Networking

How You Can Dramatically Increase Your Business Networking ROI

Each year time pressed small business owners spend hundreds to thousands of dollars in the marketing activity known as networking. This activity has multiple purposes including:

To gain the attention of prospects
To expand potential prospects’ list
To build relationships with prospects
To secure referrals
Bottom line to increase sales

However, when looking at the use of resources employed to network through local chambers of commerce, professional associations or specific networking organizations such as BNI, LEADS or LeTip, the two questions that need to be asked are:
What is this traditional networking strategy delivering to me in terms of clients whether direct or indirect through these leads or referrals?
And is there another way to achieve more clients and sales using less resources?
Let’s examine the traditional networking return on investment or ROI.
A business owner joins a local chamber for $200 and then attends 1.5 hour monthly luncheon meetings at $20.00 She then spends 3 hours each month on two chamber committees. Additionally, she joined a local association for another $200 as well as a formal networking group for $700. The local association meets monthly in the evening for 1.5 hours and there is no food bill, but the networking group meets weekly for breakfast that costs $10.00 and takes 2 hours. Additionally, she spends 1 hour per week on her reports for the networking group to preparing for the other events.
When we total her time, this active and time starved business owner is devoting 18 hours each month not including drive time which could be easily add another 7 hours for a total of 25 hours. By placing $100 per hour on her time, she is investing $2,500 each month. Her monthly fixed networking costs are $60 for food and $40 for travel. When we annualize these costs combined with the annual membership fees, the total is a conservative $32,300.
Let’s also presume that her average client is worth $5,000. She would have to secure 6.5 clients each year just to break even. For this marketing strategy to demonstrate a positive return on her investment, she would need to acquire at least 7 clients. Even if she acquired 20 clients, the cost would be $1,615 per client leaving her with $3,385 gross profit per client.
Now let’s consider a non-traditional networking strategy called “Fast Pitch” or table networking. Using this strategy, the same business owner would spend 2 hours at each event along with an hour of drive time and would be guaranteed meeting 25 new prospects at each event. She attends 8 events for a total of 24 hours and meets a minimum of 150 prospects (presuming there is some duplication of attendees at each event) during the year costing her $2,400. The fee for the event averages $40 and her gas is $10.00. There is no annual membership fee saving her hundreds of dollars. When annualized, her networking costs are now a conservative $2,800. Her clients are still worth $5,000. So she needs just to acquire 2 clients to break even. If she secures just one client per event for a total of 8 clients, her acquisition cost per client would be $350 leaving her with a $4,650 gross profit.
After “doing the math,” Fast Pitch Networking or table networking appears to potentially deliver greater value and yields a dramatic return on investment. For each individual business owner, the results would vary. However, if you want to recover your networking investment, maybe it is time to consider the non-traditional, Fast Pitch, networking strategy.

Leanne helps small business owners, entrepreneurs and professionals to double performance in real time. Click here to learn how to catapult your business to the next level and sign up for a free monthly newsletter. Please feel free to contact Leanne at 219.759.5601. If you truly don’t believe doubling your results is possible, read some case studies where individuals and businesses took the risk and experienced unheard of results.
One quick question, if you could secure one new client or breakthrough that one roadbloack, what would that mean to you? Then, take a risk and give a call at 219.759.5601 to experience incredible results.

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Are You Making These Networking Mistakes?

