What Works column: Integrate networking with your life and make more connections

This weekend, I attended the final Levitt AMP concert for the summer at the Brewery Arts Center. Boy, was it fun! But, it also sparked a few connections for me which will result in business meetings this week. This, to me, is networking.

I think, as business people, sometimes we can get a little heady about networking. We think we need to attend lots of mixers and join every organization. Sometimes, that fits. Other times, you need to get out and about in the community in non-conventional ways to find business.

I belong to The Sophisticates, a women’s networking group that integrates business with fun. The first event I did with them was playing Bingo, of all things. We met at the Gardnerville Community Center and I had a blast making Bingo puns. Best of all, the ladies got to see me being myself!

When you integrate your networking with your life, it’s more relaxing. I don’t know about you. But, in my experience, networking has always had this element of tenseness too it. Perhaps it’s because I’m an I/E (an introvert/extrovert split on the Meyers-Briggs test).

When I am feeling the groove, I am eager to speak to anyone anywhere. When I’m not, I center on one person and then focus on the activity at hand. Regardless of your personality, integrating networking into the way you play has several benefits.

— Be yourself: At the concert, I was my samba dancing self. When you drop the mask during a networking activity, you are more comfortable. Elevator pitches delivered when stressed come off as pressured and intense.

— Have a common topic other than your business: If I am at Bingo, I can ask the other ladies for help with the games. I can admire those crazy sparkly dabbers, used to mark the numbers. I can even comment about how the Bingo caller is calling the numbers. It is an automatic part of the way I choose to network.

— Your personal life doesn’t slip due to your professional life: I like to go to yoga. I enjoy meditation. I love to dance and sing. I am also an entrepreneur and running a business takes time. In many businesses, networking is on the must do list. My personal life doesn’t slip due to my professional life. This is because I see getting out into the community as an essential part of my networking plan. My fun is serious business.

— Cherry-pick all you want: I like to have the “must meet people” heat taken off my shoulders. As soon as that happens, I can sit back and use objectivity to review the group invitations I receive. I can better assess if an organization is right for me. This is a much better place to come from than “need.” I can make sure they fit with my business, the way I like to network, and be of service to the community. I can analyze how those organizations impact my heart, soul, mind, and pocket book.

— Business becomes fun: Networking can be fun, if you find the right fit. Get out and attend community events. If you are not sure what is going on, check out the I Love Carson City column right here on CarsonNow.org. Network with organizations that are a great fit for you. If you are passionate about something, volunteer! When you do that, networking is not a chore. It’s a blast!

Today’s Exercise: Choose one non-conventional way to network in your community. If you are a member of a professional or networking organization, post what you do for fun in the space below. Let’s network, Carson City!

GET INSPIRED IN PERSON
See Diane Dye Hansen speak live at Women’s Conference 2016 at the Carson Nugget on October 8, 2016.

ABOUT DIANE HANSEN
Diane Hansen is the Chief Inspiration Officer of What Works Coaching, a coaching firm that has helped people worldwide with their businesses, careers, mindsets, and profit margins. She brings to Carson City more than 17 years of experience with a wide array of clients, ranging from top corporations, motivated entrepreneurs and individuals hungry for a fresh start. Her column returns every Monday, and sometimes Tuesday, on Carson Now.