Baseball and networking share several common traits and ideas:
- Things happen in threes
- Teamwork is essential
- There is strategy involved
Three strikes, three outs, triple plays, three bases, a triple (hit), nine innings (okay, a multiple of three) are the basics of baseball.
When it comes to networking, people remember things best in threes, groups of three are a more complete conversation, three conversations and you most likely get to a face-to-face meeting.
Unassisted double and triple plays are rare, a pitcher would be ineffective without a catcher, an outfielder really needs a cutoff man and a clean-up man needs guys on base to clean up.
A wing man really works wonders when you are at a reception, referrals don't happen without someone referring another person to you, social media has based its whole concept on connected people and word-of-mouth takes more than one mouth.
Knowing which pitch to throw in a full-count situation, when a coach is supposed to send a runner, when to walk a batter and when to pull a pitcher are all elements of strategy in baseball.
Knowing what events to attend and when, who you should be meeting and why you need to meet them comprise a networking strategy.
Remember the basics when you're out networking and the results will be positive. Play ball!
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