A colleague, who is trying to get a networking group off the ground, called me this week lamenting, with great frustration, the fact that people “just don’t know how to network!!”
I tend to agree.
But given that, even in good economic times, one is hard pressed to find professionals who really “get” the give and take, long term nature of real business networking, I think the issue is compounded by the simple fact that for many, well…… business kinda sucks right now. That desperation leads to desperate networking.
Don’t let this happen to you! Here are a few good ways to avoiding being that Desperate Networker:
• Go for the Right Reasons – No one goes to a networking event to buy anything. Let me say that again, because it’s important. NO ONE GOES TO A NETWORKING EVENT TO BUY ANYTHING! I promise! Make sure you’re not going to sell anything! Instead, go to NETWORK…(which is a great segway to my next point!)
• Know the Difference – Networking is not selling! Networking is the conscience decision to commit to a long term business relationship of give and take. It’s helping your networking partner as much as yourself. It’s not passing out a bunch of business cards and then never contacting anyone you have met again.
• Listen – You learn a lot when you listen to other people! You learn how to help them, with whom to put them in contact, and if they might be a great networking partner for you. Your mother told you why you have two ears and one mouth – a networking event is a great time to employ her sage advice!
• F/U – Those of you who are members of The Power Lunch Project or who have attended TPLP events know that I say it at every event. If you don’t plan on following up, don’t bother showing up! After an event, don’t forget to drop an email to the new contacts you have made. Reintroduce yourself. Ask for a lunch or coffee networking session from those you feel would make good networking partners. Offer to introduce your contact to people you know who might be able to help them. Stay in contact often and meaningfully, without being annoying!
Yes, things are tough out there, but desperate networking is counterproductive to the growth of you business.
And for those of you who would like to meet other professionals who “get” the business networking process, or you want to learn how to be a better networker, (here comes the plug!) check out The Power Lunch Project at http://www.ThePowerLunchProject! We will set you up to network over lunch or coffee with any number of our 70 networkers from a variety of business categories!
You may also want to check out The Power Lunch Project’s first annual Networking Boot Camp as well and get your networking skills up to snuff! Check it our here - http://networkingbootcamp2010.eventbrite.com
Please feel free to share your anti-desperate networking tips!
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Sunday, August 1, 2010
It Ain’t All About You! (or The Best Mindset for Effective Business Networking)
That’s right! Business networking is not all about you or your business – at least not in the “networking event” stage of things. Honestly, most people you meet at a networking event don’t even care very much about what you do! (Really, they don’t!)
In fact, most people at a networking event care about what YOU can do for THEM. So why not use other professionals’ bad networking mindset to your advantage, by becoming a problem solver (and essentially, being a good networker!). Ask not what your potential networking partners can do for you – ask what you can do for them!
Here’s how:
• Ask the Right Questions – After the pleasantries of “What do you do?”, be sure to ask “Who can I put you in contact with?” and “How can I help you?”, then…..
• Listen – You can’t help anyone unless you truly listen to what their answers are to the above questions.
• Follow Up – After the event, make sure you do what you say you were going to do! If you promised to introduce someone to one of your associates, or make a phone call to schedule a lunch meeting – do so!
• Be Authentic – Don’t just connect, engage! Engagement = Nurturing = Great Networking Relationship! (For more about authentic networking, check out http://smartketingreflections.blogspot.com/search?q=atp)
How does helping others help you? Simple! You become an important resource and go-to person, which in turn builds up those business relationships that create the foundation for success – both yours and those you help!
*Shameless Plug for The Power Lunch Project Ahead!*
The Power Lunch Project can help set you up with networkers that understand and appreciate the correct mindset of business networking and are willing to assist others, as much as themselves! Check us out at http://www.ThePowerLunchProject.com for more information about how to participate!