| |
| |
|
Networking Information |
|
|
|
Building Business Relationships in a Roomful of Strangers
You approach a stranger at an association meeting or industry conference with you arm outstretched and say: "Hi. My name is?.." And you're off and running. There's an art to successful networking and business development. Rather than just exchange pleasantries you can gather information, gain allies, and explore potential opportunities. Here are ten tips to help you connect with people immediately, develop meaningful conversations and move on to profitable relationships.
On the get list put what you want to find, understand or learn more about. Maybe it's connections into xyz company, or where to get inexpensive office supplies, or recommendation for the best Mexican restaurant in town. On your give list put your ideas, areas of expertise, hobbies, people you know, ideas for weekend jaunts with kids, your experience on developing a company website or a great article on bringing down the cost of doing business, etc. Going into a room with a prepared agenda---information you want to get and information you are happy to give---provides a focus for your networking and a direction for your conversations. "I'll send you that article tomorrow." Marcia Zidle, the 'people smarts' coach, works with business leaders to quickly solve their people management headaches so they can concentrate on their #1 job to grow and increase profits. She offers free help through Leadership Briefing, a weekly e-newsletter with practical tips on leadership style, employee motivation, recruitment and retention and relationship management. Subscribe by going to http://leadershiphooks.com/ and get the bonus report "61 Leadership Time Savers and Life Savers". Marcia is the author of the What Really Works Handbooks resources for managers on the front line and the Power-by-the-Hour programs fast, convenient, real life, affordable courses for leadership and staff development. She is available for media interviews, conference presentations and panel discussions on the hottest issues affecting the workplace today. Contact Marcia at 800-971-7619.
MORE RESOURCES:
Networking - Google News |
|
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Alliances: More Than A One Way Relationship What is the biggest advantage of forming an alliance?Everyone has their own definition of an alliance. I had a potential alliance with a person that was starting his own business. Acknowledging Referrals! What's in It For You? I grew up in a household where saying thank you was a code of behavior that was absolutely essential. There were simply no exceptions. Increase Your Sales by 30% Using Internet Collaboration Networks Small businesses are really excluded from the global economySmall businesses from many different industries, both traditional and hi-tech, have discovered a new way for them to succeed in the "global economy".It involves collaboration on large proposals, R&D and fulfilment of orders assisted by relatively low cost, virtual collaboration technology. The 4 Actions of Awesome Hospitality These Actions of Awesome Hospitality? will help you manifest the power of approachability through your organizational front porches.AWESOME ACTION #1: Go Beyond the Door My friend, Pastor Bob Farr of the St. Unforgettable First Impressions Part 4: Become a Social Gift Giver Do you ever wonder why single people give flowers, wine, candy or mix CD's on first dates?Bingo! Because they want to get lucky!Just kidding. They bring gifts because they want make a great first impression. 8 Ways To Develop Confidence In New Situations Do you enjoy one-on-one networking, however, the thought of walking into room full of people you don't know horrifies you? You're not alone. Yes, even a social butterfly, President of the Social Committee in High School and avid networker knows how you feel. How to be Known Why business relationships are formed with certain people?If you go to a networking meeting and look around the room, can you tell which individuals you would like to converse with? It is likely you will gravitate towards those that are engaged in conversations and have an enthusiasm about them. If you see people sitting around looking like wall flowers, you will not be as likely to find out more about them. Work that Room, Baby! Networking, schmoozing, making connections. Call it what you want, it's something that is a necessity if you want to do business today. Follow-Up with Your Contacts What happens when you meet a potential client at an event and you do not follow up?So now the event is over and you have collected a number of business cards, taken notes on the best prospects, divided the cards into Y(es), N(o), and M(aybe), now what? It is time to follow up. The best follow-up is immediate - they will remember you best if you go home that night and enter their information into your database and send a personal email or hand-written note. Ask for What YOU Want and Gain More Business Why ask others for help and what do you gain from it?What does asking for help have to do with creating business relationships and making announcements? It has everything to do with it. You have made announcements, donated items, created an awareness of who you are and what you do. Mary Kay Ash Did It Best... (The Networking Factor) "The Networking Factor, Everyone is important!" This slogan reminds me of another personal credo by one of the country's greatest motivators.. Unforgettable First Impressions Part 2: Its All About Them! Jean de la Bruyere said, "The great gift of conversation lies less in displaying it ourselves than in drawing it out of others. He who leaves your company pleased with himself and his own cleverness is perfectly well pleased with you. Joining Industry Specific Organizations Has Many Benefits Recently, while providing an up-and-coming Virtual Assistant (VA) and small business owner with some start-up information, she asked me a very interesting question, "Why do you and other VA's join organizations?"I guess I take for granted the reasons why I belong to several industry specific organizations. But, to those that are new to any industry, joining an organization made up of your competitors is a valid concern. Why Arent You Talking to Me? Your nonverbal communication talks before you do. Only seven percent of interpersonal communication is transmitted verbally-the remaining ninety-three percent speaks for itself. Franchisees Should Learn From Each Other If you own a franchise you should be in contact with your nearest franchisees and share information as if you were the manager of a corporate store. You should set up meetings once or twice per month and have their phone numbers logged into your speed dial for easy reference. 7 Step Plan To Get Going With Networking Whether you're an introvert or an extrovert, feel like you have the gift of gab or just don't know how to make small talk, networking know-how is very important for your business success. There is a notion in business that I believe most of us subscribe to that says "all things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to those they know, like and trust. How to Make the Most of Those First 30 Seconds Did you just meet the most important person in your career/business? Tongue tied and not sure what to do about it? With advance planning and creative thinking you can be confident you will know how to handle this situation should the opportunity present itself.We all have had the juncture when we run into someone that we have really wanted to meet. The 7 Habits of Highly Horrible Networkers Networking is a term that didn't exist (academically) until almost 40 years ago. It's a word uttered in and around the business world every day, yet is unclear to most as to how it actually works. Sharpen Your Business Networking Skill To Grow Your Small Business Most people become lax at maintaining their professional business network when they've worked with a company a while. With the constant rounds of mass layoffs, having a dead or outdated business network can mean business suicide to even the most skilled expert. Practice Makes Pefect What is the problem when people try to describe what they do and they stumble over their words and never consistently repeat the same message?Have you ever gone to a networking event and the person next to you is trying to describe what they do and they keep miscuing the words? This happens so often at these events. The major problem, besides focus, is the fact that they have not practiced their spiel.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2006 |
