Professionalism and Networking

Meeting other businesspeople to exchange knowledge, develop commercial prospects, and collaborate on future endeavors is known as networking. The CEOs benefit from it by developing business ties. An individual has to network because it gives them the chance to learn new things and meet new individuals.

In order for networking to be successful, one must develop their communication skills, show commitment, and have confidence in their ideas. When given the chance to speak, one must do so. One must actively participate in what others are saying and include their voice into the dialogue. Confidence increases through concentrating on interpersonal communication. One should not focus on the title of the other person and it should not define your approach to the conversation. Networking helps one develop his/her inter-personal communication skills.

Networking can help in professional development. One can learn a lot of stuff from others by observation. By observing other people, one will know how to improve on what works best for him/her and pay less attention to what you are not good in. For one to be effective in networking, one needs to be active. One requires being fully attentive and quick in giving responses& reacting to a conversation. When needs to be quick on the feet especially when on a conversation with new people. One needs to take notes while networking in order to note down the issues discussed and points contributed by the other person. One needs to gather information about the other person. Diligence is required. Moreover, a person is required to note key points that you are contributing and areas that you require to improve. During networking, it is advisable for one to ask non-traditional questions, as it is a way of applying your knowledge. Asking someone a question they would not expect helps them to discover a deeper meaning& understanding to what you know.

Networking provides a platform for one to expose his/her personal brand. One is able to unleash their own identity for those around you to know more about you such as your idea, what is unique about you, your level of experience and the person you are serving. It is advisable for one to not to focus on self-promotion only. It is also advisable to always take the lead and continue with the conversation. This shows that you are open for long-term relationship that you believe could be possible from the networking. A person can continue with the conversation either physically or online. Inviting the other person for lunch is an example of a way you can continue the conversation physically.

One can continue with the conversation through online by sending an e-mail with an attachment that contains a link to what you are interested in or a presentation to display your ideas. People can also connect through social media such as Twitter, Google plus and Facebook. During networking, one is required to be accountable. You should hold him/her responsible for identifying the sequence of steps and defining the desired outcome. The person needs to keep following up and not give up until you get the desired results. This helps in maintaining the momentum built up in the preceding steps.

For me to achieve great things while working at the Deloitte accounting firm, I need to apply what I have learned on networking in professionalism from the article I have read. Key points I have learned include holding me accountable for all that happens while networking; I need to think of myself as a project manager who is responsible for what happens while dealing in business deals and results attained. Secondly, I have to keep following up on the issues discussed in a deal or with a client and continue the conversation always in order to achieve the best outcome. Confidence is necessary as it helps one expose what you know about the issue at hand and I will be in a position to unleash my identity. During networking, it is advisable for I to take notes in order to note down what the other person is saying and his/her view on the business deal at hand. Note taking is also essential in identifying on key areas that I need to improve on.

Asking of non-traditional questions is also another practice that is favorable to apply during networking as it helps in enlighten the other person on what i already know concerning the business deal and what is at hand. Asking of non-traditional questions will help my client or business partner to be on the same page with me and understand fully on what I will be trying to drive at.

Works Cited

Retrieved from https://www.forbes.com/sites/glennllopis/2012/05/29/7-reasons-networking-can-be-a-proffesional-development-boot-camp/amp/ 09/22/2017