Here are some tips to help you get started on your journey.

Remember, networking is NOT selling. It is relationship building.  Don’t expect to leave a networking event with business “in-hand.”  If you do, you did not benefit from networking, but instead you developed a “cold call.”

You can’t build on trust you don’t have. Why should I help you if I’ve just met you? I’ll gladly help people who have taken time to build a relationship (and trust) with me. See the networking event as a chance to meet and greet. IF there is enough interest, set up a lunch or coffee meeting within the next week and take that time to get to know more about the other person.  Find out what problems he/she may be having and work on finding a solution for them.  It could be a referral or even a resource.  Think about helping if you are sincere about building trust.

Don’t be shy and wait for people to come to you. Hiding in the corner and hoping someone will talk to you is not an effective way of managing a networking event. Get out of the corner and meet people. Start with that other person in the corner, reach out and extend your hand, introduce yourself and then encourage him/her to come with you as you meet new people.

Don’t expect to “pick someone’s brain” without any interest in learning more about them, to find ways that you can reciprocate and help them as they have helped you.  You should be focused on developing a relationship with a long-term commitment, not just to get what you need and then move on.

Don’t get so carried away with offering solutions and ideas that you forget yourself. It is a tightrope to walk between selfishness and suicidal altruism. Keep your balance.  While it is wonderful to WANT to help others, be careful not “to give away the farm.”

Be cautious when giving out referrals or leads. It is your reputation on the line. Before introducing your new contact to your sphere of influence, make sure you know what their intention is and always get feedback about the person you’ve given the leads to before referring others. Never “open your Rolodex” to anyone just because you were asked to do it, or you won’t have an active Rolodex for very long.

If you attend a business networking meeting, spend less than 5 minutes on small talk. Then turn the conversation to business by asking, “What can I do today to help you in your business,” or other open-ended questions.  Make sure the question will not be able to be answered with a simple “yes or no.” It sets the tone for the rest of the meeting.

Huge networking events are not as valuable as smaller, targeted networking venues. Look for these in industry publications, ask friends, and get on job-networking mailing lists for these smaller, often quietly advertised, events.

Don’t take a business card from someone unless you actually, really and truly intend to call and set up a lunch or coffee or some other type of one-on-one meeting. Cards cost money. When you take someone’s card, with no intention of doing anything with it, you have just added to that person’s expenses with no income to justify that expense.

Don’t make the mistake of not writing note(s) on the back of a business card you have just received.  One of the primary reasons that people don’t use the cards they collect at a networking meeting is that they get home and can’t associate a card with the face and the information about the person. You’ll make a stronger impression if the other person feels that you care enough to remember your conversation with them.

Follow-up ASAP, preferably within 24-48 hours.  If you wait more than about 48 hours to re-contact the person you spoke with at a networking event, you have a smaller chance each passing day of actually making professional contact. Set aside part of the very next day after a networking event to make calls to people you’d met the night before and schedule lunch and/or coffee meetings.  Here’s a great tip for you – when you leave a networking event, spend a few minutes in your car before you leave the parking space.  Review the cards you received and quickly telephone the people you met (call their office number) and leave a very pleasant, upbeat telephone message, telling them you enjoyed meeting them and will be calling to schedule a follow-up meeting with them!  That will really make a favorable impression upon them.

Don’t use a networking event as an excuse to “drink like a fish.”  My personal opinion is that alcohol has no place at a networking or business event, but if alcohol IS available, be sure to drink in moderation.  The worst impression you can make is to be known as someone who is a sloppy drinker and is only interested in social relationships, not business relationships.

It is very foolish to go to a networking event to meet new people and then spend the whole event speaking with people you already know. Go talk to someone you don’t know yet. You can talk with your friends later.  Better yet, ask your friends to introduce you to someone you don’t already know!  Set a goal to meet 3-5 new people at every networking event you attend.

Do you have any other tips you’d like to include in this list?  I’d love to hear your thoughts, so please DO comment below!

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website and become a fan on FaceBook .

To Your Networking Success!            Carol

Networking is not about number gathering, it’s about connecting.  Connecting is being real – connecting is all about communications!  Verbally or written, you cannot learn anything about the other person without communicating is some form or another.

I would suggest that before you connect with someone, you determine why you want that connection.  Set your goals for what you expect to happen and then go for it!

Connecting, the first step to building professional relationships that lead to solid business referrals.

Although I am interested in making new connections, and I accept almost every one requested of me, I do expect my connections to communicate with me – help me to learn more about them and in turn, they can learn more about me.

Are you interested in connecting with me? You can send me an invitation but please, be ready to COMMUNICATE!

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website and become a fan on FaceBook .

To Your Networking Success!            Carol

Below he has listed what some traits are of Nasty Networkers!  I’ve run into a few of these myself over the past few years and am always “stunned” by the fact that these people seem to have “no clue” about what they are doing and how wrong it is!  This solidifies the fact that there are a lot of people who truly need networking coaching/training in order to grow their business and gain referrals.

