Networking has become the buzzword for meeting people exchanging information and developing professional contacts to be used for gain later. Thinking of networking this way is a cynical view of building relationships.
Instead, CareerTruth proposes a new, defined way of Open Networking that has a significant effect and yields lasting results. Open Networking with effect creates a series of actions from well-planned engagements with people well beyond our comfort zone.
Open Networks
Open Networking is getting into large networks and becoming a central node of connection. Open Networks include people from unfamiliar networks and seemingly beyond your reach. Too often, people rely on people they know because networking can be awkward. They don’t feel worthy or worry the other person will think they’re asking for something.
However, these are limiting beliefs, and if you act out of those fears, your network is essentially closed and has limited utility.
Instead, you must be strategic about creating Open Networks where you are the hub of connection. If you have completed the CareerTruth exercises for “Market Research For Your Career” and “Selecting Lanes to Pursue,” you are ready to figure out how to Open Network. By doing good research and making intentional selections of markets to network, you will have dozens of data points on the types of companies and people to network well beyond people you know.
Robust Open Networks grow through direct and indirect connections with organizations you wish to network for partnerships, best practice sharing, knowledge gain, or even employment.
Open Networking is not about getting a job but having a powerful connecting effect that increases your value to others in the broader network—set goals to meet specific targets for the upcoming quarter.
The Powerful Effect
Creating the effect that energizes your Open Network has four components –
First, get a meeting to discuss ideas.
For those who will genuinely energize your network effect, you can get a meeting by offering them a chance to add value. No one wants to meet with someone who will ask for a job or grab coffee, and people can spot that instantly. They’re unlikely to agree to get together.
When trying to Open Network, you are not relying on relationships but on ideas. Effective Open Networkers create an effect through big ideas to share and gain feedback. See the CareerTruth exercise on “Big Ideas” and build a Big Idea that becomes the currency of your Open Networking.
Then, begin a great meeting that adds value to them.
Leverage your Big Idea, be prepared, and be a consummate professional looking to serve them rather than yourself. Begin on time, with gratitude, and ask curious questions about your guest. Briefly introduce your background, purpose, and the big idea you are prepared to discuss. Your preparation will determine the value of the meeting.
Next, secure the direct feedback you need.
Explain why you asked your guest to meet, which includes your desire to hear their specific feedback on your big idea. Actively listen and ask questions about how they may handle the problem at the core your big idea looks to solve. Tell them about your Open Networking strategy focused on meeting people in your areas of interest.
Finally, always be willing to serve them and show gratitude for their time and feedback.
You will grow your Open Network effect as you receive their time and feedback. To add power to the connection, you should also offer ways to help them. Close your time together on time and follow up with a thank you note that recaps your time together and commitment to serve them in the future.
If you create the right meetings with the right people with a good idea that displays your talents well, you will get one of two responses from the person you meet. Either they will suggest other people you should speak with in their network (and might even make the connection for you). Or, they will ask you for another meeting to investigate further who you are and your ideas.
Be strategic as you Open Network, becauase it is a powerful play that will help you grow relationships where you add tremendous value. Lead with your ideas, not your short-term needs, to correctly display your talents and become the hub in your Open Networks.