Antennae, which should be up every waking moment. Never pass up an opportunity to meet new people.
Birthdays. It's always advantageous to know the birthdays of your contacts. You wouldn't believe how much business our sales reps write up when they call on their customers' birthdays.
Contact management system. Have your data organized so that you can cross-reference entries and find the information you need quickly.
Dig your well before you're thirsty.
Exchange and expand. When two people exchange dollar bills, each still has only one dollar. But when two people exchange networks, they each have access to two networks.
Facebook and all other social media. These sites open unlimited possibilities for networking. Use them wisely.
Gatekeeper. There usually is a trusted assistant trained to block or grant your access. Don't waste their time, and make sure you acknowledge their significant role in reaching the boss.
Hearing. Make note of news you hear affecting someone in your network so you can reference it at the appropriate time.
Information. You can't (and shouldn't) talk about business all the time. Learn everything you can about your contacts' families, pets, hobbies and interests. Humanize your approach.
Job security, which you will always have if you develop a good network.
Keeping in touch. If your network is going to work, you have to stay plugged in and keep the wires humming.
Lessons. The first real networking school I signed up for after I graduated from college was Toastmasters. Dale Carnegie schools achieve similar goals.
Mentors. In the best of all possible worlds, your role models can become your mentors, helping you, advising you, guiding you, even lending you their network as you build your own.
Network of contacts. A network can enrich your life.
Outgoing. Be the first to introduce yourself, lend a hand or send congratulations for a job well done.
People. You have to love people to be a good networker.
Quality. A large network is worthless unless the people in it can be counted on to answer in an emergency at 2 a.m.
Reciprocity. You give, you get. You no give, you no get. If you only do business with people you know and like, you won't be in business very long.
Six degrees of separation. The thought that there is a chain of no more than six people that link every person. Someone you know knows someone who knows someone you want to know.
Telephone. Landline, cell, Internet-- this is a critical tool for staying in touch with your network.
Urgency. Don't be slow to answer the call, even if you never expect to have your effort repaid.
Visibility. You've got to get involved in organizations and groups to get connected, but don't confuse visibility with credibility. You have to give in order to get.
W is not only for whom you know, but also for who knows you.
X is for the extra mile. Your network contacts will go the extra mile for you, and you must be willing to do the same for them.
Y is for yearly check-in. Find a way, even if it's just a holiday card, to stay in touch.
ZIP code- do you have plenty represented in your network?
