This article is based on “The 29% Solution” by Ivan Misner PhD and Michelle R. Donovan.
In the last article we looked at Ivan Misner’s recommendation to “follow-up today”. Have you reviewed your contact management system to ensure that it can record data about your networking partners that will be useful to your follow up activities?
In this article we will look at how to get value for your time.
Be ‘ON’ 24/7:
Near the beginning of this series of workshops based on Ivan Misner’s book “The 29% Solution” we looked at Misner’s “Top Ten Traits” of master networkers was a commitment to networking 24/7.
According to Misner a master networkers are never off duty. (except perhaps when they are asleep). Networking is so natural to them that they can be found networking in the super market checkout line, at the doctor’s office and while picking the kids up from school – as well as at chamber of commerce meetings. Master networkers take advantage of every opportunity that’s presented to them on a daily basis. They operate in the “Givers Gain” mind-set and are first and foremost looking for opportunities for the people in their network.
You never know when someone standing beside you might be connected to a huge opportunity. If you’re not “ON” you loose access to that opportunity. Just as bad, the person standing there looses access to a great resource – you! And most importantly, the real “opportunity cost” of not being available to that person: he or she knows a bunch of other people who – if you are asleep at the networking wheel – will likewise never connect with you.
Rather than constantly direct selling, the best way to build meaningful relationships is to help someone whenever possible. Effective networking is all about building relationships by truly helping other people – and there’s never a “wrong” time to help people.
Take Action:
This week is the perfect time to review your contacts with people. Do you routinely look for opportunities to engage people who are not already in your network, in conversation. If you just talk to one new person per day – that’s 365 new contacts per year. Think of the networking potential in those numbers.