Networking Insight

Why Networking is Important for the Job Search

Phyllis Korkki writes the Career Couch column for the New York Times. In the recent article, You May Not Like It, but Learn to Network, she answers a series of questions about why networking is so important for the job search.

I have always been a big believer in building your network when you don't need people's immediate help. Get to know people now so when you need them they will be there in the future.  Much like asking a bank for a line or credit, it is better to get approved before you need the cash so when you really need the help, you have already established a relationship.

I encourage you to read Phyllis' article to learn more about the power of networking during these challenging economic times.

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Don’t Forget to Acknowledge Others for Referrals

One of the most important aspects of showing respect to your network is to thank those who have helped you. People like to be acknowledged and will feel good if they know that they were helpful.  If you don’t show respect to people, then they are less inclined to help you in the future.

You want to have a favorable impression with everyone so don’t drop the ball.  Below are five positive reasons to acknowledge others:

1. You receive a business referral that turns into a new client or partner
2. You receive a job lead that turns into a new opportunity
3. You receive a qualified job candidate resume that turns into a new employee
4. You receive a business referral that turns into a new friend
5. You receive a business referral that becomes an integral part of your network

Also, it is okay to let people know if a referral didn't work out. People within your network will be interested to know if they couldn't  help. As a result, they will make a more conscious effort to better help in the future.

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Networking Insight Turns Two!

My blog, Networking Insight, turned two recently. It has been a great two years sharing with you my insights about relationship building. I have met many wonderful people through this blog and look forward to meeting many more people.

Thank you for your continued support and interest in this blog. Your readership and posted comments mean a lot to me.  Because of you, I enjoy posting multiple times a week.

Here's to an even better year 3!

Let me know if you have any topics that you would like me to cover over the next year. Or if you would like to be a guest blogger, let me know.

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Ten Reasons Businesses Fail to Make Business Networking Work for Them by Andy Lopata

Andy Lopata of Connecting People provides a great post about why businesses fail with business networking. Below are his ten reasons:

1. They don't have a clear message
2. They don't know what success will look like
3. They fail to commit
4. They don't do their homework
5. They don't follow up their referrals
6. They focus on the sale, not the relationship
7. They are '9 to 5 Networkers'
8. They are 'destructive' rather than 'constructive'
9. They are collectors
10.They like their comfort zone

I would also argue that are some of the reasons that individuals can't make business networking work either.

To read more about each of these, go to Andy's post, Ten Reasons Businesses Fail to Make Business Networking Work for Them.

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Is It True That Social Networking Sites Can Increase Worker Productivity?

According to the article, Study says social networking Web sites increase worker productivity, research has shown that social networking has had a positive impact on workers. While this is questionable, the article mentions the following benefits:

• increased creativity

• allowing employees access to their personal sites on company time can create a degree of job satisfaction

• an information tool as well as a way to reconnect and stay in touch with others

Most of what we have heard is that social networking is a distraction and used unprofessionally. However, if social networking does create more worker efficiencies, then that is a good thing.

What do you think?

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7 Networking Words for the Holidays

Most people don’t think about networking when it comes to the holidays. In reality, the holidays are an excellent time to network. In fact, you should be networking all of the time. Don’t ever stop because you never know what can happen from any situation.

Because the holidays are just around the corner, here are 7 words that will help you realize that you are networking during the holidays whether you consciously have thought about it or not.

1. Parties – Great time of the year to attend holiday parties of friends, employers, and business colleagues. Show your support by attending.

2. Social – Most of the parties that people attend are social in nature so a great way to get to know people. It is important that you get to know people on a personal level as well.

3. Cards – Most people send holiday greetings to keep in touch. Sending cards is a nice gesture that shows you care.

4. Fun – The holidays are a great time to have fun with people in a non-business setting. Get to know people in a casual way.

5. Causal – Holiday time is more laid back so you can be more casual with your attire and demeanor as long as you don’t let your guard down. Make sure to still be professional.

6. Travel – The holidays are a great time to travel to visit family and friends or to just get away. On these travels, you will be strengthening existing relationships and have the potential to meet new people.

7. Job – Holiday time is a great time to build relationships and look for a new job. While employers may not be hiring during this time of the year, it is a good idea to get to know people and be in on their radar when they will be hiring the first of the year.

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Year in Review for Social Networking

The recent article, Year in Review 2008: Social networks grapple with the money question, does a great job summarizing some of the activity with the major networking sites. Below are some of the highlights:

• Barack Obama, whose presidential campaign rocketed to victory on many of the social-media tools that were still getting denounced as fads just a year ago.

