Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Networking 101

“The way of the world is meeting people through other people.”Robert Kerrigan

Plays and films have explored the seven degrees of separation that supposedly link us all around the globe. Courses and coaches have created a lucrative industry helping you find these connections. Corporations and not-for-profits continually seek these ties through their boards and members.

And really, it all comes down to you… chatting in a grocery store or coffee line up, offering a suggestion to a friend or your time to a cause or project. Whether you’re paid or volunteered, meeting people and re-meeting people (otherwise known as building a relationship), a key to success is simply about talking together.

Building on that – the most amazing communities are those built on helping each other instead of going solo in our quests to get ahead (however you define that). Call it community spirit, manners, generosity or common sense – helping others helps you. That’s the essence of peer-to-peer networking and the true value of mentoring.

“The successful networkers I know, the ones receiving tons of referrals and feeling truly happy about themselves, continually put the other person's needs ahead of their own.” Bob Burg

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