Say
Hello
It may seem painfully obvious, but there are a lot of people
who have absolutely no idea of how to actually make it that first bridge to
close the gap between stranger and new networking partner. I learned a lot about
networking from my friend Issa Asad. Starting up a casual
conversation can instantly give you an impression of the person you’re looking
to network with, and that can give you a very strong sign for what the tone of
your relationship may be as future business partners. You may either wind up
getting flat out offended or find an incredibly powerful and professional ally;
you will never know unless you initiate.
2
Maintain
Eye Contact
When it comes to networking, eyes are like arms. Nothing
shows the difference between a strong communicator and week one like the
intensity of eye contact and the direction that the person faces. You can’t
expect somebody who can hardly look you in the eye to be completely trustworthy
unless your faith in them is just that great, so why would you take them on as
an asset to your business. Speak with your words but communicate with your
eyes, and you and the person you are networking with will be able to reach a
much deeper level of understanding.
Firm
Handshake
Much like the eye contact, a handshake can be a dealbreaker
when it comes to the strength of your networking impact. As business is a
dimension of agreements and arrangements, a handshake is the eternal contract;
a contract is not
a guideline, a
contract is concrete and a contract is absolute. Fittingly, then, you want a handshake
that is both concrete and absolute as well.
Having a firm handshake will
communicate to the person you’re networking with that you are truly serious
about the concept of networking and can be counted on to execute your actions
with real intent.
4
Branch
Out
There’s no need to feel as though you have to keep yourself
attached at the hip with just one person in the room when you’re networking.
Whether it’s online or offline, you have to make sure to keep your network as a
NET; expansive, broad, far-reaching and inclusive. Always be sure to fill your
networking experience up with more beginnings than endings, and you’ll be
absolutely sure to build a strong group of colleagues in time. Variety is the
spice of life and the blood of business.
Network
Often
Issa Asad's advice to me was to make yourself a strong networking partner so people seek you out. So you’ve made yourself a strong network partner. Now what?
Now you do the exact same thing, the next day and the next day. It may seem
tiring on paper, but in reality, we’re doing it every single time we speak to
another human being. “Networking” is nothing more than a blanket term we’ve
established to describe the potential monetization of simple human interaction.
When you have small talk at the train station, you’re networking. When you
speak someone on the elevator, you’re networking. We’re social animals and
networking is just our way of harnessing the natural order of things for a
greater purpose; the key to networking then? Be natural. A great place to start is a site like
linkedin.com.
Finally here they are!!!
Belle:
Hair in the picture is by Newsea
Medieval dress by TSR
As I have promised, here are the Montefeltro girls:
Pierina:
Her CC:
Hair converted by Anubis
Skin non default by Tifa
Contacts by Shady
Lipstick by Lemonleaf
Eyebrows by Jessica
And this guy is funny...
I am waiting for the game..
