needs and aspirations. He or she will then consider whether they might be of help to the other person to fulfil those needs. Could they introduce someone useful? Do they have some information they could share? This ‘help’ just has to be timely, appropriate, and of value to the other. Establishing relationships on these grounds will gain you lifelong allies.