Dear SafetyXChange Members,

With Valentine's Day approaching, I'd like to talk about the subject that is nearest and dearest to my heart. At least to my professional heart. That subject is networking. Here are what I call the three golden rules of networking.

Rule 1: Script an Introduction

Like the shampoo commercial says, you don't get a second chance to make a first impression. To which I add my own corollary for networking: Don't leave the first impression to chance. Take control at least of the elements you can control to ensure the person walks away impressed and on your side.

Advice: One of the best ways to ensure a memorable and effective first impression is to script a brief introduction for "breaking the ice" with new contacts. Ask yourself the following question: "If I can get only three points across to this person, what would they be?" Write them down and incorporate them into your script.

Rule 2: Think Reciprocity

The key to successful networking is getting contacts to share information with you. That means getting the contact to talk. But it's not always easy to get a contact to open up. Some individuals tend to be guarded, especially if they think you're simply trying to use them.

Advice: The best networkers think not only of their own needs but those of the contact. They try to get to know the person and offer whatever help they can. Try this with your contacts and you'll be amazed at how readily they'll reciprocate.

Rule 3: Follow Up

Although it might sound like a cliché, patience and persistence are of critical importance. Networking isn't easy. And the results don't happen overnight. You must keep working at it. It might take up to five exchanges to get a contact to deliver for you. But the investment in time and energy almost always pays dividends.

Advice: When you first meet a contact, follow up with a note, e-mail or phone call. Make sure you give the person any information you promised to deliver. Touch base with the contact periodically to let him or her know how your search is progressing.

Conclusion

Approaching people you don't know to ask for information and help is a daunting task. It takes a lot of work and not a little gumption. So when you do make the effort to network, you don't want your efforts to go to waste. Follow the three golden rules and they won't.

Wishing you career success and a happy Valentine's Day,

Lauryn Franzoni
www.ExecuNet.com

THE BEST COMPANIES TO WORK FOR

Fortune magazine recently published its list of the best 100 companies to work for. What makes these companies the best? It's not necessarily the pay or benefits. According to the article, "employees of these companies get deep satisfaction and become devoted to their employer, from feeling that what they do is good and right." Many of the companies on the list have a purpose-driven mission; purpose is a part of their culture.

Here are the top 10. Go to Tools to see the entire list:

1. Genetech (8,121 employees)
2. Wegmans Food Markets (31,890)
3. Valero Energy (16,582)
4. Griffin Hospital (1,049)
5. W.L. Gore & Associates (4,537)
6. Container Store (2,857)
7. Vision Service Plan (1,915)
8. J.M. Smucker (2,930)
9. Recreational Equipment (REI) (7,443)
10. S.C. Johnson (3,404)

BY THE NUMBERS
Security at the Winter Olympics

The opening ceremony of the Winter Olympics takes place tonight. The games are being held in Turin, Italy, and security will be tight. Consider the following numbers:

15,000: The number of policemen, soldiers and firemen trained to deal with nuclear, biological and chemical attacks who will be at the games.

$250 million: The expected total bill for providing security at the games. That might sound high but consider that Greece spent more than $1 billion for security at the 2004 summer games in Athens.

16: The number of venues where competition will take place and that need to be secured.

17: The number of days the games are scheduled to last. 17 also happens to be the number of people police detained in the nearby town of Varese on suspicion of having links to a Tunisian immigrant who was expelled from Italy last year for allegedly recruiting terrorists.

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