Networking?

Do you avoid networking as it appears like do the job?  In a poor way?  

You realize you should be networking to get yourself a job or produce a job – it doesn’t matter what you are planning to do but notably if you are a business person.

Here’s the most important question you must enquire of yourself  – when networking, will you finally , enjoy yourself?  

If not, you ought to.  That is among the secrets of networking – it needs to be fun.  If you are having a good time with it, odds are, you are making a good impression on anybody you happen to be talking with and showing him/her your better self.

But some folks have an enjoyable experience talking nonstop about themselves.  And in case you talk just about yourself, you’ll soon see that isn’t the ultimate way to network and definitely doesn’t give off a great impression.  

So the next question is, perhaps you have had contemplated networking as just helping someone?

Some of the doctors I do the job with tell me they are really intimidated by networking.  They see profiles of individuals on Linked In or see individual’s title online and assume these individuals could have no fascination with speaking with them.  I’ve approached many doctors, chief medical officers, CEO’s, Vice Presidents, etc. and have had a good 80%-90% return rate via an e-mail or call.   I encourage other doctors  to approach anyone they would like to talk with and suggest they will go through the same return rate of response.

So why do I have this confidence?  I’m no actual unique of anyone else – I don’t use a fancy title or sales pitch to get people to call me back.   Most of the doctors I do the job with have done additional impressive things than I’ve got. I’m not any better or more fun to be with than anyone else (though I often wish I was that quick-witted individual everyone always wants to speak to but I can’t tell an excellent joke to save my life).   What I try to do is have fun and discover ways to help someone once i approach him/her.  I’ve found most successful individuals are ready to consider help from someone else and would also love the chance to aid somebody else.

Not too long ago I read a novel concerning this.  At first I felt silly carrying it out and didn’t fully realize the way i would be able to help someone who I desired to aid me.  But it’s amazing how simply by uttering that sentence (“what can one do to help you”), the other person sees you differently than somebody that just wants something.  

And the really important thing is, you’ll find that you commence to see things differently.  No longer are you within it for yourself.  You really want to assist this other person and in the method, you learn something about yourself and you also build a relationship.

And that is the key with networking, in my mind.   It isn’t just do the job to get done after which forgotten about. It’s about building relationships.  

Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi is that fantastic book I simply identified.   The novel is focused on networking through building relationships.  There really are a couple main reasons why you must read this book.  First off, it’s a very easy read.  Second of all, it makes sense.  For example, being authentic and genuine when talking to people will help you think that networking is fun, not work.   It also provides a ton of types of how helping someone will help you create a relationship with that person.

It worked for me.  I help physicians find approaches to diversify their careers – be it in non-clinical careers or simply just through enhancing their particular revenue in some shape or form.   I do this because I wasn’t happy in my clinical career and eventually I came across my way – but not without a large amount of missteps and confusion and need for sense of direction.   Every doctor I help teaches me something I will use to aid another doctor who works together with me.  I also work as a consultant to large employers in health promotion and wellness.  About 18 months ago I met an actuary and offered to assist him and some medical claims analysis.  That lead to a $49,000 project with some neat outcomes for that employer – a 2:1 return of investment and a significant decrease in the medical risks (specifically hypertension) for his or her employee population.  

Within my next blog, I’ll talk the little more about tips for approaching people and helping them and about building a relationship to help you find/get do the job and have fun- not just work – when you network.

Post courtesy of Freelance MD, a nonclinical physician careers community offering physician resources like nonclinical jobs and offering information that allows physicians more control of their career, income and lifestyle, from medical spas to real estate investing.

Categories : Lora's Posts