What are the essential qualities in developing good networking skills?

Why is Networking so Important?

The answer isn’t really simple, but if you really think about it, you will notice that all the people who are successful today, actually are pretty great at networking. Being in the right place at the right time and hob-nobbing with the right people is all about networking and more importantly about effective and good communication. To build a business or a career, you need to have the right contacts and you need to be in the good books, so to speak of people, who can help you. This is where networking and communication comes into play.

How you can improve your networking skills along with good communication skills

What do you Already have in Place?

If you are to start adding to a network, you will also need to take a look at your existing network. You may also sometimes feel that you currently do not have a network at all, but in reality, you do. Who are the people and what are the resources all around you and how can you use them? That is what networking skills entail. For example, your friends. Can they help do some free PR for your small business by using their Instagram or Facebook handles? For good networking begin with what you already have with you.

Networking Skills Means Anywhere, Anytime, Anybody

Developing your communication and networking skills is also a mindset if you think about it. You should be able to network no matter where you are, what time it is and who it is that you are speaking to. For this, your communication skills need to be just spot on along with your attitude and self-confidence. If you are great at conversing, you have a good shot at making your network happen.

Communication is Not Just Style, It is Also Substance

Like we said before, good networking skills means that you also have excellent communication skills and for that you need to have substance to what you are saying and not just style. This is even truer if you happen to be speaking with a professional. They will be able to call you out if you are just relying on style without having any substance to what you are talking about. Therefore always be prepared and always know what you want to say.

Be Proactive People Will Not Just Randomly Find You

Imagine this. You go into a cocktail and everything is great. You stand in a corner with your drink in hand and patiently wait for people to come and speak to you. Will this work? No, it won’t. If you want to network, start communicating. Work the room and mingle with people. Introduce yourself, put yourself out there. That’s how connections are created. Be proactive and you will get results.

Keep it Fresh and Interesting

This is another point where great communication skills will come in handy. You have to keep your conversations open ended and humorous so that people will genuinely enjoy them. Keep things fresh. Keep things interesting and it will serve as the charisma that draws people to you. Do not get over-excited or try too hard. Just be yourself and people will appreciate you for just that.

Time is Money

If you are a business minded professional looking to network, you will know better than anybody else that time is money. If you find that you are in a conversation that is not really a good match or simply not going anywhere, exit fast and do so politely. You don’t have to speak to a hundred people to build a good network. Building connections with two of the right people is more than enough really.

What Should You Not Do?

Now, just as much as you should know what you should do when it comes to networking, you should also be aware of what you should not do. That is the essence of good networking skills. For example, do not pretend to be somebody that you are not, people can and will see right through the act. Do not exaggerate or lie, nobody wants to be in business with an unreliable person. Do not try to prove that you are always correct or that you are always the smartest. If you are opinionated, you should also be ready for the opinions of others and it is not necessary that they will see eye on eye with you, on this.

Follow up is Important

So the party is over and everybody has gone home. You go home feeling like you did a great job at networking, but when the laughter dies down and the drinks are gone, many people may not really remember that they promised you that they would meet you the next week. Therefore, follow up and let them know that you remember and that you are interested. Follow up is what turns a casual friendly banter over a glass of champagne into a long term business relationship.

So that’s the basic steps of networking and communication that you should know about. The next time around, make sure that you try at least two of these tips and see how well it works for you. 

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Aatmanirbhar Bharat: Direct selling, a dark horse, Direct selling 2.0

With Covid-19 India faces multidimensional challenges, starting from containing the spread of the virus to decline in industrial growth, rise in job losses and diminishing consumer demand. The Index of Industrial Production (IIP) number released on Friday shows that the situation continues to be grim. Similarly, the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) data shows that over 60 million individuals in their 20s and 30s lost jobs in April alone.

The decline in IIP and job numbers have compounded the crisis and has therefore, probably led the States to cautiously lift the lockdown. As everyone continues to remain circumspect, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s mantra of becoming Aatmanirbhar (Self-Reliant) by being “vocal for local” may be the solution. This will not only promote local manufacturing but will also create an eco-system wherein the population at large gets a sense of ownership and social security in terms of livelihood.

The Direct Selling industry already follows the principle of being Aatmanirbhar. It could provide the solutions for rebooting the economy in multiple ways. First, the Direct Selling industry already employs close to six million people and the good news is that they have not lost their jobs as they are already Aatmanirbhar.

Second, these six million people are also doing their bit to boost demand, while making sure that the supplies are not interrupted. This is largely because more than 60 percent of the product portfolio falls under the health, hygiene and wellness category. These products, which help boost immunity and maintain overall health and hygiene, are akin to essential goods in a Covid-19 or a similar situation. The proof point – while demand for other products are witnessing a slump, the demand for health and wellness products are growing in double-digits. For example, Noni, Amla capsules and Aloe Vera and many such locally sourced products are ideal for boosting immunity.

The over two billion dollars direct selling industry has the required firepower to address the problems in these difficult times. Homegrown firms in this segment, have integrated the supply chain segment by building significant manufacturing capabilities in India. This is perfectly in line with the PM’s vision of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

Also, the direct selling industry definitely has the capacity to employ a large section of India’s youth. As the jobs in the industry neither require high educational qualifications nor seed capital investments, about 800-900 youth join the sector every day. Additionally, in keeping with the spirit of Aatmanirbharta, the Direct Selling Industry has been working as a massive training-ground for India’s micro-entrepreneurs by upskilling newcomers under various schemes of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

The industry has matured over the years. Today it is much more organized. It has a robust supply chain framework and a diverse product range. Most importantly, the sector can offer a lucrative and secure livelihood option for the youth. The direct selling industry could well be a key solution to one of the biggest concerns that India is facing right now. The government is doing its bit to flatten the Covid-19 curve and also to reboot the economy.

The direct selling industry may well be the Dark Horse that comes to the rescue in this situation to create a sustainable self-reliant tomorrow. In the aftermath of the job losses due to Covid-19 and the consequent lockdown, the youth is likely to be low in self-confidence and anxious about their future. In this situation, the direct selling industry, which already provides sustainable livelihood to an impressive
number of 6 million Indians may hold the key. The industry has a robust ecosystem for induction and training. It provides an avenue for semi-skilled people, including women and those from small towns, to be gainfully employed with the least risk of job loss. The direct selling industry could an ideal solution to deliver on the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan in all key aspects – local manufacturing and creating opportunities for local supply-chains. Ultimately, the youth suddenly hit hard by the Covid-19 crisis need to reboot their lives and livelihoods and direct selling industry could provide the lifeline.