Networking Know-How

Articles

You Don't Have to be Talkative to be a Great Networker

If you're like most people, one of your biggest fears when you just start out networking is not knowing what to talk about when you meet someone. I know that was the case for me. I'd worry about having nothing interesting to say and become anxious about "drying up."

Then I realised: how much you say is not so important when networking. The biggest part of socialising with other people is listening. When it comes down to it, people love to talk about a topic with which they are intimately familar -- themselves. All you have to do is shut up and listen. At the end of the day they'll remember you as being really interesting.

Links: 17 Mar 2007

Alex Cureton-Griffiths

Business Relationship or Friendly Network Contact?

Chinese salesmen believe that building relationships is a big part of their job. In traditional Chinese business, sales and relationships are closely linked. Both buyers and sellers understand the importance of a strong network in China. Many people who might not really be interested in buying from you will accept meetings or phone calls just to build your mutual networks.

How Often Do You Network?

I was recently asked this question after speaking to a local group of folks in the middle of career transitions. It took me a little while to formulate an answer after I realized it's not something that I think of as taking time. Really it's more of a lifestyle. I'm always networking.

Say 'no' to the jiu: How to avoid Chinese alcohol

Alex Cureton-Griffiths

If you haven't yet encountered Baijiu (ç½é - pronounced bye-jo) count yourself lucky. It's a Chinese spirit made of maize or sorghum that makes drain cleaner seem palatable. The most common English translation is "white wine" or "Chinese white wine" though it's not a wine at all. For anyone who does business with Chinese (especially up north) baijiu can be a problem.

If you're stuck in a situation where you may encounter the vile substance, use the Tic-Tac tactic. Since Tic-Tacs are unfamiliar in China, a Chinese host may not recognize that those small white capsules are breath mints. This leaves you free to ram as many as you can into a medicine jar and claim it's your liver medication and that your doctor has forbid you from drinking anything stronger than beer.

If that doesn't work then head for the bathroom and, to be blunt, be sick. Make it look a bit worse than it actually is by thinking queasy thoughts and throwing some water over your face. It sounds drastic, but it's better than getting into a baijiu drinking match. Your liver will thank you the next morning.

If you're Chinese and reading this, remember that anyone who goes to so much trouble not to drink baijiu is doing it for a reason. Don't force it on them. Also, a better translation of ç½é is "Chinese white liquor" or "Chinese white spirits" (not Sprite.) Wine always contains grapes. No grapes = no wine.

How to Advance Your Career through Networking

Andrew Law and Alex Cureton-Griffiths

Andrew Law
For most people, looking for new job leads is a matter of opening the newspaper, reading magazine ads or checking out a local website. While these traditional approaches aren't too bad, some of the best jobs lie in the hidden job market -- that is, jobs that are not advertised.

What the Chinese Want You to Know about Networking

Alex Cureton-Griffiths

For most foreigners, networking with Chinese can be a little tough. Well, thanks to a question we posted on LinkedIn Answers, we're hoping to make things a little clearer. In brief:

They're not that different

People often get so caught up in the differences that they fail to see the similarities between Chinese and western cultures. Just be yourself and don't worry about skipping across the cultural minefield. Just as most of us would go easy on any local who made a social faux pas without knowing, local Chinese aren't going to bite your head off if you accidentally put your foot in it.