• Facebook and MySpace, the world's two biggest social networks, launched elaborate voter outreach initiatives.

• Digg's traffic soared as political news reached a fever pitch.

• Twitter has not yet produced a business model. Facebook and Digg are not yet profitable. MySpace appears to be doing better, likely due to the fact that it's been owned by News Corp. since 2005 and has big-media advertising connections at its disposal.

• Location-based mobile social networks didn't create the sensation that many had expected.

• Pownce, a would-be Twitter rival, closed up shop entirely and sold its assets to blog software company Six Apart

• The beleaguered Yahoo shuttered its social-networking experiment, Mash.

• AOL bought Socialthing and Goowy--and in a whopping $850 million deal, acquired Bebo, a social network that counts most of its popularity in the U.K. and Ireland. Also, Twitter bought Summize, Comcast bought Plaxo, and social-app companies like the Social Gaming Network started amassing portfolios of widgets purchased from independent developers.

• The recession recently stalled Facebook's plan to allow some of its employees to cash out stock options. MySpace CEO Chris DeWolfe has expressed concern about his company's ability to continue growing its ad-revenue footprint. Twitter and Digg, along with other players in the market like RockYou, Meebo, Yelp, LinkedIn, and Ning, have filled their coffers with venture funding and are hoping to keep growing while they wait out the storm.

For more information, make sure to read Year in Review 2008: Social networks grapple with the money question.

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What is Your Ideal Environment for Meeting People?

With the abundance of business networking events, there is no shortage of ways to meet people. Some situations will be more comfortable for you than others. It is important that you attend a variety of events so you can figure out the best format for you. Below are a few of the more common formats:

Open Networking
Most events have an open format, which gives you the freedom to mingle and meet people at your own pace. For those who are comfortable talking with new people, this format works well. For those who are not good at starting conversations, this format can be a challenge.

Structured Networking Activities
In the last several years, it has been more common to find events that are very structured such as SpeedNetworking. These events guarantee that you will meet people because you will be put into situations where you will be talking with people.

Small Group Roundtables or Discussions
Roundtable discussions are a great way to demonstrate your expertise and meet many like-minded people in a very intimate setting. In these groups, people introduce themselves and then have the opportunity to contribute to the conversation. Business leads groups share this format.

Online Networking
Connecting with people online is a great way to grow your network quickly. Using tools like LinkedIn, Facebook, and blogs will create a digital identity for you. For people who don’t like face-to-face encounters, online networking is in their comfort zone. However, I strongly suggest that you connect offline whenever possible when some of these people.

What environment do you like best?

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What is LinkedIn Learning Center?

A friend of mine recently told me about the LinkedIn Learning Center. On this site, you can learn about all of the various functions of LinkedIn. The three main sections are: Overview, Site Features, and User Guides.

Also, this site describes the following four reasons for using LinkedIn:

1. Create your professional brand
2. Network and reconnect
3. Share your knowledge and expertise
4. Receive opportunities

Take some time to review the LinkedIn Learning Center so you understand all that LinkedIn has to offer.

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Book Review: The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur by Mike Michalowicz

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur, written by a serial entrepreneur Mike Michalowicz, provides advice on starting a business when you basically have nothing to begin with like three sheets of toilet paper.  Through practical guidance and real world experience, Mike motivates and inspires his readers to stop thinking and start doing. His tongue in cheek humor makes it an enjoyable read.

Below are the sections and chapters so you have an idea of what is covered.

Part One: Beliefs:
Chapter 1: Nature’s Calling
Chapter 2: A Little Peach and Quiet (In Your Mind)
Chapter 3: The Fire In Your Belly

Part Two: The TPE Focus
Chapter 4: Getting Down to Business
Chapter 5: It’s All About Regularity

Part Three: Action
Chapter 6: Are You Ready Now?
Chapter 7: Shit And Get Off The Pot

Part Four: Money & Equity
Chapter 8: Clean Up On Three Sheets
Chapter 9: A Good, Solid Flow
Chapter 10: Keep Your Business To Yourself

Each section is broken down into several chapters that will help you move from a wobbly mindset to starting a business.  Mike shares various examples and provides action steps at the end of each section. While I am not a big fan of giving readers homework, it is necessary in this case for planning purposes before you start a business.

The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur is a very hands-on, non academic, book on entrepreneurship. It is a welcome read from a very experienced entrepreneur so you can be confident that what Mike shares has been tried and proven to work.

If you are curious about entrepreneurship or already an entrepreneur, then pick up a copy of this book for a fun read.

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