Who Did You Introduce in 2014?

One networking technique that is surprisingly underused is introducing our contacts to each other. The best way to do this, of course, is in person. But you can also do it online through your social media activities.

Connecting  your contacts to each other is what networking is all about. You can introduce them to each other on Facebook, on LinkedIn or any other platform on which you’re active .  Let them know why you think they would benefit from knowing each other.

Then, if you can, introduce them in person.

That's how to build your network.

Hyperactive Visibility: Good or Bad?

It’s possible to spend so much time running around and making appearances that you don’t have time to build deep relationships and develop credibility. Activity is not the same thing as accomplishment. If your network is a mile wide and an inch deep, it isn’t really very helpful.

Visibility is important, but by itself, it won’t create credibility or profitability. Not to mention that running around attending every possible networking event in order to establish visibility is a good way to get burned out.

Take the time to build depth in your business relationships. Choose a few networking groups and attend regularly. Meet with people one on one and get to know them.

Build your business by building relationships. Take the time. It’s a not a race. And, if it is a race, it’s a marathon, not a sprint.

A Strategic Approach to Networking

So many business people attend networking events with the desire to get new business which, almost 100% of the time, leads to networking letdown.

 

Here are a couple of suggestions to help eliminate networking letdown (which I am on a personal mission to do).

1. Before your next networking event, decide who you want to meet. Are there gaps in your network? Do you need a good lawyer or accountant? Are there gaps in your contacts’ networks? Do you they need a landscaper or a personal chef? Imagine if you were able to refer them? You’d be a hero.

2. Design your introduction. Introductions are key to ensuring that conversations happen. It’s inevitable that you’ll be asked, “What do you do”? Be ready with a well thought-out, memorable (in a good way) response.

3. When you meet someone you like – stay connected. Ask to connect with him/her online. And even book a next meeting if you’d like to continue the conversation.

Every networking event gives us an opportunity to meet people with whom we can build a mutually beneficial relationship. With a bit of planning, we can create a profitable network to benefit ourselves and our contacts.

Stay in Line When You’re Online

Being active on social media is good for business. It helps nurture and grow high quality business relationships. When it's used properly. One of the best ways to be active online is to post testimonials about your contacts.

Here are a few things you can do:

1.      Like your contacts' Facebook pages. (For me, that's the BNI Golden Horseshoe page.) And be sure you're connected on LinkedIn.

2.      Post Thank You’s to your network online. Imagine how great that makes your contacts look?

3.   When one of your contacts has done great work, write about it. Third party testimonials build incredible credibility.

A couple of things to keep in mind when you’re posting:

1.      Don’t promote yourself – promote others – Givers Gain. Keep it short and sweet. Fifty words should do it.

2.     Watch the spelling. Typos don’t reflect the professional image you likely want. And photos should be of good quality.

3.     Add hyperlinks to connect to your contact’s website and Facebook page. Posts without links or graphics can seem boring. (Social media folks say they’re called dead posts. Who knew?)

4.     Use tagging (recognizing the people you’ve mentioned in the post), and hastags that represent your subject.

Most importantly when you’re posting online – be positive, supportive and respectful. Kind of like we all should be, all the timeJ.

Pay Attention!

What can you do this week to show the people in your network that they have your undivided attention?

 ·     How about turning off your cell phone while you're in conversation with them?

 ·     Maintaining eye contact is a another great way to show full attention.

 ·    Active listening is also crucial in showing undivided attention.

In our meetings, we owe our undivided attention to each other – this means no phones, no tablets, no devices.

 

Here’s why.

We expect people top pay attention to us when we're talking. So we must do the same for them. Not only is it the foundation of Givers Gain – it’s just plain old good manners (which we learned in elementary school).

 

Like your teacher said, “Pay attention!” You’ll be richer for it.

Get in Stryd-e

I am delighted to be speaking at the 1st Annual Stryd-e Event on October 28th.

This inaugural event is created and hosted by BNI member and Ambassador Arti Sharma of Measure Marketing. 

Stryd-e "aims to provide small businesses, entrepreneurs and professionals an opportunity to learn the latest strategies in digital marketing and business networking with an inclination to make a difference in the society. In today’s day and age, mobilizing and engaging with community development issues and the consciousness to do our part for the society is what makes all the difference. To resonate with this belief, the 100% of the proceeds from tickets sales will go towards Food 4 Kids charity."

What's great about this event is that it's close to home, being held in Oakville. And, other fantastic speakers include BNI member and Ambassador, John Goldstein of John Goldstein Photography.

If you've ever wondered how to seamlessly coordinate your digital and online marketing in support of your business networking activities, this event will show you "how to." Don't miss it.

