One of the secrets to business networking and building relationships is to become an expert at asking questions. This is especially true when you are first finding out about someone's business. You want to become a detective and really dig into what's going on in their professional life - because then you can find areas of opportunity where you can help them.
Really, if that's all we can say about baijiu then it's hardly a ringing endorsement. A while ago we mentioned you should never drink baijiu if you like your liver, but a recent tale heard at a NextStep mixer has prompted us to take a second look:
When going on business trips to underdeveloped areas in China, you're often encouraged to chow down on some of the local food -- which in some cases may not have been prepared all that hygienically. Lucky for you, baijiu can (apparently) act as a natural bug killer, stopping any food poisoning before it begins.
So, if you choose the dodgy food alone, you'll likely spend the next day on the toilet. If you go for the baijiu too, you'll probably spend the next day hugging the toilet. Not much of a choice, to be sure, but at least now you have an option!
With the long May holiday weekend, we at Shanghai Networking News have been in a bit of a rut. It happens to everyone -- sometimes you just can't be bothered to get out there and start networking. That doesn't mean you can't strengthen your network though: Here are three ways to improve your connections online:
Clean up your Facebook profile
Facebook started out as a tool for keeping up-to-date on what your friends are up to, but now that you're getting friend requests from your clients/boss/parents, what can you do? Ignoring them sends the wrong message, but giving them full access to your profile could lead to embarrassing repercussions.
Luckily, Facebook recently added friends lists, allowing you to precisely filter who can see what. Don't want your mum and dad to see that booze-addled night on Tongren Lu? Make a list, add some filters and add them to it.
Also, be careful who you invite to use Facebook applications. Just blindly ticking everyone and inviting them to rate their favorite Playboy bunny might not work too well with your buttoned-down boss.
Re-connect online with existing contacts
I've always thought all those Facebook apps were a useless pile of junk (I'm looking at you Vampires...) but even a small gesture, like feeding someone's fluff friend, can keep you fresh in people's minds and make it look like you care. With tools like SuperPoke you can regularly hug, throw cakes at or use the force with everyone on your friends list at the click of a button.
For a deeper gesture, try writing a recommendation on LinkedIn for someone you know well. They may reciprocate in kind, which can boost your search rankings.
Get Twittering
We've touched on Twitter before. It's basically a micro-blogging tool -- meaning you don't have to muck about setting up a blog and marketing yourself and your company that way. Just set up a Twitter account, type in what's on your mind and start following people. You can access Twitter from your phone, MSN, web browser and lots of other ways.
When you're back from a networking event and need to follow up, invite people to LinkedIn through their invite tool and include a custom message (not just "Please join my network") This way you can expand your LinkedIn network while you follow up, killing two birds with one stone.
You can always find more tips and tricks on the front page of China Networker, our new networking training website.
