TAKING THE WORK OUT OF NETWORKING

What I’m reading 📖 this week: TAKE THE WORK OUT OF NETWORKING by Karen Wickre  // ​Want to know more about making and keeping great connections? Read on!

JUST LIKE WORK

Going to a networking event can feel like a highlight for some and as a necessary evil for others. Success in networking is often equated to hunting for as many business cards as you can. While talking to someone, you should already look over their shoulder for your next prey, right?

Is this something your recognise and does networking feel like hard work you'd rather skip? Then this book by Karen Wickre is for you: Taking the Work out of Networking: your guide to making and keeping great connections. Connecting with innovators and frontrunners is essential in trend research, so why not up your game in this field as a trend forecaster?

Who'S KAREN?

Karen's calls herself a Connector, Communicator and Reality Checker. She's a seasoned communicator who has worked in Silicon Valley since the 80's.

​Karen wrote one of the very first consumer books about the web in 1995: "Atlas to the World Wide Web" (it came with a CD-ROM ofcourse). Wow! 🤩

She also worked as a corporate writer at Google and Twitter and is now an independent consultant. Oh, and she labels herself as an introvert and loves dogs.

CONNECTION INSTEAD OF TRANSACTION

Karen calls her style "organic networking". She uses skills like communication, curiosity and empathy to have casual and friendly acquaintances with many.

To her it feels really intuitive to network and make connections: "I do it when I don't need anything."

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According to Karen, the best connections you can make are those where you have mutuality: you sometimes help someone out and they sometimes help you out. Without keeping score.

"If you treat your connections as a kind of personal ATM you use for frequent withdrawals, you'll quickly be disappointed (and overdrawn)."

INTROVERTS CAN DO IT............. BETTER?

One of the surprising elements of this book is that Karen feels she is good at connecting because of her introvercy.

​Observing, listening, being curious, these are all capabilities introverts have and can use for networking.  

You don't have to shake every hand in the room. Creating meaningful connections is more about have a 1-on-1 deep conversation at a conference or a work mixer. 
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The key tactic? Ask questions as the first person, let the other do the talking. This helps you to size up people quickly which is a handy skill when you are building your network.

"Listening, observing, being curious - all are wonderful tools for connecting with people. And here's the thing: none of them requires you to be in the limelight."

EMAIL AS A CONNECTING TOOL. YES REALLY!

Karen writes about using online platforms LinkedIN, Instagram and Twitter to connect with others, which makes sense.

But she calls email "the killer app". Why? Because it's a lightweight tool that lets you cut through a lot of protocol and waiting time to meet people, gather intelligence or get everyone on the same page.
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Karen finds email particularly useful for:

- Introductions: to grow a network you need introductions, an email introduction is one of the most common ways people become connected. 

- Favors: these favours can be about things like asking for an interview or endorsing or recommending someone. Favors are more specific than introductions and often have a deadline. 

- FYI's: with this type of message there is no obligation involved on either side. It's more of a "I thought about you and therefore send you this..." kinda vibe. You could send a relevant article, share interesting news about your old company to a former colleague, and so on...

In the book you can find information on email etiquette and examples on how to write a good email for any of the three purposes above. So yes, don't shy away from email, it can still be useful.
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WHAT I LOVE ABOUT THIS BOOK

• The tone of voice is nuanced, friendly and non-pushy. It's not a bold, extrovert style that shouts at you to hunt for as many connections as possible. Karen is more like an empathetic coach guiding you along your journey of creating a solid network.

• The many female quotes and stories in this book really stood out to me. Especially because Karen works in the tech industry I'd expected many men to be quoted or referenced. It was a breath of fresh air to read so many experiences of women about networking.

• The various concrete and practical tips. For example, the book has ready made texts for you to almost c/p in your emails or on social media to get introductions or connect in other ways.

THE PROOF IS IN THE PUDDING

​Karen really shows she's worth the title of "uber connecter". She referenced me to an acquaintance of her on Twitter while I was reading this book.

How does she do that, almost spooky.... ;)  

MORE ON KAREN

You can find more info on Karen on her website and follow her on Twitter and  Instagram and of course connect with her on LinkedIN.

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