Before we go on to the topic of how to tackle GDs, I want to talk about another topic called Networking. I don’t how many of you have heard of this term before, at least in the context I am going to mention it. Like the term Communications, it has got a very different meaning in the world of Information Technology (IT).
But in the world of Business Development (a more refined term for the simple act of selling), both Communications and Networking have got different meanings. And they are very very important in both business and life. In fact, I will go on to claim quite honestly and from my heart, that buying and selling, if understood correctly and in their broadest contexts, are two words with most profound meanings in both business and life. Anyway, more on that later; now let’s go on to the topic of Networking and its place in the business world.
So what is Networking? Put simply, it is nothing but developing contacts that you may put to present or future use to get help from /provide help to these contacts in life and business. Why I include life also? Because to start talking and being nice to your friend’s younger sister/brother because you have the future aim of pataofying one of their friends is also Networking. Since you people are aspiring to be future businessmen/women, Networking will be as vital to your business existence, as water is to life. In fact, there are individual workshops conducted by US universities/industry professionals on how to Network properly, it is so important. A survey by Wall Street Journal showed about 75-80% of business depends on Networking.
I am sure you people know that you got to drink water to stay alive; I hope none of you have doubts as to that. But if I tell you, “drink nothing for days, and then gulp down 4 gallons when you have almost thirsted yourself to death”, will that make sense? You will say, I am again hoping: “Of course not! Have you gone off your head? That’s damn stupid! I will drink the right number of glasses everyday.”
But people do this regularly where this Aqua Businessy called Networking is concerned. Btw, Aqua Businessey is not a common term. It is my invention, in which I have taken the liberty to Latinize “Networking”. Aqua businessey should mean “the water of business”, and hopefully this will make you remember it for long. But before using it while communicating with others (if you do so), please explain to them what you mean.
So what do people do? They don’t care to either develop or preserve their contacts for a long time, but when suddenly a need develops, they try to get hold of their old contacts/make new ones in a flurry, which is very similar to drinking 4 gallons of water at one go. Does this help? Yes, it does sometimes. The work does get done, though haphazardly and taking much more time than it otherwise would have if they had drunk a few glasses everyday. Many times this doesn’t help also, and the work doesn’t get done, and then the few people who couldn’t help for some reason or another get blamed along with the world. With a lot of unnecessary hassle and misery to one and all.
As an entrepreneur, I survive on Networking; as a businessman/woman, even if you are not an entrepreneur, you will climb career ladders much quickly and be asked to do much more interesting work if you have a good Network. Remember this.
There was nobody to tell me the importance of Networking in the right fashion when I was like you, so frequently, I am now in the position of drinking 4 gallons of water everyday. So I have taken time to write this blog and tell you its importance.
So begin Networking now. Make new contacts whenever/wherever possible and preserve them carefully. Renew old ones. Keep track of those that change. Be ready to ask for help and be ready to provide help if someone asks for it. If that takes too much of resources like time, contacts (remember contacts, like time, money are resources), ask for something in return. Follow the age old policy of give and take, provide value and get value in return.
There are a few very commonsensical ways to do this job in the right fashion. More about that later… but if you think a bit, and use common sense, you will be able to arrive at those ways yourself.
START NETWORKING TODAY. IT WILL TAKE YOU PLACES. MAYBE GET YOU YOUR DREAMGUY/GIRL TOO.
Bye
