Wednesday, January 22, 2020

Networking

Over the past recent years, the word "schmoozing" has become quite popular when folks discuss the act of interacting with others. While I do not take exception to the phrase or the word picture it paints, what does bother me is that it does disservice to efforts of business men and women, for example, or job seekers, to cite another group, to broaden their network of potential contacts. To me, schmoozing suggests a level of informality or coziness that one might find at a singles bar during Happy Hour. While I certainly have nothing against such a setting, I believe it fair to at least question the degree of sincerity being exhibited by the participants.

Call me old-fashioned, but I much prefer the term "networking" when it comes to the interaction of professionals. In such a context, participants exchange information and seek out ways to work together. In other words, one does not go to Happy Hour to network. Happy Hour is for schmoozing while conferences and professional events such as chamber of commerce luncheons are for networking. If one attends a chamber event with the idea of schmoozing, then they are in all likelihood going to fall short of whatever expectations they may have. It would be like attending a memorial service with the idea of breaking in a stand-up comedy routine.

To network well requires preparation. One needs to have a firm grasp of what it is they wish to share about themselves as well as a good sense of the kind of professionals that will also be at an event and what their interests might be. Those who network well never go into a situation with the idea of "winging it." They know this might be their only chance to talk face-to-face with a top business executive. Their goal is to make that executive and others aware of their expertise and the service that they provide. The dynamic at events for professionals is a lot like the challenges one has at speed-dating sessions. Time is limited, so you need to know what to say, how best to say it, and how best to engage with others.






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