National Networking Week

Less than 6 degrees of separation
Monday 1 - Friday 5 August 2011

AIM Networking Refreshers

You've read AIM's Top Ten Networking Tips. Now So here are our 10 Networking Refreshers. By Vivienne Anthon FAIM

Refresher 1 - Revisit

Systematically revisit all of the tips you have picked up in the networking game and conduct an audit. Have you been networking as effectively as you could be? How much time have you invested in networking in the last month? Have you really been focussing on networking or have you been focussing at turning up at events and possibly talking to a group of people you already know quite well?

Refresher 2 - Relationships

Some people think networking is about bring extraverted and out here – not so – shy people can be excellent net workers. Networking is about being genuine and sincerely interested in others.

Networking is about relationships not one off interactions, because all of us should seek to build relationships where there is a common ground in place well before anything s asked of anyone.

Refresher 3 - Remember Your Manners

From NSW Chief Justice Jim Spigelman to John Howard to author Lynn Truss bemoaning lack of manners in her defiant tome “Talk to the Hand” we are being urged to mind our manners because manners help us get ahead.

In a recent article in the Courier Mail Teenagers (yes teenagers) shared their thoughts on what constitutes bad manners and the list included

• not saying thank you,
• queue jumping
• not waiting for others to finish speaking
• dumping a boyfriend/girlfriend by text message
• lack of mobile phone etiquette
• swearing
• not respecting the opinions of others
• telling offensive jokes in public

The simple fact is - remember your manners and you will get ahead. There is no need to be smarmy or over the top but good manners go a long long way....

• hand writing thank you notes
• displaying punctuality
• RSVPING to events,
• returning calls and emails even if it is just a short message to say you have received the communication and will respond more fully later
• Refraining from drinking during the day, exercising caution at night… and never ever drinking from a can
• Refraining from smoking
• Discussing never debating
• Be friendly but not flirty
• Refraining from telling any jokes you wouldn’t want your grandmother or children to hear
• Being friendly, respectful and courteous with receptionists, secretaries and executive assistants – this is both polite and wise
• Appreciating the impact of manners by association. They say your children are a reflection of you and that is true.....just as your staff is a reflection of you. Your team should know how you would want them to phone, greet guests and make visitors feel welcome. They should know what topics are appropriate for discussion in front of others and what conversation is unacceptable around visitors.

Refresher 4 - Read the Situation

This is closely linked but not the same as remembering your manners...

Theodosia Wallace in her 1913 book “The Etiquette of Australia” advised her readers to stay clear of controversial issues “The old rule to avoid mentioning the three d’s – dress, domestics and disease – is a golden one” she wrote.

Well the topics may have changed but the spirit of her sentiments remains the same – avoid controversial issues such as sex, politics and religion and stick to more neutral territory – the Arts, sport and travel. As a little tip you may care to observe what those around you are is reading when you are travelling – this provides you with a quick pulse survey of what’s of interest to others.

Effective networkers read a situation well. They read what is appropriate and what is not in any given situation and tailor their conversation to mach.

Refresher 5 - Rank Rules

We Aussies are an egalitarian bunch, but the bottom line is that rank in its broadest sense still matters. Strictly speaking, the proper order of introduction is that of the less prominent person to the more prominent person. Therefore always introduce:

• Younger to older
• Junior to senior
• Your company employee to guest company employee

Read refresher tips 1-5 >>

You may distribute this content for networking and educational purposes. Please quote author Vivienne Anthon and source Australian Institute of Management (www.aim.com.au)