Networking in Dublin
August 07, 2003
There has been a lot of press lately devoted to Good Networking Skills. Tips, techniques, what to do, what not to do, the whole process analysed in great detail. I attended a recent Marketing Institute seminar on building your own brand, tips on good networking given by Marc Thornton and Adrienne Regan. But before we all take everything to heart and become obsessed with how much a success we are at networking, I'd like to state that Irish people are pretty good at networking.
Networking in London is too class ridden. You could have the sharpest, wittiest person approach with the perfect banter - but there'll always be someone lurking who's quick to make a mockery of the 'wrong' accent, or school attended after they've gone. (Hello, didn't we all leave school a decade or more ago?)
In Sydney, networking functions tend to be too cut-throat and calculating. "What can you do for me? Nothing? See ya". Plus, they have them at the most ungodly hours of the morning - before 7am. This might sound racist, but in my opinion it's because so many of the women at these functions are the most arch ambitious individuals you'll ever come across. And yes, in Sydney, the majority of professionals in marketing are women. Amongst Greek-Australian, Italian-Australian and some Eastern European-Australian families, there is a tremendous pressure on girls to get married. For the ones who resist it, the pressure converts to one of success. For these women, if their families aren't going to bask in the glory of a successful marriage, they've got to be provided with a successful career. Consequently, there is a generation of women who refuse to allow themselves to develop friendships in work. Everyone is a potential threat and someone to be conquered. How sad.
Refreshing Dublin, on the other hand, sees us all nattering away, nodding and smiling, albeit with one eye on that person you really want to speak to. We are polite and pleasant, but not time wasters. I've had introductions made for business opportunities by people who are in completely different industries, but they just happen to know someone I need to speak to from somewhere. People are generous with their contacts, and I like that.
Of course it works both ways. I had a meeting the other day in which I managed to secure work for three of my very talented friends. I left the meeting feeling excited and pleased, looking forward to sharing the good news.
Networking when you're in business for yourself is kind of like interviewing when you work for an employer. Time spent listening to what they are looking for and then talking up your skills and abilities, while at the same time allowing a little personality to slip into the equation. But I've never had an interview for a job where I've been sipping a cool Chardonnay and nibbling on a piece of smoked salmon! Yet another reason why being in business for oneself rocks!