Selfish. Not interested in helping others
“Doesn’t try to help at all”
“Selfish and self-interested”
“In short, a ‘Nasty Networker’ is self centered and disinterested”
“Uses every opportunity to speak (including thank you’s and announcements time) to give a sales pitch for themselves”
“refers less than is referred to him/her (it is ALWAYS better to give than it is to receive)”
“Someone who immediately asks ‘who does your ….’ (phone, insurance, payroll, office supplies…) instead of saying ‘who are YOU?’ and getting to know you.”
“100% self-focused — demonstrations may include: usurping your time while at an event asking for “free” business advice; never offering anything in exchange”
“Rude, disrespectful, fast-talking, is not interested in a mutually beneficial relationship, totally dis-interested in you or your needs.”
“My main beef regarding a nasty networker is one with the belief that it’s all about them”

Doesn’t ask questions. Talks too much
“Doesn’t ask questions”
“Talk don’t listen”
“Talking not listening”
“A ‘Nasty Networker’ keeps their own interests secret, they listen, and want to ‘know’, to own, and control.”
“talks more than listens”
“Poor listeners.”
“Vomitous from the mouth”

Bashes or otherwise acts inappropriately towards competitors
“Steals from competitors”
“Bashing or being condescending towards competing companies or products”
“Talks down about their competition”
“Some of the most memorable “nasty” networkers that I’ve come across made an (unfavorable) impression because they were publicly trashing a competitor”
“A nasty networker is somebody that comes to an event sponsored by another company and stands next to the host the whole night scarfing their contacts.”

Uses high pressure and other bad sales techniques
“They launch into their sales pitch as part of introducing themselves.”
“Asks for a one-on-one meeting to get to know you, gives you a sales presentation.”
“Asks for a meeting because he/she is interested in YOUR business, gives you a sales presentation.”
“if there is no relationship there, I’ll go to the internet before I’d go to a pushy salesperson!”
“people will ask you questions about your business at a networking function in a way that seems geared specifically to put you on the defensive–these sort of questions are perfectly appropriate at a pitch meeting or the presentation of a proposal, but I’m not sure a networking event is necessarily the best venue“

Abuses contact information. Sends spam and other unwanted communication
“Uses the majority of all communications (personal interactions, e-mail, blog, twitter etc.) to try to sell you something”
“I’ve had a couple of nasty networkers that asked for my information and promptly signed me up for their weekly newsletters (or worse, their promotional pieces!) without even the ‘great to meet you’ email followup to our initial meeting.”
“I find especially annoying those who add you to a distribution list without asking”
“Follows up with email/call that is all about the” Ignores business card etiquette
“They give you extras of their business cards so you can pass it on to someone who might need their services … the first time you meet them!”
“Grabbing everyone’s cards and then leaving early”
“Networks like a bull in a China shop – runs up to everyone with the intro/handshake/business card routine – never listens or asks about anyone else”
“Only interested in collecting business cards”

Social climber. Always looking for somebody better to talk to
“The person who scans the room looking for for new targets while trying to engage you in some sort of dialogue.”
“The ‘look past you’ networkers just nodding until they can talk to someone else.”
“Lack of eye contact. If a person isn’t focused on you, they are ‘elsewhere’. They are probably looking for better alternatives vs. talking to you.”

Not open
“They talk only to people they know at networking events.”
“those who aren’t willing to invite new people into their ongoing conversations.”
“Talk to only people that they know.”

Naive – Needs Education
“I trust that all of these attributes will either be retooled by the novice as they mature and learn ethics or they will be weeded out.”
“I think most people who are bad networkers are just ignorant and uneducated. I’ve only met one person in 5 1/2 years at the Chamber who was deliberately hateful.”
“I guess the ‘Nasty Networker’ walks the line of desperation. ‘I have to make my numbers now so I am going to impose myself on each and every prospect I run across.’”

Quantity vs. Quality
- is out for quantity versus quality
Quantity verses quality

Disrespectful
I also think networking gets a bad rap from people who are condescending

Do you have any “traits” to add to this list?  I’d love to hear what your experience(s) have included.  How did you handle an encounter with a “nasty networker?”

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website and become a fan on FaceBook .

To Your Networking Success!

Carol

That means you must invest the time and energy into making it work for you. The online environment doesn’t have different rules. The fact remains that whether it’s online or off, you still need to keep the ’social’ element in networking.

I know you hear me saying how important it is to include online networking when building your “Main Street America” offline business, but it also important to take your online networking offline too!  You have to keep the “social” in your networking, or you will prevent others from knowing, liking and trusting you!  Without these important components, your business will just become stagnant and die off!

Equally important is to maintain your network  by sending updates every quarter to let people know how you are doing and what’s going on in your “neck of the woods!”  Remember, this is also about keeping it social, so don’t be afraid to tell them about your latest vacation or your latest adventure with the Grandkids!

Learn to understand the communication habits of your network.

•  How often do they want to hear from you and by what method?
•  What kind of information do they want to know about?  You might have to segment your contacts by these metrics so you don’t run the risk of annoying or offending anyone.

Quarterly is ideal for me. I communicate with some people more often because we have a stronger relationship. I communicate with some less because they are simply too busy to effectively communicate quarterly.

Whatever you choose, stick with it and make it routine.

Don’t send canned “this is what I’m doing now” messages. Don’t use “canned” for ANY messages you send, whether it be updates or invitations to join you on a social network.  Keep it PERSONAL!  People only do business with people, not businesses! So personalize ALL your messages and keep it real!

Really focus on important accomplishments that you know resonate with them.

Don’t make the critical mistake of using this form of communication to beg for a job or business leads. Why ruin the chances of developing a perfect business relationship by “jumping the gun” and begging for leads?  You don’t want leads anyway (in the long run), but you DO want referrals.  So take the time to make this personal and focus on “what’s in it for them, and not what’s in it for you.”  ASK them what they need or want.

Always ask what they’re up to and what you can do for them as you close your communication.  Ask them to communicate with you and remind them you want to help whenever/wherever you can.

Are you keeping it social?  If not, why not?

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website and become a fan on FaceBook .

To Your Networking Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments and thoughts are always welcome – please post them below!

Invite someone to have coffee or lunch with you.  If that doesn’t work, at a minimum, ask for a time to put on your calendar to have a more personal chat with them.  The goal is to learn more about them – remember it’s always WIIFT (What’s In It For Them) and not WIIFY (What’s In It For You).  Find out what their interests are both professionally and personally.  

