11 Rules from Bill Parcells

Rules can be applied from many different disciplines to networking. In Sunday's Dallas Morning News, Jean-Jacques Taylor recounted the 11 rules former Cowboys' coach Bill Parcells gave to QB Tony Romo. Some license has been taken, but the intent is similar.

1. Ignore the opinions of others. Like QBs, we all get credit or blame for a variety of things. Know what is important to worry about and what isn't.
2. Have fun, but class clowns can't run a team. Truly, know when to be light and when to be serious.
3. Fat QBs can avoid the rush. OK, keep yourself in shape--mentally and physically--so you can respond to those questions and remember names at events.
4. Know your job cold. Know why you are at an event and your strategy.
5. Know your own players. Wing men (or women) those who are on your support team.
6. Be the same guy every day. Consistency is a key pillar of any brand, particularly your personal brand.
7. Throwing the ball away is a good play. Knowing when to finish a conversation and move on is an art.
8. Learn to manage the game; don't ever lose track of the clock. Every event has a time window; some can fill them and overflow; others are best left early. Know when to leave and when to stay.
9. You're not judged on stats and TD passes; get your team in the end zone. Don't forget the mission and reason you are at an event. The object is to win or finish, not just participate.
10. Don't panic in times of chaos. Be prepared; don't start looking for a job when you've lost one, be on people's radars; keep your cool and it will show.
11. Don't be a celebrity QB. Remember networking isn't really about you--it's about those you meet and converse with. Give and you will get.

Thanks, Mr. Taylor. Great column (see www.Dallasnews.com for the whole column)

Relentless

Ten Rules of Networking

Today I had the good fortune of being invited to speak on networking at the University of Texas Dallas. Kanika Williamson of GE Consumer & Industrial spoke as well. We tag-teamed on a life skills program that featured Kanika's presentation on your personal brand and my ten rules of networking. It was a lot of fun.

So, here are the ten rules I came up with for networking. Now, most of these are used in event situations, but most of the list is transferable to other situations. The ten rules:

1. Have a strategy, be strategic, have a plan
2. Ask, don't talk
3. Have energy
4. Have stories
5. Bring people into the conversation
6. Always be on
7. Know the dress code
8. Be known (who knows you, what you know, who you know)
9. Always carry business cards
10. Be polite

While there really isn't a preferred order to this list, the #1 on my list is #10. without manners, none of the rest means anything.

Relentless

Thanks to Jody Everson and her team at UTD.