Boost your networking quotient (NQ) – Part 2

Last week, we discussed the benefits and importance of boosting your personal networking quotient (NQ). We also illustrated how you can compute your NQ and determine whether your NQ level is acceptable or if it needs addressing. Today, we will share some of the steps that you can take to actually boost your NQ.

First you need to ensure that you know as many people as possible. Your count of networking partners or associates needs to be high enough. If you do not know many people, you need to take interest to know a lot of people. Attend events at work and outside work. When you are at events, keep networking and talking to people so that you can know many of them. Be approachable and be actively approaching people.

You need to make sure that the quality of your relationships with others is good. You need to continuously keep your relationships with the people you know strong and active. You have to work in order to keep good networking associates glued to you. Just knowing them is not really enough. You have to do more.

Make sure that your relationships are reciprocal. This means that you should be investing to help those you know. Also make sure that they too are ready to help you when you need their hand. Remember that a networking contact is one that is able to come to your help when you need them, not just the people you know.

These days, you cannot be fully networked if you do not maintain active presence on social networking media like Facebook, WhatsApp and so on. If you are not yet registered on the social media, you need to do so now and start linking up and connecting with people on the medial. You need to be regularly active and keep updating your profiles and status to remain current and connected with multiple people in multiple media.

To raise your networking profile, you do need to also find yourself in social networks where you are taking some active and leading roles. If you play some social football or netball, help out with the organising of the games or organising the uniform or other tasks on a regular basis. The good thing is that positions in such informal organisations are practically given to those that volunteer to help. And many people do not like to volunteer. So, go for it!

If you keep volunteering with all your heart, the people that you serve will elevate you. This way, you will raise your profile and in the process, you will get known to and by all the members that you serve and all the people in the sector that you operate. It is a great way of expanding your social networks and influence. To achieve this goal, you need to be dedicated and totally committed to the role that you volunteer in. Do it with the best of your abilities and without leaving any gaps. Do it as if you were paid very well to do the job even though it is for free.

Remember that the quality of your networks is determined by how many of your contacts are able to help or do something for you when you need them. It is also determined by the likelihood that you will do something for them when they need you. This means that you must be prepared to help and to do things that are of use to others. You cannot be well networked if you are lazy or if you don’t want to do things for others or to help. You have to work hard in order to be well networked. Good luck as you work hard to boost your networking quotient (NQ)!