3 Steps to Profiting from International Networking Day…in 9 days (and counting)

The International Networking Day Event in Pittsburgh is only 9 days away (and counting). I thought today I’d finish my contributions to this blog by giving you 3 steps to profit when you come to the event. Here you go:

STEP 1: Build Bridges

Before you can build your bridge, you have to have a solid foundation. When it comes to networking, I believe that foundation starts with the end in mind.

In other words, you have to have a goal (an outcome you want) for the event. Do you want to meet 3 contacts that could lead to business? Do you want to help your network out by introducing them to “x” number of people? Do you want to meet a resource you need for your business?

What do you want out of the event? This is your foundation to start building your bridges.

STEP 2: Make Connections

Now that you have a solid foundation to build your bridges, it’s time to reach out and talk to others. Luckily, this event will have an event activity to help others network; but don’t rely on the activity.

If someone walks past you, talk to them. Find out what they want and what their goal is. Help them first. Remember, giver’s gain.  The more you help others at this event (and every event) the more you’ll get back.

Make connections and trust in the Law of Reciprocity…it works!

STEP 3: Keep Moving

You have your bridge built and a connection made…now it’s time to move on…cross the bridge.  I know, Pittsburgher’s are scared to cross bridges, but it’s a must.

Pass your new friend off to someone else (who they want to meet) and go build more bridges. Just repeat the process and make 3-5 connections.

Warning: don’t try to meet more than 5 new people. That’s not to say you can’t meet more than 5; but don’t rush things. Networking takes time, so enjoy yourself and have fun.

So there you have it. Three simple steps to help you walk out of the International Networking Day Event and profit (now or down the road).

See you there!!!

Weston Lyon
www.westonlyon.com

“Don’t Leave the Office Without It!”

Imagine, it is your first day in business…shelves are stocked, clerks eager to serve, cash register is humming…you turn the key… open the doors–oops you forgot to mount a sign on your building!   You think to yourself, how will they find me?

A retail shop without a sign–is like a Networker, without a business card!  Instead of a huge neon sign bolted to concrete, this is the 3.5” x 2” miniature marquis, every business hopes will end up in a virtual mall on someone’s computer, phone, or in an old fashion file box.   This International Networking Day, February 2, 2010—Donot forget to bring a pile of business cards!  Because, when you meet and connect—if you haven’t “got” your sign—how will they find you?

Now, this is not to imply that you should run around the Main Ballroom in a frantic-frenzy, passing out as many business cards as you can!  The only business to benefit from this kind of networking would be the printer who slapped the ink on them.  Networking is, after all, about making connections, and building bridges to develop solid business relationships over time, and the key word here would be, over time.

The mini storefront-signs-in-a-pocket, are your tickets for expanding your referral network.  During Pittsburgh’s, 4^th International Networking Day Celebration from 3:00 to 7:30 at the Radisson in Greentree, you will have an opportunity to make many connections.  However, the “building of bridges,” will only happen, when you take action with the business cards you have exchanged. Will you set them aside to collect dust? Will you toss them into the trash?–Or—Will you use them to build goodwill by sending a, nice-to-meet-you, note?  Will you use them to call for that first “business date?”—you know…that cup of coffee…which starts out with these words: “Tell me more about YOUR business,” and ends with, “How can I help YOU succeed?”

Cheryle Carpenter Moses

Business Development at Strategic Marketing Group

 

The “Game” of Networking by Peter Bruening, Sales & Business Development Coach

The “Game” of Networking

Networking — just like sales overall — can be viewed as a game. Think about a game you used to really enjoy as a kid. Did you like board games? Chutes & Ladders? Candy Land? Uncle Wiggly?!?  (OK, I’m really showing my age here with that last one). I want you to think of these games, and remember what the purpose of playing them was. Do you remember? FUN!  That’s right, one element of playing games is to have fun.

Now think about a different type of game. Consider the sports that many of us have played, and many of us still like to watch: football, baseball, hockey, basketball, etc. I use these games to illustrate a different point. Who is successful at these games? The real stars, the ones who earn fame and fortune, are the ones who do a couple of things very well relative to the game they are playing:

Preparation: No professional athlete ever made it without practice and preparation. You can also do this in the game of networking. A couple of specific ways you can prepare are to develop & practice delivering a good ’30 second commercial’. You can also set goals for how many new contacts you want to make prior to attending a networking event.

