Comments on: Is There a Wrong Way to Network?

By: michele tune

michele tune — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 06:08:00 +0000

Excellent point, Lori, and very well said!

Kindness goes a long way. :-)

Smiles,
Michele

By: Lillie Ammann

Lillie Ammann — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 18:46:00 +0000

One of my clients is an executive coach who uses the word “connecting” rather than “networking” because so many people network the way you describe.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:38:00 +0000

Devon, as always, you leave me laughing and wanting to hear more! :))

I've had similar experiences, Sue. It amazes me how many folks don't realize networking is relationship building, not ticking off a to-do list.

By: devonellington

devonellington — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 17:20:00 +0000

There are a lot of really great, fascinating people out there, and it's wonderful to know them as people. It's sort of like those who only look at someone they meet as a potential bed partner -- they miss out on having a lot of great people in their lives in other capacities. It's similar with business networking. If you only look at someone as a potential source of income instead of a human being, you miss out on a lot.

Also, I know I get sick and tired of feeling like people are always trying to pitch to me or get me to buy something. Sometimes I just want to hang out.

Regarding your comment on my blog this morning: My sense of this particular boys' club is that they don't want/don't care about a female perspective. In their submission guidelines, they actually make fun of well-rounded, viable female characters, which was a huge turn-off for me. "We won't deal with them in real life; why would we do so in fiction?" if it's not a direct quote, it's awfully close.

Um, in fiction I kill off the morons; unfortunately, in real life, I just try not to deal with them unless forced to! ;)

By: Sue

Sue — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 16:51:00 +0000

I agree completely. Networking is rarely for the present, but for the future. And the future could be tomorrow or years from now. I just had someone recommend me for a job, even though the last I worked with the guy was in 1998.