| |
| |
|
Networking Information |
|
|
|
Increasing the ROI on Your Networking
Networking requires an investment of time, money and effort. Here are four ways to be sure your return on that investment is worthwhile. Decide what you want Why are your attending networking events? Are you looking for a new job? More business? Social contacts in a new home town? Whatever your purpose, stay focused on it, or things can slide into just another long lunch. Attend the right event If you are, say, a graphic designed looking for clients, why spend your time at an event for graphic designers? OK, you might be able to pick up some overload business from some designer who is super busy, but that's a very small poor to fish in. You'd be much better off mixing with folks from businesses who use design work. Seems obvious, but it's surprising how many people make this mistake. Talk to the right people Don't spend your valuable networking time chatting to people you already know, who ar not in your traget group. It's tempting, of course, because it's easy and fun-but it's not networking! Look for new people and make the effort to meet and greet them. Keep track of your results Every month or so, track back through your networking opportunities. Who did you meet? Where did you meet them? How did they fit with your reasons for being there? Did anyone help you achieve your objective? Of course, you'll also meet people who are pleasant additions to your social circle, some of whom may even become friends. Do include them in your success picture, but if you find you make more casual acquaintances than the people you are there to meet, you may need to change your networking activites so that they bring you a higher Return On Investment. Helen Wilkie is a professional keynote speaker, workshop leader and author specializing in applied communication, including networking. Read more articles on this and other communication subjects on her website at http://www.mhwcom.com Subscribe to Helen's free monthly e-zine, "Communi-keys", and get your free 40-page e-book, 23 ideas you can use RIGHT NOW to communicate and succeed in your business career!
MORE RESOURCES:
Google News |
 |
|
|
RELATED ARTICLES
Building Great Business Relationships If you're in a business relationship with anyone - a client, vendor, or customer - how important is that relationship to you? Do you value the relationship? Do you want to nurture it?A business relationship, like any relationship, is a two-way street. The expectations of both parties needs be clear and easily understandable. Sticky Situations: Nametag Best Practices Because a person's name is the single context of human memory most apt to be forgotten; because self-disclosure is the single most effective way to build rapport and connect with people you just met; and because initiating the conversation is half the battle - your nametag is your best friend.However, improper creation and wearing of nametags can work against you (and your business) if you're not careful. 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.. How NOT to Waste Your Time Networking Ever wonder if networking, referral groups, and conferences are a waste of your time? Think about it?how many hours do you invest in deciding where to network, registering, getting there, "working the room," and then following up? How much real business do you generate from your networking efforts? How do you know where to invest and where to cut your losses?If you're not thinking critically about how (or if!) to network, I guarantee that you're wasting a lot of time and money. Bonnie Lowe recently interviewed me for her upcoming e-book: Networkaholics Revealed! True Confessions of People Who Networked Their Way To Success (And How You Can Do the Same). A New LinkedIn Discussion Forum for High Power Dealmakers For those of you interested in international business transactions or the business networking organization, LinkedIn, a new Yahoo groups discussion forum has been created. Several Yahoo discussion groups already exist on the uses and preferences concerning LinkedIn, such as the Yahoo Group forum called MyLinkedin Power Forum (MLPF), but the messages on that forum were biased. Five Best Ways To Build A Network I have been working from home on the internet for over 3 years now. 18 months of that was spent trying out various different programs trying to find things that would work for me and this done nothing more than cost me thousands of dollars and also caused me to neglect my family friends and my health, as a result I then took a break from internet marketing and got my life in order. Alcohol & Events Many people associate alcohol with relaxation and fun, so it is an important ingredient for a successful event. However, it can be a problem and too much alcohol can cause a great deal of trouble. Is The Company You Keep Hurting Your Business? When you look at your friends, it's like looking into a mirror. Take the sum of characteristics of the five people you spend most of your time with and you will be the average of that sum. Networking Group Loyalty Requirements How can you find out the group loyalty requirements before you venture forth?Many groups have loyalty requirements in order to make sure that the leads you generate are exclusively for the members of the group. It is important that you make sure you know everything about the group before you join, and loyalty requirements can put a damper on other activities you have planned. Make Money on the Internet - The Lifestyle Advantages of Professional Marketers Some of the most successful businesses in existence today started in a box room, bedroom or garage. It isn't how you start out to make money at home that is important. Mobile Car Wash Companies; Trading Tips If you run a mobile car washing firm we recommend trading for as many products and services as possible. You should trade for both personal and business items. 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. Defining a Quality Networking Group When it comes to quality, how do you choose the group that matches your expectations?Defining a quality group is not as easy as it looks. You first need to conduct the research into meetings, type of attendance etc. The Promotion Factor: Seven Strategies to Promote Yourself and Your Business by Playing Golf Effective business promotion is more powerful than advertising. Using golf is one the best ways to increase your business and personal success. The Power of Word of Mouth Most of us remember the commercial that said, "I told two friends, and they told two friends, and so on, and so on, and?", well you get the picture. This commercial, which represented Breck Hair Shampoo, ran so many times that even I remember who the commercial represented. What a Leads Exchange Group can do for You What is the definition of a leads exchange and how does it differ from other groups?So what is a leads exchange? A leads exchange comes in several flavors; first the exchange usually has exclusivity restrictions so that you remain loyal to only one group. This way the printer and the chiropractor that belong to this group will only think of you for a particular service or product. Community Involvement Networking It is important for you to join at least one service club in your area to help your small business in the community. It might be wise to get with other small businesses which are friends and figure out how each of you can join a different service club to maximize your word of mouth referral base in the community. 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. 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. Write It Down! Why would you want to write information on paper when you have a business card in hand?Putting it on paper can mean a number of things. It can simply mean putting notes on the back of someone's business card, or it can mean to take extensive notes in a notebook.
|
| home | site map |
| © 2007 |
