Build your network, get your self known out there. PART 1. The ARMOR

Hello, guys…some of my friend I met in 6^th UNAOC said I need to share about network building. I learn it naturally during these years since my university freshman year till today. I will share with you what I do.

Part 1: The Armor

In my experience, I have met former president of Poland in 2011, Lech Walesa, I met Minister of MOFA Mexico, Governor of Puebla, Mexico and Ambassador of Mexico for Indonesia in 2012.

Some important people I met in 2014:

Ambassador of Oman

Under Secretary Ministry of Information Oman

Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affair of South Korea

Third Secretary Embassy of Japan in Indonesia

Minister Counselor of Slovenia

Deputy Director International Directorate of Singapore

Representative of Indonesia to ASEAN intergovernmental Commission of Human Right

Ambassador at Large for the Alliance of Civilization of MOFA and cooperation of Spain

Qatar’s Director of Youth Affair

Turkey’s Minister of Education and various important people. I learn it by doing it. There are some trial and errors during my learning process. I will try to tell you what the best I had.

 

Mexican Ambassador for Indonesia

Minister of Tourism and Creative Industry of Indonesia, Mari Elka Pangestu

Minister of State Foreign Affair Mexico

Governor of Puebla, Mexico

Former President of Poland, Lech Walesa. He is a vegetarian as well :D

This is not what everyone should do, but more like what I do when I m in conference and try to enhance my network.

Building network and seeing new people for me is a war fare. You need your armor. There are two armors that I use, visible armor and the invisible one. This armor will make you ready to go in the “war” and win their heart.

Visible Armor in Network building

Visible armor would be superficial things that people notice when the first time they see you. There are some items to discuss:

1. Clean and Tidy Clothes.

Human are visual creature. People say, “Don’t judge a book buy its cover”, but without an interesting wrap, how can you attract people to know what’s inside? Make sure we dress up as the dress code mentioned for the event (if any) or choose something that socially acceptable and presentable. The clothes don’t have to be new, but make sure it is comfort, clean and friendly for other people. If you are not comfortable in your clothes, people will aware of it.

2. Hair Co

Choose hair do that would fit the circumstances. For example: dread lock won’t suit an office event. No neon super bright color or Mohawk punk hair do. If you use hair gel, make sure you don’t put it too much, otherwise, it will look flat and oldies. Check if you need to wash your hair that day or not. Or if you don’t have time, tie them up. I always wash my hair for important days. Make sure we wake up early and have enough time for self grooming.

3. Shoes

Make sure your shoes are not dirty or muddy. It does not have to be squeaky clean, and make sure it does not create an offensive odor. Choose something that makes you look professional, but remember, comfortable is always important. Walking in our own shoes is always the best!

4. Clean Teeth and Fingers

Smiling is very important during the introduction, thus having a clean teeth is a must. Fresh breath is number one. Always have mints candies in your back, or it is better to have a set of tooth brush and toothpaste in your bag. Clean finger and hands is also important. Black nails give bad impression for lack of hygiene.

5. Business Card

In the era of social media, it seems easy for people for just clicking “add” then you will be notified that friend requested. In reality, being someone’s friends is not as easy as a button click. You need a media so people can remember you, or at least knowing how to contact you. Business card is one of those media. You can write your number on a napkin, but I won’t suggest you to do that in an important event. Mostly, my friends are confused what to write on business card if they don’t have any organization to be represented. Well, It does not matter. You can always give your self a title. Have a nice design, unique if possible or budget friendly. Do as your condition that time, make the best of it. 

Invisible Armor to Enhance the Visible

There are some invisible things that take part in first introduction. Realize it or not, these several things could be friend or foe if you don’t take care of it.

1. Body scent

Make sure your body scent is not offensive. Better if we wear perfume. For young man, I preferred some thing with the word “ocean”, “Breeze”, “citrus”, “Musk” most of the scent feels young and fresh. Woody scent is for mature men. Try to ask some friends what they think about certain scents.

For woman, personally I like it to be floral. Fruity scent is for teenager. J

2. A nice smile

Some people might consider this funny. I found it weird as well that there are some human who can not smile nicely. They smirk. :D  Practice how to give a nice smile. A happy, friendly smile. Relax, and smile with your eyes as well.

3. Having a happy head

Human can feel and sense others. When you try to approach someone new, having a happy head is a plus point. Remember a happy memory, than talk with the person you want to talk with. Give the adoring look in your eyes and imply that you are willing to be their friends. Give the vibes of happiness in you and bring the sincerity out.

4. Wide knowledge and material to talk about

The person you approach can be anybody. Having Trivia knowledge will be useful as the material to talk about. Always spare time to learn something new from GOOGLE. Do you know where Ottoman Empire is? How does nuclear work? Have you ever eat dragon fruit? What do you think of surrogacy?

These are my armor in building network or simply my preparation before I introduce my self to somebody. Next post I will discuss what to do in getting people contact. I will call it PART 2: The HUNT.