As I’ve gone to professional meetings, and have informal
meetings with colleagues, the tenor of these times is clear.
Many independent professionals are challenged by the
downturn in the economy…and upping their marketing, and
especially networking, as they work towards increasing their
billable time.
Beware of poking a hole in your net as you increase your
networking. Make sure you don’t make these mistakes in
your zeal to sell yourself.
ASKING WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME…ON FIRST
MEETING. I watched as a young woman was
introduced to three colleagues. In a flash, she realized one
of her new acquaintances was a close personal friend of a
business owner she had been unsuccessful in selling on
her services. She quickly asked for a reference and
introduction to the business owner. When her new
acquaintance demurred, she insisted that the other woman
had to do it. “That’s what networking is all about.”
Her error? She assumed an introduction brought the right to ask for referrals from strangers. Most people won’t refer
someone they don’t know or when they don’t know a
person’s work.
INUNDATING NEW CONTACTS WITH SALES
MATERIALS. After a brief conversation at a banquet one
evening, I started getting masses of sales solicitations from
a man who obviously didn’t know me, my business, my
needs or even where I lived. Most of the solicitations were
for very expensive, multiple day seminars in eastern cities
on topics I’d never need.
His error? Assuming I’d use his services, without finding out
what I needed. And then battering me to use him. Here’s the
strange part. Some of my clients could use him. But, I’d
never refer them and subject them to his aggressive sales
methods.
ASKING WHAT YOU CAN DO FOR ME…ON EVERY
MEETING. A colleague who does complementary work
to mine will never get a referral from me. Nor will I ever use
her as a subcontractor. The cause: every time I talk with her
she asks me if I have work for her. Her request is always
delivered with a tone of voice that’s close to begging and
over the edge of whining. It’s as if when I have work, I
somehow owe her some of it.
Her error? Asking, asking, asking. Implying I have an
obligation to use her.
GETTING TOO PERSONAL. I received a “personal”
note, obviously mass produced, with my name spelled
wrong, referring to a group I’d never heard of, suggesting
how I could use the author in my business. Since then, I’ve
heard of this person from two other colleagues. They seem
impressed with his work. Even their positive experiences
aren’t enough to take the bad taste out of my mouth.
His error? Excuse me! There is something about integrity
that’s missing here. Don’t presume a relationship that
doesn’t exist. I would have rather have gotten an honest cold
call.
CALLS FROM PERFECT STRANGERS. This one
really astounded me. I got a phone call one afternoon
asking me if I were really the Pat Wiklund who had been on
Oprah twice…did she really call me to be on the show?
When I said yes, the voice on the phone identified herself,
said she was a friend of a friend, and she wanted to be on
Oprah and would I tell her the name and phone numbers of
the producers I worked with so she could get on the show. I
was dumbfounded. Although I had heard of her, I knew
nothing of her work, what she had written, and barely knew
the “friend” that had referred me to her. When I said as
much, and my policy was to only refer people when I knew
their work, she said I had to give her the names…that’s what
networking was all about.
Her error? Here goes the assumption again. I don’t think I
have an obligation to facilitate the marketing and/or career of
everyone who has just heard my name. I owe to my
contacts, and to myself, to be careful who and how I refer.
REMEMBER:a Most people won’t refer someone
they don’t know or when they don’t know a person’s work.
Referrals carry an obligation. You’re vouching for the other
person. Referrals come when colleagues know they can
trust you. They are earned, not assumed, Earn the right to
ask for a referral by establishing a relationship with
colleagues. Let them get to know you and your work.
Understand who your colleagues are, and how you can
reciprocate.

Pat Wiklund is known as the One-Person Business
Turnaround Specialist. She works with professional
services business owners so they can make more money and get
more personal satisfaction from their work. Start taking
charge of your business and your life with her One-Person
Business Tune-Up mini e-course by sending a blank email to tuneup@1PersonBusiness.com
Contact Pat at
Pat@1PersonBusiness.com

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Build Your Own MLM Prospecting System

