networking as a lifetime practice_2014

NETWORKING as a LIFETIME PRACTICE

Life is endless…

Or is it not?

The world is mine…

…and I need to seize EACH DAY

MYTHS on Networking

Your ‘barba in Koroni’ helps your way in the market. You have ‘your guy’ to let you in.

People going around social events – always the same people

MYTHS on Networking

Pointless meetings with loafers, driving you nowhere

MYTHS on Networking

Just another ‘lobbying game’ for Masons to

place their own people

MYTHS on Networking

TRUTH or DARE

There is some truth in all this but…

WHY SHOULD WE CARE?

THE BRAND IS YOU

THE CENTER IS YOU

+PEOPLE AROUND YOU

+PEOPLE WITH YOU

Perception of a forest vs a tree

See yourself as part of a whole, belonging and sharing – not going against or going solo

Definition of Networking

The practice of linking two or more “computing devices”

together with the purpose of sharing data

NOW APPLY THIS WITH HUMANS DO NOT TRY IT AT HOME – NOT SAFE

YOU & YOUR NETWORK

NETWORKING IS…

A Lifetime Practice

A Social Practice – not a process/a task

NETWORKING IS…

About SHARING…

NOT KEEPING

NETWORKING IS…

Building your Social Capital

NETWORKING IS…

Networking is about…

Actively Building Relationships &

Truly Connecting with People

NETWORKING IS…

Mutual

Respectful

Giving first, or receiving with gratitude

Thankful

NETWORKING IS…

Be authentic

Be yourself

Treat your contacts with consistency, ethics and openness

NETWORKING IS…

Communication with a purpose and a non-purpose

NETWORKING IS…

Not a country with borders and conditions

NETWORKING IS…

Not a store or an office with 9 to 5 schedule

WHEN

24/7 – never off duty There is however a good timing for everything

WHERE

Everywhere… Name places it has happened for YOU

Isn’t the world small or what?

HOW

ACTUAL NETWORKING

SOCIAL NETWORKING

HOW

ACTUAL NETWORKING

Opportunities for social and professional gatherings… Cutting the New Year’s pie maybe?

HOW

SOCIAL NETWORKING Options for lifestyle, photo/visual, professional and other types of networking

HOW

WHY

Natural thing to do Fun Useful Lifelong Why not?

If not networking…

“No connection… no contagion”

[Nicholas Christakis & James Fowler, in Connected]

Networking tips…

For becoming a strong and lifelong networker! Any clues?

Becoming a Strong Networker

Follow up on referrals

Have a positive attitude- become a magnet

Be enthusiastic and motivated/driven – a best selling quality

Be trustworthy – give valuable and solid

info&referrals

Possess good listening skills & learn

Becoming a Strong Networker

Always network (never off duty)

Thank people- express gratitude

Enjoy helping others- sharing info&tips

Be sincere and give your

undivided attention

Work on your net (=network), manage contacts & organize

info

Becoming a strong networker

If you do not make your

own agenda, you will

become part of somebody else’s agenda

soon

Hiring?

Other?

Business Deals?

Long term relationships?

ALBA Career & Alumni

Athens College Alumni - CDO

Networking was a target in my first HR professional experience

Networking was a tool in my next job venture

Networking was a life saving boat in my years around 2010

Networking is a natural practice in my work today

Networking does not always work well…

But when it does…

A few examples…

- How we met with Maria

- How I managed to find my job after KPMG and ever since…

- How we attracted candidates and clients in years 2006-2009 when we had no CV database

A few examples…

- How we are now building our activity at CDO

- How the market trusts us with projects which are customized and challenging

- How we engage our network in difficult times