Building friendships that will lead to business

I was chatting on Friday with someone about my last blog post, Should you join that networking group? She agreed with the view that you need to like the people when joining a networking group.

She said that she also looked for groups with professionals from similar backgrounds to hers and who operate in similar markets. She is not looking to just make friends, but build her business along the way.

It struck me that 'building friendships that will lead to business' is a pretty good definition of the process of business networking in a group.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
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About InCouraged- Because Courage is Contagious

Who is Megan? Honestly, I don't have a clue. But Megan encouraged me today with a blog post.

Her blog is called InCouraged. The sub caption is..."Because Courage Is Contagious".

Megan shares a series of five posts this month that I have really enjoyed:
Dec. 1 - Being A Better Decider
Dec. 2 - Liberating Your Emotional Real Estate
Dec. 3 - Rounding Out Your Inner Circle
Dec. 4 - Adding Structure to Gain Freedom
Dec. 5 - An Open Letter to Aspiring Entrepreneurs

If you are considering becoming a baby boomer entrepreneur, I encourage you to check out InCouraged.

On her blog, Megan talks about an epiphany she had one day in the shower. She shares the story behind the birth of the blog. Let me just share with you this part of the story:

So why are we doing this? Because it takes courage to look fear in the face, embrace it, learn from it and convert it into a positive force that only you can create. And in this day and age, we need more of it. A lot more.

I hope you will be encouraged by InCouraged. Let's prove that Megan is right...that Courage Is Contagious.

Shallie
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Should you join that networking group?

At the end of a recent event a visitor said to me "do you think I should join this group". I replied that I was biased, but could he answer yes to the following 3 questions.

1. Do you like the people in the group?
2. Over time could you introduce them to your trusted contacts?
3. Do you have the time in your diary for attending the events and following up?

He asked why those questions and I said, "Unless you like the people you are not likely to make the effort. If you can make introductions for the others then it is likely they can do the same for you. Finally, you need to have the time to invest in building relationships."

He smiled and asked for an application form.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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The Not So New Rules Of Networking

Yesterday I wrote about the New Rules of Networking. Of course this is not new as I was reminded by this quote from Ralph Waldo Emerson is his Essays on Compensation nearly 170 years ago!

"It is one of the most beautiful compensations of life, that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself."

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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The New Rules Of Networking

I found some great advice from Paul Simon in this blog, The New Rules Of Networking.

"Not too long ago, networking consisted of walking into a huge meeting room at your local hotel or a large business site and handing out business cards to as many people as you could. Now that is all but ancient history. Networking today can build your sales, but only if you heed the new rules.

Successful networking nowadays means toting along a sincere interest in helping others instead of a box of cards and brochures, shelving your selling fervor in favor of making genuine acquaintances, and recognizing that creating reciprocal relationships will pay off much greater in the long run than any possible quick sale."

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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Social, Learning & Business

At a recent networking meeting the discussion turned to why people were networking. The consensus was that it was about business, but it was important to build relationships first.

One of the members said for him it was social first, learning second and then business. He drew this picture to demonstrate.

He explained it further by saying,  "firstly it's social as it can be lonely working in a small business so it's great to meet other relevant professionals. Secondly it is important to learn new things from your peers. Then as you get to know, like and trust the others a natural consequence is business."

It reminded me of a quote from someone at a networking seminar a couple of years ago when I asked what networking was to him and he said, "Networking is about making friends you can do Business with".


The key point is that it is the relationship first and business follows.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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Do you get networking?

I was chatting with a couple of people yesterday after a networking meeting that I facilitated. One of the people said, "The great thing about this group is that all the people get it"

I asked what he meant by 'get it' and he said "They are a likeable, intelligent and friendly bunch with solid businesses. Everyone is there to help the others achieve their business goals first and foremost. They are relaxed, not desperate and not selling to each other."

A wonderful summary of the attributes of great networkers!

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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Advocacy by Penny Power

I was really pleased when Ecademy founder Penny Power asked if she could quote me on Advocacy in her new book Know Me, Like Me, Follow Me - what online social networking means for you and your business.

Penny was at a meeting when I presented and subsequently wrote about here a couple of years ago on networking for advocates. She wrote about this in her book and what she learned about advocacy.

"The greatest aspect of 'like me' is is the power of creating advocates around your knowledge, people who will 'talk about you when you are not in the room'. To me this is real network value. 'Know me' cannot achieve this ... you cannot achieve this advocacy without having a relationship with that advocate."

Read more from Penny at the Know Me, Like Me, Follow Me Blog.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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Leaving the wrong impression

A recent post, 'Are business cards a necessity for business networking?' received replies here and also on links to the post on my profile on Twitter, Facebook, and Linkedin. A great example of the need to keep up with your conversations online.

The consensus of the replies about business cards was that they were a necessity in business networking. I agree with that view and they should support the professional brand image you are looking to build through your networking. A strong visual identity is a very important outward manifestation of your brand and the quality of your business cards needs to be aligned with that.

A word of warning though about using free business cards with 'Business Cards are FREE at...' on the reverse side. I have seen a couple of people using these recently and the recipients all said they raised serious doubts about the credibility of the presenter.

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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Who answers your phone whilst you are out?

One of the points covered at last week's Client Attraction Techniques Masterclass from Small Business Marketing Expert Nigel Temple was response time. Your clients or potential clients often want an answer right now. Indeed this is so important that 80% of business people do not leave a message if they get an answer machine or voicemail.

If you are investing valuable time in generating leads and referrals from networking and other business development activities you don't want to lose out when you can't answer the phone personally. It is uneconomic for may small businesses to employ a receptionist. There are, however, many virtual office and phone reception services available for a relatively small fixed fee or you can pay as you go.

We use a phone answering service from Verbatim for our inbound phone calls. It's an efficient, professional and cost effective way of ensuring we don't miss those important calls. Especially those that require a quick response!

Good Networking!
Dave Clarke
Get 7 networking secrets for business success

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business networking | business networking events | business networking podcast

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