When you get to know your contacts on a personal level, they will begin to trust you and the relationship developing process will continue.  Information will start to be shared freely with you and if you listen carefully, you can quickly find out what they need to become successful.  At that point you can search through your own personal database of connections and find someone to refer them to or refer to them.  Think about making an introduction or a referral to your new connection and someone else in your network without either party requesting you to do so.  Do you think that your new connection will feel like you care?  You bet they will.  On top of that, your new connection will feel like they want to reciprocate and will start to ask you more questions about what you do, how you do it and find out more personal details about you.

Are you following me in this line of thought?  Isn’t this a much easier way to build your connections instead of attending an event, becoming part of a conveyor belt – collecting and exchanging as many business cards as possible in a given amount of time?  When you go for quality and not focus on quantity, people will be willing to chat.  As the relationship develops, so will the trust and when people trust  you, they buy from you and they refer you to others.  You can’t begin to put a price tag on that type of relationship.  Show them you care – get to know, like and trust them and ALLOW them to reciprocate and you will have a long-lasting relationship that is producing results for both of you.

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website and become a fan on FaceBook .

To Your Networking Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments and thoughts are always welcome – please post them below!

Creativity is born of unexpected ideas contributing to a single cause. Few networks live in a space of total innovation. The need comes in “fits and starts” and is met in short periods of intense concentration, or after an extended period of rest. The ebbs and flows of imagination and creation can be exhausting. Yet, pose a problem to your network, give them boundaries (amount of money and time available along with constraints), and many ideas will be shared. Ask for this kind of help sparingly – after you’ve done your homework and exhausted the obvious possibilities. Your network will generate a number of opportunities. Be sure to acknowledge and consider each one.

Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

For more information, please visit Patricia’s TNNWC Bio.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about this series.  Did you find it to be helpful and would you like to see more articles like this?

To Your Networking Success!

Carol Deckert, Networking Coach/Expert

Networking Rhythmically

Moving a network or team into action requires a steady beat. March steadily towards a goal and punctuate each step. Let your network know what is happening.
1. Ask them to contribute ideas, strategies or forms that might help you with a specific project or idea.
2. Express gratitude immediately and don’t wait too long before you do.
3. Share how their contributions were implemented and, finally;
4. Assess how those changes affected the work. As you do this, more ideas and resources will come to you as interest in and understanding of your work increases. Networkers like to help. Establish a rhythm of asking and sharing!

Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

Want to read more about Patricia Parham?  Visit her bio

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about this series.  Did you find it to be helpful and would you like to see more articles like this?

To Your Networking Success!

Carol Deckert, Networking Coach/Expert

Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

For more information, please visit Patricia’s TNNW Bio.

Networking Flows

Powerful networking creates a flow of energy, a current that pulls others into it. Ideas hook people and pull them into the flow. Common interests attract others, be they mainstream, heretical or extreme. Is your communication matter of fact, compelling, witty or arcane? People engage around humor. Is yours dry, racy, or laced with puns? What draws others into your network and keeps them there? Be intentional about the use of tone, language and humor. These shape the way the network hears your ideas and interests. Figure out what you want from your network and release that energy to attract like energies, thereby increasing the flow. More flow equals greater networking power.

Patricia A. Parham
Parham Enterprises
www.parhament.com

For more information, please visit Patricia’s TNNW Bio.

“I don’t bother with LinkedIn because it’s too much work.”

“LinkedIn isn’t fun. I’d rather play on Facebook. “

I hear many people complain about LinkedIn. That’s a shame because the people I hear complaining about LinkedIn are some of the finest professionals I know in the bricks-and-mortar world. In the meantime, I’m watching people I revere as thought leaders and movers and shakers succumb to mind numbing FaceBook games while important corners of their social media presence remain neglected and ignored.

LinkedIn offers members a chance to write and receive Recommendations about their Connections. This is one of the most powerful features of the platform.

Imagine a prospective client or employer arrives at your LinkedIn profile page and sees a thread of Recommendations from people at all stages in your career.  Imagine the impact that event has. Imagine the confidence you can inspire with written testimony of your service.

Leverage your presence on LinkedIn using the Recommendation feature.  Writing Recommendations for others will ignite a reciprocity exchange and social adrenaline will inspire recipients to respond with Recommendations for your LinkedIn page.

1. Don’t ask people for Recommendations. Write Recommendations for other people! Making a request for a Recommendation creates social indebtedness. Writing a Recommendation places the recipient in the social capital receivables bucket.
2. Make LinkedIn Recommendation writing part of a weekly engagement plan. Write at least two recommendations for people you have worked with successfully. Thank each for a job well done and state that others can have confidence in receiving the same service.
3. Create a list of people you have worked with successfully. Connect with them on LinkedIn and put them on a schedule for written Recommendation acknowledgment. Use a memory jogger and date plan.
4. Write a Recommendation for a competitor. Example: Real estate agent or broker writes a Recommendation for an agent who recently cooperated in a successful transaction.
5. Write a Recommendation for a staffer or colleague. After following Tip #2, be certain that you are extending testimonial support to your company staffers and independent contractors.
6. Write with integrity. Do not exaggerate about someone’s service. Be honest and truthful.
7. Refrain from writing Recommendations that do not reflect your honest enthusiasm. It is better to abstain from writing a dishonest testimonial than  jeopardizing your reputation.
8. Issue written gratitude for persons who write Recommendations for you.
9. Hide from view and delete Recommendations from others when the writers are persons with whom you would not do business. Consider removing those people from your network and disengaging completely when you feel your reputation is at stake.
10. Review your written recommendations periodically. If there is deleterious change in your business relationship with someone who displays your personal Recommendation, withdraw your Recommendation.

