Author: Bianca Male

Networking Groups:

1. Casual Contact Networks: Network events or industry mixers

Examples: Appalachian State University Career Fest,

2. Knowledge Networks: Professional Associations

Examples: American College of Health Executives

3. Strong Contact Networks

4. Online Network

Examples: Linked In

Rule 1: Network with purpose

Rule 2: Research the event, be informed. 

Who is going to be there?

Rule 3: Wear a "conversation starter," 

Presentation is everything! Always dress up for the next job you want!

Rule 4: Treat your business card like a credit card

Make a connection, do not just assume they will call just by handing a card!

Always be honest and forthright. There is no quicker way to lose trust than by withholding information. Full disclosure is positively related to trust, being transparent helps to build and maintain professional relationships.

Always meet your deadlines to gain trust ("your word is your bond")

1. Get off your computer: Can't network from your desk

2. Set goals: It's important to set smaller, attainable goals and 

not just see the big picture.

3. Mind your manners: Networking has it's own guidelines and 

rules but society's normal manners still apply.

4. Elevator pitches still matter: No window of time is too small for networking.

5. Play to your weaknesses: If you know you can't remember to 

follow-up with contacts there are loads of apps to help with reminders.

Be sincerely interested in the people with whom you're networking. Don't make the conversation all about you.

• Effective networking provides access to world-class knowledge,  expertise and allies to support your career success.
• Creating and maintaining an effective network requires strategy,  organization, time and willingness to contribute.
• Define your long-term goals
• An effective networker maintains relationship with contacts.
• An effective networker also has a willingness to contribute to others' success. They give as much, or more then they receive.
• Do your research on who is attending before attending a networking event.
• First impressions are most important.
• Enter the room confidently. If you act confident you will soon become confident.
• Get to the point: "small talk with a purpose"
• Divide your professional contacts into three categories: close-range (plan to contact every 1-3 months), medium-range (plan to contact every 3-6 months), long-range (plan to contact once a year)

- Act right, think right, and make the right decisions: You need to earn peoples trust, you can't just ask for it. People will forgive you when they trust you; if there is no trust they rarely forgive.

- You must make an effort with people and show that you care: If you do not develop meaningful relationships you will be kept in the dark to what's really on their mind, and then it might be to late.

-Be specific, make your words count: Being simple and concise is way better then complicated and confusing.

-Focus on contributing more and receiving less: When you focus on what the other person has to say about their wants, needs & desires, you'll learn much more then if you were focusing on your own wants and needs. You need to be able to not only learn and gather information while communicating you must also transfer ideas, connect your expectations, motivating action, and spreading their vision.

- Have an open mind: Engage in conversations that challenge you, and make you think outside your normal box, this is how you develop yourself. It is not the opinion that matters but your willingness to learn and discuss it with an open mind

-Shut up and listen: Communication is a two way highway. Being a skilled communicator means you will mostly be dialing it down or off then dialing it up. You need to be able to read between the lines, you can't do that when your flapping you jaw.

-Have empathy not an ego: When you communicate with empathy rather then an ego you display a transparency and a level of authenticity that is apparent when your ego is in the way. Being empathetic turns anger into respect and doubt into truts

-Walk the walk and talk the talk: If you do not have any idea what you are talking about not many people will listen to what you have to say. Being a good communicator you have to address both "how" and "what" of the message you are trying to construe, otherwise you are just a smooth talker.

-Know how to work a room: When speaking to a group of people weather it's 10 or 10,000 make it feel like you're talking to the individual. This is how you establish trust, credibility, they are the keys to successful interactions.

-Bottom line – The leadership lesson here is whenever you have a message to communicate (either directly, or indirectly through a third party) make sure said message is true & correct, well reasoned, and substantiated by solid business logic that is specific, consistent, clear and accurate. Spending a little extra time on the front-end of the messaging curve will likely save you from considerable aggravation and brain damage on the back-end. Most importantly of all, keep in mind that communication is not about you, your opinions, your positions or your circumstances. It’s about helping others by meeting their needs, understanding their concerns, and adding value to their world. Do these things and you’ll drastically reduce the number of communications problems you’ll experience moving forward. (http://www.forbes.com/sites/mikemyatt/2012/04/04/10-communication-secrets-of-great-leaders/)