Strategic Networking
Here in the Boston area, there is a plethora of networking events to attend almost daily. Just identifying them all and choosing which ones to attend can be daunting if you don't have your objectives and your scripts well-thought out.
That's the catch. All these networking events are organized and promoted. And yet, most people seem to attend expecting magic will sit on their shoulder to introduce them to the ideal person they want to meet that day. They have no clear objective or script.
I've always thought you had to have a purpose to network and to be able to walk away feeling it was a good use of your time and pocketbook (since you likely have to pay for a meal or a book as part of the registration fee). Therefore, I always knew I wanted to be the one in any conversation to be asking the questions. Why? You are in control of the conversation when you are asking the questions. You get to decide who to spend a few more minutes with, or not. And you get to decide who you want to follow-up with.
Recently I discovered a wonderful little book (it's only 4" x 5" in size.) by Mel Kaufmann. Each page is a networking nugget to use if you want to get the most of your networking time and effort. The book is The Millionaire's Handbook. You can purchase them at his speaking engagements or online at www.PowerPartnersCoaching.com. I'll be handing it out to clients at our workshop where we address low-cost marketing strategies and refining selling skills.
Mel spells out exactly what to do and what to say in networking events to succeed in business - not make an instant sale. It's so refreshing compared to what I see everyone trying to do at these events. Networking in this paradigm precedes marketing which precedes selling. Mel reinforces the idea I spoke about last week in my newsletter Breakthrough Success - about networking for relationships not transactions.
That's the catch. All these networking events are organized and promoted. And yet, most people seem to attend expecting magic will sit on their shoulder to introduce them to the ideal person they want to meet that day. They have no clear objective or script.
I've always thought you had to have a purpose to network and to be able to walk away feeling it was a good use of your time and pocketbook (since you likely have to pay for a meal or a book as part of the registration fee). Therefore, I always knew I wanted to be the one in any conversation to be asking the questions. Why? You are in control of the conversation when you are asking the questions. You get to decide who to spend a few more minutes with, or not. And you get to decide who you want to follow-up with.
Recently I discovered a wonderful little book (it's only 4" x 5" in size.) by Mel Kaufmann. Each page is a networking nugget to use if you want to get the most of your networking time and effort. The book is The Millionaire's Handbook. You can purchase them at his speaking engagements or online at www.PowerPartnersCoaching.com. I'll be handing it out to clients at our workshop where we address low-cost marketing strategies and refining selling skills.
Mel spells out exactly what to do and what to say in networking events to succeed in business - not make an instant sale. It's so refreshing compared to what I see everyone trying to do at these events. Networking in this paradigm precedes marketing which precedes selling. Mel reinforces the idea I spoke about last week in my newsletter Breakthrough Success - about networking for relationships not transactions.
posted by Kerri at 1:00 PM
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