Recession-proof your career by enhancing your networking savvy with Jo Miller

From Anita Borg Institute Wiki

5 Steps for building a robust network

Step 1: Work Less

       Hard work attracts more work!  Hard work doesn't always make you more visibleT
       Take 5-10% of your time, devote it to the following steps!

Step 2: Have a memorable personal brand

       Make a name for yourself, design your brand and reputation
       Know your claim to fame, what are you good at?
       Hedgehog Concept (Jim Collins, Good to Great)
           Fox and hedgehog
               Fox is a great multi-tasker, hunter, running, clever
               Hedgehog has one skill, roll up in a ball and poke out spikes
               When the fox hunts the hedgehog, the hedgehog wins/survives because it's good at that one thing!
       Examples of Personal Brands:
       Program manager, go to person for strategy
       Entry-level analyst, the change agent
       Software engineer, subject-matter expert and thought leader		
       Create a 30 second commercial.  "Hi I'm Andy, I'm from IT.  I take care of X.  You should come to me if you need A, B, C
           1) Name
           2) Job Title and/or Personal Brand
           3) I am responsible for/take care of/specialize in A, B, C
           4) Come to me if you need X, Y, Z
       Making a Brand:
           What are your skills and talents?
           What are you passionate about?
           What does your organization and industry need and value? (this question is often missed)

Step 3: Review your existing networks

       Look for quality before quantity
       Which of your networks are strong? And which do you need to strengthen?

Step 4: Create your strategic networking plan

       WHO will you build relationships with? (simple way: make a chart)
       HOW will you build those relationships?  How will you make those connections?
       Small talk, visualize this:
           Thanksgiving turkey with a collar and leash attached to a little girl with pink roller skates travelling at high velocity with a superhero cape and a Wall Street Journal       under her arm and briefcase in hand.
       Ask questions:
           *Holidays (Thanksgiving Turkey)
           *Children and pets (collar, leash, and girl)
           *Entertainment, movies (superhero)
           *Travel and vacations (high velocity)
           *Hobbies and interests (pink roller skates)(What do you like to do when you're not working?)
           *Work and Professional (briefcase)
           *Current events (Wall Street Journal)
       Make the person memorable to you!
       After they share something, try to make yourself memorable as well.  Tell them something about you that's memorable as well.
       5 Key People to have in your network
           *The connector
               -A true people person
               -Puts others at ease
               -Know and get along with everyone
               -Love to open doors and make connections/introductions
               -Watch and learn!!
           *The informational powerhouse
               -Strives to keep finger on pulse of what's going on
               -A human grapevine
               -Love to stay current on org/industry issues
               -Filers useful info from gossip or "noise"
               -Know about changes before they occur
               -Have info about new project, opportunities, re-orgs, resource allocations, budget, cut backs, etc. before it becomes commonly known.
           *The influencer
               -Not necessarily high-level or high-profile
               -Has the ability to make things happen
               -Gets people on board with ideas and initiatives
               -Gains agreement and collaboration from teams
               -Has a voice with senior leadership
               -Their early support can guarantee the success of your initiatives
               -Their advocacy can get you noticed
           *The senior leader sponsor
               -Have the power to accelerate your career
               -Help you align your work effort with your org.'s strategic goals
               -Single you out for recognition/praise/awards
               -Connect you to special project, special task forces and committees, opportunities and assignments
               -Ensure immunity during re-orgs, layoffs (certain amount)
           *The mentor
               -Can be either "Active" or "Silent" mentor
               -Advises on how to navigate situations
               -Give honest feedback and critique
               -Can sponsor you, open doors, and connect you with opportunities
                   +Proactively asking mentor to help you with your career

Step 5: Build Lifelong Relationships

   As an individual contributor you can only accomplish so much.
   Start to work together to accomplish something greater than the sum of the individual parts
   Building authentic relationships: QUALITY not quantity!!!!
   It begins with having no agenda!
   It's all about follow-through!
       Use technology

Best Practices: Networking Online

   Connect for a reason
       *Not a popularity contest
       *Connections that make sense, someday you should be able to be of mutual benefit to each other
   Include a personal message
       *Who you are, where we met, why we want to connect
   Updates are opportunities
       *Update profile, personal brand, status messages
       *Give people opportunity to help you!
       *Keep lines of communication open, congrats on new job, etc.
   Share your expertise and resources
   Consider the Prospective Employer lens
       *Be careful what you post!
       *Utilize privacy controls
   It's ok to say No or think about it
   Protect everyone's privacy, including your own and the people you're connecting with!