Building Alliances

Build Ties That Bind

In our last issue we encouraged you to `expand your networking’ and said it was –

 `more than attending a `networking function’ and exchanging business cards.  

It is about connecting!’

This is such an important job-searching activity, we’re repeating it and offering some additional thoughts, ideas and suggestions in this issue. This is about alliances and partnerships.

In her bestseller, Going to the Top, author Carol Gallagher says, “skip playing to the crowds …  too many relationships are often too shallow to be meaningful or even helpful,” she adds.   She suggests that “alliances are far better relationships for success”.  It’s about `building bonds’ [which] we can do by:

Helping out – offer and work collaboratively on others projects and tasks

Reaching out – help others when they really need it

Being consistent – build good relationships with your subordinates and peers; they’re your support base

Being disciplined – be well organized; develop your contacts; keep appointments; follow-through

Being prepared – attend networking meetings selectively; have a plan for `working the room’

Seeking advice – mentoring flows both ways; seek and benefit from others experience and wisdom

Being a source – be a `go to’ person; develop and share your expertise; and be someone who gets things done

Additionally, she suggests “getting a website … drawing people in, bullet-pointing your achievements, and linking others to your resume, work samples, and testimonials”.  Please note:  your Linked-in account may help serve this function … this is becoming a `resume’ and your `introduction and/or brand’ and should be a professional summary of your qualifications..  Remember, it is important to use common sense in `your’ postings to Facebook and other social media tools.

The lyrics of John Fawcett’s hymn, Blessed be the Tie that Binds, describe optimum human relationships as “kindred minds … joined in heart” and challenge us to faith and hope and action.

With whom have you found such relationships through the many seasons and experiences?

Who else can you discover and add to your circle of friends … support … partnerships … alliances?

Study and practice the alliance techniques of partnering and networking:

Help out, reach out, and assist others.

Use your `References’ as a good place to start by asking and using:

• the important questions – `who else’ and `what else’
• the method – Ask for Two … names and suggestions
• Listen and reflect and take action.