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

Social Media and Networking

There are a number of popular press stories lately on social media. Mainstream writers, who haven't already discovered the tool, are now just getting into it and writing about it. And discovering interesting things about themselves, the tools and the reaction to the whole trend.

My neighbor, Rick Wamre, the publisher of Advocate Magazine (www.advocatemag.com) pointed out in his April issues' opening remarks column about how Facebook and Twitter "might hinder us more than they help" us.

He may have a point.

While I am an advocate of social media, many of us are like Rick: note that these things are tools to help you reach out to people, not to shield you from contact. As Rick points out (and he ties the concept well to his lead story), you need to understand the balance of being constantly tethered to "just about anyone and everyone" and being alone and contemplative.

I agree, but with this qualifier: know the balance and strive to achieve it. Like the students the magazine profiled, you need to think in this life. Gather information, study it and take action. Each of those those elements doesn't work well without the other.

A case in point: as a relentless networker, just knowing the events to attend doesn't do any good if you don't go. If you don't have a strategy (study before you go, even), then you're not maximizing the experience. And if you go without knowing the right places to go or why you are going, why go at all?

As with the students in Rick's story, event when you are completely "untethered" you can still make a difference. Think what can be done if you use these tools carefully and strategically.

For Rick's whole column, visit http://www.advocatemag.com/lake-highlands/magazine/Social_media_recluse.html.

Relentless

Remembering and Being Remembered

This past week at the EXHIBITOR Show in Las Vegas, I had a real lesson in remembering and being remembered.

Walking down the aisle in the trade show part of the event, I passed by a company I have known since I started producing trade shows. And who should stride out from the booth but my good friend who had been there at the beginning with me.

As I spoke with my friend, I was reminded of how he was one of the first suppliers I had met in this business. And while we haven't done business with one another in some time, we have stayed in touch.

And staying in touch was the key: he had been connected with me via LinkedIn for the past few years and read my daily updates. "Wow, you are 'The Relentless Networker'," he said to me. (so the moniker has stuck, eh?). He then proceeded to tell me how he needed my help in marketing his firm.

Now that's keeping a fire burning.

All I can say to this is for all of us to keep in touch with as many relevant people as we can on a regular basis. We all know people and you never know when one of them might step forward at the most appropriate time. This, for me and my friend, was one of those times.

Don't burn bridges, build them. And you never know who you will work with or for in this life.

Relentless

Working Receptions

The end of a first day of a conference usually means a welcome reception. At this year's Exhibitor's show in Vegas, it was a good group fueled by fresh ideas and conversation.

Remember a few guidelines when working a room:

1. Be polite, listen and share
2. Always have business cards
3. Spend more time talking and meeting people and less time eating and drinking

Courtesy and manners are always first. Offer your hand, make eye contact, listen to who they are and what they have to say.

If you don't bring and share your business cards, how will you remember who you talked with and how will they remember you?

Connect with old friends and make new friends. Even if the event takes place over the dinner or cocktail hour, this isn't about food and drink. Practice moderation and remember why you are there.

Relentless

Tipping

When I got off the airport parking shuttle yesterday, the drive was there to help me with my bag. The question came up that will come up all this week as I travel to the Exhibitor's Show in Las Vegas:

How to tip and how much?

There are all kinds of guidelines, but the easiest to remember are:

• $1 per bag
• 15% for a restaurant server
• $1 or $2 for the guy hailing a cab for you
• $5 to $10 to the concierge for helping find that right restaurant for your client dinner

Just guidelines, not rules.

Relentless

Is Rome Burning?

It is a time and a realization that comes to all of us: is our Rome burning?

That is to say, is our world changing in front of us? Layoff, job change, divorce, pending breakup--and we aren't paying attention? Or at least paying enough attention?

For all we know, we may be doing just the right things at the right time. Pacing ourselves as the changes come daily.

But don't get too comfortable and complacent. That's when things get real bad. Avoid the "real bad" by taking action and thinking clearly.

Get rest, stay on task, keep up as if things aren't changing. Hell, foreclosures take months to happen. But don't let it come to that--call ahead of time and let them know things have changed. Like any good networking action, you'd be surprised by the positive response.

And about your network: don't be afraid to ask, call, stop by and see the people who you know and trust. And don't wait until you're laid off, fired or alone to start this. Do it now and keep it up.

Rome might be burning, but be sure and notice the flames before they get too big. You might be able to control the fire if you do.

Relentless

Empowerment

It isn't often in this world that we get to do something unique or try something different or invent something. Especially when that something is our job.

I have been particularly blessed in this regard over the past 3 years to work for a company that allowed me to do just that. When Zachry Associates needed to expand their business and brand into the North Texas marketplace, I was there when they asked.

The answer wasn't "no" or even qualified.

That's because they empowered me to find the way. I had to do most of it myself, but they were always there. From a management perspective they:

• Gave me the tools I needed to tell the story.
• Granted me access to their staff and resources.
• Guided me when they saw opportunity and when it was needed.
• Asked, didn't tell me, what to do next.

If more company leaders would act like HC Zachry, there might be more productivity, there might be fewer layoffs and more revenue, there might be stability in the economy.

Now all good things come to an end. We were able to identify the brand clearly in the marketplace and gain a foothold, even in this weird economy. But now it is the next person's turn to take advantage of the groundwork we put out there. Business life is episodes. But that's a topic for another post.

Relentless

Find more and similar content at http://www.zachryinc.com/networking/