We know we should do it, but many of us find networking tiresome. But Liz de Wet, convener of the executive women in leadership programme at the UCT Graduate School of Business, says it is possible to change the way people see networking. It does not have to be something you do on top of your job. "Think about networking as being part of the job and allocate time for it," she says. De Wet has the following advice: When you are at a different location for work, get to know people there. "Meet as many people as possible and find genuine points of reference to have a real conversation"; You can use social media to establish contact, but you need to have face-to-face contact to build a strong relationship; Many people shy away from networking because it seems a little manipulative. But De Wet says: "Networking isn't about using people to get ahead but building relationships and developing connections, helping others who in turn will want to help you"; and Keep your eyes peeled for oppor...
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