100% professional networking?
- And why not go further? Making and nurturing good contacts who can also help us in our personal lives.
- Which is better, a homogeneous or a heterogeneous network of contacts?
I usually sum up networking as a way of “opening doors for yourself”, so let me tell you how it can open doors for you, and not only at big companies.
Human beings are “social animals” and I love relating to people, but one thing I always do is respect everyone regardless of sex, race or social class, which is why I practise what I call 360-degree networking.
When I work at a company I treat the security staff, the receptionists, the cleaning staff, the waiters and waitresses in the cafeteria, the maintenance people and my colleagues, from the interns to the managing director, with the same friendliness.
Neither I nor anyone else is better than anybody else; everyone deserves respect, and treating everyone well will open doors for you. You will create a climate of trust around you, and when you need someone to help you, no matter where they’re from, they will lend you a hand.
I have countless anecdotes of little acts of kindness I have received for being friendly and chatting with all kinds of people. I hate the idea of looking down on people.
In the year I flew to Barcelona every week, I ended up getting to know even the airport security staff, and it costs nothing to remember their names and say hello every time you see them.
Example: You have to work one weekend and you need to go into the office.
A: You’re a rude guy who never says hello to anyone and just gets on with your own thing. Result: You go back home, because there’s no way the security guard will let you in without the proper authorisation, or he says he’s never seen you before.
B: You’re a nice guy/girl who says hello to everyone every day. Every now and then you give them a little gift from the usual merchandise your company hands out (mugs, T-shirts, pens). Result: Hey, what brings you here? Working at the weekend? Go on in… hope it’s not too painful.
Good networking can open many doors for you. The doors of companies, of restaurants that only work by reservation, of the VIP area at trendy clubs, of special events, of the Santiago Bernabeu, the Calderón or the Nou Camp… so look after all your contacts well if you want to enjoy certain privileges simply for being nice to people.
A homogeneous or a heterogeneous network of contacts?
Personally I prefer heterogeneous. I think it will bring you more value. You can have a good number of quality contacts from one sector or business area, but I prefer to keep expanding my network of contacts without limits.
If one day I lose my BlackBerry, you will find everyone from managing directors, marketing directors, IBEX companies, SMEs, the self-employed and entrepreneurs, to a baroness, the mayor of a village in Valladolid, painters, musicians, DJs, creatives, restaurants, rural guesthouses, event venues and a long etcetera. Everything I find interesting and worth recommending I treasure like gold, to share with my contacts.
What I like most is when someone asks me: do you know anyone good at…? It’s really satisfying to be able to share good contacts.
Happy networking
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