Executive Secretary Live: the importance of being there.

Executive Secretary LIVE

NETWORKING is the single most powerful marketing tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization! – Adam Small

It is my second year of attendance and I can tell you that it is always exciting and inspiring.

I had the occasion to meet in person old pen-friends I was in touch only by email or through LinkedIn, Facebook and blogs and to have the pleasure to meet not only colleagues form many countries in the world but also great speakers and worldwide know personalities.

I was already sure that networking is about making connections and building enduring, mutually beneficial relationships, but I also know that it’s not about who you know ... but WHO KNOWS YOU!!

We are constantly bombarded with advertisements, emails, updates, special offers, but only personal relationships enable us and our organization to stand out, rise above the noise and remain top of mind.

To succeed we must continually connect with new people, cultivate emerging relationships and leverage our network.

This is the most important reason why all Manager Assistants must attend networking occasions such as The Executive Secretary Live.

Why having a network is so important? I found 8 reasons I want to share with you:

          .      Learn dynamics within your professional role

                .      Establish your business/personal contacts
          .      Get “plugged in” to your community
          .      Seek new career opportunities
          .      Facilitate win-win relationships
          .      Create your referral networks
          .      Accelerate your professional development
          .      Develop knowledge resources

My idea is to develop a network of friendly people who share information to help each other. 

It is best known as a strategy also for opening the hidden job market, for getting a good job.

But networking has other great benefits. 

We are creating a community of colleagues who support each other, who provide emotional support and information that will help each other.

Attending networking event we will learn of new developments in our field: new tools, processes, leaders, training programs, products and services. 

We may discover the solution to a problem we face at work listening to others life and work experiences. 

And, we may have the satisfaction of providing the key piece of information that makes a real difference in the life of one of those in our network.

Pay attention because networking must be a planned and ongoing effort. 

You set goals, develop strategies for achieving them, take action, evaluate how well your plan is working, and make changes as necessary.

It is something that you do throughout your career.

For example, after all networking events you attend make sure to stay connected with those that you meet. 

Take a look at the business cards you received and email those people about what you spoke about while it is still fresh in your mind.

Remember, networking events give you the chance to relax and socialize while you’re marketing your business and yourself, and best of all you are creating connections.

You can really enjoy the wonderful company, great dinners and wines, music and in some case particular and usually inaccessible locations and at the same time knowing you are doing all this for your career!

These events are all about mutual benefits. 

How can you offer a service or help another? 

There will be times when you may need help or advice, and you will want to have built a strong network.