Networking Success- Top 5 Success Principles

Networking is simply the process of meeting people, building relationships, and accomplishing objectives through these unions. Therefore, you can consider your networking to be on track for "Success" if you are progressing through at least one of these stages. The following are 5 foundational principles that will greatly improve results and lift your networking experiences to a higher level.

1. Set Networking Goals: I'll put setting goals at the top of the list although many of the following principles are of great importance and are difficult to list by order of urgency. When defining your business goals, it should be decided whether or not 1 on 1 networking is the right course of action. Let's assume it is and you will use these goals as a base to assess your progress.

2. A Professional Business Card: Just as you are a representative and physical extension of your firm, your business card is much the same for you. If you are an employee, your company will supply you with standard cards. However, if you are the owner or compliance within your company/industry allows, a custom card expressing your primary message can help to brand the good impression made on the first encounter while communicating your business's mission.

3. Look the Part: In Neuro-Linguistic Programming we learn that most people are "Visual". Consequently, your appearance must reflect your industry and express your theme. I have been to business mixers and met computer repair men in golf shirts and jeans but lawyers and bank presidents usually wear suits. Golf shirts and jeans are not inappropriate as long as they are consistent with the tone of your industry.

4. An Attractive Personality: This can be the deciding factor of success or failure in networking. It is said that laughter comes from stimulation but a smile represents happiness. It is of the utmost importance to be in a pleasant, friendly, and hospitable state of mind when coming into contact with persons whom you can assist and vice versa. Most of us are attracted to positive, confident, non-threatening individuals. It is doubly so if they seem to be capable of solving our problems. Being polite and expressing genuine interest goes a long way in setting the stage for future communication.

5. Follow up: Even though it seems like common sense to contact the individuals recently met and express how honorable it was to make their acquaintance, most people don't. Many only contact if they see something of immediate benefit. While there is priority in some of these contacts, it is equally important and nice professional conduct, to correspond via email or phone call simply to establish realness and availability. A simple confirmation says "Hi, it was great to meet you and I am open for business."

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