Networking…how?

In any business school, networking is something that teachers tell you to do and to start doing. But the problem is, they never teach you how to do it. So here’s a video to start off some ideas.

Cards – This tip, as taken from the video, seems pretty feasible for first year students. Nobody else has one, and you’d look so much more professional. The only problem is, this tactic seems practical only for charismatic people.

Listening – this seems pretty intuitive. Be interested, pretend to be interested, maintain eye contact, etc.

Linked In – Networking seems to equate to social networking for our generation. As long as we don’t become like…

…I guess we’re fine. Opportunities fly and bounce around with social networking, so utilize them well.

My own personal thoughts….

I tend to think (rather cynically) that nothing in this world comes for free. When someone helps you it’s because they want something back. So one of the ways I’m going to suggest is…

Referrals – Give them to others. You can’t take from others what you didn’t give. Gifts that are not genuine will be identified immediately (e.g. giving up something you didn’t really need, or that nobody wants in the first place).

Writing down reflections – This will help you become an expert. As you are exposed more to a certain industry and reflect upon it on your writing, you will enhance your knowledge. There’s something to these blogs after all. 😉