As I move closer to any new year, I always have a tendency to self-reflect and ask the following question –
What can I do to create a bigger impact in how I network, and at the same time, support the networking efforts of others.
Listed below are some suggestions you might consider paying attention to.
Here are my 15 top suggestions for greater networking success in 2014
1. Invest more TIME with people (do 121’s with the people you are meeting The biggest investment you will make in building relationships and building your business is TIME. Simply stated, the more you know and understand others, the more likely that relationship will flourish.
2. Become PURPOSE driven – If relationships are going to be at the fore-front of your networking activities, then you first have to strengthen your relationship with self. Self-reflection, reason for being, purpose driven and vision is an important part of that process. If you don’t take the time to sit back and work on yourself, who will?
3. Create unparalleled VISIBILITY – The bottom line for more business in 2014 is simply becoming more visible. That means getting targeted with face to face and on-line social networks. While Facebook is a cool place to hang out, consider strengthening your profile and connection base on such sites as LinkedIn & Twitter to make more of a professional impact worldwide. Also, take a closer look at the micro sites that are more geographic to the area where you are marketing your services and creating impact.
4. Develop relationship strategies – Everyone talks about relationships. Now you can do something about it. A relationship strategy is anything that you can do that adds value to others. Strategies put you in command and control of your relationship mindset. Don’t just talk about it. Do something about it. Develop your strategies today.
5. Relentlessly Follow-Up – –Think about some of the recent networking events you attended and ask yourself the following questions:
a/ From the 10-15 people you might of met, how many actually followed up with you by sending a note in the mail, an e-mail, or a phone call and said – “What a pleasure it was meeting you at the recent any-town Chamber of Commerce event”?
b/ In fact, ask yourself the same question – How many did you actually follow up with a note, an e-mail, or even a phone call?
See what I mean? I told you so. Nobody is following up with anybody.
6. Be in a hurry – The biggest driving force in our country and in fact the world continues to be speed. People want what they want. And they want it NOW!
Take the moment and dance with it. Don’t wait to get better connected. And don’t wait to provide the support that’s needed now by the many people your meeting.
7. Find ways to become more useful and resourceful to others – Simply stated, whatever you have done to satisfy anyone yesterday, it won’t be enough to satisfy them tomorrow. I want to suggest that you immediately look for no less than 6 ways that you can become more useful and resourceful to others. Let me give you a hint. Keep meeting people. The more people you know that know what to do next, and know how to get things done, the more useful and resource you will be.
8. Increase your frequency of interaction – Increased interaction brings increased cooperation with others. Too many times people fail to follow up with people after their meeting. If you can get up to 6 interactions with anyone, it’s likely you’ll have a good beginning for a relationship that will never end. See my suggestion # 5 for more comments to support this suggestion.
9. Share your referral club experience –They’re are many people in business today that are not happy with the amount of business they are doing, the amount of profits they are earning, and the amount of sales they are making.
That’s the very reason why business referral groups like Gold Star, BNI, and LeTips are achieving the success their having.
When you find a group of dedicated business professionals that meet weekly in a structured agenda, with the sole purpose of building relationships, and passing referral to one another, it’s a sure win.
10. Connect the Dots as often as you can (making the most from the Small World Phenomena) – When was the last time you heard that infamous expression – It’s such a Small World Isn’t It? – Keep in mind that the power in your networking efforts is always in the connection.
Did you know that the connection between you and the people your meeting, is never between you and the people your meeting? It’s between you, them, and something else that you have in common.
11. Increase the rewardingness – If you want people to act the way you want them to act, you have to increase the rewards of being and doing business with you. Whether it’s knowing more people, becoming a better listener, or even just putting in a toll free number to reach you, people will always respond to something they like and appreciate. Keep the rewards coming.
12. Take the Joy of Interaction to higher levels – Let’s face it. The reason why you love this thing called networking is clearly because of what I call – The Joy of Interaction. Isn’t it fun? I didn’t say it was productive. I just said its fun. So when you’re out interacting with others, consider bringing the following characteristics to the table – fun, excitement, passion, creativity, dependability, responsibility and support.
13. Go after the relationship, not just the sale – This is the very reason why most people find networking so in-effective. There going after the sale. When looking to build your business, think relationship first.
14. Don’t manage people (manage the system) – Systems build business and are more predictable and reliable. In a networking environment, it’s very difficult to get people to do what you want them to do, and if you could, it would have to be with their own willingness to get it done. My suggestion is that you stick to a predictable system that works every time.
15. Listen three times as much – When you speak, you learn what you know. When you listen, you learn what others know. The power has always been in the listening. Here’s a good question you should ask yourself – When was the last time anyone said – Thanks for taking the time to listen? If it’s been while, go back to work and become a great listener.
In fact, great listeners, have great connections.
So when all is said and done, Stay focused.
Challenge your thinking and underlying beliefs, be more strategic, go after the relationship, connect the dots, make the connection, and always take the moment and dance with it.
Republished with permission from http://ronsukenick.com/networking/making-networking-efforts-move-year-2014/#.UxVLinNeuPc