Execution: Professional athletes consistently perform at a high level. You can also learn to execute well by getting out there and networking. The only way to improve at playing any game is to practice and play. Networking is the same. The more you engage in networking — the more events you attend, for example — the better you will get at it. And don’t stop at just attending events. Make sure that part of your execution is following up with potential referral partners by setting up one-on-one meetings over coffee to discuss potential referral swapping.

Play the game of networking at a professional level by doing these things:

• Have fun!! – networking should be one of the most enjoyable things you do in your business
• Prepare – create and practice your commercial, and set goals
• Execute – the more you do it, the better you get at it

Now get out there, play the game, and win some business!!

Peter Bruening is a professional sales coach, trainer, speaker and author. He helps his clients increase their passion for sales, and in the process, their sales performance and revenue.  Please visit his web site at: http://www.sellingpointsgroup.com

NETWORKING IN THE SAME CIRCLES?

It’s human nature to swim in the same circles, stay in the same path and network with the same people. And it’s actually a smart thing to do - most of the time. Any strength overused becomes a weakness and when you never venture out to new circles and stop making new contacts you are doing a disservice to yourself and to those you serve.

That’s why International Networking Day ™ exists. Networking is an essential component in both our personal and professional lives. The mission of International Networking Day™ and International Networking Week™  is to commemorate the role networking plays in our business and personal lives. Our Goal is to bring together over 500 people from various organizations – who wouldn’t normally network together – to create new ideas and opportunities. International Networking Day™ is the cornerstone dedicated to featuring various networking events; both nationally and internationally.

On February 2, 2010, a huge networking event will take place in Pittsburgh featuring Debby Peters, Networking Guru. Debby Peters (www.cnpofohio.com/) will be giving a presentation entitled “From Network Dating to Network Dollars” where participants will learn how to translate networking activities into real business!

So step outside that same circle. Reconnect with people you haven’t seen in a while. Meet new people who can help you and your inner circle with products, experts and/or information. And someone you meet may need you, your products, expertise and information. Make it a point to register for International Networking Day at www.indpittsburgh.com

Deanna Tucci Schmit
Executive Director
BNI Western Pennsylvania
www.bni-westernpa.com

Networking Events — Setting Your Goals

The New Year means new goals.  I like to set goals; all sorts of goals.  I even set goals for networking events.  Nothing crazy you understand.  It could be as simple as wanting to meet someone who is one of the sponsors of the event because we share the some of the same clients.  Here are tips to help you set your own realistic expectations for your next networking event

 One way is to check an organization’s on-line registration site to see if they post who is attending the mixer.  You may not know personally the people who are attending, but their companies should give you an idea of the type of business they are in.  Are some of the people attending your competitors, your target market, or in businesses that share your same target market?  All these people are valuable in growing your business so come prepared to meet them. 

Another way to have realistic expectations is to know why you are attending the mixer in the first place.  I go to different networking events for different reasons, but their ability to help grow my business is at the top of my list. 

For example, I go to the meetings of my local chapter of Meeting Professionals International because of its strong educational component, and I need that so I can keep sharp in an industry that continually changes.  I go to Chamber of Commerce events because I have had the happy experience of meeting people who share my target market or, who are my target market.

 This leads me to the best way to have realistic expectations, and that is to come prepared to listen more than you speak.  Come prepared with the willingness to get to know people.  Come prepared to smile and offer a hand to each person you meet.  I believe if you do all of those things, then the next time a mixer happens there will be people waiting to meet you. 

 Want the chance to learn more about networking and you do business in Southwestern Pennsylvania?  Than attend International Networking Day, Tuesday, February 2^nd from 3:00 till 7:30 at the Radisson Pittsburgh.  For more information and to register go to www.indpittsburgh.com.

Mary Pam Kilgore,  Kilgore Business Services, LLC

www.kilgorebusiness.com

Kilgore Business Services is a corporate meeting and special event planning company providing the planning and resources necessary to make your next meeting or event successful

Networking Doesn’t Work! by Peter Bruening, Sales & Business Development Coach

Networking Doesn’t Work!

It’s true. Networking doesn’t work. But neither does a hammer. Or a computer. Or a car. Or anything else you use in your life that is a tool. Hammers are great for driving nails. But they don’t actually do the work. The user of the hammer is the one that does the hammering. The user of the computer is the one that sends the email or creates the spreadsheet. The driver is the one that gets the car from point A to point B. And the networker is the person that does the networking!

