What is Business Networking and how to do it?

Today we are going to discuss a little bit about networking. Did you know that 70% of jobs are found through personal relationships? Whether you are trying to develop your career or forge new business relationships, making offline personal connections has become even more critical as online social networking becomes the norm. Networking is a buzzword for many of us. Have a serious love-hate relationship. Sure, we all want to expand our network by meeting new people in our industry, but meeting them can feel like a middle school dance all over again. This article will help you navigate those uncomfortable face-to-face networking situations. So, the next time you step into a room of potential. Connections. Have a clear goal in mind next time you're going to an event, ask yourself who do I want to meet and why? A guest list is available. Take the moment to scan it, and see a person or company on the list you have been helping to connect with. Look at the guests' LinkedIn profiles and a little bit more about them. So, you can seek them out at the event. Having a clear goal in mind will make networking less ambiguous and lead to more effective connections. Strategy number 2; Have some conversation starters ready to go. With the right approach, you can join in on an existing conversation or start your own successfully. Ease into the evening by introducing yourself to one person who is also flying solo and looking for someone to talk to. Read up on industry news and trends beforehand so you'll be prepared to spark conversation and ask for their thoughts on the topics that are interesting to both of you. Whoever you approach first, relieve some of the awkwardness with informed relevant conversation. Starters to get into the swing of things together. Strategy number 3; When in doubt, ask a relevant question if the conversation starts too low, shift the focus of the conversation to the person you are talking to. By asking relevant questions you may be thinking how can I make connections if we just talk about them the whole time and to that, I would say. Showing genuine interest in another person can say more about you than talking about yourself. Strategy number 4. If you want something, ask for it. The highlight of networking events we all fantasize about is leaving with a concrete exchange that will move our business or career forward. But make sure you frame it in a way that shows how it benefits. Then, for example, if you're asking for a job opportunity, ask about the problems facing their business and explain how your Unique skills can help them out. Strategy number 5. Make a graceful exit and follow up. The goal of networking isn't to meet as many people as you can, it’s to make a valuable connection well.