It sounds either obvious or insulting, but the way you approach your networking should vary based on your age. An experienced business veteran of 40 years shouldn't create and build relationships like a 22-year-old college grad. So when looking at how those under 30, and especially under 25, approach networking, we have to be clear about the opportunities and obstacles they face. The business environment, the world they’ve grown up in, and the fact that they are at the beginning of your career create a unique combination. On the whole, when you are at the beginning of your career, you have more flexibility and freedom. You have more … [Read more...]
Getting Pumped for a Networking Event
I'm getting ready to go to a networking event, and I'm trying to get excited. Actually, I'm not even getting ready. I'm ready. I'm sitting at a coffeehouse 3 blocks from the event because I got to downtown Chicago early (to beat the traffic) and all I have to do is walk over there. But I'm tired. It's a Thursday. It's been a long week already. I've had a busy day full of ups and downs. Maybe you know the feeling? I don't necessarily want to go meet new people. It would be soooo easy to sit here, grab dinner, and then just go home. My lethargy has nothing to do with the event or the people there. It's going to be great - a … [Read more...]
Quickly Boost Your Networking Results with This Simple Checklist
Over the past 15 years, I’ve found that people either love the idea of business networking or they think it’s a complete waste of time. How is it that some people build flourishing businesses based on the power of their network, while others fail to build any sort of connections at all? After helping hundreds of professionals leverage business networking to build their careers, I’ve found that most struggle for a few simple reasons. If your networking isn’t as effective as you would like it to be, it's important to figure out where the block is. The 3 Networking Questions to Ask Yourself If you are struggling to build a network that … [Read more...]