Do you believe, as I do, that networking should be authentic, simple and sincere? So why so many people around us are uncomfortable of networking? Did you know that if you blend the special ingredient called “ATTENTION” you will instantly be a successful networker?
I have no doubt that you give a sincere and friendly attention to people you know. However, because many of us (mistakenly) see networking as a “business activity” it’s easy to think that we need to act in a different way.
Unfortunately, searching in the internet or participating in networking events, give us the feeling that most networking strategies come across as pushy, needy, or self-serving — even though the people using them rarely act that way in day-to-day life. We hardly get a real attention from the people we interact with in these events.
So what can we do? There are definitely genuine ways to pay with attention to others and helping everyone become a better networker. In the first part of this blog I have shared 10+1 ideas that definitely work for me, to create authentic, sincere relationship by using the power of Attentional Networking. Due to the success of this last blog, I decided to add 10+1 additional ideas and networking tips that actually work and share it with you, dear reader:
Attentional networking – how do you really create sincere relationship?
1. Attentional Networking = the art of providing real value to others. The more value you create, the more it will come back to you many times over. Focus all of your networking efforts and give your real attention for helping the people you contact.
2. Attentional Networking = the art of being friendly and supportive. How hard is to be friendly? This is a simple way of showing your real interest in others and build your sincere network. You should be supportive and friendly with others in every interaction with them. Moreover, find new creative ways to become friendly. Did you read an article that someone in your network will enjoy? Tell them about it or send them a copy. Are you using something useful that would help a friend with a project they are working on? Send it to them. Met somebody interesting for the network of someone that you know? Share it with them. I am sure you will enjoy also from the act of giving to others.
3. Attentional Networking = the art of sharing contacts and information. Do you want an easy powerful tip to enhance your network? Try to connect like-minded people out of your existing network to each other and watch what happens. The idea of doing this seems foreign to many people, but it is actually quite easy. Do you know two people who like the same sports team? Or have the same hobby? Or work in the same industry? Or live in the same area? I trust you understand the point I am trying to make. The more you pay attention to people and their individual background, information they shared with you etc. the better you can be in this match making process. Simply introduce the two people to each other. They can decide if they want to pursue the relationship further. Trust me, Even if they aren’t interested, they will appreciate the offer.
4. Attentional Networking = the art of nurturing your current network. Do you include your friends and co-workers in your network? Are you aware of the fact that these people are part of your existing current network? Using Attentional Netowkring to build your relationship, start by sincere attention given to your existing relationship. You can already start connecting them or sharing useful information between them. Thus, you do not need to wait to get new contacts to practice the real attentional networking.
Attentional Networking – How do you make networking a habit?
5. Attentional Networking = The art of Attention to one person that leads to connection to many people. Significant network can only grow by real attention given to real people. So, if you try to give sincere attention to only one person per day, your network will grow at least with 5 more people per week (assuming that during your weekend you do not network J ). As a mater of fact, in reality and out of my own experience, sincere attention to one person lead to connection with a far larger number than this specific person. Thus, you’re bound to make significant progress.
6. Attentional Networking = The art to choosing the right timing to connect. Networking is simply a matter of timing. When you try to connect with people, it also depends on your timing you choose to do so, the circumstances, if the person your are trying to connect with had a good or bad day etc. So my suggestion to you, do your best efforts to choose the right timing in order to show your sincerity and share the attention that the other person deserve. Even in case, a simple “No” might be all that you get, don’t take it to heart. In most cases, it’s not a reflection of you or what you said.
7. Attentional Networking = The art of follow up with attention. You should be aware that your network quality depend on the quality of your follow up actions. To maintain good relations and to pay real attention to other people needs, you need to follow up, follow up, follow up in a very structured way and to be persistent! Following up with relevant conversation helps to anchor your previous interaction in their mind and displays more personality than just sending a message that says, “Thanks for meeting!”.
Attentional Networking – Important things to remember
8. Attnetional Networking = The art of attention and intention of helping other people, not yourself. If you engage with others in a helpful way, if you give them a real attention, because they deserve it, you are building a trust with other people. Moreover, there is good chance that you will be likeable by other people (‘the L factor’). People enjoy doing business with those that they trust and like. Sincere attention and real help to other people, will surely support your way of building real relationship with others.
9. Attentional Networking = The art of listening to what others have to say. Take the time to listen to people’s stories. This is real giving attention to the information they are sharing with you. You can only provide something of value to them if you listen to who they are and what they do.
10. Attentional Networking = The art of building relationship in the most unexpected places. Did you ever volunteered or participated in an event or a project that had interesting people at them — or better — working for them? Did you notice what a great opportunity it is to develop relationship with others in these places? The ability to work on a project or task with someone (stranger) is one of the best and sincere ways to develop a relationship (even with very influential people!).
11. Attentional Netowkring = The art of let others hear your voice! Do you want to achieve real results? Do you want to show another person that you really pay attention to them? Then don’t be afraid to pick up the phone, propose a video chat, or arrange a face-to-face meeting. I must admit that even though, email is quick, simple, and can be sent to anyone, anywhere, anytime. It’s also very easy to be filtered out and ignored. You want your message to be more memorable, and only personal communication channels, i.e. phone, video chat etc. can achieve transferring this message. The other person will be able to hear and/or see that you pay attention to her/him, not only read about it.
Attentional Networking – What You Should Do Now?
Do you want to master the Art of Attentional Netowrking? Sharing useful information and connecting like-minded people are simple actions that everyone will appreciate. This steps to help other people, will clarify your real attention and intentions.
In fact, this approach of building mutually beneficial relationships (rather than networking for personal gain), paying attention to other people and offering them help and support are the basics of the ‘Attentional Netowkring’ concept.In fact, this approach is the very foundation of our speaking, training engagements. Attentional networking can make a huge difference if you focus on being useful, give attention to others and don’t make things harder than they have to be.
Have more ideas and thoughts about ‘Attentional Networking’? What are your best networking tips? How have you successfully built relationships? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
