Revealing Some Myths About Networking

Source: California CPA Magazine

Networking does not mean mixing with people in a social setting. It means creating relationships in which people help each other—not just to get new business, but to help serve your clients or manage your practice.

To be a networker you must set goals. If you don’t have clearly defined goals, you won’t achieve them:

• One goal might be to meet a certain person at a professional meeting. You may have knowledge about information or people that can help that person. Be willing to offer help without a quid pro quo.
• Another goal may be to find people who can help you start a solo practice. You may want to meet Web designers, marketing consultants, etc.

• Repeat the person’s name and remember it.
• Repeat your first name before saying your last name.
• Tell people what you do, not who you work for.
• Don’t ask people “What’s new?” That’s a good way to end a conversation quickly. A better variation might be to ask: “What interesting new things are happening at your company?”

Don’t be discouraged by the awkwardness of starting a new relationship. If you keep trying, it will eventually pay off.

From California CPA Magazine, California Society of Certified Public Accountants, June 2008, http://www.calcpa.org/Content/home.aspx.

Measuring CPA Leadership Effectiveness

Full Service Real Estate Investment and Mortgage Finance.