Infuse Infuse 1 September 2017 | Page 38

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7 Ways
to Take the
Pain out
of Networking
by Maree Ferguson,
Seek out
Founder & Director, Dietitian Connection
When you hear the word
“networking,” does it
make you shudder?
Here are 7 easy ways
to get started:
1 Engage on social media. Start a
discussion: post your own original content
and seek feedback. Engage with other
people’s posts by leaving comments. If
you find a like-minded person, connect
with them offline. For example, if you are
traveling to another city, you could
arrange to meet someone you have met
online for a coffee.
You’re not alone – especially if you’re
an introvert, like me, who finds
networking uncomfortable.
Or, perhaps you don’t see value in
networking -- you already have an
existing network of contacts, or you
have an effective marketing strategy
in place for engaging new clients.
2 Tap into “six degrees of separation”.
Write down a list of your current contacts,
and then a list of people who they might
know and could make an introduction
for you. Or, use LinkedIn to do the same.
It’s much easier to meet new people if
someone can introduce you. This works
especially well if you are looking to meet
a new potential customer.
Regardless of your reason, the
fact remains that active, ongoing
networking is simply a necessity in
business and life. As the saying goes,
it’s who you know; not what you know.
The reach and quality of your network
can have a huge impact on whether
you’ll get that dream job [or not], and
the potential success of your career/
business.
3 Attend an event. Look for events that
are both dietetic-related, and outside
of dietetics. I regularly attend events
outside of dietetics, to be exposed to new
thinking and ideas. For example, I highly
recommend Business Chicks events, if
you would like to be inspired by some
amazing women! If you are an introvert,
So, how can you become better at
networking and expanding your
circle of contacts?
© Dietitian Connection
38
Infuse | September 2017