Register now.

#1 Trait of a Master Networker

BNI conducted a survey for the book Masters of Networking that asked business professionals what the most important traits of a master networker were. The most important trait was following up on referrals. Not giving them, following up on them.

See Week 20 in The 29% Solution, “Follow Up Today,” for a networking follow-up report card. Remember, the best system for following up is the one you’re going to use.

There are many kinds of follow-up. You should follow up when you meet a person. You should follow up on a regular basis. By regular basis I don't mean at stalker level. I mean touch base with people from time to time as you're building a creditable relationship. Especially when you have something to share with them or give to them. Following up is part of building a relationship, not just closing a deal.

Have you followed-up with the folks you've met recently?

I'd love to hear about your most effective follow-up system.

Four Things You Should Know about Your Business

Here are four things you should know about your business. If you don’t know the answers to these questions, it will be very difficult for people to refer you, because you won’t have communicated these key points to them.

1.  What is your mission? What are you striving for?

2.  Where is your organization going? How can you improve your chances of achieving your mission?

3.  What environment is your organization operating in? What are the trends affecting you?

4.  What are your core competencies? What do you do better than your competitors?

This is from a thought-provoking BNIpodcast recorded by BNI Founder, Dr. Ivan Misner. I’ve come to realize, after 17 years in BNI, that if we can’t answer the four questions listed above, it becomes much more difficult for people to refer business to us. Not only because our referral sources need to understand what we do, but most importantly they need to understand why we do it. This establishes our credibility. And if we don’t know the answers to these questions, do we really have a plan for our own success?

The biggest challenge lies in answering the questions – it’s top level brain work. But the time investment is worth it. Read Dr. Misner’s podcast for a few tips about finding your answers.

The BNI Experience

Make a big difference in small ways. By Dr. Ivan Misner, Founder BNI.

· It’s not about knowing a lot of people.  It’s about knowing a lot about the people you know.

· It’s not about meeting every week. It’s about trusting the people you meet every week.

· It’s not about handing them leads. It’s about giving them referrals.

· It’s not about doing weekly commercials. It’s about training referral partners.

· It’s not about what you have. It’s about what you can give.

· It’s not just about business. It’s all about relationships.

These are some of the things that help make a great BNI group and lay the groundwork for a good member experience.  But, there’s more, and it involves some small things that you can do every week to help your fellow members have a great experience.

One thing I’ve learned in these many years of working with BNI is that the small things you do can change people’s lives.  Each and every one of us can influence the experience of other members through our guidance, mentoring, support, training, and education.  This is especially true when it is done with a concern for others’ success and desire to provide them with a good experience.

A successful BNI group is about more than running a good meeting.  It’s about the experience people have when they come to the meetings.  People will either have a good experience or a bad experience based on how effectively we (all of us) can help guide members and chapters forward.

Your actions can be the pebble that sets in motion the ripple that changes someone’s life in a more meaningful way than you ever expected.
When you share your knowledge, you send forth a tiny ripple.
When you offer to help someone, you send forth a tiny ripple.
When you give your support, you send forth a tiny ripple.
When we all share and help and support, our ripples create a mighty wave.  A wave that transforms individuals and changes the way the world does business.

5 Presentation Lessons from Apple’s New Rock Star

As business people we’re presenting all the time. Having a successful presentation style has become an expected business skill. The best way to create a fantastic presentation style is to practice, but practice by emulating the best.

This post (click on the title to read the post), shares 5 excellent tips that we can use to make our presentations memorable and great. 

The 5 tips are:

1. Raise the Energy level 

2. Make People Laugh

3. Keep Your Body Language Open

4. Design Simple, Visual Slides

5. Stick to the 10-Minute rule

 
5 Presentation Lessons From Apple's New Rock Star: Craig Federighi

 

12th Annual Summer Networking Bash

Don't miss this event. Register now at www.summernetworkingbash.com.
There will be more than 1,300 business people at this event. The speakers are excellent. And seriously what else are you doing to build your business on August 13?
Join us!

Does Business Take Summer Vacation?

$2,384,359 is the business BNI Golden Horseshoe members created last July and August.

I’ve always thought that July and August are two of the best months for BNI members. And they are.

Last year through July and August in the Golden Horseshoe Region we gave each other $2,384,359 in business ($1,742,080 in 2012). That’s more than $2 million in referral revenue reported in the months of July and August!

Maybe it’s because people have a bit more time; we’re not quite so rushed. The kids are out of school and that may free schedules a bit. It’s a great time to catch up with folks we haven’t connected with in a while. We can meet for a coffee or lunch and even sit outside when we meet.

Does business take a summer vacation? Not in BNI!