"What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"
This was the response I received from one of my clients when I suggested that she needed to get out there and promote herself. She had to "network".
The Oxford English Dictionary defines networking as "interacting with others to exchange information and develop useful contacts."
This is how I see it. It's not about "selling yourself" but about an exchange of information with like-minded people.
Say to yourself, "I am going to do research. I am going to discover what other people are doing, how they are doing it, and why."
Don't regard meeting someone as a confrontation. Don't get up tight. Use lines such as, "I am really interested in you and how you have succeeded in your business."
One thing is guaranteed. The more difficult you make networking, the less success you will have with it. Approach it with a sense of ease. Have fun! You might actually enjoy it!
The same client complained, "I never get any business from these networking events. Surely if anyone is interested they would come to me?"
But why should they? What are you doing to create interest in your business? You have to engage them in conversation, ask them questions, and exchange information.
If you come from a space of enquiry, it will be much easier for people to respond to you. The conversation becomes a discussion where you are comparing and contrasting your businesses. You might talk about your staff, or your sales. Try to find some common ground.
At the end of the conversation, exchange business cards. But don't leave it at that. This is the key to future success. Write notes on the back of the card to remind you of relevant points. If you discover a synergy, follow through.
Make contact within the next two weeks, preferably by email first, and then by telephone. Arrange to have a coffee with them. Develop a business relationship.
When I chair meetings I often set the group a task. I challenge the participants to collect five new business cards from one another. Set yourself similar goals. Be bold! Be empowered by your ability to communicate!
Through doing just this Kool Results has joined the International Virtual Women's Chamber of Commerce. Online I can network with women all over the globe. By taking the first step along the road you too could be flying ? virtually or otherwise - around the world.
Julianne Kuhlmann, founder of Kool Results Coaching, offers Leadership Coaching and Consulting services that are tailored to meet the personal and professional development needs of leaders and leadership teams. Julianne provides individual and team leadership coaching, as well as a variety of workshops on leadership development. Contact Julianne at info@koolresults.com.au, and visit http://www.koolresults.com.au
Let's test your knowledge on networking:1)The best definition of networking... Read More
A value-added network can be achieved through explicit actions to... Read More
Although, this is about giving the gift of your name... Read More
Ah, the personal touch that continues to make a big... Read More
When it comes to quality, how do you choose the... Read More
Douglas Wilder, former Governor of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and... Read More
Networking is one of the most important skills a person... Read More
Sigmund Freud says "a person's name is the single context... Read More
It is important for you to join at least one... Read More
The New Guy is a person we all know. And... Read More
Today's economy presents some very special challenges to people who... Read More
Why the business card grab is not why you are... Read More
"It's not what you know, it's who you know."This old... Read More
In the workplace - and when dealing with workplace matters... Read More
Network marketing is the ordinary person's best opportunity to make... Read More
Know your customer, know your customer, know your customer. Three... Read More
You can generate a ton of business by networking, whether... Read More
Hospitality relates to the Latin term philoxenia, or "the love... Read More
One of the best ways to get business is through... Read More
Are you tired of prospecting for new business?Are you sick... Read More
Good manners, good networking and good business all have the... Read More
Can we agree about the meaning of networking? I don't... Read More
Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it... Read More
Who needs a network of people to talk to about... Read More
What is the biggest advantage of forming an alliance?Everyone has... Read More
Just yesterday I received an email from a colleague telling... Read More
A day in the life of every businessperson is made... Read More
Networking requires an investment of time, money and effort. Here... Read More
Why business relationships are formed with certain people?If you go... Read More
For those of you interested in international business transactions or... Read More
Online networking has opened up some fantastic business opportunities for... Read More
It's a classic mistake by networkers: their approach is focused... Read More
Ever use someone else to get your message out?For example,... Read More
With at least 60% of job-seekers finding employment through networking,... Read More
Networking is a term that didn't exist (academically) until almost... Read More
Good manners, good networking and good business all have the... Read More
Think about the last time you feel asleep behind the... Read More
What is the biggest advantage of forming an alliance?Everyone has... Read More
Do you ever wonder why single people give flowers, wine,... Read More
How does one determine which are the best events to... Read More
Breaking into conversational groups is one of the things people... Read More
If you own a franchise you should be in contact... Read More
Quote of the week"The answer is always no...unless you ask."... Read More
"Fear not to entertain strangers for by so doing some... Read More
Why would I pick this group over another group?How many... Read More
Most of us remember the commercial that said, "I told... Read More
Networking, schmoozing, making connections. Call it what you want, it's... Read More
Why is a network meeting the best place to get... Read More
If you're new to the internet marketing club, you may... Read More
Online networking has opened up some fantastic business opportunities for... Read More
People like others whom they are like. So if you... Read More
Right here in Europe, the very last continent to enter... Read More
The most important reasons people exhibit at a trade show?... Read More
I bet you have not thought about it much, but... Read More
You only have three seconds?Connect in under a minute?People decide... Read More
Networking, even to a seasoned professional, can seem intimidating or... Read More
"What me? Sell myself? You have to be joking!"This was... Read More
Some of the most successful businesses in existence today started... Read More
In recent weeks, I've had the opportunity to pass along... Read More
Do not destroy all your positive displacement and high energy... Read More
Recently I was interviewed for a book on networking. My... Read More
Many workers think that their hard work will speak for... Read More
Generating new business leads is critical in your success, no... Read More
Do you enjoy one-on-one networking, however, the thought of walking... Read More
Did you know that contacts are the bread of career... Read More
Most people become lax at maintaining their professional business network... Read More
Networking |