5 Networking Tips for Success

According to bestselling author and financial coach Robert Kiyosaki, the richest people in the world look for and build networks, while everyone else looks for work. If you want a great life, isn't it time for you to learn to build a network?

Take a look around you, and you will realize that everything great was most likely borne out of a network. The internet is a network of servers and computers. Successful companies like Walmart were made possible by technology and a sophisticated network of logistics systems, while advanced medical facilities were made possible by a network of educational and research institutions, and establishments sharing and exchanging knowledge and so on. New businesses are referred by networks of friends and business associates. The list goes on and on. If we desire to do more than what our physical limits dictate, we must learn how to network.

While most of us are highly competent and intelligent individuals, we can produce far better results when we decide to work together. In his book, ‘Many Communicate but few Connect’, world-renowned leadership coach John Maxwell illustrated this best by highlighting that we are born dependent of others for survival; but as we grow older and become more independent, we can only excel when we learn to achieve interdependency with others. As John explains it simply: A baby is dependent on its parents. An adult strives to be independent and competent in their own field, and only when they become sufficiently competent to contribute to others, will others seek them to partner or work with. Only then can interdependency be achieved. And that's what networking is all about.

So if networking is critical to the success of our business and career, how could we take our networking skills to the next level?

First Impression Counts!

I am sure you have most probably heard of the old saying 'We should never judge a book by its cover!'

Yet, you and I know that nothing is further from the truth. In fact first impression counts and in many cases you can never make a second first impression. Numerous studies have also proven that we human beings may even form an impression of someone within the first 20 seconds of meetup. This is why you might be puzzled to realize that you do not like someone even before they have said anything.

Thus it becomes crucial for us to leverage this first 20 seconds and create the impression we desire, because should we fail to do so, a subsequent positive impression would require significantly more effort. So here are 5 simple tips you can follow in building a positive first impression with someone:

This is especially true when we are working in a western culture, where people generally have a "through-time" timeline orientation. This means that people will tend to store their memories from left to right or from right to left or in any other way so that all time is in front of them. These are people who are likely to be very well-organized in whatever they do and very particular about time management. By being late for your appointment, you would have destroyed the rapport with them.

On a side note, I remember once having an unpleasant experience with an insurance agent. Not only did she arrive late (almost 20 minutes late), she did not even show any signs of remorse. Worse, she did not even offer to pay for my drink and was just determined to deliver her 'sales presentation'. Of course, she did not end up getting any business from me.

2. Smile while maintaining eye contact

While this may sound like a cliche, it is surprising how many people that I meet in several networking events do not even practice this! While revealing a sincere smile is a powerful way to break the ice in cold social situations, learning how to maintain eye contact with the person while doing so can further enhance its effectiveness as it tends to make the person feel more recognized, understood and validated. In fact its said that the simple act of holding someone’s gaze has the power to ignite or deepen a relationship.

3. Dress appropriately for the occasion

Perhaps one of the most important questions you may need to first ask yourself is: Are you dressing to impress or dressing to blend in?

Personally, I would often opt to be slightly more well-dressed than the majority in the networking event that I am attending. This ensures that people are more likely to perceive me in a positive way, yet they do not feel so distant from me if I were to 'overdress'.

4. Shake hands firmly and confidently

A good handshake is like a good resume. It can set you apart from the rest and leave others wanting for more. In fact a handshake can tell us a lot about a person- his/her level of self esteem.

Ever received a handshake which felt like a dead fish? How did it affect your perception of that person? No matter how good looking the person is, it must have affected the impression he/she left you, isn't it?

5. Remember the name of the person you are being introduced to

According to Dale Carnegie, a person's name is to that person, the sweetest, most important sound in any language.

One way to help you remember a person's name is to find a way to repeat it a few times after you first learn it. For instance, if you have just been introduced to someone named Kevin, simply follow up quickly with a statement like 'Nice to meet you, Kevin. By the way, how did you get to know about this event, Kevin?' By doing so, it forces you to focus and pay attention to the person's name.

Remember to apply these 5 simple tips during your next networking event and become a master networker.