Ideas for powerful networking

The ability to network powerfully is an important skill and a key resource in your personal knowledge management strategy. In this discussion we'll look at ways of interacting with your network plus ideas for powerful networking. You could see your network as a series of circles that contain your immediate family, your friends, your professional networks, and the general public. While some of these overlap, others do not are and quite distinct. In addition to the face-to-face networks you engage in on a day-to-day basis, the vast majority of these networks are becoming available on-line and so these ideas are designed to provide know-how designed to help you get the best out of all of your networks:

• Create a clear vision of success for yourself including an idea of what you want. Do not proceed until you have achieved this.

• Cultivate a clear idea of the network, its' identity, why you want to be part of it and what you want from it.
• Cultivate a clear idea of how you wish to be seen by the network and ensure that your behaviour is always consistent with the identity you desire to portray.
• Are your personal value systems compromised in any way as a result of engaging with this network? If so, you should either a) seriously re-consider being part of the network and rather not engage it or b) re-evaluate your personal values.
• Be deliberate about how you project your profile to the world and ensure it is consistent across all networks. You can check your KMAfrica.com profile on http://isivivane.com/kmafrica/?q=user
• Have a carefully constructed 'Elevator Pitch' ready for delivery - when you make a connection, you'll need to describe who you are, what it is you do and why it is important in the form of a short story - practicing and having this story ready for delivery makes it more likely to be memorable and impactful.
• You are going to need a well designed, aesthetically pleasing business card that includes your email address and other contact details. The way this card looks and feels tells volumes about you so make certain you give it the care and attention that it deserves.
• In business and relationships, it is not always what you know or even how brilliant you are that makes the difference but rather who you know ... actively cultivate friendships and connections with people who will further your own vision of success.
• Find out where the people you want to network with hang out … and then join them.
• Practice a winning smile in the mirror and use it more often than you frown - even if no-one is watching.
• Commit to provide prompt, intelligent and courteous feedback.
• Honour commitments and deadlines - try not to save things to do for the last minute.
• Listen actively and carefully but when afforded the opportunity to speak, contain yourself to asking well thought out knowledge creating questions.
• Make careful notes of your meetings, activities and contacts and re-read these notes at least once a week.
• Make a point of remembering the names of the people you make contact with
• Commit to learning how technology and a well formed PKM strategy can help widen your circle of contacts.
• Commit to learning more about personal branding and developing a unique, compelling and authentic style though which you project yourself.
• Develop a personal networking code for yourself and ensure that you stick to it...
• It is important that you take an interest in your networks and that you participate in them intelligently and regularly.

Do you have any more suggestions? Please comment below!