Networking is a tool, and a tool only. I always get a kick out of hearing someone say that networking doesn’t work for them. One of the most common situations in which I hear this is from someone who was in a Chamber of Commerce, or perhaps a chapter of one of the better known exclusive groups such as TSBN or BNI, and they tell me they tried it but it just didn’t work for them. So let me get this straight. In the Pittsburgh area alone, thousands of businesses and individual business professionals pay hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars to belong to these groups because … they don’t work? Hmmm.

Something about that just doesn’t make sense to me. Perhaps it isn’t networking that doesn’t work, but it is in fact the networker that doesn’t work. In other words, the only way it makes sense to say that networking doesn’t work is when you are referring to it as a tool. In that sense, it doesn’t do the work. What I really mean by this is that it is not the networking group that does the work. It is the individual networker that must do the work. The good news? The ‘work’ of networking is actually fun! It’s all about getting to know people and building relationships that are mutually beneficial.

Trust me on this. If networking was not an effective way to grow business, people wouldn’t do it. I sure wouldn’t do it! I belong to  a variety of networking organizations, and I have made a commitment to work them. Like the hammer I use to drive nails, my networking groups work for me because I use them as the tools they were intended to be. You can’t just join a networking group and expect it to create business for you any more than you can expect a hammer sitting in a toolbox to build you a house.

Three simple steps you can follow to get started on effective networking: 1) Find a good group to join. Most will let you attend before you join. Take advanantage of this opportunity and attend!; 2) Commit to spend a minimum amount of time every week on networking. This may only be a few hours, but make the commitment, and track your time to ensure that you do it! Make sure your networking time includes not only attending group meetings, but also scheduling one-to-ones with individual members to get to know them and their business better; 3) Focus on giving, not getting, referrals. The law of reciprocity is what makes the world of networking go around. You are not at a networking meeting to sell, but to learn how you can provide referrals to the members.

Networking doesn’t work — but good networkers do!

Peter Bruening is a professional sales coach, trainer, speaker and author. He helps his clients increase their passion for sales, and in the process, their sales performance and revenue.  Please visit his web site at: http://www.sellingpointsgroup.com

The one connection that changed 2 coaches’ lives…

Three years ago I was at the first ever International Networking Day Event in Pittsburgh making my rounds. I was striking up conversations with old friends and making new friends in the process.

It was cool…the room was filled with people from all different kinds of networking groups – ones I never knew existed and ones I rarely visited. It’s not everyday you get to network with others from all walks of life.

Anywho, my #1 goal that night was to meet other coaches who were focused on the health and fitness market so we could build a relationship and maybe, just maybe, help each other grow our businesses.

Luckily for me, my good friend David Holzer knew my goal and proceeded to make connections for me all night. He made the connections with the intent of just helping me out; never knowing where it could lead.

Then, in the middle of the event, with his Cheshire cat grin plastered to his face, David introduced me to Diana Fletcher. It was Diana’s first BIG networking event and she told me later she thought about no showing…boy we’re both glad she decided to come.

You see, Diana and I, at the IND event, struck up a pretty simple conversation with the intent of getting together at a later time. We followed up on our intention and met a few short weeks later.

And the rest as they say is HISTORY!

Since that time Diana and I have written 3 books together, spoken on stage together, and have published a handful of other products together.

Diana has published 2 more books! All from one connection…one built bridge…that happened almost four years ago.

You never know where your connections will lead. Both our lives have changed…damn I love networking!

See y0u at International Networking Day on Feb 2nd!

Weston Lyon
www.westonlyon.com

Building Bridges; Making Connections

Our these for the IND (International Networking Day) this year is “Building Bridges; Making Connections”.

We talked alot about what it is that bridges really do — they are a solution to problem, they represent the shortest distance between places, they overcome obstacles, they allow people to come together.  And perhaps not incidentally, their creation and maintenance is nearly always about commerce.

This is great metaphor for our business networking, our “word-of-mouth” marketing.  We need to connect with other business people in our city.  And Like our city with many bridges, the more connections we have, the business we conduct.

Relationships are the bridges between people.   Come build some bridges with us at the IND on Feb 2.