Networking 101- the Jungle Style!

The predator moves stealthily, eyes fixed on the prey. Careful not to make its intentions clear, it remains invisible...camouflaged until the right moment. And then...POUNCES.

Now you would tell me the very first image forming in your mind is that of a tiger and its unsuspecting prey (or probably in this Twilight era, that of a werewolf and vampire), playing the harsh game of survival that Mother Nature has so cleverly devised. 

Think again.

A Jungle it sure is, but a Corporate Jungle, where numerous preys and predators are free to roam at large. And their usual meeting ground is - a Networking Event.

When one takes a fish out of water it goes berserk, thrashing wildly trying to get back into the water. An amateur placed in a networking event, feels very much like a fish taken out of water. 

He/She lacks the finer nuances necessary to pounce on one's prey. Readers who feel a consanguinity with that amateur need only read on to learn from the experiences of another noob, who unsuspectingly felt trapped like a fish in a net. On the other hand, for the more established at this game, you too may want to read on (and probably gloat at the amateurish attempts of those far less skilled in this delicate art)!

24-week internship, and then some more – I still find myself building strategy long and hard before a networking event. Networking they say is most useful when you happen to be not working (aka 'vella') – in fact it’s that 'net' which gets you 'working'. 

Often quoted in books steeped in philosophy is the line ‘the big fish is the one to be caught in the net.’ But missed here is the the basic question – “how do we know who the big fish is?” Hence, the very first step in networking is to know who the prey is. Some techniques employed may involve:

a) eavesdropping (not recommended..but highly effective),

b) mental guessing (you may arrive at the correct conclusion, albeit with the involvement of a large chunk of luck), 

c) and proper research (the most obvious and 'fool'-proof method..).

Knowing who it is you want to network with is half the problem solved. Well begun is half done! Nevertheless only half the problem is solved. The second half, unfortunately, would require a whole lot more strategy and planning.

Hence, let me leave this bit of strategy to you for a while. Think over it. Put yourself in this situation. 

You are attending an event, you know who you want to talk to. It’s just about breaking the ice, and then breaking some more, that is left. Whatddyado??

If you think you know how to start the conversation or how to hand out the spanking new business card you just got printed...let us know.

And if not, then come back soon for the second half of the solution (an amateur one of course!).

-Paaritosh T