Make una come hear tory O! E get one bobo, make I call am Oga. E come tell me say e dey go Nigeria. Small time I come hear say Oga don do MBA. Na wa O! Before una begin hail Lagos business school, make I tell you finish, dis kind MBA den no dey get for business school. Dis MBA dey stand for Marriage By Arrangement!

Nouveau Africana spoke with Chioma Isiadinso, the founder and president of Beyond Academia Consulting, an educational consulting company based in Westchester, New York.

The Art of networking

Networking is the buzzword in today’s business; primarily because it is so necessary in business and in the corporate world. Most jobseekers find better success when they network and find the inside scoop on different job opportunity. Businesspeople find collaborative opportunities when they connect with fellow business owners.

What is networking really? Simply put it is meeting new people who may enhance your social, professional or business life. Good networking usually involves actually conversing with that new person for at least a few minutes, long enough to for you to find out what they are involved in and vice versa. Then there is usually an exchange of business cards and if a further connection is necessary then a follow call or email at a later date. Sounds simple enough, so what are the barriers that prevent us from doing this.

Barrier 1: I only speak to people I know.

This is central to many cultures actually. You are taught from the time you are old enough to talk, not to talk to strangers. Some cultures have the arrogant stance of “Well let him come to talk to me”.

Overcoming the barrier: Whether you network or not directly impacts you and only you. If you are to be successful in today’s business world then you simply must get over your own preconceived notions.

Barrier 2: I don’t like to brag or toot my own horn

Most of us are taught to behave in a manner that is all at once deferential and self deprecating. People who go around saying what they have achieved are perceived as braggarts.

Overcoming the barrier: When you tell people about who you are and what you have done, you are not bragging. You are simply giving out necessary information that will allow them better see possible synergies and collaborative opportunities.

Barrier 3: I’m naturally shy

Overcoming the barrier: Who cares! Have you ever tried to feed a monkey in the zoo? After contemplating you for a few moments, its desire for the banana almost always wins out. If you want something enough, you will get over your shyness and do what is necessary.

Having explored the barriers, there are ten easy steps to discovering the art of networking.

Know your business inside out. You should be confident in what you are doing or in what you plan to do.
Be able to speak about your business succinctly. Keep it short, simple and concise.
Be clear about what you have to offer and what you need from the other party.
Don’t waste your energy. Go to environments rich in the people that can help you.
Don’t expect that just because you exchanged business cards that a relationship will build overnight.
Go the extra mile, cement introductions by introducing other people to each other.
Be more focused on what you bring to the table, it is very beneficial to have someone feel they owe you one
Smile always
Follow up promptly with contacts

Keep in touch even when the synergies are not readily obvious

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