Making Friends with Networking

Next door to you right now is a room with 50 potential contacts in and I would like you to go and find three people to exchange details with.

How do you feel? Excited? Challenged? or perhaps slightly sweaty and nervous...wondering what on earth you're going to say.

There are many professions where networking recognised as a valuable skill in developing a support network and meeting goals. It does seem that in medicine we're a little behind the curve. Networking skills aren't just beneficial in business, whatever your goal, interest or passion, they have a place in any profession. Looking for that research grant? Interested in increasing the amount of educational work you do? Trying to drum-up support for changes implemented at work? Learning from other industries can help Doctors and other Healthcare Professionals understand how to push forward their agenda; level the management playing field and be the drivers for change within healthcare.

1.   Have a clear aim.

• Think about what it is that you would like to get out of an event or interaction.
• It doesn’t have to be complicated…it can be as simple as ‘I would like to make 3 contacts who are also interested in x area’.
• This will transform your networking activities into something constructive and measurable and move them beyond ‘a enjoyable chat’ where you wonder whether there was any benefit.
• Don’t forget to leave them with a business or contact card (does the thought of owning business cards make you nauseated? Their importance and continued relevance is a WHOLE other blog!)

2.   Have a structure.

• Remove the angst of wondering what you’re going to say.
• Have a few different conversation starters that you are comfortable with.
• Work on your elevator pitch. This is a 1 to 2-minute summary giving an idea of who you are, what you are interested in and why as well as your vision or goal. This is more memorable than what I do, where I work and what I want.
• Exit plan. How will you close the conversation if you’d like to work together, think their idea’s great but don’t have a plan to be actively involved or spot someone else you’ve been waiting to talk to?

3.   Focus on being interested and forget about being interesting.

• Often a reluctance to network can be based on a fear of contributing effectively to the conversation or being interesting enough.
• Focus on the above structure and give them opportunity to tell their story, what are they doing? what’s their vision, long goal? Is there anything you could contribute? i.e. article you can e-mail them or a useful contact.
• Demonstrating that you are interested in what they are doing will put them at ease.

4.   Be open.

• Although it is vital to be mindful of your own vision and aims, don’t forget to be open to other opportunities.
• It may give you a chance to develop further experience or skills and make further contacts. It is often the secondary contact, not the primary, that leads to a crucial opportunity.
• Alongside this is the need to develop all important skills such as; when and how to say no; maintaining your work boundaries; and when to step back from a project that you have been involved with.

5.   Be authentic.

• Be open about your aims of the interaction, even at the start to avoid the ‘what do they want?’ feeling that can sometimes accompany networking. It doesn't have to big your big, shiny aspirational goal...telling someone you'd like their job in 10 years can have a unpredictable outcome! and yes, I do know people that have tried this approach.
• Be honest about your ongoing interest in what their doing. If you wish them the best of luck but are not able to help at present, then convey that. If you think it sounds good but think it needs a bit of refinement then that's also okay.
• You can still make a connection, but it will make it clear to the other person what you’re thinking, and this is infinitely more helpful than them leaving with the impression that you’re ‘on board’.
  
  

6.   Have confidence and let go of the fear.

• Having a clear structure and aim goes great distances in improving confidence.
• Polish that 1 minute elevator pitch. Something that gives the sense of who you are; what you think is important; your aims and vision. Try to avoid too much time spent on your job title and where you've worked unless it really is relevant.
• Kiss a few frogs; don’t wait until that national conference when you are planning to speak to a Professor about their research…practice, practice, practice.
• What’s the worst that could happen? And is it worse than not engaging and missing the opportunity to grow your network?
  
  

7.   Follow-up promptly.

• If you use e-mail then send a contact e-mail in the next 1 – 2 days.
• LinkedIn is a fantastic way to store your contacts, keep up-to-date with current thinking, remain visible to them and an easy way to contact them even if they relocate.
• Act on any introductions they’ve offered and follow-through on anything from your side, establishing reliability is important if you want them to consider you a valuable contact.

8.    Build your network before you need it.

• Engaging with the concept that networking is about building a support of individuals with shared goals and visions is pivotal to this.
• Putting this into practice means that whatever your goal, whenever it arises, you already have a number of people who are familiar with what you’re trying to achieve and more likely to be willing to support you.

9.    Pay it forward.

• As with anything in life, you get out what you put in.
• Using networking as an opportunity to support others through their journey is the surest way to succeed in your own.
• No matter how new you are to a certain job, field or subject there is always to potential to contribute and you will always have value.

10. Have fun!

• Once you’ve improved your confidence by using the strategies above you can really enjoy networking opportunities for what they are; a fantastic way to support others whilst moving forwards towards a common goal. 
  

You never know, you might grow to love it!

Interested in learning more about how networking and other skills can help you achieve your goals?

Contact me at enquiries@transitionsolutions.co.uk