4.4 Networking

Lastly, I would like to introduce you to an important part of management and that is network. Networking your network. How important is networking and building a network in business? In school? In life? So, let’s look at that. So, what is networking first off? Well, networking is really a planned. A planned process of discovering and utilizing connections between people. It is built upon a relationship where there is win, win, not one-sided. Both sides have value in this networking connection. Giving first, giving first before you ask. Have you thought of, can I, would you consider? Networking real, networking really is about telling about yourself, and sometimes for some of us that can be very difficult. We’re not good at, many of us aren’t good at tooting our own horns. But that’s somewhat what networking is all about. And networking is about building trust. Building trust. So, in that book that I quoted way back in a previous module, Workplace 2000, The Revolution Reshaping Business. Joseph Boyette and Henry Conn said that first employees need to make sure that they are adding value. And that there will be such a tremendous movement in business that people are likely to look, to work in 10 to 20 different companies during their lifetime, and change jobs every 2 to 3 years. And that we need to be responsible for our own financial security. Can’t rely on government, social security. And the highest, the highest, prof, the highest areas, the most demanded areas will be with those people who have the strong verbal and written communications skills. Who have industry networks. Bring your network along. People experienced in team-building and problem-solving and decision-making, and being able to read and understand and interpret financial statements. And the ability to help with job transition. A support group to help you getting ready to transition to a new job or during that transition time, to make life more bearable and hopefully, even shorten that cycle in between. So, networking can help you in a number of ways. It can help you gain insights into dub, different fields. Something you may be considering. It can validate your choice. Am I in the right area where I want to be? Is it where my passion is? You can observe people at work, and you can gain visibility to like different type of industries. I want to be an architect, I think. But I really don’t know what an architect does. Is there a way to shadow or network with an architect? To help you gain recognition in your field by publishing or writing or speaking. To provide support, as I said during job transition, to provide you access to Information and possible jobs, and gather information and to build connections. So, here’s a model that I think works pretty well. And I would encourage you to adopt this template. So first, look at areas where connections are possible. So, you’ve got your, you’ve got school, you’ve got industry, part-time job, you’re interning. You’re in, you’re in a career. You’ve been in a career, you’re changing. Community, your community organizations. Your city, your state. Fam, friends and families and what are you passionate about? What do you do, activities and hobbies? So, let’s look at. And I recommend starting with the easiest. And maybe that’s school or friends and family. Let’s talk about friends and family. So, do you really know what your dad does, your parents do, your brothers and sisters? Have you ever asked specifically, your brother or sister to tell me really exactly what you do? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being in that field? If you had to start over, would you go back into that same field that you’re in? Why or why not? What about neighbors? Have you ever thought to ask, I mean, maybe some of these neighbors you’ve seen over and over for years and years. Have you ever thought to ask, what do you do? Could you explain what you do? School, classmates, faculty. Have you built connections with previous faculty, professors, instructors? You belong to an alumni association. Activities and, and hobbies. So you see that I’m kind of jumping around in this matrix, cuz I’m helping you to think about where am I most comfortable, first? So, activities and hobbies. So, travel agents if you like to travel. Club contacts. Maybe, you’re in a riding club, maybe you’re in a diving club, maybe you’re in a, in a fitness club. So, might these help sports? Yeah. Ha, soccer. Baseball, softball. Community. What about religious leaders, if you are so inclined, or bankers. Have you ever thought to say, hey, you know what? Maybe I should go in and just say, what do you, what do you think? Is this industry, wha, what’s good and bad about being a bank manager, a loan officer? How about politicians? They love to talk. Yeah, have you ever thought about ta, talking to a, a sup, supervisor or a councilman in your city? And then at work. How about boss or previous bosses or managers, other department heads? How about trade associations? American Society for Quality. SHRM, the Society of HR Managers. So, industry. So, I would add, encourage you to take and use this template and modify it any way you want to. But, networking is a planned process. Of building connections. Why would somebody want to network with me? I said win-win, so what’s the win for them? Well, you know, what? Most people, managers, and directors, and vice presidents, and they enjoy helping others. May grumble a little bit, but after you get past the grumbling. Now, I don’t have time, but what do you want? Oh wow, this is cool. You know, so, they enjoy helping people. People enjoy talking about themselves, once you get them going. So, tell me about your job. Why do you like your job? What motivates you to come to your work every day? People ta, enjoy taking a little bit of a break. Oh, yeah, let’s go for a walk. Sure, I’ll tell you about this, eh. And also, you know, very few people say no, as long as you have a valid reason for asking them to share. So, I can’t do this, man. I can’t do this. I don’t think I can do this. This, this is like so unnatural to me. Well, make it simple. Start with the easiest first. Start with people that you know. It’s so comfortable, it’s like. Hey dad, tell me really, what do you do? What are the advantages and disadvantages? Hey, big brother, tell me about your job. Would you do it again? What are the advantages? What’s the disadvantage? What’s the long term, this, five years from now. What will your industry be like? So, start first with easy, connect with your passion. You run, you exercise, you like photography. Start with your passion, it’s easy to talk about and connect with other people with like passion. Volunteer to help, you know, in that passion area. Yeah. Develop a structured plan. I’m going to talk to two people every month. Start simple. Don’t say I’m gonna talk to one person a day. It’s never gonna happen. So, make it easy, eh? Make appointments during the time of your highest energy. Don’t call somebody at 11 o’clock. Mm, nah, too late probably. At 9:30 at night, when you like have had really a grueling day, and you like, are just about ready to fall off the chair and fall asleep. And you’re trying to get somebody excited about seeing you. So, when is the highest time for your energy? Write out, what do you wanna talk to them about? Tell me about your job, tell me about what it’s gonna be like in five years, would you do it over? What are the pros and cons? Practice in front of the mirror. So, ask those questions in front of the mirror. The, the first 30 seconds is the hardest, after you get pi, for, past the first 30 seconds. You know, they may take over. Right? And, you know, and then, practice with friends and family. ‘Kay? Figure out what bothers you about networking, and quite frankly, deal with it. Right? I don’t like to talk to people. Well, make it easy and natural. Start easy, start slow. Start familiar. Haven’t convinced you, yet? So, let me leave you in this networking thought with a quote from the 42nd President of the United States. President Bill Clinton. As he was making a commencement address to the graduates at Harvard University on June 7th of 2007. And President Clinton said, if I were to give you one tip to help you be successful. It would be to spend quality time investing in building a network of contacts around the world. So, let’s wrap this up. This last module in the fundamentals of management. Today, today, we looked at four themes. We looked at leading, the fourth function of management. And we looked at 6 different leadership styles that have been, have been evolutionary over the last 25 years and gaining steam. We looked at the controlling process, the controlling function, and how that works. And lastly, building a network, and how it might be advantageous to you. So, thank you for participating in these four modules on the fundamentals of management. And I invite you to continue to look for other programs in this career readiness series. Thank you.