Happy New Year! I wish everyone a very happy and healthy 2012.
Now that the holiday hoopla has calmed down, it's time to work on all those changes we want to to make this year. To get myself started, I always use the week between Christmas and New Year's to reveiw past goals and set new ones.
Unfortunately, I discovered that I really fell short in the the networking department in 2011. My re-entry into the world of networking after my two-year hiatus was slow and sluggish. It seems that I've spent more time writing about networking than actually doing any - but I resolve to do a lot better in 2012.
Here are my 2012 networking resolutions:
- Always follow up with key contacts after networking events - Events are painfulful for introverts, and it's really a shame to waste all that energy. I vow to make follow-up calls, send emails with useful resources, and set up coffe or lunch meetings (see #2).
- Arrange at least one coffee of lunch meeting per week - This is the easiest part of networking for introverts. No large crowds of strangers - just a pleasant hour chatting with someone with whom you have already found some common ground.
- Make one introduction or referral per week - Facilitating connections between two people you know, like and trust is easy, even for introverts. It takes the spotlight off you and puts it on others.
That's it - Just three simple changes to power up my networking for 2012. What are your networking resolutions?
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