NETWORKING 101

The following is an excerpt from “Confessions of an Introvert - The Shy Girl’s Guide to Business Success” by Meghan Wier. Preorders of Confessions of an Introvert will be taken starting in September 2005. For more information, write to meghanwier@meghanwier.com .

Call it a clan, call it a network, call it a tribe, call it a family. Whatever you call it, whoever you are, you need one. - Jane Howard

Depending on your background, profession, location and needs, “networking” will mean something unique to you. Whatever that is, you will ultimately find networking to be profoundly rewarding, professionally and personally.

As an introvert you have an advantage and natural strength in networking—yes, I said “advantage”! While introverts may not make as many contacts, they tend to make stronger relationships with the contacts you do have.

I would rather have 100 really great contacts, many of whom I consider friends, all of whom I could count on in a tough situation, than 1,000 names in card file, who wouldn’t recognize my name, or go out of their way to help me out. Wouldn’t you?

Getting Together

I called a friend today, with whom I have done business--a good guy - and a person I trust. He was lementing about not being able to attend any good networking events - because of time - and because the ones he did go to were a waste of time.

He said "meg, I just wish I could meet with you and Brett and a couple other of my great contacts every week or so..." and I said - "why don't we?"

Simple as that. Now we have scheduled an every-other week meeting of our new "power-group" - I can't wait.

Networking made simple!

-Meg
www.meghanwier.com
www.networking4introverts.com
and another one of my blogs:
http://meghanwier.blogspot.com

Business Networking - Getting Started

MAKE NETWORKING YOUR JOB

To be a successful Networker, whether you are an introvert or and extrovert, you must change your thinking, Networking doesn't happen in your spare time, and it isn't something that can be de-prioritized, or put off until tomorrow. Networking MUST be part of your job, no matter what your "job" is.

But putting yourself "out there" and going out to network can be overwhelming. It can be so easy sometimes not to send that email or make that call. Procrastination is natural with that which is least comfortable to us. Don't let this happen to networking. Make Networking your job. Set time aside each day and week to meet with new people, and connect with old friends. You will see the benefits - in your life, and in your "job"!