Ok, we’ve heard it all before. “Join now and we’ll build it for you”, or “Join our downline building club and you’ll get rich”. In fact, I receive several emails per day promising some variation of these statements. I’m sure you’ve seen them too.
Let’s be completely honest. I’ve even fallen for several of these lies and scams myself, and you guessed it, not one of them made me rich.
I’ll agree, an automated system would be great, but the truth is that it will never provide a long-term successful income. You see, people want to work with people, not web sites or emails, and with a failure rate of nearly 98%, there’s no debate that something is not working as promised.
The question is what portion of the MLM Prospecting System needs to be overhauled and stream lined.
The answer is All of It!
Let me explain. You’ve probably been told to write down a list of your family and friends, order an affiliate web site, send out thousands of emails, or even waste money sending packages of flyers, booklets, audios or videos.
Don’t feel bad, I’ve tried it too, and all I accomplished by doing this was putting myself into deeper credit card debt, while my MLM Company made out like bandits by selling everyone marketing materials.
The truth hurts, but there it is. Now, what can the average person do to turn this situation into a profitable venture?
The first step is to think outside the box and be prepared to grow as a person, develop your skills, and commit yourself to success.
Now, what makes a powerful MLM Prospecting System work?
Before I disappoint you, let me just say that the most successful people in the MLM industry utilize a very simple system to build their businesses. It’s not about the Internet, computers, or guru marketing tactics. It’s much more simple than that.
There’s no magic bullet or super secret marketing tactic.
In a nutshell, your MLM Prospecting System should be built on a foundation of relationships. Web sites and emails cannot build relationships.
There are basically 5 elements to a strong MLM Prospecting System.
1. Lead Generation
2. Personal Contact
3. Presentation
4. Training
5. Mastermind Team Building
I will be detailing each of these topics in future articles, however, I want to briefly go over the basics of each element right now.
Lead generation is the basis for any MLM Prospecting System. You may have the knowledge to generate your own leads, or you can delegate this task to a reputable lead generator. You see, the one thing that successful people understand is the concept of delegating tasks. Find someone who is good at something and put them to work. It’s a win win situation.
Now, you have a lead generator that is producing hundreds, or even thousands of target market leads. What now? Simple, you personally invite them to evaluate your product or opportunity. Don’t waste your leads by sending them a generic email that they delete. Build the relationship with them and make a friend. This is not as difficult as it might seem. Always keep in mind that it should be based on their needs and not yours. If they honestly feel that you’re there to help them they will be much more receptive. People are much more attracted to a teacher than a salesman.
The presentation is where most systems fall apart. Remember, automated presentation systems do nothing when it comes to building a relationship. People not only want to hear about the company, product, and pay plan, but more importantly they need to know that they can succeed and they need to see that you have a simple, effective system in place that will help them. The key however, is not presenting to prospects one on one. The leaders are presenting to literally hundreds of people per day via a simple tool called the conference line. There is a certain skill and technique to be mastered here, but this is how large numbers are created in any MLM business.
Training is perhaps the easiest part of the MLM Prospecting system. Your goal is not to train everyone, in every aspect of the business. Keep in mind; the average person will never be a salesman or public speaker. So don’t teach them to do that. Most people are comfortable with working a job, so give them a job. Simply train them to contact your prospect list and set appointments for your “LIVE” presentation. This way they only need to learn this one skill to build a successful business. Just imagine, how fast would your downline grow if you had 100 people each inviting 2 people per day to your conference call presentation. That is how you create exponential growth. Anyone can be an appointment setter, but very few will ever master sales or public speaking, so use this to your advantage.
Finally, develop a Mastermind team. This is simply a group of 2 or more people with a common mindset. There is power in numbers and when you develop a strong Mastermind group your business will explode. Brainstorming with your team will result in a more streamlined MLM Prospecting System. Remember, you cannot do everything yourself, but as a team, you can accomplish anything.
In short, a successful MLM Prospecting System will never be based on computers or the internet. It will be based on YOU, and your ability to establish relationships, present your opportunity to large numbers, delegate simple tasks to your downline, and establish a Mastermind team effort.
The truth is that the most successful marketers in the world have been doing this for years, but they’re not teaching others how to do it for themselves. Once you start thinking like a leader, you’ll start generating the income of a leader.

Troy Berlin has been involved in small business, and home-based business operations for more than 15 years. and is currently active in home business consulting, training, and coaching. Anyone can achieve success in there own business by applying a simple, effective, and proven system. The Secret is finally revealed in a Complimentary 22 minute consultation! Learn More – http://www.MentorMindset.com

Slovakia – CELL Calling Cards

Joint Ventures For Increased Profits

It was a revelation for me to come to the conclusion
that not all marketers online are my competition.
It was a 180 degree shift in thinking which prompted
me to join up with another marketer and work together
to improve both of our profits.
Joint venture was one of the big buzzwords (phrases)
of 2005, and since I tried it for myself, I can now
understand why. Previous to doing my first Joint
venture (or JV as us marketers like to call them) I
looked at anyone who was selling anything online as
competition, someone to beat to the sale.
It was a few months ago, Joe Hebert asked me to work
with him on a project, and when we got talking,
his idea was one which I had already started but
put on the backburner, namely a membership site.
Joe had a lot of resources which I’d needed,
including a great webhosting deal, and loads of
information products to put into a membership
site. I had a domain name (monthlyinfoproducts.com)
and all the site layout, and graphics ready to go.
The reason I hadn’t gone further is because I didn’t
have the capital to add what I thought would be
enough products to the site, which my new partner
did. I also didn’t have the time to upload all
the products, my new Joint venture partner did.
My JV partner didn’t have an email list to promote
a new venture to, and didn’t have the knowledge to
get the scripts running to make the site automated.
I had those skills, and resources, so we teamed up.
In just a few days we had a new membership site
at http://www.monthlyinfoproducts.com , up
and running and taking orders. Joe took care of the
hosting and products, I took care of the design and
promoting to a warm prospect list. Together we are
making it work, where singly we had both struggled.
Now look at your own marketing, and online activities
and see if you have some way in which a joint venture
with someone could benefit your business.
Maybe you need someone who can setup a script, or
website, or you have some ideas which need a
particular talent you don’t have, you can barter
with someone else who has what you need to make a
profitable partnership which works for both of you
without paying out hard cash for it.
Don’t make the mistake I made, see everyone as a
potential partner in profit, instead of an opponent
to defeat. Start doing some joint ventures, you
won’t necessarily halve your profits, and you may
well make more by sharing the work with someone.

