How to Become a Power Networker: Second of Six Parts

Who, what, when, where, why and how? These are great questions to ask yourself no matter what activity you are involved in. Who do you want to meet? Why do you want to meet them? What can you gain by meeting them? Where can you come into contact with them? When is the best time to introduce yourself or get introduced? How can you maximize your interaction? 

Learn from the Experts. Did you ever wonder how the rich and powerful got to be the rich and powerful? Sure, some of them were born into it. But many figure out how to gain entrance to the elite club, and it isn’t by being a wallflower. Some go to schools where they get great educations and make the acquaintance of others who help them on their journey to the top. Others join clubs where they can hobnob with contacts who help them. Some join city and country clubs to make great contacts. Political fundraisers can be fruitful. And then, there is always flying first class. This group may not be your target, but it does provide a sense of how the network thing is done. 

Find the Right Places to Network. Networking is an activity that requires planning to be successful. You need to identify networks in which you would like to participate and then devise a way to access those networks. This can be achieved by joining formal or informal networks. Formal networks include professional institutes and organizations, business organizations, and industry groups. Informal networks include conferences and business retreats, sports and social clubs -- even parties and social hours. 

Your job is to match your interests and objectives with the plethora of networking opportunities that are available. All you have to do is figure out in which areas you want to expand your circle of contacts. Then you find groups that match the demographics you’re looking for. Potential places to network include: 

• Chambers of Commerce 

• Business clubs and organizations 

• Professional institutes and organizations 

• Industry Groups 

• Social and service clubs 

• Volunteer groups and charitable organizations 

• Community organizations and special-interest groups 

• Faith organizations – synagogues, churches, etc. 

• Neighborhood organizations 

• Meetup groups 

• LinkedIn and other online groups 

Whatever you do, remember it is not enough to simply join these groups. You have to get involved. Getting involved requires time but it is time well spent. You’ll meet new people, make new friends and contacts, and be seen as a person who is interested and can be depended upon. That will, over time, help you achieve your networking goals. In the meantime, you’ll be enjoying a rewarding experience that enriches your life as well as the lives of the people you touch. #networking #powernetworking