Network, Network, Network

A friend of mine went golfing three times this week – work-related of course. Ah huh. It doesn’t hurt that she loves to golf. Golf is a great way to network, especially since you are spending several hours with your golf mates.  When I worked in a professional services firm, numerous deals were initiated or firmed up while on the golf course. I am not advocating golf as the panacea of networking; personally I would rather go to the spa for four hours. But we digress. Networking is an essential part of your career. It is about creating relationships that can be levered to create new customers, new partnerships, and new opportunities for you.

Here are a few networking tips:

Make an effort – The benefits of networking are not always obvious but it pays off if you take a proactive and organized approach. Know what you want and what you have.

Create a target list – I am just in the process of creating a target list of people and companies I want to meet with over the next few months. I am creating it based on my desired goal of seeking growth opportunities for my company. Then I will cold call away!

Try new resources – Are you on social networking sites, such as LinkedIn or Facebook? Check out other sites like Meetup, TweetUp or Eventful.

Use the summer months – Everyone tends to be more casual and relaxed. It is a great time to meet people outside for food, drinks or activities.

Networking is about building relationships. Be genuine and most of all, have fun!