Douglas Titchmarsh and Joe Hebert run several sites
including http://dawghost.com ,
http://www.thediscountebookstore.com and their
joint venture http://www.monthlyinfoproducts.com

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Make Networking Events Successful for your Business – Top Ten Reasons Why You Should Attend

Make new connections, meet new people. The more people you meet, the more referrals you are likely to get and most successful businesses are built on referrals. It’s not what you know but who you know that counts …or to be more precise, it’s not even who you know, but who knows you that really counts!

Experience the networking phenomenon and get into the swing of things. It’s the cool thing to do! Networking is the “in” way to do business, whether locally or online.

Identify potential new clients & customers, and those who can refer you to them. By getting out there and talking to people you can come up with totally new ideas for potential clients, targets markets you hadn’t thought of and people who are willing to let you use their name to get you through the door.

Discover how people in other businesses are getting business, and adapt it to your own. By hearing how other people operate, you can get great ideas for changes, expansions even new directions for your own business. They don’t have to be competitors to be a source of inspiration – often they can be in completely different businesses.

Get ideas for potential joint ventures and joint venture partners. Strategic Alliances and Joint Ventures can be very successful for your business. By meeting lots of people you hear and come up with new ideas for how you can work with others, how your business can be complementary to another in a way you had not thought of before. Open you mind to alliances and you’ll be surprised how many opportunities you can find.

Find new products and services your have been looking for. Need an accountant, marketer, web designer? Need insurance, a new vehicle, a warehouse? Whatever you are looking for, if you network enough the chances are you will find someone who can provide what you’re looking for, or give you a referral to someone else who can.

Practice your 30 second introduction. Most entrepreneurs know about being able to present their business effectively in 30 seconds, but most make a miserable job of actually doing it! Develop your “Elevator Speech”, practice it, then get out there and deliver it to a few new contacts. If they immediately understand what you do and ask questions, you’ve got a winner. If not .. back to the drawing board.

Find others who’ve been in business longer and are willing to share how they did it, giving you valuable tips. Successful business people are usually secure enough to be willing to share tips as to how they got where they are. Listen and learn. There’s no point in reinventing the wheel!

Make great new friends who have the entrepreneurial spirit you love. Entrepreneurs have a very different energy. If you are truly an entrepreneur in spirit yourself, you will enjoy mixing with others who are similar.

Perfect your “mingling” skills till it become second nature. So many people say they dislike networking, but once you become a master at the art, it becomes fun. It’s just like anything else… riding a bike wasn’t much fun when you kept falling off, but once you perfected it and could go racing down hills at top speed it became a joy. Networking can be a joy too once you’re good at it (and ANYONE can become good with enough practice.)

Fiona MacKay Young is Business Startup & Career Coach.
She specializes in working with individuals who are reentering the workforce either starting their own business or job hunting. She also runs a Business Networking Organization to help both groups meet the contacts they need. She also offers workshops and presentations on all aspects of Business Networking. Visit
http://www.fiona-online.com for other free information. © Fiona MacKay Young 2005
You may copy, publish or distribute this document freely, on condition this tag line and information are included intact.

