No 53 March 2005 Networking Those ContactsYour Network: relatives, friends, associates, acquaintances, friends-of-friends, employees, bosses, experts, professionals, consumers, prospects, clients, suppliers, distributors, anyone you- know, meet, run-into, see anywhere. . . Meet as many people as you can, but work closely with only the few that add value. Network: the starting point for info & income. How you make, maintain and use Contacts to build your own personal Info Network:
Networks involve everyone, friends, relatives, strangers. . . It doesn't make a difference. Most people gladly help someone seeking their "expert" views. Start by contacting everyone you know. They bend over backwards to help you, overjoyed at the thought of helping or showing their "expertise." Supply them with the right methods. Maximise their helpful efforts. Use contacts to make Contacts. Get what you need. Network! The next step is recruiting new people: real experts, organisations, "strangers". . .You never know who can help. It's in your interest to have as many people as you can working with you. When you need info fast, can you afford to miss free info or advice? Make the process as simple as you can with your Contacts.
"Ask and ye shall receive!" Grow your own grapevine. Create your own opportunities. Nearly everyone can be useful, no one is too BIG or too small. You know the saying "out of the mouths of babes." It's true, many people have an uncanny way of simplifying difficult things. But if you don't ask you'll never know. Also find those who have experienced what you hope to. Ask for their advice and invaluable insights. Talking to them has a way of getting your creative juices going. This allows you to create your own solutions, free. Build your Info Network and use it! Talk isn't cheap - - it's free! Everyone offers an opinion, if asked, even pros like attorneys and accountants. Have an idea of what you need, before you start. Speed it up: Make a list of what's to be covered. Subtly steer the conversation where you want to go. Be conversational but direct. Ask for referrals. But do NOT be a pest or pump them for "free" advice. Also consider using surveys, questionnaires, focus groups. . . Chances are you will find more or different information than anticipated and much of it may not be applicable. But always remember it's free! Just ask. It's WHO you know, WHAT you know and HOW you use it! Build your personal Info Network to increase your speed and proficiency in getting what you need without spending hard dollars. You will make friends, build important alliances and set up a distribution system. One way to receive tons of info is by having powerful influential organisations assist you. But also realise no one is too small to help. Use everyone. Use one network to build Networks, "the more the merrier." Learn what people want then show a genuine interest in them. Communicate. Go get 'em! Networking Your Way To Business SuccessRunning a successful business used to be dependent on what you knew. Then, who you knew became important. In today's economy, it is far more critical to what you extent you know someone. So it's not what you know or who you know, but how well you know them that really determines the amount of business that can be generated by a contact. Networking is the process of meeting people (also known as contacts), either through a contact that you initiate or through an introduction by a third party. Networking allows you to meet, and establish a relationship with, people who may not have heard of your business through any other means. Like the name implies, this is work! It's not called Net-sit, Net-talk, or Net-eat. It's Net-work!! In order to make it productive for you, you need to learn proper way to do it. There are some important steps to follow for successful networking: Pick Your Functions To Attend
Be Prepared Dress appropriately- you are a representation of the type of work that you do. First impression advertising can make you the most money or be the most expensive advertising you will ever invest in if it causes you to lose business. Always have a supply of business cards on you at all times. I know a man who met a prospective client from a large company while swimming in a pool in a hotel in Hawaii, while on vacation. He landed an account with the firm when he produced a business card (laminated of course), from his swimming trunks. Make a Good Presentation Remember that you know more about your business than your prospective client needs to on a first meeting. Save the details of your product or service for a second meeting unless specifically asked about them by the prospect. If you overwhelm them with information, you may never have chance to determine how you can help them with a problem they may have. The key to successful businesses is in solving problems for clients in a fair, efficient and cost effective way. Mining for Referrals
Networking is done at any time of day- morning , noon and night. One of the nicest benefits is the friendships you can make while pursuing common goals. |
Why reinvent the wheel? Networks help you find, buy or sell it! 
Business people like to associate with other business people, so attend functions where these types of people will be. Pick those functions carefully. Make sure that the purpose of the function is to promote business and not just to socialise. Chambers of Commerce gatherings, trade shows, and networking organisations are excellent sources of business leads. The people who attend these are there for the same reason you are- to meet new people and to develop new business relationships. Social functions are fun and relaxing, but a person trying to do business or make contacts there could be very disappointed. 
All-important referrals come from happy clients. A referral from a client is a reflection of their judgement as well as a compliment to you and your product or service. Be sure to send out "thank You" cards to people who refer you business. Thank them for the opportunity to service their acquaintance and to perhaps help them in the future, as well.
© 2003 The Nework Centre | email neworknz@yahoo.co.nz |
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