Business and Social Networking Skills

Business has always relied on the effective interaction between people to generate opportunities. People also acquire a vast amount of their success, breakthroughs, knowledge, and resources through other people. Sales and marketing professionals achieve their sales targets by meeting prospects and exploring the power of referrals.

Networking involves creating opportunities through meeting people, making contacts, and building strong relationships. These relationships grow and deepen over time, leading to other contacts, relationships, and opportunities. We often hear stories of men and women who met complete strangers - introduced themselves to these people, carefully managed the contacts, developed the relationship, and consequently had their careers, businesses and lives turned around for good.

It can be that simple. However, the key word here is ‘met'. They met.

There was a contact - a connection into a network of higher power. In networking situations, it is important that professionals maximise the moment and leverage on setting the stage to get powerful business results. Unfortunately, even professionals whose careers and business results are completely dependent on meeting people, managing contacts, and building relationships do not seem to appreciate the importance of these critical skills.