Networking niceties

'Networking'    This is a word that you will frequently hear as you move up the corporate ladder. This is also a word that makes many a young professional break into a sweat.
"How will I impress people?" "What will I say?" How do I shake hands? How do I behave in a party? These are some of the questions that pop into your mind when you hear the dreaded word 'Networking.'
Relax! Networking skills can be easily learnt. It’s not rocket science, you know. Networking is all about getting connected. It’s all about honing your ‘people-friendly skills’ to perfection – at parties, business encounters, client dealings etc.

Handling handshakes well

Shaking hands is the first contact that is established between people in business encounters. Learn the etiquette of shaking hands properly.

Handshakes are the only acceptable physical contact for men and women in the business world.

They are the universally accepted business greeting.

You are judged by the quality of your handshake. So, reach out right.

A good handshake:

• Keep the fingers together with the thumb up and open, slide your hand into the other person's hand and grip firmly.

• A proper handshake is firm, but not bone crushing, and is released after the shake, even if the introduction continues.

• Maintaining eye contact is most important.

• Always rise while shaking hands. This rule is common to both men and women in business situations.

You are expected to extend a hand when:

• meeting someone for the first time

• meeting someone you haven't seen for a while

• saying good-bye to people at a gathering

• someone else extends a hand

The business of business cards

Handing out and receiving business cards forms a very important part of networking skills. Your business card is your calling card to success. So, learn to do it right.

• Always carry clean, up-to-date business cards for networking occasions.

• Make sure they are easily accessible. It looks bad if you start hunting frantically for them in front of potential clients.

• Hand them out with finesse, individually, and not like a pack of cards.

• If you have to hand out cards to a group, give your cards to everyone present. Don’t slight people by not giving them a card.

• Always wait for the senior executive to hand out his card, before presenting your card.

• Don’t be pushy about handing out your cards to all and sundry especially in social gatherings. Be circumspect.

• Always hand out business cards face up, so that the words are easily read. You can also write a short message at the top of your card to personalise it.

• When you receive a business card from somebody, take the time to look at it before putting it away carefully.

With just a few simple rules to follow, you can easily ride the rough waters of networking smoothly. All you need is a little bit of polish.