Try “Networthing” Instead of Networking
You’ve made the rounds of Chamber breakfasts and other card-exchange events around town. You have little to show for it except a pile of business cards from people you don’t know. How does this help you build your business?
Yep. Sure have a lot of cards.
You are facing the dilemma of many people in business these days: how do I create and deepen relationships with potential partners, customers or clients?
Here’s how. Instead of networking and collecting more cards, try “networthing.”
What does that mean? It means increasing your net worth to others, and increasing their net worth to you.
How do you do it? By changing your mental approach to networking events and casual business encounters. Instead of seeing everyone at an event as either a potential client or helpful contact, see them as people you can “networth” with.
Try on this idea: Keep your cards in your pocket and offer people your best self instead. The self who really wants to know what they’re working on, is truly interested in their success, and may be able to offer a link to a helpful website, a contact that person may want to call, or even a good house-sitter or dentist.
What does that person you’re talking to need? Listen. Absorb. Think. Offer net worth. Don’t overdo it, of course, or you’ll be seen as a busybody. Ask if the person would like to hear about a person or resource you know. If you get the green light, go ahead.
What’s in it for you? If someone has given you their time, attention and assistance in some way, don’t you look for opportunities to reciprocate? Of course you do. And so will your “networthing” partners. As you give, so shall you receive. It’s karma, man.
What happens when you offer net worth instead of just a business card? The person you met certainly will remember you, because unlike some other networkers, you didn’t swoop in and try to forge a business relationship in the first two minutes. You listened and offered value. That’s pretty rare.
Learn about the other person's interests.
When is the right time? At a Chamber breakfast or networking lunch, you may not have time to get in-depth with anyone. So if you find someone at an event you want to “networth” with, invite them to have lunch or coffee with you, when neither of you will feel time pressure. Take time to get to know them and let them get to know you. Not just business, but maybe a little about families, dogs, hobbies, causes and other interests. Unless you know more about a person than “what s/he does,” you don’t really know them.
And now, I need to get on with installing my new printer, since my old one blew up, so I will heed the advice of Guy Kawasaki and end this post with an element of crappiness. The point, he said, is to get something out there without waiting for it to be perfect. So I move on with the rest of my day and wish you happy networthing. More later.
Liz,
what a PHENOMENAL article! I have been using this term as well, but realized that I was “doing” it before I knew it’s title. Networthing is so much more valuable for ALL parties – relationships should be mutually beneficial for both (or more) parties involved … Thank you for sharing