Your Contacts Really Do Count

I received a wonderful email from Lynne Waymon, CEO of Contacts Count. www.ContactsCount.com She read my most recent Huffington Post article and heartily agreed about the value of connecting with others in a job search.

Lynne has built her business on helping people put the tools of networking to work by reaching business and career goals. She is the co-author of the book Make Your Contacts Count and pointed me towards her site to share the 8 Competencies of Professional Networking with my readers.

Courtesy of Lynne, here is a quick glance at the competencies. Check out the website for full definitions and action steps.

1. Capitalize on Style – appreciate how personality, mindset, and attitudes affect the ability to build relationships.
2. Take a Strategic Approach – target specific organization and career outcomes and agenda build for networking events and outcomes.
3. Envision the Ideal Network – identify WorkNet, OrgNet, ProNet and LifeNet contacts and leverage opportunities with each.
4. Develop Relationships – see relationship building in stages and manage the trust building process by building character and competence.
5. Increase Social Acumen – become more comfortable, confident, and professional by mastering relationship rituals.
6. Assess Opportunities – choose optimum networking opportunities and make participation pay off.
7. Deliver Value – contribute to the organization’s networking culture and capitalize on networking to affect the bottom line.

You can even test your own networking skills by taking the Networking Competency Assessment on the bottom of the Contacts Count homepage. As you start the New Year with a focus on relationship building, you can learn a great deal from Contacts Count and Lynne Waymon’s expertise. Thank you for sharing, Lynne!