(Are we connected on LinkedIn? Here’s my profile.)

There are multiple reasons why I felt this post was important, but there is one very important one that I want to share with you.  Frances Flynn Thorsen and I JUST MET on Twitter this week.  She followed me and I reciprocated.  She retweeted one of my posts and I thanked her for it.  Are you getting the idea of what is happening here?  We’re beginning a great online friendship.  Then today, I received the following tweet from Frances!  This is just too good and I had to share it!

Frances Flynn Thorsen wrote:

Carol, I thought I was doing good with almost 1,000 LinkedIn connections. LOL

I must tell you I was perusing a lot of your content and you are as close to a “social media soul sister” as close can be! OMG … It’s AMAZING … lots of commonality … We should make a point to chat one day soon.

Warmly,
Fran

Will we schedule a time to chat in the very near future – you bet we will!  That’s reciprocity in action!  What better example could I give to you?  Many thanks to Frances – be sure to follow her on Twitter and connect with her on LinkedIn – she gave you her LinkedIn profile – you can find her on Twitter  http://twitter.com/FrancesFlynnTho

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website .

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments and thoughts are always welcome – please post them below!

DREAMS DO COME TRUE IF YOU LIVE YOUR PASSION…Here is a story I want to share.

Category: It’s All About Showing Up Stories

Published: Wednesday, March 10, 2010

I always say that SHOWING UP is so powerful that I wanted to share a story that recently happened and is continuing to evolve. I showed up to give some ideas to Operation SAFE HOUSE in Riverside for a tea they were planning for May 15th in Riverside, and while there I met Donna who had recently passed the bar, but really had a passion to start a nonprofit. She had been told in Law School that it was not the best idea as she would not make lots of money and that she had student loans to consider etc etc; so she started looking for work in a law firm but since it really was not where her passion was nothing much was happening for her. Deep down she still had this dream of starting a nonprofit.

When she told me this story I told her “Never let anyone tell you what you should do or not do and that if one does not do their passion they might have some success, but never the success they could have if they did what they love.  I told her she was in charge of her destiny and not to let anything or anyone stand in her way. I gave her some ideas and resources to connect with, I told her to call my friend June Davidson who is also a business partner, as June works with the Heritage Foundation in DC who work with getting nonprofit’s established. I also connected her with my friend Kyra Wilson who is the program director of the Resource Center for Non Profit Management in Riverside, CA., who conduct incredible classes for Non profits. I am,and have been one of their trainers since they were founded so know just how much they help nonprofit’s.They also have a program that teach you where to find grants.

Donna became so excited as I was sharing these connections with her,  as suddenly it was like a world was opening up to allow her to live her dream and passion. So that  very day when she left the meeting she started the calls to the contacts I gave her, and they were all so gracious in helping her that it made her know even more that she was now on the right path for her. She told me that June and Kyra were wonderful to her and the rest  was starting to fall in place in such a short time. Below is some of the story which I am sharing with you.

Because everything is possible if you just believe in yourself, ASK for what it is you need and want and when people share that information with you, then you need take action.

We women like to help each other, and when she told me this story I immediately at that first meeting thought of all the great people I knew I could refer to her. When I met her and she told me she had just graduated from law school and was looking to work in a law office I could feel that was not really what she wanted to do. So that same day I asked her what is your passion and that is when she shared her story and the rest is history.

So what is YOUR PASSION…are you as June Davidson says, living the talent you were born with or that you have a burning feeling to do?  If not you need to take time and really focus on that and ASK people for help to connect you with the people that you need to meet and then as I said before once you have those names and connections take ACTION with them .

My thanks to June Davidson, and Kyra Wilson both dynamic people who everyday make a difference and touch  lives and for helping Donna get on her path to her dream. I was just glad that I showed up and could see that what she was trying to do was really not what her passion was,  and that with all my connections and friendships I was able to help her make the connections that will lead her to her path to success.

She has one more request and that is for people to volunteer to help her with her mission so if that is YOU please contact Donna as she is going to make a difference for women every where.

Here is what she just emailed me and I am so thrilled that I played a small role in it.

“I’ve done so much work on my nonprofit project.  It’s been just amazing.  I’m going to the 2nd of 4 classes tomorrow night on writing a business plan at the IE Women’s Business Center.  Then on Wednesday I’m going to an orientation for a program that gives grants to small businesses.  I’ve been contacting various charities and community  organizations to find partners and I’ve ordered business cards and letterhead so I can start drumming up some corporate support.  I’m very excited about it.  I don’t know if I told you before, but it will be a program that helps low income women get off (and stay off) of welfare by getting them into their own transportation.  I really want  to provide them with a one year maintenance and repair package with their vehicles as well.  They will attend financial classes on budgeting and workshops on car ownership.  And, they will work with life coaches and volunteer mentors to set goals for themselves and be supported in reaching them.

I’m wondering if you would help me with the volunteer mentoring and life coaching aspect of things.  Will you put out a message to your groups and ask any of them in the Inland Empire who would be willing to work with low income women to contact me?  I need to start building a database of volunteers.  And, if any of them feel they have other services to offer that would be wonderful as well.  My email address for that project is donna@womens-alliance.org.  (LOVE the name!)  I built a website that looks really great, although is not finished yet.  Feel free to check it out or have any of your women check it out. Email her for website address

I’m so glad I met you Robbie.  You have no idea how much you helped me when you gave me June’s name and the list of resources.  Everything has been clicking into place faster than I would have ever imagined.  Thank you!

You’re an extraordinary woman.

Donna

Everyday stories like this take place so what is YOUR story, how have you touched a life to make a difference.  We women are awesome when we come together and open doors for others.

