Index of

I have good news and bad news, and it is the same news:
Life is one giant networking opportunity.
Go locate a paper bag to breathe into, re-establishing your equilibrium.
Panic will get you nowhere. Th ere is additional good news—
most of life is not a networking event.
Networking is not an isolated situation that takes place at designated
times and places. For bett er or worse, it is an ongoing state. At fi rst
glance, this may seem “for worse” to the average networking-avoider.
You do not get to check networking off your list of things to do and
crawl back under your cozy rock.
I understand that if you already consider yourself overwhelmed, this
piece of news is unlikely to help matt ers. If you are underconnected,
however, this is your lucky day. Every interaction is an opportunity.
Each encounter has limitless potential. Every place you go and person
you meet is a networking experience.
Not to pound this into the ground, but whenever you are not completely
alone (and off -line) you are in a networking situation.
Structure Success
Th e overwhelmed and the underconnected can be charming networkers.
Imagine you are given the opportunity to meet someone. An
introductory conversation reveals the potential to mutually support
one another. You exchange contact information.
■ What are the chances you follow up with an email or phone call?
■ How would you describe the interaction? Positive? Productive?
Th ose who perceive themselves to be underconnected also
happen to be highly likely to follow up and maintain meaningful
relationships.
88 NETWORKING FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE NETWORKING