NETWORKING: Coffee Is a Great Career Investment



A cup of coffee can be one the best career investments you'll ever make. Not only does it help your brain function, but it can help your networking efforts, too. Here's how:

Coffee equals incentive. Let's get the obvious out of the way first because it's important for the two points to follow: coffee can help you work and function better better. About 15 years ago, an acquaintance of mine told me that coffee equals incentive. He explained that the caffiene allows you to be more alert, while the occasional sip (or chug) from a travel mug gives your mouth something to do. This, he said, makes the day seem like it's passing by at a more enjoyable pace. And when you're enjoying something, you have incentive to continue it.

Coffee gives incentive. Just as consuming coffee can provide you with the incentive to get through the day, inviting a new networking contact for coffee (on your dime) or bringing a cup with you if you meet at his/her office gives incentive. Your new networking contact will likely accept the token in the spirit it's given, but there are two other ways your coffee investment will help you: 1) s/he will probably feel obligated, once you meet, to at least talk with you until s/he finishes or the coffee gets cold; and 2) the caffiene and ritualistic consumption of the coffee will put the networking contact at ease and allow him/her to enjoy your meeting more. This can lead to a more open exchange of ideas - which is the basis for a solid professional relationship.



Coffee is bankable. A cup of coffee doesn't need to have any strings attached. Sending a pre-paid gift card to a coffee shop can provide incentive for a future meeting without you even asking for one. It can also be a great way to thank a networking contact for meeting (and likely guarantee you'll have another meeting soon).

IN THE CARAVAN: Use coffee for networking purposes.

LATER TODAY: Coffee and Networking (Supplemental)

NEXT TUESDAY: Networking is a Marathon, Not a Sprint

Check out last Tuesday's posts:
NETWORKING: Manners Will Get You Everywhere
NETWORKING VIDEO: Everyday Manners




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