Page 108 - Perfect Phrases ESL Everyday Business

Whom Do You Know?

In the United States, networking is a prevalent way of doing busi-
ness, increasing business, or building relationships within and among
businesses and companies. Networking, itself, has become a large
business. Examples of networking events include conventions, exhi-
bitions, trade shows, meetings, office parties, and business meetings
before or after work. The Internet offers a wide variety of networking
opportunities. New networking sites appear every day. Some of these
websites are for business professionals to interact with each other.
Especially these days, it is important to guard personal information
and remember that the Internet may not be the place to reveal any
private data.
Networking involves building a group of business and personal
contacts. You may meet people who cannot help you directly, but
they may introduce you to other people who can. Of course, you may
be able to help them and that is the first rule of building a business
relationship. Give before you get! Networking is all about building
relationships; the business follows. If you show an interest in other
people, they are more likely to show interest in you.
Your success in networking depends on your ability to commu-
nicate and interact with other people. These meetings can be awk-
ward—meeting new people, who many times have their hands filled
with food, drink, papers, and business cards. There is often music in
the background, and there is always noise in the room. If you find it
difficult to communicate easily with other people, then you will find
networking a real challenge. If, on the other hand, you are outgoing
and enjoy meeting new people, you will take to networking more
quickly.
The foreign born have an advantage, they may be unaware of, at
networking events. They come from interesting places where Ameri-
cans may have been. If people have been to your country, they may
be eager to discuss the sights. If not, they may be curious. Also, in this
setting, colleagues will usually be patient with your language issues,
will want to help, and will admire your courage in attending a meet-
ing at which they may be as uncomfortable as you are.

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