Networking as dating app

I often picture networking as dating - sometimes it's awkward, sometimes it's awesome, and sometimes you just swipe right in the hope that you'll find the right person. But no matter how exhausting it seems, networking is an essential part of my business - it's how I build relationships, establish connections and open doors to new opportunities.

First of all, you must define your sales argument, you have to know your "elevator pitch" and apply it in business relationships. Yes, yes, even if you are not a sales agent at heart, you need to define your services, highlight what makes you different and unique and present it to existing and potential contacts in a clear, yet subtle way - I admit, I often feel sick just thinking about it .

But as Lou Holtz says – "A bird doesn't sing because it has an answer, it sings because it has a song." Although I didn't always have the required experiences, services or skills, I knew the ones I had. So, for example, in the dry season (aka winter period when projects related to my business are realised in smaller quantities), through a completely informal meeting with a potential client, I sang "my song" and within three days I locked in a marketing campaign.

Maintaining established relationships is a completely logical sequence in the chain of business communication and networking. Sometimes my co-workers and clients have a big iceberg in front of them and so they don't see anything other than that. In those situations, I jumped on their boat, offered my help so they don't end up like the Titanic and simply reminded them that I was there. A good example is this year's business gifts, to which I added a personalised "touch" and emphasised their importance in my business.

As you can guess from my this year's gifts, I believe that one of the most important virtues in business relationships is the ability to listen. That's why I designed gifts that combine Einstein's formula for success (x + y + z) - where x means work, y means fun, and z means being quiet. This was not a criticism of my colleagues and clients, it is my mantra for 2023. Because unfortunately, too many times I found myself in a situation where I thought - "oh Danči, shut that mouth"!

It's not just about the conversation - it's also about the fact that I needed to hear what others had to say. Not only do I show a genuine interest in what they have to say, but I also learn something from them, I gain new information, ask thoughtful questions... In the end, you never know where that conversation can lead - try it yourself, you will be pleasantly surprised! On a final note, I am highlighting Epictetus who wrote - "We have two ears and one mouth, so that we listen twice as much as we speak".

Finally, one more practical tip - don't be afraid to ask for help. If you are looking for a job, to expand your network or just ask for advice, don't be afraid to ask for help. People are often willing to lend a hand, as long as you are respectful and gracious. Worst case scenario, they won't be able to help you but you will still, as I mentioned earlier, remind them that you are by their side and that they can count on you.

I recently signed up for a project that, in my eyes, is the equivalent of King Charles or at least Prince William, if I can metaphorically express myself in royal terms. Considering a recommendation was an advantage, I decided to ask for it from a person with whom I have not communicated for a long time (yes, I understand the irony - I should have taken care of that relationship, I can only say - learn from my mistakes). However, with a little luck and effort and the great affability of my contact, I got the recommendation.

What's the point of the whole story? Hustle baby, hustle! Without effort, constant self-improvement and nurturing relationships with people, results will be difficult to achieve. Just like on Tinder or another well-known application - you have to constantly search, try out, communicate, self-improve. You never know who you can swipe 😉