networking

making a list
- family, friends, school, colleagues, business partners, sports or hobby group

preparation
- research a few of the people that might be there in case you meet them
- prepare a phrase with which to introduce yourself - and practise it
- prepare initiating conversations so that when you meet new pepple at networking events it becomes second nature, get used to doing this in everyday situations
- have a follow-up sentence ready in case someone asks you what you do
- genuine enthusiam and curiosity
- listen and show interest in what people tell you about themselves
- learn to give, and take, compliments

mind manners
- presence - timeliness
- watch your words
- do not blank other people, greet people you with a smile and a hello
- proper introduction


working with difficult people
- types of difficult people

• the blanker
• the know-it-all
• the manipulator
• the highly strung
• the character assassin

- distract yourself, don't break down so easily, walk away, give yourself a moment to recover
- you will never change them, so works out what makes them difficult, don't try to beat them at tgeir own game
- learn to recognise the signs, understand difficult people better and set more realistic expectations
- defuse conflict gently

tell your story, show your passion for what you are doing. Give people something to connect with and if it chimes with their own experience they will engage with you

personal pr
- find your voice
- pitching
- practise having your say in situations where you feel most confident.  For example, go to your favourite store and try on racks of clothes, without buying a single thing. Without being rude, find genuine reasons to turn diwn each and every item, however painful this is for you.  Resolve to translate this attidtude into your working life - the next time you disagree with something, put your own view across just as politely but firmly as you did in the store.
- build reputation

• treat others the way you'd like them to treat you
• pick your friends and relationships

role of spouses
- talk the other up
- mingle with other 'other halves'
- different skill sets - eg read people and judge character, natural schmoozer, more au courant with arts or sports

fully connected a look ahead to working and networking in 2020
http://ukexperiencedcareers.ey.com/white_papers/6676_EY_A4_WhitePaper_280314.pdf
http://mashable.com/2014/08/03/networking-awkwardness-tips/
http://mashable.com/2014/08/05/networking-for-introverts/
http://mashable.com/2014/10/09/fixing-networking-flops/?utm_cid=mash-com-fb-jobs-link