Networking through the generations and what you need to know - Simone Douglas

Introduction

Multi-generational networking can be challenging. As with networking with different personality types, when you are networking outside your generation it is important that you don’t make it about you. If you’re going to make friends then you need to meet people where they’re at - within reason. To be clear, if someone is being really sexist or racist then you don’t want to network with them anyway. In fact I turned down a very large contract with a client once for that reason. It’s not worth selling your soul for. Eventually the dinosaurs will die, and that’s ok. 
 
However, we’re not talking about dealing with dinosaurs here. We’re talking about the different ways that different generations deal with things.
 
I’m in my mid-forties, which makes me part of Generation X. To work through the list that you are likely to encounter in networking situations, we’ve got the Baby Boomers, Generation X, the Millennials, and Generation Z. 
 
It is easy to get distracted by all the noise in the business world at large but jump day is your chance to settle in and work on your business and this season on your networks in ways that allow you to make the most of your opportunities today, tomorrow and forever.


IBGR is a global community of commerce committed to your success and our programming is designed to give you the tools and resources as well as the one percenters you might be missing So buckle up because it's time to take an objective look at whether or not you are truly a centre of influence on playing in the outfield.


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​Show Objectives - The Why
The purpose of today’s show is to give you some insight into preferred communication, things that are important to the different generations and why as well as how you connect so this is one not to miss.
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People will come in and out of your life all the time. The key is to keep in mind that a person always matters. It’s not about what they can offer you. They matter in and of themselves, because they’re human beings. When you understand this, then you understand that every person is worth your time, and that your time is not more valuable than theirs.

Key Issues - Owner Perspective:

1. Am I connecting with my networks in ways that build influence over time?
2. Who should I be networking differently with?
3. Am I providing real value to my networks?
4. Do my networks have the breadth and diversity I need to really find success?

What You Need to Know - What we will be covering

1. Boomers - Boomers are at the stage in life and in business where you can expect them to have reached a certain level of comfort. They’re fairly unapologetic, and fairly uninterested – most of the time. This means you have to earn the right to be heard.
2. Generation X - Gen Xers are stressed. They’re overwhelmed.  When you meet them at a networking event, it might be the third event they have attended that week. This means you need to connect with them in a way that mitigates some of that stress.
3. Millennials - The criticism often levelled at Millennials is that they have an overwhelming sense of entitlement. The truth is that everybody does. It’s just that we’re more comfortable with our sense of entitlement than the way Millennials choose to communicate theirs. 

Some Millennials are already business leaders, because the internet has enabled people to start and grow businesses much more rapidly today than they were able to twenty years ago. If you can’t speak to Millennials and engage them in a way that builds the relationship, then you’re in trouble

1. Generation Z - This generation is only just beginning to step out into the world, and so they may not seem that relevant in a networking context, but it won’t be long before they are establishing themselves in the business world, so knowing how to communicate with them is important.

What you need to do​ today

1. Ask yourself the question - where do I need to adapt and change my communication style?
2. Evaluate how you engage with your networks across generations and maintain contact
3. Bridge the generation gap by meeting people where they’re at – without sacrificing your own values
4. Interrogate your networks diversity and identify how you can start filling in the gaps
5. Keep climbing the mountain, document the different ways you can create 1 on 1 and small group opportunities to connect and build both your networks and those of the people within them
6. Reach out to the important connections you have let fall away and build some bridges
7. Plan to spend time putting lessons learnt and aha moments into practice.  Let me know how it goes.
8. ACT! Nothing changes if you don’t set aside time to make it happen so once you have worked out what you need to do start putting timelines and deliverables on your action plan. Get clear on what you want your customers to feel, what actions you want them to take and what pain points you are here to solve for them.

If you’re very transactional in nature you’re not going to get very far. You will probably burn the relationship in the early stages. If you thrust your folio at someone and tell them that you can solve all their problems, or that you’ve noticed they’re connected to a high powered CEO that you want an introduction to, then you’re never going to make it to the inner circle. Relationships take time to build. So now it’s time to put in the time.

Shows
Previous: Episode C2.02 
How to do a network inventory and why it matters. - Understanding how to look at your networks objectively and identifying the gaps

Next: Episode C2.04 
How to stand up and stand out without being an oxygen thief The importance of listening to build relationships and how to ask intelligent questions that aren’t just about opening doors to talk about yourself.

Written by Simone Douglas 

The Publican & Licensee of the Duke of Brunswick Hotel, Executive Director for BNI Adelaide North one of the biggest networking organisations in the world, the driving force behind South Australia’s leading social media agency, Social Media AOK and best-selling author with her first book “Seriously Social – turning your online game into real-world gain”. and  “The Confident Networker”

Simone also serves as Deputy President of the State Chapter Committee South Australia for the Franchise Council of Australia and sits on the Franchise Advisory Council for BNI Australia

You can connect with Simone on any of her seriously social platforms
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