Does it really cost that much?

I have attended a few meetings recently where the attendees seemed to expect a professionally run event with profitable results, but without really paying anything. Do they all provide their services at no real cost?

Someone emailed me recently to ask about a networking event "does a meal really cost that much at ...?"

I answered "No, but running a professional organisation with high quality facilitation and attendees does. They are not a non profit!"

Networking in the right group means building trusted relationship that both increase the speed and lower the cost of business development. What value do you place on that?

See these blog posts for more on speed and cost of business development in business networking:

The value of networking for advocates
Saving time with organised networking

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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What is this #FollowFriday on Twitter?

In a One on One meeting earlier this week the other person said to me "I have just joined Twitter, what is this #FollowFriday?" I explained that on Fridays many people tweet the names of Twitter users they would like others to follow and tag the update with #followfriday. "Who would you recommend?" she said.

So far I have advocated these experts in their respective fields:

@ajwilcox Mind mapping generally and Mind Manager specifically
@andylopata Advice on effective business networking strategy
@AlanRae helpful stuff for growing businesses and aspiring entrepreneurs
@askten interesting facts daily
@BernieJMitchell Everything networking in Kings Cross and Olympic 2012 Boroughs
@BookMarkLee Helping accountants and those who want to work with accountants
@GrahamJones Great insights on using the internet to really connect with people
@jondavey Business in Berkshire and New Business Leads
@nicktadd Help with twitter & other Social Media
@Nigel_Morgan PR advice on creating a great reputation
@NigelTemple Practical small business marketing hints & tips
@Richard_White Daily sales tips and recommendations from the Accidental Salesman®
@Rodsloane No bull small business marketing
@Thebookwright Unleash that book inside you...!

For the history of how this all developed see '#FollowFriday: The Anatomy of a Twitter Trend'

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

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Can you accelerate trust?

At a recent event someone posed the question "what can we do to accelerate the building of trust within the group?" It's a good question as successful networking relies on the building of trust. I think there are some essential ingredients for building trust in a group including leadership and facilitation. The members must also 'buy in' to the process and be proactive.

A few years back we conducted some research into the importance of developing trust in business relationships as part of networking. The article 'Have you unlocked the benefits of business networking?' includes a link to the full findings. It includes a breakdown of the trust building process in business networking. If you are proactive and follow this you can accelerate the building of trust, particularly if you join the right networking group for you.

As I wrote in 'How to build trust in business relationships':

Building a trusted business relationship in a networking context is a simple process:
1. Make contact
2. Follow up
3. Form relationships
4. Develop Advocates

Like many simple things that does not mean it is easy!

These previous blog posts also address the issue of building trust in business networking:

The killer app in business networking
Building trust in networking
Nothing compares to the power of trust
Building trust with a new contact
Behaviours that build trust
What’s your NRG? Part Two.

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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What you say is less important ...

Have you ever agonised about what you are going to say to others at a networking meeting? Perhaps you have changed your mind as you listened to others. This could be in a 1 or 2 minute presentation or when someone asks the dreaded question, "what do you do?".

What you say is not the most important thing. What others say when you are not there is key. So spend less time trying to craft the perfect pitch and more time listening to others to find a connection and spark a conversation. It's during the conversation you find ways to help and demonstrate your value. People remember and talk about that far more then your initial pitch.

Success in business networking is not down to what you say about you, it's what others say. That makes what you do more important than what you say.

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

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Something we don't know about you

Have you ever been to a business networking event and left feeling that you didn't really get to know anyone? The conversations at business networking events can be very dull if everyone just talks about their business.

At the more 'formal' part of NRG Business Networking Events we have an aide memoire to help people introduce themselves and their business. This includes the usual business stuff - name, business, target market and ideal connections. It also invites the person to share something about themselves that we would not know in the ordinary course of business. Often this is when people come alive, smile and reveal their true nature. Especially when they talk about one of their passions.

That often is the spark for a conversation with someone and a real connection where you get to know and like each other. It's those connections that lead to follow up and a good business relationship based on trust where you become advocates. That's when networking really starts to work.

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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How does this networking work then?

In a recent three way conversation at a networking breakfast someone asked "how does this (networking) work?" and one of the others, a wealth management professional, told a quick story.

He explained that he had met an estate planning consultant about 6 months ago. He had got to know him and introduced a few people. He was then invited to a conference of lawyers, accountants and other professionals with an interest in estate planning. He had got to know a few of them and made a few more introductions. Recently the Estate Planner had given him a referral into one of the specialist family law firms he was hoping to build a relationship with.

He finished by saying "So that's it in a nutshell. I go to the networking groups where I will meet the right people for me, get to know some of the others, find out what they need and help where I can. Then good stuff happens for me."

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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Talking about Politics and Religion when Networking

Conventional wisdom says you should avoid talking about politics and religions, but then someone once said to me that conventional wisdom is almost always wrong!

Many people think that the conversation at a business networking event has to be just about business, but in my experience people want to get to know you first. What makes you tick and what are you passionate about. That may well be business, but you will often make connections over your other interests first. So if your passions include politics or religion it's perfectly ok to talk about them as long you are engaging in conversation and not up on your soapbox!

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

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I know you don't do this, but ...

Do clients ever say to you "I know you don't do this, but do you know anyone who can help with ..." or something similar?

I asked this question to someone last week who shared that they were finding it difficult to find referrals for their network. If you are the person your client contacts first with any request you can make yourself pretty much indispensable if you have a good recommendation for them each time.

It also means you have a steady supply of referrals that you can make for your network. In turn that should generate a similar number flowing back to you.

Even if they are not asking you now then next time you talk to them ask them some questions about other help they may need. If you can help them by referring someone else you are helping to cement trust with your client and the person you refer.

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

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Are business cards a necessity for business networking?

At a recent networking lunch one of the other people on our table apologised for forgetting their business cards and promised to send everyone their contact details afterwards. They did this thereby demonstrating an important part of networking follow up - doing what you promise you will do.

I know some people who deliberately have no business cards and always make a point of following up after receiving cards. This generally provokes a reaction in the people they meet. Some people think their approach is good and different. Others hate it and feel they are not really participating in the right way.

What do you think?

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

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Are you attending too many business networking events?

In a One2One meeting last week with someone I was discussing the importance of following up in building business relationships. The person I was with said "I am going to so many events I haven't had the time to do any real follow up." Then he thought for a minute and said "maybe I will go to fewer events so I have more time for follow up".

I find it really useful to put time in my diary for follow up at the same time as I enter the event itself. It would be great to hear any ideas you might have for managing your networking.

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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