Today I had the good fortune of being invited to speak on networking at the University of Texas Dallas. Kanika Williamson of GE Consumer & Industrial spoke as well. We tag-teamed on a life skills program that featured Kanika’s presentation on your personal brand and my ten rules of networking. It was a lot of fun.

So, here are the ten rules I came up with for networking. Now, most of these are used in event situations, but most of the list is transferable to other situations. The ten rules:

1. Have a strategy, be strategic, have a plan
2. Ask, don’t talk
3. Have energy
4. Have stories
5. Bring people into the conversation
6. Always be on
7. Know the dress code
8. Be known (who knows you, what you know, who you know)
9. Always carry business cards
10. Be polite

While there really isn’t a preferred order to this list, the #1 on my list is #10. without manners, none of the rest means anything. Read More...

Before in this space we discussed a number of rules (or guidelines), chief among them is to be polite and respectful.

And the golden rule really does apply in networking situations, whether in person or on line. Be sure that if you say anything out loud at an event or commit it to the written word (a letter, post, tweet, e-mail, et al), consider that you should be able to say those words in polite, mixed company. And, if they are about or directed to someone, be able to say those words to their face. Read More...

While at lunch the other day, my lead lunch companion asked if we could pray before the meal.

Now, perhaps many of you have encountered this situation. Actually, it comes under the same heading of being a good guest, companion or host. Here are a few things to remember: Read More...

As we go about networking and connecting, sometimes this don’t always work. Just remember to keep moving forward.

“God is great, beer is good and people are crazy.”–Billy Currington Read More...

As a part of my business and networking outreach, my company and I publish a newsletter.

It’s a great way to reach out my new-found as well as established contacts. The content is relevant and useful. People can opt out if they so choose. The pluses of using a newsletter: Read More...

At an all-day marketing seminar yesterday, I saw a cardinal rule of networking at work. When there was more than one member of a “delegation” from an attending company, the savvy networkers did the right thing:

They split up. Read More...

A recent wedding reminded me of several things when it comes to networking.

• You are not the center of attention. In this case, the bride and groom.
• Ask, don’t talk. Conversations should be give and take and more asking than telling.
• Be polite. Have manners. Say please and thank you. don’t talk with your mouth full.
• Know when the evening is over. While you can have a good time, all good things come to an end. Don’t overstay your welcome.

These ideas are simple, but effective. While it may be overstating the obvious, we all need to remember why we are in a place and what we should (or shouldn’t) be doing. So, go, have a good time. And meet and enjoy people.

Relentless Read More...

“Yesterday is a canceled check, tomorrow is a promissory note and today is ready cash.”
–unknown

There is a lot of truth in this quote. The last part is most true: don’t lose the value in today. Maybe that’s why we call money currency. Think of your networking time in the same way. Read More...