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Networking Information |
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You Can't Spell Networking Without Serendipity
"Fear not to entertain strangers for by so doing some have entertained angels unaware." This quotation is from the book of Hebrews, which means it probably has nothing to do with networking. Or does it? Networking is the process of sharing knowledge, helping others, and developing mutually beneficial relationships. Serendipity is the lucky tendency to find interesting or valuable things by chance. Mix the two forces, and you've got a sure-fire formula to boost your business. Now, I understand the Catch-22: if it's serendipity, how can you plan it? Well, you're right - you can't. But you can do a few things to be more aware of it and prepare yourself to leverage it. What is Serendipity Networking? Secondly, being at the right place at the right time is good; but being at the wrong place at the wrong time can be better. I once attended a small group discussion under the impression that the speaker was a certain author, only to realize I had read the flyer incorrectly - the author wasn't coming at all. When I learned who the actual facilitator was, I was initially disappointed. I then realized how much she and I had in common, and now I'm happy to say we're great friends and colleagues who share information and ideas on a frequent basis! Next, serendipity networking is powerful. I mean REALLY powerful. How many times have you met a valuable contact and said, "Wow! The planets must have been aligned tonight!" "The Gods have smiled down upon me!" or "What are the odds of meeting someone as perfect as her?" World renowned speaker, author, and my friend Carol Weisman experienced the power of serendipity networking years ago. She was giving a speech at a conference that unfortunately conflicted with a concurrent session by Dr. Steven Covey. Obviously, attendance was low, but Carol didn't care. She did her absolute best and blew the audience away - all six of them. At the end of her speech she announced, "And now, I'm going to do something that Steven Covey would NEVER do - I'm going to take my entire audience out to lunch!" Little did she know that a member of her audience worked for PBS. Five seasons of a hit program and a Telle Award later, Carol understood the power of serendipity networking. Warning Signs That Networking is in the Air 7 Serendipity Networking Tips 1. Talk to everybody. We are conditioned not to talk to strangers, but some people enter our lives and change them forever. 2. Be nice and help people. Reciprocity is an inherent human need. Go out of your way to extend kindness, friendliness, and assistance to everyone - they are likely to pay you back. Possibly by giving you millions of dollars. 3. Keep a list of your "People Collection." (In an non-crawl-space-under-the-deck kind of way) Whether you use a journal, database software, or bar napkins, make sure you write down the names of every person you meet - not just business contacts. You never know when, 6 months down the road, an idea will pop into your head and you'll need to call someone. 4. Get out there. Make a weekly/monthly networking plan. Serendipity networking has a lot to do with being at the right place at the right time. And although you can't create serendipity, you can certainly put yourself in a position to grab it when it crosses your path. 5. Always have business cards. Always. Most of your networking won't occur between Monday and Friday from 9-5. So remove the following phrase from your vocabulary: "I don't have any of my business cards with me right now." No excuses. Unexpected conversations are the stuff serendipity networking is made of. 6. Always have something free to give away. People like free stuff. They also like to show it to other people. 7. Wear your nametag. A person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten. So, at a meeting or event when you're given the chance to remind someone who you are - do it. They'll thank you by approaching you. And possibly by giving you millions of dollars. Luck is Not a Word For effective serendipity networking, remember the three L's: Listen, Localize, and Leverage. Serendipity networking takes time. As the definition says, it means a lucky tendency to find interesting or valuable things by chance. Now, you can't make it happen. But you CAN make yourself more aware of the warning signs and more accessible to that which fortuitously affects you. And even if you really DO think it's all about luck, remember: L.U.C.K is an acronym for Laboring Under Correct Knowledge. © 2005 All Rights Reserved. Scott Ginsberg is a professional speaker, "The World's Foremost Expert on Nametags" and the author of HELLO my name is Scott and The Power of Approachability. He helps people MAXIMIZE their approachability and become UNFORGETTABLE communicators - one conversation at a time. For more information contact Front Porch Productions at http://www.hellomynameisscott.com.
