Networking is very important in everything we do. Whether you want to get sales leads, find a new job, make new friends, improve your career, or get referrals, networking is one of your success tools. Diane Darling, the author of “The Networking Survival Guide” is the founder and CEO of Effective Networking, Inc., a Boston-based company that educates people on how to network.
Darling says that this text is here to help you develop your networking skills, gain confidence in your networking skills, and make good things happen in your business, career, and life. Darling emphasizes that whether you’re planning a career change, raising funds for a new business venture, growing your client base, or simply expanding your business and personal contacts, you’ll learn how to make networking your most direct path to success. success.
She ensures that this text provides answers to all your questions and guides you step by step through each phase of the networking process. This author adds that the text also helps you find the right style and approach for you. Darling says you’ll also learn in the text how to set your networking goals; form a strategic plan to achieve your goals; identify and develop potential contacts; follow up on leads and turn them into opportunities; make good things happen in your career; and become a resource for your fellow networkers.
The text is divided into 18 chapters. Chapter one is the introduction. Here, this author says that networking is the art of building and maintaining mutually beneficial relationships. According to her, from your first conversation in the morning to your last conversation at night, you are networking.
According to Darling, many people don’t realize they’re networking when that’s exactly what they’re doing. If you have lunch with someone a few times a year to keep in touch, that’s networking, she says.
The author teaches that you need other people in your life and they need you too. “It’s not realistic or practical to do everything alone. You need others to help you get things done, both in business and personally… When you meet the right person to do a task and he or she calls you back. , you save time, money, energy”, he elaborates.
This author explains that some of the reasons why people network are business development or sales; business capital raising; getting a job, assistance with career management or a job transition, etc.
According to Darling, this book is written from a business perspective, rather than a social or personal one. She says most of the examples will involve business professionals looking to expand their network. Darling adds that these principles can also be applied to those looking to network for any of the other reasons.
“For example, you want to start a business and need working capital. You want to connect with people who can help you. Or if you’re looking for a job, you want to expand your network to learn about companies and where you can make a contribution. If you’re fundraising for music, you’ll want to know who the alumni are and/or who loves music and would like to make a donation,” explains the author.
Chapter two builds on the topic of what networking is and what it is not. Here, Darling says that building a new network in an unfamiliar community can be exhausting. According to her, networking is sometimes confused with chatting. She explains that chatting has the connotation of getting something from someone without any benefit to the other person. Griffiths says it’s a taking situation. Going back to the dictionary, there are several definitions of chatting and it is about conversation, the author educates.
In his words, “There’s also a definition, ‘getting an edge or making a social connection.’ That’s how most people feel when someone is chatting them up. It’s also why a lot of us don’t like to go to networking events. We don’t want to be part of that group. Those people often present themselves as social climbers.”
In chapters three through nine, Darling discusses concepts such as starting to create a plan; preparation for networking; network accessories; body language, voice and words; conversations; places to network and best practices.
Chapter ten is based on the thematic approach of best practices when it is face-to-face. Here, this author says that from walking in the door to walking out, this chapter provides a step-by-step guide to successfully navigating a networking event. According to Darling, wear something that makes you feel safe and makes it easier for someone to describe you.
“Men can wear a tie with a nice design and women can wear a suit in a color other than navy, brown, or black. Before you go to an event, conference, or meeting, you should pack your Networking Survival Kit. The purpose is to have everything you need to network in one place”, guides this author.
In chapters 11 through 17, Darling analytically discusses X-ray concepts such as tracking techniques; best practices when not face-to-face; how to maintain and grow your network; ethics; what to do if you don’t feel like networking; gender, race, culture and other networking factors; and the web of evil.
Chapter 18, the last chapter of this text, constitutes the summary of the text. This chapter contains a resource guide; Grades; bibliography and index.
In terms of style, this text is outstanding. The language is simple. As for the presentation, the text is didactic, reflecting a product of a high level of research.
Darling makes extensive use of graphic embroidery to visually reinforce readers’ understanding. This author also includes a summary section in each chapter for summation and readers’ understanding. He uses classical/literary allusions for conceptual amplification and to broaden the minds of readers.
In terms of positioning, however, chapter 12 should have landed in chapter 11 for contrasting proximity to chapter 10 or for immediate conceptual counterweight.
In general, this text is a must read for all those who want to improve their business, career, etc. through effective networks. It is intellectually enlightening.