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How to Network Effectively

Networking is the single most effective way to job hunt and to increase business opportunities. Without a circle of high quality professional acquaintances, you will be severely disadvantaged throughout your career. However, building this circle requires planning and you have to continually work at it. How do you get started? Most importantly, how do you make sure you aren’t turning people off or damaging your reputation? Read on to learn the fundamentals of effective networking – what TO do and what NOT to do.
How to Start
- There’s really no single formula. However, I recommend that you start with a specific goal and timeframe. For example, decide to meet 3 new people in your field who work both in your company and in other firms over the next 6 months. Once you “program” that goal into your brain, you’ll be amazed at the number of opportunities that come your way. Sign up for seminars, attend presentations, take a class, or ask a friend to introduce you to someone. Just get going. And don’t worry about imposing – people are generally very nice and like to help each other out.
How to Get People Interested in You
- Who are you interested in networking with? Probably people who are cheerful, hard-working, well put together and well thought of, right? Well, then you need to work on being that kind of person yourself. You have to demonstrate that you are worth building a relationship with.
If you’re meeting someone for the first time, let them do most of the talking. People love to talk about themselves. Ask them about their interests, profession…whatever. First, you’ll learn pretty quickly if this person is someone you want to keep in touch with. Second, if you do ask them for their business card or contact information, they will gladly give it to you because they now look upon you very favorably as being “a good listener”. Make sure you ask for permission to contact them in the future. Don’t assume that you can. Just say something like “I’m glad we met. May I keep in touch with you?” If you’ve used the active listening approach I described, they always say “Yes” or “Of course”.
If someone isn’t interested in networking with you, just back off. Don’t bug them or try to change his or her mind. Be objective about why this is the case and try to determine if there is something about yourself that needs improvement. If they never come around, don’t worry about it. The world is a big place and there are plenty of great people out there.
Start Off Conservatively
- Wait for at least 24-48 hours to pass before getting in touch with someone after you meet them. Otherwise, they might get the impression that you’re needy or over-eager. Don’t ask for huge favors the very first time you communicate with someone, either. Networking is a give-and-take process, not a one-time event. People don’t “owe” you anything just because you were introduced or exchanged business cards.
Mind Your Manners
- What ever happened to “Please” and “Thank you”? People of all ages are violating this basic rule and it’s appalling. Use an appropriate level of formality and respectful tone. Over time you can become more relaxed but never, ever lose basic courtesy. If you’re sending an email, watch your grammar and spell check it before sending. If you’re leaving a voicemail, write it out first and practice saying it a few times. That way, it will be delivered it smoothly and naturally. Your verbal and written communication reflects who you are.
Demonstrate Respect for Process and Position
- Don’t ask people to go around their company’s internal processes or to leap over organizational levels for you. This puts them on the spot. Instead, ask them to explain what their company’s process is and who they recommend that you contact. Always, always ask for permission to use their name before doing so. This approach shows that you are a responsible and trustworthy person. And, you will ultimately get in touch with the right individual(s) through a series of personal internal referrals Trust me – this works.
Set Up a Schedule
- A preset schedule will ensure that you keep in regular contact with your networking circle. 2-3 times a year is a good guideline, unless you are working with someone on a specific project or request. Make it a convenient time for them – breakfast, coffee, lunch, or after work. Keep it to 30 minutes. If the other person wants to make it longer, let them suggest it, not you.
Keep the Conversations Productive
- Be completely professional and upbeat in your networking activities. Networking is not a vehicle for you to whine, complain, or badmouth. It’s an opportunity for you to learn from others and to help them out as well. Anybody who is a quality individual for you to know will not be interested in listening to garbage. In networking circles, word travels fast about which people to avoid. Don’t get on that list.
Be a Giver, Not a Taker
- Keep track of how many times you ask for favors. You should be giving and taking in equal measure. End each conversation with “Thanks for your time. Please tell me how I can help you.” Even if the other person says “Oh, don’t worry about it.” or “I don’t really need anything right now.” – they will always remember you as being a very unselfish and thoughtful person. I cannot stress enough how much networking is about helping others. Again, word travels fast about which people just take, take, take and never do anything for anyone else. Don’t get on that list, either.
Be on Your Best Behavior at all Times
- Not everyone is an outgoing extrovert. And we all have bad days. But the world is a small place and people have long memories. You never know who you will run into and whose assistance you will need, even if it’s years and years from now. You can never go wrong by being kind and respectful to everyone all the time.
You Must Sow Before You Reap
- Start networking NOW. Don’t wait until you need something. There is nothing more annoying than getting a phone call from someone you just met or someone who hasn’t been in touch for years (or worse yet, didn’t return your calls when you contacted them) asking for a big favor.
If you truly don’t need anyone or anything right now, then reach out to others and help them. And be sincere about it. Develop the reputation for being someone who helps others. Not only is it the right thing to do, but by doing so, you will build up a “bank” of goodwill that you can easily tap into when you really need it. Believe me, that day will come and when it does, you’ll be amazed at the outpouring of assistance you’ll get.
Protect Your Good Name and Reputation
- Don’t feel obligated to let just anyone into your personal network. Be especially careful if you have any doubts about how a person’s behavior will reflect upon you, even if you’ve known this person since childhood or if she is your second cousin. It can take someone less than 5 minutes to ruin the good reputation you’ve spent years and years building.
Don’t blow the person off. Return the phone call and listen to the request with respect. Then simply say “I wish I could help you out. Unfortunately, I’m not in a position right now to be of assistance. If things change, I’ll certainly get in touch with you.” Leave it at that.