MORE RESOURCES: July 29 – Holly Area Chamber Networking Breakfast Oakland County Times Networking on Slack Is a New Way to Find a Job, but It Takes Work The Wall Street Journal Networking key to successful job search Continuing Studies Top Enterprise Networking Companies 2022 EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet The Worldwide Time-Sensitive Networking Industry is Expected to Reach $1.8 Billion by 2027 - ResearchAndMarkets.com Business Wire What is an Enterprise Network? EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet 7 Enterprise Networking Challenges EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet What is Software Defined Networking? EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet Outlook on the Time-Sensitive Networking Global Market to 2027 - 5G Time-Sensitive Networking Presents Opportunities Yahoo Finance Waskom Chamber of Commerce hosts networking event Marshall News Messenger First Responders Need Data. Can LTE Networks Come to the Rescue? US Department of Commerce Can SONiC be the Linux of Networking? The Register 5 Tactics for Attending Networking Events Advertising Specialty Institute Reconnecting at in-person networking conferences TheFabricator.com Take a Measured Approach to Software-Defined Networking FedTech Magazine Beyond basketball: Summer League is NBA’s networking summit Las Vegas Review-Journal Juniper Networks Announces Cloud Metro Innovation to Drive Sustainable Business Growth for Service Providers Business Wire LGBTQ+ networking group keeps Pride alive year round Delaware First Media Top 5 Simple Networking Tips for Students StudyinCanada.com! Microsoft finds Raspberry Robin worm in hundreds of Windows networks BleepingComputer Farm Data Relay System: Combine LoRa And 2.4 Ghz Networks Without WiFi Routers And Cloud Dependence Hackaday Key skills to overcome fear of networking The New Times Networking club explores new ways to engage others The Star Online IoT Use Cases in 2022 EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet Anonymous Social Networking Software Market is Going to Boom | Tencent, MOMO, Tantanapp Digital Journal Networking scheme helps minority ethnic nurses to thrive Nursing Times Henderson Chamber of Commerce to Host Networking Breakfast: On a Roll – Local Gaming Update With M Resort Spa Casino Leadership Nevada Business Magazine Significant Trends in Communication and Networking ICs market with Top Key Vendors, Types, End-users and region – Designer Women Designer Women EXCLUSIVE NETWORKS: Disclosure of the Total Number of Voting Rights and Shares Forming the Share Capital as at 30 June 2022 Business Wire "It's not who you know, it's who knows you." Panel of CEOs emphasizes importance of networking madison365.com Computer Model Makes Light Work of Telling Faces Apart Technology Networks Upload speeds lag in Phoenix during mobile networks tests Arizona's Family Northrop Grumman to build Space Force prototype for cyber protection of satellite networks Breaking Defense Home Networking Device Market is Booming Worldwide with Mechoshade Systems, Schneider Electric, Watt Stopper – Designer Women Designer Women New Strategic report on Social Networking Tools Market Growth, analysis and Forecast to 2026 – Designer Women Designer Women Ribbon Cutting for Space Development Agency's First Ground Operations and Integration Center in Grand Forks Kevin Cramer ‘Cake Boss’ Buddy Valastro Enters Multi-Platform Creative Partnership with A+E Networks Deadline Advent One acquires Layer 8 Networks, complements hybrid cloud offering ChannelLife New Zealand Mexican networks ramp up help for US women seeking abortions The Associated Press - en Español Lessons learned from the best run supply chain networks FOOD Magazine - Australia Social Networking Advertising Market Production & Demand by 2031 – Designer Women - Designer Women S'pore, US launch networking programme for women in tech The Straits Times Café Ukraine provides social space, refreshments, networking for newcomers to Ottawa Ottawa Citizen T-Mobile shuts down its 3G networks Land Line Media Regional Sports Networks Plot Streaming Future Without Pay TV Bundle Hollywood Reporter Major TV networks, including Fox News, plan to televise Monday's hearing of the January 6 committee CNN Importance of Cellular Interactions For Treatment-Resistant Cancer Cells Revealed Technology Networks These Essential Networking Finds Boost Digital Equity, School Capacity and Speed EdTech Magazine: Focus on K-12 7 types of networks and their use cases TechTarget 6 types of enterprise networking topologies TechTarget Why Networking Matters More Than Ever Chicago Booth Review Networking online: how to make professional connections remotely and why it matters The Conversation 3 Industrial Networking Trends Automation World Essential networking tips to help you win new opportunities in 2022 The CEO Magazine 5 Top Software-Defined Networking (SDN) Trends Enterprise Storage Forum What's the status of AI in networking? TechTarget Top Computer Networking Jobs & Salaries 2022 | ENP EnterpriseNetworkingPlanet One hour of networking for career success Fast Company Glossary of networking terms Network World |
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