Network!!

MissBiz Journal Article, "NETWORK!!"

by MissBiz aka Jacqueline Howatt
Published and Copyright September 13, 2006
Saint Mary's University, The Journal

To be very blunt right off the top: if you are in business you MUST learn how to network. If you desire to meet employers, get promoted, or grow your business, networking is where it’s at! The problems most students face when confronted with this issue include: not knowing how to network, not knowing why they should network, not knowing where to network, and not knowing how to network effectively.

First, let’s look at the “How?” factor. Networking is a skill. And like every skill, it is honed with time and practice. The only effective way to understand how to network (and to not look like a total goof), is to do your research. The Internet houses a plethora of valuable information on the topic of social and professional networking. Some websites that often feature these subjects include, entrepreneur.com, youngentrepreneur.com, and businessweek.com. A great networking article is, “How to End or Leave a Conversation” which is from youngentrepreneur.com.

To be more specific, there are a few things you must sort out before you set forth into the networking world. First, you must know why you are networking in the first place. Is it to find a business partner? Is it to meet future employers? Is it to meet other students who share your interests? You should also know what field or genre of people you want to be networking with; Business students? Avid readers? International students? Computer buffs? Knowing why and who you want to meet will then project you into the next step in effective networking, and that is where to look for these contacts.

As a university student, you are at an advantage when it comes to meeting new people in your field of interest. There are literally dozens of societies at Saint Mary’s University, and many of them transcend and crossover various areas of interest (the Commerce Society, ACE Society, Marketing Society, Accounting Society, AIESEC, etc). Each society hosts several networking events that members and non-members are welcome to participate in every year. In terms of networking - the more societies you are in, the better. However, societies are not the only means to networking if you are (or are not) a university student. For example, not only businesses are eligible to join the Chamber of Commerce! A student can join the Nova Scotia Chamber of Commerce for only $85.00, whereas a non-student (individual) would pay $225.00. The Chamber of Commerce is a prime example of networking at its best – and that’s the main reason most people and businesses join. Some upcoming networking events the Chamber of Commerce will be hosting include: September 26th – Communicating For 2 Left Feet: Win Friends and Influence, September 28th – Networking for Success, and October 25th – Commerce Connections: Halifax Military Community Center. You can learn more at www.halifaxchamber.com.

Finally, I will address the necessity of networking effectively. Again, you can gain much information on the Internet, however, I will mention a few key components that will give you a head start. First, dress to impress. Don’t walk into an executive dinner with a pink feather boa, a skimpy halter-top, and a jean mini skirt. People make an automatic assessment of who you are by how you physically present yourself. Dress appropriately to the occasion. Secondly, get your handshake and introduction down pat. Nobody respects a flimsy handshake. An introduction for most would sound something like, “Nice to meet you, my name is ____, and you are?” This can definitely be varied to suit your own personality. Third, have some prepared icebreaker questions. These don’t have to be stuffy, but they should be appropriate to the occasion. For some ideas, visit http://www.bninw.com/cgi-bin/viewnlcontent.cgi?nlarticle_id=9 . Lastly, you should have some decent business cards (you can make decent ones at home on your PC). A good rule of thumb: ask for the other person’s card before presenting your own. It may seem arrogant otherwise!

I hope this helps some of you frosh students, and even some of you more adept networking students. Remember the old adage, “It’s not what you know, it’s who you know”. Having read this article, you now have the know-how - the rest is up to you!