Dee Piziak is a manager for a Fortune 500 company and a university instructor. Her consulting firm, Acadia Communications, specializes in professional coaching, career development, and resume writing. Visit her website at http://www.acadiacommunications.com

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Too Polite Won?t Work – This is Business Networking

Following social rules for politeness does not get us what we want in business. Hand in hand with rules for polite communication, must be the rules for when to change those rules to suit the situation. Business manners are different than social behaviours.
Waiting until someone asks us about what we do, rather than proudly talking about what we do to make our living, might be polite, but when we attend a networking function, we want to build a network of people with whom we can do business. Too polite is unproductive. Confidently telling others what we do, how well we do it and what we want to grow our business is more likely to bring the business we desire.
When Networking:
Come prepared with business cards, flyers, brochures etc.
Know what makes a great referral to you and tell others.
Speak about your skills and successes.
Ask for the type of business referrals you want.
Use “I want…” messages.
Move about the room.
Do not chat with the people from your own company.
Offer your business card and promotional material.
Be prepared to talk about your fees and charges.
Leave your fear of rejection at home.
I joined the Chamber of Commerce to assist me in my business networking. Chamber referrals have been a major contributor to my business success. I use Chamber member’s services for my needs and provide service to members and their associates, friends and families. Everyone knows someone who knows someone who needs our services.

Marilyn Barnicke Belleghem M.Ed., is a registered marriage and family therapist with a private practice in Burlington Ontario Canada and author of books on personal growth through travel. Questing Marilyn: In Search of My Holy Grail (Quest Publishing Canada 2003) takes the reader through sacred and historic sites in England and Ireland and involves the search for the authentic adult Self. It explores: “Who can I be when I am free to be my Self?” Questing France: Deepening the Search for My Holy Grail (2005) is the process of holding onto the Self when in a marriage relationship. It explores flirtations, infidelity, qualities of a functional marriage as well as parenting children through marital conflict. Questing France explores the questions: “Can I be me when I am with you?” and “Why do people stay in a marriage after an affair?” http://www.questpublishing.ca

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Networking for Success

Networking is an art form practiced by many, mastered by few. Like anything, practice makes perfect. Owning my own company, I get to practice a lot.
My favorite networking example is from the movie, For Love of Money. There is a classic scene where Michael J. Fox, who plays a hotel concierge, ducks into a helicopter owned by a man named Chuck. The helicopter pilot says to Fox, “How do you know Chuck?” Fox says, “I don’t know Chuck. But I know Eddie Shackner. Eddie knows Jerry Levine. Jerry knows George Spitzer. George knows Chuck.” The pilot replies, “Small world.” Really!
In its simplest form, networking is about building a strong web of relationships. Below are some essential tips for successful networking whether your goal is to build your business or simply to establish new professional relationships or friendships.
DO:
• Bring business cards wherever you go. They are the “currency of networking.”
• Have a 30 second elevator speech and practice it. Does it sound interesting to you? If not, it won’t be interesting to anyone else!
• Schedule time on your calendar for ongoing networking. Attend association meetings, chamber meetings, business seminars, luncheon programs and other appropriate networking venues. (See the business calendar in your local newspaper for other ideas.)
• Set a goal to meet at least one new person at each networking meeting you attend. Remember, it’s quality, not quantity that you are looking for here.
• Ask for business cards. Be sure to note the date on the front and the time, location of where you met and any other relevant information on the back.
• Follow-up new contacts within one week. Schedule a coffee/ lunch or send notes, e-mails, articles or other items periodically to maintain the connection.
DON’T:
• Sit with your buddies. You can talk to them anytime!
• Arrive late. You don’t want to be competing with the speaker or food service for attention!
• Do all the talking. When you speak, you push people away, but when you listen, you draw them in to you.
• Be insincere. If you are not interested in someone, politely move on.
• Collect a business card from every person. Collect cards only from those you plan to follow-up with. It’s quality not quantity that counts!
On a final note, remember that networking is not about what you get out of a relationship; it’s about what you give. And, as the saying goes, the rest will follow.

