networking. How to become a person with connections?

The ability to create an environment around you from the right people is one of the directions of personal growth.

How often we hear around: “Connections decide everything,” “He has his people everywhere,” etc. More and more people around the world come to the conclusion that often a person becomes successful and accomplished in life due to the presence of large connections.

This raises the question: "How do they do it?". How to become a person with connections? To do this, you need to learn how to establish useful business connections, you need to become a master of networking.

The process of creating and maintaining a network of useful connections throughout the world is commonly called networking (from eng., Networking - the creation of a business network). In this article we will deal in detail with the concept of networking, its features and practical application.
First, let's figure out what can be useful for networking?

First, thanks to networking, your life will be filled with a large variety of events (meetings, parties, conferences, meetings, trips to theaters, etc.). You just will not be bored when! Of course, all these events will need time and attention. At the same time you will receive a huge portion of life experience, knowledge and positive emotions from meeting and communicating with new people. Secondly, a large dating network will help you in your career and business, because You can always find attractive employers or new clients among your acquaintances or acquaintances of your acquaintances.

The basic principle of networking is the reciprocity of established relationships, and one should not always expect any benefit from this or that acquaintance. Networking can and should be enjoyed. All the people around are different, each has its own life story and this is what makes the process of establishing relationships a very exciting activity. The meaning of establishing relationships in creating and maintaining warm friendly relations between people. At the same time, building a business or a career with people who know you and trust you is much simpler and more productive.

The process of establishing a new business contact can be divided into several stages:
1. Establishing communication
This is actually the process of dating. This may be a chance meeting or a carefully planned event. Regardless of the nature of the acquaintance, there are a few simple rules, the observance of which will allow you to establish a warm trust relationship:
a) Sincerely be interested in new acquaintances: his interests, family, activities, etc .;
b) Find common interests and talk about them;
c) Do not talk about business and do not make deals during the first acquaintance! Instead, chat and arrange the following contacts. After the establishment of friendly relations, you will be able to speak boldly about the partnership;
d) All attention only to the interlocutor! Try not to be distracted and carefully listen to the interlocutor, and then he will appreciate it.

2. Fixing a new acquaintance
The main thesis of this stage is: “If you don’t remind yourself, you will fail.”
During the first acquaintance, it is MANDATORY to take the contacts of your interlocutor (phone, e-mail, etc.) in order to remind of yourself later, thereby maintaining the established connection. After the first acquaintance, it is necessary to remind about yourself in a convenient way in a month (call, write a letter).

Here are a few rules for fixing a new acquaintance (reminders):
a) Contact a new friend by name. Man is always pleased to hear his name;
b) Express gratitude. Thank the new acquaintance for the pleasant and interesting communication;
c) Mention an important or interesting memorable moment of your conversation (some important thought or joke);
d) Confirm readiness to fulfill your promises or remind your interlocutor of his promises (if they were made);
d) Speak briefly and to the point. Respect and value the time and attention of the interlocutor;
f) If there were people who helped you organize a meeting with a new acquaintance, thank them and briefly describe the results of the meeting;
g) The sooner you remind yourself, the better!

3. Keeping in touch
This is an important stage of networking, because if you don’t maintain a network of connections, then why build it at all?
Here is what you need to do to maintain relationships with your friends:
a) In order for people to remember about you, you need to keep in touch with them through at least 3 channels: e-mail, telephone and in person;
b) If a person already knows you personally, then you need to maintain a relationship, communicating by phone or e-mail at least once a month;
c) In order for an acquaintance to develop into friendship, it is necessary to meet and communicate at least 2 times in a relaxed non-working environment;
d) It is necessary to contact old acquaintances at least 2 times a year.

Chip: Always congratulate all your friends on your birthday. It is very important! All people love their birthday very much, because this is their personal holiday.
How else can you keep your connections?

Here is a small list of activities that you can use to maintain and develop your network of connections:
a) Communication over a cup of coffee (does not take a lot of time and is great for maintaining a warm relationship);
b) Conference, forum, symposium, exhibition (excellent events for making and maintaining business contacts in your professional field);
c) An exciting business (invite your friends to play bowling, go skating, etc.);
d) An interesting event (go to the theater, to the cinema, to a concert);
e) Invitation to your home (invite guests to have dinner or lunch or just watch football).

Seemed too complicated? Perhaps "yes", while the benefits of a large and strong network of dating is huge.

In conclusion of the article I would like to recommend useful networking literature:
1. Dale Carnegie "The Art of Conquering Friends and Impact People"
2. Keith Ferrazzi "Never Eat Alone and Other Networking Rules"
3. Darcy Cutter “Connections are everything. Positive Networking Rules
4. Keith Ferrazzi "Never eat alone-2. How to find friends and mentors for life