Here are a few things that Networking & Football have in common:
Preparation - Researching who you are
playing is crucial in football. Reviewing films, learning about
the opponent, creating a strategy - - all these will help you
win. The same is true in networking. Know the strengths of
the other team, who are the players to watch, learn about their
strategy.
Practice - In order to be confident in
your skills, you need to practice. The more you network or the
more you practice a play, the more comfortable you will feel and
experience success.
What to wear - In football, it's clear and
important. There is no way the athletes would play without
helmets or shoulder pads. There is even special
makeup! With networking, it is is less clear but just as
important. If you have a networking meeting in someone's office,
call ahead and ask what the dress code is. If they say, "business
casual," ask them to define it. Is that khakis?
Jeans? Ties or open collar.
Goal - The goal in football is clear - to
win! The same is true in networking. However, what's
different about networking is that when it is done right, both sides
win.
And sometimes .... you just have to punt!
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