Networking with people – Relationship building

Networking with people – Relationship buildingThink you don’t have time to network? Think again. We all have time for everything. It’s just that we become lazy to do it. We state reasons that we don’t have time for calling a contact, have commitments at home and work-place that we can’t keep aside extra time for keeping in touch with others and we also give it lower importance.

This is actually wrong. Though we get introduced to atleast one new person everyday we fail to keep in touch with one old associate every week!

Just think how you feel nice and happy when one of your old school friend or college friend or old colleague remembers you and calls you to enquire about you and you re-live the great moments spent with them! Why can’t we do the same? What stops us?

It just takes a moment’s conscious decision to do that it hardly interferes with our day-to-day activities. All it requires is a slight shift in attitude.

Now what is networking? Well in plain terms and as I believe in it’s just building relationship with people. It is not only getting to know more people but actually keeping relationships alive that are made in life.

People generally associate networking with something that they will get in return (a job, a lead for sales, etc). But, what I see it as is to just develop a relationship without any expectations and keeping that connection alive with constant interactions. The benefit from it is additional. If we start a relationship with mindset that we will derive something from it then that relationship won’t survive for long.

So, what we can do to networking?

First, whenever you meet someone Smile. People always love a person and remember those who have perennial smile on their face. Even in a tele-call people have the capacity to hear, feel and know whether the person genuinely want to talk and is happy to talk to them.

Secondly, always address people with their names. We all love being called by our name by a person who had just met us one and has taken pains to remember us and recall our name. A person’s name is the sweetest sound to that person.

Thirdly, develop the art to patiently listen to people. People love to talk about themselves, their experiences and opinions on various issues. Actively listening to them with genuine interest will definitely make them remember you.

Lastly, is following up the relationship that’s built. This is my favourite because it not only requires your conscious effort but also asks to battle the ego aspect in us. Why should I call first? Why should I call him/her when even after so many times I have called him/her he does not do the same? It is a small effort you take to keep the relationship alive. It is a gentle tap on the person’s mind and heart and saying, “Hey, I still remember you!” Though people won’t reciprocate immediately but they will remember you. That’s the start.

Just take a few minutes of your precious time on a weekend and call one your old contacts with whom you haven’t talked for long. Call him/her and say, “Hi, how are you? Just wanted to know how you are doing?” just tap each of your relations like this every week and you will see you have kept alive most of your relationships.

Relationships are built with time and effort.

Happy Networking!! :-)