BUSINESS
More Than My CV
Don't Call It 'Networking.' If you do, you may be doing it wrong.
By Allan Nahajewski
wasn't going to write a column
about networking, but the subject
kept coming up.
This started out as an article about
choosing the right words for your
resume. In a world where so many
resumes are scanned by machines,
that's as important as ever.
. But nowhere near as important as
networking.
And speaking of using the right
words, maybe we shouldn't use
"networking!' It sounds like a sales
technique, a step in a process, a chore,
an item on a to-do list, a self-improve-
ment initiative or something you do
to get a job.
But if you think of networking on
those terms, you can miss the point
entirely.
I belong to two "networking"
groups. I just renewed my member-
ship in the International Association of
Business Communications (IABC) and,
along with my dues receipt, I received
a sheet of "Power Networking Tips!'
Tip #1:The Golden Rule of Network-
ing."Work for your network. Don't
look at networking with the idea of
'what it can do for me?'See yourself
I
as a resource for every one of your
contacts. Be a matchmaker. Send busi-
ness and job leads to your contacts.
Like most things in life, what you get
out of your network depends on what
you put into it first. The most powerful
network is the one made up of people
who owe you favors!'
That's the zen of networking — it's
not about you; it's about them. If you
think networking is somethingyou do
to get a job, you're making a mistake
— and a very common one.
The administrator of the local IABC
chapter told me that many inactive
members call her the day they lose
their job, which, on one hand, is a
good instinct, but on the other hand,
a little late.The best approach is to
keep networking, even when you
think you're too busy to squeeze it in.
I wish I could remember the source
of these words of wisdom, which have
stuck with me for more than 30 years:
"It's the things you do that you don't
have to do that will always determine
the difference when it's too late to do
anything about it:'
Here's another networking secret:
It's not a science. It's random, but you
have to play to win.
Woody Allen said, "80
percent of success is just
showing up." I believe it.
I attended a local busi-
ness networking "coffee
club" and was hired by
someone I just met to
write copy for his website.
I found this rather curi-
ous because he never saw
my writing, never heard
anyone recommend me
and didn't seem to have
any real reason to hire me.
When I asked him about it,
he said, "You could have sat anywhere
in that room, but you chose to sit next
to me:'
Actually, it was the nearest empty
chair, but it was a testament to the
importance of showing up.
In the world of networking, that
was small potatoes. I owe a prosper-
ous and satisfying 20-year career at
Chrysler to the fact that I passed along
a business card at an IABC luncheon
to another stranger who happened
to be next to me. The stranger passed
the card along to a former colleague,
who, one year later, hired me for a job
of a lifetime.
There's a book out there about
networking called Never Have Lunch
Alone. I can relate.
Those kinds of things do happen.
There are no guarantees; it's a matter
of taking action to increase the odds
in your favor.
The moral of the stories: Don't wait
until it's job search time to meet your
next boss or client. Stay out there, and
see how you can help others succeed.
That's real networking, and that's how
to get your next great job. RT
THE YENTA
News and info from
around town.
ooking for a place for high-end,
customized personal training?
Check out Retrofit Studio, 704
W. 11 Mile Road in Royal Oak. Owner
Brad Goodstein has been growing
his business every month. Visit
retrofitstudio.net to see some photos
of people who've achieved weight-
loss success with Brad.
There's a new place for people
L
looking for creative and innovative
concepts and products for events.
Jon Layne has announced that
thegoodiebag.com is live and ready
to party!
Kelly Nigohosian has opened
Salad Solutions, 29555 Northwest-
ern Highway in Southfield, a healthy
change of pace for lunch. Huge
salads. Fresh ingredients. And you
choose your own toppings.
Andiamo Novi has a new com-
pletely renovated banquet and event
center that can accommodate up
to 500 people. If you're planning an
event, you should check it out.
If you know someone who is get-
ting ready for camp, take them to
Perfect Trading Co., 3643 W. Maple
Road in Bloomfield Township. You'll
find custom-printed apparel and
camp gear as well as sports team
apparel.
Remember Uncle Robinson? We'll
he's back in the furniture business!
The new Robinson Furniture will
open in May. Find new furniture as
well as high-quality, lightly used
furniture and accessories at deep
discount prices. Open Monday-Sat-
urday 10 a.m.-6 p.m. In Detroit, 3180
E. Jefferson Ave. on the south side
of Jefferson at McDougall between
Chene and Mt. Elliot.
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Join us for our 3rd annual
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RED TIMM
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