STAYSUCCESSFUL

The Six FUNdamentals of netWORKing

(1) Farming vs. Hunting

Your rolodex is your most important business asset. Who you know is not as important as what you know about who you know. Categorizing your contacts and organizing your word-of-mouth (networking) plan creates the opportunity for the development of profitable relationships.

(2) Less is More

Verbal vomit is the worst thing you can do to another professional, and certainly is not a good way to start a new business relationship. Please don't assume that people you meet at events want to know everything about you, or your business. Time is of the essence, so get to the point quickly, and strategically, through a focused, targeted business message that builds attraction to you and your business.

(3) Investment AND Involvement

Business professionals commonly take the either-or approach to decision-making about marketing and/or involvement. You've made the membership investment into an organization (or several), but are you involved in the organization to a level high enough to create opportunity? Hint: sending your application & check, or simply attending a breakfast or lunch or committee meeting (once) does not mean you're involved. Maximizing your participation in business organizations of different types is the starting point to building the VCP Method, according to Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder & Chairman of BNI (http://www.bni.com/). A business and professional must be visible to become credible, which leads them to profitable with involvement, thus VCP.

(4) Perfect Practice Makes Perfect Business

Sports teams practice. Doctors practice. Attorneys practice. Do you? How well you practice your business, including how well you prepare and present, reflects upon YOU. A team that does not practice, or practice well - does not play well. Same holds true in business. If you practice your communication, practice your pitch, practice your networking, practice your sales & marketing tactics, you'll soon realize that perfect practice, makes perfect business.

(5) CARE!

Sounds simple, right? Wrong! Let's talk about customer service. If you're like most, your brain just shut off. Do we really have to tell you to care more than anyone else, care more than your competition, care more than your neighbor, care more than your colleague, and care more than your partner or company? YES - obviously we do, and if you don't believe me, reflect upon your last experience where someone, anyone, went out of their way to show you how much they care, just because.... 'nough said. Care more than anyone else, everyday, and make it your habit to give more, coach more, forgive more, and share more. See what happens and let me know. I look forward to hearing from you, IF YOU CARE ENOUGH TO SHARE!

(6) How Can I Help You?

These are simply the 5 most powerful words in business networking, and in life. No alterior motive, no hidden agenda, just straight talk and committed action. Try it! Ask your best friend, your wife, your parents, your colleagues, your customers, your prospective customers, your vendors, your suppliers, your neighbors, your worst enemy - how can I help you? Don't be alarmed if at first they don't get what you're asking, because nobody ever does with sincerity, or rarely anyway. Explain that your goal is to help them with whatever they need, and if they can't think of it right now, fine... request that they let you know when they have something, and follow-up so they know you're sincere. The results will not only pleasantly surprise you, they will change your business, and your life.

The (6) FUNdamentals of netWORKing are supposed to bring the FUN back to the WORK of being in business. I hope you'll give them a try.