Effective Networking

Any person who is in business will succeed if they believe in the power of positive thinking. For inspiration, check out the video by Dr. Wayne Dyer of “What you really, really, really, really want.” Home Based Business is different from Storefront in that we don’t have walk by traffic and we are less visible to our potential clients. We have advantages over storefront in having more flexible hours, no commuting etc. So, we have to realize ways to overcome barriers by doing more networking!
You only have one chance to make a first impression so make it the best by dressing for business every day, being positive and prepared whether you are in a grocery store lineup or at a networking event.
So what is networking? It is developing “strategic  alliances” with other business people in the community. Get to know others and their businesses. Give them plenty of quality  referrals for business and they will do the same for you. One exercise to do is phone up two contacts each week and suggest coffee to chat about business and themselves thereby making your own network and business connections
Once you have your “network” , they can become your “business partners” in that you give them quality referrals and vice versa when talking to other clients.
In order to concentrate on growing your business, you should start considering the value of your time. If you could spend an hour on phoning new leads versus doing the bookkeeping, how much is your time worth? Maybe now is the time to get other specialists to do your bookkeeping, housework, office typing etc. if it means you can spend that time concentrating on “what you do best” for the business!
Are you able to go to a networking event and meet 100 people in 2 hours? Learning how to talk to people you don’t know and then moving on to meet other new people within the hour is a difficult but useful skill. The first rule is never leave home at anytime without a pocket full of business cards. Try to learn how to explain what is your business in 60 seconds ( go to April meeting!) and then how do you move on without being rude!
Another skill is remembering to take a card from the people you meet, make a note about your conversation on the back of the card and always follow-up in some way whether phone invitation for coffee or “nice to meet you” card. Try to find a connection in “someone you both know” and invite the contact and your friend for coffee.
Learn the different personality styles and adapt to them. If the person is a “thinker” who needs details and information to analyse then follow-up with lots of written information about your company. If the person is a “dreamer” then follow-up with creative information such as your web site or glossy brochures.
You quickly learn the personalities to “run, don’t walk” from and those who will be “difficult” clients.
The most important rule for effective networking is to remove yourself from your “comfort zone” staying with people you know at networking events. You are there to meet new people not to visit with friends so stride out into the unknown territory and you may find new business!
Donna Willon
donna@focusednetworking.com
www.focusednetworking.com
www.achieving-excellence.com
604-328-2290