Austin.BloggersPub

Where do Your Opportunities Come From?

Business Networking in Austin Blog — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 22:45:58 +0000

Most of the people I meet out networking are there because they're looking for some type of opportunity. They're either looking for new clients, a new job, or to further their career and knowledge.

When I started networking it took me a long time to realize that many of the opportunities we're looking for don't come from the places we'd expect. When I built my first company, an IT Consulting Company, I primarily networked because I was looking for new clients. I would frequently target people who I thought had the potential to be really great referral sources. They had a bunch of clients that were in my target market and were in a position to introduce me to those clients. The trouble was that after numerous lunches and other relationship development efforts none of those obvious referrals ever materialized. On the other hand I noticed that I would get referred into really amazing opportunities by people who I never thought could be such a resource.

This is both the challenge and the fun of networking. It's never quite as logical as you might like it to be.

When you're working hard to develop the obvious relationships it's easy to overlook the real opportunities that are coming your way. Make sure that doesn't happen! You need to develop some sort of system to track the opportunities that come your way. Don't just track the closed business or opportunities that work out, instead track every opportunity regardless of its outcome.

What you're looking for is WHO is referring you. Somebody who sends you a referral is probably 10 times more likely than anyone else to refer you again IF you also do right by them. If someone refers you multiple times you really need to pay attention. Having a system that keeps track of these referrals and opportunities will keep you from overlooking individuals who are bringing you consistent business. A system like this will also make it easier for you to circle back and close the loop with these individuals. You may also be able to find consistencies in where you're meeting those golden individuals who are bringing you opportunities consistently.

Once you understand where you opportunities are coming from you can make sure you're helping the people who are helping you, and start to find the unique patterns of relationships that are successful for you.

Happy Networking!

-Scott Ingram

NetworkInAustin.com

County Fair Round Two

somegosoftly — Sun, 05 Jul 2009 21:25:37 +0000

This is the second time we took a trip to the fair. I loved it last year (here’s that post) and since DW would disintegrate in any more direct sun, the fair provided an option since the beach was out. Unfortunately since it was the last weekend, and the day before the holiday that everyone was off [...]

Happy Holiday Weekend

somegosoftly — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 19:57:33 +0000

Party time! #102 Five Ways To Celebrate The Fourth Of July In Style: Apple Pie shots More food than you can eat Beach volleyball A party to party ‘pub crawl’ Friends and fireworks

Serving the City

Jonathan Dodson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:42:59 +0000

Would you take a second to share some ways you are serving your city? Small and big are important. Helping a neighbor to serving on city committees. Go!

It’s Been A While…

somegosoftly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 19:31:33 +0000

How about some zombies!?!??

Working for a Nuclear Free City

Jonathan Dodson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:49:04 +0000

I think we should work for a nuclear free city, a nuclear free world. Nuclear arms are one of the greatest threats to human existence. All citizens should be concerned about their proliferation. If you are a conservative that advocates for a culture of life, you should be especially concerned. If you are a Christian, [...]

Over the Grave

Jonathan Dodson — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 18:13:42 +0000

Check out the creative worship music from Sojourn in their Over the Grave album. Check out Steve McCoy’s review. “Warrior” grooves to some robust theology.

Legoland

somegosoftly — Thu, 02 Jul 2009 06:34:22 +0000

Legoland is the perfect fun zone for children ages 6 to 13. Or ages 30 to 35. DW is my buddy for all things I’ve always wanted to do but never got the chance. This is a great post about one of our adventures together. So with him here I had a buddy (couldn’t believe CH turned me [...]

Is Your View of Money Gnostic?

Jonathan Dodson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 20:29:49 +0000

Many of us have a gnostic view of money. Community is good; giving is bad. Missi0n is great; money evil. Prayer and Bible reading are truly spiritual, business, finance, and administration are sub-spiritual. This is not a biblical view of the world. We were baptised into one faith and one Lord who is both Creator [...]

Airports

somegosoftly — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 16:39:18 +0000

Ever since being totally hooked on the move Love Actually, I am a big fan of airports. Happy or sad, they are places filled with emotional reunions and tearful goodbyes. DW was late yesterday and MK and I sat coffee in hand and watched the men anxiously waiting with bouquets in their hands. It makes me [...]