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Almanac aggregating awesome networking tips…..

January 2, 2014

An almanac of top networking tips harvested during 2013 – setting you up for 2014

Here are five business networking tips that can help you wherever you go: from Investor Junkie
1. Be Yourself — and Be ConsistentOne of the most important keys to successful networking is to be genuine. Be yourself, and make sure you are the same person online and offline…..

2. Share Your Own Knowledge

Become a resource that others can use. One of the best ways to network is to share what you know with others. While you don’t want to give out proprietary secrets, and while you don’t want to devalue your time, you can still help others…….

3. Articulate What You Need

Whether you are connecting online, or whether you are interacting with others in person, it’s important to articulate what you need. Know your needs, and how others can help you. Conversely………

4. Go Where the Networking Opportunities Are

Once you know what you need, and what you can offer, you need to go to where others are. Online/Offline, this means…….

5. Follow Up in a Timely Manner

When you meet someone, it’s a good idea to follow up in a timely manner. If you meet someone at a conference, send a quick email when you return home reiterating how much you enjoyed the connection. If you talked about a partnership with someone, follow up with more details…………………

Networking can be a great way to establish relationships with clients or potential partners — or even just to connect with a new friend to bounce ideas around with. Carefully consider the way you network, and improve your interactions to boost your business.

FULL ARTICLE HERE

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And guess what this article says from The Standard (Zimbabwe edition)? 

Here are five ways to improve networking skills and get the desired results.

Have clear objectives
For most entrepreneurs, the goal of networking is to connect with people who can help you make a sale, get a referral, establish a contact and so on. When we network, we want to achieve something. keep that goal clear in your mind…………….

Don’t arrive late
Some people don’t really enjoy talking to strangers, so they will try to arrive at a networking event just at the starting time or after. This way they can just find a chair and sit as the event gets underway.

This is really a waste……..

Avoid trying to sell
Although you will want to sell something eventually, do not make the mistake of trying to sell from the start. People hate being sold to; they like to buy when they feel like.

Instead of pushing to get what you want, start by giving first. Giving is the only way to establish a real connection and relationship. If you focus solely on what you can get out of the connection, you will never make meaningful, mutually beneficial connections. Make networking all about the other people and not about you.

The other people don’t really care that you desperately need to make a sell or partner with a major player in the industry in order to survive or grow. Those are your problems and your needs. Never expect others to respond to your needs…………………


Prepare to and do follow up

Networking is the start, not the end, of conversation. Ask the other person how best you can keep in touch, whether by email, phone or on LinkedIn.  Get in touch in the……………………….

With regular practice, you will soon become a professional at networking. As you build up your contacts in your industry and market, you will have more prospects of growing your business.

Don’t rush to meet people at high levels before you can offer them something. You may desperately need a loan and meeting the managing director of a bank will be awesome. But it could be impossible or futile unless you have something that he wants or needs….

Full article here

 

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And then something we can all learn from…..

5 Customer Service Lessons From Winnie-the-Pooh

Marc Compeau in Forbes

As our friend Pooh navigated the hundred acre wood in search of honey and the meaning of life he (and A. A. Milne) also shared some legendary wisdom.   Pooh’s quotes provide a great foundation for many life lessons, I found a few that serve as reminders that the customer is the key to small business success……..

Full article here

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5 ways to follow up after networking events –

from Young and Connected

Networking events are popular for not only being a great social opportunity, but a platform to meet people, learn more about others and to make yourself, your product or business known. Many people dedicate hours of their time attending events and make a great effort to work the room, yet very few have mastered the art and importance of following up after networking.

Timely and consistent follow up is essential to maintaining good quality relationships. Bearing in mind that the operative word is “quality” and not “quantity”, it is important to maintain good relationships made at networking events………………

Full article here

 

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5 Keys to Building Business Relationships

By Sean McVey

Building business relationships is critical in the professional services, yet for some reason this task is often neglected.  Many business owners and marketers spend precious time tweaking their service offerings and pricing and touting their competitive advantages — when their real advantage lies in the strength of their relationships.

Hinge’s latest research……

Full Article Here

 

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The January events

Exeter January 8th – seminar before THE networking lunch – hosted by Optix Solutions – Why businesses shouldn’t use Social Media

Bristol January 15th – seminar before THE networking lunch – hosted by The Payroll Department – Auto-enrolment – coming to your business

 

The 2014 events calendar

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One Comment
  1. Some great tips here. I was always advised when I first got in to business networking that you should always be outspoken enough to sell yourself and share knowledge but be attentive enough to let others do the same!!

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