Creative Networking for Busy People
With all the demands on our time made by our business, professional and personal lives, it is tempting to assign a lower priority to networking as an activity designed to meet new people. After all, we have so many commitments at the office and at home -- to colleagues, family and friends - that it is difficult to set aside extra time to bring even more people into our lives. This thinking would be wrong, however, on two levels. For one, we are constantly being introduced to new people anyway, every day, with no disruption to our schedules.
Secondly, by not consistently widening our circles of acquaintances and contacts, we may be severely curtailing our chances for advancement and success. It is estimated that the average person knows about 250 people. Each person may know 250 people or so. This means that for each new person you meet, you gain access to a potential pool of 62,500 people separated from you by just two degrees!
Imagine the odds, then, that out of so many people, you would NOT find one person who would be a source of information about a better job, additional clients or customers, a speaking engagement or writing assignment, an investment opportunity, where to shop for better value, and much more. In all likelihood, you would find many more than one.
Do these numbers sound staggering? At the end of this article, I will prove the multiplier effect to you!
Business networking is one of the highest growth activities you can take part in. Fortunately, like any endeavor, one can get more proficient at it with practice. On top of this, it takes very little time and practice to perfect.
You only need a second to decide you're going to be a prolific networker, without interrupting your schedule. All it requires is a slight shift in attitude, and adopting one simple trifurcated rule:
Greet each new acquaintance with an openness to learn more about that person, a willingness to help, and an offer to stay in touch.
This approach is equally applicable to every form of networking, whether in business or social contexts, and whether the encounter takes place in person or, as frequently happens today, online.
It will also be to your advantage to meet new people in person, but also keep yourself sharp and alert. Work on your friendliness and conversation skills; even if no relationship develops with that person, he or she will likely remember you as a "nice guy/lady" if asked about you at some point in the future.
If you feel you are too busy to go to networking events, attend only those vital to your professional or business standing. Create the greatest opportunity and casual meetings that take place during your work day.
You'll also want to have more business cards than you'll need. That way, you can develop relationships and remain in better control.
If you'd like to network from the comfort of your home or office, or during down time on weekends, join an online business networking community. Many of them have sub-networks focused on topics of particular interest to you. In addition, you can look at others' profiles and prioritize accordingly.
The raw power of networking online is quite powerful in the way is spreads (they call this viral marketing). I belong to an online networking community that has tens of thousands of members.
As members invite friends to join, this network's rate of exponential growth is now up to an average of more than 2,750 new members a week. An a member I was able to connect with 1000's of online connections."Quite surprisingly, it turns out to be 8,138" just people connecting with people!" These are all people I can access with a few clicks of a mouse, and without disturbing my first circle of friends at all. It's amazing at how big each circle of friends, who know more friends who know more frined can grow to, and this exponential growth happens more frequently as you go with less effort each day on my part.
It is worth noting that all this is free - and for just a small upgrade fee, I can search the entire network for individuals who work in a specific industry or company, live in a city I plan to visit, are experts in a field in which I am seeking advice, etc. And there is a very good chance they would respond to me, since we are members of the same community of networkers.
Shortness of time shouldn't be an excuse any longer for not connecting with new people who could be potential new business referrers.
About the Author
Phil Evans is a business networking specialist, focussing on helping business owners to exponentially grow their companies. Adam is also the co-founder of Synergy Biz Net. To learn more visit: http://www.SynergyBizNet.com
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