What are the benefits of developing networks? Use the information contained in the Show-and-Tell in the Develop networks learning pack to assist you. What networking opportunities are there for you in your industry?
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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5 comments:
Hello
There are a number of benefits to developing networks such as:
- Social Support
- Job Support
- Cooperation to achieve common goals
- More sources of information or ideas
-More opportunites to send out information
Generally strong relationships throug networking make life a lot easier and assists growth.
Personally my networking opportunites exist with APX and Stella. Also with New Zealand based suppliers as well as my Australian based clients and suppliers.
Very rarely do I get to meet my Australian based clients, suppliers and staff so these relationships are based on phone calls and emails. This makes securing a strong relationship a bit tougher than my NZ based contacts who I can meet face to face.
Supplier functions are also a great way of networking and getting to meet the players in other areas of the industry - its amazing what information people will share with you after a few beverages.
I hope that was not a hint to keep the alcohol coming to gain free flowing information ;-) I am sure a glass of OJ or water would be just as effective!
Networking opportunities can come about in a number of different environments and circumstances.
These tend to be either supplier or client specific in our industry and they can be a really good way of:
* building rapport with internal/external customers, industry suppliers and colleagues, people with a shared interest
* actively listening and engaging in conversation
* observing body language/non-verbal communication
* sharing ideas and possible solutions
* providing opportunities of learning information about different people, companies, processes, decisions and peoples thoughts on a wide array of topics
* finding new business opportunities as often they can come through word of mouth or referrals
* understanding someone more by meeting them in a friendly social environment rather than across the desk/phone/email
and as Nick mentioned social and job support also.
Thinking back to the Module 4 workshop, one of the activities we did was based around a travel industry event and when we were paired off we were trying to get our partners to share some information in a social networking environment (either who their largest customer was or were they interested in working for us).
As with this activity there can be a disadvantage to networking as sensitive information can be sought by the other person, so we need to be aware of that and try and understand their intentions and why they’re asking for the information – as it may not be to our advantage to share it in the long run.
There are many benefits of developing networks - support and access to knowledge of the people within your networks. Knowledge - may be a skill or a contact to another person. Basically, your networks assist you to do your job and to develop and meet your own goals in life.
i have found the Strive group has been an interesting expanison to my network within APX as there is a good mix of different areas and expertise within the company.
As Nick has mentioned, we have client and supplier functions with we can mix with our clients. At the supplier functions we can mix with the suppliers and normally with our competitors as well. It is always interesting to hear what it is like to work for the competition - what clients and systems they have.
Crikey - You have to be in quick on this blog, otherwise there isn't much to talk about!!!
Anyway, networking to me is actually something I dislike (most of the time). I tend to find 'networking situations' as a waste of time as you end of forcing conversation and stuck with somebody you have nothing in common with. Very negative (sorry guys) but being a CRM you tend to find yourself in these situations more often than not. The kind of situations I find myself in our forums with 20+ clients (sharing ideas), luncheons (hosting or being hosted), one on one meetings with main contacts and functions (again hosted and hosting).
The old saying "There's nothing like a free lunch"....is 100% correct. Even though it may be perceived that the S&M team have a few lunches from time to time with clients or suppliers, these are often situations where you have to have what I would call your ‘game face’ on at all times. You can't relax and actually enjoy yourself, as you are either being 'tapped up' (for business) or trying to gain more business yourself!!
That being said, if you are the right type of person and can find the right environment I'm sure networking can be beneficial and as already touched upon by Amy and Brent, the Strive module has allowed a networking environment amongst the APX teams. Ideas have been shared, concerns bought to light and friendships built (hopefully allowing smoother business in the future!!).
Sorry if this blog has come across as a wee bit negative, but maybe my experience of networking is different to others.
Cheers
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