By Noelle Capobianco and Sophia Demetriades

We’ve all heard it before; ‘it’s not what you know, but who you know’ or, ‘it’s not what you know it’s what you do with it’, or ‘it’s not who you know, its how you manage who you know’. No mater the quote, the message is clear; you need to make an effort to manage those you know, because future business is born through networks!

 

When it comes to networking, quality definitely means more than quantity. You need to spend time building genuine relationships. In business, there is no point knowing hundreds of people if none of them mean anything to you. Referrals are the strongest strategy in job hunting. In short, a referral means that someone who knows you endorses you to someone else in their network. No job application needed. 
 
So what skills are required to network like a pro?

Before I get into the top 7 networking skills, I just want to remind all you beautiful women out there that despite being a pro networker, don’t forget to say NO too!

 

Ivan Misner Ph.D. is one of the worlds most renowned academics and professionals in networking and has conducted research on his privately owned professional business network for more than 20 years. The research confirms a set of:

 

The 7 must have skills to be a pro networker:

7. Be sincere

6. Have a positive and flexible attitude

5. Listen properly, don’t just wait for your turn to talk

4. Follow up on referrals, call or meet in person

3. Work your network effectively

2. Be trustworthy and Reliable

1. You must like to help others

 

Make sure you make an effort now to learn what these 7 skills mean and how you can employ them. Tell people about them. Ask yourself and others questions to see if you are a skilled networker. Make a networking scorecard and game plan for how you will network in the future. Make sure you buy Misners books ‘networking like a pro’ and ‘networking and sex’ to understand and act on these vital networking skills that will be the number 1 reason behind your future success. Because future business is born through networks!

 

7 Vital Networking Skills for next time you meet someone:

1. Introduce yourself in context

2. Be Interested

3. Request Contact Information

4. Follow up

 

Start networking and build up your contact today.