Your successful professional image, projected through your speaking, face-to-face meetings, written communication and appearance, will result in more opportunities for networking.
Networking is building professional, mutually serving relationships for the purpose of helping both parties obtain goals. The term originates in a dictionary definition: “a system of elements (as lines or channels) that cross in the manner of the threads in a net.” (Merriam-Webster) Your image and communication are critical in advancing your networking success.
People have always built professional networks informally, but attention in recent years, has focused on systematically building relationships with professional friends and friends of friends.
In his book, The Tipping Point, Malcolm Gladwell describes a person who knows many other people as a “connector” and he credits connectors with facilitating much of the interaction people have with each other. Whether it is a business associate’s knowledge, a job, a restaurant recommendation or a good book to read, connectors help others get what they need by connecting people who don’t know each other. This is also how you build a professional network.
It is difficult to find resources related to networking online because computer networking is such a popular topic. And, much of what is available is targeted to job hunters or self-employed individuals. These resources should supply the professional person, who is seeking networking opportunities, useful background information.
- Network Your Way to a New Job or Career.
- Networking at the Career Journal
- Professional Networking for Success
- Networking Resources from About's Entrepreneurs Guide, Scott Allen
If you've successfully developed a professional image through your face-to-face, written and spoken communication; your appearance and your presence, your career will soar. I trust these resources will help take you anywhere you want to go.
Want to know more?
Communication and Appearance in Networking - Page 1
When You Meet Face-to-Face - Page 2
