One aspect of networking is being the trusted advisor. We had a discussion in my monthly small business roundtable today about the value of networking.
After relating a few stories, it became evident that we all (those of us around the table who had braved the bad weather to be there) had similar skills when it came to networking to build relationships. Bill, the attorney of the group, offered up "being the go-to guy."
If you want to be known as a reliable source of information and connections, be free with your suggestions of who should connect with who when a need arises. The example I used was of my friend who runs a graphic production company being connected to my colleague who does graphic installation. One of the resulting partnerships was with a job for one of our clients installing a new graphic on a trade show booth. While I didn't benefit directly with an invoice and payment, my two graphic professional friends did; the good work they did impressed my client; she, in turn, hopefully, will continue to view me (and my agency) as a trusted advisor and source for getting things done.
Remember that everyone in your network is valued as a resource--if not directly to you, then to one or two steps removed from you.
Relentless
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Fill your calendar
You've heard the axiom, "never eat lunch alone"? How about, "don't waste space on your calendar?
How many meetings have you been to this week? How many do you have scheduled? I'm not talking about those internal things; I'm talking about the outside-the-building-meet-face-to-face meetings.
Come on, now, how many? Two? Three? Five?
These meetings do several things:
I'm not saying to have a bunch of frivolous, time-wasting coffee chats. We're talking about setting up a time to meet with someone with an informal agenda of what you can do for each other. imit them to lunch, breakfast, or a 30-minute coffee meeting.
You'll feel refreshed for it.
Relentless
How many meetings have you been to this week? How many do you have scheduled? I'm not talking about those internal things; I'm talking about the outside-the-building-meet-face-to-face meetings.
Come on, now, how many? Two? Three? Five?
These meetings do several things:
- Energize you and charge your batteries
- Help you understand real time
- Hear new ideas and names
- Get you out of your routine
I'm not saying to have a bunch of frivolous, time-wasting coffee chats. We're talking about setting up a time to meet with someone with an informal agenda of what you can do for each other. imit them to lunch, breakfast, or a 30-minute coffee meeting.
You'll feel refreshed for it.
Relentless
Monday, January 19, 2009
Be sure to say thank you
We all are in a hurry these days to do whatever--find new contacts for business, service a client, run an errand, whatever. But don't forget the important things:
Courtesy and manners. Mostly saying please and thank you.
I was reminded today about service-- a lot due to the fact that today's MLK Day is being devoted to service. A local chapter of an association I work with forgot to say thank you to the outgoing president--how do we suppose she feels? The whole point of making connections is just that: making connections. That's not just a "hi, how are you, give me a lead". It's a heartfelt conversation between two people. Maybe it will lead to something, maybe not. But you just never know.
Nothing substitutes for good manners. I had a client who told me that if I hadn't have said "please" to her during a request, that she wouldn't have honored it. Good for her to demand that--and shame on me for forgetting.
Beyond that, people remember people who are polite, who listen, who share more than ask. They really are the basics of networking--and friendship.
Relentless
Courtesy and manners. Mostly saying please and thank you.
I was reminded today about service-- a lot due to the fact that today's MLK Day is being devoted to service. A local chapter of an association I work with forgot to say thank you to the outgoing president--how do we suppose she feels? The whole point of making connections is just that: making connections. That's not just a "hi, how are you, give me a lead". It's a heartfelt conversation between two people. Maybe it will lead to something, maybe not. But you just never know.
Nothing substitutes for good manners. I had a client who told me that if I hadn't have said "please" to her during a request, that she wouldn't have honored it. Good for her to demand that--and shame on me for forgetting.
Beyond that, people remember people who are polite, who listen, who share more than ask. They really are the basics of networking--and friendship.
Relentless
Sunday, January 18, 2009
You just never know
Yes, there ARE enough hours in the day.
You never know who you are going to meet and where the conversation will take you. You also will find it difficult to know who you are going to work with and for in the lifetime.
A networker should be relentless. It is your life. In these times of economic and cultural uncertainty, it is comforting to know that the richness in life is in the relationships we have and cultivate.
This space is dedicated to networking in all of it's various forms: from face-to-face to social networking sites, we hope to explore terms and techniques to help you, the reader, make better connections with those around you.
As a trade show professional for the past 20-plus years, I have seen firsthand the power of face-to-face selling. As a new business development person for the past several years, I have seen the power of the referral. And as a member of my community, I have seen the strength of a cohesive group make an impact on a neighborhood.
Relentless
You never know who you are going to meet and where the conversation will take you. You also will find it difficult to know who you are going to work with and for in the lifetime.
A networker should be relentless. It is your life. In these times of economic and cultural uncertainty, it is comforting to know that the richness in life is in the relationships we have and cultivate.
This space is dedicated to networking in all of it's various forms: from face-to-face to social networking sites, we hope to explore terms and techniques to help you, the reader, make better connections with those around you.
As a trade show professional for the past 20-plus years, I have seen firsthand the power of face-to-face selling. As a new business development person for the past several years, I have seen the power of the referral. And as a member of my community, I have seen the strength of a cohesive group make an impact on a neighborhood.
Relentless
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