10 Steps to an Effective Networking Plan – Lou Holz Says “Have a Game Plan”

“What do football and networking have in common? Without a well-thought-out game plan, you’ll never score in the big game of life.” – Lou Holz

These tips will help make you successful while navigating your own career development or assist you in finding your next career position. However, don’t stop once you find a job or get promoted – make this an ongoing best practice and you will excel in your career:

1. Make a broad list of people you know, even people who you wouldn’t think of as networking contacts (Harvey MacKay’s List) – discussions with these contacts can lead to other contacts and before you know it your network will have expanded 10x’s.
2. Categorize your contacts to see if it would be best to meet them in person, talk over the phone or send them an email. We are always going to recommend a face-to-face meeting if physically possible. Skype/Video if not and a conversation would be our least favorite preference. It’s all about face time and building rapport.
3. “Before you meet new people, before you make that call, do your homework. Find that common ground. Determine where their needs and interests lie. Make that connection.” – Harvey MacKay
4. Set a goal of how many networking appointments you will set in a week or a month depending on if you are currently employed or not. Challenge yourself to increase this number overtime.
5. Have a tracking system that will record names of initial referrals with their contact information, also be sure to include the original referral source, along with when you will follow up. If you need advice and suggestions how to to make this an effective tool for your career transition contact me.
6. Develop good relationships with executive recruiters / executive search partners.  Even though they are corporate client focused & driven, meeting the corporate recruiting needs and requirements, we find tremendous value in meeting great people. Our client’s and leaders in transition both benefit from these connections. Consider a great recruiter to be a ‘talent scout’ always seeking ways to meet great people.  No doubt recruiters will be able to make you aware of job search resources, unpublished jobs and help create introductions as opportunities present themselves. Their expectations of you? Approach the conversation to add value and help them help you; clarity and consistency it key!
7. Make sure you have a profile on LinkedIn and learn how to utilize this very powerful networking tool – and if you are online with other social networks, make sure it is a positive and professional presentation of you. Join LinkedIn Groups and make thought-leadership contributions to the groups – create conversation.
8. Attend networking events, join professional groups and volunteer in your community. All will help generate new relationships and should fulfilling as well.
9. Make sure you are known as someone who can be a great resource to others, be willing to give names, ideas and suggestions to everyone you meet.
10. Most of all THANK people who have helped you along the way.  Don’t be the person your network only hears from when you need your next job.  At the end of the day – it is ALL about relationships. People want to help and will find themselves going out of their way to assist you. Remember the contacts you make will remember how you made them feel and how much you valued their support. Make a positive lasting-impression.