People are not born knowing how to network, it is a learned skill. We learn to socialize by watching those around us. Some people set wonderful examples, while others would be better left unobserved. Networking basics includes your personal presentation as well as your interaction with the people you meet. There are several basics which each person should be aware of before heading out into the networking world. They include:
- Mental Attitude
- Visual presentation
- Verbal communication
- Know your Business
As you become proficient in these very basic elements of networking, you will notice subtleties during your business interactions. Your eyes will open to the complexities of communication between different people – a virtual landmine because we all come from different family, socio-economic, racial and religious backgrounds. We must make an effort to effectively communicate in a respectful and intelligent manner if we want to grow our business.
The practice of networking is a journey. We all start out being mediocre and as we meet new people along the journey; we pick up tips which give us insight into connecting with other people. Don’t stress out; but enjoy the journey!