Robbie Motter

Robbie Motter is known as the Queen of Networking, and connections, she connects people Globally and shows them why SHOWING UP and ASKING for what it is you want and need is so powerful. She is a National Speaker/Coach, Trainer and a mentor to women globally. She is also known as the Networking Queen. She teaches people how to step out of the Box and go for their dreams. “It really is all about SHOWING UP and remember the POWER is in the ASKING” says Robbie.

I read with great interest that this event is going on in Atlanta, GA this year and wanted to “do my part” to help promote the Pay It Forward Foundation.  Atlanta folks are joining with Junior Achievement to celebrate this week and Junior Achievement will be the organization that benefits from any proceeds received.

Paying it Forward does NOT have to be limited to any one specific geographic location, and can be accomplished in your local home town.  You can select any charity you would like to associate with this event, or you can simply just focus on “paying it forward” to connect your friends and business connections.

The following information was taken from the actual post about Pay It Forward Week.  Please read the rest of the article and check out the attachments.  NetWeaving is an amazing concept and one that will deepen the relationships you make simply because you cared about someone else before thinking about yourself!

Business and Personal Connections and Introductions

All across the Atlanta Metro area, in restaurants, coffee shops, business and country clubs,  or any place conducive to a meeting, NetWeavers will be hosting meetings to introduce two people to each other Then, during the meeting, the NetWeaver host will ask each of the two people she or he has brought together to ‘pay it forward‘ and commit to hosting a subsequent meeting for two others.

Within Companies, Organizations, Non-Profits – Cross-Department and Cross-Functional Introductions and Connections

At the same time these outside business introductions and connections are being made in restaurants and other business locations, with the help and support of SHRM (Society for Human Resource Management) inside Companies across all industries and within Non-Profits and Organizations of all kinds, executives, managers, employees at all levels, and members within organizations, will be getting together – just  to get to know someone she or he doesn’t already know – especially in another department or in another area of the company or within the organization.  It might be just a cup of coffee, or breakfast or lunch, or maybe even an adult beverage after work.

Those who are familiar with the power of NetWeaving, already know that one major outcome will be an ‘economic ripple effect’ as a result of that week – not only from the business introductions and connections made which will eventually result in business deals and new business relationships created, but from the two parties who agree to ‘Pay it Forward’ and subsequently host another meeting for two others.

A second outcome to be derived from NetWeaving-PIF Week will be generated inside companies, non-profits, and organizations where people just get to meet someone they don’t already know within the company or organization and get to know him or her better, creating a more collaborative and cooperative environment, especially as people get an increased appreciation for other person’s roles with which they may not be familiar.

A final outcome will be the benefits to both those who get to experience the joy and benefits of NetWeaving first-hand, and begin to learn this important ’life-skill’ for building trusted relationships, as well as to the Executives and Entrepreneurs who get to see the powerful difference that that Junior Achievement is making in building these groups of future leaders and entrepreneurs.

Pay It Forward Foundation
The Pay It Forward Foundation was established in September 2000 by “Pay It Forward” author Catherine Ryan Hyde and others to educate and inspire students to realize that they can change the world, and provide them with opportunities to do so. The Foundation’s mission is to inspire random acts of kindness and favors, especially those involving children and those with a multiplier effect in which one favor creates an ongoing ripple impact going forward. Another function of the Foundation is to fund mini-grants to school-age children who create projects which are consistent with the meaning and spirit of the ‘Pay it Forward’ movement.

It is with that thought in mind that Referrals Unlimited Network has partnered with Sales & Marketing Executives International (SMEI) to provide a discounted (reciprocal) membership.  For additional information about the local SMEI group, please visit their website.

Having reviewed this offer in some detail, we feel that this is a good fit in terms of the benefits RUN provides its members and we are pleased that we have negotiated a special reciprocal rates for both organizations.

Current members of Referrals Unlimited Network (RUN) are able to obtain a local Sales & Marketing International membership at a greatly reduced rate, as long as they remain a member of RUN.  Please contact Mark Vogel, Vogel Marketing Solutions for more details and to get your application for SMEI membership.

Sales & Marketing Executives International members qualify for a discounted membership in Referrals Unlimited Network (RUN), as long as they remain a member in good standing with SMEI.  Please contact Carol Deckert, Referrals Unlimited Network for more details and to get your application for RUN membership.

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website .

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments and thoughts are always welcome – please post them below!

Show a genuine interest in other people

According to Dale Carnegie “You can close more business in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.”

This takes your networking activities to a new level – you are becoming a Netweaver!  Netweaving involves being an active listener to see how you can help the people you meet. If you are unable to personally help them, introduce or connect them to people in your network.   Woody Allen loved to say:  “80% of success is showing up!” These words are still true today!

In order to find out what someone needs or they should meet, ask open-ended questions.  Start by asking questions to get them talking about themselves – people LOVE to talk about themselves! Don’t make the questions answerable by saying “Yes” or “No”.  Try something like this:  “That’s interesting, how do you do that?” (Bonus point . . .They will remember you for listening attentively to them and for making them FEEL important)!  Forget the advice from your mama (at least just this one time!) and be prepared to talk to strangers.  Have an interesting story to share with them.  Remember, strangers are simply friends you have yet to meet.

Always follow-up with contacts

When you meet someone at an event, follow-up with a simple e-mail or telephone call confirming where you met and what action, if any, was agreed.   It’s best if this is done with 48 hours of the event!

How about trying something to make you unique – as you leave the event, call the new person’s telephone (cell phone work great, but if you don’t have their cell number, call their office number) and let them know you enjoyed chatting with them.  Tell them you are looking forward to connecting with them again in the near future.

