Building Bridges
K. Denise Bane
The Orris Center for Professional Development
In the last issue, I stressed the importance of networking. I realize,
however, that while we often have the desire to keep in touch with one another,
we can't always find the time. This issue's column focuses on methods of staying
in contact when schedules don't seem to allow. But first, a disclaimer: I don't
always practice what I preach, so my apologies in advance to any old friends
still waiting for my call! So, what can you do to stay in contact? If I may
borrow from Steven Covey, here are seven habits of highly effective networkers:
1. Keep a stack of stamped postcards and/or notecards in your desk.
This is such an easy one that it pains me to admit that I often forget to do
it. As I read the IOTAS column in TIP or receive e-mail updates or other
news announcing milestones in the lives of friends and acquaintances, I often
think of sending a short note. However, I seldom have stationery available, and
then there is the stamp problem. The answer is incredibly simple. If the cards
and stamped envelopes are already in my desk (along with my SIOP directory close
by for addresses), I can easily write a quick note. From time to time, we all
hear of someone who has won an award, received an honor, suffered a loss, or
passed a milestone. If we have the stamped cards within arm's length, it's easy
to prepare a handwritten message to let the person know he or she is in our
thoughts.
2. E-mail
E-mail is a magnificent invention and a perfect way to stay in contact with
colleagues when you're short on time. I have several friends I have not seen for
years, but with whom I communicate via e-mail on a regular basis. Communicating
with several "e-pals" is best when you know how to manage both
incoming and outgoing e-mail. Develop folders to sort incoming mail, use the
address book or contact management feature of your system, if available, to note
when you last communicated and the topic of the communiqu, and make sure you
reply promptly. When replying, I highly recommend including some reference to
the original e-mail in your response. I have often received e-mail that simply
says, "I agree!" Of course, between the time I sent the original
e-mail and the time the reply arrived, I've sent and received over 100 messages!
3. Telephones, answering machines, and voice mail
If you have time to talk, you can always pick up the phone. You should
recognize, however, that not everyone has time to "chat," so keep your
conversations short and to the point. When you don't have time for a long
conversation, answering machines and voice mail are an alternative. Voice mail
has been my salvation on many an occasion. I must confess, I sometimes call when
I know the person is not in the office so I can communicate information without
a lengthy conversation. Leaving a message allows you to touch base without
taking up much time.
4. Send articles of interest
Show the people in your network that you are interested in helping them
achieve their own goals. In your contact management database, keep track of the
interests of the people in your network. As you come across articles in
professional journals, trade magazines and newspapers that might be of interest
to the people in your network, share what you've found. This does not require
additional workyou were planning on reading that journal, newspaper or
magazine article anywaybut now you're reading for two (or three, or four,
).
5. Invite others to join you
Finding the time to "do lunch" with each person in your network is
often difficult. Why not consolidate? Plan a lunch with several people at one
time. Pick a time that is good for you, then contact several individuals in your
network and invite them to join you. Ideally, you should not waiver from the
time you have setif someone cannot attend, invite him or her to the next
lunch. You accomplish staying in touch (on your time), and they get to interact
with you as well as with some new folks. If you simply can't take time for
lunch, invite a member of your network to join you as you attend conferences,
workshops, seminars and meetings. That way, you both get to spend time together
while learning some new information and making new acquaintances.
6. Start (or join) an e-mail list or electronic bulletin board
This is a variation on the e-mailing theme. If you don't have time to send
individual e-mails to people in your network, consider joining an electronic
mailing list which would enable you to stay in contact with several people at
the same time. For instance, consider joining the SIOP Committee on Ethnic
Minority Affairs (CEMA) mailing list. (For directions on joining, see below.)
Or, consider starting your own mailing list using one of the many free
electronic sites available, such as eGroups.com.
For those who do not wish to receive additional e-mails, consider starting an
electronic bulletin board. With a bulletin board, you can post and respond to
messages on a website, without having to clog up your e-mail box. One such free
bulletin board system is www.InsideTheWeb.com.
7. Start a newsletter
A newsletter gives you the opportunity to stay in contact with many people in
your network all at once and on your own time. It is not as personal as a
handwritten note or an e-mail, but it keeps your contacts abreast of what you
are doing, and let's them know what's new. Newsletters do not have to be fancy.
You could create a newsletter with special publishing software, such as
Microsoft Publisher, or create a simpler format using any standard word
processor. Substance is more important than style. Use your newsletter to
mention articles you've published, presentations you are scheduled to give,
workshops you plan to offer, or even personal milestones such as birthdays,
anniversaries, promotions, and recognitions. Granted, setting up the newsletter
the first time may be time consuming, but once you have your mailing list
created and the newsletter template in place, it is easy to maintain and update.
Share ideas with others in your field or use it as a "leave behind"
during meetings.
Read About Networking
Here are some more networking books for additional suggestions. They are
available at amazon.com. Reviews of these and other networking titles are
welcome.
Bjorseth, L. (1996). Breakthrough networking : Building relationships that
last. Duoforce Enterprises Inc; ISBN: 0964883902.
Mackay, H. (1999). Dig your well before you're thirsty: The only
networking book you'll ever need. Doubleday; ISBN: 0385485468.
In addition, here are a few research articles focusing on networking. Reviews
of the networking literature are welcome as well.
Friedman, R., Kane, M., & Cornfield, D. B. (1998). Social support and
career optimism: Examining the effectiveness of network groups among black
managers. Human Relations, 51, 1155_1177.
Podolny, J. M. & Baron, J. N. (1997). Resources and relationships: Social
networks and mobility in the workplace. American Sociological Review, 62,
673_693.
Tjosvold, D. (1997). Networking by professionals to manage change: Dentists'
cooperation and competition to develop their business. Journal of
Organizational Behavior, 18, 745_752.
CEMA News
If you are interested in becoming more involved with the SIOP Committee on
Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA), please contact the committee chair, Beth
Chung, at bgc4@cornell.edu.
If you would like to be included in the mailing list/directory of individuals
interested in CEMA activities, please contact Chrissie Frye at cmfrye@aol.com.
To join the CEMA listserv, send the following one-line message to listserv@lists.cudenver.edu:
SUBSCRIBE CEMA [your name] For example: SUBSCRIBE CEMA John Doe
If you would like to be involved in the CEMA networking task force, please
contact me. Suggestions for activities and programs are encouraged.
Jim Outtz heads the mentoring task force and is seeking ethnic
minority protgs who have either already graduated or are very advanced in
their PhD program. If you would like to have a mentor, you may contact him at jlouttz@aol.com.
Final Thought
This column has emphasized practical suggestions for staying in touch. Since
SIOP supports a scientist-practitioner approach to the field, I do not want to
ignore the academic approach to networking. In the next issue, we will discuss
the research evidence supporting the importance of social and business networks.
Remember, successful networking does not come naturally for most of us. It is
a skill that is developed over time. Take the first step today!
If you have comments, column ideas and/or would like to contribute to
"Building Bridges," please contact K. Denise Bane at The Orris Center
for Professional Development, 1010 Prospect Avenue, Plainfield, NJ 07060, TEL:
(908) 561-4427, FAX: (908) 561-6009, dbane@orriscenter.com.
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