We are all “self-employed” now. Today there is absolutely no job security. We are living in an age of corporate downsizing and freelance consultants, or self-employed workers, are increasing by the day. Networking is one skill you need to practice to get ahead and survive these uncertain times.

Wisdom in a nutshell about networking:

• Networking is essential for both new jobs and business contracts.
  
  
• Effective networking is 12 times more effective than answering advertisements.
  
  
• Advertising is becoming ineffective except on a large scale.
  
  
• Networking helps you find hidden opportunities and can set you apart from the competition.
  
  
• An indirect approach is better than a direct one. Use someone you know to introduce you to your target contact. Never go straight to your target without a go-between who will put in a good word for you.
  
  
• You can overcome your natural shyness, your fear of using people, and your fear of rejection.

The three key networking techniques are:

• Build a network of partners to keep an open eye and ear for new opportunities for you.
  
  
• Reach targeted individuals in two ways: directly or indirectly.
  
  
• Build visibility by raising your profile. Go to every social gathering you possibly can.

Building your network is an ongoing process. You need to increase your range of contacts constantly.

Planning your networking campaign:

1. Define your objective.
   
   
2. Select the right technique.
   
   
3. Understand that “deal flow” or your number of prospects must be great in order to bag one new business contract.
   
   
4. Identify your target.
   
   
5. Work out your positioning. This is a short statement of what you are about, what you can offer.
   
   
6. Think about what you can do for your network partners in exchange for information and contacts.

Building networking partners:

• Talk to everyone you know about opportunities.
  
  
• Clarify what network partners can and will do for you.
  
  
• Know which contacts to build into network partners.
  
  
• Find those friendly network spiders, those types of people who just seem to know everyone.
  
  
• Use the telephone.

How to grow and refresh your network:

• Go out of your way to be where people are.
  
  
• Get into the habit of being talkative.
  
  
• Get the contact details of people you meet - not just exchanging business cards, but stapling information like birthdays, anniversaries, hobby clubs, and key information onto their cards.
  
  
• Choose the right method for the right person.
  
  
• Warm up long-cold contacts.

How to find targeted individuals for your network:

• Focus on what you want to achieve and how people can help you.
  
  
• Use your network partners to find suitable companies.
  
  
• Gather key information on these companies.
  
  
• Figure out who is the one with the power to hire you.
  
  
• Find people connections and common areas of interest.

Reaching targets through network partners:

• Find and persuade the best partner for your targeted individual.
  
  
• Engineer an introduction.
  
  
• Build word-of-mouth exchanges about yourself.

Reaching networking targets directly:

• Decide if you should write a letter or not.
  
  
• Be able to demonstrate your achievements.
  
  
• Have a line ready to get you past the secretary.
  
  
• Act as though you expect to be put through.
  
  
• Be ready to leave a short, persuasive message for the decision-maker.

Your networking opening line:

• Be cheerful, confident and straightforward.
  
  
• Exploit connections and recommendations.
  
  
• Mention common interests.
  
  
• Report news of interest to the target.
  
  
• Wait for a response. Know when to shut up.
  
  
• Write down your opening lines before picking up the phone.

How to be visible without really trying while networking:

• Ask a question at a conference.
  
  
• Make a point in a meeting.
  
  
• Write letters to your industry magazine.
  
  
• Introduce yourself to lots of people at an industry show or ball.
  
  
• Buy people a drink at the bar at a lecture.
  
  
• Discuss a book with an industry leader.
  
  
• Wear bright ties.
  
  
• Make people laugh.
  
  
• Have an opinion on everything. (But keep an open mind.)
  
  
• Hand out an unusual business card.
  
  
• Recast your CV to be a little different.
  
  
• Take up an unusual hobby - but not too unusual.
  
  
• Don’t overlook using the email and Internet to communicate your cause.

The authors, Regine P. Azurin and Yvette Pantilla, are principals in the company, BusinessSummaries.com, which supplies free book summaries of the latest bestsellers for busy executives and entrepreneurs. You can email them. Or, visit their Web site.

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