Upon your return home, or to your office, make it a point to send them a thank-you note (handwritten is excellent) and ask them if they are interested in a follow-up conversation.   If so, be proactive, contact them to schedule it – don’t wait for them to contact you!  (Procrastination is everyone’s enemy).

Prompt follow ups are essential! Find out which online networks they use and if you are already a member, be sure to connect with them.  If you are not, check out the network and join if you have an interest.

In addition to joining online networks, start a blog

Your blog is the cornerstone of your online presence and is the place where you build your reputation.   Blogs can be built and hosted on your own domain name and attached to your website or use a free service like Blogger, hosted on Blogger’s site.  Use your blog to show off your personality and to give others  your point of view.  Request comments, start conversations, accept constructive criticism, but get people talking!

Personally, I love using WordPress, it’s easy to navigate and the content remains mine.  By having my blog on my own domain name, I am able to control what content is posted.  If you use a service like Blogger or even if you use the hosting connected with WordPress, be sure to check if the content you post remains yours and if you have any regulations on what and how you post your information.

Use your blog to share your stories, hints, tips, and insights.  Make it personal and unique.  Then use Twitter to broadcast your blog posts and help drive traffic to your site.

Make online contacts and build relationships first

Contributing to online conversations, sharing your knowledge and connections is a great way to add contacts to your network.   Make contact with like minded professionals, but don’t limit yourself to just those types of folks.  Find others in similar types of business that have information that you could possible cross-promote or share.

Networking is not about selling – it’s about building relationships. The best business is developed when both parties know, like and trust each other. So take the time to get to know one another and establish rapport.

Schedule “let’s get to know one another” meetings

You’ve established rapport with someone you’ve met at a networking meeting or had good online interactions. It looks as though they might know your target market. But, how do you take things forward?   That’s fairly simple, meet with them for a coffee, lunch or even ice cream!  Invite them to attend a networking event with you and if all else fails, just schedule a time to chat over the telephone.   Whatever works best for you and your new contact is what you should do.  Don’t worry if everyone else is doing something different.  You are building your network first so make it work for you.

Develop referral partners, or networking advocates

A referral partner goes out of their way to recommend your products and/or services without being asked or expecting anything in return.  By taking the time to develop the relationships with key members of your network, you can learn how to properly refer them to others.

Referral partnerships are not one-sided. It takes commitment from both parties to work properly.   Go out of your way to connect referral partners with members of your network.  Introduce them to people who might benefit from their services. Doing this without expectation of immediate payback is Netweaving.  Netweaving is based on “paying it forward.”    What goes round comes round. People will eventually become advocates for you – and this is where the networking dividend really pays off!

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website .

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments are always welcome – please post them below!

Whether or not you believe it, the reality is that the online networks give us a really effective tool for supporting our offline business networking activities.  But . . .  you do have to go about both activities strategically.  Since 2004, when I first joined LinkedIn (my first step into online networking), I learned that the most important step in beginning to network online is to become an active member, not a card-carrying member.  What do I mean by that?  Simply, participate!  Read forum messages, ask questions, answer questions whenever you can and show up!  This is a wonderful place to ask questions and to learn!  People love helping others and this is a simple way to establish a connection – ask someone how to do something!

Get comfortable with how networking works

My good friend, Bob Burg says “All things being equal, people will do business with, and refer business to those people they know, like and trust.” It’s all about  finding other business people who operate in similar markets to you.  Offering to help them is a step toward building a relationship that earns trust.   Trust is not immediate,  so don’t expect immediate results.

Building relationships takes time and perseverance!  If you take the time to develop relationships and create a network, you will be richly rewarded. Don’t expect to walk into a room of strangers or simply post a profile online and come away with business – it just doesn’t work like that!

Develop a plan

I’m sure you have already heard that you either develop a plan for success or you plan to fail!   ”It pays to plan ahead.   It wasn’t raining when Noah built the ark but he anticipated that he might need one in the future.  If you don’t know where you are going with your networking how can others help you? Plan for future events and activities – think about what you might need.

Start with answering a few simple questions:

(1)  Who or what is your target market? What are the problems you solve for them?

(2) What percentage of your business are you expecting to generate by word of mouth?

(3) How much time can you devote to your networking activities?  Notice I asked how much time “can” you devote – now identify how much time you “will” devote to networking activities.  This is a crucial part of your marketing plan and needs to be addressed completely.

(4) Can you identify others likely to have access to your target market?  How do you get to know them?  Can you help them achieve their goals?

When you can answer these questions you are have the basis of a networking plan which you can begin acting on right away.  As with your business plan or your marketing plan, your networking plan should always be a work in progress – edit along the way, add some events, and remove others, but always planning for future use and needs.

Identify the people you already know, like and  trust

The foundation of your networking activities should be the people you have already done business with, your colleagues, family, customers and suppliers.   It’s critical that you invest whatever time is necessary to develop these important relationships.  Stay in touch with them; find out what they need in the way of support from you.  Share relevant information with them whenever possible – help them understand that you are an expert in what you do and that you can be depended on to help when needed.

Identify the offline networks to join

Even if your existing network is big enough to generate enough word of mouth to achieve your plan, think ahead for future needs and find several networks to join.  Who do you know and where do they like to hang out?  These people are likely to have access to and influence with your target market.

When you find out where they hang out, prepare to join the same groups or networks.   Start by visiting the organization.  If you feel as though you could contribute to the organization’s growth, in addition to learning from the existing members, then join.  But don’t be just a card-carrying member – participate.  Enjoy the numerous activities that take place within the group.

It’s important to begin by taking the time to get to know the members and the ways you can help – support, information and/or introductions.  Remember that even though you are joining a new organization, you already have a network that you are able to introduce to others.  You already are bringing value to the new network.

