Years ago, I called this concept networking with “common courtesy”. But, just like “common sense”, this practice is anything but commonplace in the business world today. Go figure!
One of the smartest ways to make that best possible first impression when networking is both very simple AND very easy. When you network wit “Uncommon Courtesy”, it clearly differentiates yourself from the amateurs out there. Here are some Best Practices to help you do that:
In her popular book, ‘Lemonade Stand Selling’, Diane Helbig devotes an entire chapter to networking. No surprise, since she is an All-Star Networker. Here’s a bit of the insight she shares: • ‘Networking is an investment in your business. It takes time and when done correctly can yield great results for years to come.’ • … Read more
Whenever two or more business people are in the same space, they typically network. No surprise there. Here are some Networking Best Practices that will differentiate the networking pros from the networking amateurs.
I just re-read Jeffrey Gitomer’s excellent ‘Little Red Book of Selling’. He’s one of the country’s leading sales experts, trainers and speakers … and a very entertaining writer.
He really gets Networking and defines it so well – ‘Networking is life skills and social skills combine with sales skills.’ He also advises that … ‘Networking is a mandatory function of business for salespeople and entrepreneurs.’
Here’s an example of a sales person who practiced the opposite of ‘Permission Marketing’; someone I immediately nominated for the ‘Networking Slug Hall of Fame’. I think she got in on the first ballot.
Has this ever happened to you? You’re at a networking event and meet someone who really turns you off quickly. A classic example of negative first impression. It’s even worse if you’re seated next to that person for the lunch.
This is an example of what I call NSB – ‘Networking Slug Behavior’. Amateurs can earn this unsavory designation for different reasons, but mostly because they don’t practice the simple art of ‘Permission Marketing’. Here are five Best Practices that you’ll see Networking Pros regularly doing to avoid that title. And you have permission to use them.
When I work with business professionals to enhance their Elevator Speech, I remind them of the major similarities between it and a typical workplace presentation:
My comments about LinkedIn several months ago generated lots of reader reaction, especially when COSE (Cleveland’s Council of Smaller Enterprises) posted them on their Linkedin discussion group. Here’s a sampling of my responses:
With most businesses, failing to plan is planning to fail. It’s the same simple paradigm for networking like a pro instead of like an amateur. And it all starts with the reason(s) why you are networking. Whether you want to learn things to help you do your job better/faster/cheaper/smarter, look for a different job or grow your business, network with a Strategic Plan. Here’s how:
You just returned from a networking event, having delivered a concise, engaging and listener-centric Elevator Speech to Tony. You continued that brief conversation, began a potentially new business relationship and learned more about what Tony does. You exchanged cards, shook hands and moved on to meet someone else. Now … what do you do?
Here are a few follow up and relationship maintenance Best Practices learned from those people on the Varsity Networking Team. They can reinforce the positive first impression you made on Tony and help you establish a mutually beneficial networking relationship with him.