Cultivating Your Network – Part 1

In my last post, I talked about how the Quality of your Network was more important than the quantity of network connections. I will now discuss how you maintain your network.

A network is just like a garden.  You need to weed it from time to time.  It needs watering when it does not rain.  You may need to apply fertilizer.  Most important you should not neglect it.  You need to show it some tender loving care (TLC).

One of the easiest way to provide TLC for your network is to make it a habit of cultivating the relationships. Do you have friends you have not seen in months?  Why not reach out with an e-mail and check in.  At least once a week, I glance through LinkedIn or Outlook contacts and find someone I have not heard from in a while.  I send them my checking in e-mail.  It could be as simple as:

Bob,

I have not heard from you in a while.  How are you doing?  How is your family?  Things are going well with my business. Son is getting married in October……

Let me know how you doing and do you want to meet for a cup of coffee sometime soon?

Marc

The response is almost always:

Marc,

Thanks for checking in with me.  Life is good…… Too busy to meet for coffee but check back in….

Bob

I now know how he is doing and he knows that I care about him.  Networking is all about building relationships. My next post will offer other ideas in cultivating your network.

Are you cultivating your network?  Are you doing something new and original that you would like to share?

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Marc Miller Career Design Specialist