When asked to present you and/or your business, do it confidently and  consistently identify your target market, the problems you solve and your stories.  Being consistent helps other to remember what you are saying.  For some people, it may take several times of hearing what you say before they are able to act on what you need and find referrals for you.  When you are repeatable, you are referable!

Part 2 of this article will be published tomorrow, so watch for it!

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website .

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments are always welcome – please post them below!

If I were to ask you “how do you get new clients?” would you answer,  “by referrals?”

Would you like to learn how to get more referrals, particularly more QUALIFIED referrals?

Are you listening to new contacts or are you attempting to “sell” to them?

Are you educating  your sphere of influence on “how” to make a qualified referral for you?

Are you keeping in touch on a regular basis with all your clients, prospect AND suspects?

Are you telling your clients that you appreciate referrals?

Perhaps it’s time for a change!  Spring is in the air, why not give your business a tune-up and contact me to help you fine-tune your networking skills?

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website .

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments are always welcome – please post them below!

Yes, My connections are approximately 8,500 now but it has taken a while to gain that many!  I’ve been a member of LinkedIn since 2004 and only really became active in 2006.

My best advice to you is to join some forums, ask some questions, answer questions whenever you can to showcase your expertise and don’t be afraid to be the one to extend your hand first in friendship.

Invite others to connect with you – I accept every invitation that comes my way.  There are so many people on LinkedIn that if I don’t accept your invitation I may never find you again.  At least when we are connected, you are in my Rolodex and hopefully we can maintain some form of communication.  But do remember it is also a 2-way street!

When you invite someone to connect with you, don’t use the “generic” invitation issued by LinkedIn, but take the time to craft an invitation that works with your own personality.  Tell the person why you want to connect or what your expectations are going forward in this new relationship.   When your invitation is accepted, don’t forget to send a thank-you note.  That is the one thing that few people on LinkedIn do on a regular basis.  If you are looking for a way to make yourself unique, be sure to send that thank you note EVERY time you accept an invitation!  Along with thanking them for inviting your connection, why not take a minute and share one of your favorite tips with them or perhaps tell them about one of your favorite connections and offer to make a personal introduction.  Guaranteed – you will definitely be unique!

I’m glad you liked my question – I do too!  I’m a Netweaving Coach and teach others how to build their business by helping other people first, without expectation of immediate personal payback.  The absolute best way to build your business and relationships!  People do business with people, not businesses!  So be personable, start a conversation, make a new connection and develop those business relationships.

If you have not already done so, please DO connect with me!  Don’t forget to use my LinkedIn email address.

If there is anything I can do for you, please don’t hesitate to contact me!

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about my face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit my website .

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol

P.S.  Your comments are always welcome – please post them below!

One of the newest features in our weekly meetings is developing accountability between members.  We all seem to be so focused on “containing the most recent ‘fire’” that we miss out on some much needed business-building activities.  So what are you doing to establish some new connections in the relationship-building process for YOUR business?

The Wednesday RUN Group has challenged one another to schedule a minimum of 4 new appointments each week with someone they just met at a mixer or were introduced to by someone else, or someone they met personally online or offline.  The intent of this appointment is a  “get to know you” meeting – to find out more about them (not tell them about you) as the beginning stage of developing the relationship. To count as participation in this challenge, not only does the appointment need to be scheduled, but you actually have to actually hold the appointment for it to count that week. 

You can get a head-start on a following week, by scheduling a second appointment with your new contact immediately following the first one!  The second one would be to continue your discussion and to begin to let your new contact know a bit more about you!  If you are struggling for a way to ask for the second appointment, why not just ask for it – tell your new contact that you are searching for some new referral partners and you would really like to extend your conversation without incurring any additional time beyond the original request.  (It’s always important to stay within the pre-determined appointment time – don’t allow your conversations to run longer than expected.  Be professional and watch your time!

Each Wednesday members will report how many appointments – actual appointments held that were scheduled/held from the time of the meeting through Tuesday evening prior to the next meeting.  If no one schedules/meets with the minimum 4 contacts – there is no winner that week.  Start all over again for the following week!  Loser (lowest number of appointments) has to buy dessert for the winner!

The group is having lots of fun with this accountability challenge.  Not only are more appointments being scheduled, there are more opportunities arising for members to refer other members to their contacts.  After all, that’s what this group is all about!  Building relationships and developing qualified referrals.

This is a great way to build camaraderie between RUN members and help to motivate them to make these new appointments.

Here’s my challenge to YOU!  How many people can you get together to form your own accountability group?  How many appointments can you schedule and actually meet with in the next 7 days?  Make it a regular commitment and you’ll be amazed at how much your business will thrive!

Building relationships, passing referrals = awesome way to build business!

As always, I’m happy to chat with you about your netweaving/networking needs – just contact me through email, Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn or an old-fashioned telephone call!  If you would like to know more about our face-to-face weekly group coaching sessions, please visit our website .

Please post your thoughts and comments below.  I’d love to know about your accountability group(s) and your challenges – we can help hold each other accountable so be sure to give me the details!  Oh yes, one more thing . . . this is NOT an April Fool’s  joke!  LOL!

Happy Easter everyone!

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol

March 16, 2010   Aaron’s Books, 43 S. Broad St., Lititz, PA 17543

Many thanks to all of you who attended our Netweaving after Hours Mixer at Aaron’s Books.  Your presence made our event wildly successful and we hope you will join us at our future events!  If you would like to be kept on our mailing list, please send an email to carol@runlancaster.com

Our next event is scheduled for Tuesday, May 11, 5:30 – 7:30 pm, so save that date! Location has yet to be determined, but emails will go out as soon as all the information is complete.

