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Personal Development - Test Seven - How effective are you as a networker?

This test is designed to help you identify how effective you are as a networker and is based on the work of Michael Dulworth. It should take about 5 to 10 minutes to complete.

Before you answer the questions below, take some time to list all the people in your network . Your network consists of two primary types:

1) personal network and
2) professional network

Each plays a role in determining your networking effectiveness. Your personal network is made up of your family, extended family, school friends, contacts, and lifelong friends. It also comprises your active friends (people you see face-to-face at least once a month) and people from your local area, clubs, voluntary organisations and community. Your professional network includes contacts from previous jobs, colleagues from other organisations, contacts in your current organization and contacts in any professional association. Obviously, these networks overlap. You may be close friends with a work colleague, or a family member may help you make a professional connection.

Answer the questions below and then click submit.

1. How many people are in your personal and professional network added together?

Under 10
11 - 100
101 - 200
201 - 400
More than 400

2. How strong are your relationships with your network? Are people a business card trader (you traded cards but can hardly remember where or when), an acquaintance (they know who you are and will probably return a call), a personal contact (they’ll do a favor if asked), or a close friend (you can count on them when you are in trouble)? Everyone is a business card trader
Mostly aquaitances
Mostly personal contacts
A mix of personal contacts and close friends
Mostly close friends with a few personal contacts and acquitances

3. How diverse is your network? If everyone you know is the same age and sex as you, shares your cultural background, and works in the same area, your network is not diverse at all. On the other hand, if you network with everyone from 8 to 80, of both sexes and a variety of cultural backgrounds, in different jobs in different industries, you have a very diverse network.

My network contacts are exactly like me
My network contacts are mainly like me but there is some diversity
My network is fairly diverse
My network includes people from a wide variety of backgrounds and industries
My network includes many people from a wide variety of backgrounds, cultures, industries and professions

4. What's the overall quality of your network contacts? Are the people in your network experienced, with significant accomplishments? Do they have strong networks of their own? Are they well-known within a professional sphere?
Can they open doors for you?

I like them but none of them are really networkers themselves
There are a few people with good networks
Some people in my network are well-known and well-connected
Many people in my network are at the top of their fields and very well connected
I can contact almost anyone I want through the people in my network

5. To what extent do you actively maintain your network relationships? Do you follow up after the first meeting? Do you make sure to periodically connect with people? Do you return phone calls and answer e-mails promptly? Do you try to meet face-to-face regularly?

I don’t have time for that
I try to contact people if I can find the time
Sometimes I am better at this than other times
I usually make time to contact my network
I consistently contact people and ensure I contact everyone at least yearly

6. How actively do you recruit new members to your network.

Never
Very rarely
Sometimes
Quite often
I add new members whenever I can

7. How often do you help others in your network (both when asked for help and unsolicited)?

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Always when asked
Always if I think my network contact will benefit

8.To what extent do you use the Internet and email to build and maintain your networks?

Never
Rarely
Sometimes
Email is a key part of maintaining my network
I use emails and the internet to keep in contact with my network and find out what they are involved in



 

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