Regina Barr is a business consultant with a passion for helping companies develop their full potential by focusing on their most valuable asset: their people. For more information on her programs and services, check out her website, http://www.RedLadder.com and sign up for her free email newsletter, Developing People…Inspiring Success.

Ukraine – Lvov Calling Cards

Networking Magic Cures Your Marketing Problems and Other Bizarre Online Social Networking Tools

What if you could network while you sleep or at work? Linked In allows you to network online, complementing your existing online presence.
Word of mouth alone is ineffective unless you give it a push through such means as effective promotional materials, testimonials and access to a large group of your potential customers. All of these items can be provided through Linked In and they’re all free.
Tatsuya Nakagawa of Atomica Creative Group is a strong advocate of LinkedIn and was the one who got me excited about it. Here are his top five reasons to use LinkedIn:
• Networking presence 24 hours per day.
• You build relationships faster.
• Using the “six degrees of separation” theory, you could theoretically have access to hundreds of thousands of people through your existing contacts.
• You only get contacts from trusted sources.
• Linked in is also an effective contact management tool. (Contact info, business description and brief bio in an online database.)
There are 60+ social networking sites out there. He tried 11 of them and narrowed it down to 3, and he is currently using 1. “Bottom line: most of the sites are too social and not business. There are however some special interest group sites that are doing well.” With a free tool called “LinkedIn” (www.linkedin.com) you can market yourself and network 24/7. You may also get in touch with Mr. Nakagawa at www.atomicacreative.com.
I joined this organization which we are promoting since 8 months ago. I never really thought the power of this business tool. Until recently I read Mark Victor Hansen’s and Robert Allen’s Cracking the Millionaire Code book. They talked about codes and one of these codes is “Angel Code.” It talked about people who are able to help us achieve our vision and mission. They also discussed about the “small world phenomenon” and instead of using 6 degrees of separation, they reclassify the term to 6 degrees of connection.
This means that we’re only 6 degrees away from anyone in the world. This is the concept behind these online social networking tools. Although, one of my friends told me, that in one of their workshops, there were only 50 participants and their discovery was that most of them are only 2 degrees away from either Bill Gates or Ophrah! Amazing isn’t it?!? She also told me that when you do the 6 degrees mathematics it will exceed the population of the world….hmnn…..mind blowing information. All I want to say is, isn’t it amazing how technology work? Lastly, your network equals your net worth.

Lourdes is an Infopreneur and has been using LinkedIn for almost a year now. You may view her web presence at these sites:

http://www.speakingwithlourdes.com

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Business Networking – a Short Story

Here is a short story about one person’s Business Networking success.
Not so long ago there was a wonderful guy named David Mahoney. An Irish-Catholic kid from the streets of the Bronx. He set his goal at being great success in the advertising business. After working his way through business school he went to New York’s biggest ad agency, figuratively flashed his sheepskin and asked for a job. They smiled and said the only job they had available wasn’t for a B-school grad. It was in the mail rooom. “I’ll take it,” he said.
He made sure the job of delivering mail put him in touch with virtually every person, high and low, in the company. He learned a lot by observing how the creative people worked and, frankly, reading their mail.
That took care of business networking on the job. But what about after hours? How do you meet the right people?
Well, Mahoney’s idea was simple: go where the movers and shakers liked to go. Then as now one of the top watering holes in New York was the restaurant “21.” Mahoney would put a sharp crease in his trousers and several nights a week station himself at the bar of “21,” carefully nursing a drink so as not to spend money he didn’t have. Before long, many of the movers and shakers started buying him drinks, and dinner. He was probably the only mail clerk the bar at “21″ had ever known.
Within two and a half years young David Mahoney was the youngest vice president of the ad agency. He went on to become the CEO of several of the great American corporations.
It’s called business networking, folks. Career success networking. It means sticking your neck out and going where most success hungry people fear to tread. Right into the ranks of the movers and shakers.

Richard Riley Conarroe is the author of Success Simplified, the book that tells you how to win maximum success in your job–and in your life. The book is not just about financial success or job satisfaction. It deals with a world of elusive dynamics most people fail to consider or apply. Learn more at http://www.success-simplified.net

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