Thanks to Ben Reeder who has generously offered to host one of our Netweaving after Hours at his photography gallery in Lancaster!

If you, or anyone you know, are interested in hosting one of our mixers, we would appreciate your help.  As a mixer host, your information is published everywhere we list the mixer invitations!  Hosts are responsible for simply providing the space for the mixer.  Individual sponsors for the mixer are responsible for any food and/or beverages for the event.  RUNLancaster’s Netweaving After Hours events are held bi-monthly, on the second Tuesday of the month.

As promised, listed below is the contact information for each attendee and the list of door prize winners.  This list is being published on the blog at http://www.RunLancaster.com/blog and it would be greatly appreciated if you would visit the blog and post your comments and thoughts about the mixer and the contacts or connections you created by attending.

* Wendy Aston, Owner, PA Dutch Travel, http://www.PaDutchTravel.com PaDutchTravel@gmail.com

“Sam”, Aaron’s Books,  http://www.aaronsbooksonline.com sales@aaronsbooksonline.com (717) 626-627-1990

Ben Reeder, Owner, Ben Reeder Photography, http://www.benreederimages.com

Bdr107@gmail.com (484) 888-2628

Lou Menga, Materials Manager, Precision Medical Products, http://pmp.net lmenga@precmed.net (717) 335-3700 x1149

Sheryl Trower, Social Skills for Life, The Etiquette School of Central Pennsylvania  s.trower@hotmail.com (717) 626-6845

* Dan Ranck, Senior Loan Officer, Guaranteed Home Mortgage Company, Inc.

http://www.DanRanck.com drankc@ghmc.com (717) 431-8848

Jan Zerfoss,  http://www.linkedin.com/in/janzerfoss zerfc@ptd.net

(717) 484-0834

Sara, Hair Designer, Gallery Hair Design, http://www.galleryhairdesign.com (717) 665-1255    Door Prize:  Aaron’s Books

Roger Sands, Director of Development, Gretna Theatre  http://www.gretnatheatre.com rogersands@gretnatheatre.com (717) 964-3322  Door Prize:  RUNLancaster

* David Gomez, Independent Marketing Manager, Melaleuca, mdgdrg@gmail.com (717) 653-6150  Door Prize: RUNLancaster

Bethany Alwan, Marketing Director, Dutch Wonderland, http://www.DutchWonderland.com balwan@DutchWonderland.com

(717) 606-5303  Door Prize: Wendy Aston, PA Dutch Travel

Dave Spangler, Identity Theft Solutions, dgspangler@yahoo.com (717) 951-8419

Door Prize:  David Gomez, Melaleuca

Jayme Schafer, Realtor, Prudential Homesale Services Group, http://www.ComeHometoLancasterPA.com jschafer@prudentialhomesale.com

(717) 598-7008  Door Prize:  David Gomez, Melaleuca

Neil Rhen, Sales Representative, Executive Printing  http://www.executiveprintingcorp.com neil.rhen@executiveprintingcorp.com (717) 333-9797  Door Prize:  Gallery Hair Design

* Sharon McHarg, Owner, Gallery Hair Design, http://www.galleryhairdesign.com gallery6651255@aol.com (717) 665-1255

Rick Koller, Senior Designer, Pro/Engineer CAD Modeler, http://www.linkedin.com/in/rickkoller kollerr@ptd.net (717) 627-2001

Louann Martin, Seamstress, Stitch to Fit  (717) 271-9506

Christopher Vogt, Sales & Marketing, Baron Insurance Group http://www.baroninsurancegroup.com chrisv@baroninsurancegroup.com (717) 665-2985

* Carol Deckert, Owner, Referrals Unlimited Network (RUN) http://www.runlancaster.com http://www.runlancaster.com/blog carol@runlancaster.com (717) 394-6453

* RUNLancaster Members

To Your Netweaving Success!  Looking forward to seeing all of you and your guests at our next Netweaving After Hours!  Save the date . . . Tuesday, May 11, 2010 5:30 pm – 7:30 pm.  Location has not been confirmed but watch for the announcement!

Thanks so much for reading!  Your comments are gratefully appreciated!

Did you make a New Year’s resolution that sounds something like this?  “I will stay on people’s radar screen daily—with a simple thank you, showing my appreciation or staying in touch.”  If so,  how are you doing with it?

Keeping-in-touch fosters stronger and better relationships that can possibly lead to more referrals and opportunities.

Competition is alive and well and whatever you do to sincerely stand out from everyone else can be helpful in earning or keeping the business or getting that opportunity you want.

I have always been a huge advocate of sending personalized, hand-written heartfelt notes and keeping up the ‘high touch’ in a high tech world. Always having special interest types of cards and notes is the added bonus in that your recipient knows you really took the time to think of them specifically.

Put Thought into It – Write a short note expressing your sincere thanks and be specific.

An unexpected note that arrives in the mail always stands out.

Often it takes up to twelve ‘touches’ before you make the sale or get an opportunity to meet with your prospect or client.

Stay top of mind with frequent and sincere communication that brings a smile to their face.

It all lies in the POWER to connect and stay in touch:

Put it into practice now – why wait?

Opportunity is everywhere – keep your eyes and ears open to new thoughts and ideas

Write your notes, hand-written notes, that are sent via snail mail (help the U.S. Postal service stay in business, in addition to surprising your contact with a hand-written note!)

Everyday send a card or note to someone in your sphere of influence. Showcase the fact that you truly care about building solid relationships.

Relationships and referral opportunities will grow over time.  Be patient and consistent – relationships are worth developing properly.

Tell me what you are doing to say “thank you” to those in your sphere of influence.  I would enjoy hearing of the different choices you are using and how effective they are for you!  Please post your comments below  . . .

To Your Netweaving Success!

Carol