Melvin Feller Looks at the Need to Network
Melvin Feller Looks at the Need to Network
Melvin Feller Business Ministries Group in Burkburnett and Dallas Texas and Lawton Oklahoma. Our mission is to call and equip a generation of Christian entrepreneurs to do business as ministry. We provide workshops and resources that help companies discover how to do business God’s way. When the heart of a business is service rather than self it can be transformed into a fruitful business ministry earning a profit and being of service to the community and their customers. Melvin Feller is currently pursuing another graduate degree in business organizations.
Many people are uncomfortable with the thought of slapping backs and promoting themselves to people, they may or may not know. However, networking is an important part of our career landscape, so I wanted to get some tips on how to get more comfortable doing it.
I can promise you that you’re not alone if you hate networking.
Even the most extroverted among us can dread talking about themselves to strangers. Moreover, if you are introverted? The thought of promoting yourself to someone else is the stuff of nightmares.
However, network you must. If you want a job, if you want to get ahead in your career or if you just want, to survive today’s workplace you must network.
“You don’t have to be a back-slapping self -promoter to be an effective networker,” says Jim Randel. “You can do it in your own way at your own pace. However, you have to do it. It’s something so important that you don’t have a choice.”
Randel, author of “The Skinny on Networking,”, says the key to getting over a networking phobia is to realize that there are different ways to enter the networking pool without feeling like you’re drowning in a sea of embarrassment and self-doubt.
For example, you can join a social network such as LinkedIn, where you create a profile that outlines your interests, skills and abilities. Alternatively, you can use Twitter to connect with others who are in your industry or have similar interests. Those online connections serve as a sort of “prepatory” networking course, he says.
The next step is a phone call or in-person meeting, he says. “Having coffee with someone for 15 minutes is so powerful. You don’t get that from social media,” he says.
Randel says that initial connections through social media — or an introduction by a third party — always help smooth the way in networking. Without such contacts, you can find it more difficult to make the steps forward in your job search or career, he says.
“If you were walking down and street and all of a sudden someone got in your face, your first reaction would be to think this was a dangerous situation and you’d want to pull away,” he says. “It’s the same thing with networking. The other person is going to want to get away from you because they do not know you. But if you’ve had some other kind of contact or introduction, the reflex by the other person is different.”
Some other tips for effective networking from Randel include:
Understanding that weak ties matter. Often someone you do not know well — such as acquaintance — can help the most in pointing you toward a promising lead for a job, for example. Unlike family or friends, acquaintances have a different circle of people they know, and increase your chances of finding someone to help you. Therefore, that stranger sitting next to you on a plane or at a baseball game may be just the key job contact you need.
Looking for connectors. There always seems to be that one person who does not know a stranger. The person who knows the name of every hotel concierge, garage mechanic and office supplier is someone who can connect you to many people you may not know or be to hesitant to approach yourself. The woman who belongs to a variety of organizations and who is diverse in her interests opens up doors because she connects with people who may be able to help you. These people are often very social and enjoy connecting other people. Take advantage of that fact, he says.
Being committed. At least 10 percent to 15 percent of every day should be devoted to networking. Do not use social media “as a crutch” to avoid face-to-face contact, he advises, and make sure you are connecting with those who can help you meet your goals. “If you’re looking for work, you don’t need to be just telling that to all your out-of-work friends. What the heck good is that going to do?” he says.
Never crossing anyone off your networking list. Past co-workers, classmates or former neighbors are all contacts that should be maintained. If you cannot remember everyone you know, begin with “a” in your computer address book to refresh your memory.
Never giving up. Even if someone does not answer your initial e-mail, keep trying. Send a letter, make a phone call or even try another e-mail, he says. “You may have just caught them at a bad time. Keep trying. There’s no point in giving up,” he says.
In addition to the above, I also recommend the following in order to increase your network at every opportunity!
Connect with people on social media. Good news if you do fall into the introvert category you do not need to be a social butterfly to network. Technology has made it easy to connect with others from the comfort of your own home.
The best social network for professional connections is LinkedIn, as that is its purpose. In addition to being able to find individuals to connect with, you are likely to discover many relevant groups to participate in as well.
That said, people make business connections on just about every network Twitter, Google Plus, and Facebook for example and you can use whichever ones you like best to expand your network.
The key when you are connecting on social media is that you do not just add or follow someone and leave it at that. Take time to message them and comment on their posts and content from time to time, as this provides the foundation for building a real connection.
Join online groups in your industry. There are all kinds of online communities available. If you find one related to your industry, they are an excellent place to make professional contacts.
Forums and subreddits are two good types of sites to check out for this. When you join one of these sites, make sure you join discussions, provide helpful information and share your expertise. You need to become part of the community to make connections.
Go to industry events. Even though online networking can be effective, the best way to connect with people is typically in person. One option for finding like-minded people is checking out industry events.
Tradeshows and conferences are examples of industry events that provide great networking opportunities. The people you meet at these events tend to be serious about their business.
Be more outgoing in everyday situations. Not everyone you meet necessarily needs to be in your industry.
You can still make valuable connections with people who are in an entirely different field.
One simple method for building your network all the time is making an effort to be a bit more outgoing. Strike up a conversation with anyone you can while you are out shopping for groceries, on a walk in the park or having a drink at the bar. You never know whom you will meet.
It is a good idea to carry business cards around, as well. If you meet anyone who is interested in what you do, you can exchange cards with them.
You can blog, post videos on YouTube, publish content on Instagram. Your call. Do what feels natural to you. The important thing is that you are starting a conversation that gets others in your industry to perk up and chime in.
Melvin Feller Business Consultants Ministries Group in Texas and Oklahoma. Melvin Feller founded Melvin Feller Business Consultants Group Ministries in the 1970s to help individuals and organizations achieve their specific Victory. Victory as defined by the individual or organization are achieving strategic objectives, exceeding goals, getting results or desired outcomes. He has extensive experience assisting businesses achieve top and bottom line results. He has broad practical experience creating WINNERS in many organizations and industries. He has hands-on experience in executive leadership, operations, logistics, sales, program management, organizational development, training, and customer service. He has coached teams to achieve results in strategic planning, business development, organizational design, sales, and customer response and business process improvement. He has prepared and presented many workshops nationally and internationally.
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