The Khaa-mat!!! of Networking
The Art of Building POWER 1st Connects in Purposeful Networking
“Hi, I am Ajit Kamath, (in Hindi) log mujhe kehte hai Khaa... (pause) mat, lekin mera nam hai Ajit Kamath”, Translating in English - “Hi, I am Ajit Kamath, people tell me DON’T EAT! (that’s the literal Hindi translation of Khaa Mat), however my name is Ajit Kamath”.
For a bit-plump-on-the-sides me, this gives a smile on the face of the person I am meeting for the first time and then our conversation moves forward.
I have been asked, why do I say this?
And my answer is “Why Not?”
I have had students, managers and leaders remember me and the work I do, by this humourous line of an introduction! And if there is high-recall (meaning the next time I bump into the person, they can at least recall my name) then this is a million-$ intro for me.
The Art of Networking requires one to connect first, and then build the relationship into a long-term mutually beneficial relationship.
And the challenge for most of us, is not the build-up of the relationship later, it’s the 1st CONNECT!
But before I cycle this way, let me speak about:
WHAT DO BAD NETWORKERS DO?
· Pushing of Business Cards
· Only objective is to get the Business Card of the other
· Over-enthusiasm – showing off that you are best at everything!
· Submissive – making yourself too small in front of the connect
· You connect and then ‘Stick Around’ unnecessarily like a pest
· Too much of Extrovert – while speaking to the connect; your eyes are looking out for other people to connect.
· ……….…. (you can add a few more in the comment section)
So Purposeful Networking is about Networking with identified contacts.
This is not about having extrovert behaviour and networking to every Tom, Dick & Harry you meet!
In my Networking Skills workshops that I deliver for Companies, I share a framework.
I call it the POWER framework of “Building 1st Connects in Purposeful Networking”.
POWER stands for:
P – PRAISE / APPRECIATION
This is like the gear that gets the car moving. If you are authentic and do it with finesse the car moves smoothly or else if not, then be ready for jerks.
O – OWN REMEMBRANCE
The 2nd step - this is where the Khaa-mat part comes in.
What’s so unique about your name?
What will stick?
What will create high-recall?
W – WANT HELP!
The 3rd step - The principle of Reciprocity is all about give and take. Here we set up the ‘take’ first. Be ready with your “I need Help/ Support!”
E – EXPERTISE LANDING / EXCHANGE CARDS
The 4th step - this being the ‘give’ part of the Reciprocity principle.
Offer Help!
If the contact believes that you would be of a higher importance to them, they surely would take efforts to remember you. Start building up your expertise in your domain such that you become an expert that others would have to reach out to.
This is also the step, where people who like handing out Business Cards, do so… go ahead, exchange them now.
R – REMOVE SELF
IRRITATINGLY, few people just stick-around like unwanted pests.
‘Remove Yourself’ at the right time. You connected – great – now move out – build the relationship later - it’s better than sticking around unnecessarily.
So now that we have a framework to help us build the 1st connects, go ahead, and use it.
If you have never connected this way, then my request is to first experience with non-critical connects, practice it till the point of finesse and then conquer the networked world!
1 comment
Would like to attend your workshops being conducted in Kolkata