Networking in the real world:

Most people Don't want to waste time with people that they think they can’t benefit from. This is one of the biggest mistakes people make (ASSUMPTION). You never know what a person knows or who they know and surely a quick meeting or your own perception doesn't give you that information.

• True story: Man walks into a bank with old jeans and a t-shirt on. He goes to the teller makes his transaction gets ready to leave and remembers to ask to get his parking validated.  The teller says your transactions weren't high enough to get the parking validated. He asked for the manager and the manger says” she’s right policy says  your transaction has to be at this level to get your parking validated”. Man leaves the bank reaches into his pocket and puts a quarter in the parking meter, gets back into the line goes back to the same teller withdrawals exactly 1 millions dollars. End of story - NO. Comes back the next day and withdrawals another million dollars walks across the street and deposits it into another bank.  Think about it.
  

THESE ARE THE NETWORKING Do’s and Don'ts published by George Fraser in his book “SUCCESS RUNS IN OUR RACE”

The Do's

• Do keep your sense of humor, especially while reading this list.
• Do stay up to date on current events. (What the Berlin Wall is down?”)
• Do bring a pen and plenty of business cards. (Mind if I write my name and phone number on your hand?”)
• Do return telephone calls within twenty-four hours. (“When did Mr. Jackson die? He just called me six months ago.”)
• Do listen and respond when people talk to you. (“I'm sorry, what did you say about jackasses mating downtown? Oh jackets made in Hong Kong!”)
• Do get your front teeth fixed if they are missing, crooked, discolored, gold, or fitted with implants depicting the state of Texas.
• Do mind your personal hygiene and grooming.
• Do inform anyone whose name you have given out to a networking contact. (“Hello, Mr. Simpson – this is the FBI- George Fraser gave us your name – mind if we come in?”)
• Do give a firm handshake, one that establishes you are a vital human being, while still leaving the shakee’s bones intact.
• Do bring cash. In fact, Don't leave home without it, because the bartenders and parking lot attendants do not accept any major credit cards or personal checks.
• Do plan ahead for networking events, checking who is going to be there, and why are you going. (“Oh, hi, Mr. President, gee, I didn't know you and Hillary were coming.”)
• Do say thank you for networking assistance.
• Do follow through on promises. (“Gee, Shirley, I forgot all about picking your boss up at the Apollo Theater last night.”)
• Do leave before the lights are turned off.
• Do speak Standard English.
• Do keep one hand free for meeting folks.
• Do say good-bye and thank you to the host or hostess before leaving a network event. That is, if you want to be invited back.
• Do write a thirty-second self-introduction for networking events. (“Well, I started out as a small Black child in a middle-class family. Then shortly after birth…”)
• Do accept compliments graciously. Say thank you without explanation.
• Do make at least one banker part of your network. A good plumber is not a bad idea, either.
• Do confirm all appointments before going.
• Do know what you are going to say before you say it.
• Do RSVP when an RSVP is RQSTD
• Do fly first class when you can, in order to make good contacts.
• Do bring your admission tickets.
• Do get to the point quickly. (“Hi! I'm Barbara. Can you make me any money?”)

And now the Don'ts

• Don't smoke in public.
• Don't chew gum either.
• Don't show up if you’ve just gotten real bad press.
• Don't ask people if you can “pick their brains”
• Don't send a resume without calling first.
• Don't say,  “I know you Don't remember me.”
• Don't make anyone guess your name. Say it first.
• Don't misrepresent yourself.
• Don't try and sell at a networking event.
• Don't talk while you eat. Or vice-versa.
• Don't hog a VIP’s time. (So, Mr. James Earl Jones, let’s hear you say ‘This is CNN’ one more time.”)
• Don't flirt.
• Don't show cleavage.
• Don't talk when the speaker is talking. Particularly if the speaker is a former All-Pro.
• Don't forget your table manners.
• Don't fill your hors d’ oeuvre plate.
• Don't hold multiple conversations within the group. Unless of course you have multiple personalities.
• Don't give one-word answers to questions. Two is not much of an improvement.
• Don't be late. Start a trend: Arrive on time.
• Don't tell dirty or racist jokes.
• Don't limit the conversation to male or female topics only. Mix it up.
• Don't be long winded. Short gust are much more effective.
• Don't abuse your body; a sharp body enhances a sharp mind.
• Don't interrupt.
• Don't gossip about people or make negative comments.
• Don't ask for free advice from paid professionals. Unless you want to be presented with a bill the next day.
• Don't take yourself too seriously. You may be the only one who does.
• Don't say,  “I'll call you,” or “Lets get together,” if you Don't mean it. And I mean this.
• Don't cancel when you can reschedule.
• Don't be afraid to go to events alone. Being alone often invites a crowd.
• Don't wear outlandish hairdos. Patti Label has her own network.

Don't misspell names, titles, or companies when corresponding. The secret to success is in the details.