BlogHer - Mike Dulworth - Comments

Networking - make it about relating

Robin Ogden — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 20:48:11 -0500

I attend a great networking group where the emphasis is 'share a need that you have'. So, strongly do they believe this as the networking cornerstone, that it is stressed at every meeting I go to. And because of this - something happens in the group. You build a community of trusted advisers that you can depend on. You get to know who these people are and what they offer - not from a standpoint that they are trying to sell themselves to you, but from the standpoint that they might be able to help you meet one of your needs. I think this is a great approach to networking, a much more 'real' approach. Perhaps if we changed the name to Relating instead of Networking, we could all relax about it a bit.

Now - I need to find that 'flirting' class... :)

Robin
http://www.firedupcareers.com
http://www.careeradvicetalk.com

i did it without knowing

lolagoetz — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 19:49:45 -0500

I grew up going to a small church. Every Sunday after church, we'd say hello to people and chit-chat. Little did I know that I was learning how to network. Even years later, I would see people I knew at big meetings or conferences and would want to say hello just because I liked them and wanted to be friendly. I still didn't realize I was networking.

But now that I've learned how to do it, I just look at it as maintaining acquaintances and friends more than "using" people. I'm not out to use them. I'm there to connect. But if I'm looking for information, it's natural to go to the people I know first. I enjoy my friends, and help them out in return whenever I can.

Since going to BlogHer for the first time in '06 (wow, this will be my 3rd year!), networking has helped me land writing jobs. I'd be lost without it.

Becky
misspriss.org
beckyscorner.com
contributing editor - askpatty.com
contributor - safe mama
contributor - aisle dash

I know a guy who makes it a point to stay friends with his exes

Vered — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:03:40 -0500

Because you never know - one of them, or her boyfriend or future husband, might be helpful at some future point. Never burn bridges - that's his mantra too.

I envy Mike's approach, but it also makes me a little uncomfortable. Looking at all of your relationships - even the closest ones - as networking material seems a little calculating. I do burn bridges once in a while, because (a) I'm human and (b) I find that almost always, when an old bridge burns, a new one replaces it.

I do admire people like Mike and would love to be more like him. I just might get me a copy of this book.

By the way, Heather B. wrote a couple of weeks ago about how she dislikes networking.
http://www.blogher.com/how-do-you-handle-work-have

Heather B., maybe you should read this book too. :)

Vered DeLeeuw
www.momgrind.com

How I learned to Network

Dating Trooper — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:36:25 -0500

I was definitely one of those people that thought networking was blatantly fake. But then I found something I was passionate about -- playing tennis -- and in order to take it to the next level I needed to network. I mean, you can't play tennis alone! All of a sudden I was striking up conversations with complete strangers, exchanging phone numbers and email, meeting them for a game or contacting their friend who is supposedly looking for a tennis partner. Suddenly I had a list of 20 people to call whenever I felt like playing.

Unfortunately this wasn't related to my career but it still helped me to see that networking is actually quite simple and when I go to work events now it's much easier.

Same goes for dating. "Oh, your brother is single? So am I? What kind of girl is he looking for?" That kind of thing...

Dating Trooper
http://www.datingiswarfare.com