Remember and pay attention to the following basics when you start working to build up your network:
1. Networking is something that must be worked at to work at all. It must become part of who you are and how you view the world. You may meet people almost anywhere on this planet who may become part of your network. Always be on the lookout for a good contact.
2. Networking involves a concept that most people shy away from: the idea of "using" someone else to help you accomplish something and "being used" by them when they need your help to accomplish something.
3. Networking must work both ways, or it won't work past the first time you "use" someone. When you cultivate a contact, you are initiating the understanding that you are open to doing favors on a variety of levels. You, in return and without saying as much, expect that person to be helpful to you in some way in the future.
4. When possible, be the first to do something for a new contact, especially if the favor is easy and without consequence to you. This puts you in the receiving position for a favor from the new contact. This is all unsaid, but keenly felt when you establish the right rapport with a new contact. The more unexpected and needed the favor is, the better.
5. Listening and understanding are important parts of the networking system. These can help you identify people who can be useful to your network. By listening and understanding, you can identify favors and activities that would be most appreciated by your new contacts. Also, you can tune into opportunities that your contacts may have for you. A simple conversation at a party with a contact may tell you how you can help him, in areas where he doesn't know you have resources. Conversely, your contact may tell you, without knowing it, that he has an answer to a major problem facing your inventive efforts, such as lack of money, resources, or contacts. Listening and understanding can bring you a clear picture of problems faced by your contacts, keeping in mind that every problem is an opportunity for an invention or service to solve that problem. Almost no problem is totally unique, so if you create a solution to a contact's problems, you may also open up a new market for sales and profits.
6. Networking can lead to social and business entertaining. Some of the best friends you may ever have may start as newly acquired contacts in your network. Social and business meetings can lead to other contacts who may inspire new ideas and lead to profitable business opportunities through consulting contracts, investments, or business services.
7. Keep track of all of your contacts. Collect their business cards and other important data on them. Keep notes on when and through whom you met, what topics the contact enjoys, and on what level you mutually get along.
Remembering someone's wife's name the next time you meet or remembering a new friend's birthday or child's graduation can go a long way toward cementing a relationship that can span the years and generate help, opportunities and business.
NOTE: Keep your networking sheets and data private and confidential! This is valuable information. Also, you may not want others to read what you have written about them or someone else.
