The power of networking multiplies when you really get to know people. FILE PHOTO | NMG
Spin a globe and randomly
place your finger where there is land and I will know someone there,”
says Ron Burton, a past president of Rotary International.
His
extensive worldwide network exists because of his active participation
in the Rotary Club, and by connecting with its members while addressing
social causes focused on the underprivileged.
You’ve to
know people in order to succeed in business and that is why networking
is critical. Companies can’t do business with you if they do not know
that you exist and therefore you must routinely expand your boundaries,
establish relationships and build trust.
Rotary’s brand
statement emphasizes that it “joins leaders who exchange ideas and take
action to serve communities everywhere” and networking remains an
important part of its character, without which all its extraordinary
achievements wouldn’t be possible.
It is one of the most successful membership organisations in the world with 1.2 million members in over 200 countries.
Last
week, 26,000 Rotarians gathered in Toronto, Canada, for their annual
convention and the networking that took place was monumental.
They’ve
become really good at hosting incredible conferences after 110 years of
organising them in various cities around the globe making them the avid
networkers Mecca.
Immaculate planning is the hallmark
of every convention and they plan them up to five years in advance in
order to offer highly entertaining and inspiring content and an enabling
networking environment in an exotic destination.
The
international conventions are pretty exclusive and open primarily to
members. About 45,000 people attended their largest international
convention which was held in Osaka, Japan, in 2004.
Any
city they choose is immediately turned into a networking paradise as
they connect in predesignated seating areas in the convention centre,
food courts, in the corridors and on the streets.
Members
make arrangements well in advance to meet with friends from different
parts to discuss projects and ideas, which they do with wanton abandon
in local restaurants, night clubs and residents’ homes.
New
technology is never far behind, and if you happened to forget your
calling cards, hopefully you didn’t forget your smart phone. The Rotary
provides a convenient convention app that gives you the A to Z of the
event complete with delegate profiles and the ability to connect with
them virtually at first, and then physically if desired.
Apart
from the formal agenda that consists of acclaimed speakers and powerful
breakout sessions that offer blended learning, massive dinner and
entertainment events are scheduled. The social events are truly the life
blood of networking and you’ve got to bring your A-game to the event.
As
you build your network remember that 80 per cent of success is showing
up. Attend events that put you in the playing field and opportunities to
connect will present themselves to you. It also helps to define what
you want out of the event, and then prepare any material that will
facilitate that outcome.
It could be as simple as
printing business cards or writing a concept paper that you can share
with relevant people you meet. Be open to interacting with new people
because that is where the fun and inspiration lies, and the power of
networking multiplies when you really get to know people.
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